Hot Spotting can ruin a river

Hot spotting grab-n-grin

Hot Spotting or Spot Burning…the process of spreading information (generally on social media) that drives undue people to crowd and over-fish a certain spot.  It’s not cool.  Why?  Overfishing can move the fishery out of balance, causing it to crash.  Excess foot traffic can damage an area to the point of failure.  The IG crowd that shows up may not have anything in mind except catching the big Brown Trout.  

Hot spotting grab-n-grin

The guy in the above photo is posting a grab-n-grin photo on Instagram every two or three days.  The problem is, he is clearly stating that the fish are all coming from the same three mile stretch of river that is an hours drive from the Bay Area.

Why would he do this?  He’s a guide and he makes his living by selling people on the hope of catching a 20 inch rainbow.  Ironically, he presents himself as a steward of the river and is quick to condemn people for fishing over spawning fish- while he guides people over spawning fish on the Lower Yuba.

Is posting about The North Yuba Hot Spotting?  No.   The river access is 38 miles long and I never mention anything that would get someone closer than 8 miles of what I’m talking about.  The North Yuba gets very little fishing pressure per mile.  If it were anywhere near capacity, I’d go dark.

Winter fishing report on the North Yuba

North Fork Yuba River below Downieville

The lack of snow and rain in January has left us with some pretty amazingly beautiful days.  Of course, if this trend continues through March, we’re looking at another grim Summer.  Fingers crossed for some percip.

I got on the river on Friday and fished for a couple of hours mid-day.  I landed several really nice rainbows on a euronymphing rig.  There here were some Blue Winged Olive Mayflys flying but not a single rise was seen.  These fishing are hanging low in the softer water.

The water is cold for the North Yuba.  Being cold blooded, this leaves these fish with lower energy reserves so you need to get your fly right to them.  According the the late Jon Baiocchi, these fish don’t really turn on until the water hits 52 degrees.

Remember, at this time of year, the North Yuba is catch and release only and you need to use barbless hooks.  The game warden patrols the river with an eye out for folks breaking the rules.  

North Fork Yuba River below Downieville water temperature

And now for something a little different

Helgramite

First off, they bite.

The Hellgrammite is a nasty aquatic inset that lives in the North Yuba.  They are not as common as the Big Three: Caddis, Mayfly, and Stonefly, but they are in there and the fish know it.  They can be confused with a large stonefly at first.  If you see a couple of big pinchers coming off the head- it’s a hellgrammite. 

The hellgrammite is a big meal for a hungry trout.  If you’re after the big fish, this is your key to success.  A dark brown Wolly Bugger with crystal flash is a pretty close imitation.  Dead drift these in deeper pools where there is some structure for larger fish to hide.

The hellgrammite can live as an aquatic for one to three year before becoming an adult.  Their presence is a good indicator of a clean and healthy river.

The adult of this is the Dobson Fly is a large flying insect- the look like giant moths with large pincers.  These can be found around porch lights in the Summer months.

Dobson Fly

Fall on the North Fork Yuba

husband and wife fishing North Fork of the Yuba River in Fall

Taking your spouse fishing in stunning beauty and solitude can be the perfect date.  The North Yuba is a great place to introduce your partner to the joy of fly fishing.  You’ll have success in hooking a fish while being surrounded by the most amazing river scenery in California.

Be prepared to hike a bit.  Bring some good snacks and something to drink.  Slow down and soak it in.

Short cast to the heads of pools are sure to produce strikes. 

Took a walk around Downieville on a cool Fall morning

Downieville corner

I took an hour and strolled around Downieville with my camera. Fall is an amazing time to be in our Sierra mountains.

Downieville corner

Over the past five years, I’ve watched nature slowly reposes this front yard.  That Maple tree is growing through a semi-truck that’s been sitting on the driveway for years.  Across the street from this house is a beautiful section of river that holds wild trout.  Looks like an opportunity.

Downieville old mine door

Check out this great film on the Mountain Biking in Downieville

Downieville Downhill

This is a wonderful film about the town of Downieville and it’s main attraction- the epic single track trails in the area.  This film focuses on the famous Downieville Downhill.  I’ve been mountain biking since the early days of dirt bike parts on bikes.  This is still the best riding that I’ve experienced.  Get some!

The video was put together by Outsider MTB.  You can check out their other videos here.  The video has some sponsorship from The Carriage House Inn, a great spot to stay in town.  It’s literally 100′ from the two shuttle services and sits right on the river. 

Fall Fishing

Fall Color North Yuba River

It’s Fall and it’s wonderful.  The color switch has been thrown.  The Maples, Aspen, Dogwoods, and others are reflecting the colors of Fall.  The trees took a cue from the cold air and have consumed that chlorophyll. 

The fishing…it’s okay.  The water is super low and the big guys have not entered the system yet.   

North Yuba Rainbow

A Waltz Worm with a hotspot has been very productive in moving water.  Look for plunge pools and work the soft water at the edge of the flow.

The River is closed

smokey north yuba river near sierra city

The Forest Service is closing 9 NorCal national forest, including Plumas and Tahoe.  The closure is Aug 22 through September 6.  It’s a fire safety issue.  Postpone that fishing trip.  Be Safe!

Fishing Report

Smoke on the Yuba

It’s not good. Give your lungs a break and go to the coast.

smokey north yuba river near sierra city

The smoke seems to have put the fish down.  The flows are really low.  Don’t bother until the smoke clears. 

This fire season has already hurt so many people- truly sad.  

Downieville air quality
Downieville ash on jeep from fires in sierra

An AQI of 509 is really unhealthy.  The ash on the hood of the jeep tells a story. 

Fishing Report North Fork Yuba

North Yuba River upper sections

Yeah, it's hot.

The Dog Days of Summer have arrived.  The river is fishing great, but you need to know where to go.  The upper reaches of the river are the place to be.  Specifically, fish from Sierra City to Bassets Station.  You find cooler water, hungry fish, and solitude.  Bring your light gear- 2, 3, or 4 wt rods.  Short leaders are fine here.  You be pleased to find these fish are more than happy to take dry flys.  A dry/dropper will be more productive but if you want to keep it simple, just bring your favorite dry flys.  keep em floating.  Be ready to cover some ground.  If you don’t get an eat in the first 10 casts, move on.   You’ll see some mayflys on the water in the evening and some Golden Stones during the day.  A sunken ant is money.  Stay hydrated and have fun.