The Yuba gives it up!

timmosazz · Senior Member

The Yuba gives it up!

Oh4aFish · Member

I am going to be heading to the Lower Yuba, this Thursday. First time in that river any suggestions for a new guy? I called Kiene's Fly Shop and they weren't too friendly. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

underdogyaz · Veteran Member

its rare that u will find anyone friendly in the fly fishing industry, unless they are trying to sell you something or unless the unfriendlies are together tellin their stories to one another...its all hush hush and secret secret otherwise...but the yuba was pretty easy to figure out...i myself went there yesturday for the first time in my life and had success...be aware of whats around you insect wise....when i got there we went to the other side of the bridge and figured out that wasnt the place to be...we walked around onthe rocks for awhile and i said hi to a couple of kayakers ready to make there journey and all i got was a "grunt" and a "snear" you know the kind? the kind that suggests "im the greatest fly fisherman known to man so why are you saying hi to me" kinda grunt n snear? haha..whatever..i just chalked it up to a typical flyfisherman and went about my buisness... then glanced across the water and saw where everyone was parking and walking too...so we followed and found paradise....we arrived RIGHT in the middle of a PMD hatch coupled up with a few skwalas and march browns and well lets just say we were rewarded...also try the copper john dropped off a march brown...theres plenty of fishing space for everyone so go nuts brother and good luck...all i ask of you asa fellow angler is respect the fish and the enviroment around you...leave all waters and shores exactly as you found them and have a great time and again most importantly, treat the fish as you would your own child

AfricanAngler · Senior Member

PM Sent. Lots of good water Runs riffles pockets etc. It can be tough wading as there are a lot of "bowling balls up there" so take a wading stick if you can.

ONEWEIGHT · Senior Member

The Yuba is a great fishery. Fantastic fish here. Often, what works one week does not work the next. You can have success fishing the riffles and spill-ins here, just make sure that you have enough weight on to stay deep when you are nymphing.
March Browns, PMD's, Caddis and even a few leftover Skwala's should all be coming off for some topwater action as well.

Don't be afraid to change out often and adjust weight, length of leader etc. There is good fishing above and below the HWY 20 bridge.

Packrat · Senior Member

Oh4aFish wrote:

I am going to be heading to the Lower Yuba, this Thursday. First time in that river any suggestions for a new guy? I called Kiene's Fly Shop and they weren't too friendly. Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

The best advice is prepared to be skunked! It happens a lot on the Yuba. Like Oneweight said, you can nail them one weekend and get zippo the next. Try lots of different flies until something works.

A big tip for the Yuba, if you see lots of fish rising and they are very splashy they are not eating off the surface but taking emergers. You will drive yourself nuts by trying to throw a dry fly because 99.9% of the time you won't even get a look. Here's what I suggest if you see lots of splashy rises; take off all wieght. Tie on a small beadhead nymph like a pheasasnt tail, birds nest, micro may, etc. Then about 18 inches from that drop an unweighted emerger nymph like a soft hackle hares ear, RS2, etc. and let is swing through the riffles........then hold on!

Oh4aFish · Member

Thanks everyone for all the advice!! I am stoked to get out on a new river and try some different things.
Packrat, I always have low expectations and that way I wont set myself up for too much disappointment. I guess thats why it's called fishing and not catching right?!
Underdogyaz- I completely understand. I get alot of the same perspective from fellow waterfowl hunters. I guess thats part of what's wrong with the world today!

I will let ya'll know how it goes!!

Thanks,
Ryan

AfricanAngler · Senior Member

Damn thats the advice I needed yesterday. I had a spot were they were splashing all over the place!!!! threw every thing nymphs dries emergers etc. As everyone know I am fairly new to the game and did not even think of rigging up like that .... Oh well next time!!! Had a good day none the less...only hooked up twice but weather was great and well being on the water midweek is always great!!!

Packrat wrote:

A Big tip for the Yuba, if you see lots of fish rising and they are very splashy they are not eating off the surface but taking emergers. You will drive yourself nuts by trying to throw a dry fly because 99.9% of the time you won't even get a look. Here's what I suggest if you see lots of splashy rises; take off all wieght. Tie on a small beadhead nymph like a pheasasnt tail, birds nest, micro may, etc. Then about 18 inches from that drop an unweighted emerger nymph like a soft hackle hares ear, RS2, etc. and let is swing through the riffles........then hold on!

brian clemens · Senior Member

hey alastair all u needed to do was roll on it tie on 2 drys and hook a fish on the first cast. lol. man what a crazy day with all the rises then that wind.

Oh4aFish · Member

Well, I made it out today, and to no avail was skunked. I threw everything at em that I had, I talked to a few other guys that were out there, and It was slow for them as well. How much effect did the rain play in it, and the fact that it was overcast most of the day? Im not too sure myself. I appreciate all the help from everyone on this forum. I hope to get out again soon.

Ryan

Packrat · Senior Member

You can have one of the best days ever fishing in the rain and overcast.....that's when BWO's are most active.

drifter · Senior Member

If its overcast, focus on the the slower runs where more mayflies are present, as opposed to the riffles where the caddis are active (which are great on hot days, especially in the heat of summer). I have always done well with green micro-mays on overcast/rainy days if they aren't going for BWO's on top.

iFish · Senior Member

Packrat wrote:
Tie on a small beadhead nymph like a pheasasnt tail, birds nest, micro may, etc. Then about 18 inches from that drop an unweighted emerger nymph like a soft hackle hares ear, RS2, etc. and let is swing through the riffles........then hold on!

Right on Packrat! Splashy rises and body rolls is emerger time. Swinging partridge in the riffles is classic and deadly, as well as the other patterns you suggest. Not many anglers do this or are aware of the technique. Killer, if done right. Good call.

Underdogyaz - not all industry "unfriendlies" are unfriendly, as some of these guys on this board will agree. I know many in the business that would be happy to share information. If they're doing their job, they will help you fish smarter and more successfully. I know this for a fact.

Oh4afish - don't be afraid to walk into a shop next time and ask. If you get the cold shoulder treatment... you have choices. Believe me.

Alastair, PM dude.

brian clemens · Senior Member

there is nothing like swinging a march brown wet fly or caddis wet fly in the riffles and gettin wacked by a hungry aggresive 20" yuba rainbow. Worth trying if you are seeing rises in a shallow runs above some riffles or in the riffles themselves. something like the turn above the bridge, as well as just above the 2 island split, the Yuba trout love hanging in these areas to key in on emerges and really anything coming down the river. This is where you will see a lot of rises but no matter what you throw at them you wont get a single take. This is where the emergers and the wet flys really come in handy. Get some next time you are at the shop or tie some up. they dont have to be perfect, they just have to get the job done.

hope this helps as well
BC

underdogyaz · Veteran Member

well that very well may be true but i have yet to met one or very rarely do...i was just basically tellin dude what to expect...there are sum approachable guys out there but well, it is what it is...id rather do it alone anyway... FISH ON