Some tips and techniques Yakima River Some tips and techniques

Yakima flows are Important The flows on the Yakima river dictate how well you can wade fish vs. drift fish from a boat. Above 2000cfs the canyon section of the river is more suitable for drift fishing from a boat vs. wade fishing as much of the wading access is limited by high water. Therefore, consider using a boat (your own or rent one from one of the local fly shops) to gain much more access to the river and improve your chances. The chart above gives the average flows for the year. As you can see, from late February to mid-September the river is best fished from a boat. End of wading season Start of wading season

Drift or Wade Fishing? Both have their advantages More Yakima anglers drift fish Fair weather months are more easily drift fished Different angling experiences

Sections of the River and Wade Fishing Wade fishing delivers a different experience and challenge and, in the Yakima, dam releases dictate the extent and quality of the opportunity.   Upper Yak (Keechelus to Cle Elum) Some beautiful low-flow season wading water at Bullfrog area (Salmon la Sac exit 80, turn south from exit, cross RR tracks and follow to terminus) Upper Canyon (Cle Elum to KOA) Lots of good road access from Highway 10 Farmlands (KOA to a little past Ringer) Many channel, braided nature of this area offers some wade angling opportunities year round. Some hiking to it though during higher flow periods. This section is hazardous to go through in a boat. Most drift anglers take out at the KOA. Canyon (Ringer and below) A few but pretty limited wading opportunities during summer flows. Lots of drifter fishers always working the canyon.

WADING SAFELY Wading is a Fun Challenge, but . . . . : It is fun and satisfying to successful wade across a river but we must consistently take stock of our situation and surroundings when stepping even a little ways into the river. Some tips on wading safely: Are you fishing alone or out of site of a fishing buddy: Recognize and allow for the added risk. Look downriver: What would happen if you lost your feet? Your Clothing and Gear will Impair your Ability to Swim: Count on it. Your clothing will give the river’s current power over you. A Staff can Help: Try it. Sometimes a stick from shore is enough to get the job done. Lay your Rod downstream on the surface: Sometimes it is enough of a stabilizer in a tight spot. Stand like you are the Eiffel Tower: It can increase down pressure a little. If your waders fill with water: Climbing out can be a real challenge. Guess how I know this.

Accessing the River Wade fishing limited to public access areas Drift boat fishing Rent a boat for ~$175/day; split 3 ways it’s > $60 pp. vs. buying a boat @ ~$7000 (plus storage fees, plus shuttle) = <116 floats Access to miles of river Comfortable fishing platform The calculation above shows that if you rent a boat from, say, Red’s Fly Shop in the canyon, and share it with a couple of fishing buddies you can do a lot of drift fishing before you ever come close to the cost of buying a boat.

Work the outside banks… When approaching the river for drift fishing concentrate your casting to the banks on the outside curves of the river. This will mean crossing the river back and forth as it meanders.

Follow the buffet line… It stands to reason that the outside of the bends is where food is transported via the surface water. Also, this is where the deepest water channel is usually located.

Fishy spots for the wading angler

Where to put your dry fly…. GRASSY BANK As you fish the bank water rely on clues to help you find fish. Look for bubble lines – these areas are where surface food is likley to be as well and fish watch these areas. Also, put your fly in current seams that come off of bank side structure or rocks that may be just under the surface of the water. When fishing grassy banks, get your fly as close to the bank as possible – especially in high water.

Shoreline Transition Zone Barring any other clues about where to put your fly, consider putting it right at the point where you see the bank structure underwater disappear from view. This is usually the same place where fish will lie as they are hidden from predators yet are efficiently within the slower water of the current.

