Lower Yuba Fly Fishing Report

Been spending most of my time on the Lower Yuba River. Flows are down to about 700cfs and clarity is good, nice green color with enough “color” to not be Gin Clear….really perfect color to be honest. Fish seem (atleast the ones that are eating) seem to be concentrated as when I have been getting one fish I usually get more and in areas where I get none there seems to be no way to get any, change flies, depths, etc and nothing works. All my fish have been coming on nymphs or swung flies. Egg patterns, stonefly patterns, and attractor nymphs are working the best and anything olive and salmon smelt/alvin looking is best on the swing. There are a few bugs starting to show, the baetis are starting to hatch and the grey drakes are out as well. I have not seen any skwalas yet though so those are still on their way I imagine. I have not found any constantly rising fish but the hatches are pretty inconsistent as well so makes sense. Fishing is really settling into a traditional winter pattern and should remain good until the river blows out again. Winter is a great time to be on the Yuba as crowds are minimal and there are a lot of options. 

Fishing has been very good on the Lower Yuba River, and all reports have been excellent through my Yuba Guide Network. Water temps are running 49-52 degrees, water clarity is very clear with a slight tinge to it. Flows are currently running at 576 cubes, with a meager inflow from Deer creek. The Skwala stones are still staging on the calm side water

below the riffles. I spent 2 hours last Monday flipping rocks, and combing the riparian habitat. No evidence of adults was to be found. It’s only a matter of time though, a wee bit late as I usually see them in the last few weeks of December. Remember it’s been cold, and they are not fond of that. For a better understanding on the Skwala hatch, please refer to my outstanding article on this legendary hatch in the December 2014 issue of California Fly Fisher. There is so much good useful information that will definitely help those unfamiliar with the Skwala hatch, and the tactics needed to be successful.

Cloudy days have revealed a strong bwo hatch, not a lot of heads showing though, but my guests and I have had some great sessions with pods of active feeders rising with a rhythm for up to two hours in the middle of the day. Nymphing and swinging is getting the big numbers, especially if you are drifting with a superior guide and covering water. Bobber rigs with a Jimmy Legs stone in a #10, followed with Hogan’s Military May, caddis pupa, or a San Juan Worm has been the go to rig. For swinging, alevin and minnow patterns are dominating, along with black buggers. There is not as many salmon fry in the system as last year, and I believe the onslaught of rain in early December pushed many of them downstream, just as nature is intended to do.

I have plenty of open dates for trips on the Lower Yuba for the month of January, and I expect them to fill up quickly once the Skwalas get going. Only a few days in February are available as many of them are booked already, March is fairly open though so do not hesitate in contacting me. Teaching dry fly presentations to selective feeders is my specialty, remember I’m a walk and wade guide who takes it to the next level in sharing the secrets of the Lower Yuba with my guests, so they can approach it, and fish it with confidence on their own. Sharing the knowledge is of the up most importance to me at this stage of the game. Happy New Year, make the most of it!