On The Water

Previous Updates

08/20/2010:
Naches yesterday with Mr. Chris, fun day. Beautiful August afternoon and the fishing was fine. Dries and Nymphs.

08/14/2010:
Back from Camano Island, crabbing and such. Feeling great and found out tonight that I will be a grampa again in February. Drove up the river today to see the Blue Ribbon Yakima in full summer bloom, hundreds of tattooed dirt campers reveling in dust and cheap beer. River was full of every crappy flotation devise known to mouth breathers. You have to love the human spectacle, the good the bad and the really homely. I wonder sometimes what my trout are thinking.

08/03/2010:
Been a bit busy with the surgery/Chemo and remodeling a smoked out rental house, but did make a couple trips to the Naches to get my mind right. Just a beauty little stream.

07/12/2010:
The Naches will be fishing soon, I will not be able to guide for a while so I have arranged to have a great replacement. The two of us have fished the Naches together for the last twenty years. Chris is a fun low key guy to spend the day with and a fine angler. Like myself he won't waste your time and money if conditions aren't decent.

07/08/2010:
Back from the Dead. Fishing on the Yakima sucks till about 8:00 PM. Late caddis action, no mater what the pimps say, it is just a really long day in a small boat. It's 103 this afternoon, and the psycho's are floating the river in amazing numbers.Drinking cheap beer and yelling, seems like a blue ribbon stream to me.If you missed the spring fishing, it really was fantastic. Tough titty....Little Kitty.

06/05/2010:
The upper Yakima is fishing fantastic!!!!

06/04/2010:
Rain, Wind, Its still cool over here and it's JUNE!!!! Where is Big AlGORE when you need him. I guess he and Tipper are splitting the sheets, good for her is all I can say..... about that.

06/03/2010:
Great hatches this PM, warm but we had some rain. PMD's, BWO's Mahogany Duns,Water is in good shape.

05/21/2010:
Back from Baja. Rooster fishing was poor, but the R&R was fab. Yakima is still high from the rains but the cooler weather will have it in shape by early next week...my best guess.

05/08/2010:
PMD's Fantastic fishing for a couple hours. My favorite hatch, like little yellow sailboats.

05/02/2010:
WINDY and miserable conditions, but this too will pass.

04/28/2010:
W-I-N-D-Y......

04/26/2010:
Wind to 30mph next three days.

04/20/2010:
We have had a great early spring as far as river conditions go, but she is pretty dirty today. We should be back in business soon. Supposed to be a windy bugger the next few days, I rescheduled a couple trips to early May.

04/08/2010:
It is nasty here. WINDY and COLD and I suspect the trout are spawning, seems they do it about the same time each year. How about that!!!! It's like a nature thing.

03/25/2010:
Great companions, homemade Cabernet, rising trout, that about covers a perfect day on the water.

03/15/2010:
Conditions could not be better, fishing dries and nymphs is El Supremo.

03/09/2010:
It is cooling down at night and the Yakima water temp is dropping. Not good for Skwalla activity but it is still early and at least the river is in great shape instead of a flooded brown mess. I'm going total positivity.

02/28/2010:
Skwalla dries

02/22/2010:
Great fishing, beautiful weather, what a difference from last spring.

02/14/2010:
Valentines Day, got out for a couple hours on the nymph rig, a little slow but good to get some air. River looks good, spring is on the way. It's all good.

02/11/2010:
Let the Skwalla pimping begin. Remember the 6000cfs Club? Bring the Discounters. We are a month away on but the no-snow is looking favorable for a great spring on the Yakima. Hatches and everything.

02/01/2010:
Thanks to all our loyal Hill's Discount Flies customers for a fun time at the Sportsman's Show. We moved a ton of fantastic show specials and made a lot of new friends. This would be the time to start getting some fishing dates together, I have a feeling this is going to be a dynamite spring on the Yakima.

01/12/2010:
Chris and I will be manning the Hill's Discount Flies booth at the Washington Sportsman's show starting Jan. 27th at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup. We are going to have some super show specials, come by and load up for a new season.

12/23/2009:
Merry Christmas and stay safe.

11/10/2009:
Wonderful afternoon fishing Mahogany duns with the sun on my back. Thanks to all for another season.

10/29/2009:
Another great afternoon of BWO fishing.....come on over this weekend.

10/29/2009:
We actually had a calm, overcast day and a decent BWO hatch yesterday afternoon.....It was old timey. Wading around the flats casting to rising trout, excellent.

10/15/2009:
If your coming to fish the Yakima, this is the time. Conditions don't get much better in this life.

10/11/2009:
Ok, I know I've been absent for another couple weeks but Liz and I took a trip to the Southeast, ya-all. Great time, Savanna, Charleston, Mt. Vernon etc. Went Redfishing out of Charleston, that is a kick. Anyway, back on the job, the river is primo, I'm thinking BWO's this afternoon....

09/20/2009:
Back from Montana, fished the Madison, Gallatin,Beaverhead and Big Hole. You forget how much great water there is to fish. The Yakima should be warming up for some dry fishing fun.

09/03/2009:
The Yakima is coming back into focus, starting to look like trout stream once again. Water levels are about half summer flows, give it a couple weeks and we could have some great dry fishing. Pray for a cool damp fall.