Casting FASTER CURRENT FLOW SLOWER CURRENT When casting from a boat always cast toward the current quartering toward shore. This way you will experience longer drifts and if both anglers follow this rule they will stay out of each other’s way and avoid tangles. The oarsman show position the boat to maximize casting efficiency for the anglers without spooking fish by getting tool close to shore. Generally 30 to 40 feet is a good distance. FLOW

Most Common Flies - Dry Mayflies Caddis Big Floaters BWO PMD March Brown Caddis Some common dry flies to use on the Yakima. With regard to the caddis, I like to use both x-caddis and egg-laying patterns vs. the standard elk hair caddis. These flies are more likely to solicit a strike and are more vulnerable stages of the fly. The “Big Floaters” are useful in dropper style fishing. A short tippet of 8 to 12 inches is tied to the hook bend of the floater and a small nymph or small emerger or even dry such as an ant pattern can double your chances of getting a strike. X-Caddis Slick water Caddis Royal Trude  Plus 8 to 12” for dropper Big Floaters Chernobyl Ant Hopper Skwala

Most Common Flies - Nymph Mayflies* Pheasant Tail Hare’s Ear Copper John Lightnin’ Bug Caddis* Caddis pupa Caddis pupa Soft hackle Streamers Common nymphs of the yakima. Don’t forget to try streamers when water is not clear or running to high for small bugs. Sculpin Zonker Wooley Bugger Others* San Juan Worm *Dropper flies

Flies a la Kris the wading angler Beadhead, mylar backed, pheasant tail nymph (I prefer a copper, 3/32 bead) (size 18 but 16 good too) I love, love, love this fly and that’s why it’s listed first   X Caddis Super, easy-to-tie. Wing is enough to float the fly which sits right in the film. The Z-lon tail delivers a shuck/emerger quality to have the fly be effective for a longer period around the hatch. Hairwing Dun (size 14 – 18, color to match) More challenging to tie but a very effective pattern. Most of the time, Western anglers need dry flies that really float well but the bushy patterns are a trade-off, compromising silhouette and contact with the film. Soft Hackle (size 14, 16, color to match) I like soft hackles a lot because they are a versatile fly. Suggestive as opposed to an exact insect imitation, they help me catch fish when I am not sure what is happening.

Equipment Rod: 3 to 6 wt. Leader (usually 71/2 foot is plenty) Heavier for nymphing and dropper fishing Faster action for quick casts and wind penetration Leader (usually 71/2 foot is plenty) 2-3x for large flies and nymphs 4-5x for dries and droppers 6x for occasional small flies and low wind conditions Fluorocarbon for nymphing, regular mono for dries I like a heavier rod for nymphing and streamers, lighter for dry flies. Keep leaders in the shorter range as casts will be quick and wind will sometimes pick up in the canyon section of river.

Things to consider… Fish see a lot of the same flies Use alternate patterns for current hatches Break the rules once in a while Fish away from the bank; nymph down the center especially in low water; use attractors vs. accurate imitiations Fish drop offs Look for gravel bars under water and fish the edges

Things to consider… Try streamers when visibility is low, or just because… Cast close to shore and strip toward boat Vary depth by using interchangeable sink-tip systems – higher water: use heavier tip

Things to consider… Rower should view/scan downriver Watch for rise activity Anchor boat at hot spots Work the water in “relaxed intensity” Quick casts; pick up when dragging, cast angling toward front of boat; anchor up and hunt fish, or just observe over a glass of wine; get out and nymph drop offs Bring plenty of flies Prepare to lose them in brush or rocks

A few more … Envision the Fish at your Nymph: Feel the Bottom: Water that looks fishy but is a challenging to hit or a short drift is very much worth casting to Get into Good Position  Sometimes the Best Cast isn’t a Cast at All  If it Ain’t Working, Change it Little, Hard-to-See Flies Drag-free Drifts The Wiggle Cast FOAM!!!

Additional Resources www.washingtonflyfishing.com/faq/idx/0/034/article/Yakima_River_Fly_Fishing__A_River_of_All_Seasons_by_Jack_Mitchell.html www.worleybuggerflyco.com www.theeveninghatch.com www.redsflyshop.com Recreational User’s Map of the Yakima River by Kittitas County Field & Stream Club ‘

Questions?