The dog days of summer. If you're into trout, you got to find the cold water whether it's a Northern Sierra creek, lake, river, or tail water. One of the coldest for this time of year is the upper watershed of the North Fork Yuba River. Numerous springs, some with a rather heavy flow, dump into the river and bring with it 44-48 degree water. Those wild rainbows like that. Fishing has been great, especially if you venture far away from access areas and put some distance from them. The farther one hikes, the better the fishing. Water temps are currently 57 in the morning rising to 64 in the afternoon. My guests and I have been lucky not to see anyone on the river (and the Lost Sierra creeks) for the last 27 trips, but then again your average bear is not going to venture too far. Still seeing an exsesive amount of people vacationing on the road. Campgrounds are full, trail heads are packed, and the Mountain Bike hatch is in full swing. If you plan your trip and seek out the remote areas, you can find solitude from the masses.
Dry /Dropper rigs still remain your best bet for the smaller waters and those eager little trout. The same patterns that I mentioned in earlier reports are still working extremely well, but even more so now, the season of the terrestrials is upon us with hoppers, ants, and beetles. Water levels have continued to drop with the trout seeking out the deeper pools, slots, and pockets. They take great comfort in these areas. Don't over look the hidden and not so obvious nooks and crannies as you work the water upstream. These areas typically have the bigger fish in the system as they are not molested by anglers. All it takes is a little depth of 2-4 feet. Skip the skinny water too. During the middle part of the day into the afternoon when the sun is up high, make your presentations against large boulders that have a wall type structure entering into the river with shade below it. I call this "dark water", and it looks like a black halo surrounding the boulder. Those trout love this type of habitat, and often when your fly is drifting against the wall, you can see them come out of the darkness to intercept your fly - It's so damn cool!
Lost Sierra Creeks
The creeks of the Lost Sierra are dropping too, some are spring fed, and some are the outflow from stillwaters in the Lakes Basin area. The spring fed watersheds are in a little better shape. Same flies and tactics apply as the North Fork Yuba River. One thing that will really help with your creekin' experience is using 0 to 3wt. rods. They make a huge difference in that you feel the fish so much more.
The coloration of the wild trout in these magnificent watersheds are unbelievable!
I'm pretty much on cruise control for the rest of the moth of August fishing and guiding the Lost Sierra. There are no dates available for the month of August. For September I have these dates open: 23, 27, 28, 30. For October, these days are available: 3, 4, 23, 26, 27, 31. If you want in on a trip, let me know asap and we'll get you on the guide calendar. Summer is flying by! Where ever you may roam, be safe, be smart, and good luck!
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