08/24/2009:
Much cooler water/air temps predicted for the week, fall fishing is on the way.

08/20/2009:
Temp at 100 in Yakima. Water temps on the Yakima are TOO HOT to be taking any stupid photo's. If you must fish in these conditions leave the 3wt at home, just land the trout quickly and release. Better still cut the hooks off your Terrestrial patterns, you get to see the take and MR. Trout gets to live. That's some Polar Bear hugging advice, you may understand.

08/06/2009:
Looks like the heat spell has broken, cooling with a chance of rain showers, good time to get on the River.

07/28/2009:
It's a rather warm 104 this afternoon in the Yakima sunshine. Puerto Limon Costa Rica is 87 with T-storms, 30%chance of precipitation and cold Imperial in a cooler on the porch. Paradise ???

07/24/2009:
Big weekend on the Yakima, hundreds of drinking fighting slobs with acres of tattoos will be having a big time on the River. And that's just the women. Come on over and join the fun and enjoy the pristine Blue Ribbon experience.

07/21/2009:
July in Yakima, HOT,HOT,HOT.

07/14/2009:
Back from the St. Joe, fishing was really good and what an amazing venue. Temps in Yakima around 100 by Thursday , that is LONG HOT day in a boat.

07/04/2009:
Hot,Hot,Hot. Fished both the Yakima and Naches in the last couple days, conditions continue to improve. Lots of river traffic on the Yakima. I'm off to Idaho next week for a little cutthroat fun.

06/26/2009:
Pretty good evening Fishing on the Yakima, not much wind. The Tubeers were moving in for a weekend of dirty love. God bless them and there skanky ways.

06/25/2009:
Michel Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and our old pal David Carradine all gone the last few weeks. Fishing is simple living is hard.

06/19/2009:
Yakima is looking remarkably decent. Friends tell me that Rock Creek will be fantastic by early next week.I really need to stay close to the homestead, but you might think about it!!

06/14/2009:
Liz and I have been in Paris the last couple weeks, I see driving home through the Canyon the water is back to summer irrigation levels. 4200 cfs. Soon we can expect the inner tubers/ drunken scum on the river. Except for the big city French Attitude, Paris is always fun.

05/26/2009:
Yakima is at 6425cfs this afternoon, water temp 51.5. I won't waste my clients good money in conditions this poor. Fished the Deschutes a couple of days late last week....SWEET. Imagine casting huge flies to hungry fish in clear water. Not easy wading/hiking but worth the effort. Yakima should be fishing by August.

05/24/2009:
Memorial Day,remembering those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. Let's not take those fallen G.I's or Freedom for granted.

05/17/2009:
Yakima is again El Dumpo Grande, dirty and high, just the way we like her. To top it off the canyon was closed for some kind of bicycle race, you got to love those rubber pants and plastic hats.

05/14/2009:
Conditions remain difficult, this morning the Yakima is at 4293 with water temp at 45.1 at 9:00. This weekend is predicted to reach the 80's, goodbye and blown out yet again.

05/08/2009:
WOW the Ditch is at 4200cfs, perfect summer flows, but this ain't summer. Get a grip the Yakima is out till October or fishing is fantastic depending on how bad you need the money. ciao

05/07/2009:
Canyon water conditions are UGLY, and today we are expecting a 25 to 30mph breeze as they say in the weather game.

04/21/2009:
Back from the Bitteroot, excellent conditions we hit the last of the Skwala's and great March brown hatch. The river traffic was light which was a bit of a surprise, great trip. The Yakima is a mess again with the runoff about to go ballistic.

04/16/2009:
I'm headed to Montana to fish the Bitteroot for a few days, I've had enough misery on the Yakima this spring. Ciao

04/14/2009:
It's snowing in Yakima this morning, but fear not AlGore it is supposed to be 80 by Monday. Then you'll see some serious runoff.

04/09/2009:
Yakima is blown. That's the price for a couple of warm days.

04/06/2009:
Beauty day on the river, warm, sunny. Fishing has been tough.

04/01/2009:
Notes from the Edge; It's snowing in YakaVegas this morning. Yakima water temp 40 degrees. I can't take much more AlGore global warming.

03/27/2009:
Beautiful early spring day on the water. Got my old pal Jim Hill(discount Flies) in the boat for some Skwalla action, great fun. And Jimmy thanks for the hot wings...to die for.

03/24/2009:
Weather not looking too good through Wednesday; high winds.

03/17/2009:
Happy St. Patty's Day. I have some of the Irish blood. I spent a week in Galway once and had a lovely time. If your fixin' on fishing the Skwalla hatch I'd be on the water next week.

03/13/2009:
Nice afternoon on the water ; fishing....slow to dead. Still too early, although we did actually see one adult Skwalla. The water is in great shape, It will happen.

03/07/2009:
Well Global warming fans it was 13 degrees this AM and the water temp on the Yakima a balmy 34.

02/27/2009:
Windy, cold, nasty, you missed nothing. Every year the Skwalla pimping begins by mid February, It's like global warming, are you going to believe everything you hear. When the water temp hits 48-50 it will be time, grasshopper.

