North Washington guide service

WE  ARE NOT PROVIDING LUNCHES FOR ALL DAY TRIPS CURRENTLY DUE TO CORONA:))))

YAKIMA

Like a broken record this river rocks on but you have to get’r done.  Just because you are floating down the river casting doesn’t mean it is going to be great catching.

Every day has been a bit different but getting good drifts and utilizing the right bugs will make a difference.

Water flows are typical for summer time…Reasonably big.  Marathon floats can be the ticket.   Looking for the opportunistic spot and fish.  Definitely a fast game.

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 6 Feet
UPPER FLATLANDS – 7 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 7 to 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 to 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Yellow Sallies
Caddis
Salmon Smolt
Summer Stone
Evening Baetis
Terrestrials…. Beetles, Ants, Hoppers

FLIES  DE JOUR

Under the surface

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #6 Pats Stone –  Tan, Coffee and Black, Brown

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD Hot Spot nymph

9. #14-16 YB Jig heads

Dry Flies

1. #14-16 Caddis

2. #8-10 Chubbies

3. #14 Purple haze

4. #14-16 Quigley PMD

5. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The hatch season has officially wound down for the 2020 season.  There are still some bugs but the consistency for a full day trip is a little light.  We will be opening the doors of Black Bear Lodge again towards the end of August:))

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

If you are looking for an adventure less traveled….Holler, we got you covered:))

KLICKITAT

The river has been in rough condition based on the heat wave……Will keep you updated as things change.  We are looking forward to the Fall on the Klickitat – An amazing watershed.

YAKIMA

This river continues to rock on ‘Amidst the Rona’ (Corona) that is. Apparently, the trout are not susceptible:))

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 6 Feet
UPPER FLATLANDS – 7 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 7 to 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 to 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Yellow Sallies
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Summer Stone nymphs
Evening Baetis

FLIES  DE JOUR

Under the surface

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD Hot Spot nymph

9. #14-16 YB

Dry Flies

1. #12 Black Carpenter ant

2. #14 Egg laying Caddis

3. #8 Golden Stone

4. #14 Purple haze

5. #14-16 Quigley PMD

6. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

YAKIMA RIVER

See below … Bristol launch will be closed the 3rd and 4th.

The fishing has been good. The wind has been relentless. We have been covering the entire river.  We are looking forward to less winds. Regardless, We have been busy having fun.

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 6 Feet
UPPER FLATLANDS – 7 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 7 to 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 to 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Yellow Sallies
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Golden Stones

FLIES  DE JOUR

Under the surface

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD Hot Spot nymph

9. #14-16 YB

Dry Flies

1. #12 Black Carpenter ant

2. #14 Egg laying Caddis

3. #8 Golden Stone

4. #14 Purple haze

5. #14-16 Quigley PMD

6. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

KLICKITAT

Water clarity has been worthy overall other than a few days when the weather was HOT.  Fish numbers are lower than normal over Bonneville except for the Shad! Wow!  Actually the number of Sockeye aren’t to bad either. Of course, the shad and Sockeye are not coming up the Klickitat itself.

Multiple tactics are worthy on the Klickitat …..From the swing to the nymph.  Dry line fishing is probably not the best idea as water clarity is at about 2 feet max.  Stick to tips currently for the swung fly.

UPPER COLUMBIA

Big spring across the northwest.  Everything is a little late.  The pattern on the Upper Columbia has been the same.  Overall fishing has been good. Water levels are bigger than normal and we have a mix of insects including, Caddis, Baetis, PMD’s and Drakes

The trout fishing in Washington is fired up!!!

YAKIMA

THERE IS A PARTIAL BLOCKAGE in the Farmlands …Please refer to the last report for images

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 6 Feet
UPPER FLATLANDS – 7 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 7 to 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 to 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Baetis
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Carpenter Ants
Golden Stones
Green Drakes

FLIES  DE JOUR

Under the surface

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD Hot Spot nymph

Dry Flies

1. #12 Black Carpenter ant

2. #14 Egg laying Caddis

3. #8 Golden Stone

4. #14 Purple haze

5. #14-16 Quigley PMD

6. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing has been all over the board but certainly worthy.  Not much dry fly action lately .  PMD’s, Baetis and Caddis are the predominant bugs.  Water clarity is at about 6 feet and the river is in great condition.

**UPDATE -The river flows have increased by 1000cfs as a direct release out of the Cle Elum .reservoir.  Clarity has remained good throughout the system. Water temps have dropped slightly.

There is a ‘Partial Blockage’ in the Farmlands

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 6 Feet
UPPER FLATLANDS – 7 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 7 to 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 to 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Baetis
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Carpenter Ants
Golden Stones
Green Drakes

FLIES  DE JOUR

Under the surface

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD Hot Spot nymph

Dry Flies

1. #12 Black Carpenter ant

2. #14 Egg laying Caddis

3. #8 Golden Stone

4. #14 Purple haze

5. #14-16 Quigley PMD

6. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

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SMALLMOUTH –  THE LOWER YAKIMA

‘Enfuego’

Both subsurface and topwater tactics have been effective.  Mostly dry line  for subsurface tactics utilizing a variety of patterns

YAKIMA
The fishing has been good on the river. The river seems to be lower than normal…..Maybe this is the new normal?  No reference to politics.  Clear water above the Lower Canyon and ‘Less than clear’ down low.

