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