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.

Rooster Tail spinner also works great

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.

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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!

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