North Washington guide service

Happy New year to all.  Hope your time with family and the upcoming new year was and is fulfilling!

Winter had been quite light until recently.  Happy to see this big snowfall we just received.  We need more. I was gone for 5 days from the Steelhead Ranch and when I returned I had to use the Bobcat to dig a trench up the round about to just get to the Ranch house!  When I arrived the snow was at Deck level on the main Ranch house!  (Picture below)

YAKIMA
The river was fishing goooood prior to this COLD snap.  AS things warm up a little she will fish gooood again.  The lower river below Umptanum has been in undated with ice. Some of that will be sure to disapear as things warm a little.

The beautiful thing about winter is the food sources are pared down, the fish are congregated amd the window of feeding is during the warmth of the day.

Winter Bugs
#8-12 Skwala Stonefly Nymphs
#8-12 Pats Stones
#8-12 San Juan worms
#14-18 Beadheads  ….Prince, Perdigon, YB, Hares Ear
#4-8 Streamers …. Sculpzilla, Sparkle Minnow,Sheila Sculpin… Etc…

Remember, just arround the corner we will have Skwala Adults (Somewhere around the end Feb)  Prior to that the Skwalas nymph is key and so is the worm.  In fact that is waht we are using 90 percent of the time when we are nymphing.

Well fed trout!

WINTER STEELHEAD / OLYMPIC PENINSULA
Kinda cold lately but there are fish being caught out on the OP .  We will be  on those  waters from the 15th of Feb until the 1st of April.

Remaining dates…
February
23-27      4 Spots
27 – March 2    2 Spots

March
7-11      2
13-18   4
22-26  6

The Yakima is in GREAT shape and fishing good.  Tough to get people to fish the river at this time.  If you asked most western guides what there favorite time to fish is….many would say from now until run-off.

We refer to  Dec – Feb as  The Other Season

Fly Patterns
#8-12 Skwala Stone Nymphs
#14-20 Bead heads – Princes, Lightning Bugs, Caddis larvae,Midge Pupae
#8-12 San Juan Worms
#4-8  Streamers  Sculpzilla, Sparkle Minnow etc….

Skwala Season is just around the corner – Give us a call at 509.859.2280 or schedule your trip here  

I/We would definitely would like to thank all that came out in 2023 to fish with us!  It was our 35th year of taking anglers fishing.

Again thanks and holiday wishes to you all!

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KLICKITAT

The river definitely requires you to work for your fish. Whether you are swinging or nymphing, putting your time in is needed. This weekend was pretty tough with low air temps at 20 degrees. Encounter rates were definitely  tougher this weekend.

We have some warmer weather coming:))

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YAKIMA

The river is low and clear.  The Blue Wings were prettydang good prior to this cold snap.  Technique requires long leaders, ligh tippet and small flies. Fish were picky but worthy.  The cold snap probably slowed that hatch down a bit.  We do have some warmer weather coming;  more to follow.

Also, the winter rate special starts the 1st of December.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

We shut the lodge down for the season on the 18th of October.  The fall was worthy but a little picky.  The Fall Caddis were light and variable this year. The water was VERY low .  The Upper Columbia is different every day, month and year based on flows, entomology etc.  Truly an anomoly, but we love it.

YAKIMA
Yakima river report from Senior guide Keith – Fishing is VERY good. Dries and nymphing. Crane flies, Baetis, October Caddis. Lots of fish to the fly. On the move and shallow wading. Fish are packing it on with the cooler temps.

Jason Cook with a cutthroat

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KLICKITAT
Steady as she goes.  Working for the fish we get. Lots of Chinook in the river as well. Both nymph and swing tactics have produced.  Fish the way you want, enjoy your day and the scenery.  Amazing watershed.

Russ and Mike!

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UPPER COLUMBIA
Been a little picky lately!  October Caddis seem to be the main fair. The swing game has slowed a bit and the dry fly game is a

Guy Jardine and his grandson Kimball

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KVICHAK
Pretty good season so far…. Swingtastic. Cover water and look for the eaters!

Brer with a noooiiiicccceee Kvichak bow

YAKIMA

Cranefly pattern
Water is down and gorgeous. Multiple techniques including short riffle swinging soft hackles and little streamers. Crane flies, blue wings and October caddis are strong. Some stealth required. Lingering size 16 caddis and summer stones.

