The above video from Orvis will give you some good tips on safe wading.
A wading staff makes a huge difference. A staff can be a dowl with a bike grip, a stick, or a purpose built wading staff. Orvis currently has the best wading staff available- it’s very light, fast to deploy, easy to store, and is sturdy. They are not cheap, but if you use it, it’s money well spent.
Fishing up at the North Fork Yuba River has been absolutely fantastic lately! It’s that time of year when pretty much every body of water is teeming with action, and fall is hands down the best season for anglers here in Northern California. Right now, the water temperatures are hanging around a comfy 53 to 58 degrees. What’s even better is that there’s hardly any fishing pressure, and the campgrounds are practically deserted.
If you’re planning to fish the North Yuba, you’ll want to head downstream of Downieville. Look for those sunny spots that October caddis love – they enjoy basking in the warm, sunny bends of the river. The water characteristics in the lower watershed are quite different from the upper areas. You’ll find longer runs, riffles, and fewer pocket water spots, not to mention some bigger fish lurking around.
For the best fishing experience, aim to be out there during the warmest part of the day, roughly between 11 am and 4 pm. The trout are getting pretty excited about Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), October Caddis, and other smaller caddis, so those are good flys to use. Whether you prefer tight line nymphing, using a dry/dropper setup, or going with dry flies, all of these approaches have been proven to work well. I generally tight line (euro nymph) unless I see trout feeding on the surface.
While I haven’t spotted any brown trout on redds just yet, I’m pretty sure that they’re coming soon. With the upcoming warmer weather this weekend, a camping and fishing trip to the North Fork Yuba River with those beautiful fall colors is something you won’t want to miss!
If you’re planning to do some fishing at the North Fork Yuba River, things are looking pretty good. From the upper areas down to Downieville, you’ll find some decent action. The water temperatures have dropped a bit due to the colder nights we’ve been having.
The silver lining is that you won’t have to deal with too many other anglers – it’s pretty quiet out there, especially in the middle of the week. As the water levels have receded for the season, the trout are gathering in the larger plunge pools and runs. To catch the bigger ones, keep an eye out for those deeper pockets. Happy fishing, and enjoy the solitude!
A basic Dry/Dropper rig will work fine, a big bushy rubber legged stimulator or the equivalent, with a red copper John underneath. Purple is another great color. Don’t forget about hoppers and ants in the afternoon when warmer air temperatures make them more active. Mayfly spinner fall has been on one day, and sparse the next. A few big Pale Evening spinners in the mid morning, and a resurgence of caddis during the day. It’s not necessary to be on the water early with these cooler temps, starting at 10am is fine.
If you don’t mind hauling two rods, bring a shorter and lighter dry fly rod for the dry dropper and a longer and lighter rod for tight line nymphing.
In the realm of trail adventures, the Sunrise Trail marks the starting point atop Packer Saddle, accessible through various shuttle options. It presents a delightful, flowing path, adorned with machine-crafted berms, albeit occasionally marred by skidding. To enhance the thrill, it boasts enticing tabletops and whoops.
On the left, an alternative trail emerges, known as Pack Saddle Loop, seamlessly merging with the Sunrise Trail. Both options offer similar amusement, yet the less frequented left route may hold superior condition, a hidden gem awaiting discovery.
Venturing into the treacherous terrain of Butcher Ranch, brace yourself for an onslaught of challenges. Here lies the apex of technical difficulty on the Downieville Downhill, encompassing treacherous rock gardens, capable of leaving your teeth clattering and wrists aching.
The upper portion of Butcher Ranch, while more serene, commences with a series of switchbacks through the forest and open scrubland, presenting an exquisite visual feast. Embrace the scenic beauty and savor the moment at a leisurely pace.
Descending to lower Butcher Ranch elevates the intensity, introducing sections replete with devious rock gardens, including the formidable Waterfall, among the most formidable obstacles along the entire trail.
As you near the conclusion of Butcher Ranch, the rugged rock gardens give way to loamy earth and playful switchbacks meandering through captivating forests. Upon completing the switchbacks, a dash of technical climbing and narrow sidehill traversal with exposed edges awaits. However, after surmounting these challenges, a smooth journey ensues, culminating in a modest climb to Third Divide.
Welcome to the realm of Third Divide, where exhilaration reaches its zenith, courtesy of velocity and fluidity. However, tread cautiously, for the play of dappled light through the forest canopy obscures features and rocks, leading to harrowing encounters with the unexpected. My personal experience attests to several heart-stopping moments on Third Divide, where hidden rocks and roots caught me off guard.
For most adventurers, Third Divide stands as the pinnacle of the Downieville Downhill, providing an abundance of joyous escapades. Yet, be mindful of the conclusion—a steep and treacherously loose descent leading to the river, where a bridge awaits. Exercise restraint in maintaining your speed, as it is all too easy to surrender control in this particular stretch.
