So I hit the river a few times this week.  For some guide trips and some personal time.  The upper river was slow with water temps still hovering below 44 degrees.  Warm sunny days are better for bugs but the fish are still in winter mode a bit so nymphing has been the most productive method.  While bugs need warm air temps and some need sunshine, fish need warmer water temps to get active and we are still not seeing a lot of that in the upper river yet.  We have a big set of systems rolling in off the Pacific bringing us a bunch of moisture and possibly snow up high around 5000 feet.  This will be followed by warmer temps if the forecast is accurate, which means some higher water potentially later next week.

I fished the lower canyon on Friday and we had an epic day.  Large fish caught, lots of rising trout, blue wing hatch that was crazy and finicky fish that were keyed into the naturals and refused flies all day long.  We had several instances where fish would track flies and then hit them lightly.  Lots of large trout being selective which is always fun to watch.  We had several instances where fish were podded up around boulders sipping on BWO’s as they floated by.  Fun to watch and fun to try and trick them.  One of those days where flies are switched a lot, leaders and tippets extended, and presentations worked on, just a fun day of fishing and guiding.

The lower river is in spring mode for sure with hungry and eager fish.  With the way the flows are the fish are spread out all over with some deep in the runs and some on the boulders.  As the hatches get better and the temps both for air and water rise those fish will move into faster water and tuck into the boulders and seems even more making for some great fishing.

I did witness one of the largest trout ever, I was doing a double boater, we coasted by as they were playing this huge trout.  Ended up being around 26 28 inches and weighing in around 5 to 6 pounds.  Not steelhead just a big ass trout.  Took the dry fly.  Was amazing to see such a wild specimen.  Get on the river if you can and call me for available dates for guided trips.

Tamarack

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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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