Sac Striper & Lower Yuba Trout Fly Fishing Report

The past few weeks have been a lot of fun on the river. Clarity has been great and it feels like proper summer. We have caught fish of all different sizes, from 6 inches to the 20 pound class. The river provides awesome scenery, there are a ton of Osprey around this year and a lot of eagles. Classic Adachi style Clousers in olive, white, and chartreuse have been the most productive. Resident striper fishing is not always easy, but for the angler who is willing to work hard, keep casting and keep stripping hard, it can be very rewarding. If you would like to try river striper fishing I have availability in August and September and you can book at benthompsonoutdoors.com or give me a call 916-743-8290. 

Flows are stable around 2,400 cfs and water clarity is great. Some days have been pretty awesome and some have been tougher. There is certainly not an insane hopper bite like last year, but we have managed to get at least a few fish to rise to a dry fly pretty much every day out. For catching, nymphing has been the go to as of late. Indicator fishing with rubberlegs, tan and olive caddis and various PMD's have provided my boat the most success. Swinging caddis pupa and stripping streamers is also an option this time of year. The gate at Highway 20 is still closed and will likely be for the long haul. The public can still access the river by walking in at 20 or walking in at Sycamore Ranch/Hammon Grove. Many consider Lower Yuba River the hardest fighting trout, pound for pound, in the state and are a worthy quarry if you have not chased them before, I would recommend it.