Clouds, Caddis, and PMD's on the Yakima!

We had 3 rainy days this past week, which triggered the PMD hatch to join in with the Caddis bloom that had kicked off the previous week.  The PMD's have been coming off from about 130 until 330 pm.  It took the big fish a couple days to key on them, but they seem to have acquired the taste now, and we've found some big noses during that window.  On days that remain calm, the Caddis flights have continued into the evening, and it's possible to get an extended dry fly window until 7 or 8 pm.  We had three days last week that were the type of days that if you fish every day of the hatch you hope to luck into 1 or 2 of those...  

The challenge for us on the Caddis right now are that the fish, especially the big fish, seem to be located in the middle part of the river due to the unseasonably low flow levels.  Spotting risers in the bigger stronger currents can be tough and getting anchored on them is equally as challenging.  It is time to put on the heavy chain anchor if you haven't yet.  My favorite Caddis pattern is the size 14 Bloom's Caddis in peacock.

The salmon smolt migration is also underway right now, so we've been throwing some "smolt like" streamers before and after the hatch window.  The white sculpzilla and skiddish smolt have been good choices.  The river did bump up and get dirty yesterday from the hard rain on Friday, but it's already back in shape.  With mostly cloudy skies through the first part of next week, this afternoon dry fly rise should continue.  You can work the morning, leave at 11, and be on the water in time for the PMD hatch!