THE STEELHEAD UNDERGROUND

Coming soon to Cabelas, Sportsman's Warehouse and Feather Craft.....

The 'Steelhead Underground' Series of Steelhead Patterns.

Featured Tyers;

Trey Combs
Jeff Cottrell
Jack Mitchell
Michael Davidchik

UPPER COLUMBIA REPORT - 8/30/14

We  just kicked into our late summer/fall season on the Upper Columbia river and Black Bear lodge.  The beautiful Cutt bow pictured here ate a dry fly yesterday. The overall fishing yesterday was 'average'  with some nice fish eating the dry and the swung fly.  The fishing was certainly not numbers oriented.....but as you can see the quality makes up for the lack of numbers!

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT - 8/30/14

The river flows are dropping and the fishing continues to be good and is actually heating up! It is Flip Flop season on the Yakima.   Flip flop is where the Yakima River Reservoirs are 'turned down' in volume and at the same time, the Tieton river is 'turned' up by releasing more water into it from Rimrock reservoir.

The fish are finding new holding water and moving around a bit, and we are seeing some bigger players in the last couple days taking smaller dy flies.  Fish are holding on banks with deeper water and along drop offs in about 'one foot per second" paced current.  Size #16 Blue Wing Olive mayflies have been popping and the little tan Caddis #16 has been cranking up, which is what has been working for us in the evening hours!  Sub surface fishing can be very productive as well when the dry fly action slows down.  Late summer is here with cooler days, cooler water temps and lower flows - which all adds up to some GREAT fishing days.

Hatches currently - #18-22 Beatis, # 16 Tan Caddis, # 10 Crane Flies, #14-16 Yellow May's\, #6-12 Hoppers,  #14-18 Ants and Beetles

The top photo is a Caddis pattern that has been successful for us recently.... A take off on the EC Caddis. Some insight  from the guides report re: 'The bent hook'   -  'Everyday is a learning experience on the water. Yesterday's lesson is called - DON'T COMPROMISE -  I did and tied with some antique hooks that my dad gave me and lost an exceptional trout - 20 plus inches!

The bottom photo is an image of the Bugs of the Week
Top Row  -  #10 Crane fly, #10 Bugmeister, # 8-10 Peach Stream Bank Hopper
Bottom Row - #12 Adams Split Wing, #14-18 Para Adams, #14 Ant

The middle photo is partly why we do what we do - Enjoy the places that we fish!

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 8/27/14

The Klickitat is fish gooood with both the nymph and the swing.  Best bug this last week fished on the swing is the featured photo - The Klickinator - A combination of Brian Silvey's  'Silvinator' and the 'Bucket Bouncer' by Jeff Cottrell.

Both the dry line and tips have produced.

Nymphing has been stellar as well utilizing various egg patterns, the bead and Stone nymphs....

The entire river is fishing good. The Stinson to Slide stretch has a complete blockage from a fallen tree.


We would not suggest trying to float under the tree.  The blockage is about 1/4 of the way down the float - Portage left and drag your boat around the hazard.  

There is also a very tight spot about half way down that is located at one of the splits in the river. I watched a boat almost dump there the other day....  Be careful.  The river is lower than normal as well, making it difficult to navigate some spots.

In addition, just after the hole known as the 'Morgan Hole' (approximately 1/2 mile above the Little Klickitat confluence) is a split in the river - don't go right - There is almost a full blockage there as well.

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 8/22/14

Nick and Luke

GREAT FISHING, on both the swing and nymph - END OF STORY.   3.5 feet of Steelhead green and happy fish.

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 8/18/14

The river clarity is much better than the previous report - Currently 20 inches of vis and should be getting better daily!  Sorry, no pic!

Yakima River Report - 8/18/14

BUGS OF THE WEEK

J-Slam Tan #8
CFO Chernnobyl
Minnie Bee #14
Bugmeister #12
Parachute Hopper #12
Red Copper John #14-16
Halo Prince #14-16
Red Head Ant #12
BH Prince #14-16

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT - 8/15/14

The river experienced an increase in flow and a definite loss of clarity in the lower portions due to BIG RAINS. The river above the Teanaway river confluence (Upper Flatlands) has remained pretty much the same  through the past few days of rain.