02/18/2009:
El-Fabo day, caught 163 trout on Skwalla dries, nymphing was great. You believe that? I have a deal for you.

02/12/2009:
We had a blast at the Bellevue show last weekend, we were the guys next to "Girls of Fly-Fishing", Hills Discount Flies thanks you all. It is amazing how many loyal customers we have. We will be in Portland this weekend, selling flies and telling lies, come see us, ya hear.

01/22/2009:
River looks OK, still pretty high and cold,Calypso I will be working the Hills Discount Flies booth at the Fly Fishing Show at Meydenbauer Center, should be fun, come on by and tell us your story.

01/08/2009:
Yakima is at 17,500cfs, the outhouses at Big Pines are underwater.

01/05/2009:
Yo, Happy New Year you Bad Boys.

12/29/2008:
Since the River is iced up I have turned to smoking up some pork butt and turkey legs, kind of a Cajun spicy rub and finish with a smoky semi-sweet mop. Were livin' now.

12/10/2008:
Another gorgeous afternoon on the Yakima, almost balmy. This weekend is going to be nasty, wind ,snow and frozen guides.Probably time stay home and work on the marriage...or not.

11/29/2008:
Probably my favorite time of year to fish the Yakima. Beautiful sunny day, gin clear water and nobody around. Fishing was good not much size but the numbers were OK, lots of fat White fish, fun afternoon.

11/16/2008:
Well it looks like another season is in the books, I want to thank all my clients for there generosity, and for giving me some big fun. Stay out of the Market and we'll see you on the flip side.

11/01/2008:
Perfect conditions ? Yes. What happened to the big Bow's? We had a tiny BWO hatch and caught nothing but 10 to 12 inch fish. After fishing the Yakima for 30 years this lack of decent fish is starting to worry me. Maybe a bit too much pressure??? Ya think!!

10/31/2008:
Finally the conditions for BWO's is perfect; drizzle with no wind. River is low and clear.I'll be leaving the house in twenty minutes. My GLX is around here somewhere. Hasta la Vista.

10/25/2008:
Chris and Derek, What can I say?? Thanks again for a fun day on the water.

10/19/2008:
Back from Costa Rica, we jumped 42 tarpon in about 40 hours of fishing. Amazing silver rockets. The fishing is non technical but the speed and violence of a Tarpon take is like watching a multiple car wreck play out in your living room. It is always fun to be a stranger in a strange land.

10/09/2008:
Great trout fishing. Three over twenty. Leaving for Costa Rica in the morning, back on the 20th . Late Yakima fishing can be the best. How about that Stock market? What ever happened to term limits???

10/04/2008:
Blown off. Nasty. At least O.J Simpson is finally going up the River. I'm lovin' it.

09/26/2008:
High overcast all day without wind. Bow's were hungry. We had a little dry action thrown in but it is still a bit early for the BWO festival.

09/20/2008:
A rare day of perfect conditions, great clients and cooperating rainbow trout.

09/16/2008:
The Yakima is looking like a trout stream again, fall fishing should be great fun.

09/03/2008:
There is a nip in the air and the Yakima is coming down, I see BWO fishing in your future. Now that is some big fun.

08/30/2008:
Labor day is next Monday. What happened? Another summer shot. I have only 18 days left on my fishing calender for 2008. If you want a day with old Randal we need to get it in the book. Fall really is the best time on the Yakima.

08/23/2008:
What can I say, the Yakima is an irrigation ditch filled with hundreds of drunken slobs. Sound like a destination fly fishing mecca to you? Fall is coming but not soon enough.

08/05/2008:
GOT HOPPERS?

07/25/2008:
Hot, hight water , bikini hatch... I love the Yakima in summer. Now that the Naches has been pimped out. Please take care with the resource, the water is warming and dropping. These fish don't need a photo.
Lets grow up.

07/20/2008:
The Yakima: Unbearably hot, water is high and colored , about an hour's fishing very late in the evening. The Naches is fishing quite well, I guess that is the good news.

07/14/2008:
Back from the St. Joe, drove back through the Canyon Sunday. The river looks high and there were only a few hundred recreational floaters drinking beer in the heat. What a change from the pristine waters of the Joe.

06/24/2008:
Yakima fished really fantastic
yesterday. Big boys on dries very late.SWEET BABY.

06/12/2008:
Good day fishing under the bobber, not much surface activity, we were blown off late. River is in good shape.

06/08/2008:
Huge PMD event from 1 to 3. Breezy and sunny not much surface activity. Had some action with the nymphs.

06/04/2008:
I have been in Honolulu for a while, It was great as usual....Paradise in fact. I highly recommend it.

05/16/2008:
Going, going, gone....

05/14/2008:
Please see previous report.

05/09/2008:
Fishing would have to improve to be lousy. No real hatch of anything, water is dirty. BUT it's going to warm up to 80 by mid week, so the river will be blown out for a couple weeks. Is that negative? It has been a cold nasty spring so far; where is Algore when you need him.

05/06/2008:
Yakima is rising fast and dirty, stay tuned.

05/02/2008:
Things are looking better on the Yakima, water is in good shape and the trout are done spawning, and it is warming up. I would like to think we have a good early caddis hatch coming up. Or even PMD's

04/08/2008:
Best Skwalla fishing this year, good numbers and excellent size. We had some BWO action but they were looking for the meat.

