Central Washington Fly Fishing Journal-Summer

02/23/2016

The month of July has come and gone and as we look ahead to August, the fun dry fly Hopper fishing we are now experiencing on the Yakima will continue and eventually hit it's peak sometime in September.  The unusually hot weather in June that we experienced here in the Ellensburg and Cle Elum Valley, prompted a rapid growth of field and bank grasses, shrubs and weeds and now that vegetation has become arid elixir, fueling a major summer wildfire in Kittitas County.

The past few days, a smoky haze has covered the Yakima River Basin blanketing the hillsides from view as the Clockum wild fire burns out of control, scorching over 80,000 acres and covering roughly 125 square miles. Several other blazes burn as well in the surrounding counties, but hot shot crews have responded quickly taking control of those.  A slight westerly breeze today has improved air quality conditions in the basin and that will continue to improve as firefighters get a handle over the blaze.  As of this afternoon the wild fire is 30% contained. 

WHAT TO EXPECT IN AUGUST...

August is the ideal time to fish grasshopper patterns as the warm, summer conditions drive more of these colorful, clumsy terrestrials to the banks of the river. The ninth month of the year will also mark the commencement of the Summer Stone migration, so the river will offer a variety of fun and effective fly fishing techniques that you can utilize throughout the day.  A pre-warm up to the match the hatch fishing in September, October and November.

As the month of August concludes, the river will begin to recede and the Craneflies will begin there egg laying strategies in area’s of the river.  In my opinion this has become the funniest and most predictable hatch of bugs on the Yakima.  By Mid September, the river will be in prime autumn condition and the Yakima will be abuzz with Craneflies.  Our big trout will be keyed in on these slender, slow water insects and they will be staging in key egg laying areas, ready to devour them as they buzz about the top of the rivers surface. 

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW ON THE YAKIMA...

Hopper fishing is in full swing throughout the day and these bank dwelling terrestrials are providing some fast and furious fly fishing in most sections of the river.  Areas where high green or brown grasses have grown are fundamentally key areas where these critters tend to gather. (Use the appropriate color of grasshopper pattern that mimics there surroundings) Remember, these areas are also home to a variety of other terrestrials, so even some of our favorite classic attractor patterns will also work well during the day. Perhaps even doing better then their current 21st century designed foam counterparts.  The timeless traditionals many times get overlooked in the fly shop fly bins or your own fly box.  They caught fish then and perhaps fish better then ever, especially where pressured fish reside!

Streamers are always a good bet, especially this time of year when the trout’s metabolism is at its peak.  Adult age class fish are willing to move to a much bigger meal and big aggressive trout will chase a streamer several feet, which is an exciting visual type of fly fishing in its own right.  There are salmon fry in the river now and the big fish are making a meal of them.  A white or tan zonker can be deadly effective, especially when fished from the drift boat.  Here, you can work a key area of the river where big fish stage as they anticipate smaller bait fish being sweep uncontrollably with the high, heavy summer flows in the Yakima.

We have been on the water every day, guiding and treating our friends to a variety of different start times.  Some have preferred the early morning fishing rather then being on the river during the hot afternoon sunshine. The fishing has been consistent for summer, especially during high heat portions of the day.  For those that love dry fly fishing and who doesn't?, the next three months of the season will provide the best, most consistent action the Yakima can dish out.  Summer Stones, Caddis, Grasshopper, Craneflies, Blue Wing Olives and Light Cahill's will be your major insect hatches through mid November.  Bring your "A" game to the river and reap the rewards.  The Yakima has been a selective gear fishery now for over 25 years. I personally have fished the river for over two decades and at no other point have I witnessed a healthier trout population then what we are seeing now.  The trout are in beautiful condition!

Our guiding days are booking very quickly for August, September and October.  If you would like to fish with the Worley Bugger Crew this autumn, we encourage you to book your date early this year so we can accommodate you.  We keep a small team of dedicated, professional guides that quite honestly are very popular.  We look forward to seeing you again.

Hope your enjoying your summer.

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