North Washington guide service

YAKIMA

The river is as low as we have seen it in the Fall.  Fishing is good.   A bit spotty at times,  but good overall.  The Fall salmon have been on the spawn so an egg pattern in the Upper River has been a good approach/above the Teanaway as an overall.

Craneflies have been good as well.  Not the best cranefly activity we have seen over the years, but certainly worthy.  Remember Craneflies are erratic and therefore a fly twitched and skated a bit can illicit strikes.

The swing has certainly been a good approach for those that enjoy that type of fishing.  Utilizing a variety of tips based on depth, flow and the mood of the fish can produce.

Bugs include:
#18-20 Baetis
#8-10 October Caddis
#10 Cranefly
#16 Tan Caddis
MVP’s Flies
#8 Egg sucking Sculpzilla
#10 EH Cranefly

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KLICKITAT
Fun Fall so far.  There are fish around and we have been catching them with multiple tactics.  Water is currently in great condition.  We should continue to see good activity until the river closes at the end of November.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Longtime guests – The Puthoff  Crew

The catching on the Upper Columbia has been a bit tough this Fall.   Certainly less bugs than usual and the river flows have been quite erratic.  The river has never been a big number producer anyways.  Regardless, we have used multiple tactics including dry flies, nymphs and swing tactics.
In addition, we have not been fly fishing for the sturgeon but we have certainly caught a few of them lately for those that want a break from chasing the trout.

Nine footer.

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KVICHAK RIVER

Been a good season so far on the Kvichak for us.  Good enough that it appears we are pretty much full for next fall.  Our program is based on swinging the fly.  No nymphing, just tossing the fly with 6-7 weight 2 handers!

 

 

YAKIMA

The river is very low and we are happy to see some cooler weather.  The catching has been average lately but we should see a bit of an uptick with the upcoming weather pattern.

Current Hatches
# 10-12 Craneflies
#8-10 October Caddis
#16 Tan Caddis
#8-12 Hoppers
#6-8 Summer Stones
#18 Fall Baetis
#16 Mahogany Duns

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UPPER COLUMBIA


The river has been kinda busy with the Sturgeon season the state has created.  Catching has been a bit tough here as well.  We have been using a variety of techniques including dry flies, swinging, streamers and nymphing.  Not one technique has been ‘the best’.
Swing tactics utilizing dry lines to 20 foot 200 grain tips have all produced.

Not alot of bugs yet.  We have a sampling of October Caddis, Fall Beatis and some terrestrial.

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Kvichak / Alaska

The Kvichak is fishing good.  We have seen possibly less numbers this season with maybe a bigger average size fish.  Regardless, the season has been thumbs up so far with a little glitch here and there.  We are close to full next year and are certainly happy that this program is part of our arsenal:))  The technique here includes swinging bugs…..0 bobbers.

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KLICKITAT
   

The river definitely has a cycle.  I am sure we will see this pattern to some degree for the reminder of the fall.  The best clarity in the morning is down low. Definitely both Salmon and Steelhead in the system.  The challenge is landing them ….lol

 

 

YAKIMA

The river is currently at Fall levels and this cooling weather pattern is what was needed for sure.

Current Hatches
# 10-12 Craneflies
#8-10 October Caddis
#16 Tan Caddis
#8-12 Hoppers
#6-8 Summer Stones

Coming soon  #18 Fall Baetis  and # 16 Mahogany Duns

Hot bug —

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KLICKITAT

The river is definitely cycling – where as the best clarity is in the AM down low on the system.  Good Counts of steelhead over Bonneville.  We have not been on the river much over the past month because of the very poor quality of clarity over the last month.  The Steelhead Ranch opens up this coming Sunday and we are looking forward to a fun Fall.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The river has been fluctuating in flows quite a bit which can makes things a bit challenging. Catching has been average overall. The recent cooler weather was certainly welcomed:))

Dry flies, streamers, swinging and bobbers have all produced.   15 feet of visibility and some nice fish around :))

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KVICHAK

The river is pretty low for this time of year and overall numbers have been a little less than usual. But on another note…. Our average size fish is PDG / Pretty dang good!!

