Yuba Flows / Links / Closure

Hey all,

Been a long time since I posted some useful info here on the Yuba River, or any other subject LOL. Time to share again...

Fishing closure: First off, there is a ban on fishing and other non essential activities from Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu. You can read the article here: https://yubanet.com/regional/yuba-su...ay-home-order/ Apparently Ca DFW is supposed to meet on this subject and come to a decision soon. The state of Washington already went through with a fishing ban across the entire state weeks ago. Whatever...I'm still going fishing.

Flows: I receive dozens of emails a month regarding links to flows for the Yuba River, and how to decipher them. I've posted this several times on my blog which is always a great source for accurate and honest fly fishing information without trying to push my business. Let's start with Englebright dam releases here: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/jspplot/jsp...cookies=cdec01

Next, Deer Creek which is THE major sediment producer due to a very long watershed that has historically seen decades of hydraulic mining and other related activity. When you see a very quick rise in the flows in a short period of time, you can expect the Yuba to blow out. During last weekend's storm it reached 4,291 cubes: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/jspplot/jsp...cookies=cdec01

This gauge combines Englebright and Deer Creek together. It is located upstream of the Hwy 20 bridge on the south side of the river at the tail out of the Toilet Bowl: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryF?s=ypb

The gauge for Englebright Reservoir can be found here, just scroll down. I look for the percentage of capacity to see if the dam is spilling over. Last weekend it reached 100%. I also look at the inflow CFS: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reportapp/javareports?name=RES

Here is the forecast flows from Yuba Water Agency's website, this is a great source of info regarding future releases. It changes often and they don't always go with their schedules due to weather: https://www.yubawater.org/190/River-Conditions

Here is a cool graph for river level predictions from NOAA, sometimes they hit it dead on, other times they are way off. That's a forecast for ya: https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=MRYC1

Best weather site ever from my buddy Bryan for the winter season, be it fishing rivers, or slaying the pow: https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=MRYC1

That's pretty much all I use to gauge how current and future conditions will be on the Yuba River. Make sure you reload the pages for the most current data.

This winter was the best Skwala hatch I've ever seen, even better than 2014 which was a really good one. I saw my first Skwala adults on December 29th (the fish were already on them) and they were still out on Friday just before the last storm hit. For close to a 100 days my guests and I fished Skwala patterns 85% of the time successfully, the other 15% were on BWO and PMD dry flies. Out of 57 trips I only had my guests fish indo rigs 3 times, and that was only in the late morning before heads started to show in the foam lines.

I could go on and on about this special river, but that's what my blog is for - to share my knowledge and passion for fly fishing. Take care, stay safe, be well, tie flies, and hopefully I'll see you on the river soon. - J.

Just read the closure order.

rapidly approaching the bullshit stage, I know the standard is always lowest common denominator because you can't count on common sense anymore but fishing it NOT a vector of consequence IMHO.

Call in and state your opinion. That’s the only way this nonsense gets a little more under control and aligned to the risk.

The ban on fishing in Yuba and Sutter County was corrected to fishing in large groups ie charter boats etc they fixed it in a facebook video within minutes of the original posting. Fishing solo and with a family member is okay however the DFW may overrule that tomorrow. :(

I get all the PSAs from Dept of Fish and Wildlife and am in constant contact with the Department and the Commission. Never was there a threat to shut down fishing statewide. It was social media fear mongering and rhetorical spin that twisted the proposal on its head. The possible plan is to allow COUNTIES to temporarily (I think 60 days was proposed) restrict or modify fishing regulations. This was largely driven by Mono County which didn't want 50,000 anglers descending into town on opening weekend. I think it is a reasonable enough request, but requires approval from the commission. Other counties have specifically asked to remain open to fishing.

Ralph is right. This isn't a WHO, socialist, Bigfoot conspiracy to take away yer fishun pole. Inyo county is on board with this too. Bishop cancelled their Mule Days celebration. If you go onto Inyo county's Facebook page you will see nothing but relief from the residents.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ralph

I get all the PSAs from Dept of Fish and Wildlife and am in constant contact with the Department and the Commission. Never was there a threat to shut down fishing statewide. It was social media fear mongering and rhetorical spin that twisted the proposal on its head. The possible plan is to allow COUNTIES to temporarily (I think 60 days was proposed) restrict or modify fishing regulations. This was largely driven by Mono County which didn't want 50,000 anglers descending into town on opening weekend. I think it is a reasonable enough request, but requires approval from the commission. Other counties have specifically asked to remain open to fishing.

---

Thanks Ralph, I'm privy to information as well being on the Truckee Trout Unlimited Board of Directors. Much has changed since I made the post, and just like the COVID situation, it changes by the hour - Day to day.

Are you and Lisa enjoying life in Eastern Plumas County? See you up there soon, take care! - J.

I went out Friday. Got a couple swinging an emerger. Lots of MBs on the water and a few caddis and pinkies but not too many noses and those that did show were very sporadic. Water was much more colored up than I expected it to be with 2' visibility or so, streamers probably would have been better but I didn't bring my switch rod with me and the glass 5wt doesn't toss the big stuff too well. Nice day out on the gravel anyways...quite a few folks out, but most/all practicing healthy social distancing.