COLUMBIA RIVER FLY FISHING GUIDES
The Upper Columbia is a unique and relatively unknown blue water trout fishery. Located just above the border of the north eastern portion of Washington State, this 30 mile stretch of water is home to an impressive population of large, hard fighting rainbow trout. Although the river has a variety rainbow trout types, the Columbia River Redband trout is the predominant strain and most prolific strain. With deep, wide red bands, bright pink cheeks and heavy spot patterns, they are arguably the most beautiful of the rainbows.
The rivers size often confuses fly anglers and finding trout consistently in the river is a life's work, even within this short expanse of river. Combine this with the varied and numerous hatches, the Columbia is not easy for those who are not familiar with the behavioural patterns of it's wild native rainbows and is likely why it remains relatively uncrowded.
Our season begins in April when the river is drawn down and at it's lowest. The rainbows begin their migration into their spawning grounds and feed heavily in preparation for this. A combination of nymphs and streamers are the go to's and it is not unusual to hit fish over 25" at this time of the year with the odd 30" fish filling the net.
The month of May behaves much the same as the spawning period occurs over a 3 month period in different sections of the river so pre spawn fish remain in abundance while some have moved to the redds. Easy to identify, we stay off the redds in respect for the future generations.
As June warms up and runoff begins a new food chain develops as ants and caddis begin to show up in good numbers. Many fish by this point have completed their spawning cycle and move into the large eddies to begin their recovery program on the ever increasing caddis. Although the river is rising rapidly in June, the back eddies provide refuge from the strong currents and fish line up along the seam lines to suck in the easy prey. This is when we begin throwing dries to rising trout in the latter part of the warm days. During this period there are also huge numbers of mayfly hatches (dominated by mahogany duns) that typically occur during the low pressure periods of the day or in lower evening light. Switching between the two hatches is key to success and we have many favourite 'hybrid' patterns that we chose in these situations. In the latter part of the day we spend our time casting to an endless number of rising trout in these incredible backwaters. Arguably some of the most consistent dry fly action available on a river with rainbows of this size.
By July the caddis hatch is in full swing and a mix of goddard and spotted caddis are thick beyond comprehension. The tree tops will cloud up with the mating caddis whilst females are dropping down to the waters surface, skittering along in an attempt to release their egg sacs. They become easy prey for trout on the surface and the dry fly fishing is epic. The fish are hot and your skills will be tested as you try and battle them out of the massive river and into the net. The average size fish feeding on top at this time is a healthy 18" with many in the 2 foot range being caught and or snapped off. As July tapers and August moves in terrestrials on top and deep water nymph rigs become the chosen methods of fly fishing.
September and October offer the most diverse fishing of the year as a combination of dry flies, nymphs and streamers are used frequently throughout the day. Hoppers, ants, beetles, stonefly nymphs and October Caddis comprise their diet and smaller flies seem to lose favour as the trout gorge themselves in preparation for the long, less productive winter months. The water is also drawn down quite a bit so their are many more runs and bolder gardens to fish at this time. There is not as much focus on the eddies at this point. We catch a lot of big fish at this time of year both on top and down below.
To get at these fish we use well appointed jon bots with outboard jet engines. Each boat is equipped with oars for rowing the runs has well has two casting decks with braces for added stability and comfort as well as removeable deck seats to fish from if needed. They are very comfortable to fish from and are definitely the tools for the trade on this river.
