YAKIMA

Goofy, Good, Spotty fishing. Beautiful and warm recently but a little colder change as of today.  Seeing Skwalas late in the day which is typical. Water bumped 300 cfs down in the Lower Canyon and a little turbid. Down to 2 1/2-3 ft of viz and green. Water temps are good 48+.

Clarity Chart
6 Feet    Upper Proper
7 Feet    Upper Flatlands
7-6  Feet   Upper Canyon
6-4 Feet    Farmlands
2.5 to 3 feet  Lower Canyon

Current Hatches
-> Skwala Stones #8-12
-> Winter Stones #14
-> Blue Wing Olives
-> Midges
-> Amyletus

Coming Soon … March Browns.

FLY CHOICEs
#8-12 San Juans
#8-12 Pats Stones

#8-12 Skwala stone nymph renditions
#14-18 Prince nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Caddis Larva
#18-20 Midge Pupae
#14-18 CDC Soft hackle PT’s

#4-10 Streamers
Wolley Buggers, Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Marsha with a beautiful UC trout.

This river is almost the lowest we have ever seen it. As usual, finding fish on the UC can be a challenge and fun in the same breath. Swing and nymph tactics are the approach.

Swinging – Various tips based on depth, flow and mood of the fish. Everything from a light tip to 300 grains and 24 feet.

Hatches – Skwalas and Blue Wings

Once in awhile you get surprised when fishing…

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Olympic Peninsula

Pretty good season on the OP this year… Both for fish and  fun.   We are done ourselves, but there still is a week left out there ….

Continues to be in great shape!  Skwala stonefly nymphs are definitely active.  Weather has been cold.  Skwala dry fly activity is pretty much non existent at this point.  Need some warmth.

Clarity Chart
6 Feet    Upper Proper
7 Feet    Upper Flatlands
7-6  Feet   Upper Canyon
6-4 Feet    Farmlands
3 feet       Lower Canyon

Watch for days where the water temp warms instead of drops.  If you see a weather pattern that is going to increase the water temp even by 1 degree….That is thumbs up.

This Water temp gage is in the Upper Canyon between Cle Elum and Thorp
Yakima River Water Temps at Horlick

This water temp gage is as it is stated, near Ellensburg.  This particular location is generally the coldest water temp readings on the entire river
Yakima River Water Temps at Ellensburg

FLY CHOICEs
#8-12 San Juans
#8-12 Pats Stones
6mm Whitefish egg
#8-12 Skwala stone nymph renditions
#14-18 Prince nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Caddis Larva
#18-20 Midge Pupae
#14-18 CDC Soft hackle PT’s

#4-10 Streamers
Wolley Buggers, Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows,

Short leash nymphing and Nymphal Drift 

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UPPER COLUMBIA

This river is in great shape…  A little cold lately. February and March are a great time to swing the Upper Columbia. As with any river during the winter/early spring,  watch for the weather pattern that is at least slightly warming and not dropping for optimal activity.

Line types

Spey – Generally standard Skagits, Scandits, Scandi’s with some long line applications here and there.

Single hand lines- Dry line to 24 feet of 300 grain sink tip. Choice of line and density depends on depth, flow and mood of fish

Fly Choices #2-8 Catch Alls, Buggers, Bow River Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzillas

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OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Multiple techniques have proved effective.  The Swing fishing is certainly a favorite but the nymphing has been an effective method as well.

Big flies, small flies, bright flies and dark flies have been worhty on the swing.  Put on what you have faith in and cover likely water.

Steelhead fishing should be a mix of appreciation, anticipation, hard work and results. It generally is.  There are times that the results are not calibrated by how many are fish caught.  Quite frankly, if  how many fish is your measuring stick, I would highly recommend not fishing for steelhead.  However, if you appreciate fishing a piece of water, with whatever technique, surrounded by Hemlock, Alder, Spruce, Cottonwoods, Eagles and an ocean  breeze, then you should be rewarded. Sure, there are times that the numbers of fish can be good, but it is not the norm.  Regardless, fishing has been worthy and working for your fish is part of the equation.  All days are magical, some maybe a little more than others:))

YAKIMA RIVER

In great shape!  Great Skwala stonefly nymph activity currently. Should be some adult stones soon.

