Looking to do some fishing over the holiday weekend. I live in Yakima, so all fishing is somewhat of a drive. Any suggestions on where the best fishing may be? Thanks folks.

in my humble opinion after the first of the year its time to leave summer runs alone. those fish have been inthe river for 8 months in my opinion the upper columbia tribs should all be closed on dec31 just like the deschutes i strongly encourage you to head west not because of better fishing but just a more ethical fishery just my opinion thanks

As an eastside steelheader, and one who discusses a lot of topics with our local fish biologists, a lot of our fish over here don't leave salt water untill Aug. and Sept. Some they have tagged aren't getting to Bonneville untill mid Oct. Not sure where your 8 month data comes from. Also, while you may not feel it ethical, we sure do have some good fishing over here, with multiple fish days being the norm for those with a little knowledge.
Incidentally, the Grande Rhonde has been very good this year, and should stay that way. Watch flows, best under 4500 cfs.

The Snake River drainage has two summer runs, the A and B, with the primary difference being the length of time spent in salt water (a typical A fish is in the ocean for one year, a B for two). This year's B run has been late arriving; fish biologists indicate that low flows and unusually warm water temperatures kept many fish at the mouth of the Columbia till September or October. Even if I fish into March, which I generally do, that still doesn't amount to the aforementioned eight months. The counts at the four Snake River dams show this isn't what would be considered a banner run, or even as good as last year's, but it's by no means bad.

Jeffhozz

I live in yakima too. Maybee we could get together for a trip. I fish (in winter) the cowlitz, elochomen, kalama and the penninsula. I have a drift boat and a motor home. Will travel
My # is 248-6252 Jim Marquis

Mike L. I agree with you %100. There are still alot of fresh fish in the columbia and its tribs. Matter of fact, im taking off today for the lower John Day River in Oregon, and im expecting a multi fish weekend for steelhead, and id like to top things off with a keeper sturgeon also.
Anyone else fish this area, id like to hear from you.

I don't see how you could do much better than the Kalama right now. The fishing there was great today. Shrimp, eggs, jigs are all working. There was a major bite just at daybreak for about an hour and another one at about 1 p.m. I must have seen 15 fish caught, mostly very bright hatchery fish, between 6 and 10 pounds. Multiple, multiple fish day. The river was holding up well dispite some rain. It is a little crowded, but there's always room for one more. Good luck!

wwrunner, Have heard the lower John Day has been excellent lately. Post results of your trip, I'd like to know

Hey Mike L, didnt do too bad this weekend. Ended up with 3 fish on sat. 2 natives, and a keeper. Sunday I tried my luck at sturgeon below the John Day Dam on the Columbia, didnt do as well, 2 undersizers, biggest one was 38 inches. Thats it for this weekend.

If you know the Kalama they've been doing really well up there.I fish the washougal(from the bank) and know that the guys in drift boats have been doing really well.There are a lot of fish in the washougal
now.