Between not having fished for 6 weeks, and getting tired of the windy, foggy mornings in the bay . . . I decided to run up to the Lower Yuba on Saturday.  I knew it was getting bad when my wife said I was backcasting in my sleep, so I had to get up there.

What made me get up at 5:00 Am and drive 2 1/2 hours to fish in 100 degree heat is beyond me.  I guess I just miss the Metropolitan area of Brown's Valley that much????  I think this was the first time I had fished the Lower Yuba in the dead of summer.  If it was fall or spring, I doubt I would post this report, but on an empty river in the dead of 100 degree heat, what the heck.

I fished all day long and only saw 2 other people on the river.  Also, the river can be crossed at 2,000 CFS, just be careful or you're in for a 1/4 mile ride.  The fishing was good to say the least.  There were no bug hatches and virtually no risers during the day.  But, if you took the time to see what's around and put the right bugs on, the fishing was A.O.K.  I did not stay for the evening hatch as I had to get back to Davis for dinner with my oldest daughter.

Got into a number of large and medium sized fish all during the day.  Lots of hard work paid off.  I decided to pack pretty light, knowing that it was going to hit 100 degrees, and living inside the bay makes me think 80 degrees is a hot day.  I went through my Gatorade and Power Bars much quicker than I though I would.  As I'm working up the river bank, and have only 1/2 of a Gatorade left, I come upon a full Budweiser wedged between the rocks in the river.  That nice cold beer hit the spot, even if it was Budweiser.  What is it they say about one man's loss being another man's gain????  Couldn't have been more true here.

Here are a couple of pictures along with my best catch of the day . . . the cold Bud! 
The fish in the first picture is a 13" football.  It's amazing how a smaller fish like this is disproportioned in it's girth versus length.  I'll tell you what, those fish are healthy and are on a great diet up there.  I sure wouldn't go running back up there to pound around in that heat, but it was fun.