Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for Yakima River (Washington)
The Yakima River in Washington fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a freestone fishery for Redband Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout, with the most reliable window in March, April, May. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the Yakima River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Blue-Winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO |
| April | Blue-Winged Olive | #18-22 | CDC BWO Emerger |
| Little Black Stonefly | #16-18 | Black Elk Hair Caddis | |
| May | Grannom Caddis (Mothers Day) | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis |
| Salmonfly | #4-6 | Norm Wood Special | |
| June | PMD | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun |
| Caddis | #14-16 | X-Caddis | |
| July | PMD | #16-18 | PMD Cripple |
| Yellow Sally | #14-16 | Yellow Sally | |
| Grasshopper | #8-12 | Daves Hopper | |
| August | Grasshopper | #8-12 | Parachute Hopper |
| Ant | #14-18 | CDC Ant | |
| September | Blue-Winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO |
| October Caddis | #8-10 | October Caddis Stimulator | |
| October | October Caddis | #8-10 | October Caddis |
| Blue-Winged Olive | #18-22 | Parachute BWO |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the Yakima River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
No catalog patterns in this group yet. Use the hatch chart and the river guide.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the Yakima River?
- Start with BWO Sparkle Dun and BWO Loop Wing Emerger, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The Yakima River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the Yakima River?
- The editorial window we list is March, April, May, June, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the Yakima River?
- Washington has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the Yakima River?
- Open the Yakima River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the Yakima River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
Yakima River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Washington
Trip planning for this region.
BWO Sparkle Dun
Dry
BWO Loop Wing Emerger
Emerger
BWO Parachute
Dry
Reds Fly Shop Guides
Riverdog Outfitters
Avid Angler
Lake Forest Park, WA
Basin & Range Outfitters
Spokane Valley, WA
Klickitat River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Methow River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Skagit River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Spokane River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.