Things have been warm on our side of the mountains, but luckily the Lower Cle Elum River is keeping the Upper Yakima nice and cool, and these summer morning have been providing some amazing fishing. We’ve had a lot of great days catching big fish on big dry flies, without a need for a dropper! Fish have been hungry and very willing to eat a big hopper!
With the warm weather it is of course bringing warmer water. We recommend not fishing the Teanaway and the other smaller tributaries for the rest of the summer since even in the early morning the water is sitting at about 65 degrees. Even with catch and release fishing, there isn’t enough dissolved oxygen in the water for the fish to recover after fighting them so it’s best we leave them alone. Even the Yakima above the confluence of the Cle Elum is starting to get a bit warm in the middle of the day, so stick to fishing it during the early mornings for the best success and for the health of the fish.
Flies
Dry Flies
Thankfully fish haven’t been too picky on the surface. Most big dries have been very effective from size 12-6. Peaches, tans and pinks have been our best colors, but overall the gypsy king in a size 8 has been the most consistent.
1.) Gypsy King – Golden, Golden Stone, Royal, Pink, Purple – Size 10-6
2.) Gould’s Western Lady – Pink, Tan – Size 10-14
3.) Chubby Chernobyl – Peach, Golden, Tan, Purple, Royal – Size 8-14
4.) Clod Hopper – Red, Peach, Tan – Size 8-12
5.) Yeti Hopper – Tan, Purple, Pink – Size 8-12
6.) Dave’s Hopper – Size 6-12
7.) Chernobyl Ant – Size 8-14
Droppers
We’ve been liking anything heavy for our droppers and fishing them 2-3 feet below the dry, so size 16-12 jigged nymphs have been the most consistent. We’ve also had good luck on smaller PMD type bugs in the early mornings.
1.) CDC Jigged Pheasant Tail – Size 12-16
2.) Jigged Prince Nymph – Size 12 – 16
3.) Peeping Caddis – Tan – Size 12-14
4.) Dirty Hipster – Tan – Size 12-14
5.) Dirty Jig – Tan, Olive – Size 12-16
6.) PMD Jig – Size 14 – 16
7.) Beadhead PMD – Size 14
8.) Quasimodo Pheasant Tail – Size 12-16
9.) Half Back Pheasant Tail – Size 18
Streamers
Streamers are a great way to try and specifically target the bigger fish. This time of year we have a lot of smaller fish that love to eat the dries, but using a streamer is a great way to filter them out. Make sure you get down a bit with a sink tip! We have some great sinking lines and leaders to help you out.
1.) Sculpzilla – Tan, Natural, Olive, White, Black – Size 4
2.) Sparkle Minnow – Sculpin, Oil Slick, Grey, Pearl, Olive – Size 4-8
3.) Dali Llama – Black/Olive, Olive/White, Black/White, White – Size 6
4.) Zonker – Natural, White, Olive – Size 4-6
Remember, please keep fish in the water for all of your pictures! Even making it a video to show off your fish in the net is a great way to go. We go fishing for the experience, not the perfect fish picture! Please get fish in quickly, and release them quickly while keeping them in the water. Below is a great example of how you can show off your fish, while still keeping them healthy!
We have been very lucky compared to some of the other states when it comes to water temperature and hopefully it stays this way, but its always good to keep a thermometer on you!
As far as guided trips go, if you’re interested in locking in your dates for August and September then now is the time to give us a call and lock in your dates! Fishing has been great on the surface, so don’t miss out on prime summer hopper fishing!
If you have any questions, please give us a call at (509)674-2144!