Yakima

[Meedr]

      
I have fished the Yak 3 times over the last 2 weeks with some success.  I waded near Umtanum Bridge on Oct 4, floated a section starting at Teanaway River with Jim Galliger of Tight Lines Angling on the 15th, and waded the Cle Elum area today.

What strikes me is the lack of surface activity on each occasion.  Is this just poor luck on my part?  Two of the days (the 15th and today) were just before storm fronts.  Oct 4 was warm and sunny.  Only some wind today, but there was plenty on the 15th.  I fished all day on the 4th and 15th; until 3:30 today.

Another thought.  I never seem to run into the "pods" many on the list often refer to.  Usually one or 2 fish max from a given hole.  Also, no dinks, which were often a nuisance in the past.  I don't know if this is good or bad regarding river health.

I fish anything from an October Caddis to a size 18 bwo and everything in between, including some BHGRHE, BHPT, etc. mostly in sizes 12-16.  I change flies often.

Thoughts or ramblings about any of this would be most appreciated.

Oh yea, results:
Fishing mostly mayflies on a nice, warm, sunny early October day I caught a half dozen or so rainbow between 10 and 14 inches on dries.  One, caught along the road side bank went at least 16 inches.  That one, (and a few others) was caught on a parachute adams, size 16 or so, which had dropped below the surface.

>From the boat on the 15th I pulled a very nice 18" fish from a seam in the middle of the river on an October Caddis.  It took some time to land and was quite a beautiful fish.  Strong and healthy.  Also landed a few cuts and a few whitefish on BHPT nymphs.  The wind came on strong in the early afternoon and shut things down.

Today I caught nothing fishing from 11 - 3:30.  It was cold and cloudy with a light wind.  As I was leaving I saw a few rises, but nothing much to speak of.  Whatever they were coming up to was small.  I saw very little bug activity today (except those that I scattered while walking the bank) but did notice 3 or 4 October Caddis throughout the day.  Did not see anyone else on the river today either.

I hope to have one more chance to fish the canyon area Thursday afternoon.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.
EH