Kayaking the Yakima River? Canyon?

[Fl0und3rz]

Modified to inquire more about Canyon people are mentioning below.


Anyone have any thoughts about paddling the Yakima River in June in sit on top kayaks? 

Ideally, we would be putting in North of Yakima Sportsman's State Park a mile or more and taking out South of the Park within a mile or so?

Water levels and speeds? 

I'd like to do at least a couple hours with kids, without too much portaging, but I am mostly unfamiliar with the river there and put in and take out spots.

Thanks.

Also, fishing tips appreciated.

[SteelheadDC]

That area can still be very dangerous during that time of year, way to many sweepers, I would wait until July.  If you want go now i would go to the canyon. 

[Mtnwalker]

  Last time we floated the canyon I want to say we averaged about 5mph on medium-high water if I remember correctly

[Karl Blanchard]

That area can still be very dangerous during that time of year, way to many sweepers, I would wait until July.  If you want go now i would go to the canyon.

this! I've caught some giant trout in that stretch but its by no means gentle waters and that is in a drift boat

[Fl0und3rz]

OK.  Thanks for the heads up, guys.  Looks like it is a bit much to think about right now. 

[rainshadow1]

That area can still be very dangerous during that time of year, way to many sweepers, I would wait until July.  If you want go now i would go to the canyon.

 

I noticed the Yakima and Naches were both clouded today, lots of runoff.

Have some beginner kayaker friends who got into serious trouble, and that was upstream from there. Lost lots of gear, might have even left a kayak washed under a brush pile if I remember right. (Very inexperienced, and moderate alcohol involved, but still...)

Good advice above, especially with kids. (Depending on experience level.) Canyon is more forgiving.

[Fl0und3rz]

Thanks again.  Tips on Canyon, then?  I don't know it by name. 

[jackelope]

The canyon section of the Yak is class 2 water. It’s pretty mellow throughout. I’ve got zero experience on a sit on top kayak but I’ve floated it a few dozen times. Mostly in a drift boat but 5-6 times on 1 man pontoon boats. The upper canyon from thorp to ellensburg is the most technical section of the river and I’d treat it that way. Sweepers and other obstacles. I bet you could float from bighorn to Reds or Reds to the slab without issue assuming you know what you’re doing and this isn’t your first time on that kayak. About 7500 people do it all summer long on giant inflatable flamingos so it can’t be that bad.

Water will be high and cold providing irrigation water to the valley.

As far as fishing goes, check with Reds for flyfishing advice. It’ll be too early for hoppers. Probably black stoneflies and bead head prince nymphs.
If you’re fishing gear, single barbless hooks and some good spinners like size 0 mepps or blue Fox. It’s a no bait river.

[7mmfan]

If you want a really mellow float, put in at Umtanum and take out at any of the launches down to Rosa.  It's all very straight forward water. If you have a slight amount of experience, you can could put in at Ringer and head down. The worst spot is immediately below the launch, just stay far right and you'll avoid it. The rest of that float is gravy like the rest of the Canyon. Launches down from Umtanum include Red's Flyshop (pay to take out/launch), Lmuma Creek, Milepost 10, Big Pines, Mahres (Mile Post 8 boat launch), and Rosa.

[jackelope]

If you want a really mellow float, put in at Umtanum and take out at any of the launches down to Rosa.  It's all very straight forward water. If you have a slight amount of experience, you can could put in at Ringer and head down. The worst spot is immediately below the launch, just stay far right and you'll avoid it. The rest of that float is gravy like the rest of the Canyon. Launches down from Umtanum include Red's Flyshop (pay to take out/launch), Lmuma Creek, Milepost 10, Big Pines, Mahres (Mile Post 8 boat launch), and Rosa.

Which one is aka the slab? Isn’t there also a take out called 29 pines or something like that? Maybe 1 or 2 before Rosa dam?

