Washington Fishing Reports ยท Central Region
Between Ellensburg and Roza Dam, the Yakima runs through a dramatic basalt canyon, Washington's only blue-ribbon trout river and a year-round favorite.
Looking for the latest Yakima River Canyon river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Yakima River Canyon.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Yakima River Canyon fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Irrigation is over and the Umtanum gauge reads around 630 cfs, low and clear. The water is in the mid 40s.
October caddis in the afternoon, BWOs at midday, and small nymphs the rest of the time. Fish long, light tippet in the clear water.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Yakima Canyon, bring: Elk Hair Caddis #8-12, Pheasant Tail Nymph #14-16, JuJu Baetis #18-20, Parachute Adams #16-18, Woolly Bugger #6-8, Chubby Chernobyl #8-10, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Yakima River Canyon details
| Access | Pullouts and boat ramps along State Highway 821 through the Yakima Canyon. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,300 to 1,600 ft |
| Nearest town | Ellensburg, Washington |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Fish | Wild rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout |
| Regulations | Special catch-and-release rules apply. Check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and emergency rule changes before you go. A Washington fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older, plus a catch record card for steelhead and salmon. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X tippet |
| Camping | BLM campgrounds in the canyon |
| Kids | Partly. Easy pullouts. |
| Good to know | Rattlesnakes in warm months. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges and quiet days.
Spring
Skwalas and March browns.
Summer
Big summer flows and hoppers.
Fall
October caddis and BWOs.
How to get there
From Ellensburg, take State Highway 821 south into the Yakima Canyon.