Lower Yuba River Report

Photo by Ralph Cutter http://www.flyline.com/

The flows on the Yuba river are way down after running so high from the huge amount of rain a few weeks ago. During the peak of the storm flows were at 34,000 cfs and Englebright dam was spilling over the top in dramatic fashion. Right now the flows are stabilized at 1,300 cfs and the river will be clearing in the next week, look for the resident rainbows and migrating steelhead to be on the bite again. Yuba County Water Agency just announced that the regular winter flows will be released from Englebright until spring. These flows range from 900 to 1,300 cfs and depending on the size of storms or lack of will determine the flow schedule. For anglers this means you will have plenty of spots to fish from the bank and you will be able to cross the river in select spots.  Right now your best approach for fly fishing is using san juan worms, micro spawn shrimp in pink, jimmy rubber legs stonefly, red copper johns, Hogan’s red headed step child, and Skwalla stone fly nymphs. These flies are best presented under an indicator and a dead drift in the deeper holding water below riffles and runs.

Frank Rinella with a beautiful wild steelhead. Photo by Clay Hash http://www.flyfishingtraditions.com/

The new year on the Yuba brings the best winter dry fly fishing in the state, it happens every year and more and more fly anglers are catching on to this great game. Since the Lower Yuba is located on the edge of the central valley temperatures are very comfortable for this time of year, especially when the sun is out. Skwalla stoneflies, pale morning dun mayflies, and gray drakes become the focal point for the trout. As we get into late February we can look forward to the March brown mayflies hatching well into April. Presenting dry flies to selective feeders is very challenging on the Yuba, it’s not easy and to be able to hook into a few nice fish is really satisfying; you’ll earn every one of them!

For information on flow schedules click here; http://cdec.water.ca.gov/river/yubaStages.html
For general fishing information call Tom Page of Reel Anglers fly shop in Grass Valley - 
(530) 477-5397.