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You will
encounter a diversity of fish in each run as Whitefish and
other resident species share the water with the Yakima River
Rainbows. For those that may find winter wading in the
Yakima uninviting, the option of a warm, heated fly fishing
drift boat is always an alternative. Take advantage of our
great seasonal rates, catch a few fish and spend the day on
the river. What could better! The spring creek waters of
Rocky Ford are always an option for the bank fishermen as
well. Reports from the die hard, winter fly fishing
enthusiasts late last week, reported good fishing with Baetis and Midges. |
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This
holiday season treat yourself or your fishing partner to a
Worley Bugger guided tour gift
certificate. A variety of fly fishing
adventures are available and continue to be an extremely
popular gift each season. Please contact the pro shop if
you have any questions or would like to purchase one for the
deserving fly fishermen on your list this year. |
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The
Klickitat River fly fishing season ended this past
Wednesday, the 30th of November. Summer steelheading got
started late this year as the fish slowly migrated into the
river. Low, warmer than usual water conditions, some of the
lowest every recorded on the Klickitat were partially to
blame. However, by late August the fish numbers were
picking up considerably and the Fall fishing on this south
central Washington river was pretty exciting. Were already
looking forward to the June 1st-2006 summer steelhead
opener. Thanks to all our guests that fished with us. It
was great showing you this magnificent piece of water. |
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As the frosty mornings
begin in the Yakima River Valley, thick fog banks cover the
hillsides of this quiet little farming community. The thin
layer of snow that blanketed the surrounding ridges several days
ago, beams lightly along the hill tops. The peaks of the Cascade
Mountain Range, cresting in the western skyline are once again draped in
snow. Like usual, the first portion of
November was cool here in the central basin, a climatic change from
what we experience during the month of October. However,
most days the warmth
of the afternoon sunshine slices through the low lying fog,
crafting an ideal day for the die hard late season trout or summer
steelhead fishermen in Central Washington's rivers and streams. |
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With the changes
occurring in our seasons, the Yakima River is no exception.
Transformation from one season to the next is an unscheduled
event that takes place each year, dictated by weather
and water conditions. |
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The resident
fish of the Yakima are adjusting and have begun taking
up holding lies in the winter waters of this classic
western trout stream. Here, river waters warm much
quicker during the shorter sun periods of the day.
These waters also produce the winter seasons specific
aquatic insect emergences during the afternoon. Baetis
Mayflies are still a daily occurrence and will continue
through the remainder of the month.
Hatches are quite lighter than what you may have encountered
during October and can be river section
specific. |
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The much
smaller midge is now playing its role as one of the trout's winter food sources as well. Those fly
fishermen looking to target specific surface feeders
on these tiny aquatics will find areas of the lower
Yakima River Canyon your best bet for these winter time Chironomid
emergences. |
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The small Winter
Stoneflies will also be a food source throughout the winter
months of December and January. The nymphs are now a
critical portion of the food chain, however feeding on
adult stones will occur in particular water types during the
afternoons. |
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The summer Steelhead
fishing continues on both the
Klickitat
and
Methow River with both of these beautiful Washington
rivers producing fun filled fishing days. Both rivers
are operating at below normal stream volume, however the
Klickitat Valley did received some much needed rainfall over
the past weekend. Typically a moderate rain shower
will diminish the Klickitat's clarity and produce a glacier
tint to the stream. However, on Monday the river had
just a hint of color, perfect for fishing low water conditions. The Klickitat steelhead
season comes to a close on Wednesday, November 30th.
The Methow River, will remain open indefinitely throughout
the winter months. |
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For those fly
fishermen looking for more consistent surface
activity and would prefer not to wade the cool waters of the
Yakima, the central basin waters of Rocky Ford is always a
viable option throughout the winter months. Consistent
hatches of Baetis and Midges will occur at this desert
spring creek on a daily basis. |
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As the first day of
November begins, consecutive early morning rain showers have
fallen over the Yakima River Valley. A much needed shot of
water has entered the lower rivers system, via a host of
tributaries that feed this Central Washington trout stream.
