Yakima River Conditions and Report
River Flow: 2,130 cfs at Umtanum
Water Temp: Temps - 36 - 40F
Trending: Slow Drop
Hatches Upcoming and Current:
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Mini Crawfish
- Pat's... of course. All types of Stonefly Nymphs are a good idea.
- BWO (#18/20 nymphs and dries in the afternoons)
-
Mayfly Nymphs (emphasis on #18-20 BWO or attractant colors such as a Mouse Jig)
- Crane Flies (on the warm afternoons in the shade)
- Crawfish
Yakima River Fishing Report
As we roll toward the New Year, the good news is simple: we made it through the flooding in solid form, and the fishing is officially back on. What we’re seeing now is classic winter fishing on the Yakima River—trout settled into slower seamlines, conserving energy, and setting up where calories come easy.
Big flood events are almost always a healthy reset for a river. While we’re sorry to hear about some of the damage up in the upper county, down in the canyon the river received what looks like a thorough cultivation. It’s my personal theory that sudden high-water events like the one we saw earlier this month recruit a lot of fish out of tributaries that had already reached full carrying capacity. Anecdotally, it seems like every year we get meaningful high water, the fishery gets a noticeable boost afterward.
That future only stays bright if we do our part. Wild trout on shared, pressured public water are incredibly special. Just because you catch one doesn’t make it yours. Handle with care. Over-handling, excessive photos, and unnecessary exposure all add up. If we want this fishery to continue improving, minimizing our impact is non-negotiable. Single-fly rigs, keep ’em wet, quick releases—small decisions that make a big difference. This isn’t just about a fishery, it’s about stewardship.
On the tactics side, streamer fishing will likely remain sluggish until flows continue to drop. Cold-water trout prefer to receive their meals rather than chase them. That said, a tight-line nymph rig with a small sculpin jig can be absolutely deadly right now. For serious DIY anglers, if you haven’t picked up a dedicated tight-line rod yet, consider making that move this year. It’s a real advantage—one that guide boats simply can’t (or won’t) replicate. Just sayin’.
We’ve also been tying a ton of flies lately. Keep an eye on our YouTube channel as we continue to share easy-to-tie, highly productive patterns. The satisfaction of catching fish on flies you tied yourself is hard to put into words—it’s a deeper connection to the sport, and one we love helping people discover. Hayden dropped a great video today tying a Pat’s Rubber Legs on a curved shank hook. It’s a proven pattern—fill a box with them this winter in a range of sizes and colors.
Looking ahead, we expect fishing to remain consistent until we see ice flow, which doesn’t appear likely anytime soon. Fish the sun, avoid the shade, and enjoy a few quality winter hours in the Yakima Canyon. It’s a special place—let’s keep it that way.
Our annual Yakima River Winter Special kicked off on November 15th, so if you’re looking for a discounted way to enjoy a few productive hours in the afternoon before the cold snap settles in, now is a great time to take advantage of it.
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