04/06/2008:
If you hear the Skwalla's are all done, I'm hear to tell you I think were just getting started. Great afternoon of big bug action, and tons of naturals on the water. I'm lovin it!!

04/04/2008:
Breezy, rain and chilly. We had some BWO action but really caught some nice Bow's on Skwalla patterns late in the day. River is Still in good shape.

03/31/2008:
Finally getting some warmer temps, I'm thinking by mid week on we will be getting some good to great fishing. Probably time for us to get serious.

03/28/2008:
It's snowing right now in Yaka-Vegas with windy conditions predicted for today and Sat. My apricot tree is not looking so happy. It's supposed to warm up a bit next week.

03/20/2008:
Yakima is still in beautiful shape, the Skwalla dry fishing is warming up.

03/12/2008:
We had a pretty decent afternoon fishing Skwalla dries, river is in good shape. You probably heard that Big Pines is being plowed up for 40 RV sites. It is a little sad to see all the development in the Canyon but that's life.

03/08/2008:
Beauty day on the old Yakima, sunny, still and water was gin clear. Fishing however was a bit slow. Water temp needs to move up a little, were getting there.

02/27/2008:
Chris and I took off fishing this afternoon instead of tearing into his kitchen re-model, just seemed like the right thing. River is looking good.

02/22/2008:
Yakima is in great condition! Nymph fishing was steady but we had to try the dries. We were a little early but did get some fishy interest.

02/09/2008:
Got on the water for a few hours of nymphing, a bit slow but felt good to get out. Skwalla nymphs are crowding the banks, lets hope for a long cool spring.

02/04/2008:
I am really tired of winter, bought a new GLX last month,still a virgin. Weather is starting to warm a bit, with all the snow up high we are in for another dicey spring on the Yakima.

01/25/2008:
Still a bit icy here in Yaka-Vegas. I will be at the Bellevue Fly Fishing show on Saturday Feb.2 working the Hills Discount Flies booth. Come on by and bring some jokes.

01/16/2008:
The lower Canyon is iced up. Stay home and work on that relationship thing.

01/09/2008:
Not much action this afternoon. We were looking for some midge fishing but not yet, some winters it really doesn't happen. Spring is just around the corner, keep the faith.

12/21/2007:
One of those winter days you dream of in the heat of summer. Perfect conditions, sun on your back and some playful rainbow trout.

12/01/2007:
It's really cold over hear, bring a sot of booze and some firewood.

11/05/2007:
Perfect weather, Yakima is low and clear the Bow's were looking up and I had easy clients. Excellent way to end the season. I want to thank my new and regular clients for another great season in the sun.

10/25/2007:
This is the time to fish the Yakima. Life really is good.

10/20/2007:
The water has fianlly dropped to around 1000cfs, Bow's were slurping BWO duns all afternoon. All in all the best day I've seen this fall, lets hope it continues.

10/13/2007:
Yakima has been kind of difficult considering the perfect conditions. Several days the BWO hatches have been light and coming off very late. It's that Mother Nature will do what she wants thing.

09/30/2007:
I took Troutbums Chris Bolm and Brandon Discountflies Hill for an afternoon drift in the rain. Perfect conditions, We had excellent numbers and Brandon landed a 22-inch buck. What a beautiful fish. Fat as a pig. Conditions continue to look favorable this week.

09/28/2007:
Looks like we will be getting some fishing weather this next week. Cool,overcast ,drizzle. The dry fishing should be fantastic or at the least productive. Over and out.

09/22/2007:
Yakima is in great fall fishing shape, Bill and Mike had two hours of bliss fishing Mayflies over rising fish, we did get blown off late but those are the breaks of the game. Sunday I have Getta the beautiful and often volitile Romanian accountant flying in from Atlanta for some fishing fun. It will be good to see her again.

09/20/2007:
A rare day of perfect Mayfly conditions, drizzle, overcast and no wind. Fishing was not red hot but steady all day with nymphs and dries, probably twenty-five to the net. And only one Whitey. Sweet

09/15/2007:
Back from Idaho fishing with the lunatic fringe. Driving back through the Canyon; Yakima is looking great, water is down and vis is good and next week we are looking at overcast/drizzle. It's time to go fishing.

09/02/2007:
The Yakima is coming down nicely, were almost back to some great trout fishing conditions. It takes the fish a while to get back in the groove after the water level is dropped in the fall, this is when the chance for the water temp to spike happens so lets be carfull handling our fishy friends.

08/13/2007:
As my regulars know I take August off; Too hot, windy and too crowded with drunken bums and that hopper thing "tight to the bank" only goes so far. But dispare not ,fall is coming. By the 20th of September we may have a trout stream to fish in once again, see you then.

07/25/2007:
Wednesday was one of those perfect wind free summer evenings. Hoppers tight to the grass produced some terrific takes but we best on droppers tied short to the big bugs. Whamm, I'm lovin' it.

