North Washington guide service

YAKIMA

We are currently doing a self imposed Hoot Owl program on the Yakima.  Water temps are ranging from  65-68 in the afternoon depending on the zone.   We have therefore created an early morning to noon time frame for our guided trips.  Fishing is good and so is the catching.

Hoppertunity is in full swing, along with Summer Stones and some Caddis and PED’s.  The best of the Caddis and PED’s are in the evening and we are forgoing that time zone because of water temps.  The trout are healthy and we want to keep it that way.

Current Salmon counts into the river number about 1500; which is a low count . I mention this because  the end of Sept can be very good fishing, kind of Alaska style, behind the spawning Salmon…specifically in the Upper River. Teanaway confluence upstream.

 

UPPER COLUMBIA

The Upper Columbia Black Bear Lodge crew – Amazing crew! We had a great hatch season and we are looking forward to our Fall program. Holler if you have any questions or would like to set up a reservation.

 

KLICKITATAmazing early season on the Klickitat.  As mentioned earlier,  We do not schedule a lot at this time of year because the clarity is very unpredictable.  During this years early season the river stayed in dang good condition for quite  awhile.  Current the river is not good.  We do have a cooling pattern coming soon and the river should respond accordingly.  Over the years our predominant program is starts on Sept 20 and runs until mid Nov.  I would suggest getting on the calendar ASAP for the fall is we are filling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YAKIMA

Summer Stone

The Yakima continues to be in great condition.  Water temps are ranging from 58-64 depending on time and zone.

The Lower Canyon continues to have some limited but good head hunting in isolated shaded zones…Eating Caddis or PMD’s generally.
Nymphing predominant seams and lines throughout the river has been reasonable. Streamers at low light have caught a few as well.

Probably one of the best techniques for running and gunning currently would be a Dry/Dropper>

6 ft Upper Proper
7 ft Upper Flatlands
6.5 ft ft Upper Canyon
6.5-5 Farmlands
3.5 ft Lower Canyon

Hatches
-Salmon Smolt
-PMD’s
-Summer Stones
-Caddis
-Terrestrials

Nymphs
#14-16 Pheasant Tails, Super Caddis, Blow Torch, TJ Hooker
Duracel, TNT, PMD Trigger
#4-8 Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzilla
#6-8 Pats Stone

Dry Flies
#4-8 Summer Stones Chubby’s , Glommers, Gypsy Kings etc…
#10-16 Parachute Adams
#12-16   X-Caddis, Egg Layers, Lafontaine Pupa, Yellow Humpy, Sparkle Duns
#8-12 Hoppers, Ants and Beetles.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Christina with a UC smile!

We are winding down our Hatch season on the UC.  Thanks to all who have  joined us.  We will open the lodge back up at the end of August for our Fall season.  There is no doubt some good fishing between now and then, but the consistency can be difficult!

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KLICKITAT

This photo was taken just below Slide put-in  at 9AM — Water clarity was about 18″.  The afternoon at the same location would be about 6″ of visibility

 

The river stayed in great condition this month from the opener until yesterday.  In fact, this might be one of the longest “good water” stretches we have seen in the early season.  Current, conditions are not so good based on the hot weather pattern.  18″ in the AM at Slide Access and 6″ at 4PM

 

YAKIMA

The Yakima is in fabulous condition.  There is a variety of zones and techniques one can use, and go.  Water temps are ranging from 58-62 depending on time and zone.

The Lower Canyon has some good head hunting in isolated shaded zones…Eating Caddis or PMD’s generally.

Nymphing predominant seams and lines throughout the river has been productive. Streamers at low light have caught a few as well.

6 ft Upper Proper
7 ft Upper Flatlands
6.5 ft ft Upper Canyon
6.5-5 Farmlands
3.5 ft Lower Canyon

Hatches 

-Salmon Smolt
-PMD’s
-Drakes
-Golden Stones
-Caddis

Nymphs

#14-16 Pheasant Tails, Super Caddis, Blow Torch, TJ Hooker
Duracel, TNT, PMD Trigger
#4-8 Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzilla
#6-8 Pats Stone

Dry Flies
#4-8 Salmon Fly Adults – Chubby’s , Glommers etc…
#10-16 Parachute Adams
#12-16   X-Caddis, Egg Layers, Lafontaine Pupa, Yellow Humpy, Sparkle Duns

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UPPER COLUMBIA

We are full swing on the Upper Columbia and at Black Bear Lodge currently.  Fishing has been great and the catching has been varied depending on the day.  Predominant bugs include ,#14-18 Caddis, Baetis, PMD’s… Drakes coming soon.

