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April 20, 2000
This is the Creekside Angling Company fishing report. It may contain
material that is unsuitable for anyone. If you are infirm or susceptible
to sudden, unexplained bouts with uncontrollable anger or frustration,
this is the report for you. Just don't take it out on us.
Welcome to Spring. Runoff, nice days, rainy days...all have a tendency
to create bumps in our ideal, pristine fishing plans. We aim to
provide you with a backup plan. If you hit your favorite haunt and
it's blown-out, dead, crowded or just smells funny, you may be able
to parlee this report into the save that earns you a free dinner
from your co-horts. Or Not.
Yakima River- The flows have fluctuated
quite a bit...the river went from about 3800cfs @ Umtanum last Thursday
to almost 5100 cfs on Saturday, then down to 3500cfs (about average)
and is now flowing right around 3750cfs, which is just above the
70 year average for 4/20. What that means is that we have the green
light, the all clear, the thumbs up. You are cleared for takeoff.
Bear in mind that the upper river will generally be clearer than
the lower, i.e. the more tributaries that are contributing silty
runoffish water, the lower the level of visibility. Equally important
to bear in mind is the fact that the fish have to eat, whether they
can see 10 feet or not. So despite higher water levels and potential
poor clarity, Mr. Trout needs to eat like the Easter Bunny needs
to reproduce. So pack up your little basket of goodies and go fishing.
On the menu, we have stoneflies, both the big salmonflies who's
emergence and availability typically peaks in June, and the Skwalas,
which are still around to a degree, or at least the fish think so,
so stone nymphs of greatly varying sizes (4-10) as well as the Stimulator
in sizes 6-12 will be tasty. March Browns, while not swarming like
in years past, are present, generally you can catch the morning
hatch around 10am into the early afternoon. Bring some brown mayflies
to imitate them (#12-16), and don't overlook the emerger as a potential
appetizer. If you see fish rising, but the rise form is more like
a dorsal-tail rise, rather than a heads up slurp or slap, in all
likelihood, it's emergers. The timberline emerger is a good imitation,
but you can also grease your leader with floatant to within a few
inches of a hare's ear or similar attractor nymph, dangling it just
beneath the surface to entice the little rascals. The multi course
meal could also include BWO's, and the occasional caddisfly, which
will build to a real dessert item towards Mother's day. So....recap:
Runoff is a factor. Expect the river to be more consistently in
shape around the second week of June, but in the mean time keep
an eye on the level and/or give us a call for a heads up. In general,
(again) the upper stretches will tend to be more wadeable and offer
better visibility than below, say, Cle Elum, but the kitchen remains
open at all times. Capiche?
Rocky Ford gets second billing, if for no other reason than it just
plain won't quit putting smiles on avid angler's little faces. I
think they just dumped a ton of fish in there this year because
it seems like every person who walks through our door that has been
over there has been fully satisfied with their experience. If you're
in need of a yank, go to rocky ford. Keep Angling Upstream For Many
Able-bodied Nympheaters, no? (see subject line for clarification)
Local Lakes have been fishing well. Alice,
Sammamish, Lone, Pass...to name the few I usually name and hear
about, are all putting out fish, mostly to those offering chironamids
and/or buggers and the like. sinking line, float tube, patience
and a few flies will get you where you want to be right about now.
If the weather continues it's mild streak, look for increased insect
and fish activity....then comes the general lake opener a week from
Saturday, after which time I'll have alot more news to relate.
Here is a quick summary of the Merritt to Kamloops lake situation.
Some low elevation lakes now ice free and fishing beginning with
chironomids. Higher lakes still frozen but many will become ice
free in the next 2 weeks. Some of the best lakes ie. those managed
for quality angling do not open until May 1. Overall, an average
ice off and average snowpack. Anglers planning a visit to this area
should do fine during that middle 2 week period of May. Lakes that
are starting to fish include Stump, Barnes and White. Small
chironomids coming off, ie size 20's. Big ones won't start happening
for at least another 2 weeks as the spring weather has been on the
cool side and everything is related to water temp.
Steelhead didn't come charging into the rivers after the recent
high waters, as we'd hoped, but a few fish certainly trickled in,
and those out hitting the water with consistency have been ripping
a lip here and there. We were duped into believing stories of fish
landed on the Sauk, Skagit, stilly and Sky on several occasions
this week. Having your fly in the right place at the right time
(duhhh!) makes all the difference. Thems that has, gets. The fish
gods smile on those who actually go fishing rather than those who
waste their time complaining about poor returns and the like. Try
the Nike motto. It works.
Puget Sound, although somewhat curtailed
by closures, is still a very viable alternative to the fresh water
scene. Cutthroat are beginning to stage at the beaches; their numbers
will only increase over the next few months. Despite some south
sound closures for Coho, I'd go out on a limb and say that you can
pretty much always fish for cutts, and if you fish without checking
the fish and game website and an officer wants to write you up,
just tell 'em that the folks at the fly shop said it was ok and
they'll definitely let you off. (*)
So, instead of spending a calm, partly cloudy Saturday or Sunday
at home watching playoff games or trying to convince your in-laws
that you're just too old to hunt for Easter eggs, go fishing....or
better yet, shopping...on Saturday, that is, as we will be closed
on Sunday in order to make up for lost time with family and to non-denominationally
celebrate the onset of Spring.
*For those not familiar with the obnoxious, sarcastic tone of this
report, that was not a serious comment. It was intended in jest,
and not as a guideline for any pursuit in life.
Special thanks to famed author, instructor and angler extraordinare
Brian Chan for his BC Lake contribution. Hopefully he'll continue
to clue us in on the northerly situation for little or no compensation
and/or recognition.
Hugh Pastoriza
Creekside Angling Company
1180 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
Issaquah, WA 98027
www.creeksideangling.com
email- crkside@nwlink.com
ph. 425.392.3800
fax. 425.557.8928
Copyright ©2000 Creekside Angling Company All
Rights Reserved
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