Description: About Yakima River
The Yakima River is Washington's only blue ribbon trout stream, flowing 78 miles from Easton to Roza Dam in the lower canyon. Access to the river for wading is good along I-90, through the upper river and down Yakima Canyon road. The river has distinct sections - narrow, braided, and tree lined, or deep into volcanic basalt walls towering above the water.
Wild Rainbow and Cutthroat trout inhabit the river, which is open year round - a unique aspect of trout fishing in Washington. Hatches are equally inviting - from Skwala, Summer, and Golden Stoneflies, along with some Salmonflies, we also see March Browns, Green Drakes, Caddis, and a incredible Blue Wing Olive hatch, and in the heat of summer we enjoy casting hoppers and large foam stonefly attractors into the banks.
There is plentiful lodging and amenities in the Ellensburg and Cle Elum area - you can be on great water in less than 90 minutes from downtown Seattle. Fishing is year-round for the hearty, but optimal conditions run from mid-February until Mid November.
Nearest Airport:
Seattle Tacoma International Airport
Hatches:
January - February: midges, small winter stoneflies, mayflies
March - May: skwala stones, golden stones, caddis, mayflies
June - August: short-wing stoneflies, salmonflies, caddis, crane flies, mayflies, terrestrials
September - December: October caddis, mayflies, midges
Best Time to Fish:
Seasonally dependant
Best Stretch:
Depending on flows, both the Upper and Lower Yakima have great stretches - most well-known is between Easton and Roza Dam.
Best Access:
The Upper Yakima has easy access along I-90, between Easton and Cle Elum. Between Cle Elum and Ellensburg, there are multiple launch points for boats. There is accessible wading, depending on flows, from the BLM campgrounds in the Lower Canyon.
