NorthYubaGuide – Page 2

Are Baetis and Blue Winged Olive the same thing?

Baetis, let the games begin! This little mayfly can really throw fly fishers for a loop, but that just adds to the excitement. With its small size and varying shades of olive and gray, the Baetis is a challenge to identify, but that’s part of the thrill. And Yes, Blue Winged Olives and Baetis are the same thing.

Don’t worry if you’re not an entomologist, all you need to know is the size and color of the hatch. And trust me, when it comes to Baetis, smaller is better. These tiny bugs are hard for both fish and anglers to spot, making the frenzied feeding frenzy all the more exhilarating.

But don’t be fooled, the Baetis isn’t just one species – it’s a whole family of insects! Blue Wing Olive is the most common name among fly fishers, but there are plenty of other sub-species to look out for. And with up to five hatches per year, each with its own unique hue, the Baetis keeps us on our toes.

So what’s the secret to seeing these elusive insects? Timing is key. Baetis prefer cloudy days and tend to hatch mid-morning to mid-afternoon. And with nymphs that swim like champs and emergers that rise on bubbles, presentation is everything.

But here’s the kicker – fish can be incredibly selective when it comes to feeding on Baetis. So, patience and skill are a must. Be still, present your fly drag-free and delicately, and opt for a parachute pattern to really seal the deal.

With so many imitations out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But fear not, the thrill of the catch is worth the confusion. So grab your gear, head to the water, and let the Baetis games begin!

It’s high people. Flows will be up well into Summer

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.

Mountain Biking Downieville, avoid the crowds

The Pauley Creek to Second Divide shuttle is a great way to switch things up on the Downieville trail network and explore some lesser-known trails.

The ride starts by taking you along the beautiful Gold Valley Rim Trail, which offers stunning views of the Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin. While the upper section of the trail is not very technical, the lower section features some gnarly terrain, including steep rock gardens and exposed bedrock slabs. It’s a thrilling downhill ride that is definitely worth the price of admission!

From there, you’ll descend an OHV track to reach the Pauley Creek singletrack, which takes you down a lush, green valley with some exciting rocky sections. It’s a unique trail that provides a refreshing change of scenery.

The route mapped here briefly rejoins the classic Downieville Downhill before taking you on the more technical and less-traveled Second Divide. This trail features substantial rock moves and fall exposure, which may not be for everyone, but it’s sure to provide a challenge for those who enjoy it.

Finally, you’ll rejoin the Classic on First Divide and head back to downtown Downieville. Overall, this shuttle is a fun and exhilarating way to explore the trails of Downieville!

Downieville Mountain Biking

The Winner’s Circle at Downieville Classic | Ride Unleashed

Check out Giant Bikes video on mountain biking in Downieville.

It’s just a solitary event.

There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

It’s not a UCI race.

It’s not the World Championships.

It’s not part of some bigger series.

It’s just one weekend in one place.

What makes it special is the people

that put it on, that recognized what they had here, invited

people to come experience it the last 25 years,

and it’s a legendary place.

It changed the course of my life this bike race.

The reason we’re here, it’s actually Stephan’s idea.

He thought it would be neat to have all three

of us being double winners to come to Downieville

and just go ride together.

This is a pretty cool deal to get

to come back with two guys that dominated this place.

And just go ride for fun and not have a bunch of pressure,

and just drink beers around the fire

and enjoy each other’s company.

What year did you win?

Memory is vague, but the research

shows 2009 was the first time I showed up here with a bicycle.

It’s been 13 years since you won at Downieville.

Holy shit.

Yeah.

Yeah, that’s why I feel old.

So Adam, is he’s just a super-talented bike racer guy.

He just has this mind to make a bike work really well.

In fact, gone to the Olympics in 2008.

The next year is when he won Downieville.

He was coming off the Olympics.

He was the best American cross-country racer arguably

at the time, and he came here, and he won, and that

was like a big deal for him.

I remember he was stoked, and I was just

super excited to come see this place for myself after that.

It’s an honor to have won here, and I

think it speaks to a person’s versatility as a rider,

and I’ve always been really proud of that versatility.

What we have here is a 2009 vintage Downieville

classic first-place award seat.