Upon concluding the thrill ride on Third Divide, a gentle descent along a dirt road ensues for just under a mile, followed by a well-timed right turn onto First Divide. Should you find yourself pedaling up a substantial incline on the road, you have inadvertently surpassed your intended destination.
First Divide serves as a fusion of Butcher Ranch, Third Divide, and a sprinkle of cross-country pedaling. While certain rocky features pose a challenge, an abundance of flow and speed awaits. Along much of the trail, the tumultuous currents of Lavezzola Creek gracefully parallel your path on the right, occasionally revealing the grandeur of massive cliffs. Stay vigilant and keep your gaze affixed to the trail, averting any unnecessary mishaps.
Finally, First Divide brings the Downieville Downhill to its conclusion, punctuated by a series of brief yet steep ascents. At this juncture, the town once again beckons, offering the opportunity for another exhilarating round.
Flows are very high and will continue to be high with our tremendous snow pack. If you’re thinking of hitting the North Fork Yuba, plan on mid June at this point. The Spring run off is going to be here for a long time. Thinks lakes.
The water temperature in the lower section of the North Fork is 40 degrees. For our beloved freestone, this is too cold for fishing. The local trout will be very reluctant to feed. You’re better off going elsewhere to find trout.
The river temperature is high. You will need to venture upstream to find water that is under 68 degrees. This means fishing around Sierra City or higher.
This is Wet Wading conditions, my favorite type of wading. I wear Kuhl long pants to protect my legs from the bush and stones. The Kuhls are really durable and dry quickly. Be sure to wear a wide brimmed hat- the sun up on the NFY is pretty strong.
A 3 wt rod is perfect up there. I use an Orvis Helios 3. It’s a wonderful rod but you’ll be fine with any decent rod. If you’re looking for value, the Orvis clearwater is a tremendous deal. A click pawl reel is all you need- save some money here. Get a good line.
Use a 7.5 foot 5x leader. I replace the last 18 inches with florocarbon tippet. It sinks slightly so the fish don’t see a weird line in the film.
Think Caddis and Golden Stone.
The Golden Stones are flying. A size 12 Stimulator in yellow will imitate this insect quite well. The Stimulator (Stimi) is a great dry fly for rigging a dry dropper. See a previous post on how to do this.
The Dog Days of Summer are around the corner and the flows are about to drop below 300 CFS. This translates into epic fly fishing on the most beautiful river in Northern California.
The predominant food source is still the Mayfly nymph. I’ve been on the water a couple of times this week. I’ve seen some Golden Stoneflies and Caddis but the Pale Morning Dun Mayfly seems to be the most common. If the wind picks up, think about terrestrials that are getting blown into the river- Ants, grasshoppers, beetles.
Fly size is more important than shape- #16 or #14 in moving water. #16 or #18 in slower water.
Expect to see surface feeding in the late afternoon. A three or four weight rod with a 9 foot 5x leader is the ticket.
Most importantly: The water is crystal clear- don’t show yourself to the trout. Once you’re exposed, move on to the next spot.
The water around Downieville is around 62 degrees. I suggest wet wading. The water feels perfect on these hot days. My usual attire is Sims G4 boots or Orvis Pro Boa if I’m going to hike a long distance (they are lighter). I wear Kuhl long pants that are light, dry quickly, and protect my legs. A long sleeve light hoody and floppy brim hat for sun protection. I stuff my gear into a Fishpond submersible lumbar pack and keep my working tools on a Golden Trout Lanyards Game Changer. Those Game Changers are money.
Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. They are active in the heat. I had a very close encounter a couple of weeks ago on Pauley Creek. You will certainly see a water snake. Leave them all alone, we are in their territory.
Hint: If you just want to catch fish between other activities, there are hundreds of trout in the big pool where the Downie and North Yuba rivers meet. I watched a kid catch four in four casts with bait.
Okay, so I haven’t been on the North Yuba for over a month but I’ve got a good guess as to what’s happening.
If you’re just fishing with kids or pressed for time and want to land a fish- there will be planters in the big pool below the courthouse bridge in Downieville. Deliver them something down deep.
If you’re fly fishing…Here’s my recommendation: Nymphs will be productive. Look for some deeper water behind boulders or in plunge pools. Use heavy flys on a tight line rig for best results. If tight line nymphing is not your game or you see any fish feeding at the surface, go to a dry-dropper: a larger dry fly with 24 inches of tippet tied to the dry flys hook bend that has a nymph tied to the end of the tippet. See the diagram below. Be ready to remove the nymph in the late afternoon if the surface feeding picks up. A Stimulator or Elk Hair Caddis will work for your dry. For a nymph, use A black AP Nymph, Pheasant Tail, or Hare’s Ear in size 14 or 16. If the trout start hitting a hatch and you’re not sure what fly to use, go with a Parachute Adams in size 14 or 16.
The areas above and below Downieville should be good. The flows are high and the water is cold, be very careful. Think carefully about what will happen if you fall in. There’s no cell service outside of Downieville. Be safe and have a great time.
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.
