River Update: Salmon Fly McTwitchy
The Teanaway is on the drop for now. It should be below 1000 cfs by morning. The lower temps are slowing down the runoff.
It has started raining this evening. Which is much needed. Rain will help move this run off along and bring more nutrients and cold water to the system. We are currently running above summer flows right now and there is still a lot of snow pack up in the mountains.
Reservoirs are all but full and there is currently: 1400 cfs coming over the Cle Elum dam, 1100 cfs coming over Keechelus, 1000 cfs of the main stem of the Yakima and feeder creeks such as Big and Little, and you have a wicked fast flow!
The Yakima at Cle Elum is currently 3400 cfs and has been for the past 3 days. Water temps are hovering between 43-46. Consistency with flows and temps, even when the river is high, is always a good thing.
Trips are on a wait and see basis. Short windows of opportunity will arise here and there. Don’t worry, I’ll let ya know when they show up. We should be at a nice consistent flow within the next 10 to 14 days.
Currently we have March Browns starting. Green and Grey Drakes will be thrown in there. A few areas of the upper have really sweet drake hatches. Salmon fly nymphs have been cruising around the system for a few days being kicked up by the higher flows. Big Salmon Flies will start hatching soon along with Caddis.
Higher flows and consistent temps 45 and above mean trout gotta eat…a lot. And when big bugs show up…things get rowdy. With big flows forecasted for the majority of the season I expect some wicked awesome eats on mayflies and big dries as the season moves forward.
My May calendar is filling up already and I start offering overnight trips soon! Call and reserve dates!
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 