The Fall eye candy that has been brilliantly
displayed along the banks and hillsides of the Yakima during the
month, is slowly falling away. Cooler, night time
temperatures have settled in as the Kittitas Valley under goes
the transformation of yet another season. |
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Fly fishermen were
out in full force this past weekend taking advantage of the
beautiful Fall days. Sunny, warm
afternoons prevailed, providing perfect conditions for a
late October fly fishing experience. As daylight
savings time comes to an end and we fall back one hour in time, you
can expect the hatches also to begin later in the afternoon. The
emergence of Baetis and Mahogany Dun Mayflies is still active throughout the majority of the lower Yakima
River. |
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Throughout the
first portions of November, expect to see these mayfly
emergences begin in the latter portions of the
afternoon. As the month progresses and colder
temperatures become a regularity, these mayflies
appearances will thin and the Yakima rainbows will begin moving
into their winter holding waters.
Their concentrations on other vital winter food sources
will become important throughout the remainder of
November, continuing throughout the holiday month of
December. October Caddis continue playing an
important role in the daily aquatic insect activity on the
Yakima during the latter portions of the day. |
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The lower
canyon sections of the river is experiencing some hatches, however
the Farmlands and Upper Yakima have a much higher density of these
giant Halloween Caddis. The pupa stages of the insect being of far
greater consequence to resident rainbows than the adults. You
can expect to see this giant caddisflies daily appearances diminish
as the month of November progresses. |
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The east side
Steelhead fishing continues, as the last month of the
Klickitat River
season begins. Closure on the
river is November 30th. Over the past week, Fall
Chinooks have moved into the upper sections of the river
taking over the shallow portions of the river bed for
spawning purposes. This activity will begin to
diminishing as the month progresses and steelhead will once
again have the river to themselves. The
Methow River is experiencing the same natural phenomenon
and will remain open for summer steelhead fishing throughout the
remaining months of winter. For guided tour
information and availably throughout the month of November,
please call the pro shop. |
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The still water
fisheries of the central portion of our state also remain
busy with fly fishermen. Lake Lenore is offering
Cutthroat fishing and Lake Lenice and Nunnally report good
fishing for browns and rainbows in the shallower waters.
Blackstone Lake, located in the Kittitas Valley is no
exception. Guided tours are available to this private
trophy fishery throughout the month of November. |
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As we approach the
middle portion of the month, hatches of Mayflies and Caddisflies
are a daily event on Central Washington's, Yakima River.
Vibrant Fall colors, adorn the banks of this classic western
river as the Cottonwoods and other stream side foliage present a
spectacular, picturesque exhibition of Mother Nature at her
finest. Its hard to imagine a finer month of the year than
October to be fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest. |
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Anadromous
migrating
rainbows are returning to the rivers in great numbers. The
Klickitat,
Methow and Grande Ronde Rivers are all reporting good steelhead
stats at this time. Spawning Fall Chinook and Coho
Salmon are busy building redds in streams across the state,
while bull elk preoccupied with the rutt are bugling in the
river bottoms of the Yakima. Fall Baetis
continue to steal the show as their emergence
begins during the early portions of the afternoon.
Rainbows, busy during
this mayfly event are slurping these tiny food forms
from the surface
film. |
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For some,
frustrating circumstances can arise during this time.
