Winter Fly Fishing on the Yakima River: Planning a Guided Trip

Wenatchee Fly Co. offers both float and walk-and-wade trips throughout the year on the Yakima River, about an hour from Wenatchee. Winter on the Yakima is quiet, cold, and often overlooked.

This guide is for anglers planning a guided Yakima trip in the winter window: what changes on the trip page for winter, when a shorter winter float or a few hours of wading makes sense, and how to dress for a cold day on the water. For current pricing and booking, the Yakima River trip page is the place to start.

The Winter Trip Window on the Yakima

The Yakima River trip page lists two float trip seasons. The Yakima Float Trip Summer runs March 1 through November 14 for 1-2 anglers, with a full day of 6 hours (lunch included) or a half day of 4 hours (no lunch).

The Yakima Float Trip Winter runs November 15th through February 28th for 1-2 anglers, as a full day of 5 hours with lunch included. Rates differ between the two seasons, so check the trip page for current pricing.

What a Winter Day on the Yakima Is Like

On the Yakima, midge fishing can be excellent in winter, and Yakima River winter midge fishing is one of the winter opportunities in the seasonal fly fishing guide.

The guide plans around the season, the water, and the species being pursued. On the water, that can mean help with casting, fly selection, presentation, reading water, or adjusting the plan as conditions change.

Winter Float or Winter Wade?

Floats are still possible on the Yakima in winter but tend to be shorter and more selective. A float trip on the Yakima means time in a drift boat with the guide on the oars, with access to bank runs, side channels, and inside seams that would be nearly impossible to reach on foot.

Wading a favorite tailwater run for a few hours can be one of the most peaceful days of the year on the water. On a walk-and-wade day, you park on a good stretch and work it thoroughly: study a run, drift a fly through it several times, change your angle, and adjust your leader.

Wenatchee Fly Co. matches the format to the conditions on the day you fish, so you do not have to make the float versus wade call on your own. If you have a preference, the day is built around it when the river cooperates. For a fuller comparison, see the float-versus-wade guide.

How to Dress for a Cold Day on the Water

Bring a hat, sunglasses, and a rain coat. The weather is always changing in Central Washington, so bring layers to be prepared for any weather condition.

In winter, wearing leggings, sweat pants, or workout pants under the waders will be the most comfortable, and wool socks are recommended as well.

Waders, boots, and the rest of the fishing gear for the day are included, while a Washington fishing license and personal items such as extra clothing and rain gear are not; the guided-trip overview covers what is included in more depth.

Trips go rain or shine. If conditions are unsafe, guides have the right to cancel trips beforehand or during a trip, and your guide will be in contact as the trip approaches.