[midwestnative]

Fished the Yak on Saturday. I thought the flows were going to higher than they were, but it was in good shape. I fished a Sculpzilla all day and landed a couple nice ones. Pictures attached. It was warm enough that there were some tiny midges coming off, and I even saw a what looked like a 16" cutt sip one of the surface. Good day to be out!

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[Big Tuna]

Nice pics. I really like the pic of the otter.

 

[Bill Dodd]

Thanks for the inspiration. Looks like you great day on the river.

BD.

 

[Yakfish]

Those are some beautiful fish!

 

[jeff bandy]

Nice pics. I really like the pic of the otter.

Yea, except you know what otters eat.

 

[Richard Olmstead]

Yea, except you know what otters eat.

It's a sign of a healthy river ecosystem when you see otters and osprey! It means there are plenty of fish for all.

 

[bustedout]

Oh so jealous. Nice pictures.

 

[midwestnative]

Yea, except you know what otters eat.

Seeing those little guys out there did get me thinking about that. I wonder how many fish they eat each day? Can they catch big fish?

 

[Greg Price]

Great pics.

Maybe I "otter" go over there to fish in the winter.

Seriously, I love the pic of the otter checking you out.

 

[Out of Here]

Another awesome day on the Yakima in the winter.

 

[Richard Olmstead]

I saw an otter on the Snake river in Wyoming once with what looked like about a 16" cutthroat. I've seen osprey with even larger fish.

 

[Richard Torres]

Thanks for sharing your pics with us on your successful day.
Nice colors on the fish.

 

[Mumbles]

Sweet report. Hit it the day before with EmergingRivers. We had some success and a fantastic outing. I agree that the river was in much better shape than I anticipated. Warming, clear and there was a lot of hatch activity.

 

[longstick]

Otter will eat fish the size of the otter. Yak fish are not safe.

 

[docstash]

River otters eat 15 to 20% of their body weight daily. River otters' diets consist largely of crayfishes, crabs, and other aquatic invertebrates; fishes; and frogs. Despite concern that otters compete with game fishers, the fishes that otters consume are mainly non-game species. Otters may also occasionally prey on birds, rabbits, and rodents. Right out of google.
Craig

 

[Out of Here]

Clearly a sign of the health of the river! It's a good thing that diverse species can thrive. I watched a pair swimming in and out of a seam yesterday, playing.

 

[Alex MacDonald]

And only one "otter" pun! You guys are slipping, here! Great photos, Derek!

 

[freestoneangler]

Seeing those little guys out there did get me thinking about that. I wonder how many fish they eat each day? Can they catch big fish?

Great report, nice fish. As for the otters, their no worse than the Merganzers, Heron and King Fishers...all part of the system and lots more fun to watch.

 

[midwestnative]

When you think of all the things in the river ecosystem that want to eat trout (otters, birds, people, other fish) it makes you remember how lucky we are when we catch and release a big beautiful trout. :thumb:

 

[Wormonhook]

Nice report and photos especially the otters. There are always photos of great fish on this forum but I enjoy seeing "what else" was on the trip. I don't seem to get tired of watching osprey, eagles, or seals taking fish. I try to remember they aren't the reason for the huge decline in fisheries resources in the world, including the Pacific Northwest. Some highly evolved mammal did all of that damage.