Yakima River

In a state known for steelhead and salmon, the Yakima River in Central Washington is the state’s premier wild trout stream.  Eighty five miles of water upstream of Roza Dam holds wild rainbow, and insect hatches that feed them heartily.

 

The river is now managed for wild trout.  This includes catch and release regulations along with barbless hooks.  The result has been some great fly fishing, followed by head-scratchingly slow days, but that only adds to the mystique of trying to solve this fishery.

 

The prime fishing water begins below Lake Easton although the uppermost part of this stretch is hazardous and holds smaller than average trout,

 

When the Cle Elm River joins the Yak, fishing really picks up. This area, known as ‘the flats’ is a favorite for boaters and bank anglers, with an abundance of great riffles with which to ply their passion,

 

Below this comes some daunting canyon water, with the addition of the Tenaway River.  There is a public trail but it is for serious hikers only, it does though provide access for the hearty to this lightly pressured water. Some nice whitewater also keeps some of the less-experienced boaters on the sidelines.

 

Below this stretch is some of the most premier water, boaters have this stretch to themselves, with take-outs conveniently located at the end of the best water.

 

The hatch chart reads like an insect all-star steam, and keeps the angler and fish heightened for most of the seasons.

 

Yakima River, Washington

Hatch Chart