More exciting than the prospect of NBA playoffs, the Yak is putting up triple double numbers of late and it’s closer than Oklahoma City. The flows are as low as they’ve been since the ice chunks abound in February, despite a recent bump in levels. Skwalas are still kicking and fluttering and perishing in the mouths of hungry rainbows. March Browns are blanketing the river in the early afternoon. BWO’s are always around and Mother’s Day caddis is closer than you think! It’s a veritable bug rodeo out there. If you haven’t erased all of our incriminating emails from this spring you’ll know that now is the best it’s been all year. We have seen some mammoth fish taken out of there this spring and surely more to come. Wading is still going to be better up around Cle Elum but it’s manageable down in the canyon and the fish and bug numbers are higher. If you are a nymph maniac (notice no “o” in the previous word) then you’ll have a heyday with all your favorite patterns. For the dryfly nut double dribble with a bushy Skwala dry and your favorite mayfly nymph underneath. The March Browns have been popping anytime between 1-4 and usually lasting around an hour and a half or so. You may think that’s a bit short but trust us, you’ll need a break afterward. Nymphing with #12-14 Pheasant Tails and Brownish Soft Hackles before the hatch can be stellar. All Star patterns include Flick’s March Brown, Split Wing Skwala, Pink Soft Hackle Worm, Snowshoe BWO, D&D March Brown Cripple, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Mega Prince and off the bench to save the game the Stinger Stone and Gummy Stone. Stop by the shop for a pre game pep talk.

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