Hey guys, I'm pretty new to fly fishing. Got skunked at Putah last Sunday, and am going for a weekend trip this weekend. I mentioned on the Putah board that I was thinking about the Truckee, but the general response was that I should try something a bit more beginner friendly.
A couple of people mentioned the North fork of the Yuba, above Downieville. I looked into that, looks pretty cool. Reports are mixed though: http://www.theflyshop.com/streamreport.htm http://www.sacriveroutfitters.com/reports.php http://www.fishfirst.com/whandwn_current.html
The fly shop report is a bit pessimistic, especially "good reports from the Yuba lately, but primarily from experienced anglers accessing the river with boats." I'm not experienced and I don't have a boat
Have any of you been to the Yuba in the past week or so and know how it's fishing?
I'm by no means wed to the Yuba for this weekend either. Anywhere within a 4 hour drive of SF that would be good for a couple of newbie fly fisherman sounds great to me! So if you have some other recommendations, let me know.
I highly recomend deer creek, you will catch a ton of fish, and can do so whatever way you please, drys or nypmhs. Its about an hour outside chico, so probably 3 1/2 for you. You will catch a tone of rainbows in the 8-10 inch range, but there are plenty of fish between 12-15. The good place about deer creek is its right next to yellow creek, a designated wild trout fishery, although i dont have much expirience there i hear its fantastic.
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all of a man's addictions end and begin when he learns to fly fish
The Yuba has at least 4 sections, the main stem below the dam where the drift boats go, The North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork. The North Fork and it's tributaries as described would be a good bet.
I haven't fished Deer Creek near Chico, but I've fished other waters up there. Throw a dart at the map and go wherever it hits.
I can remember my first time fly fishing like it was yesterday.I knew nothing.I went up to putah with a few others who knew nothing..We all got skunked.On my 3rd trip to putah I got my first fish on a fly rod.It was a brown trout about 22" on a red copper john size #14 down at #5..I didnt even know it was a brown till some dude came over and told me and showed the markings... Im glad I stuck it out those first couple of trips to the creek...I knew I would learn as I went and the fishing would get better as I learned more...dont let a bunch of people tell you where to fish..To many opinions will confuse you.just pick a place that you would like to go and give it a try...you learn from experience.I alway stop in or at least call the local fly shop and get the lastest info so I know what flys are being used and other useful tips... Once you get a little experience under your belt I would hire a guy like Bono.Let him work with you on your technique, how to better read the water ,different leader set ups and so on...
Yeah, Like Mx19 said. Just pick a spot and go for it. I basically just bought some good books with maps, then bought maps of every national forest in northern california. That was about 3 years ago, And basically i just look through some books, pick a river and go. Some i been to many i have not, but it NEVER fails to be a great trip. Most of the time I dont know were the hell i'll end up, but i always end up somewere. Besides really long drives alone is something i really enjoy, Maybe I'm just weird but honestly i love the travel and the places that flyfishing has takin me, Thats part of the fun for me. Besides we all have one of the most spectacular mountains ranges in the world right in our back yard, And its actually growing approx a 1,000 feet every million years Good luck on your adventures Spencer.
Thanks for all the advice guys! Really glad I found this forum, I'll definitely be frequenting it for advice (and hopefully giving advice once I get better).
Gonna head up to the truckee this weekend I've decided after all. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post on monday!
Good luck on your adventures Spencer.
