North Fork Yuba in October

[Pupa]

Hi everyone,

I am planning a fishing/camping trip Oct 22 with my 12yr daughter and a couple of her friends. I was thinking the N Fork Yuba might be a good idea. Anyone know when the October caddis generally start popping? Any ideas for a good camping location not too close to the road?

Thanks

Brett

[TahoeJoe]

I think that the forest service campgrounds close after Labor Day. You might call the forest service office in Nevada City and ask if any are open year round.

--Joe

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

From Downieville upstream to Sierra City there are lots of resorts with nice little cabins to rent by the day.

It is probably off season up there after Labor Day but the fishing should be good.

Pretty sure the state camp grounds are closed.


I just called Sierra Pines Resort in Sierra City, formerly Herrington's Sierra Pines Resort. They will be open.

We always liked staying there because they have a nice big lodge, cabins and a good "warm" restaurant.

They have rooms for around $100/night.

https://www.sierrapinesresort.com/photo-gallery/


That time of year the nights might be a little cold for camping?


Downieville is a nice place to visit with some good restaurants.

[Ralph]

Hi everyone,

I am planning a fishing/camping trip Oct 22 with my 12yr daughter and a couple of her friends. I was thinking the N Fork Yuba might be a good idea. Anyone know when the October caddis generally start popping? Any ideas for a good camping location not too close to the road?

Thanks

Brett

There are a very few Oct caddis coming off now as well as some Paraleptophlebia (mahogany duns). Oct 22 might be a bit late in the game, but the fish will have a recent memory of the bugs even if they aren't popping off in droves.

[PV_Premier]

There are a very few Oct caddis coming off now as well as some Paraleptophlebia (mahogany duns). Oct 22 might be a bit late in the game, but the fish will have a recent memory of the bugs even if they aren't popping off in droves.

I agree with this, and the lower river (below Ladies Canyon Creek) will have more bugs than the upper section. NFYR is all about the dry fly, but don't be afraid to go dry/dropper especially as the water cools and the days shorten. Also in the deepest slots and channels a light nymph rig with a small (size 12 or smaller) rubberlegs and prince nymph duo is not inappropriate.

[Pupa]

Thanks guys. Any other small stream destinations that might still be decent end of October?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Downie River comes into the NFYR in Downieville.

[yubaman]

IMHO, I think that the NF Yuba is as good as it gets for small stream fishing at that time of year. Lots of smaller fish, and the few large ones seem to come out and play for the October Caddis. I have not fished there for the October Caddis in a few years, but I would use a couple of large, size 8 Montana Salmonfly patterns with a lot of success. They are pretty much all a good imitations for the October Caddis. In particular, the Cat Puke pattern really produced.

Downieville and Sierra City are empty right now, there are several decent motels in both towns. If you don't mind busting out around $300/ night, you could stay in a cabin at either The Lure Resort or the Sierra Shangri La, both of which are right on the river and have some very nice cabins.

I drove over to Downieville from Truckee a week and a half ago to escape the Mosquito Fire smoke, and the river is in good shape. It is running a little low.

I hope you get up there to enjoy it!


Bob

[Ralph]

Even if USFS camps are closed, there are hundreds of miles of dirt roads with a zillion opportunities for dirt camping. I normally avoid "improved" camp grounds at all costs.

[PV_Premier]

The Downie River comes into the NFYR in Downieville.

With similarly good fishing but very difficult access.

I would say the other creeks up that way will be quite low. Many of them are also really challenging to access given the topography.

[Ralph]

With similarly good fishing but very difficult access.

I would say the other creeks up that way will be quite low. Many of them are also really challenging to access given the topography.

Yeah, of the three NF Yuba tributaries, Downie and Pauley are hardly worth the access issues. Lavezzola is the most approachable, but the flows are trickling. Still some ornery miners up there and harvest is right around the corner. Stick with the main river.

[amoeba]

Thanks guys. Any other small stream destinations that might still be decent end of October?

Deer Creek above the canyon, Upper North Fork Feather, Upper Sacramento various places, there were places on the upper American with Octobers filled with dumb fish but it will all smell like charcoal. The McCloud has Octobers but that's bigger water, decent campgrounds there. The North Yuba, your initial choice, has Octobers. East Carson has some, it is pounded tho.

[Mike Stephenson]

Not sure if it's still going, but I've stayed several times at Sierra Streamside cabins between D-Ville and Sierra city. More rustic and affordable than shangri-la or lure and they have campsites, or at least used to and right on the river. Large stimulators were recommended to imitate fall caddis when I fished it a previous October.

[amoeba]

Another idea, the little north fork of the north fork feather river has very abundant, undersized trout that will take any small dry fly. Primitive camping is allowed, free, and nobody fishes it. Rough dirt road but can be done in 2WD.

[Pupa]

Thanks everyone for the excellent advice! Will post if/when we go...

[amoeba]

Fished the North Yuba today. No October cases, shucks, or flying seen, fish wouldn't touch my imitations of them, but did eagerly take small EC caddis in the chop. No other fishermen seen. Campground gates open but almost no one there, but was one large group. Cooler day was nice. Fished Convict Flat day use area.