North Washington guide service

YAKIMA

The early morning game is certainly worthy during the hot weather and more so in the lower river…..The Farmlands and the Lower Canyon. The Upper Canyon and the Upper Flatlands have not been so good in the AM with the heat waves. Recently we have seen some cooler weather and the water temps are varying between 60 and low 70’s depending on time and zone. Current big bugs include the Hopper and the Stonefly. Coming soon are the October Caddis and Craneflies as well. Back in the early 90’s it was an awakening when I realized that I could move the fly on the surface to entice the fish to eat. I remember Tony Bynum quoting a Joe Brooks saying…. ‘The only way to fish an adult stonefly is to impart movement’.

If you add up all the big bugs listed above that like to move around when on the surface, it is no wonder the Yakima is a good big dry fly river late summer and early fall.

Dry Fly and dropper is a great choice….
Big Dry Fly Goto’s – Chubby’s, Daves Hopper, Gypsy King,
Dropper Goto’s – Tungsten head is a good idea as they get down fast – #14-18 YB’s, Prince nymphs, Perdigon, Duracell

As much as the big dry fly can be part of the game late summer and early fall, as the season progresses downsizing the nymphs will be crucial. Nymph sizes in the fall are the #16-20 variety, especially in the Lower Canyon.

Also, The lost art of swinging soft hackles is a technique that is almost forgotten…. more to follow on that in the next post.

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KLICKITAT

This river is currently in GREAT shape. The term Steelhead green is appropriate. Flashy has been good for the swing. The real light tips and drylines have not produced much. We have been more ‘down’ in the water column, although tossing some of those lighter lines daily to stay in check. Summer stones are a little late on the Klickitat and when those kick into gear the surface game might get a bit better. Water temp on the Klickitat in the AM up river is 54 degrees; The lower river in the afternoon …. 61degrees.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

While this river doesn’t give up numbers, it does peak your fishing prowess. A day on this river will make you rethink a lot of what you know when it comes to fishing for trout. Your average fish is nooooiiiceee and there are some world class fish swimming in its currents. We open up Black Bear lodge in about 8 days!!

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KVICHAK

We are about 16 days away from opening our operation for the Fall on Alaska’s Kvivhak river. More to follow!

The fish are eating hoppers and summer stones. Dry fly fishing is good to great early, and dry/dropper when the sun gets high. Swinging or stripping a streamer is productive for bigger fish. Crane flies should be here soon! The water temp is in the low 60’s in the early AM and 70 +mid to late afternoon. Our days have been starting as early as possible and off the river by 1-1:30pm. The fish are doing well and we have not had any problem with reviving fish. We are basically self regulating with a hoot owl policy.

Dry fly and dry dropper fishing is good to great. Getting on early is the best option as the water temps are elevated to 70 and above by mid afternoon but starting out at 63-65 degrees depending on where you are. Summer stones, Hoppers, Yellow Sallies, Ants, Beetles, and Caddis. 

YAKIMA

This type of heat wave always has an effect on our fisheries. Currently the game is to start early and get off early…. plane and simple. 5:30 to 11AMAM utilizing dry flies, streamers and or nymphs.

Even though we are looking forward to a bit of a cool down, the mornings on the Yakima have been goooood.

KLICKITAT What an amazing June….it was goooood. The numbers over Bonneville continue to be above the 10 year average. Unfortunately this heat wave has made the Klickitat very dirty due to the glacial influence of the tributary with the name ‘The Big Muddy’. lately the cycle has offered a bit of clarity (1-1.5 feet) down low in the early hours of the day. With a bit of cooling this window should be better. Get your dates down for fall as it appears we should have a good season. In the interim, we will be guiding the Cowlitz during the month of August!

UPPER COLUMBIA We had a GREAT hatch season here as well. Currently the lodge is on hold until the start of our fall season – the end of August. There is some fishing to be had in the last 2 hours of the day. Some days will be better then others. We are offering half day trips from now until we reopen for fall.

KETTLE RIVER This river should be left alone at this juncture due to water temps even with hoot owl hours.

