YAKIMA RIVER REPORT - 9/21/15

The Yakima is fishing fabulous.  Predominant food sources include the
1) Salmon spawn ( specifically in the Upper Proper and the the Upper Flatlands
2) Baetis throughout the system... the Lower Canyon has seen some good to great risefests lately
3) Cranefly adults and the opportunistic trout eating them
4) Fall Cahill

Trout are creatures of habit.  If you are fishing a dry fly in a hatch , generally the imitation needs to be ' drag free'. If getting a drag free drift is unattainable, then utilize the wet fly swing.

Positioning yourself according to what technique is being used,  is critical. Angler position is a very important factor of fishing. Regardless of how accomplished a caster you are and how many specialty presentation casts you can perform, positioning yourself for the water you are going to fish is a primary technique. In fact depending on which type of presentation cast is going to be used in the attempt depends on what position you take to make the cast.

If you chose to fish a wet fly swing it is imperative that you are quartering downstream.

In both dry fly and nymph fishing "getting as close to the target" as the water type and situation allows is always recommended. Positioning (Quartering up, Quartering down, Direct 90 degrees, etc....) depends on where the target is and what type of cast is going to be used.

Just some food for thought!

YAKIMA, KLICKITAT & UPPER COLUMBIA REPORT - 9/14/15

THE UPPER COLUMBIA catching has kicked into gear.  We had a slow start but the fishing has certainly picked up recently.

Big Upper Columbia resident bow for the Davidson party

Predominant hatches are;
1) The Big Yellow May (Epeorus)   and   

2) Fall Caddis (October Caddis), 

Nymphing, dry flies and swing tactics have all proven effective.  

Best dry fly lately has been the old classic - #10 Orange Stimulator.  

Best nymph lately has  been a Hares Ear

Best Swing bug lately has been the 'Professors October Softy'

Fall Caddis Soft Hackle by The Professor

Fall Caddis

Lot's of wildlife out and about mostly coming down to the river for water as it is sparse up in the hills. 

This little guy or gal (bear cub) swam across the Columbia river and proceeded to lumber up towards the lodge and climbed a tree to get a better look inside our place, I guess?  Photo taken from the deck at Black Bear Lodge....

Seems apropos!

THE KLICKITAT has been average to great depending on the day.  Steelhead fishing is all relative....If we boil a fish on a skater I think it is a great day, especially if we get him to come back just subsurface - This happened just the other day.

Best skater recently - "Little Gurgler"

Best subsurface swing bugs lately - Hobo Spey

Best tip lately - 3.9 IPS sinking leader

The nymphing has been average to great.  I hate to quote numbers, but the stats can go way up with the nymphing.

Best nymphs recently -

Hot headed stone

The Bead

Jim Jr and Sr with a nice Klickitat Buck

Jack and Craig with a nice Klick buck

THE YAKIMA has been fishing goooood. A variety of techniques have proven successful including streamers, nymphing and the dry fly; The dry fly being the lightest producer in numbers for us lately.  The Salmon spawn is happening in the upper river and can produce a 'Little Alaska' style fishing for the next week or so.

Water temps are golden!  Remember as the fall progresses, the smaller bugs start to prevail!

Yakima hook-up

Yakima double

UPPER COLUMBIA REPORT - 9/10/15

Slow start for the Upper Columbia this Fall.  Some good fish being caught but the hopper game is in the 9th inning and the Fall hatches haven't started ;  So a little tough.  Regardless, The river is in 1st gear and should be shifting into second, shortly.

The Baxley Gals

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 9/10/15

Water has CLEARED and the fishing just got a little TOUGHER.  It is possible this heat will bring in a little color. We will keep you posted.

Nice fish for Kuzi

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 9/6/15

GREAT FISHING - END OF STORY
Fishing, utilizing multiple tactics, has been 'off the charts'

A light tip and Mr Hobo has been a great choice for the swung fly.

Jim Jr and Sr

YAKIMA RIVER REPORT 9/2/15

The Yakima is close to being at fall levels.  Hoot Owl regulations are lifted and no longer in effect.

Highlights for the next 60 days include...

Craneflies - Currently Game On
Up river salmon spawn -
October Caddis,
Mahogany Duns
Fall Cahill
Fall Baetis

KLICKITAT RIVER REPORT - 9/1/15

The river is in GREAT SHAPE and fishing even better. End of Story.