Northern Sierra Fly Fishing Report 10/24/2018

Blazing fall colors and wild trout fattening up for winter, it just doesn't get any better. The weather has been fantastic in the high country with warm days and cold nights. The feeding schedule for trout has changed and an angler will want to fish during the warmest time of the day, or when water temperatures rise where both bugs and trout become more active. Fishing pressure is light, and solitude is easy to find.

Lake Davis - water temps are now down to 51 and the Fall bite is full steam ahead. The Northern end of lake is where it's at. You'll want to move around and cover water. Best action has been making presentations while stripping in 8 to 25 feet of water, 3 feet down. Brown and olive buggers, plus some minnow patterns is all you need. There are a few fish in the skinny shallows and I expect more to be in there in the weeks to come.

North Fork Yuba River - don't even get on water until noon, wait for water temps to climb to 51 degrees. Dry dropper rigs have been great! Orange Stimis with a bwo nymph hanging off the back has been very effective. Hatches include bwo mayflies, October caddis, and smaller caddis. Fishing pressure is light. 

Middle Fork Feather River - same conditions as the North Fork Yuba River, except fishing pressure is nonexistent. Concentrate your efforts downstream of the Two Rivers access. Red copper John's have been hot and orange Stimis as well. Good hatches from to 2 to 4pm, bwo, and lots of different size caddis.

I'm done guiding the Northern Sierra and will be on the Lower Yuba River full time. Hit me up if you want to learn about the river, or a private tour that will teach you everything from access areas, rigging, flies, entomology, and one on one guiding. 530.228.0487/

baiocchistroutfitters@yahoo.com 

Lower Yuba River Fly Fishing Report 10/13/2108

My guests and I have had some great days on the Lower Yuba River since my last report. Yuba County Water Agency have bumped the flows up a tad and the river is currently at 865 cubes. Water is crystal clear. A little bit more fishing pressure but not too much where an angler can't find their own spot. Last Thursday I finally got a chance to fish on my own and Shwood Eyewear rep Gregg Shaw joined me for some fishing, and to discuss a new special project he will be launching in the next few months. We were pleasantly surprised how good the fishing was, and best of all we had some killer dry fly action with active rising fish, even on a windy day.

Lots of bugs out from 11am to 3pm including Mohogny duns in a size 14, BWOs size 18, and Psuedocleons in a size 20. There were also a few random smaller caddis as well, but the trout were podded up in slower water and keyed in on the mayflies. Dry/dropper rigs were also effective while walking the banks and fan casting, searching for active sub surface feeders. Hogan's S&M #18 in olive, and Copper Johns in the same size have been very effective.

There are some Salmon in the river, but the redds and numbers of them are few in the lower river, maybe there is more upstream of the Highway 20 bridge. Some salmon have already done their thing and have expired. Foothill black bears have followed their nose and have come down to feast on the spent adults in the slack side water. It's really cool to see bear prints and scat on the valley floor. To think we had Grizzly's here at one time with flourishing runs of salmon must have been the sight to behold. For nymph rigs, eggs and legs (Jimmy Leg stones), and small mayfly nymphs are receiving some attention from the trout in the riffles. 

Approaching rising pods of fish from the bank should be done tactfully with a heavy dose of stealthiness. When you do make an attempt to make presentations to a pod, make a few casts and if you do not get a grab, take a break, shake your fly, and let them eat some more naturals to gain confidence in their surroundings. If you continue to make cast after cast you may put them down but often they will just push out further away, or drop downstream of your position. A fly first reach cast presentation is often best for rising trout in calmer water. 

I have plenty of open dates as we head into November. More than just a guide trip, I will teach you the ways of the Jedi in learning a more successful presentation for wary fish with the dry fly, and dry/dropper rigs. Education on the resource is a big part of my approach for each and every one of my guests, good intentions and actions carry their weight for the future, and beyond. Call or email me if you wish to take it to the next level. 530.228.0487 ~ baiocchistroutfitter@yahoo.com

North Fork Yuba River Fly Fishing Report 10/11/2018

Fishing has been really good on the North Fork Yuba River. It's that time of year where nearly every body of water is on fire, fall ball is the best and an angler has so many choices to fish here in Nor Cal. Water temperatures are 53 to 58 degrees. Fishing pressure is pretty much non existent, and the campgrounds are empty. You'll want to fish downstream of Downieville in areas that are open and receive sunlight, those October caddis prefer a good warm sunny bend in the river. The type of water is different in the lower watershed than the upper, longer runs, riffles, and less pocket water - Bigger fish too. Fishing during the warmest time of day is also a wise choice, 11am to 4pm. BWOs, October Caddis, and other smaller caddis are active and being consumed by trout. Tight line nymphing, dry/dropper, and dry fly presentations have all been effective. I've yet to see any brown trout on redds but I'm sure in another month we'll see them. It's going to warm up for the weekend and a camping/fishing trip with fall colors on the NFYR will be hard to beat.

Yuba Fest 2018

You are invited to Yuba Fest, which will take place Oct. 13, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sycamore Ranch County Park on the Lower Yuba River. Yuba Fest will showcase fly fishing guides, fly clubs, fly shops, environmental groups, and state agencies that all are working hard to make the Lower Yuba River and her watershed the best that it can be. Yuba Fest is all about giving back to the river that has provided wonderful memories to us all. The Lower Yuba River is wonderful place to recreate, fly fish, drift, and hike. We want to protect it for future generations. The key to the Lower Yuba’s success and future is educating all who love the river. We are hoping that Yuba Fest will become an annual event for years to come.

Admission to Yuba Fest is free to all who would like to participate! We will have workshops to learn about fly fishing and to enhance your fly fishing skills. Our “Fly Fishing for Kids” element will include fly casting, fly tying, and lessons about the bugs that trout eat. Yuba Fest is for those individuals who recreate, fly fish, protect, and enhance the Lower Yuba River. Yuba Fest is co-hosted by Fly Fishing Traditions, the Gold Country Fly Fishers, and The Reel Anglers Fly Shop.

I will be providing an entomology class for both the kids and adults, and also technical rigging for “Tight Line” nymphing, and for dry flies. I will also be offering a Dry Fly Workshop on Sunday the 14th from 10am to 2pm in conjunction with the Yuba Fest. A special price of $40 per angler (all proceeds go to Gold Country Fly Fishers conservation fund) will get you an informative handout, rigging supplies, and complete instruction. Limited to 6 anglers on a first come, first serve basis. Contact me in person at the Yuba Fest on the 13th to sign up.

I hope you can make the Yuba Fest! See you there!