Olympic Wilderness Coast Backpacking & Kayaking - 5/25-27/07

Adrienne, Kiwi, and I have just returned from our first Olympic Wilderness Coast kayaking and backpacking trip. We when out a few days early to run the Ozette Loop and do a bit of kayaking. We had relatively fair weather for May, where we only saw light rain and a little drizzle over the five days.

We meet Patricia, and Linda on Friday had a little lunch then got out on Ozette Lake for a quick paddle down to Schaefer Point where we took a break. The wind died as we approached camp and we enjoyed a quiet evening around the campfire. After breakfast the next morning we broke camp and headed for Sand Point where we took a break then turned north and made our way past the rugged coast of rocky headlands and tide pools. We made camp near Wedding Rocks, checked out the petroglyphs, filtered water and returned to camp. After a short game of Yatzee we spent a few hours combing tide pools for starfish, hermit crabs, and sea urchins. We enjoyed dinner while the sun made a fifteen minute appearance just before setting into the sea. After a windy night the morning brought clearing skies the rain showers as continued north to Cape Alava where we ditch packs and continued north along the sandy beaches. Returning south we picked up our pack and made the short return hike threw the bogs and forest.

A great trip, thanks ladies.

For more information on this trip visit - Olympic Wilderness Coast Kayaking & Backpacking

Yakima River Fly Fishing Report - 5/17/07

I got over and fished the Yakima yesterday with my Dad and four of our friends. Fishing is really slow right now. Water visibility has dropped to just a couple of feet the water has risen another 1,000 cfs. We had relatively strong winds that built all day until it was blowing whitecaps down river. My Dad managed to hook and land one nice 13 to 14 inch rainbow, his first, on a Elk Hair Caddis while we flowed around a large eddie. Other than that fish, a few strikes and one other hookup we didn't have much luck.

5,000+ CFS
50 to 53 degree water
Mid 70's air temp

Guided Yakima River Fly Fishing

Mt. Biking, Kayaking & Climbing - 5/13-16/07 in Colorado

Ok I know this is my Washington Outdoor Journal but Adrienne and I went to Colorado to visit some good friends and we got a chance to get out and play outside so in an effort to remember all this fun I thought I'd write it down here.

While Adrienne and Betsey went for a run, Dave and I rode mt. bikes in the hills above Boulder CO. After a couple of laps and a few stops for some photos, Dave and I rode down Boulder Canyon stopping to check out the creeking potential along the way. The following day we took a drive threw the Front Range then stopped to do some kayaking at Meadow Park and the Bear Hole in Lyons. This was Dave's first time on a river in a kayak but he had know problems picking it up. In fact, by the end of the day he was sticking his nose int he play wave/hole and getting some great surfs. On our last day in town we woke to clear skies and warm temps. We quickly packed up our stuff and headed for the First Flatiron. A quick hike and we were well established in the east gully working our way up gullies and rock ribs until we gained the North Ridge. We followed the North Ridge route over towers, spires, and knife edge ridges to the summit and great views. It would have been fun to stay on the summit for awhile but Adrienne and I had to catch a flight in less than two hours so it was off to the races on the descent.

Yakima River Fly Fishing Report - 5/11-12/07

Adam and Kent Hitch joined me for a few days of fishing on the Yakima this weekend. We saw flows jump dramatically prior to us arriving on Friday morning. This really cooled the river down and pushed fish to the edges of the strong flow. We saw a few March Browns flying mid day and then found fish feeding on the first large blooms of caddis in the late evening. Challenging fishing to say the least, but persistence payed off and we ended up with a few nice fish to hand, along with quite a few other players. Once flows stabilize we should be in there for great caddis fishing.

4,000+ CFS
47 - 51 degree water temps
Clear skies on Friday with overcast windy skies on Sat.

Yakima River Fly Fishing Report -5/5/07

Ted and I headed over and fished the Yakima River yesterday. Clear skies, relatively light winds until late in the day and cool overnight temps combined to make for real good fishing. We saw a few very small may flies as we put on the river around 11am then quickly started seeing caddis and march browns. Once again we had no luck on the nymph but had great fishing on the dry and emerger. I tested out a new emerger pattern that I came up with and had real good results. Looks like the Mothers Day Caddis hatch is just around the corner. Once we get some warmer weather in the lowlands along with higher temps overnight in the passes and we will be in there.

2900 cfrs
47 deg water in the morning then rose to 50 by early evening

Guided Yakima River Fly Fishing