Clarity Chart
4-5 Feet    Upper Proper
6 Feet    Upper Flatlands
6-5  Feet   Upper Canyon
5-3 Feet    Farmlands
3 feet       Lower Canyon

Watch for days where the water temp warms instead of drops.  If you see a weather pattern that is going to increase the water temp even by 1 degree….That is thumbs up.

This Gage is in the Upper Canyon between Cle Elum and Thorp
Yakima River Water Temps at Horlick

This Gage is as it is stated, near Ellensburg.  This particular location is generally the coldest water temp readings on the entire river
Yakima River Water Temps at Ellensburg

FLY CHOICEs
#8-12 San Juans
#8-12 Pats Stones
6mm Whitefish egg
#8-12 Skwala stone nymph renditions
#14-18 Prince nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Caddis Larva
#18-20 Midge Pupae
#14-18 CDC Soft hackle PT’s

#4-10 Streamers
Wolley Buggers, Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows,

Short leash nymphing and Nymphal Drift 

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UPPER COLUMBIA
This river is in great shape…  Should be a great swing season.

February and March are a great time to swing the Upper Columbia. As with any river during the winter/early spring,  watch for the weather pattern that is at least slightly warming and not dropping for optimal activity.

Line types

Spey – Generally standard Skagits, Scandits, Scandi’s with some long line applications here and there.

Single hand lines- Dry line to 24 feet of 300 grain sink tip.

Choice of line and density depends on depth, flow and mood of fish

Fly Choices #2-8 Catch Alls, Buggers, Bow River Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzillas

‘\

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OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Steelhead fishing should be a mix of appreciation, anticipation, hard work and results. It generally is.  There are times that the results are not calibrated by how many are fish caught.  Quite frankly, if  how many fish is your measuring stick, I would highly recommend not fishing for steelhead.  However, if you appreciate fishing a piece of water, with whatever technique, surrounded by Hemlock, Alder, Spruce, Cottonwoods, Eagles and an ocean  breeze, then you should be rewarded. Sure, there are times that the numbers of fish can be good, but it is not the norm.  Regardless, fishing has been worthy and working for your fish is part of the equation.  All days are magical, some maybe a little more than others:))

YAKIMA

Clarity Chart
4-5 Feet    Upper Proper
5-6 Feet    Upper Flatlands
4-5  Feet   Upper Canyon
4-3 Feet    Farmlands
1.5 feet       Lower Canyon

GREAT FISHING….Some would say some of the best of the Yakima is from now until the April.  I would have to agree.  Obviously, if the river is frozen over like much of the Lower river has been for the past month it makes it a bit difficult to fish…lol.  Much of the middle and upper river will not freeze over during the big cold spells.   Generally the Lower river is where we see most of the ice.

Watch for days where the water temp warms instead of drops.  If you see a weather pattern that is going to increase the water temp even by 1 degree….That is thumbs up.

This Gage is in the Upper Canyon between Cle Elum and Thorp
Yakima River Water Temps at Horlick

This Cage is as it is stated, near Ellensburg.  This particular location is generally the coldest water temp readings on the entire river
Yakima River Water Temps at Ellensburg

FLY CHOICEs
#8-12 San Juans
#8-12 Pats Stones
6mm Whitefish egg
#8-12 Skwala stone nymph renditions
#14-18 Prince nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Caddis Larva
#18-20 Midge Pupae

#4-10 Streamers
Wolley Buggers, Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows,

Short leash nymphing and Nymphal Drift 

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UPPER COLUMBIA
This river is in great shape…  Should be a great swing season.

February and March are a great time to swing the Upper Columbia. As with any river during the winter/early spring,  watch for the weather pattern that is at least slightly warming and not dropping for optimal activity.

Line types

Spey – Generally standard Skagits, Scandits, Scandi’s with some long line applications here and there.

Single hand lines- Dry line to 24 feet of 300 grain sink tip.

Choice of line and density depends on depth, flow and mood of fish

Fly Choices #2-8 Catch Alls, Buggers, Bow River Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzillas

YAKIMA

Some would say some of the best of the Yakima is from now until the April.  I would have to agree.  Obviously, if the river is frozen over like much of the Lower river has been for the past month it makes it a bit difficult to fish…lol.  Much of the middle and upper river will not freeze over during the big cold spells.   Generally the Lower river is where we see most of the ice.