[jdb]

If you want a really mellow float, put in at Umtanum and take out at any of the launches down to Rosa.  It's all very straight forward water. If you have a slight amount of experience, you can could put in at Ringer and head down. The worst spot is immediately below the launch, just stay far right and you'll avoid it. The rest of that float is gravy like the rest of the Canyon. Launches down from Umtanum include Red's Flyshop (pay to take out/launch), Lmuma Creek, Milepost 10, Big Pines, Mahres (Mile Post 8 boat launch), and Rosa.

Which one is aka the slab? Isn’t there also a take out called 29 pines or something like that? Maybe 1 or 2 before Rosa dam?

big pines. Not sure on “the slab” let’s me know a head of time is you need shuttled, I’m minutes away.

[7mmfan]

If you want a really mellow float, put in at Umtanum and take out at any of the launches down to Rosa.  It's all very straight forward water. If you have a slight amount of experience, you can could put in at Ringer and head down. The worst spot is immediately below the launch, just stay far right and you'll avoid it. The rest of that float is gravy like the rest of the Canyon. Launches down from Umtanum include Red's Flyshop (pay to take out/launch), Lmuma Creek, Milepost 10, Big Pines, Mahres (Mile Post 8 boat launch), and Rosa.

Which one is aka the slab? Isn’t there also a take out called 29 pines or something like that? Maybe 1 or 2 before Rosa dam?

big pines. Not sure on “the slab” let’s me know a head of time is you need shuttled, I’m minutes away.

Big Pines and Slab are one in the same.

[Limhangerslayer]

I’ve floated from bighorn to Union gap, obviously not the section from the dam to Harrison but with kids stick to the canyon for sure.  I would do Umtanum foot bridge to Roza.  Roza is an easy take out for kids.  You guys will have fun.

[jackelope]

Umtanum to Rosa is a big float for one day if you’re fishing too. Won’t be able to fish off the kayaks so it’ll be lots of stopping. 10+ miles.

[jackelope]

https://www.redsflyshop.com/file_viewer.php?id=7196

[jackelope]

We did Reds to the slab a lot. That was a good day of fishing.

[Limhangerslayer]

Umtanum to Rosa is a big float for one day if you’re fishing too. Won’t be able to fish off the kayaks so it’ll be lots of stopping. 10+ miles.

it’s actually a quicker float then one thinks in June.  Flows are pretty fast that time of year.  Fly fishing or spin  fishing? 

[jackelope]

It’s 10 miles. Just seems like a lot while trying to get some quality fishing time in. I fly fish. Spin fishing would probably be easier and faster I guess.

[Limhangerslayer]

It’s 10 miles. Just seems like a lot while trying to get some quality fishing time in. I fly fish. Spin fishing would probably be easier and faster I guess.

come on Josh, nobody Quality fly fishes nowadays!  They just floated the Yakima with nymphs and bobbers! yep, I said it!

[Dale Gribble]

Just drove the canyon the other day. Umtanum is closed for repairs it said. All blocked off and what not, you’d have to use bighorn which is now private and open only sometimes, or go even further up river and use ringer loop.

[buckcanyonlodge]

That area can still be very dangerous during that time of year, way to many sweepers, I would wait until July.  If you want go now i would go to the canyon.

As  teenage kids my brothers and I tried to use an inner tube to cross a section of the river to an island behind and north of Boise Cascade in Yakima. We had one tube ...so the great idea was to tie a thin rope to it and I would cross first and they would pull the tube back and come across them selves. It had been in the 90's in June and the runoff was coming down pretty good. I got across and threw the tube back for them to pull back...you guessed it. The line broke. So here I am on an island in the Yakima.. 90 degrees outside not much shade. Brothers had to go to town and find someone with an innertube we could borrow and try to get it to me.....Lost two more tubes before we decided to call the county sheriff. They came about 5 that afternoon in a jet boat and picked up a sun burned dumba** kid. Of course the local news had to be there and mom had to see it on the news..GROUNDED

[Skyvalhunter]

Are you still grounded??

[Karl Blanchard]

It’s 10 miles. Just seems like a lot while trying to get some quality fishing time in. I fly fish. Spin fishing would probably be easier and faster I guess.

come on Josh, nobody Quality fly fishes nowadays!  They just floated the Yakima with nymphs and bobbers! yep, I said it!

hahahaha! So true!

