Arbutus menziesii
Just Hatched
Hi everyone,
I’ve been fly fishing for about a year now and am hoping for your wisdom on walk and wade fishing the Yakima.
I’ve gone out a few times this year while the flow has been lower but have been skunked each time. I’ve been primarily using a nymph and dropper set up and a sculpzilla streamer (though with floating line). I’ve fished places that I think should hold fish: soft seams, slower riffles, heads and tails of pools, in front of boulders, drop offs, even slow water and water that’s probably too fast. Nothing.
I’ve focused more on moving up and down stream rather than changing flies, not spending a great deal of time at any given spot. I think my drifts are ok? In some cases I tick bottom, so I think I’m often deep enough but maybe not. I find this bigger river much more challenging than the smaller streams I’ve been on. On previous trips to the yak, I’ve only landed smaller 8-10” fish.
Any advice?
Should I hire a guide for a float trip to learn the river?
Not asking for your secret spots (though I’ll gladly accept if you want to share!), but is there a general section of the river you like for spring wading?
Thanks!
I’ve been fly fishing for about a year now and am hoping for your wisdom on walk and wade fishing the Yakima.
I’ve gone out a few times this year while the flow has been lower but have been skunked each time. I’ve been primarily using a nymph and dropper set up and a sculpzilla streamer (though with floating line). I’ve fished places that I think should hold fish: soft seams, slower riffles, heads and tails of pools, in front of boulders, drop offs, even slow water and water that’s probably too fast. Nothing.
I’ve focused more on moving up and down stream rather than changing flies, not spending a great deal of time at any given spot. I think my drifts are ok? In some cases I tick bottom, so I think I’m often deep enough but maybe not. I find this bigger river much more challenging than the smaller streams I’ve been on. On previous trips to the yak, I’ve only landed smaller 8-10” fish.
Any advice?
Should I hire a guide for a float trip to learn the river?
Not asking for your secret spots (though I’ll gladly accept if you want to share!), but is there a general section of the river you like for spring wading?
Thanks!