December, 2009

The Red's Fly Shop Customer Appreciation open house event took place at the CRR lodge on December 5. Despite a cold forecast, we had a great turnout! The day featured a full schedule of destination theatre presentations as well as on the river clinics. Two featured events were the casting competition and a Texas Hold Em tournament. 71 casters participated in the casting challenge, and 28 people played in the poker tournament. Congratulations to Trevor Darlington and Joe Rotter, who tallied high point totals and took home the casting titles! Kevin Williams held off a late ralley by Matt Paloch and Bruce Herman to claim the poker title. $80.00 was raised by the poker tournament and a donation by Matt Paloch to benefit the Mid Columbia Basin Fish Enhancement program. We thank them for their efforts on the Yakima River. Thanks for a great season and Happy Holidays to you and your families.

 

June, 2009

The Kittitas County Field and Stream Club is longest running non profit conservation group in our valley and we are glad to help them recruit new membership by offering an online payment mechanism for them.  We appreciate, respect, and admire all of the hard work that the club does for our valley, especially the Yakima River.  Please join the club and help fight for the issues that matter on the Yakima.

JOIN NOW

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLUB

October, 2009

A meeting was called by the WDFW announcing the upcoming opening of the Methow and Wenatchee Rivers! The rivers are opening to assist in the harvest of hatchery Steelhead. Cooperation by all anglers in retaining hatchery fish is imperative in order to keep the season open. As is always the case, please take special care to abide by the law requiring wild Steelhead to be kept in the water and released in a safe and timely manner! We are extremely excited by this news!

 

January, 2009

The river is under major ice flow right now with temperatures dipping below zero on a regular basis.  Needless to say, not much fishing going on.  That is alright though because the trout deserve a break every now and then and it is much deserved.  This fall and winter brought us an exciting opening of the Methow River for Steelhead again and that is always a good thing.  It means that the Steelhead runs are strong and it is another opportunity for anglers to explore another watershed and take part in the process of nature.  A river open to fishing is a well used resource.  It is currently open but like the Yakima, it is currently under ice flow conditions and unfishable.  Next month as the ice begins to break free and water temperatures rise we will hit it with a refreshed vengeance from a long winter of 'steelhead blues'.  Sadly, the Wenatchee River did not open this fall although Steelhead numbers on the main stem Columbia were outstanding.  It is unknown to us the rationale for it not opening, but it is unfortunate.  It is a great stream and it was nice for the public to enjoy wading and wetting lines in its flow this last year after 10 years of closure. Although many anglers did not even touch a fish they still utilized the opportunity to fish for, and pursue Steelhead.  Few fish are as majestic and alluring as a Steelhead, anglers can simply cherish the "idea" of catching steelhead and feel satisfied with a day on the river.  No harm to the fish most of the time.  It is also true that the more steelhead you catch, the more time you are willing to wait between hookups!  Funny how that works.  Patience for Steelheading is like a callus.  Once you build it up its not so painful anymore.

The Canyon River Ranch lodge is about 70% complete and is all dried in for the winter and the finish work has begun on the interior.  It is very exciting and we anticipate a Grand Opening June 1st!  There is still ownership space available in the lodge so if you are interested now might be the time for inquiry.  Once it is built they will likely go fast.

As far as wildlife goes, there are lots of Bighorn Sheep and Eagles in the canyon this winter along with a fair amount of Mule Deer.  Bring your binoculars and a camera if you decide to go for a scenic drive.

 

August, 2008

The Lodge is coming along fast and truly becoming something that all of the owners, founders, and staff of Red's Fly Shop can truly be proud of.  It's wood beams, siding, and natural architecture will blend nicely into the surrounding habitat and once landscaped should become a 'seamless' transition into the natural surroundings of the Yakima Canyon. 

We were also fortunate enough to get a news spot on one of the local stations touching on the importance our lodging and guiding operation to the local economy and community.  KIMA TV out of Yakima came out for a day and fished with us and toured the facility and put together a nice piece that aired several times on one of the local stations.  Click here to see the Video.

