Central Valley Fly Fishing Report

Fly Fishing Reports on the Lower Sac, American, Yuba, Feather & more!

 
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Yuba River
 

Only run of wild steelhead in central valley rivers!

 

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American River

Eel River strain of steelhead. Eel fish average from 6 to 10 pounds but can run up to 20 pounds. They form the majority of the winter run and arrive in early December.

 

 

 

 
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 Reports updated 7/15/10

 

YUBA:

 
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nFlows have have stabilized around 3000 cfs.

 

If you are going to target trout, look for Yellow Sallie, caddis, and PMD action on the river.  Most fish will be caught subsurface.  The hot flies are Anderson's Bird of Prey (olive, 12), Quigley's Little Yellow Stone (12), Hogan's S&M Nymph (Brown, 18). Tiltwing PMD Dun (18). Golden Stoneflies are starting to be seen.  Try a Kaufmann's Beadhead Rubberlegs Stone (Golden 10) or a Hogan's Hangin' Stimulator (10).

 

Hopper activity has picked up.  Try using a Sideshow Bob or a Wier's Hop-icator  Fish the banks hard!

 

When in doubt, use a San Juan Worm or an olive Woolly Bugger.

 


FEATHER:


 

The Feather has not been effected by high water as other streams.  The best trout action is happening in the low flow .  The hot flies are #18 Trigger Nymphs (BWO) and #18 Hogan’s Sippers fished under an indicator. 

 

The section between the Highway 70 bridge and Table Mountain Bridge closed on July 15.

 


 

 

 


LOWER SAC:



 

Flows are over 12,500 cfs, but the fishing is good out of a drift boat.  Think caddis and PMDs!  During the day, drift olive caddis.  Try using a #14 Fox’s Springtime Poopah, a #16 green Mercer’s Trigger Nymph, or a #12 olive Anderson’s Bird of Prey.  In the evenings, swing your favorite soft hackle.  A #16 Burk HBI fished as a dropper is very effective.

 

 


 

 

 


AMERICAN:


 

The flows are holding around 4000 cfs.  That can make for some hard wading.  But the fish are in closer than you think.  Work the banks aggressively.

 

American Shad are in the system.  Best action is at Upper Sunrise.  Fishing from a boat seems to be the best way to fish for them.  The hot flies are Bernie's Beadhead Banger (12), Bernie's Banger (4), Bernie's Bleeder (8), Dave-O's Wet Pinky (6).

 

Striped Bass action is hot right now.  They are willing to take an American River Special or any other Clouser type fly.  Try throwing out a Charlie's Airhead.  Stripers are holding all the way up to Sailor Bar.

 

Customer Cora K. has been getting halfpounders in the back channels behind the Arden access.  Use caddis soft hackles or dries.

 

Be aware that the flows of the river are much stronger than one may expect to be.