January is typically a month that…well kinda sucks, for fly fishing. At least concerning the trout fisherman like myself. I have chased steelhead in the winter months of the northwestern rivers, but I don’t much care for it in all honesty. I’m a trout angler.
I had to make a run for work and got a chance to drive along the river. A green milky hue runs through the river, swollen from warm winter days and rain. The angler in me was intrigued at how inviting some of it looked. A 6WT with a sink tip and the slow strip with a green streamer was running through my mind. A possibility if the river drops just a tad more and keeps its temp up.
The overnight lows are in the low 30’s and dropping into the high 20’s later next week. If the gods allow it there may be a short window of opportunity to fish the river before the cold nights set back in. I wonder what other anglers are contemplating the same thing? A lot? Should I think about a less known spot if the window opens? Should I prep my boat for a short float? Is there a hole I know that could produce at least one fish to satiate my complete desire to catch a trout? There is and its soaking up my thoughts as I watch the river intently.
An opportunity to fish in January is something to cherish really. Most of the time the river is a slushy trout flavored death trap. Ice chunks, bitter cold, snowstorms, and sleepy fish are all that usually greet the angler on the gray and white days of winter. This is my 10th January on this river. Could be one that goes by like any other. Or maybe it might get a day or two of surprisingly decent fishing.
The truth about fishing in January, in most cases, is cabin fevered anglers, anxiously waiting for the next 40 to 60 days to pass. Tying fervently or torturing themselves by watching fly fishing videos from New Zealand and Argentina.
Tamarack
Published by tamaracksguideservice
I have been fishing the Yakima River and its surrounding tributaries, creeks, and lakes for 10 years. I have been tying flies specific to this river for 10 years as well. I have guided not only the river but also many of the hiking and mountaineering trails in the area and fished some of the more remote lakes and streams. I love to fish the Yakima River and have been running my driftboat here for 5 years. I guide a little differently than the other services here and have a slightly different philosophy on guided fishing trips.
Its all about the experience, and while I can't promise there will always be cooperative trout, there will always be good times. I learned from some of the greatest anglers the Yakima has both on the water and at the vise and I guide to share and pass on that knowledge and expertise so others can enjoy this river as much as I do. I love to teach people to fish, I love to teach people how to read the river, and I love showing people the beauty and art of fly fishing. My service is a bit cheaper but that is because I have no shop taking a percentage.
I use a lot of my own fly designs and patterns that no other guide has and have spent the past 10 years fine tuning my tying and patterns specific to this river. I have flies, leaders, tippets, and fly rods and reels, and always welcome anglers to bring their own gear. If you need waders and boots I can arrange for a rental. I support my local fly shop for my trips as well as it is important to me that our local shops stay open.
When you take a trip with me it all about fishing and the experiences that happen along the river. I love getting my clients to have great moments with our trout here. Ask me all the questions you can, I want to teach as much as you want to learn. Whether you are an experienced angler or brand new to the sport I love sharing this river with people. I guide the Yakima River and many other secret waters in the area. When you give me a call I will ask you lots of questions as I want to make sure you have the best experience possible while chasing the trout we have here. Whether its a guided river float or a hike and fish, or a walk and wade to the secret places, I can help make your fly fishing experience memorable and fun.
Give me a call today and lets set up a time to go fishing.
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Tamarack's Guide Service 