RIO Suppleflex Leaders

Last year I was introduced to the RIO Suppleflex leader by my good friend Tom Page of Reel Anglers fly shop in Grass Valley. immediately we concurred that this leader would make a great addition to swinging soft hackles on the Lower Yuba River. The Suppleflex offered more, and after a full year of using it, I can say it has opened up many more doors of presentations. 

The leader itself is soft and supple, just as the name implies. It comes in 2 different lengths, 9 foot, and 13.5 feet. I prefer the 13.5, it turns over well, and for technical fly first dry fly presentations to wary educated trout, it can't be beat. The leader is so soft that it tames the many micro currents that can affect your fly in having too much drag. The RIO Suppleflex leader has proven without a doubt to me as a key component for successful dry fly fishing.

The other door that this leader opened for me, was bringing it into the still water arena. The RIO Suppleflex 13.5 performed magnificently with the damsel hatch at Lake Davis last spring. The top green section of the leader blended in nicely with the surrounding weed beds, and the softness of the leader gave my damsel imitations a little more life, especially using a closed loop knot. The long length also helped in keeping the fly line well away from those spooky trout in shallow water. 

The Suppleflex leader provides so many different oppertunities when it comes to delivering your fly, check one out on your next trip, you won't be disappointed. 

http://www.rioproducts.com/

Lower Yuba River Fishing Report 3/25/15

The Lower Yuba River is on fire right now with abundant hatches of March Browns, and Pink Alberts! This is it, exceptional dry fly fishing but as usual on the Lower Yuba bring you’re A game, you're going to need it. It was so intense at one point today we just stopped fishing, and watched the show. Observations can be the best teacher if you’re willing to take a break, and learn. Fishing pressure was light today, flows are at 576 cubes with a minimal Deer Creek factored in, and water temps have bumped up a bit to 53 degrees.

My guests and I started out nymphing today with very little action, then at 10 am all hell broke loose. Wild rainbows started to rise everywhere, and many in very skinny water. We hooked several nice fat rainbows 17-20”, landing them was an issue though. When hooked these superior athletes of a trout turn on the afterburners and rocket downstream. Sometimes you just can’t stop them.

The Skwala hatch is waning, but keep in mind these fish will still look for them in the afternoons in the side water foam lines. Right now it’s all about the March Browns and the Pinkies, whether on top or a drowned emerger just below the film. Effective dries; March Brown Sparkle Comparaduns #14, Parachute Pink Alberts #14, and Quigley’s Pink Albert Hackle Stackers #16. 5x tippet will get more grabs but be easy on the fight, or you’ll pop the knot in an instant. One tip I will share is your dry fly presentation must be fly first, downstream, without any drag, while bump mending and paying out line for long drifts. It’s a hard presentation to master, but a learned skill that will decide success or failure. Yeah, this is it, now is the time on the Lower Yuba. Seek your quest.

Lupine reaching for the sky on the banks of the Lower Yuba.

Lost Coast Outfitters Middle Fork Feather River Clinic

Middle Fork of the Feather River Clinic presented by Jon Baiocchi

Fly fishing guide Jon Baiocchi will take you on a journey of the Middle Fork of the Feather River explaining different reaches of the river, techniques, and showing the varied flies that will make your next outing a success.

Clinic date: June 6^th, 2015

Where to meet: Graeagle Outpost, 8am

Jon will be instructing 4 anglers total on the finer points of:

-Setting up common rigs.
-Entomology & Fly choice.
-Multiple public access points.
-Casting.
-Fishing etiquette.
-How to identify trout holding water.
-How to consistently catch trout on the Middle Fork of the Feather.
-Tips and tricks from a professional.

1 spot available as of 3/26/15

Bring your own lunch, rods and reels, flies and everything you need to fish. A gear list will be provided for you upon sign up.

$200.00 per non-member

$150.00 per member of Lost Coat Outfitters

Email Jon at baiocchistroutfitters@yahoo.com or adventures@lostcoastoutfitters to sign up and reserve your spot today!

Contact Lost Coast Outfitters at (415).483.2278 for more info.