The Upper Canyon fished good yesterday even though it saw an increase in flows and loss of clarity.  Our fishing in that particular stretch was predominantly with  dry flies... Including #10-12 Morrish Hoppers, Parachute Ant, Royal PMX and the #12 Sunken epoxy Ant!


We have not been in the Farmlands over the past few days, but will manana! The Lower Canyon has been rough due to a major loss in clarity.  Based on the forecast everything should resume to normal over the next few days...We would however suggest staying out of the Lower Canyon tomorrow.

The above image depicts how light in color the Summer stonefly can be!

KLICKITAT REPORT 8/13/14

Not so good - currently 

Wow, Not getting much love from this river lately.  There are lots of fish in the system,  Just been inundated with HEAT and now yesterday a MEGA rainstorm on the mountain.

Stay away from this one for awhile. We will keep you updated.

Photo taken 8/13/14


Where - 'Town hole'

Time - 12:30PM

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 8/11/14

As long as we have clarity on the river...We have seen some GOOD TO GREAT fishing.  This past Saturday the river was beautiful Steelhead Green.  Yesterday the river was grey with a hint of green.   We are supposed to see lots of heat today and then it is going to cool down come Wednesday.  The weather calls for some thundershowers in addition.  We have seen the river cycle hard over the last few days.

Both the swung fly and nymph have produced.  Saturday we held  the Second Annual Two Hander Day at Leidl Campground (More photos coming soon) - Afterwords we watched Catch Magazine under the stars...thanks to Todd Moen!

Yesterdays highlight was a 7 pound wild hen that thought she was 15 pounds by the way she fought....ballistic.

Fly - She ate an orange and pink Hoh Bo Spey
Rod - 13' 7" Guideline Lecie
Line - Fall Favorite
Tip - 10 feet of medium
Angler - Ben Dow

YAKIMA RIVER FISHING REPORT - 8/11/14

The Yakima is fishing OK right now throughout the system.  It's not great, but not bad, just average August fare.  (The largest full moon phase a midst 100 degree heat, doesn't help)   Hoppers! Sure, but think outside the box and there is some good fishing in the right water with a streamer or nymph.  Pick a beat, go fish it.  Tie one on!

Rick with a Yakima Cutthroat

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 8/8/14

We have fish worthy clarity - Awesome!  Just in time for the 2nd annual Two Hander Day! Picture to follow....

KLICKITAT UPDATE

We are back to POOR clarity!

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT - 8/3/14

Paul with a fat Yakima bow

Brent with a nice topwater Smally

The Yakima river is fishing great for Trout and Smallies. Both species with 'topwater' or 'dry fly'

Early mornings in the Lower Canyon have been best for the trout with good numbers responding to the #8-10 Stone/Hopper type patterns.  Strategy - Covering water and targeting prime lies has been worthy!   Evenings have slowed a bit, but still worthy for rising fish in the right location.



We have not been in the Farmlands or Upper Proper lately.  We have spent most of our time in the Lower Canyon, Upper Canyon and the Upper Flatlands

The Smallmouth fishing near Benton city has been good recently as well.  Our best fishing yesterday was with a variety of top water bugs including #8 Foam Poppers and #6 C-Ants.

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 8/3/14

River @ MM5       2PM      8/2/14

Considering the recent heat, the river is in reasonable shape....Over the past three days we have seen the river cycle between 1-2 feet of clarity.  This equates to gooood clarity coming our way soon when the air temps cool.

It appears the weather will be reasonable over the next week and not 'scorching' as it has been. Weather forecast shows... Highs in the mid 80's  / Lows in the mid 50's

Fishing suggestions...

Swing 5 inches of Cerise and Orange on T-8 or

Nymph,Pin, Boon Dog Thumbnail size Yarnies