Presenting a tiny imitation to match the natural insect
can at times produce discouraging results. One
obstacle that I see many times on the river is the
"over-caster". Casting forty or fifty feet of fly line in
these water conditions puts you out of the game, especially
from a boat. |
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The low, clear
water flows provide the Yakima rainbows with a distinct
advantage. At times, even when you may think you
are achieving the drag free drift, bits of micro drag can be
amplified on the fly line, leader and fly. Creating
shorter casts while working smaller amounts of line and
water in combination with a productive pattern will
provide you with much more consistent fishing action. |
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Mahogany Dun
Mayflies as well as the Light Cahill Mayfly continue their
afternoon appearances. This is a much shorter lived
hatch than the Blue Wing Olives, lasting approximately
thirty minutes to an hour in most cases. The fish do
key in on their presence, so make sure you are equipped with
appropriate patterns to match the natural. |
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The Fall Caddis in
the early evening hours are also a target for Yakima
Rainbows. You may only see a handful of these hatching
Giant Orange Sedges, however that is enough for the fish to
key on their presence. This is a good time to fish the
"pupa" imitation as larger size rainbows seek out this
substantial sub surface meal. |
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After a week of warm
sunny weather, proceeded by a wet, drizzly weekend, a
transformation has taken place throughout the Yakima River
system. Frosty night time lows have proliferated the
aquatic insect activity, especially the mayfly emergences.
Baetis, Mahogany Duns and Light Cahills are all an important
factor throughout your day of Yakima River fly fishing.
Today, warm temperatures and overcast skies have created the
ideal Fall fishing scenario. |
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The warmer weather
we experienced last week continued to produce adult stonefly
activity. However, now with the cooler October
temperatures settling in, this week we have seen a
noticeable difference in this summer stoneflies afternoon
appearance. Most likely, this significant Yakima River
stonefly has completed it cycle for the year. |
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The Giant
Orange Sedge or October Caddis has become a familiar site in
specific areas of the river in the late afternoons.
The farmlands and upper portions of the Yakima have a much
more concentrated hatch than what you will encounter
throughout the lower canyon sections. These gigantic,
bright orange Caddis flies attract undue attentions as they
emerge breaking the waters surface. |
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The egg laying
females, much like their smaller counterparts thrash and
flay on the top of the water during this process. Its during
this time they become an important factor to the Fall dry
fly fishermen. Favorite
imitation to match the natural are, the Norm Woods, the
Stimulator or Slickwater Caddis. These patterns
can be fished on a dead drift or with a skating,
twitching motion.
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During the early
portion of the afternoon, clouds of Baetis Mayflies begin
hatching. Mixed within the emergence of this tiny,
olive bodied insect are the larger, Mahogany Dun Mayflies.
At this time, you may find it productive to present a tandem
selection of dry flies to hatch both of the naturals.
The Yakima rainbows will be actively feeding on both aquatic
insects. Presenting distinct imitations will provide
you with two things. It gives fish the diversity
that are looking for and it also aids the presenter with a
larger silhouette to identify the much smaller trailing
pattern. Often times, the glare given off by the
afternoon water surface or the fact that the fish feed
inattentively in the foam lines can present some low
visibility problems. The larger point flies helps
correct the problem and increases your fishing
opportunities. In some areas of the river, Light
Cahills, a pale bodied mayfly much like the P.M.D.
will also be apparent during the afternoon. |
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The pro shop has
fielded many calls this week about the flow of the river.
It is operating at a very low volume, however it is
still quite drift able. Even with the low volume of
water, your odds of having a successful fishing day go up
considerably while fishing from a boat. You will find
trout holding in specific water and definitive Fall water
types. Being able to move quickly, gives you more
flexibility and the upper edge on your wily opponent. |
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Last weeks rain
storm didn't do much for our steelhead fishing on Southeast
Washington's,
Klickitat River. A heavy down pour of rain, touched down
in the Klickitat Valley and the tributaries known locally as
the "Big Muddy and Little Muddy" flowing from Mount Adams
began spewing mud into the river. Visibility was non
existent and our tours were postponed to a later date.
Drier conditions this week have dropped river flows once
again and enough clarity has returned for fishing.
With the increase in water, a new push of steelhead and
salmon have coursed through the Klickitat system. |
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Washington State's
North Central Steelhead river, the
Methow will open this Saturday, October 8th.
