Yuba and Feather Fishing Reports

I have been guiding like a mad man again and have been having a ball. Overall fishing has been good. So far the Yuba has been pretty consistent with some spectacular days. Fish are still looking for round things bouncing on the bottom and they will occasionally nab a nymph or two. There are a decent number of salmon in the river giving us some hope that they might return again next year.

While out there you might notice brightly covered rocks (orange and green) in the river. They are marking the redds. I am sure this is some wort of DFG or DWR study. One of the cool things about this is that if you are not sure what a salmon nest (redd) looks like just find the radioactive rock and study what is around it.

Evening Cast with Mark

Kent with a slab

I have been on the Feather too and have not been doing that well out there. I am sure there are a decent number of fish there, but with temperatures in the 80's and full sun... Yeah, not the best conditions to fool chrome. The other day with clients we did managed to hook a few including this hot hen. This girl really ripped it up.

Feather... Friday Dec 5

Guiding the Feather was fun that Friday, mainly because of the company at hand. We fished hard all day and were rewarded, overall we hooked a few stout half-pounders and two nice adults. Many of them fell victim to mayfly nymphs. Over the last few days we have had spectacular fishing weather,... cold, balmy, foggy, calm, quiet, mysterious and so on. It was very cool not being able to see 50 yards in front of you. We had a very good day, I am not sure about my clients for that day, but my sides hurt from laughing. Thanks for a great day!

Steelhead fishing will continue to be ok through Dec and Jan, look for big, bright fish to move in during these times. All the fish hooked were dime-bright!

Feather... Thursday Dec 4

I went out with a friend and hit the Feather with the long rods. We had indicator rods as well, however, we really just wanted to swing. We did nymph several of the classic holding spots to no avail. We were equally as successful swinging various flies. One of the last spots on the low-flow did produce this nice hen, she fell for and egg.

Fishing Reports: Feather

Overall the Feather has been very slow... I spent 8 days on the Feather and had a wide range of results. I guided Ron Lewis and Lincoln Gray of Tie-Fast a week ago and hooked into more than a dozen fish, we hooked fish of all sizes; halfies, juveniles and adults. I was hopeful for the next day... The next day we hooked 3... the day after that 2... day after that 6... and so on. There was one other day where we hooked 10. I am not sure where the fish are but I am hopeful the fish are on the way. I will be looking into December for prime conditions. There are decent numbers of fish in upper river; however, there has been a fair amount of pressure. For those of you that are looking to hook steelhead this year keep an eye on the Feather, I have my fingers crossed that the end of November and most of December will be on.

If you are planning on fishing the Feather arm yourself with egg patterns, caddis and small mayflies. With warmer water temps give the swing a go...

Here are a few shots from the Feather....

Fishing Report: 10 Days Worth

Being on the river everyday is demanding and does not leave me with much energy to post everyday. The following is a summary of fishing reports from the Lower Sac, Feather and Yuba. I will be on the river most of November as well and will try to get you more up-to-date reports and information.

The following are summaries by river:

Lower Sac:
Overall fishing has been great, the egg bite has been strong throughout the river as well as the runs of steelhead. I have been floating mostly the lower river and having great days hooking 20-40 trout and a few steelhead everyday. Myself as well as several other guides have watched clients hook huge chromers in the Barge hole area. In 5 days we hooked 12 fish that were over 6 pounds, one might have pushed the 12 pound mark... of course that one got away, so we will call it 13 pounds ☺! Fishing will continue to fish very well for the next few months, look for bigger trout to move in to the feeding lanes during these colder months. I have had insane days all the way through January.

Flies: Brown Rubberlegs, eggs patterns, PT's, Hare's Ear, Poxyback Micro Stones in black (size 12), Amber wing prince, and Hogan's S&M nymph.

Technique: Nymphing under an indicator.

A few digital memories

The All-Mighty 'Bow

Nice Sac Steel


Injured Bald EagleBarge Hole SteelNice fish Sasquatch They were made for each other.

Yuba River:
The Yuba has improved since the last time I fished it. I was on it a few days over the last few weeks and was pleased to see that we are still landing some fat rainbows. I am anxious to get out there after this rain to see what came in and what moved around. Fishing should improve dramatically with a few more storms and higher water. There have been some incredible dry fly fishing opportunities thus far. If you are looking for dry fly action in the winter months don’t forget to try the Yuba.

Flies: Egg patterns, rubberlegs, golden stone patterns, midges, PT’s, Hogan’s S&M pattern and leeches in black and olive.

Techniques: Nymphing under indicators and swinging with light spey rods(switch rods).

Quick Pic

Yuba McFatty

Feather River:
Overall fishing has been tough, there are a few big fish in the river, however, the numbers of fish are currently low. I will be on the Feather tomorrow and expect to find some big, fresh steelies. The number of salmon that are in the low flow looks to be normal, currently the numbers in the high flow are low, but I feel that with the last shot of rain we got the big fall-run chinook should be on their way if they are not there already.

October Chrome:

Muy Caliente

Classic Feather River Steelhead

One of the coolest features about this time of year is just how quickly things change. In a matter of hours a salmon can cut a redd and begin spawning. This goes for all the rivers with spawning fish. The key to success this time of year is time on task, if you have a poor day on the river don't sweat it, just get back to the river as soon as possible. The Feather will fish well through November and even into the first few weeks of December.

Flies: Egg Patterns, Pt's, Kyle's Beerhead Baetis, Sloan's Mighty May, green caddis.

Technique: Nymphing under and indicator.

Well, thanks for checking back in! I will be on the water most of November, if you would like to book a trip I am currently taking names for a waiting list. If I have a cancelation, I will contact the next person on the list.

Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you and take care,
Ryan

Yuba... The other day

I wanted to follow up on a previous post from the other day...
I had a great time with a few friends on the water. We fished hard all day and found several fish to keep us occupied. Overall, the conditions were great, the flows are still holding and the fish are cooperating nicely. Again, I am pleased to see the number of salmon in the river. Many of them are not yet staged, this will change soon. If you are thinking about heading out, cover water and if you are not finding fish try changing flies or technique.

Flies: Egg patterns, micro mays, small caddis
Techniques: Indicator fishing with Krusteez

Thanks to Adrian and Teresa for a great day.

It is always hard to tell steelhead from trout on the Yuba, I am going with steelhead on this brute.
Nice fish Teresa!
Guide Day off...

Yuba...

Today the Yuba fished very well, however, the river was very busy with anglers.

Posivitves... they were endless.
Highlights: we did a good deal of swinging today and hooked a few nice fish-bonus!

Why Not?

For the next few days I will be on the Lower Sac

The Fall Craze...

It was dark at 7 pm, the evening air was colder, a few leaves have fallen... this could only mean one thing... BANNER fishing is around the corner! My fall guiding season kicks off tomorrow with a day on Putah Creek. Flows are in good shape and the last time I fished it, I roped some fatties. From there I will be on the Feather ,Lower Sac and Yuba. I am guiding almost every day October 1 through December. Check for current reports...


There is only way to describe the fishing in the fall in Northern California... ON FIRE!

Lower Sac McFatty