Yakima river, shore/wading access (upper river)

[drysuperfly52]

I have one day off in the next two weeks and feel like hitting a river to get some fly time in on Saturday. I have fished the Yakima a few times but always in the canyon. doing some research the upper river (above Ellensburg) seems the be the ticket right now. I have looked at the different launches but I have no idea what the wading/public access is like. If someone can point me at a starting point I can probably wing it from there.

I was thinking about the cle elum river but *I figured this time of year it would be a little high and probably pretty dirty with spring runoff.

[Bodofish]

Cle Elum, is pretty short but you can wade most of it except for this time of year, just below the dam is big wide and pretty shallow. The Yak is an awesome spot to fish. The canyon road goes along side of it almost all the way. For the upper river if you get off the freeway and explore the side roads from Cle Elum to Eburg, lots of spots to pull over and fish Pick up a Gazettier and plot your trip.. BUT! You have a toon if I'm not mistaken. The lower river is an easy float, drop in at Umtanum and get out at Big Pine or Rosa. I would not suggest first time floating the upper river by yourself, especially this time of year. Lower river has lots of fish and is good most of the year. You can hitch back to get your rig or pay one of the shops, Evening Hatch or Reds to shuttle it for you (super easy and convenient). Always stop at both for some good tips and buy a few of the fly's they recommend. They do have guides on the water every day, they know.

The best part of fly fishing is the hatch is almost always in the afternoon so no rush to get on the water and it's light till 9:00pm. Most of the people will be fishing the canyon and if you're heading out yourself I'd think hard about that. Safety on the river.

[drysuperfly52]

Thanks BODO, I do have the poon and I cant wait to float the river, i have only been on a toon a few times now and want to get more comfortable before I make the jump to moving water. good call checking out the shops, I was going to try to fish first light but if i dont have to get up at 330am I am okay with that.

**maybe a possible WA lakes pontoon Yakima river float trip sometime.. any takers?**

[PokeyPrasch]

I'd probably be down for a WALAKERS float, but how far do smallmouth come up the Yakima?
I'm guessing probably not much past Prosser?

[Bodofish]

I'd probably be down for a WALAKERS float, but how far do smallmouth come up the Yakima?
I'm guessing probably not much past Prosser?

Right up to Rosa Dam. And probably on the upstream side a bit.

[Bodofish]

Thanks BODO, I do have the poon and I cant wait to float the river, i have only been on a toon a few times now and want to get more comfortable before I make the jump to moving water. good call checking out the shops, I was going to try to fish first light but if i dont have to get up at 330am I am okay with that.

**maybe a possible WA lakes pontoon Yakima river float trip sometime.. any takers?**

The canyon is pretty easy. If it wasn't on Sat, I'd be down. Weekends are just a bit crowded for me.

[PokeyPrasch]

I'd probably be down for a WALAKERS float, but how far do smallmouth come up the Yakima?
I'm guessing probably not much past Prosser?

Right up to Rosa Dam. And probably on the upstream side a bit.

Wow, much farther than I thought. Thanks for the info.

[drysuperfly52]

Bodo, i have most fridays off just let me know a couple weeks out and I make sure i have it off.

[Bodofish]

I'd probably be down for a WALAKERS float, but how far do smallmouth come up the Yakima?
I'm guessing probably not much past Prosser?

Right up to Rosa Dam. And probably on the upstream side a bit.

Wow, much farther than I thought. Thanks for the info.

[tnj8222]

Bodo absolutely nailed it. I have nothing to add except I love fishing that stretch. First experianve was at the ellensburg koa I now make the trip there because its awesome.