Lower Yuba River Fishing Report 3/13/14

A beautiful day, warm, sunny, and nobody out in the area I fished. The flows have dropped down to 521 cubes with Deer creek adding an additional 35 cfs. Water clarity is perfect, about 3 feet with just a tinge of color. Skwalas are still out, I saw them flying, in the drift, and scurrying around on the hot rocks. A few PMDs but not many fish rising. Not one March brown to be found either. Water temps were 55-58 degrees. The Yuba is in great shape!

I worked the foam lines and presented the "Skwala Unit" and covered productive water.  I did a lot of blind casting today, but it payed off as I raised 8, hooked 5, and landed 4 rainbows 12-16". Fishing the Skwala dry is just plain fun, and also challenging to those wary bank feeders - It's my preference.

I'm always amazed when I hook into a Lower Yuba River rainbow, they're so powerful for their size. Big water, and strong currents make these athletes a superior specimen. 

What an awesome find today and a major reminder that spring is here, a Pteronarcys stoner, sunning its self and looking for a mate. The biggest of the big bugs.

Here is a great example of the perfect home for a trout, and one that I teach my guests when we are on the water. Notice the overhanging brush providing "dark water", the current is way slower here as well, with some good depth to it. There is also a major foam line entering the area providing vast amounts of food. Fishy.

The flowers are starting to emerge, California poppies, red bud, and many small ground flowers gave the surroundings some much needed color, among the endless sea of cobblestones and gravel.

A fruitful solo session is magnificent for the soul. Find your own adventure on a river where the trout call home, it's waiting for you...

Lake Davis Fishing Report 3/7/14

Since the Lower Yuba was blown out last week, I advised my guests our time would be better spent getting up to Lake Davis. Air Temperatures were balmy in the morning and pleasantly warm in the afternoon. The wind blew lightly throughout the day from all directions that just put a slight ripple on the water, nothing to blow us off the lake by any means. Water temps ran 42 degrees in the morning and climbed to 49 by late afternoon. Clarity was good in most places, while other coves were dirty from previous rain and snow melt. The banks are soaked and gushy with mud, be careful driving your vehicle off the roads.

We chose a few select spots around the lake but the majority of the fish were on the East side at the usual places. Many of the feeder creeks were dry, while a few were just s trickle, and just enough to give the water a sweet smell to invite those rainbows with spawning on their minds. There are two different types of behavior being displayed by the trout right now, some have reproduction on their mind, and others are actively feeding.

There were numerous snails to be found, the most I've seen in the last 8 years! They are back and in good numbers. Now we are going to see these rainbows grow bigger in the years to come. What a welcomed sight.

There was a decent Blood midge hatch in the late afternoon, in fact I was quite surprised to see them pop. I also saw a few damsels swimming around. No other aquatic insects were observed.

Just as the sun dipped behind the mountains the switch turned on and the rainbows went on a all out eating spree, which was excellent to see as the day was just average. In fact it was crazy! In 1 hour 15 fish were landed and many more grabs that did not result in hook ups. Wiggle tails, buggers, and leeches did not receive much love today, these trout wanted pheasant tail nymphs and callibaetis soft hackles. The rainbows ranged in size from 17 - 22" with typical dark spawning colors. 

The lake is about 1-2 months ahead of schedule depending on how you look at it. Fishing pressure is heavy at some of the known coves, so heavy, you may have to pick a number and stand in line. Look for conditions to improve on a weekly basis as more bugs get active. What an awesome day! 

Featured Article in Sierra Fisherman Magazine

The Spring issue of Sierra Fisherman features a great and informative article I wrote on Spring time tactics for the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Feather River. You can get a online or mailed subscription here: Sierra Fisherman SF magazine has now gone national due to it's popularity and will available at most newsstands.

For those in the Truckee area I will be the featured speaker at the Truckee Tahoe Fly Fishers March meeting on the 20th. Admission is free, and the public is welcome. The MFFR is a real gem!

