Lower Yuba River Fishing Report 2/24/2015

Like a trout I eased into my prime lie today and got back onto the water sharing the knowledge with my special guests. After being on the 7 Club Tour in Los Angeles (Thanks Jeff Pill!) and the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show for the past two weeks, today was magic. Being on the water does just that. The Lower Yuba River is in grand shape, flows are at about 725 cfs, and the water has a slight stain to it with about 3 of visibility – Perfect! The weather was warm today, so nice, yet the morning wind had a little bite to it that waned as the day progressed. It was absolutely beautiful out. 

Fishing was decent today, and finally I saw the biggest skwala hatch so far this year. So many bugs you had to be careful where you stepped, they were everywhere. Females with big egg sacks hanging off their butts were so focused on getting to the water and perpetuating the species – All business. Risers were here and there from slow bank water to the faster main flow. One tip I’d like to share is if you do see a rising fish, an active feeder, stop what you’re doing and be aggressive and go hunt that trout down and make your presentation immediately. One of my guests did just that today and got into two fish in a very short time. Some March Brown mayflies were observed as well, but no big numbers yet. I did an entomology sampling today and Baetis nymphs and free living caddis dominated. Spring is definitely here on the valley floor, California poppies are staring in, and the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly is out, a sure sign of the seasons changing.

Effective flies on the Lower Yuba have been Hogan’s S&M nymphs, and his Red Headed Step Child nymph in sizes 16 and 18 are money. Lance’s X-may #18 has been producing as well. Think small dark and flashy for fly selection sub surface. The Skwala Unit delivered today with no refusals; those trout are looking up in the afternoon for the skwalas and they are definitely keyed in on them.

Lance Gray and I had our first Yuba River Tour today with the San Jose Fly Casters and it was a huge success. We have three more tours scheduled, sessions 2 and 3 are full, but session 4 has three spots remaining (as of 2/26 tour #4 now full!). If you are interested, please contact Lance or myself to book your spot.

The Lower Yuba River, what an awesome place, big water, and the opportunity to hook into some red hot rainbows! Are you ready? Please join me; the goods are waiting for you… 

The Reno Fly Shop "Northern Sierra" Presentation 2/26/15

On February 26th at 7:00pm I will be presenting my new Powerpoint "Fly Fishing the Northern Sierra" at the Reno Fly Shop. I'll take you on a virtual tour that is part travel log, part techniques & tactics, entomology, flies, and local inside knowledge. You'll see amazing images of the flora and fauna as well. Three waters are featured in this 260 slide presentation, The North Fork Yuba, The Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Feather, and the amazing Lake Davis.

This will be a first in a series of presentations that Reno Fly Shop owner Jim Litchfield and I have planned for 2015. The "Northern Sierra" program is a primer for the upcoming season to get you pumped up, and keep the stoke alive! Future programs will be more technical concentrating on specific waters, with detailed maps showing access points, and more in depth tactics.

There will also be a raffle on Thursday night with some great prizes to be had. This is a free event, and one you don't want to miss! For those that know me, I love to share my knowledge and to see others progress with their skills. It's why I'm here on this big blue marble, to pay it forward, and to enjoy the simple things in life. I hope you can join Jim and I on the 26th, we look forward to hanging out with you, and talking trout.

The Reno Fly Shop

Yuba Report / 7 Club Tour / Pleasanton

Well, it finally rained, with a second wave moving in right now bringing another 2-3 inches. The Lower Yuba River is currently running at 807 cfs, with Deer creek at 60, down from the peak of 310cfs. This added some color to the river and when it clears, it should fish better with a little stain to it. I'ts been so clear and low, making those rainbows spooked out. Last week I've seen increased Skwala activity, nothing like last year at this time but a passing full moon has a way of getting those bugs going. BWO's have been out as well, some days the hatch is fairly strong to get the fish on top. There is a ton of worms in the system too, so make sure to bring your San Juan worms. Other top subsurface flies have been Red Copper Johns, Military Mays, and S&M's #16-18. Dries; match the hatch.

         Tom Page of Reel Anglers guiding Da Dean of guides Frank Pisciotta of Thy Rod & Staff

In other news I'm taking off for the greater Los Angeles area tomorrow where I will be presenting my newest power point "The Northern Sierra" to 7 clubs in 10 days, For a complete list of clubs visit the home page on my website here; Baiocchi's Troutfitters. After finishing the 7 club Tour I will be arriving in Pleasanton for The Fly Fishing Show where I will speaking on Friday the 20th at 4pm (Lake Davis), and on Saturday the 21st at 4pm (Lower Yuba River). On February 26th I will be speaking at the Reno Fly Shop, for more info go here;  Upcoming events.

The next few weeks will be quite the adventure! I hope you can make one of the ten presentations I will be attending for the month of February. Over and out.