THE YAKIMA RIVER continues to rockon…..  predominant bugs include, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Caddis and Summer Stones just starting.  Hoppers just around the corner.  Fly of the week here # 10 Water Walker.

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THE KLICKITAT has been in GREAT shape all spring.  The numbers over Bonneville are at the ten year average; Lets hope the pattern continues.   The heat wave coming our way is no doubt going to put the river out of shape.   Let’s hope the weather pattern does not continue for long.
Fly of the week here     16MM Yarnie

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THE UPPER COLUMBIA  has definitely been lower in flows than normal all spring and the weather pattern cooler than normal.   We are currently in the middle of hatch season and the hatches have acually been less than in the past ….but they are worthy enough for the fish to key in on the surface.  Predominant insect includes, Caddis, PED’s, PMD’s, Drakes.    Fly of the week here #12 Catchall

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THE KETTLE river is in super shape with PMD’s and Yellow Sallies as the predominant bugs.  Good streamer and dry fly action as of lately.   Flows are at 2400 today. Actually up from this past week.   Warmer weather and some rain added to the flows.     Fly of the week here #14 Humpy

YAKIMA

Great image of the Golden Stone….They are over but thought it was a worthy image.

Caddis, Flying Ants, Midges,  Salmon Smolt, PMD’s, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies

Nymphs
#6-8 Stone nymphs
#14-18 CDC PT’s, Perdigons, CDC prince, Zebra Midge, YB’s

Dry flies
#6-12  U Parachute Madam X, Chubby’s
#10-18 Royal Parachute,  Purple Haze, Parachute PMD’s, Sparkle Duns
#14-16 X-Caddis, Egg layers

Clarity Chart
6 feet   Upper Proper  – Easton to Cle Elum River Confluence
7 feet Upper Flatlands – Cle Elum river Confluence e to  State Boat Launch
7-6 feet Upper Canyon – State Boat Launch to Diversion
6-4 feet Farmlands – Diversion to Ringer
3 feet Lower Canyon –  Ringer to Roza

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The Columbia is definitely in 3rd gear!  PMD’s and light Caddis are the hatches.  Soft Hackles and Parachute renditions to rising fish and searching with nymphs are the key.

#Princes, PMD Trigger nymphs,  YB’s etc

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KETTLE

Dropping fast and in great shape…..4-5 feet of vis

Golden Stones and PMD’s are the fare.  Streamers and Chubbies are the offerings.

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METHOW

Pretty big flows still.  But reasonable to good fishing with well place dry flies and streamers.

Sparkle minnows &  Chubbies:))

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KLICKITAT

In GREAT condition!  Definitely fish in the river!!

YAKIMA

Hannah and her first fish on the fly.
Great smile!

All of the low lying snow is gone!  Cooler spring overall.  We are going to see the river bump up a bit for irrigation but I might be remiss in saying this….But I think the overall ‘Run-off’ is over.

Caddis, Flying Ants,Blue Wings, Midges,  Salmon Smolt, PMD’s , Green Drakes and Golden Stones

Nymphs
#6-8 Stone nymphs
#14-18 CDC PT’s, Perdigons, CDC prince, Zebra Midge, YB’s

Dry flies
#6-12  U Parachute Madam X, Chubby’s
#10-18 Royal Parachute,  Purple Haze, Parachute Blue Wings, Sparkle Duns
#14-16 X-Caddis, Egg layers

Clarity Chart
5 feet   Upper Proper  – Easton to Cle Elum River Confluence
6 feet Upper Flatlands – Cle Elum river Confluence e to  State Boat Launch
5 feet Upper Canyon – State Boat Launch to Diversion
5-4 feet Farmlands – Diversion to Ringer
3 feet Lower Canyon –  Ringer to Roza

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing has been a little rough lately.   Cooler weather with BIG winds haven’t helped. Bugs include Mother’s Day Caddis and Blue Wing Olives.
PMD’s and Drakes coming soon. Regardless, fish are being caught and fun has been had.

