YAKIMA

The last warm spell bumped the river up quite a bit.  Since the weather cooled the river is in great shape.  We are going to see some GREAT FISHING between here and stabilization (somewhere around the first of June)  but we are also going to see some serious fluctuations in the flow.

Current hatches include;
Skwala #10
March Browns #14
Blue Wing Olives #18
Amyletus #14

Coming soon;
Caddis #14-18
Salmon Flies #6
Fly Ants #12

Clarity Chart;
Upper Proper 5 ft
Upper Flatlands 7 ft
Upper Canyon 5 ft
Farmlands 5-4ft
Lower Canyon 3ft

OLD School Spring Dry Fly Selection for the Yakima

UPPER COLUMBIA

Catching has been sporadic.  Lake levels are higher than normal and the river flows are lower than normal.  Bugs include a few Skwala with some reasonable Blue Wings on select days.  Tactics have included both the swing and nymph.

YAKIMA

The fishing has been very consistent  throughout the river …. top to bottom.  Of course everyday is different.

Bugs include:
Skwala
Blue Wing Olives
Midges

Best dry fly action has definitely been from 1-5 pm which is typical for this time of year. Blue Wings have been reasonable.  Blue wings are typically found in the slower Boulder strewn runs as they are swimmers.

The nymphing has definitely been sporadic in the earlier part of the day

Hot patterns include
#8-12 Unit Skwala
#14-18 Purple Haze, Quigley BWO
#12-14 March Brown Trigger Nymph
#16-18 CDC Pheasant tails, Flashback PT’s, Lightning bugs
#12-16 CDC Princes, Halo Prince
#16-18 Brassies
#6-10 Sparkle minnows, Sculpzillas, Bow River Buggers,

UPPER COLUMBIA

In good shape…..Nice fish to be had.  Mostly swing tactics with a bit of nymphing mixed in!

We have some prime time dates available.

YAKIMA

The Skwala hatch is happening on the Yakima and the fishing has been good sub surface as well as on top…..The entire river has been fishing.  Every day is different however.

Best bugs lately include

#10 Unit Skwala
#8 Sculpzilla in Olive
#12 Olive and black Pats
#14-16 March Brown Trigger nymphs
#18 Red Brassie

UPPER COLUMBIA

Good fishing and the catching has been slow to good depending on the day. Flows are low  and the  lake level is on the drop as well.

Swing tactics predominantly with some nymphing and softies here and there

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Derek with his first OP Steel

All rivers south of the Hoh to Willipa bay have been closed leaving only the Hoh and Quileute systems open.

Our early season  south of the Hoh was pretty dang good. The last week fell short of good and in fact was real slow.

We have Skwala Stoneflies – End of story!

YAKIMA

Has been fishing great. The river is currently blown out as are most in the state.  Based on the Northwest River Forecast she should come back in shap quick as shown in the graph below.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Some bright ones around and some once in a lifetime fish as well:)))  Currently in a high precipitation pattern.  The next couple days the rivers will be blown….Should be back on track soon.

All fishing by rule needs to be done by foot.

Best line recently… Standard Skagit
Best Sink Tip…..10 Feet of T-14
Best fly Colors….. Pink and Orange     Black and Blue

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Pretty reasonable fishing on the Olympic Peninsula.  No complaints. This fish was caught on a 8136 Sage Brownie, Loop Classic reel, 10 ft of T-11 and the fly was unweighted.  This fish came UP for the fly.  No doubt about it.

(Facebook Needed for the video)
Click image below for video

YAKIMA RIVER

We just had to do it…. Fish masks at the shop.  Everybondy get’s one on our Yakima fishing trips!

The river is in GREAT shape and the fishing is fantastic.  This sounds like a broken record (which it is) .  This next 2 months should be awesome.

Food-
Skwala nymphs
Blue Wing nymphs
Midge larvae and adults
Worms
Caddis Larvae
Bait Fish

Patterns-
#8-12 San Juans
#8-12 Skwala Stone patterns
#8-12 Pat’s
#14-16 Prince nymphs
#18-20 Brassies
#4-8 Various Streamers

UPPER COLUMBIA

The river is significantly higher than normal for this time of year. Lake levels are starting to drop. Reasonable midges on the ‘right’ day.  Right equals stable.

Swing tactics with various based on depth and flow. Patterns for swinging range from Sculpzillas to Buggers.

YAKIMA

The entire river is fishing good.  Our favorite sections at this time of year would be…
-Upper Flatlands
-Farmlands
-Lower Canyon

Predominant food sources…..
-Baitfish
-White fish spawn
-Stones
-Worms
-Caddis Larvae
-Midges

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Tough conditions out there so far with water levels but there are some fish around.  There are some new rules and regulations for this season.  No fishing from a floating device.  Single barbless hook and no bait.

The fish below was caught on 3.5 inches of Cerise, Purple and Blue,  10 feet of T-ll on a standard floating skagit

No other grabs this day but no complaints

WISHING EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY TIME WITH YOURS:)))

Yakima Report

Probably one of the best times of year for congregated fish.  If you find one, most likely there are quite a few fish near by.

Don’t want to sound like a broken record but the food sources are very simple at this time of year

Predominant food sources…..
-Baitfish
-White fish spawn
-Stones
-Worms
-Caddis Larvae-=Midges

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Tough conditions out there so far but there are some fish around.  There are some new rules and regulations for this season.  No fishing from a floating device.  Single barbless hook and no bait.

Nice wild doe swung up the other day:))

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

Always ‘playing the water’ up on this one.  Current levels are quite a bit higher than normal. Fishing has been worthy.  Never a numbers game here. Swing tactics with different heads based on depth and flow.

I get a little complacent on posting…. After 28 years, I think you can understand why:))

So I will apologize in advance.  That being said, If you asked most of the guides on the river what one of their favorite times of year is, they would say, ‘the winter.’

Fishing has been good recently.   Watch for the fishing to be great when  water temps raise ‘a little’.  One degree increase in the winter and the fishing can be fantastic.

Food choices are pared to the bone at this time of year, as is the landscape.

More here

Predominant food sources
Baitfish
White fish spawn
Stones
Worms
Caddis Larvae
Midges

Here are some favorites of ours….

While it certainly is a different year,  we have plenty to be thankful for.  All of us here at The Evening Hatch wish all of you out there a safe and enjoyable holiday:))