Lack of aquatic insects

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

Lack of aquatic insects

Otter · Senior Member

I haven't been fishing too much on the creek, but on almost every scouting trip there are the usual midges, mayflies and caddis. There is definitely a ton of silt from the storms and fire, but the fish are still there. They are just moving around, mostly to typical summer areas. I think it may be best to convince SCWA to send down pulse flows around 3-4000 CFS like some other valley rivers. When the Glory hole goes over it is usually a mess in Winters. Fish in the bushes and such.. Will talk to Steve. Fish are eating streamers pretty good!!

SK60 · Senior Member

I've been on the Creek quite a bit lately. I have seen mayfly and caddis adults in small numbers, but not like years past. I've seen small swarms of midges in back water areas, but few spent adults in foam lines. It may be that small fish will be the big fish food for awhile.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

Well at least you guys are seeing more bugs than me! I guess that's a good thing. Two bugs I haven't seen at all and are usually present in the spring time are the tricos at access 5 and the yellow sallies near canyon creek resort. Any sightings of those from anyone out there?

Berryessie · Senior Member

The bug life seems to tell a different story based on where you are in the creek. The upper stretches where the silt blanketed the river has been wiped out and taking a little while to get back to normal. The silt hasn't really made its way into the lower creek but over time I am sure it will start to poke it's dirty head down there. I have seen good midges and mayfly hatches down low. No Tricos and a few caddis. The clarity of the water seems to be the major issue. If you stand and look down into the water there is a lot of matter, little pieces of debree and particles. Our once gin clear water is not full of lots of tiny pieces of debree throwing off the clarity. I think the fish are having a tough time finding bugs through all of it making the fishing pretty tough.

mudhen · Senior Member

The flow is up to 500 cfs now, maybe that will help some.

SK60 · Senior Member

A UCD entomology class just did a survey at #5. Poor diversity, fair nnumbers of baetis, caddis and lots of blackfly larva . No Hydropsyche which surprised the teacher, but I bet not you Greg.

mudhen · Senior Member

Other than trout smolts, what, if any, are the other species of fish in the creek? I have yet to see a sculpin though I've been told they are in there.

Berryessie · Senior Member

Sticklebacks

mudhen · Senior Member

Is there a pattern you could recommend? And do they have the slight bit of red or are they the green or silvery type?

troutie · Member

Stickleback, that's what it was...... False hooked one last year, was wondering what it was.

dave408 · Member

They are seeing a similar lack up at the Fall River - both this Spring and last year

prettyfly · Veteran Member

Hey Greg & Steve & Otter & Everyone-- I've been taking a Permaculture Certification Class for 2 years now; and I'm a bit curious if you think the excessive use state-wide of more damaging pesticides and herbicides, fungicides, and the like; could be also affecting the diversity of bugs on the Creek?? The good news about that, if so, is we can have an impact in a positive manner if we want to. Just curious about your thoughts. Thanks!

p.s. There is certainly no shortage of spiders in the blackberry bushes up there this summer! lol

yukon mike · Senior Member

I am wondering when all the crawdads appeared in the creek beds and what effect they have on the aquatic insect population. Can't be good. But I bet the otters are happy and fat. I also noticed a couple of weeks ago that as I had a fish on, I noticed a large black tail swirl at the surface. Fish gone. I think the otters are watching for fish coming out for your fly. Crafty boogers.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

The crawdads don't do much to the bug life. The silt does more damage.

Tuggernaut · Member

Had a great morning/early afternoon, fished 4, 5 and side channels on the dry. #14 black elk hair Caddis. Also had the Otter at 5 right at my feet multiple times while wading, I couldn't scare him off. Munching crawdads all day.

erich · Veteran Member

I was at 5 till around two and he was there still.

Otter · Senior Member

The bugs are back!! Well I am not sure they ever left, but the fish are fat and feisty. No sign of bug loss are there were some pretty good hatches of BWOs and midges. Even saw a few yellow sallies. Was out this weekend and all the fish landed were fat. Not super big, but a few in the teens and lots of fish in the 8-12 inch range. Getting ready to launch the secret weapon!!

erich · Veteran Member

That's awsome nice fish.

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I still don't see hardly any hydropsyche , and the number of days with sparse to non existent hatches is waaaay more than it used to be when Putah was healthier ( when we had wetter years and glory hole spillover flows) which blew out the silt. Pretty fly your question about toxic byproducts being introduced into the creek I believe is really slim. The watershed that becomes putah is not agricultural farmland, that is downstream of Lake solano. There were mining operations which ended in the 1950s? That could be a potential source of heavy metals , but if so I would assume very very slight. The problem with the creek is definately a silt thing, just wade around and see, mud everywhere! Btw that's a couple of fattys you have there Otter!!

PC20 · Veteran Member

Very nice Otter.

I haven't hit the creek this summer, but I been having a blast on the Upper Yuba the last couple of weeks! Mining in the morning and afternoon, emergers/dries flies in the evening. Nothing big as expected, but dozens of beautiful wild fish! Headed back this Wednesday evening before the crowds hit.

I should start hitting the creek soon, but the big October caddis will be coming off soon of the Upper Sac!