The only thing we do on this river is swing bugs and it is worthy!!  Our first group leaves today and we have five more groups until we back out of AK.

YAKIMA

The river is definitely in Hoot owl mode.  Early morning until about noon is the best time frame. If anybody is fishing it later and into the evening ….they prolly should not.  Water temps are starting out at 63-64 in the AM and are getting to about 67-69 in the afternoon.  This is why we are self imposing a restriction.  Similar to what they do in Montana. In Montana, the state actually creates a rule for these situations.   Unfortunately the state of Washington does not.

Summer Stoneflies, Hoppers,  Ants, Caddis
Coming soon….October Caddis and Craneflies.

The river is fishing reasonably good throughout the system.   The upper Proper has been a little touchy…..However,  From the Cle Elum confluence down is certainly more predictable.

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KLICKITAT

Tough conditions recently for clarity but there are definitely good numbers over Bonneville.  In fact, the numbers are higher then predicted!

Currently we are seeing a swing ‘cycle’  in clarity ….Early in the AM below the town of Klickitat there may be a 15 inches.  By early afternoon we are seeing about 6 inches of vis.  This can change daily depending on the amount of day time and night time temperatures and wind on the glacier feeding the system. The river flow level is averaging about 810  currently, which is about 10% lower then the average for this time of year.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

We are in between prime seasons on this watershed right now.  There are definitely some fish to target, but predictability is a little variable. We are opening Black Bear lodge back up in 22 days, for what we call the late summer and fall season.  Hoppers etc…. will be the focus:))

 

YAKIMA

Bugs include
#10 Skwala Sones but fading
#12 – 14 March Browns  Sporadic but present
#16 – 18 Blue Wings

Coming Soon
#14 American Grannom Caddis
#6 Salmon Flies
#12 Flying Ants

The March brown hatch is a bit sporadic and being in the right place at the right time is very important .  The bright sun has not been helpful.  The trout are definitely in spawn mode as well this month.

There are a few Skwala Stones here and there but they are fading.

Water temps are ranging between 46-50 depending on time of day and stretch of river.  Mother’s day caddis is just around the corner and we should see that kick into gear at that 53 degree mark.

Hot bugs recently
#12-16 Pheasant tail variations
#6-8 Pats Stone in Black and Brown
#6-10 Sparkle Minnow
#12-16 Purple Haze, Thorax March Brown

Upper Columbia

Lake Roosevelt in very high for this time of year, which definitely affects the lower portion of the American Reach – This is the new norm on the Upper Columbia.

This time of year the predominant technique is swinging flies.  There are A Variety of patterns one can choose from….Including Wooly buggers, Sculpins, Stoneflies etc.

There is minimal dry fly activity but there are opportunities…..Typically they are eating Blue Wing Olives.

Nymphing is certainly an option and generally worthy in isolated zones utilizing tandem nymph set ups of a Stonefly and a dropper.  Droppers could include, CDC Pt’s,  Princes, Brassies…. etc….

BEEN AWHILE  since I did a  fishing report.

YAKIMA

The Yakima is in great shape!  We have Skwala adults, Blue Wings and close to March Browns as they are just around the corner.

Both the nymph and dry have been productive.  the streamer here and there as well.

We have been on all stretches and the entire river is fishing good.

Bug selection for the current season

 

 

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

As per usual, variable conditions paint the picture……We have had everything from bone chilling cold with record low flows to typical rain driven fluctuations of water volume.

Both bobber fishing and the swing have been productive for us. Tough to land the beasts, but great to find them.

Our best swinging  this season so far  has been with standard floating Skagit’s and T-11…..weighted and un-weighted depending on zone

 

 

 

YAKIMA

The river is LOWWW and CLEAR …. with some ice build up in the lower canyon based on the current cold weather pattern.

GOOD BUG SELECTION FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR

 

WINTER STEELHEAD

Definitely need some water for our Winter Steelhead rivers….. For sure there are fish around but definitely need a mixer currently.

