As recently as the last few season the Yakima tribe and WDFW has been planting Sockeye for return into the lakes at the upper reaches of the Yakima river. With just a little research of this I found that the adults have been transported above Roza dam forgoing any migration through the upper Yakima as Adults. Although I am sure some make the journey on the own as with every thing in the wilds total containment is impossible when it comes to mother nature. That may prove to unfortunate as more salmon in a river full of trout is often good for the food source.
The conundrum is the fry are dropped into the river to migrate down through the upper Yakima swimming where there parents were not allowed. With this being a low water season this year they are tending to hang around, much to chagrin of the dry fly fishermen.
This is posing and option: #1 try and stay away from the multitude of these little bastards. #2 Use Em as BAIT,,,, well,,, really use a fly, but you get the idea..
When I was guiding in Montana we often fished a method called “draggin hair” or nymphing a Zonker however politically correct you want to be. Some days this WAS the best technique and often resulted in the biggest trout of the day or week for that matter. Often paired with a caddis pupa or soft hackle as a alternate choice. We have been doing this method for a few years on the Yakima since the salmon hatcheries have upped there production. But with the smaller size of the Sockeye fry its readily accessible to more trout.
We use the Zonker because of the keel shape of the fly allowing a longer leader for correct down stream swimming path of the presentation, and it wont snag so easily, a bonus in itself.

Rig a leader with either a double blood knot tippet w/ loop, or just a loop knot to the eye and dropper off the bend. Sometimes added weight in necessary depends on the Zonker and water flow. I like natural or copper Zonks followed by a soft hackle hairs ear, use heavy stuff I like 10 pound fluorocarbon to the zonk and 8 to the dropper minimum. Often the bobber is 6-9 feet above the first fly. Throw in fast water with drops or ledges on the bottom making sure you use mends appropriately for depth and drag. Catch and repeat!

Due to the fact that its becoming politically incorrect to take a fish picture anymore I used some off google, while I was at it I found pic’s of the flies I like too, thanks internet guy..

And than you for subscribing,,,Jeff