Lower Yuba River Trout Fishing Report
Spent two days on the Lower Yuba River last week. Flows are around 2,500 CFS and gin clear.
Fishing ranged from good to very good, with the main variable being angler experience. Most fish were caught on heavy nymph rigs that could get down in the deeper runs and swirling currents.
Top-producing flies included:
Olive and tan Fox’s Poopah
- Hogans’s Yuba Pupa
Mercer’s Poxyback PMD
Hogan’s Lil Amigo in brown
Rubber legs in coffee or brown
Natural Bird’s Nest
We fished dry-dropper rigs about half the time to target fish in the skinny water. About 99% of the fish ate the dropper, but the dry-dropper setup still provides a fun, visual way to fish.
My preferred setup uses two nymph droppers below a Chubby Chernobyl, with the bottom fly being a heavier, tungsten-beaded pattern. I typically space the droppers 10 inches apart, with the first about 18 inches below the dry.
Fish were active throughout the day, and the current stretch of cooler weather should keep this pattern going strong.
