With water temperatures climbing into the mid-40s, the Yakima is starting to fish like spring. March Browns are active, BWOs are still in the mix, and that rise in bug activity is pulling trout out of their slower winter water and into classic spring holding areas—soft edges, walking-speed seams, and feeding lanes where they can eat efficiently.
An upstream mend is all about buying your fly more time in the right drift lane. When the water between you and your fly is moving faster than the water your fly is in, mend upstream to reduce drag and protect a more natural presentation.
The river is coming back! We just got to a point where we can fish and are expecting to see better conditions as the week continues. Look for more clarity over the next few days,
When it comes to covering miles in upland country or chasing elk in broken terrain,...
Hayden's Skwala Chow Mein is a play on a combination of foam skwala patterns -...
The Squirrel Suit Fly (say that 5 times fast), designed by James St Clair, is a...
Every angler gets tangled. The difference between a productive day and a frustrating one often comes down to how you handle the mess.
At Red’s Fly Shop, we teach anglers to approach tangles the same way we approach fishing: slow down, assess, and make an intentional decision.
Sure - the San Juan Worm isn’t winning any beauty contests. But after years of...
Rivers change. Light shifts. Flows rise and fall. Fish behavior evolves throughout the day.
If your setup can’t adapt, you spend more time re-rigging than fishing.
One of the simplest tools we use to help anglers stay adaptable is the tippet ring.
A Winter Staple: Curved-Shank Stonefly Nymph That Flat-Out Work Some flies earn their place the...
Yakima River Conditions and Report River Flow: 2,130 cfs at Umtanum Water Temp: Temps - 36...
Most fly names are straightforward—“Pheasant Tail,” “Hare’s Ear”—but this one’s a little different. I call...
We’re serving up something salty this November—Rick Davidson’s Shrimp Biscuit. Built with equal parts tropical...
If you’ve ever tied or fished a Woolly Bugger, streamer, spey bug, or leech pattern,...
It’s skating season here on the Yakima, and few things get trout fired up like a dry fly in motion. When October Caddis are fluttering, stoneflies are skating, or fish are simply looking for something that moves, this is your ticket to some of the most exciting topwater eats of the year.
SHOP THE MONTHLY TROUT BUNDLE We put together monthly trout assortments based on the flies...
Joe Rotter and guide Skyler Lancaster break down practical, easy-to-use tips for fall trout fishing:...
The ShapeShifter Sculpin is Joe Rotter’s go-to creation—a 4.6mm bead-head streamer built for versatility. Designed to...
Built for the steelheader who doesn’t mind getting a little dirt under their nails (or...
Used Rafts for Sale If you're in the market for a fishing raft, now is...
The best and most current fishing report on the Yakima River is here at Red's Fly Shop. Explore the best flies, river flows, and advice on how to have the best fishing experience possible on the Yakima River.
If there’s one material that turns heads at the tying bench, it’s Lady Amherst. With...
Whether you’re fishing dries, tightline nymphing, or swinging soft hackles, the majority of trout you target are facing upstream into the current. That means when they eat your fly, they are situated as such. If your instinct is to raise the rod straight up or—even worse—pull upstream, you’re yanking the fly out the front of their mouth.
One of the most versatile and effective rigs in fly fishing is the dry-dropper. It allows you to cover two key feeding zones at once: the surface and the subsurface. But for this setup to work well, your flies need to be in proportion to one another.
Roosters, Dorado & the Perfect Play Hard / Relax Hard Getaway This trip was a...
When you're fishing a river on foot—especially small side channels, tributaries, or tighter sections of the Yakima system—how you approach the water matters. One of the best and most overlooked tactics is simply this: fish your way upstream.
Get the recipe for our favorite late-summer dry fly. The Shake & Bake Hopper is quick to tie, floats like a cork, and gets aggressive eats when hoppers are on the menu. Grab the full material list or purchase one of our Takeout Kits, watch the step-by-step video, and tie along with us.
Overview This was my second trip to Christmas Island, and it was a pleasure to...
Rather than pulling line in long strips, the jerk-strip technique uses short, deliberate jabs of the rod tip to animate the streamer. You then immediately strip in the slack line with your off hand to stay tight and ready to set the hook.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Red's Fly Shop (@redsflyshop) You’ll never...
Like many things in fly fishing, this isn’t about brute strength—it’s about understanding water, line control, and finesse. The pile of spaghetti roll cast is one of those skills that quietly makes a huge difference. It helps you fish more effectively, with less frustration, and with better presentations.
We teach this technique regularly in our Still-Water Fishalongs. If you’re looking to level up your lake game, we’d love to have you join us on the water.
Learning to read rise forms gives you a huge advantage. Instead of guessing, you’re responding to what the fish are telling you. It’s a more connected, intentional way to fish—and it works. These are the same tactics we emphasize in our on-the-water dry fly clinics and river education courses at Red's.
It might feel awkward at first, but stick with it. Making your back cast work for you doesn’t just open up more water—it builds better habits and sharpens your skills across the board.
Punta Allen, Sian Ka'an, MX This was my second trip down to Ascension Bay, and...
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Red's Fly Shop (@redsflyshop) Adjusting Your...
Red's Weekly Pro - Tips for the DIY Angler.
By incorporating a reach cast into your skillset, you can improve presentation efficiency and reduce unnecessary line manipulation. This leads to more natural drifts, increased hook-up rates, and a more effective approach to dry fly fishing.
By using mending instead of constant indicator adjustments, you’ll fish more efficiently, maintain a more natural presentation, and increase your chances of hooking up. Next time you're on the water, try this approach and watch how many more fish you fool!
By understanding the migration patterns of Skwala nymphs and adjusting your approach accordingly, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of one of the best early-season opportunities on the water.
As the upland hunting season enters its final stretch, Eastern Washington continues to offer exciting...
Landing a large trout is one of fly fishing’s most rewarding experiences. By focusing on proper rod angle, managing your line, and controlling the fish during the final moments, you’ll significantly increase your success rate while respecting the fish.
For upland hunters, few moments rival the thrill of walking in on a dog frozen...
White Chicken Chili has always been a staple in our house during the colder months....
We had some fun doing Q and A and streaming live the other day and...
We're here to make planning your fly fishing travel adventures stress-free, memorable, and fun. Our...
Calling all ladies to a day just for you at Canyon River Ranch located...
The off-shoulder cast is your go-to move when fly fishing gets tricky—whether it’s battling wind, dodging obstacles, or just needing to sneak up on those ultra-finicky fish. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of casting techniques: handy, versatile, and a little bit cool. Now go out there, dodge some branches, outsmart the wind, and get after those fish!
We teach these techniques and more through our casting courses in our University of Fly Fishing.
You can watch or listen to the recording here of today's Q and A session,...
