Before the introduction of white settlers to the valley, the Yakama Indians made their home here, living on the vast stocks of fish and game, the river and land provided.  Abundant runs of wild Spring Chinook Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Coho Salmon and Steelhead made the adverse journey returning each season from the Pacific Ocean.  These important fish, traversed the Columbia River to return to the spawning grounds of the Yakima for centuries.  Native Bull trout and Cutthroat were plentiful in the main stem and small tributaries of the river as well.

By the late 1890's irrigation dams and canals were built and placed on the lower river with little or no fish passage available for these anadromous fish.  In 1939, the Roza Dam, a hydro-electric/irrigation diversion dam located 18 miles south of Ellensburg in the Lower Yakima River Canyon was constructed. Upon its completion, the last remaining runs of wild steelhead and salmon were barricaded, unable to reach their sacred spawning grounds in the Upper Yakima Basin.  The dams fish passage for steelhead and salmon was not a concern until the mid 1980's, when new legislation under the Endangered Species Act, constituted reconstruction of the dam facility.

Once construction was completed these sea-going salmonoids, once again had access to the Upper Yakima River Watershed. However, by the time the project was completed, over 50 years had passed and the wild steelhead of the Upper Yakima River Basin had nearly gone extinct. To this day less than 1% of the original run, returns to the upper river for spawning.  The majority of Yakima River steelhead today relies on the tributaries of the Lower Yakima as well as the Naches River for spawning purposes.

In the early 1980's, special fishing regulations were put in place on the Yakima to help strengthen the numbers of rainbow trout that had been stocked for decades by the Fish & Game commission. With the help of local fly fishing clubs and agencies, the start of the 1990's provided Washington state fly fishermen with the first no kill, catch & release, bait prohibited trout fishery. Protection of a naturally spawning wild rainbow population was in place. This protection would insure future generations of naturally spawning, self staining rainbow and cutthroat trout populations, already well established in this Central Washington Watershed.

With trout sizes and population densities steadily increasing, the Yakima is becoming legendary with fly fishermen world-wide as they make the journey to fish it's trout filled waters year after year. With the construction of water retention reservoirs and diversion dams around the turn of the century, an aquatic insect population has thrived.  It has created a virtual abundance of stoneflies, caddisflies as well as several different species of mayflies that will emerge throughout the season.

The Yakima is also home to several species of baitfish, including Sculpin, Dace, Stickleback and Red Side Shiners. A substantial population of crustaceans such as scuds, snails and Crayfish also coexist within the waters of the Yakima. These larger food items play an important part of the dietary consumption for the resident fish throughout different stages of the year.

In the late 1990's, a reintroduction of salmon to the Yakima River system was initiated in the upper watershed.  The goal in the beginning, was to restore Spring Chinook to the upper river.  A hatchery facility was constructed in the town of Cle Elum along the banks of the Yakima.  Here, fishery consultants had the technology to use wild brood stock captured during the migration from salt to fresh water and begin re-building the stocks of fish.  It is still an on going effort that has shown much promise.  Now, Sockeye and Coho Salmon are among the other anadromous fish stocks that are being revitalized in the water shed as well.

The WBFC, Yakima River trout trips are conducted by Professional Fly Fishing Guides.  A safe, comfortable drift boat is the ideal way to navigate and fly fish the river.  Wader and boot rental is available for $40.00 per set if needed.  To book your day of fly fishing you can contact the proshop directly.  A full payment for any of our fly fishing adventures is required to reserve your guide for a day. You can also pay and purchase your trip online by clicking here.  Once we have received payment, a WBFC Staff member will contact you promptly, to schedule your day of fly fishing with us. The WBFC Full Day & Half Day Trips are available from April 1st to November 15th each and every season.  This is due to time constraints as well as weather and water conditions. FULL DAY-ONE PERSON FULL DAY-TWO PERSON $525.00 $595.00  TRIP INCLUDES: FLIES, AND GEAR IF NEEDED 8 HOURS OF FISHING TIME AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION TRIP INCLUDES: FLIES, AND GEAR IF NEEDED 8 HOURS OF FISHING TIME AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION

The Yakima River, is a big western stream that flows with intense water flows, the majority of the year.  From the month of April to September, the river is swollen from bank to bank with powerful, heavy water currents.  Irrigation demands from farmers in three separate counties in Central Washington, dictate their water needs and the Yakima fills to capacity and is amplified with water.   Annual water flows between this period average 4000cfs or better (cfs=cubic feet per second).

It is during these times of the year, that the river is most productively fished from the confines of a drift boat.  Because of the water volume, wading the river this time of year is hazardous and not recommended and in most instances, impossible.  Once the flip-flop is initiated in early September, the flows will steadily drop and the opportunities to wade fish the river will begin.

The WBFC, full day and half-day fly-fishing adventures on the Yakima River are conducted from a warm, safe, comfortable, McKenzie style fiberglass drift boats.  These boats are configured exclusively for fly-fishing and provide adequate room, stability and comfort for each fisherman.  Floating any of our big western rivers, especially the Yakima with a qualified oarsman at the helm is a fun and rewarding experience in itself.  As your professional fly fishing guide, glides the boat down and across the river, your skills will be called upon and challenged.

With guide encouragement and instruction, you can precisely place your fly tight along a grassy undercut bank, underneath overhanging vegetation or placed ever so lightly along a thick foam line. These exciting challenges provide you with a fun and rewarding fly-fishing experience throughout the day.

Fishing from the drift boat with a qualified guide also gives you an overall strategic advantage as appose to walking the banks and streambed of the river. Having the ability, as well as the versatility to move and cover more river quickly as well as being able to anchor the boat and target specific areas of the river, provides you with the tactical advantage needed throughout the day. The Hyde and Clacka Craft Drift Boats are our brands of choice to perform these duties.  These boats are guide friendly, safe, reliable and have become the workhorse of the industry. There is plenty of storage capacity for extra rods, gear bags and additional clothing.  Always come prepared for changing weather conditions.

Feel free to contact WBFC with any questions you may have regarding our Yakima River Fly Fishing trips. Reserving your fly fishing day with one of our professionals is simple. Call us directly or stop by our brick & mortar proshop in Ellensburg.  A friendly staff member will be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have and arrange your day of fly-fishing on the Yakima River.