Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Yakima River Washington
The Yakima River is formed in the Snoqualmie
Wilderness in central Washington. It flows from the east
side of the Cascades down to the Kittitas Valley and then
into a desert like canyon. It's a tributary of the Columbia
River. Its headwaters flow into three reservoirs -
Kachess, Keechelus and Cle Elum. Each of these three
reservoirs have tailwaters that flow together to form the
main river. Although each of these three tailwaters have
trout fishing opportunities, fly fishing the Yakima River is
best in its prime section that begins where the three
tailwaters merge together near the town of Cle Elum.
Miles downstream, the river flows through Rosa Dam
between Ellensberg and Yakima. Although fishing is
decent below the Rosa Dam, the prime area is between
Keechelus Dam and Rosa Dam.
The river is 75 miles long between these dams and
includes some prime, blue-ribbon rainbow trout fishing.
The Yakima River is a tailwater that comes from both top
and bottom releases. It's flows are just about right the
opposite of most western tailwaters. Its water is low
during the Spring and Fall and high during th Summer,
being controlled that way for irrigation purposes. Its
water temperature is more of what normally exist in a
freestone stream than the typical tailwater. The river is
very diverse depending on which section of the river you
are fishing.
The upper river down to the Cle Elum confluence has
some braided channels and isn't suitable for floating in
larger vessels. Below there you'll find what's referred to
as the flat water section that is usually very suitable for
wading anglers. It has some braided channels but also
some nice, long riffles.
From East Cle Elum downstream for fourteen miles, the
river flows through its upper canyon section. This is a
beautiful section of the river with some road access but
most of the water must be accessed from the John
Wayne trail. This section is filled with large boulders and
contains more cutthroats than most of the other
sections. Wading is okay but only on low water. Three
tributaries, the Teanaway, Swuak and Tanuem, enter
this section of the river.
From the Diversion Dam downstream to Wilson Creek, or
what's usually called the farmland section, you will find
some more good water but more difficult access. Fly
fishing the Yakima River in this area can be tough due
on low water because it's difficult to float and access for
wading is very limited. The river is bordered with private
land in most areas. The water clarity is sometimes
affected by the inflow of Wilson and Cherry Creek from
the farmland. It is best floated on high water conditions.
The lower river from Wilson Creek to Roza Dam, called
the Yakima Canyon, is the most fished section of the
river. It flows through a desert like setting with big horn
sheep. It's mostly fished from drift boats.
Seasons:
The fishing season is open year-round in the Yakima
River
Spring:
Runoff can dingy the water but otherwise fishing is
usually great during the Spring because of the
numerous aquatic insect hatches.
Summer:
Fly fishing the Yakima River from a drift boat during the
Summertime is usually great because of the high water
conditions.
Fall:
Early fall is usually very good.
Winter:
Fishing in the Winter is tough but can be productive on
some warm day. Midge fishing is popular on the stream.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
The Yakima River is formed in the Snoqualmie
Wilderness in central Washington. It flows from the east
side of the Cascades down to the Kittitas Valley and then
into a desert like canyon. It's a tributary of the Columbia
River. Its headwaters flow into three reservoirs -
Kachess, Keechelus and Cle Elum. Each of these three
reservoirs have tailwaters that flow together to form the
main river. Although each of these three tailwaters have
trout fishing opportunities, fly fishing the Yakima River is
best in its prime section that begins where the three
tailwaters merge together near the town of Cle Elum.
Miles downstream, the river flows through Rosa Dam
between Ellensberg and Yakima. Although fishing is
decent below the Rosa Dam, the prime area is between
Keechelus Dam and Rosa Dam.
The river is 75 miles long between these dams and
includes some prime, blue-ribbon rainbow trout fishing.
The Yakima River is a tailwater that comes from both top
and bottom releases. It's flows are just about right the
opposite of most western tailwaters. Its water is low
during the Spring and Fall and high during th Summer,
being controlled that way for irrigation purposes. Its
water temperature is more of what normally exist in a
freestone stream than the typical tailwater. The river is
very diverse depending on which section of the river you
are fishing.
The upper river down to the Cle Elum confluence has
some braided channels and isn't suitable for floating in
larger vessels. Below there you'll find what's referred to
as the flat water section that is usually very suitable for
wading anglers. It has some braided channels but also
some nice, long riffles.
From East Cle Elum downstream for fourteen miles, the
river flows through its upper canyon section. This is a
beautiful section of the river with some road access but
most of the water must be accessed from the John
Wayne trail. This section is filled with large boulders and
contains more cutthroats than most of the other
sections. Wading is okay but only on low water. Three
tributaries, the Teanaway, Swuak and Tanuem, enter
this section of the river.
From the Diversion Dam downstream to Wilson Creek, or
what's usually called the farmland section, you will find
some more good water but more difficult access. Fly
fishing the Yakima River in this area can be tough due
on low water because it's difficult to float and access for
wading is very limited. The river is bordered with private
land in most areas. The water clarity is sometimes
affected by the inflow of Wilson and Cherry Creek from
the farmland. It is best floated on high water conditions.
The lower river from Wilson Creek to Roza Dam, called
the Yakima Canyon, is the most fished section of the
river. It flows through a desert like setting with big horn
sheep. It's mostly fished from drift boats.
Seasons:
The fishing season is open year-round in the Yakima
River
Spring:
Runoff can dingy the water but otherwise fishing is
usually great during the Spring because of the
numerous aquatic insect hatches.
Summer:
Fly fishing the Yakima River from a drift boat during the
Summertime is usually great because of the high water
conditions.
Fall:
Early fall is usually very good.
Winter:
Fishing in the Winter is tough but can be productive on
some warm day. Midge fishing is popular on the stream.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Tailwaters Species Rainbow Trout (Wild) Cutthroat (Native) Brook Trout (Wild) Bull Trout (Native) Size Medium to large - 75 plus miles of trout water Location Central Washington Nearest Towns Yakima Ellensberg Season Year-round Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Washington Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
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Yakima River Washington
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |