Ellensburg fly fishing

Not from a kayak.  

Fished the Yakima River outside Ellensburg Thursday for a few hours.  It was the warm up for the main event the next day.  Caught one 10" rainbow.  

Early Friday morning we met our host at the Worley Bugger in Ellensburg and followed him out to a private lake 15 minutes out of town.  The lake is leased by a group of 20 guys who also employ a fish biologist who monitors the fish and water in the lake and opens and closes the lake as appropriate.  The 5-6 acre lake is stocked with triploids, browns, and hybrid tigers.  I won this item at a charity auction for my nephew's school.  The management of the lake includes feeding stations (2) and yearly restocking based on winter kill.  The catch and release only fishery is opened or closed based on water temperature (less than 65F) and oxygen content.  The lake is well flushed with vigorous inflow and outflow.  At this time of year, late summer, the lake is rather choked with milfoil and other weeds.  

We fished from a small, flat bottom boat using large sinking flies.  The host manned the trolling motor to get us around the lake.  I don't know how he did it, but he resisted casting even once all day.

The statistics that went into the lake's logbook were, 50 strikes, 25 hookups, 15 nettings.  Personally, I counted only 11 neetings  Two photos are of two of the netted fish which ranged 3-6 pounds (estimated) and 20-24".  The other is the little rainbow from the Yakima.  The colors of the fish just don't come through on the photos.  

Sounds like a great trip Demonick.

The lake is leased by a group of 20 guys who also employ a fish biologist who monitors the fish and water in the lake and opens and closes the lake as appropriate.

Where do I sign up to be some group of rich guys private fish biologist?  I bet that's a pretty sweet deal.

FWIW, we may not be rich, but we consider you OUR biologist.  Hah!!!

-Allen

  Thanks for the post demonick,  great looking fish.  I didn't make it over to the east side at all this year, now I think I'll have to make a run to the Yakima for a fix.

Sounds like a great trip Demonick.

The lake is leased by a group of 20 guys who also employ a fish biologist who monitors the fish and water in the lake and opens and closes the lake as appropriate.

Where do I sign up to be some group of rich guys private fish biologist?  I bet that's a pretty sweet deal.

The biologist does not work for them exclusively.  It is a side gig.  He may only be paid in membership, not sure.  Most of the "rich guys" are doctors and dentists, but the yearly dues are not out of sight.  I think it was $550.  You could bring a kayak and use it easily.  It is about a 30 foot haul from parking to water.  Shore access around the rest of the lake is a problem.  They are looking for about 5 more members. 

It was an interesting trip, and my reaction to it was unexpected.  Toward the end of the day it started to feel like shooting fish in a barrel - weird.