Interview with Derek Young: Northwest Fisheries and the Yakima River
When was the first time you fished the Yakima River?
I first fished the Yakima River when I was a student at WSU, back in 1992. I didn't start fly-fishing until a few years later, when I moved to Colorado. Back then it was on spinning-gear and lures.
What species of native fish are present in the Yakima Drainage?
The fish you're most likely to encounter while fly-fishing the Yakima are its westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout. There are 40+ species of fish in the Yakima, including salmon and steelhead, supported by tribal hatcheries. There's also whitefish, pike minnow, and brook trout. Some reports of brown trout from the Cooper River have swirled around lately, but I've yet to see one in person.
What challenges do these fish currently face?
As with most fisheries in the NW, these fish face the ''Three H": habitat, hatcheries, and heart. Each plays a big role in the health of our recreational fisheries. The Yakama Tribe recently introduced a sockeye program into the system, and the Tribe does a good job of marking redds and being present during the spawn. I've had great interactions with the Tribe and WDFW biologists/enforcement personnel on and off the river, and everyone's doing their best to keep the Yakima our ''blue ribbon" fishery in Washington.
The "heart" of this fishery remains the anglers and guides playing a role in managing it. As this fishery and fly-fishing in general continue to become more popular, techniques and equipment evolves, the challenges will revolve around water and water rights. Keeping the Yakima River healthy will require sound management and partnerships between agriculture, recreational anglers and a growing populace.
What efforts are being made to protect this fishery?
This goes to the ''habitat and hatcheries" aspect of the Three H's I mentioned earlier. The Yakima River is more than just the 70 miles of ''special regulations" water from Easton to Roza Dam, in the lower canyon. Consider that most of the water in this river is snowmelt, captured in big reservoirs on the eastern slope of the Cascades. It makes its way through agricultural zones, golf courses and recreation areas, meeting the Columbia near the Tri-Cities. That's a lot of riverbank to think about.
I think the biggest issue will be keeping this river healthy while the demands for its water increase. Water quality impacts from agricultural activities, garbage/waste from recreational users, and educating anglers about proper catch & release methods will keep this river healthy. Each of these user groups has an important role in protecting the Yakima for the future. The Worley-Bugger Fly Shop in Ellenburg, and Steve Worley, have led river clean-up days that remove a lot of garbage from the river. CWU students also participate, and over the last couple of years, the number of anglers and guides coming out to help have increased, with tons of garbage being removed. This is good!
Can you describe the basic fish migration patterns in the drainage?
Fish will stay where they are able to survive under minimal stress, the key to this is habitat, and I've found that each will have their ''typical" areas across the watershed. I really like to fish and guide the upper river, between Thorp and Easton, where you'll find more westslope cutthroat than rainbow.
Prior to this year, the furthest ''downriver" that I've had clients catch cutthroat was above Umtanum. This last September, however, a client caught and released an 18" westslope right above Roza. When the salmon are running in the fall, it's typical to see fish follow them up towards spawning grounds.
Please share with the readers one of your more memorable fish from the river, either caught or lost.
One of my favorite aspects of guiding is teaching new anglers, and challenging experienced anglers with new techniques or equipment. Over the last five years of guiding the Yakima, I've helped people catch their first, their biggest, and their most fish. Each experience is great, some more memorable than others.
One that sticks out recently is a day in the fall with an angler from Ohio, who was visiting Seattle for a family wedding. He and his wife fish a lot, and we stay in touch about where they are going next, what they are catching. On their trip, the fishing started slow. The smell of smoke from the Taylor Bridge fire was still in the air, the leaves were slow in turning because it was so dry, and the hatch was off. We floated on, sharing fishing stories and looking for fish. It's the time of the year that I like because of the large October Caddis that hatch. We switched to my ''Yak Caddis" pattern, and Joe started catching fish, and they were all big. In roughly an hour, he released several in the 15-inch to 18-inch, nicely colored cutthroat. He had the magic touch that day!
What are the features of the Yakima drainage that make the fishery unique?
What I like the most is the diversity of the terrain, from narrow and tree-lined stretches around Cle Elum, to deep, volcanic canyons below Ellensburg, you can find a lot of beauty on the Yakima River. It's not a typical ''tailwater" fishery so conditions can vary a lot, throughout the year, habitat, hatches, and weather change and anglers have to adapt to be successful. At times, you have to keep a sharp eye on the weather, and the Big ''W," the wind. If you're smart, you'll find great conditions by paying attention to the details. This is what drives some people crazy about fishing the Yakima, expecting to find it the same as they left it the last time (in terms of angling conditions) and get frustrated when it's different. I think the most unique aspects are its wild fish and geology.
What sort of expectations should an angler have if they want to join you on a trip and what basic gear do you recommend for the Yakima?
When you're considering a guided trip, ask a lot of questions of the guide before you make the investment in money and time. Ask about river safety, equipment, how the guide teaches/communicates, and even lunch! Before we even hit the water on a trip, we should be on the same page about fishing conditions, weather, and having a great time. Anglers and non-anglers should expect a professional, patient and ''client-first" experience with me.
In terms of basic gear, I provide all the fly fishing gear you need to have a great day on the water. Anglers should come prepared for the weather, with a valid fishing license, any medications/etc.
I recommend 9' 5wt rods for most conditions, and regularly use a 7wt rod for streamer fishing. Switch rods are becoming more popular too, and I use a Helios 11' 7wt.
What are your preferred methods of fishing on the Yakima and how do they change seasonally?
You'll be hard-pressed to find an angler who doesn't think of dry-fly fishing as the ultimate way to catch fish. I'm no different but like I mentioned earlier, the wise angler adapts to conditions. So, fishing sub-surface flies is very effective on the Yakima too. I've caught fish on dry flies every month on the Yakima. But, in the cold and shorter days in winter, swinging streamers and nymphs under indicators is a great method for developing anglers.
Do you have a favorite hatch to fish on the Yakima?
The bikini hatch, but don't tell my wife! But seriously, I developed he ''YakCaddis" for the fall caddis hatch, and that time of year on the river is my favorite. Less river traffic, changing colors, cooler weather, and warm streamside lunches. I've had clients tell me that my fajitas have made the day, but seeing them catch fish and learn about the Yakima River really makes a day worth it for me. Over the course of the year, the hatches that I get excited about are the stoneflies, caddis, and hoppers. Great dry fly action! Want more? Read out interview with Bob Triggs.
Derek Young
2011 Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of The Year
Emerging Rivers Guide Services
(425) 373 6417
www.emergingrivers.com