- RIVER CONDITIONS - FLY-FISHING REPORT - CATCH & RELEASE 98 - WEATHER - HATCHES -
THE YAKIMA RIVER'S CURRENT FLY-FISHING REPORT:
12-1-98/Well finally I have fixed the bugs in the system and we are back online. Sorry for the delay here. It was a big bug and took me some time to work out. The site should download much faster now.
Fishing the last couple of weeks has still been pretty good. We received our first snow fall here in the valley yesterday and there is about 4-5 inches on the ground. We have been using small bead heads like the Pheasant Tail & Brassie in sizes 18-20 and picking up fish on these. Small Compara-Duns are also working well in Olive & Black, sizes 18-20, during the day.
The river did come up quite a bit due to the heavy rain-fall in the Cascades and the snow melt, but has now come back down.
11-15-98/The fishing the past weekend was good, especially on Sunday. Using nymphs fished just below the surface was effective. Small Bead-Head Pheasant Tail & Bead Brassie nymphs in sizes 18-20 worked well. The fish are now getting into their midge feeding as the B.W.O.'s start to diminish. The heavy rain fall that pounded the Cascades on Friday did turn the Yakima a tea color. It looked much better on Sunday.
11-9-98/The fishing remains excellent on the Yakima river, despite the cooling temperatures. The afternoons are producing some thick hatches of BWO's. and the Yakima trout continue to feed heavily on them, especially in the Yakima River Canyon. Fishing with October Caddis & Stone-fly patterns with Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear and Prince droppers is also very productive. The river is low and wading it is no problem in all area's.
11-3-98/With the cooler fall temperatures now, the hatches of B.W.O.'s have been thick and fall fishing has been excellent. Using small B.W.O. patterns has been productive in catching the Yakima trout. Using small nymphs also before and during the hatch is also productive. The trout are highly selective this time of year, so be prepared for different types of fishing situations. At times they may be feeding on the emerging insect, rather than sucking the mayflies from the surface. Also be aware of the weather this time of year. Anything can happen and weather conditions can change at any time. Plenty of warm clothes are recommend on the river now. Fishing larger October Caddis patterns has also been productive in the faster currents of the river as well.
10-28-98/Fall Fishing on the Yakima continues to be exceptional, but with the cooler temperatures becoming more technical. The fish have become very selective, especially once the BWO's start to hatch. You will see these fall Mayflies in a wide range of sizes ranging from 16 to 22, so be well prepared if they are feeding on the smaller versions. Fishing with nymphs in the early mornings is working well and using a dropper from a October Caddis imitation works very well in the faster currents. Make sure to keep the strike indicator or dry fly on top at all times or you will miss the take on your nymph, it is guaranteed that you won't feel them hit and you will be left puzzled as to why you aren't catching fish. The slightest movement on your indicator means a bump on your nymph, so set the hook!
10-22-98/ The Yakima river is alive with beautiful fall colors and the fishing has been excellent the past 5 days on the Yakima river. With the colder overnight temperatures and the warm day time temp's, the insect activity is abundant on most sections of the river. The Yakima trout are feeding primarily on the BWO's that are hatching from 1 p.m to dusk. Fishing a size 16-20 Para-chute pattern is your key to a successful day on the Yakima. A long leader with 4x or 6x tippet and a drag free presentation is the key to catching them on the surface. Sloppy casting and flies slapping the water isn't tolerated here! This time of year with the colder water temperatures, the Yakima will test your skills as a fly fisher and the angler that is persistent will catch the crafty Yakima river trout. The big fish are slurping flies on the surface, not expending there energy levels, while the smaller not so wise trout tend to splash about. At times you will see huge dorsal fins protruding through the surface film. A very exciting time on the river.
It seems last week I started a Squaw fish controversy on the VFS Bulletin board. Most angler's that posted reply's are a little confused about the Squaw fish and I have contacted a Washington State Fish Biologist to confirm my posting. I am now in the process of setting it up on the site and it will be completed in a few days for everyone to read.
10-16-98/The colder temperatures have moved into the Kittitas Valley, and it is just what we needed to spark the fall fishing. With over-night low's reaching into the low 20's, the insects on the Yakima river today were thickest we have seen since August and the Yakima river trout were feeding.. The B.W.O.'s were stealing the show from about noon to 4. Fishing long leaders and a drag free drift is critical! Small BWO patterns in size 16-18 were working well. There were also October Caddis hatching through out the day as well. Fishing is good in the early morning, but primarily with nymphs. Fish are taking them very gently, so keeping your strike indicator or dry fly on the surface where it is visible is extremely important or you will miss the takes, most you won't even feel. Once the hatch comes on, off go the nymphs and small dries will be your ticket to excellent fall dry fly fishing. If you are drifting from the boat, using bigger October patterns works very well in the faster water. The Yakima flows have been bouncing up and down, but from what the graphs are reading it looks like it is starting to recede now.
