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The Yakima is fishing average to great depending on the day.  Morning as of recently has been pretty darn good dry fly fishing.  This coincides with the fact that Summer Stones are starting and  they are nocturnal. Techniques have included a mixed bag if wanted;  Streamers , nymphing and dry flies have all produced.

Predominant bugs include….
Summer Stoneflies
Caddis
Terrestrials

The best of summer is just starting.  We are fortunate to have great water temps……Montana is in Hoot Owl conditions already;  We aren’t even close!

The river is in exceptional condition for this time of year.  Yesterday the clarity was 4 feet at Stinson @ 5PM. The canyon between Stinson and the Slide has one really tight spot and will be even more difficult when the water drops.  The issue is literally  3 corners down from the Stinson put in, which actually has a make shift ramp now after the access was demolished by high waters this winter.

There is also another issue between One lane and Leidl…Pictured below.  Overal the river has changed quite a bit from Leidl to Slide…..Kinda like the ‘Hoh of the desert’.

Fishing has been goooood so far this season; again, some would say one of the best Junes’ in a long while. Yesterday we managed to hook up 3 times on the swing…..Nothing on a dry line or light tip…..However 10 feet of T-11 and the Blue fox fly.produced.

Beautiful wild fish

Blockage between One Lane Bridge and Leidl

Avg to great fishing depending on the day…The Upper Columbia is in a good cycle right now! #wordclasstroutrighthereinwashington

Yakima river insects include….
Caddis –  #16 Tan – Hydropsyche
PMD’s – #17 Yellow – Ephemerella
Yellow Sallies – #14 Yellow – Perlodidae
Baetis – Not many think of Baetis in the Summer – Key bug at times!
Summer Stones – Just around the corner

Water levels raised quite a bit in the last week.  All things considered, pretty dang good fishing!

Good fishing in the PM and AM shadows with #10-12 dry flies….Don’t be afraid to give the bigger dry flies a bit of a twitch

Upper Columbia
Fishing has improved from the last report. Green Drakes, Yellow Drakes, PMD’s and Caddis are the main fare.  Water is lower  than normal. Water temps are at 58 degrees;  which is great!

Kettle River
Water is in great condition.   Levels have held based on the cool June.  Water temps are at 58 degrees as well. Bugs include PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, Grey Drakes.

Yellow Drake

Unbelievable wild trout on the dry fly for Karen

Bill with a classic Kettle Bow

Little rough on the Upper Columbia  lately – Not sure what is going on.  Still have the same bugs from the last report; They just don’t seem to be eating frequently for us.  

Upper Columbia

On the other hand,  The Yakima has been goood fishing.  Water is lower than normal so don’t get caught just fishing banks.  There are good numbers of fish on mid river drops etc….

PMD’s have been the predominant fare as of recently…As well as some Caddis.  Our Golden Stone’s have been over for a little while now but it’s cousin, the Summer Stonefly nymph is pretty active and the trout have been keying on them recently.  Our first Adult Summer Stones should appear around 3 weeks from now….The nymph is ‘game on’ now.

Adult Yakima River Summer Stone

The brown and the tan Pat’s  shown on the left bar are a good choice.  Although there are other patterns that are effective.