The best Shad fishing in Nor Cal

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

On high water years the Shad run up in the Lower Yuba River near Marysville and are stopped by the Daguerre Dam. Shad don't usually go up fish ladders for some reason.

Several guides fish this area with a jet boat. It is the cleanest and clearest place to fly fish for Shad that I have found so far. June is usually the top time but it will be shifted back a few weeks this summer.

In the 1970s we fished the lower Yuba River by driving in to the Yuba Gold Fields where we paid ~$3.00 per car load. We complained all the way up and back about that $3 charge because in those days we did not pay for any fishing.

Jet boat guides for the Lower Yuba River:

Bob Sparre

http://www.geocities.com/bobsparre2/

Dave Simmons

http://www.davesfishingadventures.com/

Herb Burton

http://www.trinityflyshop.com/Default.htm


Remember, I posted this in June of 2005.

[Darian]

Interesting,..... $3.00 trespass fee..... Adjusted for inflation, that's probably worth about $500.00 today.... :P :P I recall gripin' about fee's for fishin' back then....

Strange, the more things change, the more they stay the same....

[Bill Barron]

On high water years the Shad run up in the Lower Yuba River near Marysville and are stopped by the Daguerre Dam. Shad don't usually go up fish ladders for some reason.

Several guides fish this area with a jet boat. It is the cleanest and clearest place to fly fish for Shad that I have found so far. June is usually the top time but it will be shifted back a few weeks this summer.

In the 1970s we fished the lower Yuba River by driving in to the Yuba Gold Fields where we paid ~$3.00 per car load. We complained all the way up and back about that $3 charge because in those days we did not pay for any fishing.

Jet boat guides for the Lower Yuba River:

Bob Sparre

http://www.geocities.com/bobsparre2/


Dave Simmons

http://www.davesfishingadventures.com/

Herb Burton

http://www.trinityflyshop.com/Default.htm

Hey Bill,
As I expect you know, Brian Clemens, https://www.facebook.com/NorCalFlyGuides/ ,also guides out of jet boat on the Lower Yuba.

[Brian Clemens]

Thank you so much Bill Barron for adding my name to the list of Yuba River shad guides. I really appreciate that.

This shad season has been shaping up nicely. While we haven't seen the sheer numbers of fish we're used to, the average size has been notably larger.

We target the Yuba shad the only way they like it, swinging with single or 2 handed rods. Typically wading if anglers are able. If not we will anchor up and swing into them with single handed rods. Wading is fairly easy as the gravel bars are of small travels unlike the Yuba below Hwy20. Very easy fishing and no crowds.

Typically, the shad season on the Yuba River can kick off as early as the beginning of May, all depending on the water temperatures. More often than not, the initial schools tend to show up around May 7th or 8th, and we can usually start fishing for them a week after that. We generally see the peak of the season from mid-May to mid-June, but it often extends until the end of June or even into early July. Last year, our season ran until mid-July, and the year before, my last trip was as late as August 12th. We usually consider the season to be winding down when we start seeing a consistent number of down runners, a lot of thin fish that don't put up much of a fight, and when the fish begin to gather in the back eddies, swimming in circles.

My schedule for the Yuba River shad season typically gets quite full well in advance. For the best dates, I usually suggest booking anywhere from eight months to a year ahead of time. However, I do sometimes have a few openings pop up closer to the season, though it's not something to rely on. If you'd like, I can add you to my last-minute cancellation list for shad trips. Alternatively, if I'm not available, I'd be happy to connect you with some of my other experienced guides who have recently started guiding on the Yuba as well.

Thanks again for your support!

Best regards,
Capt Brian Clemens

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thank you so much, Brian, for those really good pieces of information.

Looks like I made this post in 2005.

I really hope that anyone who has fly fished for Shad in the Sacramento, Feather and/or the American River could get to the Yuba River.

It is so clear, the gravel is so nice, it is small and shallow, you can't describe the beauty of it all.


I think Dave Barbieri is still guiding the Yuba River for Shad.

[Sonoman]

Is Dave Simmons still fishing? I remember seeing him on the river 30 years back, but thought he retired years ago. The link doesn't work and I don't find a website for him

[Brian Clemens]

You are very welcome Bill, and you are 100% correct, there's no words to express the beauty of the yuba below daguerre. I always say the jet boat ride alone is worth the price of admission, the fishing is the bonus.

[Brian Clemens]

Sonoman,

Ya there's not many of the true OG guides left doing this river. Even Herb no longer guides it, Darren has taken over Herbs shad camp. It's myself, and maybe a handful of guides total the guide it for shad, tops. Even Frank Duarte has retired.

[Pvillarr]

Thank you so much Bill Barron for adding my name to the list of Yuba River shad guides. I really appreciate that.

This shad season has been shaping up nicely. While we haven't seen the sheer numbers of fish we're used to, the average size has been notably larger.

We target the Yuba shad the only way they like it, swinging with single or 2 handed rods. Typically wading if anglers are able. If not we will anchor up and swing into them with single handed rods. Wading is fairly easy as the gravel bars are of small travels unlike the Yuba below Hwy20. Very easy fishing and no crowds.

Typically, the shad season on the Yuba River can kick off as early as the beginning of May, all depending on the water temperatures. More often than not, the initial schools tend to show up around May 7th or 8th, and we can usually start fishing for them a week after that. We generally see the peak of the season from mid-May to mid-June, but it often extends until the end of June or even into early July. Last year, our season ran until mid-July, and the year before, my last trip was as late as August 12th. We usually consider the season to be winding down when we start seeing a consistent number of down runners, a lot of thin fish that don't put up much of a fight, and when the fish begin to gather in the back eddies, swimming in circles.

My schedule for the Yuba River shad season typically gets quite full well in advance. For the best dates, I usually suggest booking anywhere from eight months to a year ahead of time. However, I do sometimes have a few openings pop up closer to the season, though it's not something to rely on. If you'd like, I can add you to my last-minute cancellation list for shad trips. Alternatively, if I'm not available, I'd be happy to connect you with some of my other experienced guides who have recently started guiding on the Yuba as well.

Thanks again for your support!

Best regards,
Capt Brian Clemens

Having floated with Brian in the past, I definitely agree that fishing on the Yuba for Shad is a totally different experience than the AR. The lack of crowds and “laidback” environment was pretty awesome!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Is Dave Simmons still fishing? I remember seeing him on the river 30 years back, but thought he retired years ago. The link doesn't work and I don't find a website for him

Sonoman,

Sadly, Dave Simon passed away many years ago.