North Washington guide service

OUT OF SHAPE CURRENTLY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM………

YAKIMA

Clarity Chart

The clarity on the Yakima is ‘not so good’ below the Teanaway   – See  chart above.   As per usual at this time of year we are going to see some good to great fishing between now and stabilization;  we are also going to see some tough fishing.

Above the Teanaway is the place to be currently:))

Stonefly nymphs, Worms, Sparkle Minnows, Catch All’s,

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UPPER COLUMBIA

The lake is filling currently as the Kootenays, Selkirks etc… have ample snow.

When fishing the Upper Columbia you are actually fishing water from the Blackfoot and Bitteroot,  as they both flow into the Clarkfork, which then flows into the Pend Orielle, which flows into the Upper Columbia! Regardless, flows are managed and the Upper Columbia is one of those rivers that hardly ever blows out.  There will be some days that will be tough, but generally the fishing can be good, even great through run off.

Current bugs dejour
Baetis
March Browns
Caddis

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KLICKITAT

River looks great.  Floated from Stinson to Icehouse the other day to enjoy the day and observe any major changes in the river.  There are few changes and one complete blockage about 3/4 of a mile below Stinson.

The river was flowing at 2300 cfs that day and I was able to push around the tip of the tree pictured below…

The projected forecast for Columbia river summer steelhead is better than last year……
->2018 – 190,350 upriver summer steelhead predicted
->There were 116,841 in 2017

YAKIMA

The river has remained in good to great condition, however it appears based on the prediction of the NW RIVERS site that the river will be out of shape for a few days this week. ( See prediction graph below)

Clarity Chart 
Upper Proper            5-6 feet
Upper Flatlands      8 feet
Upper Canyon         6-4 feet
Farmlands                4-2.5 feet
Lower Canyon         2 feet

The fishing has been good.

MVP Bugs Include….
#14-16 YB Soft Hackle
#4-8 Sparkle Minnows
#4 Black/Orange Pats
#12 March Brown Parachute

In typical fashion, for this time of year,  this is the projection for the next few days…

UPPER COLUMBIA

The lake is now starting to fill and in essence “back fill” the lower river.  Fishing overall this spring has been average to good — typical.  All rivers in the west / northwest will have plenty of cold clean water this year.

The swing game has slowed down and the nymphing has become a mainstay…..

Recent Images below…

We have some dates available on the UC….

BASIN SMALLMOUTH

We are close to Smallmouth Bass activity on our favorite desert drift stream…..

Recently we have caught some great trout and even a big Walleye out of the little river….. The Smallmouth are coming sooooon!  If you are up for some Topwater action, give us a call!

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT

For many years they have been trying to figure out more storage for water in our basin.  We really haven’t started melting in the higher elevations and our basins are almost full.  They will need to release a lot of water soon.

We should have cold clean water this year. Currently the Bug De Jour really is the March Brown.  There  are other insects  for sure,  a few Skwala and Blue Wings,  but the key insect is the March Brown.

Coming soon to the Yakima …. Caddis and Salmon Fly’s

UPPER COLUMBIA

Reasonable fishing recently on the Upper Columbia. Below is a great Father / Daughter photo with a nice trout.

Predominant techniques include nymphing and swinging…No dry fly fishing yet.  Probably won’t see that for awhile.   There are some Midges and Blue Wings.

UPPER COLUMBIA
The river is in GREAT condition.  Not much for bugs currently but certainly some good swinging.  Stable weather patterns make for better fishing on the UC.  The lake level is low and the flows at the border are average.

A variety of lines and tips to match the depth and flow should be part of the arsenal.   Sculpin’s to Catch All’s have been on the menu.

Should be a great year on the UC

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YAKIMA RIVER REPORT
Northwest river forecast shows the Yakima on a downward trend.  Bugs are intermittent and sporadic however being in the right place at the right time can be worthy.   For the March Browns make sure to be in a riffle location at about 1 pm and hangout with a cup of coffee and wait:)

March Browns are Clinger Mayflies that emerge quickly in riffles.  A variety of patterns can be effective.  One of my favorites over the years is shown below.  The pattern is designed as a dry fly but can also be swung as a wet fly if needed.

Click the image to enlarge,

Here is a little story about a March Brown Afternoon

Blue Wing Olives can show up at the same time as the March Brown and also afterwords.  The March Browns will come and go quickly,  The Blue Wing can sputter throughout the afternoon

Currently the predominant bug is the March Brown…
This hatch can be short lived but can also be intense and fun while it lasts.  There are a few Skwala Stoneflies still around

Current Yakima River Flow  prediction  for the next week.

YAKIMA

Current screenshot of the Yakima flows….northwest river predictions show the river heading to 7K, reportedly to flush the salmon smolts.  All three of reservoirs are at around 85% full.  Although we have minimal low lying snow,  once the reservoirs  are full they have to release.   The good thing is the water is clean coming from the reservoirs.

The fishing was ‘off the chart’ on the 4th….But since they have elevated the flows the bugs have been intermittent.  Water temps have dropped due to the cold water releases.

Bugs include….
Blue Wings
Skwala
March Browns

Clarity Chart
Upper Proper  4 feet
Upper Flatlands  5-6 feet
Upper Canyon  4-5 feet
Farmlands 4-2.5 feet
Lower Canyon 2.5 feet

We should have lots of cold clean water for our summer this year:) In between now and stabilization (somewhere around June 15)  We will have some great fishing and some tough fishing:)

Tough fishing recently…..The window of opportunity is small based on two predominant reasons reasons.

1)Hatches are between 1-3PM
2)Fish are on the spawn otherwise.

NORTHWEST RIVER FORECAST predicts the river heading to 7000 CFS by the 5th…. That will certainly put a damper on things.

WINTER STEELHEAD

Some big fish have been hooked lately on both tactics… Sporadic is the word.  All the rivers are lowwwww , some more clear than others. We would prefer more precipitation.

Quick ties in the evening….. Rabbit and marabou is hard to beat

YAKIMA

Cold nights and warm days with lots of sun in the forecast.  Reasonable conditions….We would prefer a few more clouds.   Fishing has been avg. to good depending on the day and zone.

As always, dry fly activity is limited and specific to zones… Skwala dry fly water can be slooowwwww.  Not always, but often.

Blue wings here and there.