07/23/2007:
Yakima is really high and fishing is just OK, some action on Hoppers/stones late, wind is iffy at best,air temps this week in the mid ninties. Lots of drunken slobs floating the river, yelling drunken slob lingo. This is my least favorite time on the Yakima. The Naches has been good to me this month but by the first week in August we will need to cool it down for the season; we just want to exersize the trout not kill them.

07/12/2007:
I'm back from Idaho, good fishing and great chow. Had some scotch with Chief Holland USNR, fine old man.Yakima is up to summer flows, late evening is your best bet, stimmies and hoppers with caddis at dark.Naches is down to 600cfs, watch out for the snakes. It is really hot here, stinky hot.

06/25/2007:
The Yakima is still in great shape, the flows have started to rise a bit but she still looks good. We found some pigs late taking caddis emergers, tough fishing in that light but rewarding. Some clowns broke into my truck at Roza, but I guess my stinky old fishing gear was not that exciting, that is just the reality of fishing the Yakima. Good luck to Rolf on his pending marriage.

06/22/2007:
Perfect water conditions on the Yakima, lots of mayflies but the wind started howling like the dogs of hell. misery from the No Pimp Zone.

06/19/2007:
Yakima is perfect. Today the nymphing was the ticket.The late caddis did'nt really happen for us, but that is life in the No Pimp Zone.

06/17/2007:
Killer evening caddis action, if you need to get out this is the week before the river goes postal again, and thats no pimping.

06/16/2007:
NO PIMP ZONE FISHING REPORT. This was a another good afternoon PMD's etc. Wind came up about 6:00 but we had some big funby then. The river is really perfect now, and thats no pimping.

06/15/2007:
You are entering the NO PIMP ZONE.... Rain, cool,PMD's,Ped's, Cahill's This was a beauty day.

06/09/2007:
The Yakima is back in focus,around 3000cfc this morning. The weather is also looking favorable for fishing through next week.

05/31/2007:
Wow it's really hot here in the yakima Valley, but fear not faithful reader Popetieo and I have the water feature and hammock up and running in the shade of the old sycamore. Martini's to follow.

05/26/2007:
Yakima is under 4000cfs, this is a good thing.

05/19/2007:
The Yakima is out once again, flows reaching 6000cfs,fishing stinks. There's no use in putting lipstick on a pig.

05/15/2007:
The River is now at summer flows,but we had a wonderful few hours with the caddis dries this evening. sweet

05/04/2007:
Fishing is turning on again on the Yakima, despite all you may have read, this has been a tough few weeks. We are hoping to get a great caddis event over the next weeks, but remember the irrigation season is just around the corner so fish now and paint the house later.

04/21/2007:
We had a nice BWO event around 2:00, River is looking great.

04/13/2007:
Yakima is in good shape. We had a lot of action with the nymph rig but the dries didn't show. What are you going to do?

04/06/2007:
Another outstanding afternoon on the yakima, both dries and subsurface. Looks like we are in for a weather change next week, cooler with some rain. BWO's? You bet!

04/04/2007:
The Yakima looks like a trout river once again.We had a great afternoon throwing dries.

03/29/2007:
Yakima is starting to come into focus, not perfect but who cares.

03/25/2007:
Once again the Yakima is blown out. An extra 2500cfs in 12 hours. lovely

03/12/2007:
The Yakima is once again blown out, stay tuned.

03/06/2007:
The Skwallo's have returned to Yaka-stronno.

02/23/2007:
Cold and windy through the weekend but the color is much better, kind of an OD green/tan.

02/17/2007:
Yakima is blown out, stay home. 4500cfs this morning.

02/14/2007:
The River is looking pretty good the vis is fine, if you want to wet your line, I'll be in Walla Walla drinking wine and eating pork rind's. WOW it has been a long winter.

02/12/2007:
Yakima is dirty but the flow is coming down. We had a great time at the FFishing show this weekend, nice to see so many old customers. Skwala season is coming fast, lets hope the conditions are in our favor this year.

02/07/2007:
I will be working the Hill's Discount flies booth at the Fly Fishing show in Bellevue starting Friday the 9th. Come on down and check out our amazing deals, don't forget the jokes and cigars.

01/31/2007:
Skunked, It's too cold. We need some sunshine, I'm starting to get that winter cut-my-throat thing. What happened to global warming?

01/24/2007:
Yakima is fishing again, water is gin clear and the fish are biting. We nymphed up a couple dozen this aftenoon, some Whities, all satisfying.

01/05/2007:
The Yakima is a dirty sludgy mess, so what else is new? I'll be in San Mateo next week working the Hill's Discount Flies booth at the Sportsmans Show Nothing like a winter road trip. We will be in Bellevue next month at the Fly Fishing show.

12/23/2006:
Merry Christmas lads.

12/06/2006:
Cold but satisfing.

12/01/2006:
Water temp 33.5 air temp 35 Winter trout fishing... priceless.

11/11/2006:
So I leave on a road trip and the Yakima is late fall perfection. Ten days later a mud hole but buck up, I say by next Friday were back in bidness.It's been a tough year for fishing conditions on the old Yakima. I want to thank my loyal band of troutbums for another fine season on the water.

10/28/2006:
A perfect day.

10/23/2006:
The river has dropped below 900cfs and the water is finally clearing nicley. The light nymphing has been great producing some fat rainbow's and whiteies. We have had some good dry action in spots but a little overcast would go along way.

