Lower Yuba 04/16/12

I've been out of town for a week for spring break with my wife Laura and my son Zack. We escaped to Maui for a warm water getaway. I've been pretty busy since we got back. I was invited to do a presentation I've put together that I've called, "Tailwater Tactics," for the EC Powell Fly Fishers and the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers as soon as I returned. It's fun to meet new people from the different Northern California and share some of my experiences.

With that said, the river has been high and off-color since I've returned, so I haven't fished it but once in the last couple of weeks. I drove down and checked it out today and it's just about there. With that I mean it's fishable on the edges with about 1 1/2 feet of visibility and it's turning green from brown. With he latest weather reports the clarity should improve by the day. So it's time to try it again soon! I know the PMD's will be there and hopefully still some March Brown's.

Fish the edges from shore and stalk the likely holding water. They'll be there.

Scotts Flat Lake 03/30/12

I fished Scotts Flat Lake yesterday with the Gold Country Fly Fishers. It was an overcast but nice day on the lake. Threatening rain, but it never really materialized. The sun tried to come out about noon along with a slight breeze. The water temperature was 49 degrees which is pretty cold for the bass to be up on the shoals and the trout would be pretty lethargic. This all turned out to be true.

We had a light turnout with 5 members total. Mike Williams who was leading the fishout landed a nice small mouth right off the bat. But all in all it was a very slow day for most everyone. A few bass and a few stocker trout were landed. The water temperature needs to warm up to get the small mouths up on the spawning beds and wake up the trout. Maybe in a week or two. I'm going to give it a go once the weather improves.

Here's a video clip of Mike's bass.

Go with the Flow

It's getting to be close to the end of March and we're in that time of year where the flows and clarity on the Lower Yuba are what it's all about. I shot a video today when I was scouting the river for clarity. It's changed from brown to murky green in about 4 days. Don't get me wrong this is an improvement. In some places there was clarity of 2 to 2 1/2'. So it's actually fishable if you pick your spots. It all about edges. Soft spots, small eddies, holding water on the edges. Don't go rushing in or you may be stepping on fish!

There are some spots where you can use a small indicator and shot, adjust it just so it ticks the bottom and "Walk the Dog" where you walk on shore and follow the indicator and shot downstream without stepping in the water. When you find the fish it can be productive.

Another thing I like to do is stand on the bank next to the water, quarter downstream and swing nymphs and soft hackles back to the bank downstream of me. Cast and move. Cast and move. It's fun too. You nay be surprised!

Unfortunately, the weatherman says there's more coming, but if you get out right away, you may surprisingly have something dancing on the end of your line.

Lower Yuba 03/22/12 Mucked Up!

I made it down to the Lower Yuba today to check out the conditions. The river levels have dropped to about 3,000 cfs. which is quite a bit lower than at the peak flows a week ago. Unfortunately it's bank to bank brown. Right at the edge there was about 6 inches to 12" of visibility at Hammon Grove County Park and this was in real slack water. It's going to be a while before it's fishable if we get any rain in the next couple of days or next week.

The current forecast at Parks Bar is clear through Friday night and then the rain cycle coming back on Saturday with showers Sunday, through Wednesday. We can hope they're wrong!

Here's a video I shot today.