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The Pteronarcys californica also known as the Salmon
Fly, hatches on the Yakima river thought-out the month of May.
The hatch of these giant stoneflies is very short-lived, last only a few short weeks, but the Yakima trout are well aware of there presence. I have been around the Salmon Fly hatch my entire life, growing up fishing the famous Montana river, the Big Hole. It is well known for it's hatch of Salmon Flies and anglers from all around the country flock to this incredible river every year hoping for a chance to fish this great hatch. |
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We usually see the hatch begin on the lower Yakima below and it works it's way up river quickly. If you happen to time it right and keep your eye out you will see these clumsy insect trying to fly over the water. Most don't last long. The Swallows and Robin's are well aware of there presence as well and take advantage of this big feast. |
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 The
nymphs migration to the shores every year keep the trout on full alert.
Like other stoneflies they crawl out of the water at night and shed
there shuck on-shore. Here they gather among the brush for several
days before returning to deposit the next generation of Salmon Flies.
Fishing the nymph stage of this hatch is sometimes more productive.A #6-8 Bitch Creek or Pepperoni works great to imitate thee nymphal stage of the Salmon Fly. At times trout will refuse an adult pattern just to sink there jaws into a nymph. Wolly Buggers in the appropriate colors work to imitate the nymph as well. |
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Weather & water conditions have a great deal of importance on the
hatch. The great thing about our hatch on the Yakima is the river is