Yakima River Washington Hatch Chart

Central Washington, from the Cascades to the Columbia. The Yakima is the premier trout river in Washington state — a tailwater and freestone system that drains the eastern slopes of the Cascades and flows southeast through a series of distinct reaches before joining the Columbia near Richland. Wild rainbow trout throughout, with browns in the lower canyon. The Yakima runs clear and cold year-round below Roza Dam, making it one of the most consistent dry-fly fisheries in the Pacific Northwest.

The river fishes well every month of the year. Hatches are diverse and often overlap — BWO and midge in winter, caddis and PMD through spring and summer, hoppers and tricos in late summer, and outstanding fall olives. The fish are wild, often large, and see significant pressure in the canyon — presentation matters.

Check current Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before you go. The Yakima has specific gear restrictions, selective fishery rules, and seasonal closures on some sections. Wild trout must be released. A Washington fishing license is required.

Shop by type: dry flies, nymphs, Euro nymphs, hoppers and terrestrials, streamers.

The two sections

Upper Yakima — Cle Elum to Ellensburg

The upper river runs through the broad Kittitas Valley between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. Slower, meandering water with good road access and a mix of riffles, pools, and flat glides. Wild rainbows average 12-16 inches with larger fish present. Less pressure than the canyon below. Good caddis and PMD water in summer; excellent fall BWO fishing. The upper river is a good option when the canyon is crowded or when you want more room to wade.

Yakima Canyon — Ellensburg to Roza Dam

The signature fishery. The river drops into a narrow basalt canyon below Ellensburg and runs roughly 25 miles to Roza Dam. Tailwater influence from Roza keeps the lower canyon cold and stable year-round. Wild rainbows and browns, strong hatch calendar, and a float-fishing culture that mirrors Montana's blue-ribbon rivers. The canyon sees the most pressure but also holds the most fish and the most consistent hatches. Wade-fishing is productive but float trips cover more water and access the best canyon sections.

Year at a glance

Month Primary hatches Also carry Typical sizes
Jan Midges, BWO Small nymphs 18-22
Feb Midges, BWO Early stonefly nymphs 16-22
Mar BWO, midges Early caddis, Skwala start 16-22, Skwala 8-12
Apr Skwala, BWO, March Brown Caddis, streamers 12-18
May Caddis, PMD, BWO Stonefly nymphs, March Brown PMD 16-18, caddis 14-16
Jun PMD, caddis, yellow sally Golden stone, BWO PMD 16-18, stones 8-12
Jul PMD, caddis, tricos Hoppers start, yellow sally 14-20
Aug Tricos, hoppers, caddis Ants, beetles, late PMD Trico 20-24, hopper 8-12
Sep BWO, tricos, hoppers Mahogany dun, streamers BWO 18-20, trico 20-24
Oct BWO, mahogany dun October caddis, midges, streamers 18-22, caddis 8-10
Nov BWO, midges Small nymphs, streamers 18-22
Dec Midges, BWO Small nymphs 18-22

January

The Yakima Canyon fishes year-round and January can be outstanding on mild, overcast days. Midge clusters bring fish to the surface in the flat tailouts. BWO hatch on gray afternoons. The upper river is slower to warm but fishable on calm days. Focus on the canyon for the most consistent winter action.

February

Same midge and BWO program. Olives can hatch well on gray days through the canyon. Small stonefly nymphs begin moving. The Yakima in February rewards the angler willing to make the drive — large fish, few crowds, and classic winter dry-fly conditions on the right day.

  • Midges and BWO on gray days.
  • Small nymphs subsurface — Baetis and midge larvae.

March

One of the best months on the Yakima. BWO hatches strengthen. Skwala stoneflies — the hatch the Yakima is famous for — begin on the canyon when water temperatures reach the mid-40s. The Skwala is the first significant dry-fly hatch of the year and draws serious attention. Time it right and you can fish large dries to aggressive rainbows in March conditions. Crowds build quickly once word spreads that the Skwala is on.

  • Skwala - 8-12. The signature early-season hatch. A Stimulator or rubber-leg dry along the banks and cliff edges on warm afternoons. Fish nymph imitations subsurface all day. See nymphs and dry flies.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger on overcast afternoons.

