This river is fishing GREAT….What is on the menu?
October Caddis
Crane flies
Summer Stones
Water is dropping fast as the yearly ‘flip flop‘ is taking place
KLICKITAT
The river has been on a cycle that has been average. Clarity is ranging from 10 inches to 2.5 feet depending on time and zone. Fishing has been average….
For one reason or another the swing fishing has definitely been better down low in the system as compared to up high.
Swing colors
Black and Chartuese
Little Pink and Orange
For nymphing…
Beads, Jigs, Stoneflies and Yarn
Great people at The Ranch so far this season…..and some great food!
UPPER COLUMBIA
Over all fishing has been average. Dry flies, swinging and nymphing have all produced. Cooler weather coming for the entire state including the Columbia highlands…..
Fishing has been Goooooood the last few days. The river is on the drop. Big dry flies and droppers have been the overall approach.
Best Big Dry — One that floats :))) Ha!
#6 – 10 Chubby’s , Dave’s Hopper, Gypsy Kings
Best Dropper — One that sinks :)))
# 14 – 16 YB’s, Jig head PT’s, etc etc etc
Great clarity throughout the system. The entire river has been fishing good.
UPPER COLUMBIA
Just gearing up for Fall. We have a few prime time openings left:)
text jack @ 509.859.280
KLICKITAT
Nymphing has been good. The swing fishing for my boat has been a bit rough lately. There are definitely fish in the system. There are some very nice fish as well tough to land. Over the years we would call this ‘Big Buck Week’
Fishing has been reasonable and consistent for the most part. Like a broken record, all tactics are worthy. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers. Water temps have been marginal in the afternoon. Thank goodness for this cooler weather.
KLICKITAT
There are some fish around. Water clarity is ranging fom 1.5 to 3 feet of visibility depending on time and zone.
PGF lately…. some days better than others. The river is fishing from top to bottom. Recently we have had boats in almost all stretches. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers depending on the day. Sometimes a combination of all in the day has been the ticket
Bugs dejour….
#6-10 Chubbies, Gypsy Kinks, Dave’s hoppers
#4-8 Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows, JJ Buggers
#6-8 Summer stone nymphs
#14-16 YB Soft Hackles, PT Jig heads, PMD Jigheads
#10-14 Beetles and Ants
KLICKITAT
The heat cycle is good early down low and OK late, up high. There are some fish around. ‘Flashy’ on the swing has been worthy.
Clarity at Town pool at 10 AM is about 2 feet
Clarity at Town pool at 2 pm is about 1 foot.
The video below shows a tight spot on the Klickitat that all oarsmen should be aware of…..
Note the clarity in the video….. 10 miles down river 15 minutes later the clarity was significantly better as shown in the following photo >
So the Cycle of the river is worth playing for the fishing factor:)
And there are a few fish around:) this fish was Renee’s first steelhead:)))
YAKIMA
Kinda like a broken record. Bugs of the day and fly choices are listed below in the past report.
Water temps stabilized with the cooler weather we just received. We are going to see another heat wave this week but it will be short lived, compared to the last one. Wednesday – Friday is supposed to be HOT and then we are going to cool down to highs of 84 :))))
Kinda like a broken record. The above table fare has been on the menu for quite awhile. The recent cooler weather is much needed. The past two weeks of 95-107 was a little rough.
Looks like we will be seeing some warm temperatures again starting the middle of net week.
Yesterday’s boat tossed dry fly’s all day:) We however have been utilizing nymphs and streamers as well.
KLICKITAT
Klickitat river boca into the Columbia.
We should see the next 3-4 day window with some reasonable clarity because of the current cooling trend!
Strategy generally includes longer floats at this time of year looking for the opportunistic fish. Anchoring down here and there can be productive but generally ‘on the move’ is the game plan. Water temps have recently bumped up a bit and are ranging from 60-67 depending on the time and zone.
BUGS OF THE DAY
Summer Stones
Yellow Sallies
Yellow Mays
Caddis
Hoppers, Ants, Beatles
CADDIS have been strongest at the end of the day in various locations.
Nymphs/emergers -> YB Soft hackles in #14 -16, Classic soft hackles in a standard Hares Ear, Hares Ear’s, Adults -> Egg layers, Quill Tent Wings
YELLOW SALLY STONES have been the strongest mid day. A variety of dropper nymphs have been effective for the Sally. Nymphs ->#14-16 Iron Sally, Gold Lightning Bug Adults-> Yellow Elk hair,
SUMMER STONES have started for the 18 season. They are not in full swing but certainly worthy. Nymphs -> #4-8 Pat’s Stones in Brown, Tan Adults-> #6-8 Chubby’s, Tarantulas,
PMD / YELLOW MAY Nymphs -> #14-16 Hot Spot Jig
Adults -> #14-16 Sparkle Dun
TECHNIQUES USED LATELY
Dry Flies
Dry Fly and dropper
Nymphing with Indicator
Streamers
FLY PATTERN SUGGESTIONS
Yellow Sally Stone Nymphs
Prince nymph Variations
KLICKITAT
Not so pretty…..12 noon 7/26/18 at Wahkiacus bridge
UPPER COLUMBIA
Certainly some fishing to be had on the Upper Columbia currently but with the extended heat wave and waning hatches (except for the last 30 minutes of the day) we are taking a break from the river currently.
Bugs include Caddis, Baetis, Hoppers
Here is a video that Jason from The Portland Fly Shop put together after his hosted trip in early July!
Lower Canyon Report – Dry Flies good 2:30-5 and 7-8:30. Summer stones, Yellow Sally’s, Caddis, Baetis. Dry / dropper and single big dry in the evening. Summer stone game is on.
The Upper Canyon is sporting some good action on dries, dry droppers and nymphing spots. Lots of little guys and a few ‘kickers’. This past Saturday was tougher on the dry fly game until late. Fished a streamer hard both swinging and on the move and under a bobber. PMDs, Sallies, a few Drakes and Caddis.
CFO s chubby’s, Hoppers, Ants, Beetles and little parachutes.
KLICKITAT RIVER
This image is compliments of The Canyon Market in Klickitat | This image is as good as the river has been when it comes to clarity. There is a bit of a cycle happening and this is at town hole in the AM on the 13th.
Overall clarity is ranging from 14 inches to 6 inches depending on time and zone…..
No trips for us here.
UPPER COLUMBIA
This heat wave has slowed the fishing and pushed the activity towards the end – basically the last 2 hours. The Drakes overall are on the decline. Caddis are STRONG in the last hour but difficult to match.
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