Yakima River Hatch Chart

The Yakima River is Washington’s primary if not the only “Blue Ribbon” trout stream.  The Yakima is a tailwater fishery reminiscent of what many anglers would experience in Montana or elsewhere in the Rockies.  Wild rainbow and some native cutthroat trout ranging in size from 10-20+ inches call the various sections of this river home.  Here are a few things to keep in mind to better understand this Yakima River hatch chart.  You can also apply this chart to the Cle Elum and Teanaway Rivers as they are two of the Yakima’s primary tributaries.

1.  The Yakima headwaters originate atop the east side of Snoqualmie Pass at an elevation of about of about 2500 feet descending to about . 
2.  We break down the Yakima River into several sections, Upper Yakima, Upper Canyon, Farm Lands, Yakima Canyon and below Roza.  Water temps will vary considerably from top to bottom as the river travels from it mountain origin to its high desert confluence with the Columbia River. 
3.  Hatches will move their way up river beginning in the Yakima Canyon and will do so based on water temperatures moving up river.
4.  The Yakima River is the primary water source for irrigation needs for the agricultural mecca of the Yakima Valley so flows run high during summer months beginning about mid June through mid September.
5.  Because of high flows, the Yakima is a challenging if not dangerous river to wade in summer months when flows are above 2500 cfs.
6.  Months are across the top, sample fly names coincide with the actual bug names.
7.  *** means peak season, insects are quite prevalent, ** definitely happening, * should or could be happening.
8.  Keep in mind weather can slow down or accelerate hatches at any given time so consider the season at hand when reading this chart.

Yakima River Hatch Chart