Nymphing,  dry flies  and soft hackles as well.

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KLICKITAT

The catching on the swing has been rough for us.  Under the bobber has been worthy.  We have been from up high to down low:))

 

YAKIMA

The Yakima is in fabulous conditiuon.

5 ft Upper Proper
6 ft Upper Flatlands
5 ft ft Upper Canyon
5-3 Farmlands
3 ft Lower Canyon

Hatches 

-Salmon Smolt
-PMD’s
-Drakes
-Golden Stones

Nymphs

#12-16 Pheasant Tails, Super Caddis
#14 Duracel
#4-6 Sparkle Minnows
#10-12 Prince Nymphs for the active Drake nymphs
#16 Trigger nymph

Dry Flies
#4-8 Salmon Fly Adults – Chubby’s , Glommers etc…
#10-16 Parachute Adams
#12-16 X-Caddis, Egg Layers

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UPPER COLUMBIA

We are full swing on the Upper Columbia and at Black Bear Lodge currently.  Fishing has been great and the catching has been varied depending on the day.  Predominant bugs include ,

#14-18 Caddis, Baetis, PMD’s,

Mostly nymphing lately with a dry fly or soft hackle here and there!

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KLICKITAT

In fabulous condition and we will be on the water quite a bit over the next few weeks and update more thoroughly:)

YAKIMA

The river is up over the last 5 days due to releases from the Cle Elum reservoir.

The Yakima  Clarity is as follows..

5 ft Upper Proper
6 ft Upper Flatlands
5 ft ft Upper Canyon
5-3 Farmlands
3 ft Lower Canyon

Hatches 
-Mother;s day Caddis
-Salmon Flies
-Salmon Smolt

Just around the corner
-PMD’s
-Drakes
-Golden Stones

Nymphs
Salmon Fly Nymphs
#12-16 Pheasant Tails, Super Caddis
#14 Duracel
#4-6 Sparkle Minnows
#10-12 Prince Nymphs for the active Drake nymphs
#16 Trigger nymph

Dry Flies
#4-8 Salmon Fly Adults – Chubby’s , Glommers etc…
#10-16 Parachute Adams
#12-16 X-Caddis, Egg Layers

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KLICKITAT

The Klickitat is in great shape. It is flowing at 1530CFS at Pitt which is historically lower then normal and will most likely be the case for the season.  This fact does lend itself to a good opener which is the Saturday before Memorial day …May 23!
We will be offering an early season special.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Hatches are kicking in with Blue Wings and Mother’s day Caddis Caddis.  This time of year is cool because we usually catch a few Brookies during the early season as the one pictured above.  19 inches and heavy.

Tactics include mostly nymphing, wet fly swing

YAKIMA

We had a couple days there last week after the rain that was TOUGH.  The river bumped up in flows and the clarity decreased but the biggest culprit   was the 6 degree drop in water temp  from the release of water out of the  Cle Elum reservoir.  We are back on track now as everything has evened out.

The Yakima  Clarity is as follows..

5 ft Upper Proper
6 ft Upper Flatlands
5 ft ft Upper Canyon
5-3 Farmlands
3 ft Lower Canyon

Hatches 
-Blue Wings
-March Browns
-Salmon Flies
-Salmon Smolt

Just around the corner
-Mother’s day Caddis
-PMD’s
-Drakes

Nymphs
Salmon Fly Nymphs
#12-16 Pheasant Tails
#14 Duracel
#4-6 Sparkle Minnows
#10-12 Prince Nymphs for the active Drake nymphs
#12 Trigger nymph

Dry Flies
#4-8 Salmon Fly Adults – Chubby’s , Glommers etc…
#10-16 Parachute Adams
#10-14 Irressitable Adams
#10-14 March Brown Standard Thorax

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KLICKITAT

The Klickitat is in great shape. It is flowing at 1530CFS at Pitt which is historically lower then normal and will most likely be the case for the season.  This fact does lend itself to a good opener which is the Saturday before Memorial day …May 23!
We will be offering an early season special…..more to follow!

