Clark-Skamania Flyfishers

Weekend Trip: YAKIMA RIVER

  • Fri, October 16, 2026
  • 8:00 AM
  • Sun, October 18, 2026
  • 6:00 PM
  • Big Pines Campground

Registration

  • Free to CSF Members
Register

Join Us for the Weekend on The Yakima River

Camping: October 16 - 18, 2026 | Big Pines Campground 


Join Fishmaster Steve Jones for an exceptional fly-fishing outing on the beautiful Yakima River. This a floating trip as bank access is very limited throughout the canyon section.

Weekend Camping

No reservations are required, all campsites are on a first come - first served basis.

Steve Jones, your Fishmaster, plans to camp at a site TBD which will serve as the main gathering place for the morning orientation and potluck dinner on Saturday.

Saturday Tentative Itinerary

Main gathering location: Since all the campsite are on a first come - first served basis you will need to look for the CSF signs posted by the Fishmasters designating their location.

Time Activity
8:00 AM Meet at Fismasters Campsite, set up rods.
9:00 AM Fishing orientation and safety meeting
Morning Fish and explore the river


Evening         

Potluck Dinner, and fellowship


Meeting locations and times are subject to change. Please RSVP so Steve Jones can contact you if plans are updated.

Fishing Plan

Fly fishing the Yakima River in October offers fantastic dry fly action and large trout feeding on surface hatches during the fall transition.

Rod Setup

  • Primary Rod: 9-foot, 5-weight or 6-weight medium-fast to fast-action rod.
  • The 6-Weight Advantage: The 6-weight is ideal for cutting through frequent canyon winds and casting heavy setups.
  • Versatility: Use a 5-weight if you are focusing exclusively on delicate dry fly presentations on calmer days.

Leaders and Tippet

  • Nymphing & Indicators: 9-foot 3X or 4X tapered leader. Add 12 to 24 inches of 4X or 5X fluorocarbon tippet to your flies.
  • October Caddis Dry Flies: 9-foot 4X nylon monofilament leader. This turns over large, wind-resistant dry flies easily.
  • BWO Dry Flies: 9 to 12-foot 5X tapered leader. Drop down to 5X or 6X nylon tippet for a stealthy presentation to rising fish.
  • Streamers: Short, stout leaders. Use a 7.5-foot 2X or 3X leader, or a straight 4-to-6 foot piece of 10lb to 12lb fluorocarbon.
Key Fall Hatches
  • Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs): These tiny mayflies (#18–20) hatch heavily on overcast afternoons, sparking great surface feeding.
  • October Caddis: Large, distinct orange-brown caddis get the attention of bigger trout looking for a substantial meal.
  • Crane Flies: Frequently found along the banks and mixed into the late-season menu

River Conditions and Tactics

  • Low Flows: Irrigation cutbacks mean lower, clearer water (often dropping well below summer levels), requiring long, delicate, drag-free presentations.
  • Wading Safety: Rocks become very slippery from summer weed growth, and basalt canyon rocks demand extreme caution. Use a wading staff and studded boots.
  • Streamer Fishing: Swinging or stripping large streamers during low-light hours can turn up the river’s largest resident rainbow trout

Nymph Patterns

Nymphing is highly productive in the morning before the afternoon mayfly hatches begin. Use a heavy stonefly nymph to pull your smaller bugs down into the deep canyon currents.

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs / TJ Hooker (#8–12): The go-to heavy stonefly anchor fly for the Yakima River. Use brown, black, or variegated olive/brown.
  • RIO's Caddy Shack October Caddis / Silvey's Caddis Pupa (#10–14): Excellent for drifting through deeper slots to imitate emerging caddis pupae.
  • TNT Baetis Nymph / Roza's Mouse Jig (#16–20): Heavy tungsten jig flies that quickly drop to the bottom and perfectly match the early BWO activity.

    Dry Fly Patterns

    The canyon section sees intense surface action on overcast autumn afternoons

    • Morrish October Caddis / Orange Stimulator (#8–12): Large, highly buoyant bugs. Great for skittering or dancing across the surface seams, or as the top fly in a hopper-dropper setup.
    • Winger Parachute BWO / Sparkle Dun (#16–20): Vital for clear afternoons when fish are rising selectively. The parachute post makes these tiny flies highly visible in choppy canyon water.
    • Aero Daddy Crane Fly (#10–14): Imitates the gangly crane flies that skip across the banks and slower back eddies.

    Streamer Patterns

    Streamers yield the largest resident rainbows and cutthroats in October as the fish feed heavily before winter. Fish these along shady canyon walls or deep drop-offs

    • Sculpzilla / Sculpzilla Jr. (#4–8): A heavy, articulated favorite on the Yakima. Olive, black, or natural sculpin colors work best.
    • Sparkle Minnow (#4–8): Provides great flash in the gin-clear autumn water, triggering aggressive predatory strikes.
    • Dolly Llama (#4–6): A heavy conehead pattern with rabbit strips that provides massive underwater movement when swung or stripped through deep tailouts.

    Lodging Options Nearby

    • Canyon River Ranch; on-site where Red's Fly Shop is located. Features private cabins and lodge suites right next to the shop. 509-933-2100
    • Days Inn: 901 Berry Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Phone: 509-933-1500
    • Quality Inn Selah. 659 N Wenas Rd, Selah, WA 98942. 509-698-6000

    RSVP Required

    If you plan to attend, please fill out registration button above (top of this page), or email Ben@BigAmazonFish.net with the following information:

    1. Your name

    2. Names of anyone coming with you

    3. Your cell phone number

    4. Emergency contact name

    5. Emergency contact phone number

    6. Are you joining the Saturday day trip or camping for the weekend?

    7. If camping, what campsite did you reserve?

    RSVPs help us plan, communicate any changes, and keep everyone accounted for during the outing.

    Safety

    For emergencies, aside from calling 911 when in cell coverage, please take note of the following information:

    Nearest Urgent Care Clinics: (Limited Hours)

    • Kittitas Valley Urgent Care in Ellensburg (702 E Mountain View Ave. #1, Ellensburg, WA 98926). Phone: 509-962-9841.Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM, Saturday–Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM.
    • Multicare Indigo Urgent Care - Yakima (2706 W Nob Hill Blvd, Suite 100, Yakima, WA 98902. Phone: 509-580-7845. Open daily 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Nearest Regional Hospitals:
    • Kittitas Valley Healthcare (603 S Chestnut St. Ellensburg, WA 98926). Phone: 509-962-9841. Distance/Time: Approx. 20–25 minutes north of the fly shop.
    • MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital (2811 W Tieton Dr. Yakim, WA 98902. Phone: 509-575-8000

    Email president@wscffi.org if you have any questions.

    See you on the water!

    Cheers,

    Steve Jones, Yakima River Outing