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You weren't in the wrong place or missing
fish. That river is (or should I say the fish in that river are) VERY
sensitive to flow changes. If the river is coming up (as was probably the
case this weekend with the warm weather) or going down, the fish just simply go
off their bite. That river needs a good week plus of consistent flows
before the fishing picks up.
I also think that since it's about the only river
to fish on the east side (for west siders, that is), it's getting more and more
hammered and the fish are getting more sensitized to flies and
driftboats.
I'm starting to form the opinion that the
reintroduction of Kings on that river is also adversely impacting the trout
population, but I'm sure I'll get an earful (and eyeful) on the board about THAT
opinion.
As for flows, check out this link for the future -
it's from The Worley Bugger Flyshop in Ellensburg:
Another one I like a lot is more encompassing for
the Washington area and it's from the US Army Corps of Engineers (AKA - the US
Department of Salmonid Slaughterers):
Good luck!
Sean
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 7:48 AM
Subject: Yakima
I just spent a very frustrating weekend on the Yakima.
Despite all the good things I have heard about it, I had never gotten around
to fishing it. I dusted off my drift boat and decided to check it out. I went
by the Worley bugger for advice and to get some good fly patterns. They were
very helpful, but the fish were not very cooperative. The wind was bad Friday
night and worse Saturday. It was quite a bit better Sunday, but the fishing
wasn't. I fished Friday night by the KOA and caught 2 squawfish that had to be
5lbs each. I also got a 10 inch rainbow I saw rising. Very few rises, and only
an occasional caddis sailing in the wind. Sat morning I drifted from above to
the KOA, I started at 9AM and almost immediately caught a 12 inch cutt I saw
rise, it took a big dry salmonfly. The wind howled making casting a nightmare,
I needed my 9 weight permit rod, not my little 5 weight. I saw some beautiful
water, but no rises and few bugs. There were occasional mayflies and
stoneflies all morning but nothing was rising to them. I nymphed the seams
deep, thinking they were feeding below and nothing. It was absolutely dead
until 1:30 when stoneflies and caddis began hatching. Unfortunately, they
floated down the river undisturbed. I finally found a shallow run with several
feeding fish and pounded it for about an hour from shore. I got nothing on
nymphs, but hooked several on dries. They ranged from 6-10 inches. Sunday was
a repeat of Saturday, with calmer winds. Got a 10 inch rainbow I saw rise at
9AM and nothing for a couple hours. Then got into a cut bank with risers,
tiny, nothing over 7 inches, this was my highlight of the day. I quit at 1:30,
there never was a decent
hatch.
I realize I can't expect great fishing my first try, but I was very frustrated
at the lack of feeding fish. This was opening of streams weekend and there was
zero competition. Maybe the people who know the river knew it was a waste of
time. Did I fish the wrong area? Was I missing fish? Any tips would be
appreciated.
Terry Whitworth
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