Lower Yuba Fly Fishing Report

Jon Baiocchi Reports on 11.23.2017

The Lower Yuba River never ceases to amaze me, when the rains started on the 11/14. I had no idea the river would blow out and reach 7,000 cubes. Even more amazing is that in 2 days it was back down to 1.5K. I can’t recall the river dropping so quickly as that. Currently the flows are stable at 1,129 cfs, Water clarity is perfect with a slight tinge to it. Before the spike in flows, swinging BWO softies got the most attention followed by Indo rigs with stoners, eggs, and worms. There have been a few brief windows of rising fish actively feeding on sparse BWO hatches in the soft water. Poly wing sparkle duns with a WD-40 dropper have been very successful. No real big fish yet for myself or my guests, I know there are a few more in there than we think, and really it’s just a matter of putting a fly in front of them. A few more salmon have entered the system as well. Being that the Lower Yuba River is a totally wild fishery just shows how susceptible it is to major changes in its habitat by both Mother Nature and man. Look for an article I wrote on the Lower Yuba River coming out in the next issue of California Fly Fisher. I break it all down from before the floods of 2017 and the aftermath. I’m in my “cruising” part of my guide year meaning I’m gladly not guiding every day, doing more presentations, writing, and catching up on the more important things in life. I have dates available for the Yuba River during the winter months, more than a guide trip my emphasis is on instructing and sharing the ways of the river so that my guests can fish on their own with confidence and grace. See you all among cobblestones…  Jon Baiocchi