This was a Seattle week for me. Not a long visit, but productive. It also, however, showed me what an odd February this is turning out to be.
Most of the years since we moved out of (escaped?) Seattle, February has been just another extension of winter. One year, in fact, all of the snowfall for the season seemed to get saved up, then dumped in the first week of February, leaving me scrambling to keep the driveway usable!
This year, though, January was our major hit of winter, and February has already had days into the high 50’s!
So, as one should do in these situations, I took the trip as an opportunity to recharge in nature…and refocus on Fly Fishing.
Let’s start with this… The full 14 day weather forecast has us with daytime highs in the 50’s for 7 of the days, in the 40’s for 4, then around freezing for the other 3. Not consistent, but makes for an early melt of remaining snow, suggesting the rivers may not stay cloudy late in the spring/early summer.
On the way to Seattle, I took a moment to peak at the Cle Elum river, which still had snow on the sides, but was flowing freely and not looking overly full.
A couple of days later, on the way back, I made two “recharge” decisions.
First was a stop at Worley Bugger Fly Co. Great place for gear (My Korkers came from here!), tying supplies, and guide services. Steve (the owner) is also a great guy to just catch up with, so a stop there is always welcome. I picked up some thread, hackle feathers, and hooks, so I can increase my back stock of #14 dry flies. Good activities to keep me engaged and looking forward to getting into a river!
Second decision point was the “Interstate vs. Canyon” course planning. On that day, Canyon was the obvious choice.
Yeah…I knew it was a great choice as soon as I saw the water.
Most local guides suggest avoiding wading until the river is at or below 1800cfs. When I passed through, it was hovering just over 2000cfs, with some fluctuations forecast for the next week (likely due to the warm daytime temps).
Close. Very close.
Oddly, digging around on the USGS site, I found that the water temps (often still quite frigid, this time of year) have been above 40 for the past week, with some midday temps at almost 45.
As a dry fly aficionado (read as: “snob”), this is highly encouraging. I will sometimes throw a dropper on, below a large dry and where permitted, but my true joy comes from seeing the take from the surface film.
Moving through the canyon, I was encouraged by the rocky sandbars that were not covered in raging waters, just yet. Love to pull over to them, when floating on my pontoon boat, beaching for a bit, then wading out on either side to fish from a stationary location for a bit. Very relaxing.
Great view of the depth of snow we received, this January! That has to be at least a full 2′ tall, if not more, and it’s been a long time since the most recent snowfall.
Exiting the canyon gave me this excellent view.
That stretch, as appealing as it looks, is accessible only via crossing active train tracks (frowned on by the railroad company/owner) or via a service drive on the opposite side (I am told this belongs to the state and may be access for the irrigation channel that draws water from the Yakima River in certain months of each year). Either way, it’s a beautiful stretch of water, and I would love (someday) to fish it.
The family is already asking about camping, for the coming season! Good sign, as we have not gone since before our house fire (2019!). Would be great to get out into nature for an extended trip, fish whenever the weather permitted, and just unplug/relax.
Soon.
Until then (and with 98 days to go until my Fly Fishing season opens for the rest of my favorite waters),
Tight lines…