10-11-98/The Fall fishing this weekend was pretty good, despite cooler temperatures on Friday and Sunday. Fishing with dry flies on Saturday was good on the upper river. The hatches are almost non-existent and using the appropriate patterns to bring them to the surface is the key to successful dry fly fishing. Working a section of water thoroughly is at times more productive than an actual once over from the boat. The bigger fish are more reluctant to hit the flies and want a nice long look at them before they decide on taking a bite. Delicate presentations and drag free drifts are critical! Water flows are bouncing up and down, but watch for them to decrease sometime later this week. This is the time of year the Yakima will test your skills as a fly fisher. It is a great time to try to fine tune your skills! Long leaders, smooth presentations and drag free drifts are your best weapons. The bigger fish are taking the flies off the surface very lightly, so keeping the slack from your line is the key to hooking them. A report from friends that floated the canyon, said " they had a tough time down there this weekend, along with others that were fishing it as well".
10-8-98/The cooler temperatures now are bringing on the fishing. Dry fly fishing the past couple of days has been excellent. The upper sections of the Yakima are fishing very well. Big hatches of October Caddis and warm fall temperatures are keeping the fish active. From what we have heard the Yakima River Canyon has been some-what slow for fishing. We are getting some rain here in the valley with cooler temperatures which should bring on some nice hatches of BWO's. I haven't seen any thick hatches of them at this time yet, but it won't be long. Irrigation season ends October 15th, so fall flows on the Yakima will drop even more.. We did see an increase in flows over the past weekend and this turned fishing off somewhat. It has now leveled out and fishing dry flies, dry flies with droppers and an occasional nymph line is very productive. The bigger fish are slow on the take and trying to suck the dry-flies off the surface or hitting the nymph dropper gently, rather than hitting them hard. Smaller fish are hitting them with gusto still. If you do fish droppers off your dries make sure to keep that dry on top of the surface at all times.. If they hit your nymph you won't know it. Just a slight movement of the dry fly or indicator means a fish is interested.
11-3-98/The hatch of B.W.O.'s is going strong and you will begin to see them emerging around noon, becoming thicker as the hour progresses. Using small dries and bead head nymphs, primarily small bead head Pheasant Tails is working well for the hatch and taking some of the nicer fish. You will see different feeding techniques through-out the day, so be prepared for a variety of feeding situations. Their are still a few October Caddis hatching, but these are starting to thin. Using a imitation for them will still produce results for you though in the faster currents of the river. This is primarily small bug time.
10-28-98/The Yakima trout are becoming very selective and are feeding on the small B.W.O.'s in sizes 16-22. Be prepared with the smaller versions if you are planing a trip to the Yakima river this fall. Matching the size of the Mayfly the trout are feeding on is the most important element in fly selection. The hatch is beginning an hour earlier due to daylight savings time, so watch for them to beginning feeding on the surface at about noon, sometimes earlier. There are still a few October Caddis hatching, so fishing the imitation in the faster water will work for you. Fishing a dropper off the Caddis is also very productive, especially during the morning hours. Try the Bead-Head Pheasant Tail nymph in sizes 16-20
10-22-98/The BWO's are the Yakima trout's mail meal now in sizes 16-22. Fishing them with a accurate and drag free presentation is the key to catching the fall Yakima trout. Sloppy casting and flies dragging across the water will be ignored! Long leaders and 4x or 6x tippets are your weapons for fishing this hatch. Small para-chute patterns having been working very well for the hatch of BWO's, which have been hatching from 1 p.m. to dusk. The big fish are slurping these tiny mayflies off the surface, while the little trout tend to make a splash. Fishing nymphs in the same sizes (Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ear ) just before the hatch is highly productive as well. The October Caddis are still hatching in large numbers on most sections of the Yakima river. Fishing a imitation will catch fish for you. The Orange Stimulator or Orange Irresistible is a great pattern to deceive the Yakima trout. Fishing a dropper nymph off of your Caddis pattern will also be highly effective.
10-16-98/With the overnight temperatures plummeting to the low 20's, the insects on the Yakima river have come alive and the trout are feeding heavily on them. The BWO's are stealing the show now from about noon to 4. Fishing a small imitation drag free is the key to successful dry fly fishing. The October Caddis are still hatching in large numbers as well, and the Yakima trout are well aware of them. Fishing an imitation is also productive, especially in the faster, heavier water. There are also a few small Caddis hatching as well, and we may start seeing some nice fall Caddis hatches.
10-11-98/The hatches over the week were still fairly thin. There isn't much insect activity on the river sections that we have been fishing, however fish are still being caught on the surface. The October Caddis are hatching just before dark, but this limits the angler to about 30 minutes of good fishing during the hatch. The BWO's should get thicker as the month progresses. We are seeing a few hatching throughout the day, but not enough to provoke the trout to feed on the surface for them. The same is apparent with the Caddis as well. I still haven't seen the Light Cahill hatch as of yet either. The Yakima canyon stays somewhat warmer, so the hatches of insects may be thicker on that section of water, however I have heard that the fishing has been pretty tough down there the past couple of weeks.
