Upper Columbia Program Specs

2008 Dates - 99% of our trips are 2-4 night programs. We have program set dates on our calendar as listed below. Varying from the program dates below is hard to do. Adding dates where there are no dates is easy!

The Season Breakdown...

Feb 1- April 30
The most wading opportunities and swinging the fly with variable tips
Nymphing as well
60% Foot 40% Boat
Avg fish size - 3 to 4 pounds
Largest fish landed- 14 pounds

May 1- June 1
Tough fishing as a general rule

June 1 - June 15
Lots of bugs somewhat tough fishing

June 15 - June 30
Lots of bugs, good fishing

July 1 - July 31
Dry fly fishing and shallow nymphing, swinging caddis patterns
World Class Green, Brown Drake and Caddis Hatches
95% Boat , 5% Foot
Avg Fish Size - 2 to 3 pounds
Largest fish landed - 10 pounds

August 1 - August 31
A bit persnickity, but average to good fishing

Sept 1 - Oct 31
Hoppertunity, October Caddis, Flying Ants
Dries and dry droppers
75% Boat , 25% Foot
Avg fish size - 2 to 3 pounds
Largest fish landed - 10 pounds

Nov
Swing the Fly
75% Boat , 25% Foot
Avg fish size - 2 to 3 pounds
Largest fish landed - 8 pounds

Itineraries are listed below and can be varied with advance notice

Itinerary for June 1-30

Itinerary for July/August

Early and late season itinerary Feb-March, Sept 15 - Oct...

***The Columbia Cottages require a door code which will be given to you prior to your arrival.

What to bring-We can outfit any of your equipment needs through our Fly Shop

1. 9-10 foot medium to fast action 5-6 weight single hand fly rod and quality drag reel loaded with backing and matching floating line on one spool.
2. 9-10 foot medium to fast action 6-7 weight single hand rod and quality drag reel loaded with backing and a versa tip system on one spool. A 200 grain head is a good idea on another spool----note  (This rod/reel/line suggestion is more for the Feb-April/October months)
3. 5-8 weight Spey rods are certainly welcome and my personal choice for swinging the fly in the spring and late Fall. Variable tips needed (type 3-8 / 15 footers) (T-14 or Lead core sections 10-20 feet)
4. 9 foot 3-4 weight medium to fast action with a quality drag reel loaded w/ a dry line ( June-Oct months)
5. 7.5’ 2X leaders
6. 1 Bottle of dry shake powder for dry flies (June-Oct months)
7. Waders (Neoprene, Gortex or Nylon)- wet wading is common during the summer months
8. Wading boots with felt soles!
9. Flip flops or Sandals/ Quick Dry Shorts/Pants (Warmer Months)
10. Brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses.
11. Rain parka
12. Layers of  fleece…to dress for the day
13. Fingerless gloves for Spring, Winter, Fall
14. Sunscreen
15. Toiletries
16. Changes of clothes
17. Good Book
18. Headlamp-Especially for the June -Sept itineraries
19. Polarized glasses for all months; Bright Yellow lens glasses(non polarized) for the June - Sept itineraries

Current fishing license. A Washington State fishing license can be purchased via phone by calling toll free 1-866-246-9453 or on-line . The process is simple and allows you to purchase your license for one day or a year whether you are a resident or not. If the angler is under 15 years of age a license is not required.
Note-Licenses are not available in Northport, Washington.
Flies are included in the trip

Directions to Northport, WA...

From Seattle - Expect a 6.5 hour drive from the Seattle area.
Two Routes....

#1- The Less Confusing Route
East on 1-90 to Spokane
Take Hwy 395 (Division St) North to Colville
On the north end of Colville take a right on Williams Lake Road (Williams Lk Rd. is approximately 1/2 mile after the Wallmart)
Travel to Hwy 25 Junction and take a right on HWY 25 and travel North to Northport
#2 - The Scenic Route
East on I-90 to HWY 283 (Just past George, Washington)
Take HWY 283 North and East to Soap Lake
At Soap Lake go North on HWY 17 to Coulee City
At the Noth End of Coulee City go East on Hwy 2 to the Miles Creston Road (Just after Creston)
Go North (left) on Miles Creston Road to Hwy 25
Then take a left (North) on Hwy 25 to Northport

From Spokane - Expect a 2 hour drive

Take Hwy 395 (Division St) North to Colville
On the north end of Colville take a right on Williams Lake Road (Williams Lk Rd. is approximately 3/4 mile after the Wallmart)
Travel to Hwy 25 Junction and take a right on HWY 25 and travel North to Northport

The Eagles Nest lodge location The small town of Northport is quaint and hard to get lost in.  When you arrive in Northport there will be one gas station.   Approximately 1/4 mile  past the gas station will be a bridge spanning the Columbia.  After you cross that bridge there will be an immediate hard left turn which doubles back along the river.  Take that turn and travel almost 1 mile exactly to the entrance of Lazy-Daze (on your left).  After you turn into the Lazy-Daze Complex stay right to the Eagles Nest A-Frame.

For early Spring and late Fall itineraries -The Columbia Cottages are located just after the only gas station in Northport, across from the Mustang Grill Diner and just before the bridge spanning the Columbia.

 

The Evening Hatch - 'In the News'