Our flows have steady and are currently around ~3,600 CFS. These higher summer flows have been remarkably consistent and are keeping trout exactly where you'd expect—tight against the banks in soft water where they're easy to target with the right presentation. Fishing has been best early morning and late evenings if you are looking to fish dry flies. Anglers are putting in around 5am and/or fishing late to 9:30pm to find the best fishing.

Fishing can be good during the day but will be mostly a nymphing game. Mid afternoon fishing has been slow, and will continue to be slow, but fish can still be caught. Contact nymphing can be effective in pockets and turbulent water, even during this time. If you are fishing dry flies in the daylight focus on structure. The fish are tight to the banks, under submerged trees, and around boulders. The closer to the bank the better when casting. If you can't make it that far try landing your fly in front and right on the edge of boulders and over fallen trees. They will be in shade, under cover, and tucked close to anything that hides them from predators and the heat. 

Anglers are still getting fish on stoneflies, on top and underwater, and we are seeing  caddis coming off and laying eggs at night.  Even if you don't see stoneflies on the surface don't be afraid to tie on a big dry!  The trout are keyed on hoppers and stones right now and expect to see them coming past. Caddis are a great choice right now too, splashy rises at dusk often indicating feeding activity on emerging pupa! Mayfly spinners at last light can produce as well. 

Our water temperatures are starting to hit 70 and as such we will be moving to a hoot owl closure starting this Saturday 8/8/26. This is a voluntary closure and not required of recreational anglers, but will affect our guided trips. As heavy users of this resource we feel it is necessary to limit our impact as best we can. If you choose to fish in the afternoon keep an eye on water temperatures. Fight fish hard and get them in the net quick. Avoid taking 'hero shots' with the fish out of the water, they look just as good in the net as in your hands. Expect slow fishing and poor fighting fish as well if fishing in 70+ degree water but they can be caught. 

Hoot owl closures are closures on trout fishing after 2pm. At 70 degrees water contains too little oxygen for trout to properly rest after a stressful fight and release. After a few days of water temps in the 70's if a trout swims off in hot water, there is a good chance they are unable to rest and purge the lactic acid from their system--killing the fish. 

Our water outlook for the season is still a looking solid! Reservoir storage across the Yakima Basin is currently roughly 150,000 acre-feet higher than it was this time last year. While we're still just below the long-term historical average, it's excellent news for anglers. Expect healthy flows to stick around throughout the summer, keeping trout positioned along the banks and providing the kind of consistent conditions both fish and anglers love.

Where the Trout Will Be

The most productive water continues to be:

• Outside bends and cutbanks
• Soft seams along fast banks
• Current breaks behind structure
• Shallow water tight against grassy shorelines
• Eddies and softer pockets along the bank

Tactics That Matter Right Now

• Fish large stonefly and caddis dries early and late in the day.

• During midday, switch to a dry-dropper setup or a short-leash nymph rig.

• Cloud cover can extend dry fly opportunities well into the afternoon.

• Focus on accurate casts tight to the bank, especially when fishing stoneflies and hoppers.

Wading vs. Floating

At approximately 3,600 CFS, the Yakima is still on the high side for wading. While there are certainly places to get out and fish, wading should be approached cautiously. As a general rule, stay in water below knee height and avoid crossing fast current. Floating remains the most effective way to cover water and access productive holding lies.

We have GREAT water storage in the reservoir network right now, at this time we have +/- 150,000 acre/feet more than last year at this time. While it's slightly below the historic average, it should make for high flows all summer long. Just the way the trout and the anglers like it!