Watch for days where the water temp warms instead of drops.  If you see a weather pattern that is going to increase the water temp even by 1 degree….That is thumbs up.

This Gage is in the Upper Canyon between Cle Elum and Thorp
Yakima River Water Temps at Horlick

This Cage is as it is stated, near Ellensburg.  This particular location is generally the coldest water temp readings on the entire river
Yakima River Water Temps at Ellensburg

FLY CHOICEs
#8-12 San Juans
#8-12 Pats Stones
#8-12 Skwala stone nymph renditions
#14-18 Prince nymphs, Lightning Bugs, Caddis Larva
#18-20 Midge Pupae

#4-10 Streamers
Wolley Buggers, Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows,

Short leash nymphing and Nymphal Drift 

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UPPER COLUMBIA

February and March are a great time to swing the Upper
Columbia. As with any river during the winter/early spring,  watch for the weather pattern that is at least slightly warming and not dropping for optimal activity.

Line types

Spey – Generally standard Skagits, Scandits, Scandi’s with some long line applications here and there.

Single hand lines- Dry line to 24 feet of 300 grain sink tip.

Choice of line and density depends on depth, flow and mood of fish

Fly Choices #2-8 Catch Alls, Buggers, Bow River Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzillas

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OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Not all of them are big, but each and everyone is special.

Numbers of fish looks to be worthy and the North Olympic Peninsula will be open.  Unfortunately the South Olympic Peninsula will pretty much be closed.

Line recommendations

Spey – Generally standard Skagits, Scandits, Scandi’s with some long line applications here and there.

Your Skagit lines can be either floating or multi density like the Game Changer, Creeper or Fist.

Make sure to have a variety of Sink tips to add to your spey head….Suggestions would be to have a variety of tips from 7.5 – 12.5 feet in length from 3 inch  to 10 inch per second sink rates.

Dang with all the social media now days ,  I forget to do the website report.

YAKIMA

Water is low and clear. The whitefish are in full spawn and therefore a dirty yellow 6 mil egg nymphed is a great bet.   The quintessential Stonefly with something behind it is a great idea.

#14-20 Nymphs to put behind the stonefly could include but are not limited to….Flashback PT’s, Lightning Bugs , Princes, Caddis Larvae , Midge Pupa etc….

When you find one fish at this time of year there are mlost likely other fish around.   The fish tend to be in pods or pooled up.

Quite a few years back / 1996.  I wrote an article on fishing the Yakima during the winter.  98 % of it it still holds true….   Winter Fishing

KLICKITAT

Getting close to the end of the 2022 season.  Reasonable to good fishing through out the season.   Both the nymph and the swing were productive.

Nice to see a reasonable number of fish. Thanks to all who joined us on the water and  at The Steelhead Ranch.  We look forward to 2023

YAKIMA

The Fall is Definitely considered the far and fine season on the Yakima as with many other rivers. Water is in great shape overall.  All stretches of the river are fishing worthy.  Float distances should be less than the previous summer season unless your only focus is streamer fishing from the boat. If that is your focus, covering likely water looking for the aggressive meat eater is an option.

If you plan on nymphing or fishing the dry fly then slow down your approach.  Blind dry fly fishing/ searching with a dry is generally less productive in the fall then the summers. It can be worthy especially during the heat of the day when the bugs are hatching.

With the exception of a sub surface October Caddis the nymphs as a general rule are size 16-20 for Fall fishing.

Predominant bugs in the fall and lately include

Baetis/ Blue Wing Olives  #18-20
Mahogany Duns #16
October Caddis #10
Caddis # 16
Salmon Egg patterns 8-10 Mil

Salmon Spawn is definitely over in the upper river.  However, Nymphing eggs can still be productive.  In addition an egg sucking leach or smolt pattern can be effective as well.

Klickitat

The season started out with a bang for us and the catching has been a little less lately.  The clarity has been an issue based on the “Big Muddy’ creek not being diverted into irrigation.  The unseasonably warm October other wise known as AUGTOBER until recently has made  the clarity a bit of a challenge. Regardless, there are more fish in the system then the past few years but should not be compared to 10 years ago which had numbers of 3 times as many.