 

June, 2008

The BLM is finished down at Big Pines Rec Area and has made major improvements to the site that we all know as the Slab or Big Pines.  The parking area is paved which is hard to believe, the boat ramp has painted lanes and there is a nice turnaround area near the water.  The big news however are the nice camping sites complete with fire rings, picnic tables, and barricaded parking that should keep the vehicle traffic to confined routes.  For too long vehicles and ATV's have roamed the property down there depleting the natural vegetation.  This should help keep people from off-roading and allow for the Sagebrush and grass to regenerate itself.  They also planted more trees that will help to 'green up' the site and help it live up to its name, Big Pines.  There are numerous stone built restroom facilities along with many dumpsters that should help the "not so determined" campers and floaters make the right decision and dispose of garbage and beverage containers responsibly.  This also provides a place to bring that RV or camp trailer and park it down there in a secure location.  Overall we think this will benefit everybody and accommodate the river traffic in a healthy space.  The asphalt is a bit of a shocker, but in the long run it will keep the dust down and provide isolated paths for vehicles and keep them from driving where they shouldn't.  If you are coming out to the Yakima for some fishing and tent camping, the Big Pines Rec Area is the place to be!

 

Spring, 2008

Finally, the Canyon River Ranch Lodge is under construction and changing every day.  Even the full time staff is amazed by the fast progress and how the building seems to gain identity with each and every passing moment and 'pop' of the nail gun.  The anticipated opening is slated for late Winter of 2009 and shortly after construction on the fly shop/cafe will begin.  We will all enjoy the luxury of being able to get a sandwich or a burger at the end of a long day on the river.

Other news from the shop includes Sage rods being added to our inventory lineup, we are proud to finally be selling them and are really impressed by their new models.  In addition, we also built a Competition Casting Pond onsite that was built and designed by one of our full time guides, Mike Canady.  It is a pretty fun game to take some organized shots at targets.  A typical round is scored like this... you cast out of the bow of a drift boat that is on the ground by the pond.  You get three shots at each distance:  20 feet, 40 feet, and 58 feet.  There are three rings that score 300,200, and 100.  If you miss OR a false cast hits the water it counts.  Finally for another 500 points you can shoot your fly AND fly line through an upright Hula Hoop.  The best score recorded so far is 1900 points, but we all know how tough this can be and almost every guided has nearly scratched (0 points!) as well.  Give it a shot next time you are out this way, it is a great way to truly compare the tracking and accuracy of various fly rods.

We also have a new staff member on board this spring, his name is Chris and he is currently going to school at Central Washington University.  We always seem to be fortunate in finding such great staff and Chris is no exception.

Regarding the Yakima River, the Big Pines Rec Area a.k.a. the Slab, is being remodeled by the BLM and some good stuff is happening down there.  They are orchestrating the arrangement of some very nicely organized camp sites, stone built outhouses, RV pads, parking, and boat launch.  Some think it sad to see change like this out here on the river, but the reality is that the users are already here and we need the infrastructure to accommodate them in a healthy fashioned.  Hopefully there won't be a wad of toilet paper behind every bush down there any more.  Work is scheduled to be complete and they have made quick progress down there and done a great job of preserving the natural vegetation and character of the terrain.  Nice job BLM.

That is about all for now, OH YEA!  Don't miss the Fly Fishing Enclave hosted in Ellensburg at the Fairgrounds on May 3rd.  It is sponsored by the Washington FFF and should be great.  For more information click here.

Thanks and have a great spring and summer!

The entire Red's Staff 




 

At first glance, all seems quiet in the Yakima Canyon.  The morning sage is layered with frost, the tree branches are bare and brittle, and steam rises from the dark waters of the river.  It’s a typical December morning along State Route 821.  While we do love taking people down the river, we’re happy to be reaching for the hot cup of D&M coffee resting on the dash instead of the oar handles of our drift boats!  It’s a good time to be in the shop answering the phone and spreading Christmas cheer.  We spend a little extra time on the few shuttles we do, looking for Big Horn sheep, deer, and Bald Eagles – and of course you can’t drive by Frustration Flats without pulling over and scanning for sippers.  We may even cherry pick the afternoons when Big Red climbs higher in the blue sky, pushing thermometer over 35 degrees, and grab a rod and throw a few casts. 

