YAKIMA

The only zone currently with clarity is above the Teanaway confluence where it has been a little crowded lately with anglers

UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing is good.  Water  temps are 38-40 degrees with the flows ranging between 40-60K and  8 feet of visibiity.  Nymphing and swinging/retrieving have been the game.

Utilizing a variety of sink heads based on depth and flow is important with any fishing and that is key here as well.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Receiving much needed rain in the last 24 hours – Although we could use a lot more.  Fishing remains steady for some opportunity and some big fish around.

Sink tip rates used lately with success include:
->5 inches per second poly leader  on a mid belly
->10 feet of T-14 on a standard floating Skagit
->10 feet of T-8 on a Rio Game Changer

Flies that have met with success include:
->Queets leech
->Trey’s Bunny Leech
->Dark Mole Leech

SAGE X REVIEW
Two words come to mind with the 8130 Sage X  –   Lifting Power  – remarkable lifting power.

YAKIMA – UPDATE !!!!

YAKIMA

WINTER STEELHEAD

Some thoughts on winter steelhead….

Winter steelhead fishing requires

1- Arduous patience
2-Systematic approach of likely water based on water conditions
Heads and tails in high water
Guts of the run in low and clear

3-Proper lines choice for the run based on depth and flow

I like 4 rods rigged-
7.5 feet of T-14 on a Standard Skagit
10 feet of T-8 on a Rage
10 feet of T-11 to 14 on a Gamechanger or FIST
15 feet 0f T-11 on a Standard Skagit

4-Reasonable fly rendition based on clarity / weighted vs unweighted

5-Sharp hooks

6-Positive thoughts:)))

YAKIMA

Currently fishing good depending on the day  Look for the days that are 28 at night and 38 during the day…or there about:)

Lower Lower Canyon is blocked out with ice.

Streamers, Stoneflies, Caddis larvae and Midge Pupae

Guides choices include Mini Sex Dungeon,  Pats Stone #10 in olive brown, Formerly Known as Prince # 14, Green Caddis Larve # 14, Hot head Larve #18-20, San Juan Worms #12

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Overall the fishing has been worthy.  Again, a variety of lines are the ticket based on depth and flow.

We have used everything from 7.5 ft of T-11 on standard Skagits  to Game Changers and Fists with T-14.

Silver Bow Crew

Pete and TMoen

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

Winter Steelhead
Well Snowmagedden has not stopped the fishing/catching….It has stopped the people, understandably. The glacial rivers have been the place to be lately with everything been low and clear otherwise.

A variety of lines have been applicable lately…

Standard Skagit
Intermediate Skagit
The Gamechanger
The FIST
Nexcast 55

YAKIMA

Winter  Trout
A little rough lately… overall . Lower river is pretty much froze over.  Farmlands and upstream would be the place to be – Less ice.  Often times the numbers of fish are limited in these conditions…..But some big ones can be had; especially on streamers.

Prior to this cold snap the fishing was goooood….Should be great once she warms up a bit.

Take advantage of our 10th annual SKWALA SPECIAL

Lower river image  2/13/19

UPPER COLUMBIA

Winter Trout
A little rough overall ….. stay home for now. Prior to the cold snap, the fishing was gooooood.

To take advantage of our Fish and Stay
Now until May 25

Special Call/Text Jack @ 509.859.2280

There are many methods to fishing nymphs. More often than not I opt for a shallow nymph approach.

The old rule of thumb …….. “fish 1 1/2 times the water depth below your indicator”  has not proven to be a great technique in my repertoire.

Assuming you as an angler are able to fish slack line drifts, shallow nymphing can be very effective. Throughout the year, all rivers experience nymphal drift. Nymphal drift can be caused by a few factors. For example, water level changes or optimal temperatures for nymph maturity and emergence. What this all boils down to is that nymphs are consistently drifting in the water column.

Often times the water may be 4-5 feet deep yet I will fish at only 2-3 feet deep below an indicator. Certainly, one advantage of this is less bottom hang-ups. The other advantage is of course the replication of nymphal drift.

I have noticed that During peak bug activity/migration or emergence, the shallower, the better. Remember Stoneflies  migrate to shore to emerge.  They are terrible swimmers that frequently get knocked loose from there position and  ‘tumble’ through the water column trying to gain position again.

Shallow Water Nymphing – Try it some time, you won’t be disappointed.

YAKIMA REPORT

Water is low and predictable.  Clarity is at its best.  Hot bugs lately include…

1-A variety of San Juan Worms ….The possibilities are endless with San Juans.  Color combos to inlcue but not limited to 

Red, Red and Pink, Pink, Brown and Red, Wine, Wine and Brown, Orange, Ornge and Brown, Brown

….With beads or without.  #6 -14

2-Green Caddis larvae #14-16

3-Stoneflies; Here again, the possibilities are endless. However, you can’t go wrong with the Pat’s Stone.  Currently I would suggest #8-12 in Brown, Brown and Black or Olive. 

4- #16-20 Brassies

5- #14-16 Pheasant Tails and Lightning Bugs.

6-#4 to 10 Streamers – possibilities are endless here as well – Favorites for retrieving and swinging include; Sculpzilla, JJ Buggers, Dali LLama, Thin Mint, Sheila, Pat’s stone

Every day is different but fishing has been good lately.  The best of the day is generally during the warmth….  11-3

OLYMPIC PENINSULA

We have been kicking into gear with some day trips lately.  Busier, for sure, just around the corner.

Fishing has been reasonable. Both hatchery and wild fish.  Levels have been all over the board, which is actually good:)

Favorite Swing stuff would include
2-7 inches in Black and Blue, Red and Black, Purple and Pink, Pink, etc, depending on the river and conditions,

Favorite nymph patterns would include but not limited to
Yarn, Worms, Jigs and Beads

We have a couple Fish and Stay packages left, otherwise quite full at The Quinault Cabin.  if you are looking for an overnighter with us, call soon.  As far as day trips go, we can often fit you in.

UPPER COLUMBIA

Two main tactics right now would include retrieving and swinging bugs,  Oh darn:)  A variety of streamers and water types can be productive.  In addition, a variety of sink head rates can be helpful based on depth, flow and mood of the fish.