YAKIMA AND UPPER COLUMBIA REPORT – 6/15/16

Author Jack MitchellPosted on

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.