North Washington guide service

SMALLMOUTH

This is the time of year that we find some Smallmouth to play with.  Although it is a little early for top water based on our cold weather patterns, it should turn on soon on some of the waters we fish…not on all of them. If you are looking to schedule….. call Jack @  509.859.2280

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YAKIMA RIVER

Water has been all over the board lately.  Things are stabilized for now!

Predomonant bugs are Blue Wings, March Browns and Caddis.  Food source also includes Salmon Smolt patterns.   Short leash More here nymphing has been the mainstay recently.  Shortleash = 7.5 foot leaders with 2-5 feet below the Indicator…. ..

The Indicator aka…

Bobbercator Indi-Bob(Indicator/Bobber
hybrid)
Float(Old school name)
Indicator
Strike Indicator
Bobber
Strike Detector
ASID (Acute Strike Indicator Detector)

Bobbers are used to detect strikes while drifting a fly suspended below the bobbercator in a static free fashion. This technique is
the complete opposite of fishing a fly under tension or commonly referred to as the ‘swing’

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UPPER COLUMBIA.

I should never say this river doesn’t blow out, because it does, but rarely.  Bugs include Caddis, Blue Wings and March Browns.   Nymphing has been the GOTO recently with a little streamer, soft hackle and dry fly action.

Fish are healthy and the river is in great shape .  We have some availability in May!

This past week was a little rough on the Yakima.  Last Sunday they flushed the river and the flows almost doubled. In addition the water temps dropped 6 degrees.  Pretty much SLOWED  the March Brown Hatch down.

The warmer weather coming should be welcomed.

YAKIMA CLARITY 
Upper Proper 5 feet
Upper Flatlands 6 feet
Upper Canyon 5 feet
Farmlands 5-3 feet
Lower Canyon 2.5 -3 feet

HATCHES
Skwala
March Browns
Blue Wing Olives
Salmon Flies
Midges
Caddis

YAKIMA

The Yakima just keeps on keeping on.

Skwala stoneflies are still present and will be for awhile but their overall importance will decrease on a daily basis.  

The March Brown will however take first place and this hatch can be like clock work.. Taking into consideration that all conditions are the same, the Hatch will typically transpire exactly as the day before.

Often times post and pre  hatch  at this time of year the fishing can be rather slow as this is time frame where the spawn cycle really kicks onto gear

Water temps have been hovering in the 45 -49 degree depending on where you are, time of day etc. However, this last 48 hour weather pattern has dropped the temp down to 40!

CLARITY 
Upper Proper 5 feet
Upper Flatlands 6 feet
Upper Canyon 5 feet
Farmlands 5-3 feet
Lower Canyon 2.5 -3 feet

HATCHES
Skwala
March Browns
Blue Wing Olives
Ameleytus
Midges

SUGGESTED FLY PATTERNS

Top Left  – TJ Hooker, Pats Stone, San Juans
Top Right –  Pheasant Tails and Worms
Bottom Left – Para Adams, Std Quill March Brown, Split Wing Adams
Bottm Right – Skwala Adults

COMING SOON
American grannom Caddis
Salmon flies
Salmon smolt

UPPER COLUMBIA

Overall condition of the river is great. Clarity is ranging from 8 to 10′ feet. Bugs include Skwala, Midges & Blue Wings.

Tactics have included nymphing, retrieving and swinging.

Water temperatures are cooler than average. 40° as of lately. Typically we would be at 42. 

LOTS OF THIS RECENTLY:))

YAKIMA

CLARITY CHART
Upper Proper  5 Feet
Upper Flatlands 6 Feet
Upper Canyon 5 Feet
Farmlands 5-3 Feet
Lower Canyon 3 Feet

Continuing along with a great early season so far. Skwala and the Blue Wing Olive are the predominant bugs with the March Brown about to make its 2022 full on appearance.   A few showing already.

Recent techniques include…
Dry Dropper –  Skwala adult with a CDC Pheasant Tail or Prince
Dry Fly – Skwala renditions, Adams, Royal Parachute, Sparkle Duns
Bobber(indicator) nymphing -Stonefly nymphs, CDC PT’s, Prince Nymphs
Wet Fly Swing – Partridge and PT and Blue dun soft hackles.

Search with the Dry Dropper
Cast dry flies or wet flies to risers

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing as usual on the Upper Columbia is a challenge.  BIG river, nice fish but not a big population.  Predominant tactic would be under tension. Great first group of the season.

The Yakima recently saw a good bump of water but fished right through it. Prior to the bump, the dry fly fishing was A+. Since the bump, the dry fly fishing has dropped to a B…..Pretty good still.

Predominant bugs include Blue Wings and Skwalas.

The Blue Wings have been strong…..with fish responding accordingly.  In addition, fish rising to Blue Wings will take a well presented Skwala usually.

Recent techniques include…
Dry Dropper –  Skwala adult with a CDC Pheasant Tail or Prince
Dry Fly – Skwala renditions, Adams, Royal Parachute, Sparkle Duns
Bobber(indicator) nymphing -Stonefly nymphs, CDC PT’s, Prince Nymphs
Wet Fly Swing – Partridge and PT and Blue dun soft hackles.

Search with the Dry Dropper
Cast dry flies or wet flies to risers

Lots of this happening recently…….

YAKIMA

Verbatim report from one of our senior staff yesterday…

‘Fishing was pretty good today, both deep and shallow. Turned 4 fish on a dry and caught a bunch on the dropper. Skwalas, midges, San Juan’s and princes. Afternoons are best.’

It is that time of year again…. We will see fluctuations in the river based on snow melt directly related to weather.  The dam releases are typically not the culprit this early in the game; The feeder streams are.  The biggest one being the Teanaway.

CLARITY CHART
Upper Proper   5 feet
Upper Flatlands   6 feet
Upper Canyon 4 to 5 feet
Farmlands  3 to 4 feet
Lower Canyon  2.5 feet

UPPER COLUMBIA

Water temps are still pretty dang cold right now but the fishing is worthy.  Swing tactics predominantly with a bit of nymphing mixed in.

A variety of lines based on depth and flow needed on this river.  Dry lines to 300 grain shooting heads for the single handers.  Dry lines to Dual density and T-18 for the 2-handers.

Patterns…. Sculpins, Minnows, Stones, Dick nites (lol)

YAKIMA

Currently blown out…. Should be back in shape quickly and the 2022 Skwala season should be game on.

Take advantage of our SKWALA special Here

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

Water temps are still cold but there are some pre spawn rainbows to be had with both nymph and swing tactics.  Clarity is at about 10 feet.  Water temps are around 39.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

We  hooked a large number of smaller fish this season…smaller than usual.  We also hooked some BEASTS :))

The entire coast was shut down early…As of today.  Good season despite three weeks of high pressure and low water.   The scenario has a lot of people wondering ‘what is up’.  We had some tough days swinging flies but all in all it was WORTHY. It is what it is. We shall see what is in the wheelhouse for 23.

YAKIMA RIVER

Fishing has been great.  We recently saw a bump in the flows due to unseasonably warm weather.  Fishing was kinda off for those two days. We are back on track right now with a dropping and clearing  river.

Bugs of choice…

San Juans
Stonefly nymphs
Prince nymphs
Smolt patterns
Sculpin patterns

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER

Nice weather across the state!  Swingtactics are in order on this fishery.  Light to heavy tips based on depth and flow.   Sculpins, Seal buggers, Stones, Minnows.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Swinging, fly bobbers and conventional float rods have been the tools lately. It is all a personal choice!

This 39.5 inch fish ate a 2.5 inch unweighted black and blue fly behind 10 feet of T-14.