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Hatches are kicking in with Blue Wings and Caddis.  Both are reasonably light currently but the nymphing has been productive.  This time of year is cool because we usually catch a few Brookies during the early season as the one pictured above.  19 inches and heavy.

 

Sam with his first river and Yakima trout!

The Yakima  Clarity is as follows..

5 ft Upper Proper
6 ft Upper Flatlands
5 ft ft Upper Canyon
5-3 Farmlands
3 ft Lower Canyon

Hatches 
Skwala- waning
Blue Wings
March Bowns

….Just around the corner
Salmon Flies
Caddis

A lot of Salmon fly nymphs moving around currently.  A great nymph combo is a #6 salmon fly nymph (good example in the video below) with a #12-16 CDC Pheasant Tail or even a standard PT.

As far as the dry fly fishing …. A little slow lately.  Being in the right spot at 12:45 – 1:45 for some fish on March Browns is a good idea.  Also a big dry / Chubby type and a dropper.

OLD SALMON FLY NYMPH TRICK

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The upper Columbia has been pretty unpredictable recently. The flows have been a bit erratic and hatches have not been very consistent. Regardless, we have been able to pick up some nice fish as shown above!

Blue wing  olives are pretty much the ticket and we should see the Mother’s Day bloom in the next 3 weeks!

 

YAKIMA

The Yakima is coming back into shape.  Clarity is as follows..

3 ft Upper Proper
3-4 ft Upper Flatlands
3 ft Upper Canyon
2.5-3 ft Farmlands
2 ft Lower Canyon

We will still see some Skwalas here and there but after 40 years of fishing the river, statistically once we see a blow out during the end of the actual Skwala hatch time frame, typically the hatch becomes less important.

If I were guiding today it would be ‘ Turds and Worms’  aka
Stoneflies and San Juan Worms.  A Streamer here and there, or more,  isn.t a bad idea as well.

Hatches 
Skwala
Blue Wings
March Bowns

….Just around the corner
Salmon Flies
Caddis

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The river is in great condition. Mostly nymphing and swinging currently.  Water temps is 43 degrees.

Light and variable bugs currently.

Blue Wing Olives and Skwala….Caddis, just around the corner.

YAKIMA RIVER

Fishing has been pretty amazing so far this year.  With this warming trend the Yakima is currently WAY out of shape.

Clarity chart

1/2 foot Upper proper
1 foot Upper flatlands
1/2 foot Upper canyon
1/2 foot  Farmlands
3 inches Lower Canyon

…..more to follow

 

UPPER COLUMBIA

Dang good fishing on this one currently.  No problems when it comes to fluctuations.  The Columbia is a massive watershed and is fed by multiple reservoirs. Basically this means there is a large ‘ cushion ‘ above and it doesn’t really ever blow out. In fact, she is on the drop and will be at its lowest level most likely on the 21st of April.

 

THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA

The season closes at the end of this month. It has been a bit spotty so far this year but certainly has had some highlights.   We have caught them on the swing and with the bobber.  Fish the way you want.  It is your day:))

 

YAKIMA

The river is in spectacular condition.  We are kicking into gear for our early season hatches which include…

Blue Wings
Skwala Stone
Midges

Yesterday’s Dry fly fishing was thumbs up.  The lower Canyon is currently  more predictable for numbers of fish on the dry fly than  the river from the Farmlands and up.  That being said,  The dry fly is worthy throughout the system.

I would like to say there are some magical flies that you have to have….but that really isn’t the case.  One suggestion for the Skwala stone is if the fish start to get a little picky, make sure to utilize a rendition that is ‘skinny’ and not robust.  In addition, this time of year is cooler and therefore the stonefly is less likely to be moving around as much on the water as his/her cousin, the summer stone.   We impart a lot of movement utilizing the Summer stone.  The opposite could be said with the Skwala stone.

 

UPPER COLUMBIA

This river is in GREAT condition and is setting up to be at its lowest level here over the next 45 days.  Current techniques are predominantly Swinging, Retrieving as well as some nymphing.

 

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Winter Steelhead fishing is not for the faint of heart.  The weather can be abrupt, action can be slow and focus is paramount;   However,  The rewards can be spectacular:)  We have been targeting the fish by either nymph or swing tactics.  We have hooked fish with 5and5 of T-8 as well as Game Changers with T-14.  Fishing the correct line to put the fly in the strike zone is critical.