[7mmfan]

Just drove the canyon the other day. Umtanum is closed for repairs it said. All blocked off and what not, you’d have to use bighorn which is now private and open only sometimes, or go even further up river and use ringer loop.

This is true, I should have added that. You can slide in easily down around the corner from Bighorn at the slides though, especially with Kayaks. Actually a good quiet launch spot. It's about 2.5 miles above Umtanum. This will take you through the Rock Garden, which isn't much at these flows but is arguably the waviest part of the canyon. Would be fun for the kids. Very straight forward, not dangerous at all.

[nwwanderer]

Snow melt, irrigation flow equals cold water, be careful out there

[jackelope]

It’s 10 miles. Just seems like a lot while trying to get some quality fishing time in. I fly fish. Spin fishing would probably be easier and faster I guess.

come on Josh, nobody Quality fly fishes nowadays!  They just floated the Yakima with nymphs and bobbers! yep, I said it!

I wouldn’t deny that. Just trying to picture it on a sit on top kayak. I ain’t doing it. I’m 100% positive I’d end up in the drink.

It does catch fish though!

[fly-by]

I floated from Irene Rinehart to Ringer in a Hobie SOT 2 weeks ago.  Would not recommend it over 2000 CFS.  From Ringer downstream, including the Canyon, you should be fine.  Rule of thumb is 1mph per 1k CFS.

[Fl0und3rz]

Lots of good info here and in PMs.  While it might not happen when in Yakima, soon, I'll keep it open for future trip ideas.

Thank you very much. 

[rainshadow1]

It’s 10 miles. Just seems like a lot while trying to get some quality fishing time in. I fly fish. Spin fishing would probably be easier and faster I guess.

come on Josh, nobody Quality fly fishes nowadays!  They just floated the Yakima with nymphs and bobbers! yep, I said it!

hahahaha! So true!

The term "casting bubble" adds a little bit of purism the the activity. Seems so much classier than the red and white bobber!




(Although I remember a time when I'd have traded a body part for a red and white bobber... picture 9yo me tying on a little stick and trying to wing it out there without losing it!)

[jackelope]

It’s 10 miles. Just seems like a lot while trying to get some quality fishing time in. I fly fish. Spin fishing would probably be easier and faster I guess.

come on Josh, nobody Quality fly fishes nowadays!  They just floated the Yakima with nymphs and bobbers! yep, I said it!

hahahaha! So true!

The term "casting bubble" adds a little bit of purism the the activity. Seems so much classier than the red and white bobber!




(Although I remember a time when I'd have traded a body part for a red and white bobber... picture 9yo me tying on a little stick and trying to wing it out there without losing it!)

Fly fishermen call them strike indicators. Can’t believe he used the term “bobber”.
Sheesh.

[7mmfan]

When I was guiding fly fishing trips, I kept a number of white strike indicators that I'd colored half red just for the guys that were a little too snobbish about fly fishing. Definitely affected the tips.

[Mtnwalker]

When I was guiding fly fishing trips, I kept a number of white strike indicators that I'd colored half red just for the guys that were a little too snobbish about fly fishing. Definitely affected the tips.

To be expected when you’re dealing with artists   

[OutHouse]

Stay above the roza and get out at the roza parking lot/recreation area. Like someone else said, not bait river. I've caught many nice trout in that stretch. Not a fly guy but small black rooster tail or small dark red rooster tail will get them eventually. If you can stop in some slower moving water just keep casting and don't be surprised if you nail something in the 16 to 24 inch range.

[Fl0und3rz]

That's respectable.  Personal best is 20" ish.  I can and have fly-fished, but with small kids, I'd probably skip it except for maybe trolling some spinners (following any gear rules, of course).

[Jonathan_S]

When I was guiding fly fishing trips, I kept a number of white strike indicators that I'd colored half red just for the guys that were a little too snobbish about fly fishing. Definitely affected the tips.

I was at a store when a guy asked where the strike indicators were. The employee directed him to the "bobber section". That must have hurt.