Some sweet fish to be caught on the Klickitat lately.  Remarkable creatures.  Lots of big water lately but we have been able to find quite a few biters through the big and dirty water.

Both nymph and swing tactics have been worthy.  The Yarn under the bobber has been key and sink tips based on depth and flow.

Clarity is ranging from 2-2.5 feet depending on time and zone.

KLICKITAT

Reasonable steelhead fishing in the mud lately, believe it or not. Nymphing yarn and the like has been a good technique.  Lately, short casts and light tips for the swing has been the approach   Soft water has been the key. River is pushing hard.

Classic Yakima Bow

Per usual, a little late on posting! Watch for our new website to be launched shortly.  Pretty much the same content, just streamlined in a Word Press format.  The new site will be mobile friendly.

KLICKITAT river is currently ‘outa shape’  The fishing/catching has been more unpredictable then years past, but recently the numbers have increased.  Looking forward to this upcoming few weeks after the water subsides from this current blowout. It appears we have ‘a ways’ to go until ‘fishable’ again.

UPPER COLUMBIA has been consistent this fall. We have just buttoned up the hatches at Black Bear Lodge.  We finished with a great group of people from Eddie Bauer .  Awesome time, good fishing, great gear for the outdoors.

YAKIMA The Yakima has basically stayed in shape through this deluge……It received a little bump in flows.

Clarity Chart
Upper Proper – 5 feet
Upper Flatlands – 6 feet
Upper Canyon – 5 feet
Farmlands – 3 to 2 feet
Lower Canyon – 1.5 feet

 This season would be considered the Far and Fine of the Yakima.  From now until November 20  is when ‘little’ is generally better.  #16-22 BWO’s, midges and the like.  A well place streamer is not a bad technique either.  However, aside from the cool little dry fly fishing it offers,  I would choose December over the next few months as my favorite. Good to great streamers on the move and with little two hander’s.

YAKIMA 
Water is low and clear.  Water temps are 54 -61 depending on where you are in the system and at what time.  Those temps are little warmer than usual.  Should start to drop soon with cooler weather coming are way.

Bugs throughout the river
#10-12 Craneflies
#10 October Caddis
#16 Tan Caddis
#14-16 Yellow Mays
Salmon Spawn

The Lower Canyon fishing has been a little rough lately. Low and pressured.  Not giving up many fish.
The Farmlands, upper Canyon and Upper Flatlands have been a bit more predictable.  Egg drift, dry flies and streamers have all produced.

Schumacher party

Bill Douglas Crew

Brian and Jack

YAKIMA RIVER is in great shape.  Techniques have included the bathroom sink;  Everything from fishing dry fly crane flies to nymphing egg patterns.  Water temps are ranging between 54 and 60 degrees depending where you are and at what time on the system.

Predominant bugs are….
->Caddis #16 tan
->Fall Cahills #14 cream
->October Caddis #8-10
->Salmon Spawn

Guests on the water

KLICKITAT RIVER saw a recent insurgence of needed water to bring some fish in;  The catching has improved overall.  Fishing pressure is high seeing that the State/Feds have pretty much everything closed otherwise.

In addition to the Steelies, There are some Fall Chinook in the river. as seen below in the image and vid.  Techniques have ranged from skaters to beads and everything in between.   The upcoming week is traditionally a great Skating week.

Jack and Jason with a Klick King

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

Good fishing but definitely fickle.   Predominant bugs include…
October Caddis  # 8-10
Midges #22
Fall Grey Caddis #12

Techniques include dry flies and nymphs.

Just hanging out

Cj and Frank with a sweet UC Bow

Major delay in reports….time flies.  This is a nuts a bolts report on the three watersheds. Typically my approach, anyways.

Yakima – Pretty good fishing.   Lots of fish lately, 10-15 inches with some bigger ones mixed in.  Cranelfies, October Caddis,   Little Tan Caddis, Cahills… Coming Soon, The Salmon Spawn

Classic Yakima Bow

Klickitat – Beautiful days, Tough fishing overall.   Don’t let anyone tell you different.  Tactics used lately have included Skaters to beads. 5-6 feet of visibility.  Multiple techniques have produced….just not multiple times.  Tip of the day; Utilize the best technique for the water at hand…..

Kate and a Klickitat Steelhead

Upper Columbia – Avg  to Good fishing.  October Caddis, Hoppers, Fall May.  12 feet of visibility

Jim with a sweet UC Rainbow

Reasonable to good fishing on both the bobber and swung fly considering the ho-hum numbers over Bonneville.  Water clarity is thumbs up with an average of about 4 ft.  Fishing pressure on the river is high.