[ceviche]

Just got back from an overnighter on the Yakima. We originally were planning on hitting Wenas Lake, but dude at the Worley Bugger stated that the Yak was in prime flow condition and nobody was likely to be at Umptanum Campground midweek. That glared like a green light. Margaret and I liked the idea. To make a long story short, Umptanum Campground sucked: too many piles of human excrement in the bushes and high school kids on summer vacation. :reallymad Recalling good words on this website, we sought out Red's. Campground rates were very cheap, and the staff was very helpful. :thumb The first afternoon was wasted at Umptanum. The fish were obviously there, but I couldn't figure out the hatch with what flies I had. Not a pretty picture. :beathead The following morning, Steve(?) at the shop suggested using a Bugmeister with a bead-head flashback PT nymph on a dropper. This kind of worked, as I did catch one 8" rainbow. While on the river, Margaret pointed out some nymph shucks on a rock. Golden Stoneflies. :eek Again, I had nothing on hand that would have matched the hatch exactly. :beathead By the way, I can attest to the stonefly ID. When we were packing up for leaving the campground, I found an adult GS clinging to the bottom of the float tube I brought for Wenas. This bug event will go on my calender for next year. I will be prepared! :beer2

 

[ChrisW]

was the river wadeable? I've always heard that the yak was dangerous to wade this time of year. gotta love all the big bugs in that canyon!

bh

 

[ceviche]

If you mean "wadeable" as in being able to wade completely across the river, then I'd say more than likely not. There is a foot bridge at Umpantum, though. Still, there were lots of places that one could wade through--maxing at about 2-3 feet deep without a totally overpowering current. There are a good number of places where you could pull off the road and wade-in on some shallow riffles if you needed to get wet.

My last words on wading is that, try not to wade deeper than your knees. If you are going to go that deep, you better have a wading staff. And if can't see the bottom, then you are in way too deep. :eek

BTW, I caught and kept that golden stonefly. At least that way, I figure, I'm one step closer to the fish. :7 On to the vise! :thumb