This crazy heat and low water flows are not good for our fisheries.
It’s time for a voluntary “Hoot Owl” closure for the livelihood of wild trout within the system. You can do your part by doing the following:
- Carry a thermometer and take readings on the hour
- Fish at first light until 11am
- Use bigger tippet sizes to fight fish more quickly for a safer release
- Stop fishing when water temperatures reach 68 degrees or higher
- Educate other anglers on water temperature etiquette
With hot water temps, there are other alternatives when it comes to fishing for trout. Fish the high alpine lakes, tailwaters that provide cold water, rivers that are spring fed, or have numerous cold inflows of feeder creeks. Your actions dictate the future of wild trout in the rivers that you love to fish.
In the case of the North Fork Yuba, just head upstream to Sierra City or above. Look for side springs- they are always running cold.