Lower Yuba River Fishing Report - 2/25

We are at the peak of the Skwala stonefly hatch on the Lower Yuba and fishing has been outstanding! Current conditions favor the walk and wade fly angler as the river has been dropped to 525 CFS, very low, yet still so much good holding water next the bank in certain sections of the river. The low flows also make it much easier to cross the river safely and access areas that are hard to get to with higher flows. For those new to the river behind the oars of a drift boat, expect to grind the bottom of your boat through the shallow riffles and gravel bars. Water clarity has vastly improved from the river being blown out from the last series of storms. There is still a tinge of color in the water and this helps mask mistakes in both presentations and stalking fish. Other hatches include very sparse baetis and PMD mayflies. Studying the rise forms can give you a clue on just what the trout are taking. Explosive and aggressive rises usually indicate a Skwala was sucked down, while softer dimple rises and slurps are often mayflies.

The Skwala stoneflies have been very active in the afternoon with big numbers. Keep in mind that some areas of the river have higher populations than others. This hatch can vary differently from day to day. It’s best to observe and scan the foam lines for active Skwalas in the drift before casting. The currents of the river have a way of pushing the bugs into select bank water; the rainbows know where these areas are and will adjust their location to intercept their food supply. With the lower water an angler can wade out into the river and cast back towards the bank, a very effective way to present your dry fly as its right in the zone of the naturals.  Look for overhanging brush and drift your fly below the branches, the trout love the security of these secluded quarters. Back eddies, and slower water with some depth to it should also be fished as well. Make your first presentations count in a new area fished.

Not all fish will be rising for the Skwalas, but if you do see a rise, take a mental note of its location and position yourself as quickly as possible, and target the area. Covering water when no fish are rising can produce results; you’d be surprised how many fish will come take your fly where you thought there was nobody home. The more water you can cover, the better results you will have. The rainbows are in great shape right now ranging in size from 14 to 20 inches, and are hot! When hooked, these fish peel line off the reel so quickly and really get your adrenaline going!

Effective Skwala dries have been the Skwala Unit and dark Stimulators sizes 8-10. The Skwala hatch will be waning in the weeks to come, but the fish will remember them for quite some time as they are a high protein source. The next series of storms will affect the river in both clarity and water levels, but we'll just have to wait and see after these systems roll through to get a clearer picture of the conditions. This is my favorite time of year on the lower Yuba, the days are getting longer, and the warm afternoons are perfect for experiencing some fabulous dry fly action!

The Caddis Fly

Check out this amazing footage from Ralph and Lisa Cutter's DVD "Bugs of the Underworld" on the life cycle and habits of the many different Caddis flies that inhabit our rivers and lakes. What is really fascinating to me is the pupa stage, I never knew they could swim so well! A good follow up read and a book that should be in your fly fishing library is "Caddisflies" by the man - Gary LaFontaine, available through the Book Mailer.

Middle Fork Feather River Presentation at Peninsula Fly Fishers

On Thursday Febuary 20th I will be presenting a stunning and informative power point program on the Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Feather river at Peninsula Fly Fisher's monthly meeting. The MFFR is one of the first rivers to be designated as "Wild & Scenic" and is considered by many outdoor authors to be the most beautiful river in the state of California. From it's start in the Sierra Valley though the rich upper section of coniferous forest, to the expansive granite lined walls of the lower canyons, the audience will gain insight and knowledge to better their approach when fly fishing this magnificent river.

I'll explain the three different zones managed by the US Forest Service, access points, techniques, tactics, entomology, fly patterns, and the fish that inhabit the MFFR. The program features 130 slides of colorful and inspiring images, plus detailed maps of the area. Attendees will gain valuable information from the hundreds of days I've spent on the MFFR and shorten their learning curve on their next visit to the Feather River country.

If your in the area for the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show make a point to stop by and enjoy my presentation. The meeting starts at 7:30pm at the Highlands Community Club, attendance is free and visitors are welcome. For more information on Peninsula Fly Fishers or to join the club, click here. I hope you can make it, the MFFR presentation is a must see!

