Yuba River

May Flows Are Beginning To Go

by Matt
Beautiful Yuba Bruiser

Rejoice! The Yuba is at 2,500 CFS. Not the best flows but it’s the lowest it’s been since the big storms in March. The river is coming into shape revealing new contours and structure. As of right now I’m not sure if I like the new areas that I’m seeing. From what I’ve observed, the good is that there will be more safe areas to cross the river but the bad is that there aren’t as many holding spots for fish.

Hiked A Lot

The bug life is quite minimal right now. I flipped over a couple rocks in the new areas that looked promising and found very few nymphs. Not a whole lot happening while I was out there. A few midges, caddis, and one yellow sally.

Despite fluctuating high flows, the Yuba trout are still around growing strong and healthy. The fish seem to be holding in nooks and crannies near structure that anglers may overlook. The most perfect and ideal seams that were just right in both flow and depth, a goldilocks spot, were the only areas that produced hard fighting Yuba natives. Trying to find where these goldilocks spots were was tough. The big flows have moved a lot of bright stone to the bank which makes the fish less likely to hold there, too easily seen by predators. Cover water like a boss and keep moving.

Second Fish In The Net

Poxyback golden stones were the hot pattern. Golden stones will start moving around in May and June so it makes sense that the fish are on them. Luckily a bigger pattern means a better landing ratio. I went two for three this trip.
When I fish the Yuba I don’t expect to land more than two fish. What the Yuba lacks in numbers it makes up for it in fight.

Lots of Salmon Fry Around Still
Fly Tying

Fly Tying – Ryan’s Shad Dart

by Matt

Grub style fly patterns are the usual go-to for American shad for whatever reason they just work. Shad can be quite particular about the color/size/pattern you present them, therefore having several patterns in different colors and sizes is necessary in finding what’s working.

Here are tying instructions for a simple grub pattern that works really well for American shad in the California valley.

Ryan’s Shad Dart

Materials List:
Daiichi – 1530 – size 8
Danville’s 210 Flymaster Plus Waxed Thread – White
Copper Beadhead – Size 3/16”
UTC Vinyl Rib – Medium – Chartreuse
Wapsi Flat Mylar Tinsel – Medium – Gold/Silver
Krystal Flash – Pearl

Fly Tying Instructions

Step 1 – Start by threading your beadhead on to the hook.

Step 2 – Tie about ten strands of krystal flash from the beadhead to the bend of the hook. After tying in the krystal flash, cut the excess krystal flash until it is about the length of the hook shank.

Step 3 – First tie in the tinsel with the gold side facing out then tie in the vinyl ribbing. Be sure to tie in both the tinsel and the vinyl from behind the beadhead so that the materials stay even. Work your thread back up to the beadhead after you secure your materials

Step 4 – Begin wrapping the tinsel (silver side) starting from behind the vinyl. Wrap the tinsel tightly until you get to the beadhead. Secure the tinsel with a few thread wraps and cut off the excess.

Step 5 – Begin tightly wrapping the vinyl ribbing to the front of the hook. Secure the vinyl and cut off the excess when you reach the beadhead.

Step 6 – Build a bulk of thread behind the beadhead and whip finish. Dab a bit of Zap-A-Gap around the thread to make sure it stays durable. Finished!

Having an arsenal of different shad flies will make you more productive during the run. Remember to switch flies often to figure out what’s working. Try tying Ryan’s Shad Dart with different materials to meet your needs.
I’d say that the pattern you use for American shad only dictates about 40% of your success, the more important 60% comes from how you present your flies. Don’t stick to just swinging all day, vary your presentations!

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Keep Calm and Fly Fish™