Yakima River Fly Fishing – Rainbow Trout

Pricing:  Full Day Float $495 – Full Day Wade – $450 – $100 Additional 3rd Angler – All equipment included – Fishing License, WA Sales Tax and Gratuity not included
Season:  All Year
Species:  Native Westslope Cutthroat and Wild Rainbow Trout
EWA Cancellation Policy

Guided Yakima River fly fishing trips from Seattle. Fly fishing the Yakima River as it slowly meanders its way from its headwaters atop Snoqualmie Pass, through Cle Elum towards the city of Yakima is a quintessential Washington experience. The stretch known best to fly anglers is from Easton Dam to Roza Dam which in 1990 and 1991 was designated as a catch and release wild rainbow trout fishery. This stretch of river flows through both scenic canyon and farmland sections continually reminding anglers of the beauty of this sport we love.  Fly fishing the Yakima River is open all year and can at times offer some great dry fly fishing for wild rainbows and in the upper reaches native Westslope Cutthroat.  The “Yak” as it is referred to by nearly everyone in the state is really the only year around dedicated fly fishing/artificial lure river managed as such in the entire state of Washington so it bears at times some heavy angling pressure.

Typically beginning in February Skwala stoneflies begin to appear followed shortly after or at times simultaneously by a strong Baetis/Blue Winged Olive hatch.  As with most tail-water fisheries this marks the start of what can be an exciting dry fly season with PMD’s, caddis and some Salmonflies taking us into the summer season.  Come mid June, the Yakima is used for irrigation water for the agricultural mecca of the Yakima Valley where all forms of produce and wines are grown and produced.  During this time water flows are quite high, weather is generally hot with considerable wind and nymphing is the game for much of the day.  August will bring a mild hopper season and once the river recedes back down to fall and winter flows of 1500cfs or less, the dry flies are back on until about mid November.  Winter can be quite cold leaving few anglers to pursue these fish and flows are often very low making easy walk and wade water access from top to bottom of the Yakima.

See also Cle Elum River

Additional Information:

Flies:  Changes seasonally, see Yakima River Hatch Chart
Ideal Flows:  650 – 1100 cfs for walk and wade, 1200 – 3500 for float trip, check current conditions here
Clothing/Equipment Lists:  Summer season, Winter season
Rods and Lines:  4-6 wt rods with floating lines
Species: Rainbow trout and Westslope Cutthroat trout
Duration:  Half day trip 4-5 hours fishing time, full day trip 8-9 hours fishing time
Distance from Seattle:  1 1/2 hours on average