It HAS BEEN MOSTLY a nymph game recently. Unfortunately this past weather pattern has created quite a bit of the low lying snow to melt, consequently increasing the flows and  decreasing clarity, specifically from the Teanaway down.  Above the Teanaway in the Upper Flatlands and Upper Proper the clarity remains good.  Skwala, midges, worms, and small streamer under an indicator/bobber has been a worthy approach.  In addition, a dry fly here and there.  Wilson is puking mud.  Access to the upper river is still minimal due to snow on the ground.  Currently no blockages from Irene down but you have to push the boat through at low volume.  Three blockages from Bullfrog down …In the Upper Proper.

The fishing has been all over the board, kinda like the weather. Everything from good catching to real tough catching.   Regardless, we have seen some black-and-white locomotives just too hot to handle. It seems that there is a correlation between a big fly and a buck. Although a doe will eat a big fly, statistics show the frequency to be the bucks.

An Old timer once told me, steelhead bite flies for one of three reasons…

• aggression
• curiosity
• recall

Generally, aggression is equated to bucks, curiosity is equated to the doe’s  and recall is equated to instinctively biting because as smolts  in the river, they had to actively feed. An interesting analogy.

Fishing was gooood last week, but has slowed a bit, due to the cold weather. Each day has been different as it is fishing.  One particular day last week was real tough. Two days later, significantly better.  Regardless there are some nice fish to be caught.  Have not seen many more adult Skwalas lately….It is coming!

The weather looks better this coming week as the lows are only supposed to get down to 26 with the highs at 40-44 depending on the day.  There is a bit of precipitation expected here and there this week as well.   Last week we saw lows into the low teens….made things tough.

YAKIMA RIVER
WATER TEMP near Ellensburg
WATER TEMP near Cle Elum

It is ‘Game On’ for the Yakima.  Nymphs, streamers (See photo ensemble) and a well placed dry at select time have all produced.  There are a few adult Skwala’s here and there.  Typically, the time for the dry will be later in the day and in slower water type.

Highest water temperature today was 41.5.  Everyday will be different, however we predict the fishing to be good here.

WINTER STEELHEAD – We have encountered both hatchery and wild steelhead recently.  Based on the forecast, it APPEARS (no guarantee) the river flows will be flattening out with a little bump and a little drop here and there. The forecast doesn’t look like the rivers will drop or raise with any significance for the next 5 days.

Steelhead nymph tip – Nymph depth should be 2-4 feet, not 8 feet.
Swing tip – Better to be at the fish’s level or slightly above…. not below.