trout fishing yakima Archives - River Dog Outfitters

Yakima River Fishing Report March 13

Section: Cle Elum
Flow: 1500 CFS
Water Temperature: 41 Degrees
Fish caught on: Pats Stone nymph, Composite Soft Hackle streamer, Unit Skwala dry
Key Notes: Feels like spring, big bugs flying, looks like spring

Feels like spring

The last few days have really been ideal spring days on the Yakima River. Warm air, gentle breeze, and steady flows. Good things never last, and as I’m writing this up it’s raining and the river is on a steep rise. But before we get into that lets talk about how the fishing has been.

First dry fly eat of the year!

Still cold at night (30’s) but getting into the high 40’s and 50’s each day has finialy brought water temps into the 40’s daily. Fishing is usually slower early but as water warms and the sun arcs into the afternoon you can almost say the bite turns on. We still find fish earlier, but hit and miss. Nymphing and moving, find the aggressive and cooperative fish. Into the afternoon more fish are found but still no risers. Around 3pm we start to see skwalas flying but still have not seen risers. Don’t let that deter you, cast a dry to the most trouty looking water and you’ll be surprised! First dry fly taker of the season was a cutthroat eating a Unit Skwala on the first drift over a trouty looking ledge. Soon enough head hunting will be the name of the game.

Looks like spring

When we look at the forecast it’s starting to look like spring, which doesn’t feel as nice. Rain rolling in throughout the 10 day forecast. Some days windier than others with temps between 30 and 50. The river is rising steep right now, but it shouldn’t blow out. A little color is nice anyway. Expect this pattern to continue into actual spring with plenty of actual blow outs to come. For now enjoy the dynamics and fish when you can!

More information about Yakima River access, flows, and guided trips can be found at riverdog-outfitters.com/yakima-river/

Be sure to follow our Facebook page for the latest news, reports, and media https://www.facebook.com/riverdogoutfitters

Check back on this blog for more Yakima River Fishing Reports.

See you on the river!

-Andy Lockey

River Dog Outfitters

Co-owner & Guide

253-381-6539

[email protected]

Post author:riverdog
Post published:March 14, 2022
Post comments:0 Comments

Yakima River Fishing Report February 21

Section: Lower Canyon (Ringer to Mile Post 20)
Flow: 2000cfs
Water Temperature: ~40 Degrees
Fish caught on: Egg Sucker Spawn, Storm Swim Shad
Key Notes: Useful map, cold water don't matter, spinning rod catches big fish

Back on the Lower

Made it back down to the Lower Canyon, this time with Neils. Eager to make use of my intel and river map I sketched from the previous trip (see previous post here). We were floating a little longer this time down to milepost 20, and there was wind forecasted in the afternoon.

So we got started around 9am while the water temperature was still in the high 30’s. Right off the bat I Neils hooked into a nice trout just across from the boat ramp. I also pulled a rainbow up with the Egg Sucker Spawn. Moving downstream it was ridiculous, Neils was using a spinning rod casting a plastic swim bait, specifically the Storm WildEye Swim Shad 1/4oz. I can’t remember the color pattern but it didn’t matter, this lure has a history with Neils absolutly crushing it on the Yakima. Today was no different, we can confidently say he went 5 for 20, but he probably touched more fish than that. And the 5 we did bring to sight were hefty. Most were fought quick and shaken off to keep them in the river and happy, but this one pictured below was worth a quick moment together.

Photo Pro Tip

Pro tip on photos with fish, we all have heard the “keep em wet” idea, we like to say go to the fish. Get out of the boat and in the water (that’s why you’re wearing those $ waders right?). It keeps the fish in the water, or at least over the water, and looks cooler in my opinion. Like you’re actually out there in the action. Not just on a boat ride. None of us are perfect, just striving for better. Anyways, photo rant over.

The crazy thing with this swimbait is we were watching fish chase it all the way to the boat! Water temp barely got up to 40 degrees and fish were MOVING across the river after this thing. Fish don’t like to move far in cold water, at least not after the flies I’m casting. Gear fishing on the Yakima is no secret, plenty do it, but it’s certainly something these fish aren’t used to. So try something new on the Yakima and pick up a spinning rod, or tie a 1/8 shad to your streamer rod. We won’t make fun of you.

