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Fly Fishing the Yakima River

Washington's blue-ribbon wild rainbow trout fishery, the Yakima flows through a dramatic basalt canyon east of the Cascades with some of the most reliable hatch fishing in the Pacific Northwest. From February Skwalas to October caddis, it's a four-season river.

  • 5 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • Year-round
  • Washington
  • 6 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Yakima River is Year-round. Key hatches include Skwala Stonefly, March Brown & Blue, Mother's Day Caddis / Grannom, Salmonfly & Golden Stonefly. 5 fly shops near the Yakima River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Yakima River

Shops and guides that fish the Yakima River. See all 36 Washington shops →

Worley-Bugger Fly CoThe Evening Hatch Yakima River Fly Shop and Guide Service - Since 1988Crow Creek Fly Shop & Guide ServiceWenatchee Fly Company and Guide ServiceThe Avid Angler
5 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassPanfishRedfishSalmonSteelheadTarponTrout

Nearby towns

EllensburgRoslynWenatchee

Rivers nearby

Columbia RiverDeschutes RiverSpokane RiverCoeur d'Alene River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Yakima River

River typetailwater
Best seasonYear-round; fall (September–November) is peak for dry-fly fishing
AccessThe main trout section runs from Easton Dam to Roza Dam, paralleled largely by I-90 and Highway 10. Key access sites include Easton Dam, East Nelson Siding, Rinehart City Park in Ellensburg, and the Roza Access above Roza Dam. Most productive float-fishing is done below the Cle Elum River confluence.
Key hatches
  • Skwala Stonefly (February–March)
  • March Brown & Blue-winged Olive (March–May)
  • Mother's Day Caddis / Grannom (May)
  • Salmonfly & Golden Stonefly (May–July)
  • Pale Morning Dun (June–August)
  • October Caddis (September–October)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Yakima River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Yakima River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Yakima River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

Find your flies

Updated June 2026