North Washington guide service

YAKIMA

The dry fly fishing with summer stones, hoppers, crane flies and caddis early is strong. Bigger fish early, but the action is consistent throughout the day.  It wains a bit late morning and the dropper fishing is the ticket. Pulling streamers produces some larger fish. Shorts, sandals and throwing dries…..hard to beat!

Collier Family

Tip of the Day

This is a good demonstration of a proper hook set….Down river side, low and to the bank.

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YAKIMAFrankie and Frank Salmick

Water temps are ranging from 62-68 depending on time a zone.  Early in the day can be very productive.  Hoppers, Summer Stones and Streamers seem to be the ticket.  We haven’t done much nymphing lately.

Best bugs
#6-12 Dave’s Hopper, Gypsy King, The Catch All, Water Walkers
#14-18 YB’s, Prince’s
#4-8 Streamers – Sculpzillas, Sparkle Minnows, Sheila Sculpin

34 year anniversary, to the day , of fishing with these boys!

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UPPER COLUMBIAThis time of year can be tricky.  Well for that matter, the Columbia can be tricky.  We do not operate our lodge during this time frame but there is definitely some fishing to be had.  Hopper/dropper combos, nymphing and swinging can all produce.  Fish on the Upper Columbia are quite amazing.  They are built strong and healthy.  We have a few dates left this fall.

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KLICKITAT
Numbers over Bonneville are reasonable.  This particular month is when we typically see good numbers of movement over the dam. Water clarity on the Klickitat has been tough overall.  Looking forward to some cooler weather this Fall.

YAKIMA RIVER

Water temps are ranging from 62-69 on the Yakima depending on zone and time.  We are running our trips from early Am to 1 PM and then getting of. The fishing is still quite good.

The dry fly or streamer is the ticket

YAKIMA RIVER

Dry fly fishing has been pretty dang good in the upper river with Hoppers.  Pretty much been our focus.  Water temps in the Upper river are way better than the lower river.  In fact,  the lower canyon temps are reaching 70 degrees in the afternoon.  Not so good.  We are going to implement our own hoot owl in the lower canyon when we fish it….

YAKIMA
Overall fishing on the river throughout is average to good depending on the day.  Lots and lots of juvenile fish to be had with the dry fly.  A well placed summer stonefly dry and hopper can also produce some big fish.

Water temps are ranging between 60-65 degrees depending on zone, time of day and weather.

HATCHES
Summer Stones
Yellow Sallies
Hoppers
Caddis
Ants
Beetles

PMD’s are pretty much over

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UPPER COLUMBIA
Was a good hatch season. We will be taking a break from the 15th of July to the end of August.  Obviously the fish are in the river but the catching is relegated to the final hour of the day during the summer duldrums.  We do have a few dates available for Fall!

KLICKITAT

Major glacier mud influenced currently…. Looking for some colder weather.

YAKIMA

The river recently bumped up in flows. Fishing has been avg to good depending on the day 

Hatches include…

Caddis, PMD’s, Drakes, Yellow Sallies

Coming soon – Summer Stones

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KLICKITAT 

The river is in great shape. Clarity is variable ranging between 1.5 to3.5 based on the heat and wind.   

Current numbers of fish over Bonneville is not so good but historically 95 percent of the fish pass over the dam when water temps are at 65 degrees. Current temperature is 63.5. There have been fish caught on multiple tactics including Skaters:)

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UPPER COLUMBIA 

This river is as low as we have ever seen it at this time of year?  85k currently  Typically at 150k
Current bugs include Caddis, PMD’s, Baetis and Drakes.

5/30/23

The Yakima  is in good  condition and definitely producing fish.  Every day is different.  Bugs are as listed below.

Clarity Chart (* which can change daily at this time of year)

Upper Proper   3 feet
Upper Flatlands 5 feet
Upper Canyon 5-4 feet
Farmlands 4-3 feet
Lower Canyon 2 feet

BUGS
Salmon Flies
March Browns
Blue Wings
Caddis
Salmon Smolt
Flying Ants

Go to flies would include….

#6 Gypsy King in Orange and Black
#4-6 Sparkle Minnows
#4-8 Pats Stones
#12-16 Bead head CDC Pheasant tails, Lightning bugs, YB’s

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing goooooooood.  7 feet of visibility. Caddis, Flying Ants, Blue Wings.

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KLICKITAT

Clarity is good at almost 3 feet  but BIG.  Flowing at 2400cfs and we would love to see it at 2000 or less for our early season…. more to follow!

5/15/23

The Yakima above the Teanaway is in good  condition and definitely producing fish.  Every day is different.  Bugs are as listed below.

Clarity Chart (* which can change daily at this time of year)

Upper Proper   3 feet
Upper Flatlands 3 feet
Upper Canyon 3-2 feet
Farmlands 2-1 feet
Lower Canyon 1 foot

BUGS
Salmon Flies
March Browns
Blue Wings
Caddis
Salmon Smolt
Flying Ants

Go to flies would include….

#6 Gypsy King in Orange and Black
#4-6 Sparkle Minnows
#4-8 Pats Stones
#12-16 Bead head CDC Pheasant tails, Lightning bugs, YB’s

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UPPER COLUMBIA

Fishing goooooooood.  7 feet of visibility. Caddis, Flying Ants, Blue Wings.

5/13/23

Clarity Chart (* which can change daily at this time of year)

Upper Proper   3 feet

Upper Flatlands 4 feet

Upper Canyon 4-3 feet

Farmlands 3-2 feet

Lower Canyon 2 feet

BUGS

Salmon Flies
March Browns
Blue Wings
Caddis

Bye Bye…. The Yakima river is toast from top to bottom.

The Upper Columbia is in great shape.

more to follow.