Ben Thompson: Lower Yuba and Valley Steelhead Fishing Report

Flows: Lower Yuba- 1,150 cfs

Lower American- 1,150 cfs

Lower Feather- Low Flow 821 cfs High Flow 1,600 cfs

The southern valley rivers are all fishing well in classic October fashion, and they are fishing similarly throughout the day. Salmon are still actively spawning in multiple places although not as many as earlier in October. Fishing eggs and baetis/attractors in the morning and then one egg and two caddis in the afternoon has been productive. Tan birds nests and fox's pupas have been solid but could change as the weather is starting to turn. On days where the fish have seen a lot of pressure, cutting the egg off in the afternoon and only fishing nymphs can help significantly. For dry fly fishing, the Yuba has had risers on warmer days like yesterday when I was out there. There was also a lot of fish chasing emergers. Small size 18-20 parachute adams on 5x is a good ticket to work the rising fish if there is no obviously larger fly hatching. For swing anglers a birds nest or a leech can get you bit in the right location. If wade anglers could watch for the cleaned off spots in the rocks, not stepping on these spawning beds will be helpful for the future of the salmon and our fisheries. Over the coming months can be a good time to catch quality steelhead, and if we have a mild winter the Lower Yuba should be a good option through winter into spring. I look forward to the winter baetis hatches and more importantly the skwala stonefly hatch in February and rolling right into March browns, pinkies, yellow sallies etc.