Truckee Guide Network Annual Board Meeting

Every spring The Truckee Guide Network gets together for a fish out, and discusses the upcoming season. Ideas are thrown around, and the details of such are refined. Most importantly we do what we do best, making perfect presentations with a hope of hooking the snag that moves...

Thy Rod & Staff

Maher's Guide Service

Baiocchi's Troutfitters

TTFF Presentation 3/19/2015 ~ Lower Yuba / North Fork Yuba River

This coming Thursday on March 19th I will be presenting my Lower Yuba / North Fork Yuba River PowerPoint at the Tahoe Truckee Fly Fisher's monthly meeting. I will be showcasing over 200 slides of beautiful photography, maps showing access points, and diagrams. You'll learn about the history of the watershed, techniques & tactics, entomology, and the go to flies that match each hatch.

The meeting will be held at the Truckee Rec Center, doors open at 6 pm, followed by the general meeting. After business has been taken care, my stellar program will be center stage that is sure to unlock a few mysteries, and answer the tough questions on the Lower Yuba River, a legendary tail water, and the awesome canyon water of the NFYR. Admission is free, so there is no reason not to be there. I hope to see you all!

Sierra Nets

During my 7 Club presentation tour in Southern California at the Pasadena Casting Club meeting, I met master craftsman Greg Madrigal, owner of Sierra Nets who produces the most beautiful fishing nets I've ever laid eyes on. Greg is highly skilled in custom wood working and because of his love for fly fishing, Sierra Nets was born. His nets are absolutely incredible and must be held in person to get the full effect.

Some of the hardwood lumber that Greg uses is milled from locally harvested urban hardwoods which lies around the studio, drying, in preparation to one day be a beautiful net.  After air drying for up to 3 years, he uses a band saw, table saw and planer, to tediously work it into useable lumber. Also used are rescued or recycled wood, as well as exotic wood species. Some of the woods Sierra Nets stock are: Genuine Mahogany, Figured Claro Walnut, Pacific Big Leaf Maple, Spalted Maple, Black Walnut, Wenge, Maple, Maple Burl, Bird’s Eye Maple, Quilted Maple, Curly Maple, Spanish Cedar, Cherry, Bloodwood, Cocobolo, Mahogany, African Mahogany, Carolina Cherry Burl, White Oak, Padauk, Canary Wood, Douglas Fir, Teak, Red Oak, and Black Acacia.

There are many models to choose from, or you can have a custom net made to your specs including custom aluminum inlaid graphics or initials. These nets are so incredibly strong, and extremely light thanks to a special epoxy inlay process between the laminations of different woods. Also included in the Sierra Net line are magnetic net holders, custom net cases, hand crafted lanyards, and magnetic rod holders. The typical net order is around $450, out the door, including an amazing customized net, a magnetic net release, and shipping. These are truly heirloom nets. One grip in your hand and you will understand! To contact Greg and order your custom net call him at 714-305-1026 ~ info@sierra-nets.com Or go to his website and see his work; http://www.sierra-nets.com/CMS-Sierra/

Lower Yuba River Fishing Report 3/8/2015 ~ Aquatic Soup Du Jour

Sunshine and water, the ultimate prescription to a long life and happiness has been the norm on the Lower Yuba River as of late. Water conditions are very clear and low and the flows dropped down to 667 cubes last night, with Deer creek only adding a wimpy 12 cfs. Fishing pressure has been thick in certain areas, but there is still so much water one can fish without pressure, and those in the mix know that 10% catch of the anglers 90% of the fish.

Guiding and educating anglers is my life now, this is what I do, and will continue to do so until I cannot fish anymore. Guiding is also how I pay my rent, and put food on my table, paying the expenses of my everyday life, including my business. I’m not just some fly by night make a quick dollar type a guy, I give back, I pay it forward, and the fly fishing industry’s response to me in the mix has been extremely positive. In my view the fishery comes first, the public second, and commercial guiding absolutely last. 

The Yuba is going off right now, and hatches have been insane! March browns, skwalas, PMD's, Pinkies, and Gray Drakes from about 10am to 3pm. Late in the day a Skwala dry with a dropper has been super effective. Banner year for the Golden stone fly that is emerging a full month ahead of schedule, the most I've seen on this river ever. Bring your Yellow #8 stimis, and keep your head on a swivel for active rising fish no matter the species of aquatic insect involved.