Baiocchi's Troutfitters Aquatic Insect Trucker Hats

"Yuba River Skwala"

When it comes down to it, our passion and success of fly fishing really revolves around the aquatic insects that inhabit our favorite waters. What better way to show the world your appreciation for them with one of Baiocchi's Troutfitters custom bug trucker hats! With six different models to choose from, you can wear a different hat for that day's hatch. Offered in black with a sturdy white foam front panel adjusting from 17" to 24" with a mesh back to keep you cool on those hot days, and a crown of 4"  that's ready for the big haul. Hats run $15.99 and can be ordered here: http://www.cafepress.com/baiocchistroutfitters

Check out our complete hatch below;

"Middle Fork Feather River Pteronarcys Stonefly"

"North Fork Yuba River Baetis"

"Yuba River Skwala Gang Bang"

"Lake Davis Hexagenia"

"Middle Fork Feather River PMD"

Lower Yuba & Pyramid Lake Fishing Report 1/31/14

After weeks of office related work from being an independent guide and writing articles for major fly fishing magazines with little personal fishing, I jumped at the chance to take a road trip with my mentor Jimmy aka "Obi Wan". Jimmy's approach to fly fishing is no different than being a Jedi Knight; stealth, observations, smart presentations, and a fully focused mindset equals unparalleled results on the water; disciplined.

Our first day on "Jimmy's Most Excellent Superbowl Trout Tour" was on the Lower Yuba river. We both love this time of year as the skwala stoneflies are out and our favorite game of trout stalking off the bank is very effective. The river is low with the current flow still idle at 720cfs and very clear. Trout are spooky, especially in the skinny side water. Being stealthy is an absolute must, and careful observations of currents and seams often dictate success. Locating risers can be problematic for some anglers who are in too much of a hurry. Slow down, keep your eyes wide open, decipher small sections of the river, and make a plan of attack. Other than the skwalas, there was a fair amount of Epeorus mayflies or "pinkies" hatching. The trout were eating both.

Joining us that first day was my good friend Dave from Walnut Creek, Ca. Dave is still learning the way of the force and in his early stages of becoming a Jedi Knight, he was impressed with Obi Wan's teachings, often just watching rather than casting - smart. Fishing was good, but your presentations had to be perfect with the right Skwala adult pattern, any micro drag in your presentation whether it was traditional or fly first, would not get a take. These rainbows are serious professionals. 

Dave fished a back slough that had zero current and some aggressive rising rainbows, it was like a still water setting, and those trout could really study your fly to see if it was the real thing, or an artificial. He spent about 2 hours trying to get those trout to inhale his offering, but in the end the they won. I admired Dave for staying focused and not just walking away, he gave it his all.

We left Dave as he departed back home and made our way up the hill to our hotel room in Reno, after gorging ourselves on sushi, we got some shut eye and rest for our next day at Pyramid Lake. With an approaching storm we felt good about our chances as the lake fishes so much better with wind and nasty weather. I was pretty stoked to be back at Pyramid after a 15 year hiatus, back then I was torn between two lovers; Eagle Lake and Pyramid. I chose to pursue my craft at Eagle and with it's current state of low water I may be coming back here to fulfill my high alkaline still water addiction.

We arrived mid morning at Popcorn Beach and passed up the first light bite which has been productive. The middle of the day has been tough if you cannot locate the fish, and that's the thing with Pyramid; Not a technical place like Crowley lake, and finding active schools of Cutthroats is everything. The regulars, or die hards were out there in force fishing from the shore and in tubes. After talking to a few of the experts, effective flies for stripping have been black and black/purple leeches, white/purple tadpoles, and chartreuse/white popcorn beetles. I counted 18 rods and after four hours there was not one single hook up; slow. The weather was very warm and I was a bit overdressed but I knew some big wind was on its way. 

My friend, business partner, and Pyramid fly fishing guide Rob Anderson met up with Jimmy and I. The wind finally showed up, getting stronger by the minute and there were giant dust storms in the distance; a result from the driest year on record in the West. We followed Rob to another spot that would offer some protection from the wind. Let me tell you, with wind gusts up to 30 to 40 mph, it was a chore just trying to open the vehicle's door! It was so intense we chose to rig up down near the water in the wind break for fear of losing our equipment!

