North Washington guide service

The Yakima has been fishing reasonable over the last few days  with a dropping river ….

Clarity Chart
Upper Proper  4.5 feet
Upper Flatlands 5 feet
Upper canyon 4 Feet
Farmlands 4-2.5 feet
Lower Canyon 2 feet

Bugs include…Midges, March Browns,  Skwalas and Blue Wings

 March Brown

DECENT dry fly fishing to be had…Zone specific.

Hot nymphs…. Pink and Red San Juans, Tungsten Head PT’s

YAKIMA TROUT

…The Yakima will be all over the board until stabilization- Somewhere mid June.  There is going to be some great fishing from now till then.  There is also going to be some tough fishing.

Current bugs include – Skwalas, March Browns, Blue Wings
Upcoming bugs include – Caddis, Salmon Flies, PMD’s, Golden Stones

Although we have some hatches occurring,  The dry fly fishing remains less than “the old days” …Nymphing continues to be the producer. Believe it or not, The San Jaun Worm in various sizes, color has been the MVP.

WINTER STEELHEAD

…Our season is close to the end.  Although the water was not very predictable, ‘ hardly ever is’, Overall fishing was reasonable.  We have utilized both swing and nymph tactics to target the winter fish.

Nymph choices include – The bead, Yarn, and Pink Worms

Swing bugs include – The AI, Intruders, Grabflies, Bucket Bouncers

UPPER COLUMBIA TROUT

…The early season low water window of opportunity has come and gone.   April is typically the lowest lake level,  and the flows at the border are low as well.  However, this season we have a significant larger flow at the border. The lake level is typical.  Fishing recently has been average at best when it comes to numbers. Recent tactics include …swinging the fly!

Bugs include… A few Skwala and Blue Wings.  Nymphing remains the better technique for action.

Fly choices include … San Juan Worms, Stonefly’s,  PT Flashbacks

CLARITY CHART
Upper Proper  3 feet
Upper Flatlands 3.5+ feet
Upper Canyon 3-2.5 feet
Farmlands  2.5-2 feet
Lower Canyon 1-1.5 feet

Everyday is different based on water, weather and ability.  Covering likely water with the chosen technique is a key factor.  The technique best suited for the day based on water clarity and temp,  distance of float and fish behavior could be to slow down or could be to cover mega water.

Covering mega water is generally better when the fish have settled down. Slowing down is generally better when the fish are moving, especially when swinging the fly.

Average fishing today…

Bugs include… A few Skwalas and Blue Wings

CLARITY CHART
Upper Proper  4 feet
Upper Flatlands 5 feet
Upper Canyon 5-3feet
Farmlands  3 feet
Lower Canyon 2 feet