Wade Fishing the Yak

Midway between Richland and Wenatchee is the Yakima Canyon; well, not exactly the shortest midway point, but it was equal time for both Tom and I to get there. So it is a midway point and a good place to transfer kids, bringing Sarah and Melinda from Wenatchee to get them home to Richland. And to spend a couple evening hours fishing moving water.

With the drought this year, the water in the canyon is quite low, 1500 cfs instead of the normal 3500 cfs, which makes it much easier (or actually possible) to wade and fish. We started about 5:30 at Umtanum, crossing the pedestrian bridge and fishing the far side of the river. We found a few fish, quite small, the largest being about 12". Tom got a large whitefish. Caddis were flying all around, but action was on nymphs. Rick landed four, one on the psycho prince, the rest on a Montana X-wing or something like that. Tom caught a couple on nymphs, and at least one on a caddis.

Rick had to leave a little before dusk to get the girls home, Tom stayed a while longer and shortly before dusk larger fish started rising. He hooked four nice fish, up to maybe 18", but only landed one about 14". A good way to spend the evening.


Small Yakima rainbow

Yakima Canyon

The largest fish of the evening



Walking back to the footbridge