10/18/2006:
Another fine afternoon fishing the BWO's. River has dropped a bit, conditions are perfect. Now is the time.

10/15/2006:
We are finally having the Fall cool down, Sunday afternoon it rained hard and we had a massive BWO event. Classic dry fishing, you forget how easy it can get when all the conditions fall into place.

09/27/2006:
So here's the deal. The river is fishing well subsurface but the dry action is pretty spotty.Why? ITS JUST TOO NICE. Air temp is mid 80's and it is bright and clear. Supposed to stay this way through the weekend but maybe some weather on Monday.

09/14/2006:
Just back from Idaho cutthroat fishing on the St.Joe, what a beauty river. The Yakima is dropping like a rock and looks like a river once again. We will be in the BWO business very soon.

08/30/2006:
Troutbums Chris and Linn had a nice evening of twenty rainbows, I on the other hand rowed the boat and gave advice. Nice night, put the boat in at 7:00 home in bed by 10:00. All is well.

08/21/2006:
Hot, Hot,Hot Think late September,October fishing.

08/01/2006:
It has finally cooled down, nice change for both the fish and fishermen.

07/23/2006:
Papeatieo and I sat in the shade of the cottenwood watching the heat rise over the river as the beautiful native girls swam in the pool below, toasting our fortune with a cold San Miguel.

07/17/2006:
Great day on the Naches and Yakima.

07/12/2006:
Summer fishing is here. Big bugs late or early and a long lunch in the shade. Not so bad.

07/03/2006:
Very large fish late in the day, tight to the banks.Guys I will be in Idaho for the next eight days, the Naches should be fishing by the 15th. I'll be there for you.

06/25/2006:
Finally a perfect evening of dry fly action. Caddis and stonefly patterns tight to the bank.

06/20/2006:
Looks like the Yakima is once again fishing. Summer flows but decent vis. we'll take it!

06/14/2006:
Yakima/Naches Rivers are blown out once again, stay home, drink wine, nap, take your wife out for Chinese.

06/10/2006:
The good news is that the Yakima is down to 2300 cfs and the Nymph fishing has been productive. The bad news is thw wind came up everyday this week late wreaking any evening caddis action. If you want to get on the River before irragation season now is the time.

06/01/2006:
Yakima is in great shape, color was back to a nice green. Nymphing was again the way to find the big fish. We did find a few pods of rising fish to take PMD's, finished out the day with big stonefly dries.

05/29/2006:
Nymphing was very productive we hooked number of Big Boys, also had some decent Caddis dry action after the light came off. Water color is still off but the fish don't care.

05/26/2006:
The Yakima is slowly coming down and clearing. Check the weather report for wind in the next few days.

05/18/2006:
Save your gas the Yakima is blown out. Approching 6000 cfs this morning.I'm running out of honey do's.

05/13/2006:
Saturday was perfection, Caddis, warm ,zero wind what else do you need to know. Temps are going to the 90's next week, I'm guessing the river will be shot to hell....again.

05/10/2006:
Caddis, PMD's Looks like were fishing again.

05/02/2006:
Yakima is looking better, clarity is still not great but is clearing.

04/28/2006:
Lower Yakima is a nasty brown swill, warmer weather and Wilson Creek.

04/10/2006:
yakima is clearing a bit. Nice sage green color, may have a window by mid week.

04/08/2006:
Yakima is really a mess. High and Dirty. This would be a good time to work on the marriage thing some dinning/dancing yadda,yadda.

04/05/2006:
Yakima is still dirty in the Canyon. It is clearing somewhat and we have had BWO action. I'm taking my old pal Jimmy Hill out friday for some R&R.

03/29/2006:
A wade little fishing this afternoon. It was very productive......Skwalla dries. SWEET

03/29/2006:
Yakima fished pretty well last Sat.Sun. water is up and the color is a bit darker. I actually prefer these conditons as it gives us more places to fish. We had BWO's and Skwalla's all afternoon Sunday.

03/28/2006:
Lower Yakima is a nasty brown swill, warmer weather and Wilson creek put altogether it spells Stay Home.

03/19/2006:
Troutbums Mark and Chris got out with me for a little Busmans holiday. Nice afternoon lots of comedy. Yes we did catch some fish, but nobody really cared. Great guys, great fun.

03/18/2006:
Windy, windy, windy still we caught some beauties on Skwalla dries. Tough fishing!

03/16/2006:
Cool and wet, BWO's and Skwalla action

03/15/2006:
Skwalla dries are picking up, we have a lot of cold weather and that and the water temps are retarding the hatch. the best is still ahead.

02/22/2006:
Yakima is in great shape, low and clear. Skwalla nymphs are moving.

02/15/2006:
Another great day fishing Skwalla nymphs.

02/10/2006:
Yakima is in great shape, sunny and warm. The water temp is still a bit cold and the nymph fishing a little slow. A couple weeks will make a big differance....Skwalla dries are just around the corner.

01/21/2006:
The Yakima is in great shape again. A beautiful winter day of nymph fishing, sunny, warm and no wind.

01/13/2006:
Yakima is blown out, time to work on that marriage thing. Dinner/dancing you know the drill.

