Yakima River near Ellensburg, WA

[SteelieD]

I braved the elements for my first "true" winter fishing experience on the Yakima. I had the river to myself. It wasn't nearly as cold as I thought it might be... in fact, I've had colder toes in the summer (of course that was wet wading!). Air temps were below 30 and the water was probably in the mid 30's. I'm still asking Santa for some Simms Windstopper gloves!

Fished for 2 hours total and after about an hour, I dialed it in and landed these two fun fish, plus LDR'ed 4 more in about a half an hour. I also caught the obilgitory few whitefish. What a blast!!!! Enjoy.

Are you kidding me, I'm really doing this??


Beautiful...


Fish on.





See you next time!

[Darian]

Wow!!!! That's really wantin' to fish.... Beautiful photo's tho.

[Matt Frey]

Awesome! Great photos. Pretty hard core being in the elements like that. Looks like a great time.

[aaron]

awsome report, drove by there this summer and it sure looked fishy.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Great photos SD.

They made me shiver.............are those trout or Steelhead?

[dtp916]

I've always dreamed fishing in the snow...Done it a few times but not to the success you had! Awesome photos!

What did you slay them on?

[peterkoistinen]

Nice pictures, looks like a great day.

Fishing in the snow is great. To be able to go out and see life - the moving river, the fish - during the "dead" part of the year is awesome.

If it's actually snowing then it's unbelieveable.

It's physically cold and wet but mentally and spiritually warm as toast.

I envy your day up there more than a mid summer day wet wading - it's much more of a treat.

Keep it up, send more pics

Pete

[SteelieD]

Darian - Yes! I really wanted to fish for trout, so I did what any sane flyfisherman would do, I drove two hours to fish in the snow!

Bill - Those are 'bows. Unfortunately the flash washes out the iridescent pink on these fish. It is amazing! The picture below shows it a bit better. The river above Roza dam does hold a few steelhead, a very few, but it is illegal to target them.

dtp916 - Skwala colored Brindle Bugs and PT's.

Pete - I'm with you, there is something special about being alone in the quiet that only snow-covered ground can create. Very peaceful. I really wasn't too sure if this would be my thing, but I really, really like it. If the weather cooperates, I'll be back next week!

Here are a few more photos’...

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks SD

I know everyone here really appreciates the photos, especially great ones like these. It's almost like being there.

Those are very beautiful wild Rainbows.

[Hairstacker]

Beautiful pictures and fish! Is that a Sage TXL? How do you like it?