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September 28, 2002
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Is that a teacher's union card in your pocket, or do you just need to go fishing? Don't miss this very special season premier edition of the heartwrenching love story of Angling with flies (aka. "The Pushing of String"). The Yakima. The kind and bountiful Yakima is keeping up it's work ethic in accordance with most, if not all, angling expectations. The water is flowing around the pleasant 1500 cfs. mark at Umtanum in the canyon, making access and wading and what not pretty much a no-brainer. The various hatches are generally heavier in the lower canyon, but there is good dry fly fishing throughout the river. Summary: toss that day 1 lesson plan- pray for a snow-day on the first day of school because the fishing is just that good. The upper reaches of the river, above Thorp or so, are extremely low and the water is very warm. This coupled with the masses of spawning salmon make it crowded and uncomfortable for the trout- although some may be braving the heat to feast on eggs. Insect life currently affecting your angling world on the Yakima comprises many options both for you and for the fish. The latter are currently stuffing themselves on little baetis flies, summer stoneflies skittering, hoppers and ants and beetles are still available, caddis, the beginings of the October Caddis are in evidence, yellow mayflies (cahills?), mahogany duns, and still look for giant, gangly wayward craneflies. Among the myriad of fly possibilities are the following humble suggestions: BWO #18-22, tan rubber-legged stimulators, all kinds of nutty hopper/ant/beetle patterns- chernobyl, club sandwich, madam-x (will pass for the stones too...), Swisher's PMX,- all in sizes 8-12, elk hair caddis tan or olive #24-16, October Caddis pupal imitations #8-10, October caddis adults- mostly when the sun is off the water in the afternoon- use giant orange stimulator or similar attractor with rubber legs- (Terranasty)in #4-6, yellow mayflies- PED (pale evening dun), light cahills, bothe #12-16, and craneflies. Most of the big, fun bugs will be more obvious when the air and water warm up a wee bit during the day. Since classes will continue through recess in order to make up for lost time, as well as on Saturdays, and Sundays... and since Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks will only be for one day (for both), you'll want to make the most of your angling time before things get really out of control. The Snoqualmie and Skykomish have been just peachy for summer-run
fishing lately. The waters are low and quite clear. Fly-swinging
water is plentiful on both rivers, and access is likewise abundant.
The less 'traditional' fly water, too, holds fish- the flat, smooth
water just above runs and little tailouts is great holding water
for steelhead. Early early mornings or late evenings when the sun
is long gone will be times when the fish are least shy and most
likely to be angered to the breaking point by your fly. While persistence
will pay, avoid camping out in a particular run- make a cast and
swing your fly down, then take a step or two downstream and do it
again. This way you're covering the entire run and potentially giving
someone else a chance to fish through. There are lots of folks out
there who are after the same push of adrenaline that you are. There
is plenty of water for everyone. Find a spot- give others plenty
of room, fish through the run. Just because a fish sees your fly
eighteen times doesn't make it more likely to eat. Your chances
are much better covering more of the likely holding water than parking
at the top of the slot. Do unto others as you would have others
do unto you, they say. The good news is that we are certain that
there are no weapons of mass destruction at David Powell road. As indicated by the recent pushes of fish in the rivers, Puget Sound is coming right along. Early chum salmon are already leaping around up near Port Ludlow- the north end seems to be fishing better...cutthroat fishing in the central sound has been better than the silver fishing, and the east side of the sound has been fishing better than the west, according to A Spot Tail Salmon Guide, Capt. Keith Robbins, Guide extraordinare. While wading the beaches is a great way to target returning jumbos, being able to high-grade water from a boat is tough to beat. If you haven't already, take a look at Keith's website/operation at www.salmonguide.com. We're traditionally right in the middle of primetime now, but the best is (hopefully) yet to come. The Forks of the Snoqualmie (above the falls) have been fishing pretty well, although with the Yakima so happening, and the lower rivers producing such good anadramous fish fishing, it's a tough sell for some. Still superb for a quick evening jaunt, the south and middle forks get good hatches of assorted mayflies and caddisflies. The big-giant-oversize-load October caddis hatch will strengthen, so if the fish is big enough to eat the fly, it will. Attractor patterns in general work very well for the native cutthroat in the forks. Adams patterns, humpys, H&L Variants, from #12-18 will bring fish up top, and nymphing is always a productive way to wrangle up there. Stop by the shop and we'll circle the secret spot on your map, maybe... Eastern Washington lakes are back in full measure for the most part. Good reports from Lenice and Nunnally...chironomids, leeches, little perchy-looking buggers, damsels and dragonfly nymphs and adults. The weather has still been pretty warm duing the day, and cooler evenings, so earlier rather than later in the day will likely show more active fish. We fished some private water north of Spokane, which was very nice- west slope cutthroat that spawn in a little feeder creek. It's a long drive for just one day, but there's good camping facilities, and the two-day rate is pretty cheap- (call the shop and talk to Seth, Jay, Hugh or Peter for more details). Rocky Ford's giants are still there...the am trico hatch into the midday hopper/damsel/dragon medley should be happening. Late day reports have been less favorable, which is likely related to the water warming up during the sunshine. Try to get there early, and hope the wind stays tolerable. Come and See Us Soon, before your fishing time is pre-empted. Thanks for reading. Be the ball.
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