Looks like we should see a weather pattern change starting next Thursday.  Definitely needed.

Keith Wersland with a good one from last winter

YAKIMA is in great shape. Low and clear. Honestly, I could give you a huge list of flies but that would be just to sell flies. Really, you can pare the list down substantially in the Winter:

Nymphs
1) #8-12 Pats stones and Skwala nymphs
2) #8-12 San Juan Worm
3) #6 Millimeter Whitefish Egg
4) #2-8 Streamers Sparkle Minnow, Sculpzilla, Seal Bugger, Sex Dungeons

Occasionally there can be a good midge hatch. Utilizing a #18 Cluster pattern or a #20 single Parachute presented correctly will usually suffice,

The fishing has been quite good recently and from now until April some of the biggest fish are caught on the Yakima. Great time to be on the river. Focus your time during the warmth of the day. 11AM to 4PM

Although I wrote this blurb a long time ago, it still holds true. Check it out

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WINTER STEELHEAD

Nice double a few years back!

Hatchery season has already started. The peak of the hatchery run is usually in mid January. Wild fish will start to trickle in beginning in December but the bulk of the run will be February / March. We will be running day trips from now until March 31 and start our overnight operation the 1st of Feb.

More to follow.

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YAKIMA

Fishing remains consistent .  Water is LOWWWW and CLEAR. This is the ‘far and fine’ of the Yakima. If you are targeting fish on the surface eating the Blue wing olives I would highly suggest a 12 foot leader terminating in 5-6X. When nymphing, terminal tackle needs to be flourocarbon and 4-6X depending on the size of the bug- Suggestion -> #10-12 4X, #14-16 5X, #18 and smaller 6X
Predominant bugs include:
Mostly Fall Baetis #18-20 

Upcoming food sources
Whitefish spawn
Skwala nymphs 

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KLICKITAT

This season has been good. The steelhead numbers over Bonneville were above the 10 year average. The pressure has been heavy. There were also a lot of Chinook and steelhead in the system.  

Techniques vary but getting  creative is probably a good idea.  The season is over at the end of November. We are only doing day trips from here on out. If someone needs a cabin rental, we can help with that too.

One of my favorite techniques when the river is LOOWWW and CLEEAARR is to quarter way day with a light tip and toss a subtle traditional…. just a thought!

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The 2024 season at Black Bear Lodge on the upper Columbia just ended. There certainly are fish to still be had up there but things get a little bit more difficult as the fall progresses as there are less and less bugs.  

The Hatch season from May 15-July 15 was good to great. This fall was a little tough as the flows were not very consistent. Regardless it was a fun season. We are currently filling dates for the 2025 season.

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ALASKA

We just finished our Alaska season for 2024. It was highly successful. Fabulous guests and fabulous fishing:)) Actively filling this program and all our others for the 2025 season!

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OLYMPIC PENINSULA

We are getting ready for our upcoming season starting February 1 operating until the end of March. Hopefully the numbers on the Olympic Peninsula this winter reflect what the last year and a half has been. According to creel surveys, the return this past winter was better then the past couple decades!

YAKIMA

The Yakima river is at fall levels now and many would call this their favorite season. The catching has been legit with some nice fish and good numbers

Predominant bugs include: Summer stones # 6-8 soon to be a thing of the past for 2024  but still a few around

Crane flies #10 Craneflies are active and bouncing flyers. On many rivers, the trout do not target the adults. We are fortunate on the Yakima,  as they do here!!

Grass hoppers # 8-12
Caddis #16 Hydros generally hatching in the late morning
October Caddis #8-10
Fall Baetis #18-20 
Mahogany Duns #16

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KLICKITAT

Definitely some fish around. Last couple days the water was a little rough; we should be back on track now. Both swing and nymph tactics are worthy. Certainly prefer to let’er swing. John Miskulin just did that and ended up with a big smile!

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KVICHAK

Literally world class trout fishing….plain and simple. Don’t know how else to state it. No bobbers, just swinging. Variable tips to match the water.