Yakima River January 18 2010
Yakima River -- January 18, 2010.
Bill and I went back over to Ellensburg last Monday to try our luck at fishing the Yakima River. We knew it was a bit iffy, as there had been a lot of rain falling in eastern Washington, but we decided to chance it. The river looked promising from the freeway, just a bit off color but a nice flow.
We meet up with our guide, Ryan, at the Worley Bugger Fly Co. We drifted the farmlands, from the horse ranch down to the KOA. The sun was out, just a few scattered clouds, and although there was still snow on the ground, it had greatly diminished since we were last there. Temperature wise it was rather warm for winter in eastern WA. mid to upper 40's.
Ryan put on a Skwalla Stonefly nymph and a pink San Juan Worm on my rod. I think Bill started off with the same setup or one very like it.
Right off the bat Bill started getting hookups. Unfortunately they were only hookups and no fish made it to the boat. I stopped counting after seven or so. I finally had a hit and missed it.
Then I hooked up onto a very nice 15 inch Rainbow on the pink SJW. I got it to the boat, we grabbed a quick picture and back into the water it went. The rest of the day was very slow for fishing. http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu332/FLYTIER01/YakJan2010002.jpg
I got out of the boat on one island and fished a nice slot finally picking up a very feisty and mad 18 inch Rainbow on the Skwalla Stonefly Nymph. Again we took a quick photo and sent it back into the water. http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu332/FLYTIER01/YakJan2010007.jpg
For most of the day there was a steady midge hatch, a few at a time, but no fish ever broke the surface to get them.
When we got off the water I called Z and we met with him at a pizza place in Ellensburg. Steve bought a big meat pizza and we had a good feed and chance to talk.
Overall I enjoyed the day, but naturally, I would liked to have gotten a few more fish to the boat. There is always next month.
Larry
