Yakima River - Washington

[sstasiak]

Have any of you guys fished the Yakima river in Washington state?

I plan to fish it while I'm out there for work at the end of January, and again at the end of February.

I have some info already, but hopefully one of you guys has some more to steer me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MACFLY]

I Fished it back in the mid 90's (glory days)...Had a guide out of seattle but cant remember the name of it for the life of me. I fished it during the late summer/early fall and I floated the upper stretch of river one day and the middle stretch the following day. Mostly caddis and stimulators with a dropper. Its a nice stream to float with a good deal of access. Middle stretch was better fishing but its not a big fish river as I recall. If I remember the guide I will send it to you but last time I was in Seattle I didnt see the shop so they may have moved or gone out of business. Good Luck

 

[Bert Brehm]

The Yakima is a tailwater managed with three dams in the upper reaches. They run it bank full all summer for irrigation, but it drops to nice wading levels in the late fall, winter and early spring. The river parallels I-90 from Snoqualmie pass down to Ellensburg where it takes a right turn down in the canyon section. Think midges, BWO's, stoneflies or streamers.

I saw your post on WFF. Heed the advice from that board. It will be cold in January/February. The wind blows continually so gear up. Leave your dainty little outfits at home. A five or six weight is the weapon of choice.

Here is a good shop in Ellensburg. Worley-Bugger Fly Co.* Your Complete Yakima River & Central Washington Outfitter!

Read everything labeled "Yakima River Info" and "Yakima River Maps" in the little scroll-ley section on the right side of the main page. Lot's of good info.

Skwala's baby!

 

[coolkyle]

If the water ends up being too high for your taste, the upper river is much smaller than the canyon. Below Easton dam you get stable flows, clear water and lots of cutthroats. Fishing should be pretty slow that time of year.
If you want a true adventure in the PNW head out to the Peninsula. Hire a guide and fish a couple days on the Sol Duc, the Quinault, or the Hoh for steelhead, salmon, cutthroat, and dolly varden. Bring rain gear.