Fish Report
Rainbow trout being released
A
Yakima River Fishing Story
Getting up at 5:30 am on a Saturday morning is not usually something I
do-if I can help it-but when given the chance to hit the Yakima River
with other members of TU-I didn’t even need an alarm clock.
We met up at the
Preston park and ride at 7-it was still dark-and soon
headed off for the river. The weather was foggy for a lot of the
way-punctuated by breaks in the overcast that revealed a beautiful
sunrise over the Cascades-and the promise of an excellent day of
fishing. After about an hour and a half trip we rendezvoused at Red’s
fly shop to collect the Clackacraft boats that we’d use for the day. By
10 we were on the water.
Mark Taylor and
I shared one of the three boats, and Mark was gracious
enough to test his ability to guide the boat down the river at the
beginning. I tied on a big stimulator and a small nymph dropper. Before
we knew it, we were on our way downstream, making our way as best we
could, within casting range of the chosen bank. There’s no better way
to fish a large river like the Yakima-access from the bank is limited
and as most fishermen would agree-the spot you want to cast to is
always on the other side of the river. With the drift boat that’s not a
problem-you just turn the boat and row across. It’s very
exciting-coasting down the river and concentrating as best you can on
the cast you have out-all while trying to plan your next one. Nothing
to catch your back-cast (generally speaking) except the person rowing
the boat!
One
thing about the drift boat is that you typically only get one chance to
hit any spot-maybe a cast or two if you are lucky-and then you’re on to
the next one. There are spots where you can beach the boat and get out
for some walking and wading. Just make sure the anchor is out when you
do that!
I
managed to tie in to a nice fish-it ended up being 15 or so inches
long-and that got the day off to a good start. Though it was a little
cool in the morning-about 35 degrees when we met at Red’s-later on it
warmed up. By noon it was completely clear-not a cloud in the sky-and
we knew we had taken full advantage of an awesome fall day. That was a
good feeling.
Mark and I
exchanged places on the boat-he took the prime casting spot
at the bow and I got to do my duty guiding the boat down the river.
It’s not hard to do except you have to watch what is coming up as you
drift inexorably downstream-you mainly row to miss big rocks. Of course
with Clackacraft you should “fear no rock” but it isn’t fun slamming in
to one! During my first turn with the oars, I admit, I hit some. At
least Mark didn’t fall over board.
On
this peaceful float downstream, we hooked up with enough fish to make
it a good day. We also saw quite a few animals along the way, including
eagles soaring from the cliffs of the canyon; a family of Rocky
Mountain sheep; and a lone Elk way up in the hills. They seemed to be
enjoying the weather as much as we were.
After a long day
of casting hundreds of times with lots of line out,
and fighting fish, and rowing, I was tired but felt great when we
beached the boat back at Red’s about 5:30. I think the endorphins must
have been flowing! It was a great day and I’ll treasure the memory.
Floating the
Yakima is one of those great fly-fishing experiences that
anyone who’s ever picked up a fly-rod should have. If you missed the
October trip to the Yakima this year, then take my advice and making
every effort to go next time. You’ll be happy that you did.
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