[pcknshvl]

Saw two adults in the water, and plucked two off my neck as I was changing flies (to a skwala, of course). Fish were rising tight to the bank. Plenty of midges around, too. One fish took my gnat (fished as a dropper off the skwala) and broke me off. Another took the skwala, but I couldn't make it stick. This around 3 - 4pm. A fun last hour or two of the day, after diligently nymphing all day without touching a fish.

Water was 38deg in the farmlands. Just a little longer, and a little warmer weather!

Tom

 

[JesseC]

Woohooo - that's a great report to see. I'm headed out on Friday with a couple of guys so hopefully the weather will hold nice and tight.

What's everyone using for skwalas this year? I was thinking about an olive'd up stimulator?

Thanks for the good news

 

[11961]

Do skwalas (or any bugs) hatch at the same time up and down the river, or at different times? I usually fish the upper river (cle elum area) but I've never during the skwala hatch.

 

[Out of Here]

I watched two skwala's in the lower canyon, just above Bighorn, willingly submit themselves to the fish gods! Great day in the lower canyon today.

 

[Joe Pombrio]

can't believe so many people fish the river with no fish and call it a "great river"

 

[Lugan]

can't believe so many people fish the river with no fish and call it a "great river"

If the Yakima were in MT, it would be ignored by fishermen. In absolute terms it's just not that great of a river for size or numbers. But in WA, it's the best big river trout water we have.

 

[longstick]

Streamer fishing was good. Saw over 20 fish hit the surface.

 

[Bob Shannon]

I fished all day, no luck on any nymph combination. Caught one small cut and one small bow. I saw an adult skawala so I switched up around 3:30. Fished for an hour and nothing. It is fishing and not catching right? Better than being home and doing chores.

 

[Out of Here]

Just keep believing that Joe - we have great Photoshop skills over here.

 

[Mumbles]

Some lakes, beaches and rivers are far more than just a place that holds (or does not hold) fish. Glad you are happy in Bozeman, MT. I'm pleased to have now enjoyed two sections of the Yakima. I'll do more and it won't be only because of the fish, the fish are just a bonus on great days in a great location with great people that I'll always look forward to seeing for the day.

 

[Out of Here]

Lugan, you're doing it wrong.

 

[salt dog]

If the Yakima were in MT, it would be ignored by fishermen. In absolute terms it's just not that great of a river for size or numbers. But in WA, it's the best big river trout water we have.

I would have to agree. Fishing is often frustrating on the Yakima, but when you're there at the right time and catch a hatch, it can be as good as it gets most anywhere. The Yakima is a good training ground; if you can regularly catch fish on the Yakima, you will do well on most rivers in Idaho or Mt.

 

[Old Man]

Too bad you weren't able to fish the Wenatchee when it was open many years ago. Used to be a good trout river . Also along with Nason Creek. And all of the other rivers in the Wenatchee area that were closed for fishing to help with the Steelhead thing.

Yes, the good old days.

 

[Joe Pombrio]

I spent 15 of my 23 years in washington and know about that yakima. Caught my first fish there alon with my first dozen or do skunkings when i was 12 there too. Didnt mean to be rude, just kinda seems like a bitch sometimes..

 

[Stew McLeod]

can't believe so many people fish the river with no fish and call it a "great river"

That is because we do not have the benefit of living in MT

 

[Leopardbow]

I think there are many other rivers, in Eastern Washington and elsewhere that are by far more productive thant the Yakima. Luckily they don't get talked about much here. I grew up in Yakima, appreciate the beauty and opportunity it presents, but have to agree, the numbers and size don't make it blue water, maybe for Washington maybe.

 

[Rick Todd]

I've had 20 fish days on the Yak and certainly have been skunked more than once. I don't catch many 20+ inch fish in the Yak like I can on the Missouri, but then again-I've been skunked on the Missouri as well as the Kootenai, and Big Hole. On those same rivers I've had EPIC days! I did a two week trip to New Zealand and caught several 5+ lb trout and also had days I was skunked. It's called fishing and you play the hand your dealt! When you live in Washington and want to catch some trout in March, you go to the Yak (like I am this afternoon for a couple days.) I know I could go to Lenice and catch more and bigger fish in the next couple days, and I will do some lake fishing this spring, but to me the essence of fly fishing for trout involves flowing water and accurate casts to likely targets. Rick