Outing Hosts - Peter Maunsell

The Lower Yakima Canyon, from Wilson Creek to Roza Dam, offers more than 20 miles of relatively easy floating. NFA will set up camp at the Big Pines Campground on the river. Peter Maunsell will get there early and will text you where he is. This is sagebrush country, a basalt-and-desert landscape home to Bighorn sheep, deer, and plentiful insect hatches. 

Your primary catch will be trout and whitefish. Almost all of the trout are rainbows. Many in our group will be floating from any of the several launch sites downstream to the Big Pines campground, or from the Big Pines campground down to the Roza impoundment. If you don’t have a boat, there is easy access via numerous pullouts on Canyon Road, which runs alongside the river and state route WA-821. In the spring and at the end of the summer through the fall, wading is not difficult. When the river runs high during the summer due to upstream irrigation releases, wading becomes more difficult. 

What to Bring for Fishing:

• Washington state fishing license. 
• Suitable floating devices, including a pontoon boat, raft, or drift boat. 
• PFDs are always recommended for wading and for riding in boats.
• It is very likely to be quite cool during the day and significantly colder at night.  Bring clothes that will keep you warm.  
• Although we are on the “dry” side of the Cascades, it rains here, too.  Bring rain gear.
• Hat and sunglasses
• Camera  
• 4-6 weight rods and floating lines 
• Net
• 3x, 4x, and maybe 5x tippet, depending on which flies you use.
• Check the local fly shops on what is working, but bring a variety of nymphs, including Stone, Copper Johns, and Bead head Prince Nymphs; streamers, including buggers; and Caddis.
• Water bottle and drinking water for when you are on the river
• Waders, wading boots, and wading staff

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• Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad
• Change of clothes (You may get wet)
• Rain gear
• Flashlight(s)
• Folding Chair

NOTE:  Your outing fee covers meals.  It does not include your campsite. Campsites are $15.00/ night, half price if you have a Golden Age Senior Pass

Food & Beverages:

• The outing fee only covers Wednesday and Thursday night dinners and Thursday and Friday morning coffee.
• Bring your own food for breakfast and lunch. 
• Bring your own wine, beer, or hard stuff. 

• Big Pines Campground directions.