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 6 Feet
UPPER FLATLANDS – 7 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 7 to 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 to 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Baetis
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Carpenter Ants
Golden Stones
Green Drakes

FLIES  DE JOUR

Under the surface

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD Hot Spot nymph

Dry Flies

1. #12 Black Carpenter ant

2. #14 Egg laying Caddis

3. #8 Golden Stone

4. #14 Purple haze

5. #14-16 Quigley PMD

6. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Little rough lately…. minimal bug activity plus we had a major blowout.  River is back in good condition.

BUGS
Baetis
Caddis
PMD’s
Carpenter Ants

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Klickitat

Is in GREAT shape…not many steelies yet over Bonneville.  Regardless fish have been caught .  We have not been on the

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OTHER  –

Some good Smallmouth lately….Mainly a topwater approach for us; Why not!

YAKIMA
The fishing has been good on the river. Water temps have dropped because of cold water releases out of the Cle Elum reservoir.   Clarity is a bit less then the last report but still fish worthy throughout.

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 4 FEET
UPPER FLATLANDS – 5 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 4 FEET
FARMLANDS – 4 TO 2 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 1.5  FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

PMD’s
Baetis
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Carpenter Ants
Golden Stones
Green Drakes

FLIES  DE JOUR

Nymphs

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD trigger nymph

Dry Flies

1. #12 Black Carpenter ant

2. #14 Egg laying Caddis

3. #8 Golden Stone

4. #14 Purple haze

5. #14-16 Quigley PMD

6. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

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UPPER COLUMBIA

This one has been fishing good. Mostly subsurface with some intermittent  dry fly and soft hackle activity.

Water levels are typical for this time of year and the clarity is at 5 feet. Going to be a big water season as we can still see snow at the 4K mark in the  Kootenay  mountains.  Water temps dropped here the other day due to cold water releases as well.

BUGS
Baetis
Caddis
Carpenter Ants

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Klickitat

Is in good shape…not many steelies yet.

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OTHER  –

Some good Smallmouth and Carp fishing lately…No complaints!

CARP – Most of our Carp fishing has been sub surface….Clam patterns.  Some dry fly opportunities have offered themselves, but for the most part it has been subsurface so far.

Tip of the day – Remember if you feel them take, you are to late.

SMALLIES – Getting some good top water in on some of our favorite places.

The lower Yakima will most likely be out of shape starting tomorrow .

YAKIMA

The fishing has been fabulous on the river from top to bottom.  The river remains in great condition for this time of year

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 5 FEET
UPPER FLATLANDS – 6 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 TO 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

March Browns are on their way out
PMD’s are on their way in:))
Baetis
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Carpenter Ants

FLIES  DE JOUR

Nymphs

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC

2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black

3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle

4. #8 Dali Llama

5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow

6. #10-12 San Juan

7. #12-16  Prince

8. #16 PMD trigger nymph

Dry Flies

1. #14Quigley March Brown

2. #12 Black Carpenter ant

3. #14 Egg laying Caddis

4. #10 Skwala

5. #14 Purple haze

6. #14-16 Quigley PMD

7. #14-16 Yellow Humpy

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UPPER COLUMBIA

This one has been fishing good  as well depending on the day. Mostly subsurface with some intermittent  dry fly activity.

Water levels are typical for this time aof year and the clarity good….

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Klickitat

The Klickitat opens June 1 and the clarity is good currently with about an overall 3 feet of visibility.  Barring any major heat wave the river should be good for the opener.

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OTHER  –  Lots of other target fish now days….

While at The Steelhead Ranch or scheduling specifically on its own, we can  fish for Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Trout, Shad, World class Sturgeon(conventional tackle)

In addition we provide Scenic River Floats for the non-angler.

Buddies, serious angling, company off sites, family getaways – Let us know, we will make it so!

The river is in amazing shape. Some isolated dry fly fishing for sure.  Searching with the dry fly has been OK at best, but there are certainly some fish looking for March Browns and the like specifically between 1-3 pm.

Make sure to stop by the shop and pick up supplies at our ‘Covid Friendly Drive Thru’  Did I just say that?

We will most like see a bump in river flows this coming weekend  due to some warmer weather but it appears the weather will be cooling down next week  according to Mr Weather.  Barring any major heat wave the 2020 run off should be reasonable and we will most likely be able to fish through it, with a slight hick up here and there.

CLARITY REPORT

UPPER PROPER  – 5 FEET
UPPER FLATLANDS – 6 FEET
UPPER CANYON – 5 FEET
FARMLANDS – 5 TO 3 FEET
LOWER CANYON – 2 FEET

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INSECTS AND FOOD SOURCES

March Browns
Baetis
Caddis
Worms
Salmon Smolt
Salmon Fly Nymphs
Carpenter Ants

FLIES  DE JOUR

Nymphs

1. #14 PT Jig head CDC
2. #4-6 Pats Stone –  Orange and Black
3. #14 Hares Ear Soft Hackle
4. #8 Dali Llama
5. # 4-8 Sparkle Minnow
6. #10-12 San Juan
7. #12-16  Prince

Dry Flies

1. #14Quigley March Brown
2. #12 Black Carpenter ant
3. #14 Egg laying Caddis
4. #10 Skwala
5. #14 Purple haze