During a business trip to Seattle the week of March 24, I had the opportunity to stay over the weekend and fish the Yakima River on Saturday, March 29. I booked a trip with a great guide service, The Evening Hatch located in Ellensburg, WA. I was paired up with a great guide, Derek Jordan.

Derek and I talked a bit before we started the trip, and we found that we both are huge fans of dry fly fishing as opposed to nymphing. During this point in the season, most of the guides are strictly nymphing with their clients. Derek recommeded that we fish with a #8 Skwalla Stone Fly. Derek's version of the fly has a foam strip between the body and the deer hair wing, allowing the fly to float effortlessly in the many riffles and reversing currents on the Yakima.

Since the water was low, and the current is pretty strong on the Yakima, we fished exclusively along the edges of the river. The edges have a slower flow than the middle of the river, so I was constantly mending to overcome the difference in currents between the riverbank and the boat. Since I'm somewhat of a lazy fisherman (spoiled by the more consistent currents in our Au Sable and Manistee), Derek was constantly coaching me to "mend, mend, mend". Derek was a great coach, and taught me some high sticking techniques and methods for fishing back currents and over the rocks.

For the day we had 15 takes, all on the dry flies. I had 8 in the boat and 3 LDR's (long distance releases). It was a great float, and I definitely recommend that anyone who is interested in fishing the Yakima River contact Jason Boitano at The Evening Hatch.