Outing Hosts: Scott Keenholts and Peter Maunsell

Whispering Pines Campground is located right on the Yakima River in the middle of the city of Cle Elum.

The upper Yakima River is very wadable. Fishing opportunities for waders are excellent in this area. The river here is highly diverse as it winds along, providing structure, seams, ripples, and even calm pools. Target fish include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, cut-bow trout, and whitefish. Relatively unseen from the road, the Whispering Pines Campground sits right on the Yakima River in the middle of the city of Cle Elum. Campground guests have access to over one mile of wadable shoreline. Moving downstream from the campground, anglers have public access to another mile of shoreline that offers excellent wading.

There is plenty of room for two-handed spey casting with soft hackle flies or small streamers. This area is very open for back casts. If you want to float, our campsite has a very nice boat ramp. Drifting would be to either the East Cle Elum boat ramp (nicknamed “States”) or to the Thorp boat ramp (nicknamed “Greenbridge”).

NFA has reserved the group site right on the river’s edge. This is an enormous flat space with plenty of room for RVs, tents, and vehicles. This is “dry camping” only, with no trailer hookups. The site includes several nice picnic tables, a private outhouse, and a fire pit. We will be able to walk and wade right out of our campsite. No need to drive to fish. Perfect for taking breaks or changing gear.

Campground facilities include a small mercantile store, bathrooms with showers, and water. We will have evening campfires after dark, so bring your chair, beverage, and campfire snacks. The group meals for this outing will be Friday and Saturday dinners, plus coffee for breakfast.

The Yakima is not a morning river! Therefore, mornings are the time to relax, talk, drink your morning beverage, and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.

Getting There:

• Drive east on I-90 to Exit 84, Cle Elum. 
• Drive east down into town, passing a Safeway store, dropping down onto First Street. Proceed into town and turn right on S. Oakes Street. 
• Follow this street as it winds around and over the overpass of I-90. The road ends at Whispering Pine CG. 
• Take a very sharp left turn onto an improved dirt road (Whispering Pines Drive) that proceeds east 1 mile to our campsite. It is easy to see and very well marked.

What to Bring for Fishing:  

The gear you need is a 4, 5, or even 6-weight rod. Early fishing, you may want a sink-tip leader with 4x tippet using nymphs like a Rubber Legs Pat’s Stone, Pink Sqiggly Worm, or any Tungsten Beadhead of your choice. Popular dry flies are BWO, March Brown, Elk Hair Caddis, Light Cahill or Adams, all #14 - #16, on a 5x tippet. Use floatant! Skwala are not as popular as the Lower Canyon, but are still worth trying.

And Don"t Forget:

• Washington state fishing license.
• Suitable floating devices, including a pontoon boat, raft, or drift boat, if you want to float.
• PFD
• 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 Cascade, it rains here, too.  Bring rain gear.
• Hat and sunglasses
• Net
• Waders, wading boots, and wading staff.

What to Bring for Camping:

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

Food and Beverages:

• The $70.00 outing fee covers the cost of the group site, Friday and Saturday dinners, plus coffee in the morning.
• Bring your own food for breakfasts and lunches.
• Bring your own wine, beer, or hard stuff.

Cancellation Deadline:  The cancellation deadline is 8:00 p.m. on the Sunday before the outing.  If you need to cancel, please contact the Outing Host(s). There will be no refunds after the cancellation deadline.