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Both rivers have been producing well.  A combination of nymphs and dry flies has been the overall approach with some soft hackles swung here and there.

Predominant bugs include

The Yakima – PMD’s, Caddis, Drakes, Light Yellow Sallies, Ants
Upper Columbia – PMD’s, Caddis,  Light Yellow Sallies, Light Drakes

Best patterns on the water lately – Paradrakes, Quiglies, Trigger nymphs

Steve with a recent UC Bow

More about The Green Drake

Drake

Para drake

Chasing Green Drake Hatches is a passion for many, as the infamous Drake is never predictable and always elusive. Yet if you catch it right on the Yakima or any other Western Stream it can be leg wobbling. Generally around the 52-54 degree mark, this big Mayfly crawler begins to emerge on the Yakima particularly from the Upper Canyon stretch West to Easton Dam. The Upper Columbia Drake  hatch is usually 2 weeks behind the Yakima.

Although I would not call the Green drake hatch prolific on the Yakima I would call the response from the trout memorable! Out of the month that the insect is hatching and available, 3 of those days will be awesome, 5-8 of those days will be great and the other days will vary from average at best, to good. Prior to the actual emergence a robust # 8-10 short shank nymph is a good bet…Attractor nymphs such as the Hares Ear, Prince and the like can be very effective. I have personally never found the need for the actual emerger such as the Quigly…as every time I have witnessed a hatch and trout feeding on drakes they have been keying in on the adults. However a Quigly would not be a bad bug to have in the arsenal.

As with many Spring Mayflies in the West, the actual hatch occurs from around 12 noon to 3pm and cloudy, non windy days are optimal. Adult pattern types include: extended body Para Drakes, Comparaduns and Standard Thorax ties. Great attractors include: Royal Wulffs, Royal Parachutes, Float and Fool, Grey Wulffs to name a few.

Upper Columbia Drakes tend to emerge in the last 2 hours of the day…..especially when  combined with bright, hot weather.

Cooler weather has been a relief and improved the fishing on most western streams.  This past heat wave had slowed things down a bit.

Bugs for the Yakima include –  Golden Stones, PMD’s, Caddis, Drakes
Bugs for the Upper Columbia include – Caddis, PMD’s, Baetis, Amyletus

Flows on both the Yakima and Upper Columbia are lower than normal and have been so, for the past month.

Water temps on the Yakima are ranging between 50 and 58 degrees depending where you are in the system and at what time – Looking good.
Upper Columbia water temps are 56 degrees

Golden Eagle

Jim, Christianne, Larry, Rial

Release

Mike Martin Photo from the Yakima

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend – Remember those who have served our country!

The Yakima has been fishing pretty darn good throughout.  The mix of bugs listed below continues to be the predominant fare although the March Brown is  pretty much over for the 2016 season.

Overall, PMD’s and Caddis would be the bugs of choice;  with a Golden Stone thrown in here and there!

Andy with a Yakima Bow!

This river opens soon….June 1st.  Flows are typical for this time of year – Currently 2200 CFS.  Fish counts for both Wild and Hatchery fish are basically comparing to the 10 year average.  Water clarity is at 2.5 to 3 feet.

Overall, conditions look great:))

The river saw an increase in flows and then a drop.   Fishing remains pretty good throughout.  Dynamically different in each stretch.

Dry fly fishing has been worthy from 4pm on daily!

Clarity Report;
Upper Proper  5 feet
Upper Flatlands 6 feet
Upper Canyon  5 feet
Farmlands 5-3 feet
Lower Canyon 2.5 – 3 feet

Current bugs include;
March Browns – Fading fast but still showing regularly in the upper stretches
Salmon Flies – Fading fast but still showing regularly in the upper stretches
Caddis – Throughout the river but strongest in the lower stretches
PMD’s – Starting to show throughout, but strongest in the lower river
Golden Stones – A few adults showing but AMPLE nymphs available

Upcoming bug

PMD’s

BEST PATTERNS ON THE YAKIMA FOR US OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS

Parachute Caddis and Parachute Caddis Sparkle tail

Black Body Elk Hair and Egg Laying Caddis

AWESOME FISHING….END OF STORY.
To quote a long time industry REP,  ‘ It is a Caddis Game Laaaad’

Mother’s Day Caddis is named appropriately as the hatch was about 8 days before Mother’s Day on the Upper Columbia and 2 days earlier  on the Yakima!  Fishing during a Caddis hatch can be a bit frustrating. Personally, I would take a Mayfly hatch over the Caddis hatch anytime.  The Mayfly has an incomplete metamorphosis where as the Caddis has a complete metamorphosis and the variables within that metamorphosis are remarkable. Regardless, since the Caddis have blossomed, The rivers have been less predictable.  Some days have been average, some poor and some ‘lights out’!


Other Yakima bugs include….
March Browns – Fading fast
Blue Wings – Almost always available
Salmon Flies – Fading fast
Golden Stone nymphs –  Active
Flying Ants

Other Upper Columbia bugs include…
Baetis
Flying Ants

Ridiculous fishing lately……No true hogs landed, but a few have been seen. 17-20 inch fish at will. Bugs include Caddis and Baetis.  Lots of nymphing and some reasonable dry fly fishing as well.

In front of Black Bear Lodge

Acrobat

One of MANY