The Yuba River is home to some of the best tailwater dry fly fishing in California. Winter is typically the best month for fishing dries as BWOs, PMDs, and skwalas make their appearance. As the weather warms in the spring march browns and caddis become the main fare. Summers can be hot and dry in the valley but the fish in the Yuba can still be tricked into rising for a hopper during the day or caddis in the evening. Fall is probably the least productive season for dry fly fishing on the Yuba as the fish tend to focus more on salmon eggs but the evening caddis hatch and overcast BWO days are good times to try and rise a few fish.
I’m a bit of a dry fly opportunist and won’t tie on a dry unless I see consistent rising or fishing somewhere where I know the fish will rise to anything. They say trout feed 90% of the time underwater so I try to stick with the scientific evidence rather than try to make something that may or may not happen. I understand the thrill of seeing a fish eat on top but realistically I know that the best way to catch them is on bottom.
The Yuba River this year is experiencing drought conditions which is great for fishing but bad overall for the state of California. In the case of the Yuba River lower flows means better access which extends the fishing season past spring when flows are typically raised to +2,000 CFS to meet agricultural demands. At this time the flows are around 1400 CFS which is very fishable but not crossable.
The dry fly bite has been great and I’ve been able to consistently rise fish each day that I’ve been out. There seems to be a few specific runs that have rising fish so if you’re out there keep and eye out for risers for the chance to get them on a dry. The best bug that I’ve had luck with have been march browns however I’ve seen yellow sallies and caddis emerging although I’ve yet to hook any fish on them.
It seems as though each time I’ve been on the Yuba there has been a relatively strong westward wind blowing upstream. This made presenting my dry fly difficult as the tippet would blow upstream and create a bend in my leader. From my experience the fish on the Yuba will not take a fly where they can see the leader before the fly. A modified reach cast, casting lower, or angling myself downstream was able to solve this annoyance.
I’ve taken my kiddo out with me a few times and he’s been a pretty good fishing buddy letting me get a few minutes of casting time before wanting out to play in the water. We’ve managed to land a fish each of our visits and he’s been ecstatic about seeing, touching, and releasing the fishies. It’s nice to have such a pristine piece of water nearby that everyone can enjoy.