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KLICKITAT

Mike with a sweet wild one.
Water is fluctuation from 2-3.5 feet of clarity.  Numbers over Bonneville are comparable to last year. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. We should see some dryline activity over the next couple weeks. October Caddis are strong.

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing has been a little tough with lots of pressure.  Some good fish around but there is a sturgeon season and the amount of traffic is, well, classic for the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife’s management style….

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KVICHAK

Some great fish hooked, lost and landed.  Tough fish to keep up with…Blistering runs, aerial acrobatics and eratic direction keep you on your toes.   Swinging T-8 to T-14 depending on flow and depth.  Pretty good fishing.

YAKIMA

Fishing with dries and droppers is dirty good right now! Stones, Hoppers, October Caddis, Cranefies and Blue Wings are all on the menu:))

Water is low as the flip flop is over and there are good water temps throughout.

Steindorf party

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UPPER COLUMBIA

I do have a Sept 28-Oct 2 Black Bear Lodge for 2 people Cancellation special if interested

Fishing is goooooood.  Water is real low.  Watch your prop. This river is really an anomally.  Ever year, month  and day is different.  Keeps you on your toes:)) Good dry fly fishing as well as some decent swinging.

October Caddis, Hoppers, Baetis, Fall Cahill.

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KLICKITAT

The river has been in various conditions based on temperatures and wind.  We are starting our overall lodging packages from the end of Sept until Nov 18.

Water clarity is ranging between 1.5 to 2.5 depending on where you are in the system and at what time. There are definitely fish around…both Steelhead and Kings

YAKIMA

The water is dropping and with the lower night temps, water temps are lowering. Dry and dry dropper fishing is automatic at times with summer stones and hoppers. There are still a few sallies lingering and bees, ants and beetles are on the menu. Stripping or swinging a streamer can be deadly for bigger fish. In the next two weeks we will see crane flies and October Caddis. A wonderful time to be on the Yakima!

Luke Guadnola with a big Yakima smile…. Senior Guide Keith Wersland with the hold.

KLICKITAT

The river definitely has plenty of fish.  We just need some consistent clarity of  18 inches or more.  Both the swing and nymph has produced  recently.  The hard part is actually landing them. This cooler weather should help alot!

SOUTHWEST RIVERS

The southwest rivers are doing well.  Not crowded and fairly predictable.  There are dry line and deeper opportunities.  Hatchery fish tend to want it in their face more than the wild version…. so dry lines can be less predictable on them.

UPPER COLUMBIA.

We are getting ready for a busy fall on the Upper Columbia.  We typically do not run trips in August  because the river can be very unpredictable.  There are fish to be had but we would rather provide a bit more consistency for the guest base.  We are opening in the first week of Sept and are full till the end of our season up there for multi day programs except for 2 spots for 2 people. Holler if interested.

YAKIMA

The dry fly fishing with summer stones, hoppers, crane flies and caddis early is strong. Bigger fish early, but the action is consistent throughout the day.  It wains a bit late morning and the dropper fishing is the ticket. Pulling streamers produces some larger fish. Shorts, sandals and throwing dries…..hard to beat!

Collier Family

Tip of the Day

This is a good demonstration of a proper hook set….Down river side, low and to the bank.

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YAKIMAFrankie and Frank Salmick

Water temps are ranging from 62-68 depending on time a zone.  Early in the day can be very productive.  Hoppers, Summer Stones and Streamers seem to be the ticket.  We haven’t done much nymphing lately.

Best bugs
#6-12 Dave’s Hopper, Gypsy King, The Catch All, Water Walkers
#14-18 YB’s, Prince’s
#4-8 Streamers – Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows, Sheila Sculpin

34 year anniversary, to the day , of fishing with these boys!

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UPPER COLUMBIAThis time of year can be tricky.  Well for that matter, the Columbia can be tricky.  We do not operate our lodge during this time frame but there is definitely some fishing to be had.  Hopper/dropper combos, nymphing and swinging can all produce.  Fish on the Upper Columbia are quite amazing.  They are built strong and healthy.  We have a few dates left this fall.

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KLICKITAT
Numbers over Bonneville are reasonable.  This particular month is when we typically see good numbers of movement over the dam. Water clarity on the Klickitat has been tough overall.  Looking forward to some cooler weather this Fall.

YAKIMA RIVER

Water temps are ranging from 62-69 on the Yakima depending on zone and time.  We are running our trips from early Am to 1 PM and then getting of. The fishing is still quite good.

The dry fly or streamer is the ticket