Well,  who would have thought this pandemic and the state of affairs would be the case for us in 2020.   We hope all are fairing as best can be expected.  Some great people in our communties are lending a helping hand where needed;  That is America!     ‘We are our brothers keepers’ an age old saying a good friend delights in quoting.  The humanatarian part if this debacle is refreshing.  Sure, there is some of the opposite, but I prefer to focus on what is positive.  The old cliche, ‘This too shall pass’ comes to mind at this juncture and I think we all look forward to that time.

So with that,  our shop and lodging operations have been closed since the mandate and we are hunkering down as required and needed.  I did sneak out to swing a fly on a new river. I took my pop up camper and social distanced to a place I had never been which makes my river journeys near the 200 mark.  Rivers, they are the arteries of the earth and as with most of you, I have an affinity for them.

The two days were spent on a rugged river in southern Oregon with a high air temp of 57 degrees.  Possibly the most ‘wicked’ wading I have ever done. Beautiful country. After fishing, I followed the artery to its headwaters high in the Cascade mountains where there was at least 5 feet of snow on the ground and a ‘face on’ snow blizzard.

Nothing quite like being on or near the water. Food for the soul.

Oh I forgot to mention,  I fished a black and blue muddler, a 3 inch per second sinking leader behind a 45 foot head  on the old 7136 Sage Brownie.

I tossed her at about 70 degrees and then brought my tip to the downstream bank…. In essence a greased line.  I was rewarded with 3 hook ups and quite a few other grabs in the two days.   One particular fish I will never forget.  She was about 8 pounds, nickel bright for being 50 plus miles from the salt and she was in the air more than in the water.

#arteriesoftheearth #nomendenitis #washington #twohanders

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REPORTS PRIOR TO CLOSURE

YAKIMA

Amazing early season for our home water. Lots of big fish with good Skwala Stoneflies, Blue Wing Olives and March Browns.   The dry fly fishing was very good on select days.

Assuming the river opens back up soon, the bugs of choice will include

March Browns
Blue Wing Olives
Caddis
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Salmon Smolt patterns

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

As things were getting shut down the Olympic Peninsula was getting a much needed freshet.   All said and done, the winter steelhead season was pretty good; just cut short. We look forward to next year

UPPER COLUMBIA

The river is in super shape and we are looking forward to our hatch season, just around the corner

Amidst the current situation, the trout and steelhead are happy and fishing remains good …… probably the finest SD anyone could ask for!

YAKIMA

It was a beautiful day on the #yakiamariver, we got to practice our #socialdistancing and catch a few fish. #skwalas & #marchbrowns are working well on top in the afternoon. Mayfly and stonefly nymphs before the hatch, emergers and dries during. #openspaces #nature

UPPER COLUMBIA

Swingtime with some nymph fishing here and there.  Utilize varioussink rates based on depth, flow and mood of the fish.

Streamers…

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Sunshine and Steelhead lately.  Lots of sunshine and a few fish:)))

Swing tactics and nymphing…..

YAKIMA

Like a broken record….The Yakima is rockin’  with some good dry fly action!

Great week of skwala fishing on the Yakima river.  Fish are on ]dries in the afternoon and ready to put up a fight. Worms, stones and streamers also working well.

YAKIMA

Like a broken record…. Fishing  is GREAT right now.  We are seeing a few adult Skwalas currently.  Fishing an adult pattern in likely water is WORTHY.

TIP of the day – Never overlook the slow froggy water to fish the adult Skwala. More about the Skwala

UPPER COLUMBIA

Currently the river is on the drop and in great condition with 8 feet of visibility. Utilizing a variety of sinking lines in various lengths and densities based on depth and flow has been a worthy angle.  ‘Bobbercation’ aka ‘Nymphing’ has been worhty as well.

Bugs of Choice
#4-6 Sculpzilla
#4 Sex Dungeon
#4-8 Catch all
#6-10 Pats Ston
#12-18 Nymphs – Prince, Lightning Bug, Rock Worms

March 20 – May 20    Take advantage of our early season rates.  See some great country, experience some good fishing with no one around.

The entire river is fishing great after the big bump of water. Stones, worms, sculpins, and various streamers working  well. Next couple weeks look very mild and should be some great  fishing. Not too long and we will see some adult Skwalas flying around.

The Yakima is in GREAT shape and fishing just as well.  Plain and simple the only thing we have been using is a stonefly and a worm combo under an indicator….with a bit of streamer fishing mixed in.

You may want to here something more profound and see some crazy video that is EPIC… But, I dont have one. On the water 365 since 1988.

Little rough on all fronts lately…..The rivers affected by mega rain.  Olympic Peninsula rivers as well as the Yakima.

Olympic Peninsula river are coming back into shape.  The Yakima is still a still a ways out!

The river has been fishing GREAT. Stop by the shop to check out the remodel and awesome selection of flies:)))

Learn more why this time of year is thumbs up

www.theeveninghatch.com/the-invisible-imaginary-skwala

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SPECIAL FROM NOW UNTIL APRIL 15 ->7 hours on the water -. Hot Soup, Flies and all your guides wisdom for $395 per boat / 2 anglers – Killer Deal