Middle Fork Feather & North Fork Yuba Report

[Troutstalker55B]

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The Middle Fork Feather River in the Graeagle area is about a month early and is fishing like it does in late May. Water temps are running 52 in the morning and 55 during the warmest point of the day. Gray Eagle creek and Frazier creek are running at 50 degrees, normally these creeks should be running at around 46. The weather was so gorgeous this weekend, warm and comfortable! It was such a pleasure to back on home water that I know so well.

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Hatches? Wow! Skwalas, Gray Drakes, Brown Duns, March Browns, and a few BWO’s in the mix. No fish rising at all but they are taking sub surface aquatic insects. The top producing flies were olive Copper Johns #16 and San Juan Worms in earthworm color. Not that much lead is needed as the flows are very low for this time of year. No dinks in the last few days as well, wild rainbows ran 12-17” with two at 18”! It’s been a long time since I have seen some big fish come from out of the depths here. Streamers were also used with a fast sinking line in the big pools but only one good bump on a 4” long Double Bunny. Spring is the best time to land a trophy brown trout here in the upper watershed.

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I’m so surprised at how well the river is fishing right now! If the warm weather continues with no precipitation you can bet the Graeagle area will be too low and warm when June rolls around and one must fish below where Jamison Creek enters the river; In other words get it now while it’s good!

On my way back to Nevada City I rolled on down Highway 49 and checked conditions on the North Fork Yuba. It’s running a bit high but very fishable. I stopped by The Lure resort to drop off some brochures and water temps were at 52 degrees, there was no bug activity at all.

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I put on the waders in the Rocky Rest area and fished on my own with a rubber leg Golden Stone #6 with Hogan’s Red Headed Step Child trailed behind it. I also ran a bunch of split shot to get down. Water temps here were at 56 degrees. The fish were not at the heads of runs but in deep tail outs. One dink came quickly to the net. I probed a deeper slot and hooked a very large fish that possibly ran 20”. I got a good look at it from a top view but I never saw the side of it so I don’t know if it was a brown or a rainbow. I played the fish for about 8 minutes (seemed like an eternity to me!) before the fly pulled out. Damn! There was a little chunk of flesh on the Golden Stone Nymph; I guess that fish wanted a big meal.

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The first flower of the season Darmera Peltata or Indian Rhubarb was out lining the banks of the river, absolutely stunning! As far as bug activity a few Gray Drakes, Carpenter Ants, and some caddis was all that was out. It will be while before the North Fork shapes up but I imagine it won’t be long!

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[JGB]

TS-

Very nice report, thanx.

JGB

[Randy Lee]

Sring in the sierras. I swear I could feel cool moist air,warm sun, and smell the pines. Great photos.

[Ben J]

Hey Jon-
Great report and I love the pics. Any chance you have seen or heard about the water conditions on the North Fork Feather between Belden and Pulga?

[Troutstalker55B]

My guest fished it a few days ago in that same stretch by Milk Creek and said he did well with Black Rubber Legs and Prince nymphs. I use to fish the NFFR a lot when I was young and Spring was always good because the water flows were always low with the dams, run off was really never a factor there. I do not know how it is managed now with the artificial white water flows in effect.

[Jimmie]

Jon, thanks for a great report... Obviously time for me to head for the N. Yuba (it is my favoriite)

[jigger]

Fantastic report. Thank you!

[fishnbeatsworkin]

I'm a little slow on posting but I fished the Middle Fork with Jon on Friday the 26th & had a great day. We only fished from about 10am til 2:30pm or so but it was well worth it. The morning started off a little chilly but after the sun rose in the sky it got quite warm. The river flows were almost perfect. We saw about a dozen different insect species hatching & buzzing around- stoneflies, mayflies, caddis, etc. The bugs were everywhere. We didn't see any fish rising but we both had a fish come up for our indicators. We spent most of the day nymphing & each caught some decent fish. Jon landed a nice 16"+ rainbow just before we called it for the day. Jon then had to head to Truckee & I headed to the canyon for the rest of the weekend. The canyon fishing wasn't nearly as good as the upper section of the river. I dredged nymphs Saturday & Sunday for only one fish. My two buddies who met me there on Saturday put down their fly rods & had good luck cheating with Rapalas.

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[Troutstalker55B]

Hey Dave, thanks for posting those pictures, that was a good time! What were the water temps down in the canyon? Bugs?

[Mark Kranhold]

Jon, how is the water looking from two rivers and down? Heading up to the cabin for memorial day weekend, but a little nervous on what the river is going to look like with the low snow year. May just have to resort to Davis? Thanks, Mark

[jayclarkflyfishing]

Mark
The river is in pretty good shape from Two Rivers down. Water temps in the low 60's with some decent hatches of grey drakes, little yellow sallies and some caddis in the evening. Get it while its good cuz its gonna be done real quick.

Jay

[Troutstalker55B]

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Special days on pristine waters float around my mind for years on end. We all have those cherished memories that we play and rewind over and over, each time picking out a singular action, word, or feeling that makes us smile even during the toughest times that life can throw at us. Today was one of those days. The ancient bug was out, the fish were rising, and there was just us out there taking it all in. Laughter, smiles, sharing the knowledge. I'm rather glad the masses think this river is just mediocre I'll gladly take the small wild fish on dry flies anytime, the dipper behind the waterfall in her moist moss lined nest, and the overhead fly by of a male merganser. The lupines talked to us today, we couldn't understand a word of it but the glow they gave us enriched the day. Sunshine and water; life is grand.

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[Mark Kranhold]

Jon, those are two great spots! I especially love the first photo. I have had some great days in that spot with some big quality fish. Water is looking higher than I expected, can't wait to get up there this week. Thanks for the post. Mark