WBFC Fly Fishing EDU
"A PROFESSIONAL BRICK & MORTAR FLY FISHING PRO SHOP & OUTFITTER SERVICE"
Worley Bugger Fly Co.
 

Welcome to the WBFC Yakima River Aquatic/NonAquatic Insect hatch chart.  We have complied a complete list of all the major insect hatches along with baitfish and other fish food sources that occur on a yearly basis.  Feel free to contact us with any questions or problems that you may encounter during the viewing.

 

Yakima River Aquatic Insect Hatches

Yakima River Hatches

 NATURAL

EMERGENCE PERIOD

DESCRIPTION

SPECIES

NYMPH

ADULT

 

Midges

Midges hatch the majority of the year, however are only significant as a viable food source during particular months of the year.  Sizes 18 thru 26 includes clusters.

 
Skawla Stone-Fly The Adult Female Skawla
This is the first major aquatic insect hatch of the new year. The nymph migration begins during the winter months.  We start seeing the adults around the middle of February, when water temps elevate past 42 degrees.
 
Baetis

Blue Wing Olives are the first major mayfly and the last mayfly of the year to hatch on the Yakima.  Spring Baetis range in size 16 to 18 and our Fall Baetis are much smaller, often 18 to size 22.

 
March Brown
March Browns are probably the most intense hatch of mayflies the river will see all year.  Emergence begins during the latter days of March and become consistent each day through the month of April.  An afternoon emergence.
 
Caddis
Caddisflies are abundant on the Yakima and begin blooming during the warming month of April.  Hatches will intensify around Mothers Day and last well into the latter parts of Autumn. Olive, tan, black and brown size 14-18
 
Salmon Fly The Yakima River Salmon Fly Nymph
The grand-daddy of all stoneflies begins its importance during the month of April as these 3" long nymphs migrate to the shores of the river.  Adults can emerge from April to June.  Size 4-6
 
Green Drake
The Green Drake is a spring mayfly occurring for only a short period on the Yakima.  It is also very river section specific, emerging only in specified areas of the river. A delightful April or May encounter.  Size 10-12
 
Golden Stone
Golden Stoneflies typically begin showing up during the first few days of summer.  Their emergence is quite peculiar, as they emerge right from the water, neglecting to migrate like other stoneflies.  Very exciting dry fly fishing.
 
Pale Morning Dun The Yakima River Pale Morning Dun Mayfly....Now Emerging On the Yakima River
The Yakima Rivers summer mayfly, the PMD will begin its seasonal debut during the latter portions of May.  This uniquely colored mayfly will emerge throughout the summer months. Size 16 dead on.
 
Grasshoppers
Terrestrial activity is very important, especially during the dog days of summer.  The high, bushy banks of the Yakima is home to a variety of hoppers.  They will vary in color and size dependant on stream vegetation.
 
Ants
Ants in both red and black are a highly viable resource for the Yakima trout.  The little insect is highly vulnerable during the spring and summer months, especially during periods of high winds.  Size 16-18.  A key component.
 
Beetles
Beetles also thrive along the river banks of the Yakima in a variety of sizes and colors.  Typically black in color, these terrestrial insects are also a key ingredient during the months of summer.  Sizes vary-10-16
 
Yellow Sallie
This small stonefly is a high summer emergent that occurs during the heat of the day.  The upper portions and farmlands area of the Yakima experiences much greater hatches then the lower canyon area. Size 16-18
 
Cranefly
The Cranefly in late August thru September supplies resident Yakima fish a potent food source while providing early autumn fly fishers with some of the funniest dry fly fishing of the year.  The Cranefly grub is a constant year-round food source throughout the river for resident fish.
 
Shortwing Stonefly Click To Enlarge-The Yakima River Short Wing Stone Nymph
They Yakima rivers most prolific stonefly, hands down.  Thousands of nymphs begin migrating as early as July.  Adults will appear during August and intensify in September.  Males do not fly.  Skate, twitch, twitch. Size 4-6
 
October Caddis The Yakima Fall Caddis.
The rivers big Fall Caddis emergent.  The October Caddis begins pupation in late August and adults will appear as early as the first week of September.  An important Fall aquatic event for Yakima rainbows. Size 6-8
 
Mahogany Dun  
Another important Fall Mayfly.  Mahogany Duns will appear in the latter portions of the afternoon, generally mixed among a hatch of Autumn Baetis.  Watch carefully for which insect the trout are selecting.
 
Light Cahill  
The Light Cahill is another important Mayfly that will hatch on the Yakima during the Fall months of September and October.  Very similar to our summer PMD Mayfly, but with a distinct brighter color and generally a size 18.
 
Sculpin
The Yakima is host to a variety of baitfish species.  The Sculpin is undoubtedly the most common.  Trout of all sizes, feed in discriminatively on these species.  A favorite forage all year.
 
Crayfish
Crayfish are abundant and thrive throughout the Yakima River.  Crayfish vary in size and color and are highly vulnerable during molting periods.  During these times, trout prey on this soft shelled crustacean.
 
Stickleback
Stickleback are another common baitfish in the Yakima.  They thrive along the weeds and shorelines of the river where adequate cover exists.  A full grown adult is about 2 inches in length.
 

Alevin

Chinook and Coho Salmon Alevin are a major resource for resident trout in the early spring months.  Fall runs of salmon are abundant in areas of the Yakima, so these patterns fish appropriately are productive.
 

Salmon Fry

Fry are also a commodity to larger rainbows that will feed on these immature salmon.  They reside in the system a full year before smolting.  Smolts then move down river to the Pacific to begin their adult life cycle.
 

Whitefish Eggs

Rocky Mountain Whitefish make up a percentage of game fish in the Yakima. From November to February, these native fish build redds and spawn in most areas of the river.
 
 
 

The WBFC EDU is dedicated to educating anglers on all aspects of fly fishing and one of if not the most, important pieces to that puzzle is food.  Under our Insects, Hatches, and Baitfish section anglers will be introduced to the large selection of species that call our river home and our trout call lunch. Anglers will also have an in-depth look at what flies imitate what sources of food and many of those patterns will also have videos under our media section for you to reference when preparing for your next fishing adventure. 

 

From Stoneflies to Caddis, Crawdads to Sculpin we here at WBFC want you to have access to the most information around when it comes to fly fishing.  The team at Worley Bugger Fly Co. is dedicated to making you into the best fly fisherman possible.  Check the Links below or above to be directed to our fly tying and EDU Videos, our Hatches Index, and our Insect Identification for an in-depth look at food for trout.

1713 SOUTH CANYON ROAD - ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 - 509-962-2033 - www.worleybuggerflyco.com