01/07/2006:
The Yakima is is nice winter fishing shape, Small nymphs in the slack water has been productive for Bow's and Whities.

12/30/2005:
River is clearing, a couple feet of vis. Old randal caught himself a 10 lb Steelhead this afternoon in a snowfall while nymphing for rainbows. What a way to end 2005.SWEET BABY

12/11/2005:
Stay home, the river is iced up.

12/04/2005:
Productive fishing Friday , Saturday, Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00. We tried a half a dozen favorite spots the nymphing was great. Next week is going to be very cold.

11/30/2005:
Beautiful winter afternoon for some shallow nymph fishing. Small beadheads, soft hackles and tiny egg patterns in the slack water.

11/21/2005:
Chris and I spent another afternoon on the river Midging. Not great but a few troutskies gave us the tingle. Its overcast and cold. I know, I know I have to update the Troutbums page, soon...its why they call us bums. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

11/07/2005:
Another season is in the books, I want to thank all my clients for a great year. We had some big fun.

11/01/2005:
It took a while but fall is here. Rain and wind. Kind of a nice change.

10/22/2005:
Sunny and warm, Bwo's from 1:00 till 3:00. River is super low and clear and the trout are spooky, nymph fishing is still very good. There is a rumor we might actually get some cloud cover next week.

10/10/2005:
Bwo's from 12:00 to 3:30. Sun on your back. Perfect

09/30/2005:
WE Finally have some overcast and rain in the desert, SWEET! Fishing has been steady but should pick up on the dries ,Its been a beauty fall but I'm looking forward to some BWO action.

09/20/2005:
Too bright, Too warm, no dry action yet. Nymphing is pretty good but is that what we have been dreaming of????

09/17/2005:
Back from the Clark Fork/St.Joe, fishing was great. The CF has a ton of piggy trout the water is interesting to say the least. The St.Joe is well... the St.Joe. Ate and drank too much but thats what a troutbum vacation is all about.

08/31/2005:
We took an afternoon drift yesterday to get the boat wet and see how the trout were looking after the long hot spell. Fishing was quite good in the size dept. Chris relesed a couple of porkers just under 20 and another half dozen around 17. Hoppers, stonfly's and caddis late. The Labor Day weekend will be a zoo once again, we have some serious garbage to pick up this fall. Explain to me again why Washington doesn't have a bottle bill?????

08/25/2005:
The hot air had finally blown out of the valley, cool nights. Sept/Oct fishing is around the corner.I'll be fishing in Idaho/Montana the week after Labor Day after that I'll be here for you.

08/20/2005:
The Dog days of summer continue, 98 today and Sunday.Time to work on your Tying, September is just around the corner.

08/11/2005:
We had the troutbums over for Papitieo's birthday. Toasted the fishing to come with ice cold San Miguel and Cajun BBQ, well into the evening.

08/03/2005:
Its stinky hot here in Paradise. Water temp is in the danger zone for our fishy pals. Lets give it a rest till it cools down. Should be another big weekend for the Melonomaville crowd floating the Canyon, actually that doesn't sound bad.

07/26/2005:
We had that rare windless evening on the Yakima Tuesday and fishing was very productive. Fishing hoppers/stonefly patterns the trout were really subtle in there takes. Great fun to see a big fish come out of a couple feet of water, slowly.

07/16/2005:
Back from the cool cedar forests of Idaho, I love that cutthroat fishing. Floated the Yakima last night for a few hours, we caught four nice bows on peacock stimulators. Wind blew like a cyclone; welcome back to summer on the Yak.

07/02/2005:
The Yakima is looking like an irragation ditch, its high and fast with plenty of recreational floaters drinking Bud Light and camping in the dirt. Weather is trending to summer temps in the 90's and the wind is howling most days. I'm headed to Idaho.

06/12/2005:
We have been busy fishing our other river the last couple weeks. The Yakima is about 2600 this morning and I suspect fishing very well, if the wind stays down.

06/03/2005:
The Yakima is in beautiful shape, we fished big dries on the move with limited results but the wind was howling. Still a nice way to waste an afternoon.

05/31/2005:
The Naches opens tomorrow.

05/21/2005:
A perfect spring day for fishing, overcast, cool,and no wind. We had a terrific hatch of PMD's, BWO's and other assorted bugs. Lots of big fish taking dries for three hours, wonderfull.

05/18/2005:
Big rain.....PMD's,BWO's. With this cool weather I think the big Caddis events are still ahead. Nymphing has been terrific!!!

05/15/2005:
Its been raining in the desert the last week, fishing has been very productive both dries and sub-surface. The water clarity is ugly but the trout are finding the nymphs. We had some great PMD and BWO hatch's between the thunderstorms....sweet.

05/07/2005:
We had some surface activity early in the day then....zip nothing, no bugs. Perfect conditions. Thats the bad news but the nymph fishing produced a number of big trout. Great fun.

05/02/2005:
Mark and I got out in the boat a few hours. Beauty day. We had a mixed grill of bugs, trout taking both PMD's and Caddis.

04/30/2005:
Beautifull PMD's popping up in the flats.....too sweet.

