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The late afternoon and evening continues to rule. There are a variety of  insects including terrestrials.  The Drake generally wins, but is waning for the 2015 season.  We will be giving the UC a break soon and getting ready for our late summer/fall season starting late August.  

Greg, Al, Mike, Allen, Steve & Mike

This guy has for got more than most will ever know

Awesome bow on the dry

Hot temperatures which in turn has equated to warm water has forced us to stop fishing the Kettle river.  The main stem Columbia continues to produce some gooood fishing. Surface water temps on the UC are 59-63F Numbers are generally not the game here, but quality can be as shown below.  Bugs include, Drakes and Caddis predominantly.

Mike with a sweet bow

The Yakima is fishing great with Hoppers and droppers and Summer Stones and droppers.  Water temps are holding at 60 in the middle of the day!  The Yakima is one of the best in the west during the heat of summer.

Here is a great Hopper/Dropper Rigging!

Overall the fishing has been steady to good.  We have been seeing a smaller average size fish on the Upper Columbia recently….Everything is cyclical.  The Drake hatch started 2 weeks earlier then normal and has provided some good dry fly action.  In addition, the Kettle has provided some good opportunity as well.

Hatches include – Drakes, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, PED’s

Bug of the week – The Drakeometer

Moesly / Leland Crew

From the deck

The fishing has actually been worthy….but to get em’ you definitely have to fish hard. It is certainly not a numbers game.  The hatchery fish are perfect for the barbecue and the wild ones are hard to land :)) Pictured below is Charlie Dow with his first Steelie and his proud bother, Ben.  Tactics used lately include Swung flies, Streamers on the move and a few Blue fox spinners here and there.  Clarity is great currently with 3-3.5 feet.  This however is going to change for the worse as the upcoming heat wave will have a negative affect.

The fishing on the Yakima has been consistent and good.  A mixture of dry flies, nymphs and streamers have proven effective lately.  We have been on all stretches of the river….from The Upper Proper to the Lower Canyon.

Water temps are good so far ranging from 52-61 depending on where and time of day – See the new reel time links on the right side bar.  Flows are lower than normal but that is to be expected.  Reservoir levels are reasonable considering…

Bugs de jour continue to be Yellow Sallies, PMD’s/PED’s, Caddis, Ants.

Patterns of the weeks
#8 Pats Stone in Tan and Brown
#14-16 PMD Trigger Nymphs
#14-18 Lightning Bugs
#8 Golden Chubby
#6 Streamer Pre Madonna

The UC is in great shape.  Fishing has be steady and the water temps are par for a normal year. Predominant bugs include Caddis, PMD’s, Western Quill and Baetis.  Nymphing, Soft Hackles and Dry Flies have all proved worthy.

The Upper Columbia River will have no shortage of water this year…. it might be a little lower, but it is all relative.

Columbia Fly Box

Recent happy angler!

and another  🙂