Every year the seats different and this seat

has looked different every year since because I’ve

been riding and enjoying it.

It makes me think of Downieville.

There’s a lot of parallels between Steve and Adam.

These are both guys that are old school mountain-biker-type

guys.

They’re both incredibly fit dudes,

but they also just have a natural connection

with the bike.

It’s an extension of them that most people will never

approach.

In 2019, I made it a goal to win Downieville,

which I was able to pull off.

Growing up as a little kid, I always

had posters of Adam and Carl, and I saw them

as some of the two best US racers.

To have my name on the winner’s charts with those two

and a handful of other top athletes, it’s really special.

I won 2010, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, five times.

I was good at it for a while.

This was my place for a little while.

As much as some of the locals might have loved it

or loathed it, I was king of the county around here for a bit.

And it’s really cool to be with Stephan, who’s that new guy.

He’s the defending champ.

He’s the National champion in Marathon.

That’s why he’s on this custom red, white, and blue bike.

Steve is at the top of his game.

It’s going to be exciting to see what he can do.

So Downieville Double is to win both the cross country

on Saturday and the downhill on Sunday.

A lot of people have made a career out

of winning one or the other, but to win both is really unique.

Only four guys have done it, and Adam, Stephan, and I

are three of those four.

That’s a pretty unique situation.

[KUINKA, “PORCELAIN FRAME”] I was never one to talk about

what came before, but she kissed in a way and made me move

against the floor.

Living in the night, I held her ordinary name about the windows

out on Wall Street with the marble and the porcelain frame.

She takes me round the room.

She takes me by the hand led me through the smokey and crowd

till I could hardly stand.

Beneath the streets and city lights,

I laid her down to rest.

Laid my hand upon her chest and said I loved but merely

guessed it all away.

I think Downieville being dubbed the All Mountain World

Championships is 100% accurate.

You’ve got to have the fitness and the strength and the skill

and just kind of the mental fortitude

to be able to ride all around in these mountains.

All Mountain World Champ, for sure,

and I don’t think there’s another event that could really

lay claim to that in the way that Downieville does.

[KUINKA, “PORCELAIN FRAME”]

(SINGING) It’s the kind of consolation

that you get when you’re alone, past the skin

and past the bones, in an ordinary tone.

Ask the question, take me dancing,

take me out and take me home.

Beneath the trees, we taste the leaves.

Oh, please don’t leave.

I want to roam this earth with you.

You know–

I didn’t think I’d ever win here.

So the best win for me was the first time.

There were so many guys that had made legends of themself

by their successes here.

World Cup Downhillers and World Champions

come here, and XC guys, and roadies

and like all these people that can flex

on some part of the course.

But to really bring it all together

and to finish the thing intact with your bike

in one piece and your body, that takes something else.

For me putting my stamp on this event

is one of my proudest moments in bike racing.

[KUINKA, “PORCELAIN FRAME”] Oh, love, break my bones,

love take me home.

Love lead me astray.

Weighed me down with stones.

Love sat me afire.

I can see no more.

Love break my heart and tear down my door.

Love bring me away.

Burn down my home.

There’s an emptiness there that I can’t afford.

Love lift me up for another day.

Love leave your mark.

I am here to stay.

Winning a World Cup Cross Country or something,

I don’t know.

I’d probably take Downieville over that.

In terms of being an American rider from the West Coast,

this means a lot.

Downieville Mountain Biking

Lower Yuba Fishing Regulations

I don’t guide the Lower Yuba, but do fish it in the Winter months. It’s not as spectacular as the North Yuba but it does hold large trout and steelhead.

The regulations below are subject to change

From the Confluence with the Feather River to Highway 20:

Fishing open all year.
Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
Daily catch limits: 2 hatchery trout or steelhead.
- Hatchery trout are identified by having a healed adipose fin clip. All other trout and
  steelhead must immediately be released.
Total limits of possession: 4 hatchery trout or steelhead.

From Highway 20 to Englebright Dam:

Fishing is open from December 1 to August 31.
- Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used.
- Daily catch limits: 2 hatchery trout or steelhead.
  - Hatchery trout are identified by having a healed adipose fin clip. All other trout and steelhead must immediately be released.
- Total limits of possession: 4 hatchery trout or steelhead.
All fishing is CLOSED from August 31 to December 1.