KVICHAK RIVER ALASKA

We just finished up our Fall fall swing season on the Kvichak.  The river was extremely high but the catching was still good.  These fish are special and quite frankly happen to be the best fighting fish pound for pound I have ever experience in freshwater.  7 weights are the norm in both single hand and two hand rods.  These

UPPER COLUMBIA

Our Fall season just came to a close at Black Bear Lodge.  The catching started out a little slow but ended gooood. Techniques vary on the river including the dry fly, nymph and swing.

While numbers are rarely the feature….There are some amazing trout and this fall showed us a couple. There are still fish to be caught up there currently but the predictability gets less than we like.

We are currently reserving for the 23 season.  Let us know if we can get you down on the calendar!

Spring

Summer

Fall

YAKIMA

Good to see the cooler weather.  The river did it’s normal flip flop and has been dropping in flows as it always has at this time of year. The irrigation demand in the lower valley is being fed by The Tieton system now. The water temps with the river flows lowering were definitely going UP with that hot weather.  The cooler weather is a blessing.

There is a very tight spot from Irene Rinehart to Ringer road since the water has dropped.  The channel just after the pond dike splits and until recently going left was an easy option.  Currently it is not recommended.

Bugs and food include….Craneflies, Hoppers, Summer stones( which are almost over)  October Caddis, Fall Hydro Caddis, Fall Cahills, Baetis, Salmon spawn.

Cranefly dry flies in the  morning have been good; After that the midday nymphing and targeting the oxygenated water with a variety of nymphs has been productive.   The afternoon evening has been reasonable with a bigger bug…. October Caddis.

Remember the fish are not really on many of the banks anymore as the river has dropped significantly.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Reasonable fishing and should only get better. Swinging bugs and tossing dry flies.   Water temps are at about 63 .  Fish are in great condition.

Hoppers, October Caddis, Ants etc….

#10 Catchall, #8PMX, #

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KLICKITAT

Good fishing and catching when the river is in shape:))

YAKIMA

The river is dropping hard and warming with the hot weather.   Fish are scattering and moving off the banks and to the oxygenated water. Crane flies and summer stones are effective on the surface. Stones, caddis pupa, and small streamers effective subsurface.

KLICKITAT

Recent image when the river came into shape.

That fish was hooked on this fly with 10 feet of T-11

Although one year of better returns isn’t Valhalla, it sure is nice to see some fish in our rivers.  It would also be nice to see management that protects the wild fish in the cold water sanctuary river mouths that enter the Columbia, but what do I know, I am just a guide.

The Klickitat has been pretty darn dirty do to nearly 3 weeks of 95-100 degree temps on the south slopes of Adams.  There have been a few days when the river cleared up with the cooler weather and the fish were happy:)

We will be running our program from about the 20th of Sept to the 20th of Nov this season.  Cooler weather and better clarity will hopefully prevail.

UPPER COLUMBIA

Overall the fishing has been average at best over the last week.  Water is in good condition.   Fish are in great condition, they have just been hard to catch recently. A variety of tactics including the dry fly, a swung fly and nymphing have all produced.

Like a broken recored…..Fishing remains good.   The dry fly fishing has been consistent.  One of the key components to that equation “ meaning, good dry fly fishing’ is the ability to place the fly on the ‘feed me’ lane with a drag free float and then be able to impart a controlled twitch …not drag, but a slight movement and then afterward a drag free drift…

Therefore the equation is;

Drag free drift on the feedme line, slight twitch timed correctly and then back to a drag free drift.

This equation has been a formula on the river since 1990.  The Yakima actually produces some good to great dry fly fishing at this time of year with this technique.  Not always easy but fun and rewarding.

In addition to the dry fly fishing the nymphing has been worthy with both the indicator and a dropper style behind a big dry fly. Streamer fishing is decent as well.

Currently there are salmon in the river and typically the last week of Sept is the prime week to fish ‘Alaska style’. Some would call it dirty, I would call appropriate to the given food source….. EGGS.   In fact utilizing an egg from here on out when nymphing can be very productive,  especially in the areas below salmon spawning activity.  Also swinging a fly such as an egg sucking sculpin or minnow can very productive.

We need to be aware of those areas where spawning occurs and give a wide berth to the spawning beds.  Also targeting salmon is not allowed as there is no season for them in the upper river. In addition we need to let them do their thing:))

This type of salmon activity is really from the Teanaway confluence upstream……Although some of these techniques will work below this point, the best of the spawn activity will be upstream.

Since 1988 – The Evening Hatch