I hope everyone had a good 4th of July! I took the week off and got to fish with a special friend that I use to race motocross against from 2001 to 2006. Just like racing moto, she is equally talented at fly fishing. On one of those days off, we revisited a very secret and rugged creek in the foothills I found several years ago that is not on any map, yet full of wild bows. What an awesome adventure that was!
With summer in full swing, I must say that it has been
unseasonably cool for the most part, and the weather has been as perfect as it
gets. Flows are finally coming down for the most part, yet some watersheds are
still a little high, but hey, that just means the dog days of summer may only
be with us for a very short time. Lots of fly anglers out on the water and my
phone has been ringing nonstop for late trip requests. You’ll see many guides
like me advertising “Book Early” in February and March, and there is a good
reason for that – I’m booked up for the next 4 weeks straight with limited days
after that. Keep in mind I am a true ambassador for fly fishing and will always
take the time to answer your questions if I cannot fulfill your trip, “Sharing the Knowledge” has been a part
of my family’s mantra since the early 70’s – Like father, like son. Email is
best to get a hold of me. So let’s get on with a report from the Northern
Sierra and the waters I have been guiding, fishing, and executing missions of
recon.
Middle
Fork Feather River – Flows are perfect in the Graeagle area, and a tad high
downstream of the Jamison Creek confluence. Water temps have been in the high
50’s to low 60’s. Downstream of snow melt feeder creeks will be bit colder for
a ways, and vice versa, stretches of water downstream of long pools stringed
together will have warmer temps due to solar radiation. There are lots of
smaller rainbows which is great news for the future of the MFFR as long as they
are not harvested. Active hatches include Golden Stones, midges (mostly in the
early morning), caddis, crane flies, Yellow Sallies, little green stones, and
any day now Sulpher mayflies in the evening.
An angler will want to nymph in the early morning, and
then switch to a dry dropper just before noon until evening, at which point the
beautiful marriage of dry fly dreamin and the magic hour of last light end the
day. Most of the larger trout are likely headed down to the canyon stretches
but there may be a few around in the deeper pools, so don’t put away those
streamers away quite yet. I have some upcoming trips in the next week so look
for new intel on California’s first adopted Wild & Scenic river in the next
report.
North Fork Yuba – I have not been back to the NFYR in about
2 weeks, and the gauges still show the river higher than I’d like it to be. A
few friends of mine have been doing pretty well when they can find the right
water conditions (walking speed flows with some depth), or mellower pocket
water. The trout are starting to look up, and with good hatches of Golden
Stones, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and the tail end of the Green Drakes (think
spent spinners on top) the game will only get better as summer marches on.
Fishing pressure is light in the more remote areas, but the campers are out in
full force at the more easily accessible areas. There will be no “Dog Days”
this year on the NFYR, but when it gets Africa hot, mornings and evenings will
produce the best and find those springs that enter the river. With over 30
miles of river bordering Hwy 49, you can always find your own spot on one of
the most amazing watersheds in Northern California.
Eastern
Plumas Creeks - Most of the creeks that flow into the Middle Fork Feather River
are in prime shape right now, and the creekin season begins. The harder the
access is, the better the fishing, not just now, but all through the season.
Which reminds me of lessons learned by my Dad in the 70’s where we would
venture down steep slopes to sections of the East Branch of the Feather River
off Hwy 70 and never see a human foot print.
Fishing the creeks does not require technical rigging or exact imitations on the end of your line. These wild trout are eager to feed as their season is often much shorter than your typical salmonid of a Sierra freestone river.
Fishing the creeks does not require technical rigging or exact imitations on the end of your line. These wild trout are eager to feed as their season is often much shorter than your typical salmonid of a Sierra freestone river.
Attractors, terrestrials, and caddis patterns are all that
you need. I’ve been using the Redington Classic Trout 8’6” 3 weight matched
with the 2/3 Zero reel and it is the perfect tool for plying creeks – and it
won’t break the bank. I also use this set up for my guests on guided trips
where dry fly fishing is the norm. So many bodies of water are perfect right
now that it’s difficult to choose which one to fish. Go with your heart, and
I’ll see you where the wild things are…
Interior Wild Rose ~ Rosa Woodsil
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