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TRAVEL GUIDE SERVICE BLOG & REPORT UNIVERSITY HUNTING RIVERSIDE RED'S FLY BOT
Yakima River Fishing Report
May 7, 2024 Joe Rotter

Yakima River Fishing Report // May 7th, 2024

Yakima River Conditions and Report

River Flow: 1780 cfs at Umtanum (low)

Water Temp:  52-54

Trending: Settled

Water Clarity:  2' in the Lower Canyon, 3'+ in the Farmlands, and 4'+ above Ellensburg (water is off color in the Canyon but fishing very well)

Hatches Upcoming and Current:

  • Salmon Flies (still relevant upriver, but getting tougher)
  • PMD's
  • Caddis nymphs and dries
  • Stonefly Nymphs
  • Mouse Jig
  • Jiggy Fry
  • #10 - #6 Stonefly Nymphs (stoneflies live 2-4 years, so any color/size is typically good)
  • Sculpin and Various Streamers #6 - #8
  • Mayfly Nymphs (dark colors #16-#18)
  • Caddis Pupae #14 #16 (dark colors, fish 'em on the bottom)

 The Mother's Day Caddis Hatch is on schedule, we've seen glimpses of it but the cold front this weekend put it on hold... for the moment. By tomorrow afternoon we'll see an incredible emergence of Caddis. It's truly epic. Not a term we use lightly here but it's a site to behold. The fishing can be incredible at times with every single trout in the river up on the surface feeding on dries. At other times... infuriating as the trout won't budge. The Lower Canyon below Ellensburg gets about 4X the amount of Caddis that the upper system does so that's typically the place to be if you want to try for a day that is over the top good.

We guided the upper system below Cle Elum a couple of days last week and had good fishing on dry-dropper's fished mid-river in the bigger seams. The river is very low and the edges aren't filled in quite enough to suck the big fish toward the shore in most places. Salmon flies are still relevant above Ellensburg, but will soon be overwhelmed by Caddis up there as well. It's hard for the trout to ignore this Caddis hatch! Look for a major hatch this weekend and fish the evenings for the best shots at crazy dry fly fishing! 

Mid-day yesterday we had a pretty strong PMD hatch (yellow mayfly) and were able to target some nice big feeding fish right in the middle of the day. If you see fish sipping mid-day, often they are eating PMD's which are much slower to emerge than Caddis. We've linked some flies below for suggested patterns. 

 

Vehicle Shuttle Service

We move cars, not bodies. Just choose your float, leave us a key and we will valet your rig from the launch point to take-out. 

River Flow Links

Yakima River Flow Prediction Chart

While the chart is only a "prediction", it is based on historical data, weather forecasts, current weather, current snow-pack etc. You can use this to get a rough idea of how the river is going to react to predicted rainfall, run-off, etc.

Yakima River Flow Prediction Chart at Umtanum

Yakima Water Temperatures

 

Filed in: yakima river report
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Comments

Thomas Titus - May 17, 2022

Good morning,

I’d like to see if it would be possible to set up a personalized fishing trip. I recently purchased a new flyfishing raft setup and I’d like to take a rowing lesson in it. Ideally I’d like to setup a guided trip for me and my best friend using my raft (if possible). Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing back.

Tom

Joe Rotter - April 25, 2022

RE: Smolt Pushes – Great question! We feel your pain. There isn’t a very good line of communication from the operators on when they plan to push, but we do have a contact there that has given us a heads up a time or two. I’ll see if can get on a regular notification and share it here.

Joe Anderson - April 19, 2022

Is there any information regarding water releases for the “smolt pushes”. I would like to think that they could do these on a somewhat regular basis or give some sort of warning. As a weekend warrior with a 3+ hour drive (one way) it would be great to be able to predict when these increased flows will occur.

Aaron - April 18, 2022

All time March brown hatch in the canyon today!

Rafael Amilca Salado - February 18, 2022

Thanks Joe! I’ll be sure to stop by on in tomorrow unless Boston continues to get more delays & cancellations. : (

Joe Rotter - February 6, 2022

Bob, great question! Most all the takeouts are good for pontoon boats depending on how close you need to get to the river. For full sized drift boats or trailer access, just avoid Mahres and Big Pines downstream of Red’s. Other than that, you are all good!

Bob Conley - February 5, 2022

what put in/take out ramps are snow free enough for my one man pontoon? Suggestions appreciated for put in take out points for 3-4 hour float this week. thanks!

Joe Rotter - February 4, 2022

Hi Wes, I think you’ll be in great shape. The river is low and clear now. We do have a PILE of snow in the low valleys but the extended forecast suggests stable weather.

Joe Rotter - February 4, 2022

Hi Rafael, there is no better place to start than Red’s Fly Shop. Within a few minutes of the shop you can be wade fishing on public water right here in the scenic Canyon section. Just come on in and chat with the crew here, we’ll help you out!

Wesley Holt - February 2, 2022

Gonna be heading up to the yak around Valentine’s Day for some fly fishing. What’s the prediction you think on the conditions.

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