North Washington guide service

In just a few words – Incredibly hard fish to land – Not a bad problem to have – As listed in the last report; multiple tactics have been used to fool the steelhead lately.

Drew with a sweet buck

I have heard complaints about the high flows on the Yakima river during the summer; Granted it is not ‘normal’  but it is a saving grace to the fish because the water temps would be ‘over the top’  if we did not have the injections of water from the reservoir during our hot months.

….Water levels are dropping and the big dry fly fishing yesterday was GOOOD.    As the Flip Flop continues you will find fish throughout the river as opposed to hugging the banks as they have for the irrigation season. Tactics will change,  as the temps and weather will as well.

Hopefully we will see some reasonable Baetis hatches this fall!  We used to see great Cahills, Mahogany Duns and Baetis in the Fall.  This was back in the day….when there were only 3 guides on the river, not 2200. Last fall there seemed to be a slight resurgence of a reasonable Baetis hatch;  let’s cross our fingers.

VIB’s  over the  next 2 months
Summer Stones, Hoppers, Craneflies, October Caddis, Baetis, Hydropsyche Caddis

John Fogliani’s Rainbow!

Good to great fishing.  Dry flies, nymphs and swinging the fly  based on zone and timing.  The year of the mayfly…coined by Steve, Jeffe and jack.  Water temps 62-64.

Best swing bug – #8 Catch All
Best nymph – #14 Prince
Best dry fly #10 Atomic X

River is in Good condition and fishing well:  Both the swing and nymph are worthy.  Tips and dry lines. Classics and Intruders, Stones and Egg patterns….Pretty much the ticket!

Dan with a sweet wild one

Little tougher lately.  Water temps have been 66-72 degrees lately depending on where you are in the system and time of the day.   Based on the Bureau of Reclamation gauge, which is admittedly not completely accurate.  Regardless,  a little warm.  

Gary and Mackenzie!

Overall the Yakima has been pretty darn good.  Water temps have been ranging between 61 and 68 depending on time of day and stretch of river.  

MVP’s have been the Pats Stone, Streamers, Dave’s hoppers, Small Chubbies and the select Caddis rendition in the evening in isolated locals.

Weimer Crew

River Clarity today,  8/2/16, is significantly better then yesterday…… 10AM below town.

Currently a little rough…… Image below was taken @ 5PM near the town of Klickitat o August 1.  Not much of a cycle lately.

Remarkable hatch season on the Upper Columbia this past 2 months.  Currently the fishing is limited to a very short window based on waning hatches and the heat.  We are looking forward to the Fall Season….should be fantastic.

As good friends,
1) ‘Jeffe’ Jeff Cottrell  30 year veteran in the guiding industry – From the Kola to Tierra Del Fuego to Colorado to Managing The Klickitat and Upper Columbia for The Hatch
2) CJ Emerson Senior Evening Hatch Guide
3) Rial Blaine Senior Evening Hatch
4) Steve Bird ( author of the Upper Columbia Fly fisher, Soft hackle Journal and an Evening Hatch Guide Staff member)
and myself would say….’2016 was the year of the Mayfly’