There is so many new wild steelhead and resident wild trout spawning in the Lower Yuba right now. Please walk and anglers, look out where you step, your wading actions could crush new steelhead and also resident wild trout fry and eggs that lay in the fine cobble. Avoid clean fine gravel depressions in tail outs while wading.

Flies; sub surface, Hogans S&M in dark olive #16 & #18, Military Mays (same color and size), Worms in red and natural, and try swinging a BH  Hare's Ear in a size 12 to copy the emerging Gray Drake. Dries; PMD & March Brown Sparkle Comparaduns. Skwala patterns are still very effective and the bugs have been out in good force. When other anglers tell me they have not seen any skwalas I question their game. I see so many of them as do my guests. Maybe stop and sit in one location for half an hour and just....observe and learn. It's that simple. They have been thick the last two weeks, late afternoon presentations are best. Get out there and explore, escape, and lose yourself in the wild trout fishery of the Lower Yuba. It's our water to enjoy.

 

Lower Yuba River Fishing Report 3/3/2015

Overall fishing conditions have been good on the Lower Yuba River, the water is a little clearer than I like it, but we have to deal with what is given to us. A small storm rolled through on Friday night and Saturday that did not affect the river at all, currently the river is flowing at 721 cubes, with Deer creek adding another measly 18 cfs. Angling pressure has been thick at the more popular access areas, but you can always find a spot to yourself in the 5 mile section from the Hwy 20 bridge to Sycamore Ranch.

  
The Skwala hatch has intensified in the last week and a half with a good population on the lower river. The rainbows are programmed now to move into the side water from 12 to 5pm anticipating those twitchy legged stones floating down the micro currents. Some fish are eager to take your skwala pattern on the first drift, others that have been picked on require perfect presentations, with the perfect fly. You may even have to drop down to 5x on those picky feeders. Cast less and observe more.

A few Golden Stones have been observed on the bank which is way early for them but with another wimpy winter it does not surprise me at all. Aquatic samplings have revealed a bumper crop of Baetis, and Rhyacophila caddis commonly known as the green rock worm. A rare find was a huge Pterronarcys stone fly, like a prime rib dinner for four to a trout. Effective sub surface flies have been Lance's X-May, and Hogan's Military Mays, Red Headed Step Child, and his new Amigo May. Small flies #16-18 that are dark and flashy is getting the best results. For the surface Skwala adults, March Browns, and BWO's is all you need.

Lance Gray & Company's Lower Yuba Tours once again have been a huge success! I'm so grateful to be involved and share my knowledge with our guests. It is so awesome to see how eager they are to learn about this legendary tail water fishery which is within reach for anglers from the bay area. Our tours are full this year so make sure to keep your 2016 calenders open in February and March. Dates to be announced later on with some new clinics as well that will blow you away.

My presentation on the Northern Sierra at the Reno Fly Shop was well attended, owner Jim Litchfield and I expected about 30 people to show up but but when the final number of 70 was counted we were both surprised. Because of the amount of fly anglers that were in attendance we will be doing more presentations in the future. You can find out about these upcoming presentations by following the Reno Fly Shop's blog here; http://renoflyshop.com/blog/

That's it from mission control, the weather once again will be nice in the next week so get out there and get into them!

Tight Lines Jewelry ~ Renee Schatzley Gall's Artistic Fly Fishing Creations

The Pleasanton Fly Fishing show allows me to meet some fantastic people in the industry who share the same passion as I do in regards to fly fishing for trout, and other species. We fly tiers are very artistic, and you can see the talent with each special pattern, but what Renee Schatzley Gall creates is beyond words. Her exquisite fly fishing jewelry is so unique, so well crafted, and so special. When I first saw her work, I was blown away. Incredible pieces that last a lifetime, and deserve being handed down through generations of a fly fishing family.

When the busy season comes and the funds are plentiful, I'm going to purchase some of Renee's work for sure, it's so awesome! To learn more about Renee and her exceptional jewelry go here; http://tightlinesjewelry.com/ and see the incredibly detailed work she creates through pendants, earrings, cuff links, rings, bracelets, and tie tacks. So impressed, and Renee is a serious fly angler herself!