YAKIMA

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!

YAKIMA RIVER

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.

KLICKITAT

The clarity is poor currently with not much of a cycle happening.  With the temps in the mid 90’s this week, conditions are not favorable.

UPPER COLUMBIA

Currently in the 4th quarter of the hatch season.  Bright blue skies and heat is pushing the activity more and more towards the end of the day…

YAKIMA

Flows are ranging between 3500 and 4500 below the Cle Elum river confluence.  The early season hatches are dwindling and currently there are not a lot of bugs…Transition time.

There are still some Yellow May Flies, Caddis and Yellow Sally’s.

On hot days, especially the weekends…..There is the Hypalon hatch – Raft Hatch – accompanied by a variety of spirits and the like.  LOL

Highlights around the corner include Summer Stoneflies and Hoppers. Should be a good Stonefly season and will kick of somewhere late July.