Yakima River Conditions and Report
River Flow: 1470 cfs at Umtanum
Water Temp: Temps - 34 - 40F
Trending: Steady flows
Hatches Upcoming and Current:
Yakima River Fishing Report
Subsurface fishing continues to be the most productive approach. We’re nymphing the majority of the time, leaning heavily on small olive stonefly nymphs to imitate Skwalas as they migrate toward the banks. San Juan Worms, Skwala nymphs, and small jig-style nymphs round out the lineup, with olive Perdigons remaining the undisputed workhorse. Ambitious anglers are still finding grabs on streamers with sink tips and sculpin patterns, but it’s a commitment bite. Trout Spey remains an option, though spring rarely swings as aggressively as the fall window.
We’re already seeing a few adult Skwalas, which is very early. Warmer days that follow nights without a hard freeze could spark some legitimate surface activity, so keep your eyes on the forecast. Warmth is coming in the next week! Historically, meaningful dry-fly fishing doesn’t arrive until mid-March, but this season feels ahead of schedule. If you're coming out, try a few Skwala dries in softer water late in the afternoon, moving even one or two fish on top right now is a win.
Conditions overall are excellent for both wading and floating. Flows are stable, clarity is good, and fish are feeding consistently during the warmest part of the day. Now is the time to book a Skwala Special if you haven’t already. Early to mid-March just might be the sweet spot this year.
Consider a Fly Fishing Class This Year
Winter is the perfect time to slow down, learn, and sharpen your skills. Whether you’re dialing in a new tactic or focusing on a specific hatch, the off-season is when real progress happens. For anglers serious about taking the next step, our University of Fly Fishing offers a structured education program with multiple learning paths. It’s the only program designed to guide your fly fishing education consistently, from fundamentals to advanced techniques. Take a look at our current offerings and build a stronger foundation for the season ahead.
Full Course Calendar
Vehicle Shuttle Service
We move cars, not bodies. Just choose your float, leave us a key and we will valet your rig from the launch point to take-out.
River Flow Links
Yakima River Flow Prediction Chart
While the chart is only a "prediction", it is based on historical data, weather forecasts, current weather, current snow-pack etc. You can use this to get a rough idea of how the river is going to react to predicted rainfall, run-off, etc.
Yakima River Flow Prediction Chart at Umtanum
Yakima Water Temperatures