There are fish to be caught, but we don’t need to catch them to enjoy ourselves in the canyon these days.  The memories of the season past are still fresh, and enough to bring smiles to our faces even on the coldest of days.  It was another fun season for us, and another reminder of how lucky we are to have jobs we enjoy so much.  We enjoyed being a part of the ritual for the regulars, and helping the new faces begin rituals. 

All of our best wishes go out to yourselves and your families this Holiday season.  Feel free to give us a call or swing by if you’re heading this direction.  If you don’t catch us in the shop, you can probably find us parked alongside the river looking for sippers… enjoying a cup of coffee.  No worries, though – we’ll be ready to go in 2008!  Thank you for everything and many blessings for the New Year!

November 1st marks the beginning of the third annual "Bug for a Bag" event sponsored by Red's Fly Shop. For the month of November, we will give any customer a free fly and a garbage bag, if they make the commitment to filling the garbage sack up with litter collected from the river corridor during their day of fishing. With the low water levels this time of year, much of the trash that got away from summertime traffic becomes exposed and accessible to pick up. We're blessed by a unique and wonderful ecosystem here. A little extra effort goes a long way in maintaining a pristine environment. One free fly per customer per visit. We had great success with this program last year, collecting over 130 bags of trash, and we hope to exceed that this season. There is no limit on the number of visits.

Canyon River Ranch hosted a BBQ event and open house in conjunction with the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC). Prior to the BBQ, attendees were able to participate in site tours, raft trips, and/ or a scenic drive up Mount Baldy. The purpose of the event was to familiarize people with the upcoming development and physically visualize the environmental improvements the new project will implement. Red's Fly Shop teamed up with the Jade Moon Books, Wines, and Specialties shop in Ellensburg to donate a guided fly fishing trip for (4) followed by a wine dinner as a raffle item. All proceeds from the event went directly to the CLC. Cascade Land Conservancy was represented by Kittitas County director, Jill Arango, along with a host of other CLC staff and board members. Cascade Land Conservancy "envisions a region that combines spectacular landscapes, a vibrant economy and great places to live." They understand that development is going to take place in certain areas and strive to make sure that it's done responsibly. For information on CLC, please visit their website at cascadeland.org.

You will notice the addition of a new bathroom facility at the Ringer boat launch. This project was spearheaded by the Northwest Women's Flyfishers (NWF), who had previously sponsored a temporary port-a-poddy at the site. When they were informed that the temporary service would no longer be offered due to a high incidence of vandalism, they organized auctions, raffles, and grants to raise the $14,000 to pay for the permanent building. It's a nice concrete structure that has been built to last. A huge thank you goes out to the NWF, and to all of the individuals, clubs, and shops who participated in the fundraising. This is a welcome addition to one of the busiest accesses on the entire Yakima River.

We are excited to welcome Johnny Boitano and Joe Rotter to our full time staff at Red's Fly Shop. Johnny and Joe are both long time Ellensburg guides who bring a wealth of Yakima, Klickitat, and Methow River experience with them. Prior to joining Red's, they owned and operated the Cascade Angler Guide Service. We have gotten to know Joe and Johnny over the years and have a great deal of respect for the professional manner in which they conduct themselves. While this merger is certainly beneficial for Red's and the Cascade Angler, it is you, the customer who benefits the most. This allows us to expand the scope of our guide service to include Steelhead options on the Methow, Smallmouth Bass on the lower Yak, and spread our Yakima River trout trips throughout the system.

