Yakima River Trout Guides - Washington State Near Ellensburg

Washington states official "blue-ribbon" trout stream is the Yakima River. The Yakima river starts in the Cascade Mountain Range, near Snoqualmie Pass. It flows southeastward about 200 miles past Ellensburg and Yakima to join the Columbia River near Kennewick in Benton county. The Yakima river canyon, the stretch of river between Ellensburg and Yakima draws most anglers and guide services. You will find mostly rainbow trout in the Yakima, and some cutthroat trout can be found in some areas.

As summer progresses around the first full moon in June, we start to see the summer stone nymphs migrate to the shallows, soon after, the adults. It is these robotic little carnivores that make the Yakima a great fishery. By the full moon in July, summer stones will be available in some form to the trout everyday. At the same time hoppers will be doing their thing, as well as under the currents. It’s a different migration of aquatic insects everyday. Now, with most things in nature, bugs are cyclical and all seasons vary. So, as for trout fly fishing, up to the minute info is crucial for the best success!

August fly-fishing on the Yakima

Fly Fishing on the Yakima River is on an upswing of water conditions. The past drought of 2003-2006 on this river had reduced it’s trout population and especially its larger trout. We are having the third season in a row with normal to above normal snow pack, meaning great flows through the season and enough water left in September to carry out a full trout season into November.

These better flows throughout the year will increase our Rainbow trout and Cutthroat Trout populations to the higher numbers seen prior to 2003. I believe we will see the return of big trout in the Lower Yakima River Canyon and an increase in Cutthroat in the upper Yakima Canyon and Cle Elm region.
What more could a trout fisherman ask for then good summer flows and a summer stonefly that lasts for two month or more, great hopper fishing and some fabulous fall Batis/Blue wings. The shoulder months of summer will benefit as well, late season swing fishing with a small switch rod and a seal bugger can keep an angler grinning for two months.

I predict a return of the former Yakima River with a twenty inch fish  nearly every day, be it on dries in the summer or buggers on the fringe months.