Yakima River Update and Hopper Report

August 5, 2016

The fishing has been tapering back from the madness we had about two weeks ago as the Summer Stonefly Hatch blew up. There were some mornings and evenings that were absolutely insane there for a while.  We all thought we were pretty darn amazing fisherman.  Back to reality I suppose.  This is about the time we transition every year however to the trout beginning to forage throughout greater parts of the day which expands the opportunity to begin fishing dry flies mid-day.  Especially as the days begin to shorten up a tad bit and especially on cloudy days. While early mornings and evenings are still prime, don't feel like you shouldn't fish dry flies mid-day like in late June and July.  During that period of time the evening Caddis hatches and nocturnal Stoneflies fuel that Twilight bite.  One of our most popular trips is the "Twilight Highlight" trip which we'll run through mid September.  Check it out.  

The hatches triggered by rising water temperatures are pretty much all done. You won't see too many Caddis in the evenings and although the Summer Stoneflies are still active, they are somewhat old news.  The fish have been hooked by the ol' Chubby Chernyobyl a few times by this point!  They are finally onto us.  Time to use the "hoppa" or the "hoppa droppa".


This is a shot of the Panty Dropper Hopper or the Solitude Foam Hopper. We often call it the Solitude Foam Hopper because whoever named that fly is a freakin' perv.  Anyway, its a great fly right now. 



We sell some GREAT hopper patterns at Red's. Shop Hoppers NOW! 


Tips and Ideas for August Dry Fly Fishing

1.  Hoppers mid-day and morning - Grasshoppers get more active mid-day and in the heat.  Fish your hoppers in direct sunlight with confidence.
2.  Hopper Droppers fished tight.  - Fish these both tight to the shore, but also tight to one another!  The closer you keep your nymph to your dry fly the closer you can get both flies to your desired target and fish under sticks and cutbanks with precision.
3.  5X Fluorocarbon Tippet - I like a little piece of 5X Fluorocarbon Tippet.  About 10-12" is about right.  If you use too much your big hopper with twist your leader up.  This is a great trick.
4.  Loop knot to your hopper.
5.  Smaller more natural bugs.  Think outside the Chubby Chernobyl. While this big critter might still get some fish, I tend to like elk hair oriented patterns and fishing a bit smaller. Its not a matter of getting the fish to see your fly, its a matter of getting them to take it. Often a smaller fly will be consumed with more consequence. This is especially true when the fish are swirling and short-striking it.

The water temperatures are getting quite warm in the afternoon and early evening hours.  We can't stress enough how critical it is to not over-play, handle at all, and do everything you can to minimize your impact on the fishery.  Its just a few weeks per year we have warm water and fortunately we have big swift currents and lots of escapement here on the Yakima River.  I saw a picture from the upper Clark Fork from a few days ago that would make most men shed tears.  Pretty rough place to be a trout right now. We have it good on the Yakima so help us take care of the stream.  

Tips for Responsible Angling in Warm Water Temps
  1. Fish early in the day
  2. Bring the fish fast - use heavy tippet.
  3. Fish one fly - this minimizes handling time, tangling in the net, and foul hooking
  4. Pinch your hooks as absolutely barbless as possible.  Pinch and twist.  If you aren't confide nt enough to poke it through the fabric in your brand new Simms shirt.... pinch again because that's a damn nice shirt.
  5. LDR'em. Seriously.
  6. Do not under any circumstance take trout out of the water right now except to release them, but only if you have to.





Close