Other regulations on the lower Yuba River:

The LYR is CLOSED to the take of salmon. There should be no fishing intended to catch salmon. Any salmon caught accidentally must be released immediately.
All anglers must have a Steelhead Fishing Report and Restoration Card in their possession while fishing for or taking steelhead in anadromous waters.
- These must be completed and returned.
- A steelhead is defined as any rainbow trout greater than 16 inches.
It is unlawful to fish without a fishing license if you are 16 or older.
It is unlawful to leave litter in or near water.
Fishing licenses can be purchased from CDFW.

lower yuba

Why do people fly fish?

People fly fish for a variety of reasons. Some people enjoy the challenge and skill involved in fly fishing, while others enjoy the tranquility and peacefulness of spending time in nature while fly fishing. Additionally, fly fishing can be a great way to connect with friends and family, and many people enjoy the social aspect of fly fishing. Others may enjoy the thrill of the catch and the sense of accomplishment that comes with successfully catching a fish. Ultimately, the reasons for fly fishing vary depending on the individual and their personal interests and goals.

Lower Downieville Trails are open and perfect

The trails below Downieville are perfect right now. Add a layer, get up there, and rip. No dust, no heat, no crowds…just sweet trails

The North Yuba Trail:

The Trail begins with a doubletrack (later singletrack) switchback climb for about 2 miles that is narrow in spots. You’ll be nearly immediately in tree cover and remain there for the rest of the hike. There are a few steep and switchback climbs.

After another mile of climbing you’ll cross a wooden bridge and the trail will begin to descend. The descent is mostly smooth and well graded singletack (a few small sections of rocks or roots) that follows the contours of the mountain back down.

Once done with the trail either head back the way you came, pick up your shuttle (if you left one), or follow the fireroad downhill about a mile to the first bridge, cross that to follow the road (up hill) about 4 miles back to Downieville.

The North Yuba Trail is a hiking and mountain biking trail that begins in the historic mining town of Downieville and travels four miles to the village of Goodyear’s Bar, another of Sierra County’s historic communities. The trail then leaves Goodyear’s Bar and continues south along the east side of the North Yuba River to Indian Valley. The trail ends at Rocky Rest Campground where a pedestrian bridge brings hikers and mountain bike riders back to the west side of the river. The trail’s creation was a cooperative effort of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and the U.S. Forest Service. For hiking information, the Forest Service office listed below is a good source of information. For mountain biking information on the trail, contact Yuba Expeditions in Downieville at www.yubaexpeditions.com

This classic Sierra Nevada river canyon trail includes spectacular views of the Yuba River below and hidden explorations within forested canyons. There is no exit from the trail until Goodyear’s Bar, and after Goodyear’s Bar there is no exit until Indian Valley.

It’s cold, too cold

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 Zebra Midge. One of the best and easiest flys to carry

The Zebra Midge has been around a long time because it consistently fools trout.

They are fast and cheap to tie. I tend to use #18 but they normally range in #16 to #22. These are money on the Little Truckee. Put this on a tag with a larger nymph below to get it down or use it as a dropper off of a dry. I never fish with out these simple and effective flys.

Check out the video from TightLine Productions on how to tie your own.

Big, Fun and Dry..The October Caddis

The October Caddis is a blast to fish. Trout hammer these bugs. This time of year, they are the meal of choice on the North Yuba. They will hatch in the later part of the day in calmer water. The birds will let you know when they are going off- these big bugs are a nice meal for a calorie burning bird. Known as the “Big Bug” these insects are long, and thick! Pupa imitations should be tied on a #6 or #8 3xl hook with a burnt orange body, burnt orange front hackle, black ostrich collar and a black bead. Short line high sticking pocket water will land you the most fish. Fishing these bugs as adult dry flys is thrilling.

You can use an orange body stimulator with the lower hackles trimmed short to let the fly ride lower on the water. We usually cast into the shade with most drys…not these, look for a section that is getting sunlight. The OC likes to come up in the sun. Give the fly some action with slight tugs (not drags).

Go big

Check out Giant Bikes video on mountain biking in Downieville.

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