Yuba River Fishing Report

Report Updated Jan. 28, 2013

SKWAKAS COMING SOON

The skwalas are starting to make an appearance but we’ve got a little time yet before they’re going strong. The rainbow fishing has been good in the meantime skwala nymphs like Jimmy Legs will work under indicators. There’s some intermittent dry fly action in the afternoons/evenings, so be prepared. Also, salmon fry are starting to emerge, so don’t be shy about stripping some epoxy smelt patterns!

SALMON NEED WATER! You can help by becoming a member of the Golden Gate Salmon Association: A non-profit group fighting to restore Central Valley salmon habitat and ensure both spot and commercial fisheries remain sustainable. Click for Details!

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JD RICHEY SPORTFISHING

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Lower Yuba River map

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About the Lower Yuba River

The Lower Yuba can really be considered two rivers — the 12-mile stretch from the mouth up to Daguerre Point Dam and the section from Daguerre up to the Englebright Dam. The lower section is not much of a fishery anymore — a few trout here and there and some good shad and striped bass fishing in high water years but that’s about it. Migrating species like salmon and steelhead negotiate the lower river quickly and are difficult to catch.

The few miles of the Yuba immediately above and below the Highway 20 bridge, however, support a prolific wild rainbow trout fishery and produces nice fish in the 13- to 20-inch range. In the fall, the river gets invaded with a bunch of 15- to 17-inch half-pint steelies but winter fish to 12 pounds are occasionally taken as well.

The Yuba’s a single barbless, artificials only stretch, so leave the nightcawlers and Power Bait at home.

You can access the river right at the bridge and hike either up or downstream. A few miles up, your access is blocked by the Yuba Narrows, a steep, rocky canyon — and some seriously grumpy locals as well.

Tying the Poor Man’s Glo Bug for steelies