Yakima River Conditions and Report
River Flow: 755 cfs at Umtanum
Water Temp: Temps - 48- 56F
Trending: Slow Drop
Hatches Upcoming and Current:
-
Mini Crawfish
- 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
Fishing on the Yakima River has been excellent. The recent rain finally shuffled the deck and moved trout out of their stagnant late-fall holding patterns, and the combination of fresh flows and dark skies has produced very favorable conditions. The BWO hatch continues to impress, even as it tapers slightly. Yesterday offered roughly one solid hour of outstanding dry fly fishing, with trout responding aggressively from about 1:00–2:00 PM. The hatch has shortened and lightened, but the fish are still keyed in on those small mayflies whenever they appear.
Outside the hatch window, trout are actively foraging on a mix of nymphs, and this is a good time to be flexible and creative. Fish a spot, switch flies, fish it again, and don’t hesitate to change patterns frequently. Some anglers (myself included) have been humbled this season by how much fly selection truly matters. A/B testing the same drifts with different patterns has shown that trout really do have preferences—sometimes sharply different ones. If you miss a fish, consider an immediate fly change; a quick pivot can turn that refusal into a hook-up.
Water levels are stable, and the river is in great shape for wading. The recent bump in flows has also made things a bit friendlier for glass boats, especially in the bony sections. Streamer fishing has been slower than in years past, but not without opportunity. If you enjoy swinging flies on a sink tip with spey or single-hand gear, there’s still enough action to keep you engaged, provided you’re committed to the approach.
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