We ran bobber rigs due to the rocky bottom of this location with our flies just off the bottom and immediately Rob was into a fish. Effective flies were Rob's signature ties; the "Mahalo Nymph" and the "Albino Wino" midge pupa. There was three more Cutts landed in the next hour and yours truly got the big skunker award. That's OK with with me, I had a blast netting fish, taking pictures, and taking in Rob's knowledge and insight of this ancient inland sea.

Jimmy and I continued fishing as Rob disappeared up to the truck, minutes later we noticed red onion skins flying by us at a high rate of speed out into the lake, and the smell of beef cooking. Rob was grilling up some organic cheese burgers with caramelized onions for us and it was so appreciated. As we devoured our mouth watering meals I laughed out loud how these burgers could sell for $25 in these brutal conditions of wind and cold! Good food becomes great food when consumed outdoors in inclement weather! It's Rob's food that he provides his guests with that are the icing on the cake when doing his guided trips at Pyramid - He's got it dialed.

Our original plan for day three was to fish the Big Truckee in the lower grand canyon area, but the mountains were receiving a fair amount of sierra cement and the river rose slightly with an off color. After reading the weather report for the lower Yuba on the smart phone while heading west on Hwy 80, we decided to head back to the land of skwalas, and head hunting for Rainbows. It was a wise move, blue skies and mild air temperatures greeted us and we were on the water by noon time - Perfect timing.

The skwala hatch on Thursday was the biggest I've ever seen on the Lower Yuba, it was insane! Not very many trout showing themselves but if you made perfect drifts in the right places, you got a grab. It was another great day of trout stalking and without a doubt the funnest way to catch trout on a fly rod. I went back to the slough and stalked the fish that gave Dave a hard time on day one of the Trout Tour. I was on my hands and knees and offered them the "Skwala Unit" dry and got lucky hooking both. Meanwhile Jimmy fished some faster side water nearby and hooked into a few - Obi Wan has serious game!

What a great trip and I can't wait to do it again next year, though there is still a month and a half of Skwala time on the Lower Yuba - You'll know where to find me in the coming weeks ahead! Thanks Jimmy! See you on the water.......

Yuba Ramblings....

Last Friday I was able to get out and share the Lower Yuba with my guest and fellow Italian brother Mario and his father in law Dave. It was an amazing day, not catching wise, but one of the biggest Skwala hatches I've ever seen and the air temps were way to warm; talk about sweating up a storm! The fish were never really looking up in big numbers that day. I played the "dry fly snob" game and missed one nice fish on a Quigley's hackle stacker (pinkie version). On days like this, it goes down better if you can appreciate a good hatch, zero angling pressure (not one boat), and great company with good dudes. It was awesome!

Current observations for the Lower Yuba included; tons of salmon smolts in the system, good hatches and early arrivals of March browns, and one confirmed sighting of a golden stone adult. PMD's, and the fish were favoring them that day. Low flows, so low that holding water that was taken for granted is gone (adjust your location). Tons of black bodied and creme headed midges pupa #18-20 in the drift are abundant. Really clear water, we need some tint (come on rain!)

 
I've been extremely busy setting up the new year with trips, presentations, clinics, and outings - something had to give, and it did. Starting tomorrow I'm off on Jimmy's annual "Most Excellent Superbowl Trout Tour". This year we are ditching the skis and boards since the conditions are not soft and deep as we like it. Featured waters include the Lower Yuba, Pyramid Lake, and the big Truckee. Fish or no fish I'm going to have a blast not being held hostage by my office and computer! I'll give you a full report when the mayhem has come to an end. 

The gate is getting ready to drop and I'm ready to grab a handful of throttle and pin it! Later!

Tying The "Skwala Unit" Adult

With the Skwala stonefly hatch in effect on the Lower Yuba River, I would like to share a great new pattern I have been fishing for the last year. A long time guest of mine turned me onto this easy tie, he got it from a guide in Montana by the name of John Cook on the Bitterroot River. 

