Fly Shop (509) 962-5959 Reservations (509) 859-2280
The Best of Washington Steelhead and Trout Since 1988
The Best of Washington Trout & Steelhead
Overnight Packages and Day Trips
Contact Us

Flow and Weather Chart

Recent Posts

Archives

YAKIMA & UPPER COLUMBIA REPORT – 5/9/16

Posted on

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

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT – 5/2/16

Posted on

The Yakima river is in reasonable to good  condition considering the amount of water traveling down it  The Upper Proper has reasonable flows @ 500 CFS;  However, from the Cle Elum river confluence the river gets BIG as the Cle Elum reservoir is @ almost 100% capacity and there is alot more water to come down.

Regardless,  there is some good fishing to be had from top to bottom.  The Upper and Lower Canyons have some opportunity, but at this level, mostly from the boat…..which is typical for these stretches,.  Even at these big levels , the Upper Flatlands and the Farmlands have some wading opportunity because of all the side channels.
Bugs are pretty much the same as what is listed in the report below!  There are some nice fish to be had as well…

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT – 4/26/16

Posted on

Clarity Chart

5 feet  Upper Proper
6 feet  Upper Flatlands
5 feet     Upper Canyon
5-3 feet  Farmlands
2-3  feet   Lower Canyon

Bugs include Salmon Flies, Caddis and March Browns predominantly. Stabilization won’t be for awhile.  In between it all, we should have some  average  to good fishing.  The river is big but WORTHY.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER REPORT – 4/20/16

Posted on

Lots of fish lately….No true giants; But hey, when the average trout is 17-19 inches and there is a realistic chance at an 8 pounder, things are good.

Water levels have increased at the border and the lake level  is low.  Typical water pattern so far. Bugs are popping and we should see some Mothers Day Caddis on the UC within the next 20 days:))

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT – 4/18/16

Posted on

Overall tough conditions.  Most likely isn’t going to get better in the near future with the weather pattern we have…..which is warmer then normal.

Upper Proper 1 foot
Upper Flatlands  1.5 + foot
Upper Canyon 1
Farmlands – 1 foot
Lower Canyon 6 inches

If you are going to fish,  the 12 noon to 3 PM time frame is the window…..March Browns are hatching and over the years in this situation we have been able to find some rising fish during the hatch.  Prior and post hatch is difficult.

We will keep you updated as conditions become more favorable.

UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER – 4/7/16

Posted on

THE RIVER DOES NOT BLOW OUT!   The UC is fishing good with both swing and nymph tactics. Dry fly fishing is  light.  Water clarity is 6-7 feet.

Light to heavy sink tips based on depth and flow.  River level is low and in great condition.   Lot’s of wildlife this past weekend……Deer, Elk, Turkey’s in full regalia and of course some trout.

Hooked Up

Nice Bow for Jenn

Silhouette

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT – 4/7/16

Posted on

Little rough on the Yakima currently – The clarity report shows the situ;

Clarity Report

Upper Proper – 1
Upper Flatlands – 1.5
Upper Canyon – 1
Farmlands – 1 to 1/2
Lower Canyon – 1/2 foot to zero

March Browns are definitely game on……Therefore, even though the clarity is terrible.  It is possible to find a few fish during the hatch feeding on the surface; even in the mud.  No guarantees.  12noon to 2 pm will be you best bet:)