04/29/2005:
In my next life I want to be a weatherman. There is no down side when your wrong. They say "so who can predict the weather". Anyway we had Caddis around 1:00, PMD's at 2:00 till 3:30 and BWO's late. Lots of big fish in the flats. The wind came up around 2:00 making the casting miserable.

04/29/2005:
PMD's 2:00 till 3:30.......sweet. River is back in shape water temp around 60. All good

04/15/2005:
Finally had a day with perfect condions. Overcast,drizzle, and no wind. Heavy BWO hatch from 2:00 till 3:45. Big bow's eating like there was no tomorrow.

04/03/2005:
A little overcast a little rain provided a target rich environment, not always easy but satisfing.

03/31/2005:
We fished one flat, first March Browns next Bwo's and Bwo emergers next Marchies and Bwo emergers. First day in a week without wind. Springtime

03/26/2005:
Just catching up on this report for last week, the BWO fishing ranged from sweet to very tough. We had some breezy days which does't help the cause, but all in all a high satisfaction value. Its fun just to see big fat bow's lounging around in a foot of water, all backs and snouts.

03/21/2005:
Blue wing heaven. We fished one flat till we were beat. fantastic fishing. The river is prime.

03/19/2005:
Yesterday was the other side of the coin from Friday: cool with rain all day. Beautifull. Perfect BWO weather but again we caught our best fish on Skwalla dries in the rain. Those takes are sweet baby, SWEET.

03/18/2005:
Mark and I took a short drift on another bright sunny day, we saw some BWO fish activity but stayed with the Skwalla dries. There will be plenty of time for the little bugs later this spring. Oh yeah fishing was just short of fantastic.

03/12/2005:
Troutbums took a chance on the crowds, Skwalla dries produced yet again, try fishing the deeper water away from the banks. Lots of boats trading paint and position, kind of NASCAR thing.

03/11/2005:
Another day of great Skwalla fishing with some BWO activity.

03/09/2005:
Fishing was great the last couple days/weeks but I fear we are heading for the spauning slow down. Its the old delema sex or food what's your choice?

03/06/2005:
The weather and River are in beautiful shape, short sleeve's all day. Fishing is a little different each day but by mid afternoon the Skawlla dries are working. The river took a pounding this weekend, lots of fishermen trying out their Christmas toys.

02/27/2005:
Excellent afternoon of fishing, nymphing was hot and we had a good number of takes on the dry Skwalla. Water temp was up to 43 and we have some drizzle this morning, all good.

02/23/2005:
We have been out quite a few times in last week looking for some Skwalla surface action and today we did catch four nice fish on top. The problem continues to be water temps due to the very cold clear nights. The river is very low and amazingly clear, its supposed to warm up and maybe some rain next week.

02/08/2005:
Another beauty winter afternoon, sun on your back and the river is perfect.

02/02/2005:
Beautiful afternoon on the water, river is in great shape, super clear. We fished Skwalla dries a bit but its still a little early. Stay tuned.

01/29/2005:
Yakima is fishing well, water temp. 43 degrees. Dry skwalla fishing soon.

01/10/2005:
The river is iced up, Papieto and I have been tying some spring bugs and drinking San Miguel by the fire.

11/28/2004:
Shallow water nymphing, small flies in the slack water have produced some beauties, midges coming soon.Shallow water nymphing, small flies in the slack water have produced some beauties, midges coming soon.

10/17/2004:
If you've been waiting for BWO fishing conditions are perfect, cool and overcast. The Bow's are bulking up.

09/23/2004:
Small dries, small nymphs big hungry trout,not easy fishing but so satisfing. October will be

08/27/2004:
Fishing has been wonderful, big bugs and the river is in great condition. Still plenty of water for the big fish to be lounging along the banks. Water temp is way down and the trout are looking up.

08/16/2004:
It's stinky hot here in paradise, too hot to be out fishing all day. Fall is coming, cooler days better fishing.

07/17/2004:
Fishing is picking up a bit on the Yakima and has been good after the light comes off the water, big bugs with various droppers and caddis patterns close to the banks is the ticket

02/11/2001:
Let the Skwalla pimping begin!!!! Remember the 6000 Club?? And bring on the Discounters. We are still a month away on the Yakima, but the no-snow pack is looking favorable for a great spring, like with hatches and everything. Amazing

12/31/1969:
Beautiful afternoon in early spring. Got my old pal Jim Hill(Discount Flies) in the boat for some Skwalla action, great time, and Jimmy thanks for bringing the hot wings.

12/31/1969:
Good day nymph fishing. Blown off late evening. River is in good shape.

12/31/1969:
Saturday afternoon was perfection on the Yakima, warm and zero wind, caddis event was great. But it looks like this next week the temps are going to the 90's so most likley the river will be shot to hell again for a week or so......tell me again why we like these big snow years?

12/31/1969:
The River looks much better, kind of a sage green instead of wet dirt brown. Flows are dropping a bit.We may have a window by mid week.

12/31/1969:
Finally had a day with perfect conditions, Overcast,drizzle,and no wind. Bwo's came off at 2:00 and lasted till 3:45. Heavenly, big fat bows boiling and eating like there was no tomorrow. As good a Bwo hatch as I've seen this spring.