Hang in there Richard. The creek levels may be low enough for exploration after next weekend. Lake seems to be dropping .2 ft each day on the average. Who knows how long it'll take the fish to settle into new lies. 

Start fishing for bass up at the lake. Oak shores is a decent spot for walking the bank but I've done ok just walking what I can on the dam side. No boat required. A float tube can be pretty darned cheap and opens up a LOT more options.

Hey Jake, right now the flows at putah are at 1870 cfs. I prefer fisbing putah at higher flows like 5-700 but have never fished it anywhere close to 1870; id imagine it is not fishable at all right now. While the lower yuba is also high it might be a worth a shot, as long as its green and visibilitys ok youll find fish in the softer water. Dont know where you live, but my favorite river to fish at high flows is the Truckee. Right now its at 1260 near town of truckee. My very best days on this river in terms of numbers but especially size have been during high water years and the snowmelt of spring. As long as its green youre good. Ive hooked fish in 4000+ cfs on the truckee, of course i wasnt wading but nymphing the bank close to me in jeans where fish hold. I am extremeley excited for this spring/early summer on the T as 2017 was epic. i also found fishing pressure quite light during the high flows. If youre into steelhead like i am, you have 2 more days to fish the mendocino coastal streams, gualalas still high at 1300 but garcia could be good on sunday, the last day. Dont bother with the russian as its totally blown, its my home river and im looking forward to a good shad year, but was very frustrating having such small windows this year. Its a long drive for most people, but i had some nice fishing down in bishop last week on the lower owens, the east walker near bridgeport also fished pretty good, fish were eager to chase streamers. Im also getting pretty stoked for bass fishing if youre into stillwaters at all. Good luck to you

Thanks for all the info. I happened to drive by Putah as I was going that way anyway and it was much too high to fish but still a good stop as the wildflowers and canyon were incredible.

I'm not too close to the truckee but may make a trip up there this spring. I will for sure look into some of the other places you mentioned and hopefully will be catching some fish soon.

 

Jake

4 hrs. At the American and one nice fish and some random grabs. I guess that it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. I will say this; it’s fun to be able to use a strong enough leader to feel the power of a good fish.

-- Edited by mudhen on Monday 1st of April 2019 04:49:36 PM

I've been itching to fish Putah for weeks now, but I'm thinking we have at least a few more weeks before it gets below 600. I've been fishing the American and finding a lot of fish, even a few chrome ones! 
Maybe try the Truckee next week.  Anyone been over there?

 

  

 

 

Well i think i need i to make a drive out to the American before its too late; i didn't land a winter steelhead this year and your guys’ pictures are making me envious! I would look at Hirschdale but also near by, the glenshire drive area. The bridge area on glenshire dr has fished well for me in high water, its not as scenic as other parts of the river but was really good in 2017 spring. I really like the canyon section for scenery and solitude, but during high flows have fished mostly from town down stream to floriston. Its cool when the truckees big and green its like fishing a big steelhead river for trout. Good luck, ill be up there the weekend after this one.