April

Skwala continues into early April. March Browns begin appearing on the larger canyon sections. Caddis hatch builds toward the end of the month. Runoff can affect the upper river — the canyon below Roza stays cleaner longer due to the tailwater influence. April on the Yakima is one of the best combinations of hatch diversity and manageable crowds before the summer float season begins.

  • Skwala through early April on the canyon.
  • March Brown - 12-14 on overcast afternoons in the canyon.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO on gray days.
  • Early caddis at dusk.
  • Streamers in off-color water.

May

Caddis and PMDs overlap through May — one of the most productive dry-fly months of the year. The canyon comes into full form. PMDs hatch in the morning, caddis in the afternoon and evening. Stonefly nymphs are active subsurface. The upper river near Cle Elum fishes well in May before summer heat arrives.

June

Outstanding fishing across both sections. PMDs continue through the month. Yellow sallies add a third dry-fly option in the faster canyon riffles. Golden stones in the heavier pocket water. The canyon sees heavy float traffic in June — wade-anglers should target early mornings and the upper river. The Yakima does not have a significant salmonfly hatch — PMDs, yellow sallies, and caddis are the primary June events.

  • PMD - 16-18. Pale Morning Dun mornings.
  • Yellow sally - 14-16 in fast riffles and pocket water.
  • Golden stone - 8-12 in heavier canyon water.
  • Caddis evenings. Elk hair.

July

PMDs continue into mid-July. Tricos begin on the slower upper river and flat canyon sections. Hoppers start along the canyon walls and grass banks. The canyon is at peak float season in July — early morning wade fishing and the upper river are the best options for solitude. Caddis remain reliable through the month, especially evenings.

  • PMD mornings through mid-month. Pale Morning Dun.
  • Trico - 20-24. Early morning spinner falls on the slower upper river and flat canyon pools.
  • Early hoppers along canyon walls and grass banks — hoppers and terrestrials.
  • Caddis evenings. Elk hair.

August

Trico spinner falls are the highlight of late summer on the Yakima — especially on the upper river and the flat canyon pools. Hoppers work the canyon walls. Ants and beetles in the foam lines. The canyon can warm in August — check water temperatures and fish early if temps are elevated. The upper river near Cle Elum stays cooler and is a good August alternative.

  • Trico - 20-24. Morning spinner falls on slow water. Fine tippet essential. The most important hatch of the month.
  • Hoppers - 8-12. Canyon walls and grass banks. Shop hoppers and terrestrials. A hopper-dropper with a small nymph is the standard rig.
  • Ants and beetles in foam lines along the banks.
  • Evening caddis.

September

Outstanding month. BWO return as nights cool. Tricos continue into mid-September. Hoppers hold through mid-month. Mahogany duns add a second afternoon dry-fly option. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day and the canyon is largely empty. This is many local anglers' favorite month on the Yakima.

  • Tricos through mid-September on flat water.
  • Hoppers and ants through mid-month along the canyon.
  • BWO - 16-20. Parachute BWO and CDC Baetis emerger.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • Streamers at last light for larger fish.

October

Fall BWO fishing on the Yakima is some of the best in the West — dense hatches on gray afternoons, large selective rainbows, and an essentially empty canyon. October caddis add a big dry-fly option on warmer afternoons. Mahogany duns overlap with the olives. One of the most underrated months on the river.

  • BWO - 16-20. The dominant hatch. The Yakima's fall olives can be exceptionally dense — sparse patterns and fine tippet.
  • Mahogany dun - 14-16 on overcast afternoons.
  • October caddis - 8-10 on warmer afternoons.
  • Midges - 18-22 in slow tailouts.
  • Streamers in deeper canyon slots.

November

BWO and midges through the warmest part of the afternoon. The canyon is quiet. Wild rainbows that have been sipping flies for months are still willing on a well-presented dry. The upper river slows significantly in November.

  • BWO - 16-20 on overcast days. Parachute BWO.
  • Midges - 18-22 in slow tailouts.
  • Small nymphs subsurface.

December

Midge and BWO program. The canyon fishes year-round. Cold mornings, short days, and a nearly empty river. A calm, overcast December afternoon in the Yakima Canyon with rising fish is as good as it gets for winter dry-fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest.

A western dry and nymph assortment covers the core season. Add Skwala patterns for March, hoppers and tricos for summer, and a strong BWO selection in sizes 16-20 for fall — the Yakima's October olive fishing is worth planning a trip around.