Steelhead and Salmon continue to breach the Bonneville Dam
by the thousands and are now moving over the other Columbia
River barriers in big numbers. Professional guided
tours are available throughout the entire Fall and Winter
season. Contact the pro shop directly for dates and
availability for both the Methow and Klickitat Rivers. |
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As the first official
calendar day of Fall commences, beautiful fly fishing days reign
over the Yakima River Valley. Evidence of a changing
season is already visible. The rivers towering Cottonwood Trees
that shield us from the spring winds have begun to shed their
yearly coat. Stream foliage that grew lush during the hot
days of summer is beginning its transformation into brilliant
Fall colors. Cooling night time temperatures have settled into the Kittitas Valley.
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Its hard to
imagine a better time to be fly fishing than the month
of October. Stream flows are low, several varieties of
aquatic insects have begun their seasonal emergence cycle
and the rivers are adorn in vibrant color. A nip
in the morning air gives way to warm, comfortable
afternoons. |
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This past
week, we observed the several stages of aquatic insects. Mahogany Duns, Baetis and the Yakima's
Fall pale toned mayfly, the Light Cahill were present. The Shortwing
Stonefly continued to play its part in the days fishing
as well. This week we expect to see the summer stonefly
hatch begin to thin. |
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Good numbers
of October Caddis appeared during the latter portions of
the day. This large Fall
food form will become a highly important part of the food chain
throughout the remaining months of Fall. Don't overlook
its Importance, especially during the early morning and
late afternoons, when this insect is most active.
Pupa and adult patterns will be an essential part of
your fly box arsenal. |
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Expect to see more
condensed hatches of this Caddisfly throughout the Farmlands
and upper portions of the Yakima's system. The Lower
Canyon does experience a hatch of these Giant Halloween
Sedges, however not near the numbers that will occur
throughout Upper River. Hydropsyche Caddis
(spotted sedge)
as well are apparent in the late mornings. Appropriate
patterns of color and size in pupa, emergers and adults
fished throughout the mid day can be productive throughout
most of the upper portions of the Yakima. |
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This time of year, returning
stocks of Yakima Chinook Salmon also play a major role in the daily
feeding habits of our resident rainbows. These large anadromous
fish begin the end of their life cycle as their spawning rituals
commence throughout the Upper Yakima
River system. Don't neglect their significance in the
river either! Over the past several years, the higher
presence of Chinook's has helped
nurture the river, producing another highly nourishable Fall food source
for the resident fish population.
Their existence in the Yakima has also helped proliferated the presence of more aquatic
insects. More aquatics = larger trout! |
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The
Klickitat River
is now
experiencing a big push of Steelhead and Salmon moving
through its system as well. This Southwestern
Washington River was opened two months early this year in
anticipation of a high number of hatchery strains of fish
returning. Low, warm water slowed the numbers, however
now as the Fall Salmon make their journey upriver,
Steelhead of both hatchery and wild origins are
following close at hand. In recent days, we
experienced multiple hooks ups with both hatchery and wild
fish. Hooking, fighting and landing these strong,
beautiful fish is a formidable task for any fly fishermen.
For guided tour information, please contact the pro shop in
Ellensburg for dates and availability throughout the months
of October and November. |
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With cooler
weather now occurring, the stillwaters of the central area
of our state are once again on the minds of many fly
fishermen. Reports from the desert fisheries has been
good. Callibaetis Mayflies are present as well as some
lingering Damsel Fly activity.
Blackstone Lake
, located in the beautiful
Kittitas Valley is no exception. For guided tour
information to this premier stillwater, please contact the
pro shop in Ellensburg for dates and availability. |
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Perfect over cast
days blanketed the Kittitas Valley over the past weekend,
fashioning an ideal fly fishing scenario unlike we have seen on
the Yakima in several weeks. The extended weather forecast
is predicting more of the same patterns for the upcoming week. With river flows now
operating at Fall volumes, wading opportunities abound
throughout the entire river system. |
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Cool night time
temperatures and mild September days now dominate the
entire Yakima River Valley. With the red |
December Tour
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