The Northwest Women's Flyfishers (NWF) have reached their goal of raising $14,000 for installation of a permanent stone vault toilet facility at the Ringer Access. NWF had previously sponsored a port-a-poddy at Ringer, but were notified that the provider was no longer willing to offer this service due to a high incidence of vandalism. Instead of giving up on the project, the NWF looked into providing a more secure option and set out fundraising. We commend them on their efforts, as this a very high usage area, and one that benefits everyone who fishes the Yakima River. Of this $14,000, 3,000.00 came from their club, 3360.00 from the club-sponsored raffle of a Connie Stelter Commemorative Fly Plate, 2000.00 from Washington Fly Fishing Club, 1650.00 from Kaufmann's silent auction and raffle, 1300.00 from the NW Fly Anglers. Other contributions were made by Puget Sound Fly Fishers, Evergreen Fly Club, Washington State Council FFF, Overlake Fly Club, NW Fly Fishermen, Worley Bugger Fly Co., and Red's Fly Shop. A big thanks goes out to the Northwest Women for their efforts, and to each of the clubs and shops that contributed.

Red's Fly Shop was presented with the Connie Stelter Commemorative Fly Placque by Karen Bocz, Alice and Alvin Timms, and Terry Oostenbrug. This placque, which is a shadow boxed display of flies hand-tied by many who knew Connie, was the award of the NWF raffle - for which the proceeds went towards the stone toilet facility at Ringer. Our shop name was drawn as the winner, and we will proudly display the placque in the shop for everyone to enjoy. As stated by her closest friends: Connie was a "founding mother" of the Northwest Women's Flyfishers, and served 2 terms as NWF President. Connie excelled at fly fishing and fly tying, loved the sport, and enjoyed inspiring others to join the sport. In addition to mentoring numerous NWF members, she taught at the WA Outdoor Women's Conference and assisted with Casting for Recovery program for breast cancer survivors. She was active in many conservation causes including the NWF's "Cans for Conservation" effort which funded the Ringer port-a-poddie for over 10 years. The Yakima River was her favorite. Joyce Constance Stelter: May 30, 1946 - July 24, 2004. We, at Red's were lucky to meet her as a customer, and to know her as a friend.

September 1, 2005

September 1st marks the beginning of the "Bug for a Bag" event sponsored by Red's Fly Shop. For the month of September, we will give any customer a free fly and a garbage bag, if they make the commitment to filling the garbage sack up with litter collected from the river corridor during their day of fishing. As the river drops this time of year, much of the trash that got away from summertime traffic becomes exposed and accessible to pick up. The earlier we can get the river picked up this Fall, the more enjoyable it will be for all of us. We're blessed by a unique and wonderful ecosystem here. A little extra effort goes a long way in maintaining a pristine environment. One free fly per customer per visit. We had great success with this program last year, collecting over 110 bags of trash, and we hope to exceed that this season. There is no limit on the number of visits.

The Canyon Clean Up Event that took place on April 17 was a tremendous success. Every section between Ringer and Roza was covered by at least 2 boats of float fishermen. Wade anglers took on several of the high-use access points, as well as the dirtiest sections along the roadway. A big thanks goes out to the following for their participation in the event: Paul Rohde, Mike Zimmer, Susan Schrag, Eric Rath, Dan Weber, Riley Devine, David Johnson; Roger, Roger Sr., and Greg Engberg; Greg and Norm Price; Bill Strait; Jim, Sue, and Nick Rooney; Karen Bocz, Alice Timms; Nick and Joel Edwards; Dustin and Mark Kramer; Tim Price, Bob Karau, Greg Parker, Dan Dowell; The Jeremy Blanchard Family; Conrad Boccia, Gary Masten, and the Red's staff. PHOTO: Greg, Rio, Bob, and Dan (from OR) show off their catch at Roza. I know some of you are going to miss the bike that sat in the water below MP9 for 2 years!

Red's Fly Shop is proud to announce the 2005 Canyon Clean Up event has been set for Sunday, April 17. Registration will take place over coffee and donuts between the hours of 8:00 and 10:00 at the shop. Both floaters and wade fishermen are encouraged to participate in this effort. Those with boats will be choose a designated section to float and pick up trash on the water. Wade anglers will be assigned a section of highway and collect trash along the roadway. With the unseasonably low water levels we are experiencing this season, much of the trash that collects in the "hard to reach" areas is exposed and accessible. We anticipate a great turnout and a positive impact to the river corridor. Please call the shop with any questions.

