My beloved Yakima River is on the precipice. Water temps are not cooling below 65 degrees in some sections of the river. Water temps are topping out at 72 and above in the lower end. We have another set of hot days in the forecast with air temps reaching 102. The river flow is scheduled to drop by over 500 cfs in the next 7-10 days. If you are not already participating in voluntary #hootowl fishing I encourage everyone to start.
As a TU Guide and a Conservation minded angler I will stop fishing once water temps hit 65 degrees. I will continue to guide the Upper Yakima River while conditions still allow. We are getting reports of dead fish throughout the whole system. Another TU Guide and myself will be floating the river to confirm dead fish and collect data this week in multiple areas of the river. We want to have facts and data, not sales pitches and false reports.
Please use a stream thermometer when fishing and follow good warm water fishing techniques. Stop fishing at 65-68 degree water temps. If we want to be able to continue fishing the Yakima River for years to come we need to take care of her and the trout now. If we don’t…It will be too little too late and these wild trout may not be here in the end. http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?UMTW1
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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One thought on “Yakima River Update”
On behalf of Trout Unlimited Climate Change Workgroup, we thank you for your leadership and outreach on your recent blog post on the Yakima River’s temperature stress.
We share your concerns and are working to create awareness by all 155,000 TU members. Climate Change Awareness is one of TU’s 8 Critical Focus areas.
Jeff Witten National Leadership Council Climate Change Awareness Workgroup Chair
Tamarack's Guide Service 
On behalf of Trout Unlimited Climate Change Workgroup, we thank you for your leadership and outreach on your recent blog post on the Yakima River’s temperature stress.
We share your concerns and are working to create awareness by all 155,000 TU members. Climate Change Awareness is one of TU’s 8 Critical Focus areas.
Jeff Witten National Leadership Council Climate Change Awareness Workgroup Chair