10-2-98/The hatches the past week or so have been somewhat thin during the afternoon. Early mornings you will find heavy hatches of October Caddis on some area's of the river. They will also be thick at dusk. There has been some thick hatches of Baetis in sizes 18-20, but I have yet to see anything bigger. This month will produce bigger B.W.O. mayflies in sizes 16-18 and also Light Cahills in sizes 14-16, so be prepared with the appropriate patterns if you plan a trip to the river. Long fine leaders and delicate casts will also be essential this month as water and weather temperatures drop. There are still a few Summer stones hatches, but they aren't as thick as they were a couple of weeks ago. Pale Evening Duns have also been hatching on the upper sections and you will probably seem them in the Yakima river canyon as well. Try attractor patterns during the day, such as Trudes, Wulffs, Humpies, etc.
9-26-98/The October Caddis and Summer Stones continue to hatch. Most of the October Caddis in size 8-10 are hatching early morning and just at dusk, giving the angler an exciting chance to rise a big Yakima river trout. The Summer Stones are still flying around during the mid-afternoon and big Olive Stimulators continue to work well to imitate them on the surface. The BWO are hatching on the cooler, cloudier days and trout are also beginning to feed on them regularly. Also Light Cahills in smaller sizes (#14-16) are a steady diet of the Yakima trout this time of year. The Caddis blooms are very spotty, but watch for many to begin hatching in the next week or so. An olive caddis imitation will be the key to matching this hatch.
9-15-98/The big bugs are the main meal being served on the Yakima river now. Summer stones and October Caddis continue to hatch in great numbers. The Yakima trout are well aware of them and are feeding heavily on the surface. Using big October Caddis patterns, such as orange stimulators or your favorite October Caddis pattern works very well. Stimulators in size 8-10 in tan or olive work well for the stoneflies. Several mayflies are also hatching, especially during the evening hours. The Pale Evening Duns are heavy, along with the Sedge Caddis. Using a big stone fly and small mayfly imitation trailing behind works well. This is a much harder technique in trying to control the drag, but an experienced caster shouldn't have a problem with it. The Light Cahill Mayflies are also hatching in size 14-16.
9-5-98/The October Caddis are hatching on the lower Yakima river, but I haven't seen them in great numbers yet. I would assume that the hatches are somewhat thicker on the upper Yakima. The Orange Stimulator or Orange Irresistible is a great pattern to imitate the natural in size 10-12. The Summer Stone-fly is going strong and depositing its eggs on the water during mid-afternoon. A big Olive Stimulator, size 8-10 is a excellent pattern to provoke a trout to the surface. Hopper's are still bouncing around and hitting the water as well. Some Caddis are hatching, but the blooms are different from day to day. There are a few Light Cahill Mayflies hatching in the canyon now as well in size 14-16, but I hadn't seen the trout feeding heavily on them. This hatch will get thicker as the month progresses and this mayfly will become a important food source for the Yakima river trout. Having a good pattern to hatch the match will be important for you. With the success of the Waterwisp PMD pattern this summer I am looking forward to trying the Hendrickson. The BWO's are also apparent and we have seen the trout feeding on these tiny mayflies (size 16-20) Having a good pattern to match this hatch is vital for you or you could become very frustrated.
With the river now dropping in flows fishing is excellent and there are many big bugs hitting the water. With warm water & air conditions the Yakima is fishing excellent.
9-2-98/With the Yakima river starting to diminish in flows, several new insects are beginning there emergence. The B.W.O.'s (Blue Wing Olive) Mayflies are beginning to show up, especially in the back eddy's and slack water. They are still fairly small about size 20, but at dusk the Yakima trout are feeding heavily on them. A small olive Compara-Dun or Haystack works well to imitate the natural. The Summer stones are going strong as well and the Stimulator works to bring big fish to the surface. Hopper fishing is now at it's peak and the Yakima trout are feeding heavily on them. The Caddis hatches are also starting to hatch much thicker, but I have yet to see any October Caddis. It shouldn't be long and we will start to see them hatching. There is some excellent fishing now on the river and fall fishing should be exceptional this season due to the amount of feed in the river.
8-20-98/The hatches in the Yakima river canyon are going strong. The Brown Willow Stones (Summer Stone) are hatching now in large numbers and the trout are well aware of them. Each day they seem to be getting thicker and the coming weeks are going to be exciting. We have been getting some big fish the past couple of weeks. You can check them out here. The most recent catches are toward the back of the Catch & Release section. The Caddis are also apparent, but are thicker on some of the sections of the canyon. The upper canyon seems to have a thicker hatch at this time. PMD Mayflies are still hatching as well, but are starting to thin out. Yakima river anglers are in for some very exciting fishing in the next couple of months. Below is a picture of the Summer stones that are now hatching.