PDA

View Full Version : Learning The Rhythms Of The Lower Yuba



Troutstalker55B
01-29-2012, 11:12 AM
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/Yuba43_1_1.jpg

For years I had heard about the Lower Yuba, the hatches, and the big water. Now that my new home is a mere 20 minutes from this tailwater I’ve began to dissect it, and absorb every good amount of info like a sun baked sponge in a pail of water. It’s nice to have some help along away, and it’s comforting to be able to fish with my old crew again, guys I’ve known for over 25 years – Family.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/Yuba50_1_1.jpg
The Kid and Bacon putting on a show for the boats.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/Yuba62.jpg

For a river that has been abused from man and his naive mining practices since day one, and high run off that strips away every macroinvetrebrate from its home, I’m amazed at the bug life. I saw BWO’s, PMD’s, Gray Drakes, and Skwala stoneflies. The fish were on them!

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/Yuba54_2_1.jpg

For those of you that are mystified about finding the Skwala look no further. If one simply starts flipping over rocks on dry land next to shore and 20 feet out from it, you’ll find them. If your lucky you’ll find an orgy – This is their greet, meet, and get busy single’s bar.

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i424/moto55b/Yuba60_3_1.jpg
The fish here are so beautiful, perfect trout and so strong!

I’ve only fished the river three times now but I’ve been successful in my quest. Some things that may help you in the future will be to dissect the river into small manageable sections – Study the water before casting. These fish are very wary, being stealthy and not beating up the water is another key component. Be confident in the rig you are fishing, I just played the Skwala dry game but with every cast I believed that a trout would rise – And they did. Present your fly close to shore at first, then fish the big water. I had players from both kinds of water. Crowds – Drive, walk, or float away from the masses. I never had a problem with other anglers, or boats, in fact two of the boats I saw were friends of mine which is good to see.

It looks like the “honey do” list will not be getting checked off like it has in the past, I think it’s time my honey makes an appearance to appreciate the bugs and see the magic show. What an interesting river, I wish you all the best of luck and hope you can find her rhythms.

Jon.

mar
02-04-2012, 09:43 PM
Nice post Jon. The pics of juicy looking water, bugs and bent rods got me wound up. I haven't fished the mighty Yuba in 4+ years. Grabbed the newly acquired 5wt, a box of dry flies and hit it. The water has changed quite a bit since the last time I fished it.
No hits on Skwala dries but did get a couple of fiesty bows on e/c caddis.
Not a bad 3-hour outing.

jbird
02-04-2012, 10:49 PM
VERY nice Jon. Thanks for the report and pics!

Troutstalker55B
02-04-2012, 10:57 PM
Stoked you got some fish on the dries Mar, that's what it's all about. I'm really liking the lower Yuba, it's a tough nut to crack but the rewards are so sweet.

Jon.

gene goss
02-05-2012, 08:29 AM
Great post Jon....your the master of stealthy, from your Davis Lake training.

Ralph
02-05-2012, 05:00 PM
Did you FINALLY move in with Christine?!

Larry S
02-05-2012, 05:25 PM
Great report! You didn't damage any of the gravel bars when you walked on them,
did you?
Good luck with your move.
Best,
Larry S

Troutstalker55B
02-05-2012, 06:48 PM
Gene - Most of the time I can fool them and get really close, but I get my ass handed to me more than I want.

Ralph - Yes Christine and I are living off Gold Falt in a house her father built in the early 70's. I'm really stoked on the area! Hit me up if you wanna fish sometime.

Larry - That is very funny! I cannot believe how much gravel is down there, I've been hiking where they did the mining up higher and now I understand the full scale of the damage done. BTW - Walking around on those gravel bars sure beats a guy up, no rock is flat and stable, that's for sure!

Jon.

Ralph
02-05-2012, 07:28 PM
Ralph - Yes Christine and I are living off Gold Falt in a house her father built in the early 70's. I'm really stoked on the area! Hit me up if you wanna fish sometime.


Bitchin! We'd love to show you around from the vantage of a boat. PM me at cutter@flyline.com.