Yakima River Conditions and Report
River Flow: 1,176 cfs at Umtanum (LOW!)
Water Temp: Wet wading is ! Temps - 56-62F
Trending: Going up a bit, yayyy! There is a water release happening to help outward-migrating smolt. Very temporary.
Water Clarity: 36"+ Vis
Hatches Upcoming and Current:
The Yak is about to get a little kick in the pants. Flows are bumping in the next 24 hours thanks to a release out of Lake Cle Elum—a good ol’ “smolt push.” It’s a friendly nudge from the hydrologists to help juvenile salmon on their grand escape to the ocean (and out of our drifts). Don’t panic—it’s a short-lived surge, not the end of days. The river will stay plenty wadeable, float-friendly, and downright fishy.
Our guide crew is stoked about the extra water—it opens up new lines and puts fish in those mid-river buckets and structure-heavy seams we dream about. Pair that with a sunshine-and-blue-skies forecast, and this week is looking like a straight-up postcard. Memorial Day weekend plans? Consider them made.
Hatch Scene
Caddis season did its thing, threw a heck of a party, and now it’s mostly Irish-goodbyed out of here. You might catch a few stragglers dancing at dusk, but the main event is the PMD hatch. On cloudy days, it’s been chef’s kiss—sippers showing up between 1–3 PM in all the usual slicks and foam lines.
This is dry fly fishing that separates the anglers from the dabblers. Long leaders, light tippet, and your A-game presentation are a must. Bring a 3-weight if you’ve got it and plan to whisper your cast into position.
If noses aren’t poking up, don’t stress. Nymphing is still putting up numbers. Fish are spreading out—think deeper seams, mid-current rocks, and anywhere you can imagine a trout plotting its next ambush. Keep your bugs down, your drift clean, and your net ready.
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