YAKIMA

Probably one of the most consistent springs in a long time.  This is due partly to the stable water we have experienced.  Most of our snow pack is above 4K and with the cooler temps we have been experiencing we just have not seen normal early pushes.  In addition our snow pack is not at 100%.  Thankfully we received some more higher elevation snow over the past week.

PREDOMINANT INSECT HATCHES INCLUDE;
Skwala, Blue Wings, March Browns, Midges, Salmon Flies, Salmon Smolt, Light Caddis

Coming soon;
Mother’s Day Caddis
Green Drakes – Late May

Nymphs
#10-12 Stonefly nymphs   Pats, Double bead Skwalas etc…
#14-18 CDC PT’s, Perdigons, CDC prince, Zebra Midge

Dry flies
#8-12  Unit Skwala, Parachute Madam X, Wersland Big Dog Stone, Chubby’s
#10-18 Royal Parachute,  Purple Haze, Parachute Blue Wings, Sparkle Duns

Clarity Chart
5 feet   Upper Proper  – Easton to Cle Elum River Confluence
6 feet Upper Flatlands – Cle Elum river Confluence e to  State Boat Launch
5 feet Upper Canyon – State Boat Launch to Diversion
5-4 feet Farmlands – Diversion to Ringer
3 feet Lower Canyon –  Ringer to Roza

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UPPER COLUMBIA

As stated in an earlier post, the lake level is as high as we have ever seen it at this time of year.  Typically Lake Roosevelt gets drawn down to 1145 at Grand Coulee.  This year they did not go below 1180.  You would think that would not have an effect on the river where we are as Grand Coulee is 160 miles away from the Upper Columbia where we fish it.  However it does.  Especially  just above and below the bridge in Northport.  Very minimal flow in that area due to the  ‘backup factor’ .  Regardless, upstream of the bridge a 1/2 mile or so the flows become prevalent.

Fishing has been worthy.  Caddis and Blue wings are the predominant bugs.  We start full swing up there in a week.

We have also incorporated another little fishery in our aresenal up in that neck of the woods….here are a few images

PREDOMINANT INSECT HATCHES INCLUDE;
Skwala, Blue Wings, March Browns, Midges, Salmon Flies

Coming soon;
Caddis – Late April
Salmon Smolt – Late April
Salmon Flies – Mid May
Green Drakes – Late May

Nymphs
#10-12 Stonefly nymphs   Pats, Double bead Skwalas etc…
#14-18 CDC PT’s, Perdigons, CDC prince, Zebra Midge

Dry flies
#8-12  Unit Skwala, Parachute Madam X, Wersland Big Dog Stone, Chubby’s
#10-18 Royal Parachute,  Purple Haze, Parachute Blue Wings

Fishing this past week has been fabulous!  End of story.

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YAKIMA RIVER

PREDOMINANT INSECT HATCHES INCLUDE;
Skwala, Blue Wings, March Browns, Midges
Coming soon;
Caddis – Late April
Salmon Smolt – Late April
Salmon Flies – Mid May
Green Drakes – Late May

Nymphs
#10-12 Stonefly nymphs   Pats, Double bead Skwalas etc…
#14-18 CDC PT’s, Perdigons, CDC prince

Dry flies
#8-12  Unit Skwala, Parachute Madam X, Wersland Big Dog Stone, Chubby’s
#10-18 Royal Parachute,  Purplae Haze, Parachute Blue Wings

We are going to see some ups and downs over the next few months until the river stabilizes from spring run-off.  There is going to be some good to great fishing as well as some tough fishing.  Water clarity will be less and less as you go down river.  In fact, there will be some days where the clarity will be fine above the Teanaway river and the Lower Canyon will be unfishable.  As stated earlier, the river will be variable based on the weather, run-off and zone you are in until post run-off.

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Olympic Peninsula

Our 2024 Winter Steelhead season is over and we want to thank all who joined us…It was a good one.   Special fish and special place.  We are starting to fill 2025 already.  Get your dates down for the ’25 season!