Spring Edition

Spring Edition
Spring Edition

Thursday, March 22, 2018

High Water Workshop ~ Truckee River ~ April 21st


I have two spots open for my "High Water Tactics" workshop being held on the Truckee River on April 21st. You'll learn Short Line Nymphing and Streamer techniques that are effective on all western style rivers. Leader construction (materials included), rigging, fly selection, water to target, guided instruction, and a riverside lunch. Also included is a comprehensive high water handout for future use. Price per angler is $150. To book your spot, please call me at 530.228.0487 or email me at baiocchistroutfitters@yahoo.com 

Sharing the knowledge and giving back is important to me, I hope you can join me for a fun day of learning.


Sunday, March 18, 2018

Lower Yuba River Update 3/18/2018



The lower Yuba River was fishing really well with the continued success that I have been getting my guests into for the last few months, then heavy rain slammed the northern California region and the river blew out big time. On the 14th the Yuba got up to 7,627 cubes, while Deer creek reached 2,859 cfs adding a whole bunch of muddy water. Typical with this type of storm, Englebright spilled over and the river has been running high ever since and currently flowing at 4,737 cubes. Just like last year I’m rescheduling a bunch of trips, I just want to thank my guests for understanding that Mother Nature has full control of the situation.


So let’s recap the conditions on the Lower Yuba River just before the blow out. Skwala stone flies were in the phase of waning, there were still adults in the drift during the late afternoon, and of course the fish were still aware of them. Strong hatches of PMD’s and the trout were on them. A few March Browns, seemed like there was more the first week of March, but you know how every day is different. Little green stones were out, a really cool and relatively unknown stoner. A little bigger than a yellow sally, with a medium green color in a size #12. The neatest aspect of this stone fly is that it mostly emerges mid-stream, and not on the rocks. I learned all about this bug years ago on the Middle Fork Feather River where it typically hatches in May into June. Yep, conditions were awesome, and my clients still were not using nymph rigs; Confidence and dry flies, with the total visual experience.


We are going to get slammed again this coming week starting on Tuesday with heavy precipitation. You can see in the flow predictions for the Yuba River (above) that it will be running even higher. Records are going to be broke after this next storm, and March of 2018 will be the snowiest one on record, and beating overall monthly snowfall of January 2017. 6 to 8 feet of snow fell from the last storm in the upper elevations, we got lucky this year.




Speaking of high water, in the April issue of California Fly Fisher I wrote an extremely informative article on “Tactics for High Water” It’s a recap of last winter and how we relearned to fish gigantic flows with Short Line Nymphing, and Streamers. You’ll learn about leader formulas, equipment, water to target, techniques, and flies. The article is definitely a keeper that you will be referring to over and over. Check it out. Looking forward to getting back on some moving water and good hatches, seems like it will be later than sooner…

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Lower Yuba River Fly Fishing Report 3/6/2018


In the last week the flows came up dramatically on the Lower Yuba River during and after our biggest storm of the winter season. The river topped out at 3,188 cubes which is a perfect flushing flow with no harm done. Deer creek ran as high as 1,870 cfs and as always pumped in a lot of dirty water. Currently the Yuba River is at 980 cubes and there is just a tinge of color, ideal conditions for sure. 


Much warmer weather today, with highs near 70 degrees and a slight breeze. It’s definitely spring time in the central valley and foothills. Trees are leafing out, different varieties of wildflowers are beginning to bloom, and there were new songbirds and wrens patrolling the banks for food. 




Also lots of western fence lizards buzzing around too, and the tell all of spring – Pipevine swallowtails. Fishing pressure is moderate at the more popular locations, but if you’re willing to cover some ground, you can get away. Even though I have a slight case of the flu, I had to get out of the house, and it did so much good for the soul. Glad I did because the fishing was so good.



The Skwalas were out in force today, and they love this current warm weather. They move around much quicker too. I found one good size orgy under rocks with about 9 players. The stoneflies were in the drift too. I have not noticed any sign that the hatch is waning, in fact I found fresh shucks today during my observations. 


From 1 pm to 3pm there were so many different bugs out. March Browns, PMD’s, Pinkies, BWO’s, 3 different kinds of caddis, and midges. My guests and I have still yet to use a nymph rig in the last 47 days. Keep in mind we are starting to fish at 11 am, but if an angler were to show up earlier, an indo rig would be a wise choice. More and bigger fish are being caught, which is great to see. I found my first steelhead redd in a side channel today, it was fresh, but nobody was on it.


Prime surface feeding habitat for trout, back eddies and foam lines.

Fly selection – Nymphing; Squirmy worms in flesh and red, Jimmy Leg stones (black, brown, and mottled yellow and coffee) #8-10, Pheasant Tail Flashbacks #14-18, Copper Johns (copper, red, olive) #16-18,  Hogan’s S&M nymph (olive, brown, tan) #14-18, and Hogan's Red Headed Stepchild #16-18. Dries; Unit Skwala #10, Morgan’s Double Dutch Bug #10, March Brown Sparkle Duns #14, PMD parachute #16, Pinkie Loop Wing #16-18, and BWO Hackle Stackers #16-18. Steamers; Alevins #12, Black Bunny Leeches #8-10, Olive Slumpbuster #6-10.


There is more weather showing up in a few days with a weak system, then into next week a stronger system moves in. We are supposed to receive up to 4 feet of snow in the higher elevations over the course of the next three weeks. We’ll take it. There should be periods of fishable conditions in between storms, so make sure to get out there. See you on the water…


Lupinus albifrons, Silver Lupine 

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