My 14-year old son and I fished the Yakima Friday and Saturday. Friday: We floated from Umptaneum to Lmuma (sp?) (used to be called Squaw Creek). Cloudy and a bit windy. BWO hatch sparse, at least where we were. I hooked several large fish on streamers, but due to increasingly middle-aged-induced snail-like reactions most were released long before they came to the boat. River was not too crowded and we camped for the night at Riverview Campground by Red's.
We were treated to two other interesting experiences. 1) A U.S. Army helicopter came roaring up the canyon on what appeared to be a training exercise. It was about 15 feet off the water and just screaming along following the canyon contours. Twenty minutes later it came whirling back down the canyon. A big thrill for a 14-year old boy in particular. 2) The big horn sheep were out. And we witnessed an amazing scene in which three big rams were chasing one ewe across the canyon walls (directly across from Red's). They put on 30-minute display of fighting and mating on the run. The males would attempt to, and sometimes successfully, mount the female at running speed, on a narrow trail, along a 70-degree canyon wall. At other times the males would butt heads and lock horns and knock each other off the trail. An incredible ruckus. The cracking noise from the head-butting was startling in its intensity. Quite a show. The size, aggressiveness, agility, and strength of the males were quite impressive. Saturday: We waded a favorite run. Fished nymphs and droppers (the usual small PTs, princes). Some nice trout, a few whiteys. Gorgeous sunny day. My son was knocking 'em dead on a stimulator/prince dropper so he was real stoked, which made my day, and then some. Lotsa fishermen on the river. Gary Meyers Kirkland