What caught my eye on this pattern was the extended body, simple to tie, sat flush in the film like the natural, yet was extremely buoyant. I tied dozens of these last year for special orders and the feedback I got back from those anglers using them was eye opening; performing well and catching fish.

The body color of the Lower Yuba Skwala is different than those of other rivers. When first hatched it is a mustard color, then turning to a spicy brown mustard within a few days. After this stone fly has been out flying for a few weeks the body does darken up a wee bit with a subtle olive color to it. Very subtle.

Tie a few of these up to see for yourself, the pattern can be used for other stoneflies by adjusting the size and colors. Durability wise it is not bombproof, and after a dozen fish or so the extended foam body can be tattered and torn. Not to worry though, put it back in the vise and take the material off with a sharp utility blade and start over; recycling the hook.

Recipe:

-Hook; Tiemco 101 or Mustad 94840 #10.
-Thread; Uni 6/0 dark brown.
-Under body: yellow olive vernile wrapped tightly.
-Extended over body: Larva Lace black foam.
-Wing: Spirit River UV2 poly yarn.
-Head: Moose hair tied bullet style.
-Legs: Large round rubber in brown.  
*Note: After tying, treat with Loon Hydrostop.

Current Conditions for the Lower Yuba River

Happy New Year from the banks of the Lower Yuba River! The weather has been too nice lately; we really need some precipitation and a whole bunch of it as soon as possible. The river is very low from the lack of rain with the outflow from Englebright Dam at a meager 700cfs, and crystal clear water making fishing tougher than normal. Many salmon redds are very exposed now and the wading fly angler needs to be very careful where they step while fishing. Walking on redds can crush eggs that have been deposited and are waiting to hatch. In the last week I have seen numerous anglers walking right through these sensitive areas without a clue. When the opportunity presents itself a little education in a nice manner to those who do not know any better can be beneficial to the salmon and the health of the river.

The salmon are nearly all gone and the resident trout are coming off the “egg bite”, there is usually a lull in the action of a few weeks as the egg bite ends. Then the native trout’s attention will turn onto the many hatches of aquatic insects that are already showing great promise. If the Lower Yuba or any other river for that matter does not blow out due to high water, the bug life can be prolific as the river is not scoured by damaging flows.

The big news in the last week is the much anticipated Skwala Stonefly hatch has begun with confirmed first hand sightings from myself and other guides. It’s just the start, but this hatch will continue into the month of February and quite possibly the first few weeks of March. The fun of fishing this hatch is presenting the large dry fly adult patterns on the edge water of the river. It’s always a blast when you get to see your quarry take your fly off the surface! Other hatches right now included tiny midges, blue wing olives, and pale morning dun mayflies. The Lower Yuba is one of the best rivers for winter dry fly fishing and a must experience.  

I had the pleasure of being invited on a float from Tom Page who owns Reel Anglers Fly Shop in Grass Valley last Saturday. We drifted from the Highway 20 Bridge to the Sycamore Ranch take out. Tom also guides the Lower Yuba from his drift boat and has many years of experience where any angler from rookie to experienced can learn the tricks to conquer this moody river; and he does have a few crafty tricks to say the least! That’s what my day with Tom was all about, taking in his knowledge like a sponge, and processing it for my future needs. 

For those fly anglers who want big numbers of fish caught, drifting with a local knowledgeable guide is essential to your success. In a drift boat you cover more water than that of an angler off the bank with the right rig, in the most productive water. It can be fast and furious at times. On the flip side the bank angler can take their time with a single section of the river, observing the conditions, and deciphering the puzzle that lies before them. Both styles have their rewards.

I’m so excited thinking of the many weeks of challenging dry fly fishing that awaits me and my guests on the Lower Yuba for 2014! For current conditions on the Lower Yuba, or the hot flies that are producing, please do not hesitate to call Tom at Reel Anglers Fly Shop 530.477.5397.