The river map helped target the best water, and fish were found in just about every spot mentioned plus more. Thankfully we were off the water around 1pm, just before the wind really started to pick up and freeze us. Stay warm out there!

More information about Yakima River access, flows, and guided trips can be found at riverdog-outfitters.com/yakima-river/

Be sure to follow our Facebook page for the latest news, reports, and media https://www.facebook.com/riverdogoutfitters

Check back on this blog for more Yakima River Fishing Reports.

See you on the river!

-Andy Lockey

River Dog Outfitters

Co-owner & Guide

253-381-6539

[email protected]

Post author:riverdog
Post published:February 22, 2022
Post comments:0 Comments

Yakima River Fishing Report September 30

If you look closely over Jenci’s shoulder (as shes fighting a monster fish) you can see the faint traces of our first snow on Peoh Point at the upper waters of the Yakima River. Air temps have dropped dramatically this weekend with highs only in the 40’s. Water temp remains steady near 50 so fishing has been excellent! Oh and here’s that monster fish:

My net is a 16″ hoop and this beauty stretches AT LEAST 4 inches past that soooooo (steelhead?) yea big mamma. Didn’t take the time for a real measurement, quick photo and back to swimming #keepemwet

That encounter came within the first bit of our float, the many many other fish we encountered through today weren’t quite as big but plentiful at least.

Most of our luck came on rooster tail spinners, real easy way to fish efficiently on the Yakima that many don’t bother with. We certainly aren’t fly fishing purists, what works works. Not to say a fly wasn’t thrown, bit of action on the zebra midge dropper. Lot’s of top water action from BWO being a nice cloudy day, made it easy to decide where to cast our spinners!

Fall (or in today’s case, early winter) is underway. Fishing is excellent, water is crystal clear and low. Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll see a couple live ones. Head to our FISHING PAGE to join us on a float!

Post author:riverdog
Post published:September 30, 2019

See Where Trout Hold Under Water

It’s one thing to think you know where the trout are. Last time you may have hooked up near some structure or on an eddy line and that gives you a good reference. But seeing where trout are sitting under the surface can put you a huge step ahead of other anglers. Check it out,

My favorite referral to finding trout, foam is home. That stands true for the most part, on this snorkel trip majority of the trout spotted were on eddy lines. Between the main current and the slack water to the side (eddy) a trout can choose its most comfortable current speed and happily sit while food drifts to them. One of the most deadly, and enjoyable tactics to catching these trout is swinging a streamer from the faster current into the slower current. This covers the lie pretty thoroughly.

When it comes to dries and nymphs there are two approaches. Cover water quickly or cover water thoroughly. When moving quick (such as from a boat) make your first cast count and get it in the correct zone. This takes experience and a bit of luck to sometimes guess exactly what piece of water the trout are sitting in. When covering thoroughly it’s best to start near then far to cover the different current options along the eddy line.

On a blue ribbon trout stream like the Yakima it’s likely that every bend has a willing trout. The reason you haven’t met is probably a matter of presentation rather than fly (or lure) choice. They’re in there, just gotta find them and put it in their face! Of course to make it easy book a trip with us, we found them.

Post author:riverdog
Post published:September 10, 2019

Yakima River Fishing Report September 5 (Flip Flop)

Flip Flop, it’s a big deal. Basically the irrigation supply shifts from our valley to the next one down (Tieton/Naches). All summer long they drain our reservoirs in upper Kittitas County keeping the Yakima River running high (3000+cfs). While its unnatural, it does benefit the fishery by keeping the water temps down in the heat of summer. But now the levels are dropping to a more natural state heading into fall and winter. Check out a little video action from the beginning of flip flop!

It’s one of my favorite times of the year right now. Great weather, great water, great fishing! With cooler nights the daytime water temps are staying low and you can fish any time of day. The video was afternoon/evening but today I went out at noon and caught too many fish to count in just a one mile section!

Fishing a dry dropper set up works well, here you can see I use a foam bug (stone or caddis are my go to) to suspend a small heavy nymph. Euro style jig nymphs are great droppers, they get deep fast and are overall simple and effective.

Aim at the usual trout waters; shallow riffles, drop offs, inside bends along the eddy line. But really try anywhere, these trout all have to shuffle around now that their comfy hold up along the bank is going dry. Go find them!

Post author:riverdog
Post published:September 5, 2019