The "Bug for a Bag" event that took place in September led to 118 bags of trash being removed from the river corridor. We thank everyone who participated this Fall and look forward to sponsoring similar events in the future. This program made a positive and noticable difference, which was brought up by numerous customers in the shop.

September 1st marks the beginning of the "Bug for a Bag" event sponsored by Red's Fly Shop. For the month of September, we will give any customer a free fly and a garbage bag, if they make the commitment to filling the garbage sack up with litter collected from the river corridor during their day of fishing. As the river drops this time of year, much of the trash that got away from summertime traffic becomes exposed and accessible to pick up. The earlier we can get the river picked up this Fall, the more enjoyable it will be for all of us. We're blessed by a unique and wonderful ecosystem here. A little extra effort goes a long way in maintaining a pristine environment. One free fly per customer per visit. There is no limit on the number of visits.

The Yakima River Fly Fishers have sponsored a garbage dumpster at the Slab for the second consecutive season. Funding was obtained through membership reserve and grants from the WSCFFF, Clark-Skamania Fly Club, and Puget Sound Fly Fishers. We thank them for their assistance, as well as the BLM, who own and maintain the site. The BLM has put a lot of effort into this site, which is now called Big Pines. Camping is getting more organized and there are ample port-a-poddy services in place along with the garbage containment. The addition of these services make the Yakima River Canyon more attractive and enjoyable for all of us. As a side note, we will make an effort to start calling the Slab "Big Pines"; however, if you're a creature of habit and have a hard time with that, we know where you're talking about! For membership information on the Yakima River Fly Fishers, log onto yrff.org.

The Red's Fly Shop staff joined approximately 30 volunteers at the Ringer recreation site to assist with the annual Fall River Clean Up. Many bags of trash and debris were collected and removed from the river between Irene and Roza Dam. A thanks goes out to the Worley Bugger Fly Co. for their organization efforts. A Yakima River Fly Fishers general meeting was held after the BBQ.

Boat etiquette signs and rules/fishing regulation signs were installed by the Yakima River Fly Fishers at Key access points along the river. These signs are intended to raise public awareness and help manage the recreation traffic.

Download the Yakima Sign guidelines: Word DOC

Red's Fly Shop hosted a booth in the Sportsman's Show at the Seattle Stadium Exhibition Center. We look forward to seeing many of you who we saw at the show in our shop this summer.

Red’s Fly Shop participated in a Canyon Road highway clean up project hosted by The Yakima River Fly Fishers. Approximately 30 people gathered last Saturday morning at the shop, and then spread out to deignated accesses and sections of the road to gather trash. Over 200 bags of trash were collected in all. The first General meeting of the Yakima River Fly Fishers was held later that night at the Ellensburg Inn. About 50 people were in attendence for the meeting, which included dinner, an auction, and a presentation on Fly Fishing in Alaska. The auction raised over $4000 which will be used by the club on projects aimed at improving and preserving the Yakima River fishery. For information on joining the Yakima River Fly Fishers, please give us a call.

Red’s Fly Shop hosted a booth in the Fly Fishing Show at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. It was great to see so many familiar faces from last summer at the show, and equally great to meet many of you for the first time. We're looking forward to taking care of your fly fishing needs as another season is upon us.

Red’s Fly Shop hosted a meeting to discuss water quality with regards to the Wilson Creek drainage. The meeting was organized by Mike Hamilton and Steve Joyce. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Water Quality, Yakima Nation, US Marine Fisheries, Kittitas Valley Irrigation, and Washington Trout were all represented. All involved are interested in the same end result: a cleaner quality of return water in Wilson Creek. We learned that there is currently a clean up plan (TMDL) in place that is set up on an 11 year schedule. We are in the process of exploring what we can do to expedite this process as much as possible. Stay tuned for follow up reports on these topics and to find out what you can do to assist with these important issues.

Overall, we feel the feedback that we received was very positive and the the Yakima River trout fishery is currently healthy and looks good for the future. If you would like to discuss some of the se issues with us, please feel free to call us or stop in. If we do not have the answers you are looking for, we’ll try our best to find them for you.