Jon Baiocchi reports on 6.25.2017

On Monday the 12th we had extremely cold weather and snow, in fact at Frenchman’s Lake there was 2 inches on the ground. A week later and it’s been Africa hot, thank goodness it cools down at night. I’m seeing the effects from a wet winter all around in the mountains. There are so many wildflowers blooming right now that are providing a beautiful color spot...

Jon Baiocchi reports on 10.6.2016

The last few weeks at Lake Davis we saw above normal temperatures with some days of light wind. During this time there were fish in the shallows until about 1pm, then returning to the first ledge in deeper water from 8 to 15 feet. Water temperatures went from 60 to 64, then 58 to 62 degrees. Currently after this last storm rolled through, the water temps dropped...

Jon Baiocchi Reports on 8.18.2016

Conditions remain the same on the North Fork Yuba River, great fishing, and exceptional views. Water temperatures are 57 in the morning rising to 63 degrees in the early afternoon for the upper watershed. The best times to ply the water are 8am to 1pm, then again in the evening chasing the last couple of hours of light. Fishing pressure has been light, but I’m...

Jon Baiocchi reports on 8.11.2016

I just completed a 5 day run up on the North Fork Yuba River and my guests and I had such an awesome time as the fishing has been great. Water temperatures are still cool ranging from 55 to 57 degrees in the morning, and topping out at 62 to 64 degrees in the late afternoon in the upper most part of the watershed. Location is everything, and locating where the deep...

Jon Baiocchi / Baiocchi’s Troutfitters Reports on 7.6.2016

North Fork Yuba River - Conditions are perfect right now for the most beautiful watershed in all of California. The North Fork screams fun fishing, boulder hopping, dry flies, and solitude. Water temps are ranging from 56 to 61 degrees. Dry / dropper rigs are best, or for the evening hatch just go with a single fly like Ralph’s E/C Caddis...

Jon Baiocchi/Baiocchi’s Troutfitters reports on 5.18.2016

5/18 – Big changes were observed today at Lake Davis, namely the food source for resident trout was in abundance. Water temps have come up quickly and are ranging from 56 to 59 degrees; you’ll see slightly higher water temps in shallow flats/points with a dark mud bottom. Fishing pressure is moderate at the more popular areas, but solitude...

Jon Baiocchi Reports on 4.20.2016

The Truckee River is fishing pretty well right now, and the flows are dropping into shape. The Glenshire stretch is at 220 cubes, and the upper canyon is running at 625 cfs, a tad higher down by Floriston. With higher flows, fish the side water first before venturing out. All of the fish last week were in deeper slower water next to the main flow/seam. Flesh Juan...

Jon Baiocchi / Baiocchi’s Troutfitters Reports on 9.14.2015

After last week’s heat wave, my guests and I switched gears and concentrated on the upper watershed again. Last weekend the bite was on fire, the best I have seen it since the second week of July. To put it plainly, one guest said he had never caught and released so many trout in his lifetime. Flows are still low but have stabilized, and...

North Fork Yuba River report

Jon Baiocchi reports on 8.25.2015

Water levels have dropped even more, and the bigger plunge pools have noticeably more resident rainbows living there. It’s so important now to make your presentations in the pockets, pools, and slots that have a depth greater than 2 feet. There has been a good deal of fishing pressure on the weekends, but during the week it is extremely light. The fish have been getting hammered in the more popular areas with easy river access, the more you hike into the remote sections, the better the fishing. Water temperatures are still very cool, yesterday in the upper reached was 56 at 8am rising to 62 by 1pm.

The early morning spinner fall of psudocleons (tiny BWO’s #20-22) has intensified even more, you’ll see females punching through the surface meniscus of the water as they scuba dive to the bottom to lay their eggs around 9 to 10:30am. The dragonflies have keyed in on them too, and it’s very entertaining watching them munch and crunch on the fly, in fact it’s really cool. Hoppers are getting more attention, but the population is down from years past, maybe the drought has had something to do with that. Ants continue to be the trout’s favorite, they must taste good to those rainbows, I’ve tried them and nearly puked – Not a good idea.

Big bushy dry flies in yellow, orange, or black with a purple Psycho Prince ( #16), or ant (#12-16) trailer is receiving great results. I’m starting to guide further down the canyon now in the mornings as both air and water temperatures continue to fall, yet still above Downieville. Keep in mind the water temps come up much more quickly in this section as it does not have the abundance of springs as the upper section does. I’ll be scouting Lake Davis in the weeks to come, and locating where the largest concentrations of those big rainbows are cruising and feeding. Trips are starting to come, and I’m booking dates. If you want in on the action, give me a call at 530.228.0487, or shoot me an email at baiocchistroutfitters@yahoo.com. Best of luck out there, absorb the beauty of the land, and live large.

Jon Baiocchi / Baiocchi’s Troutfitters Reports on 8.20.2015

The North Fork Yuba continues to fish well as we head down the home stretch for the upper watershed. It’s been chilly in the morning, but the day quickly warms once the sun starts to bake the region. Water temps today registered 56 at 8am rising to 61 by 12:30pm. Fishing pressure has been extremely light during the week days, on the...