There must be some way out of here, said the Joker to the Thief.   Maggie and I thought we’d steal the day away on the Yakima a few days ago, after providing some cross-country travelers some private casting lessons.  Seems they were driving all the way from Key West, FL to Fairbanks, AK and wanted a basic knowledge of how to fly fish once they got to Alaska…maybe this closes the circle from Wharf Rat but that’s probably a stretch…anyways.

The river was moving at 6000 cfs – and there was little of the river cobble to be seen, but for a very few places.  Tucking into the corners gave little respite from the flow, nor at the ends of the barely visible islands that normally make up the river’s edge and banks during lower flows.  But that’s where the force of the water was the most reasonable.  I suspect that underneath the Salmonfly, amid the caddisflies and golden stones in the water, that we were right on top of the fish.  Maggie spotted them, gave out a small bark…your next Emerging Rivers Guide Services protege!

Here’s the river dog all suited up and ready for her maiden voyage on the Yakima.  She did well, mostly rested and let me do all the work…it’s a dog’s life.  She’s got her Orvis dog bed on order…

We felt the river dropping underneath us, and sure enough after getting home the numbers told the story.  There will be a short period of time over the next few days in which to sneak in a float and perhaps catch the river on the drop…

Not much has changed in the lower canyon, although this stump just above the Rock Garden is certainly new.  Won’t pose a problem to most floaters, but it will provide some main channel structure.

We drove home via Hwy 10 between Ellensburg and Cle Elum, to check out the upper canyon area.  It was certainly windy but a nice sunny day.  I’m going to float this section on Saturday – in high water, the pools in this section are even better.

Put $5 in the can…

Lest you think it was a perfect day…we ran into traffic on the way home.  Two hours later, in the gray and rainy skies, we were home after a successful first river float for Maggie and me.  We didn’t fish, but the fish were there.  Middle of the river, splashy vertical rises for size 16 tan caddis and blue winged olives, dripping slowly into the water like the rain drops on the windshield.  Thanks for reading – Derek & Maggie.