Keep Calm and Fly Fish

The flows on the Lower Yuba are now at a “normal” 2,800 CFS. The river has changed drastically and was difficult to fish effectively from the bank. I caught plenty of small trout both on hoppers and nymphs but overall nothing too exciting. The fish were more reluctant to take on the retrieve rather than the dead drift which was very interesting. Hot summer days on the Lower Yuba are usually not very productive but it was good get out for a few hours.

I’ve officially hit the summer slump. Hot triple digit days and too few days off work to travel have slowed down my fishing adventures. Tight lines and stay cool out here!

Summer has officially begun and the weather this week is forecasting record breaking peaks with several triple digit days. It’s time to put the waders away and start wet wading again. The flow on the Lower Yuba was at a high ~3500 CFS when I visited but it was fishable despite the limited wading. The water was nice and cool and had a beautiful blue hue to it. The bug life is slowly making a comeback as I observed midges, two or three golden stone adults, and small PMD nymphs and duns.

Fish of the Day

I spent the morning scouting and prospecting different runs and holes around HWY 20 bridge with a streamer rod and a nymph rig. I fished every fishy spot that I could cast to and was successful in finding a few Yuba bows. The fish I found were holding around solid structure and in seams that were relatively deep. Most of the fish I caught were on PMDs and were small compared to what I’m use out there however they looked healthy and fought hard like they usually do.

The flows have been upped +400 CFS which is a bummer but it’s getting there…