Definitely had a bump in the river from this last weather pattern.  Everything is dropping into shape currently. The streamer fishing along with the nymphing has been game on.  The dry fly fishing has been worthy as well in isolated location and time with Blue Wing hatches.  Otherwise, the dry fly fishing is non existent.

Fall Colors

Fifteen days until this awesome river closes. Recently the water has been up and down with some cancellation due to clarity  The catching has been good throughout based on the day.  The swing fishing has been good based on the day as well – we have had to go to heavier tips recently due to the colder water temps and more volume.  The nymphing continues to catch ’em.

Gaylord with a nice buck

Beautiful fish – photo by Ricky

Cool looking Chinook for Gaylord

GREAT fall fishing right now.   Fish are not quite in winter water yet.  Still spread out.  Water clarity is ….
Upper Proper – 5ft
Upper Flatlands – 7 ft
Upper Canyon – 6 ft
Farmlands – 6 to 4 ft
Lower Canyon – 3 ft

Small stones, PT’s, WD40’s etc wer the ticket yesterday when nymphing.  #16 Caddis are still around in the late AM, but are fading fast.  Good dry fly fishing yesterday on Blue Wing Olives in the mid to late afternoon.  Streamers swung, stripped and dead drifted can also be productive.  The white fish egg drift was a no go this week.

Beautiful bow from yesterday

Evening Light

KLICKITAT   The leaves have definitely been dropping here on the south flank of Mount Adams.  Fall colors, while some brilliant a week ago are less so today.  Interestingly, not only does the region have brilliant Fall colors from the Birch, Aspen, Cottonwood and Maple but it also sports a ‘pastel’ tone from the changing colors of the ‘Oregon Scrub Oak’.

Scrub Oak in pastel tones

Not to sound like a broken record but the fishing has been good. Some days better then others.  The past 2 weeks showed off some big wild fish….up to 18 pounds. I would describe the swing fishing as reliable, with some magical days.  Some days with goooood numbers, some days with ‘sweet comebacks’, some days with awesome toilet bowl skater takes. Probably don’t need to say more.

The nymphing as per usual continues to ‘rope chrome’ as some would say.

Pete with a recent colored up Buck

YAKIMA   The best of ‘Far and Fine’ on the Yakima is the late fall.  The prime time of 1-4 PM with a #18 BWO on light tippet, to rising fish, is clutch.   Can be a bit a bit tough for the newbie;  tough to see and even more tough to present the fly drifting ‘without tension’.

Classic Yakima bow from today

Aside from the far and fine tactics there still are a few fish willing to eat a # 10 October Caddis imitation, although that won’t last long.  The October Caddis is nearly done for the 2015 season. Today high water temp in the Lower Canyon was 52 degrees.  Pretty ‘Doggone’ warm for this time of year.  The upcoming weather shows a definite cool down.  Most likely our water temps will drop towards the normal 46 degree mark soon.

Streamers continue to be a worthy game. Often times the streamer doesn’t bring numbers but quality. Some of the cloudy days lately have offered up some nice trout on a retrieved streamer.

Of course the nymphing can be very good as well. #16-20 RS2 Emergers, PT’s, Lightning Bugs, etc… have been productive

Dry fly leaders should be lengthened to at least 10 feet and a 12 footer is suggested when fishing by foot.

Enjoy the Fall, it is almost over!