The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I spent the whole week bouncing back and forth between the Yuba and Feather Rivers. The Yuba was in decent shape with most days hooking about 15 fish. Most of the fish were still coming on eggs patterns and mayfly nymphs. There were a handful of PMDs, March Browns, and Gray Drakes buzzing around. However there still wasn't enough bugs to get the fish to rise. Im still hoping for some of those big PMD hatches to get all of the fish looking up in the flats. Im in need of a good dry fly day. To much time staring at indactors is not good for a fly fishermans soul.

Actually this week I had a first that had never happend to me since I have been guiding for the last 4.5 years. I had a solo client for three days that absolutely refused to fish an indicator. She said that she would rather not catch any fish than have to catch one nymphing. Well to be perfectly honest she must not enjoy fishing California that much because it seems that a lot of our fishing is subsurface. The first day we spent swinging on the Feather and landed 3 nice spring steelies. The second day we spent swinging streamers and throwing dries blind on the Yuba. Then the third day we were back swinging on the Feather where we got another couple springers. I thought that after not having tons of success that she would eventually give in but I was impressed by here stubborness to stick with the more technical styles of fishing. It was awesome to watch those springers wack her bug and then fly about three feet out of the air. I must admit there is nothing better than a streamer grab especially when it is from a steelie.

The news on the Feather is that there are some fish in there. Most of the spring steelhead are in the 16-20 inch range with a few really nice adults mixed in. There were a couple fish hooked this week in the 5-8lb range. If you hook one of these spring big boys good luck in landing it. These big fish act just like fish on the coast and rip you a new one every time. It is pretty hard to land those big guys on 3X and 4X. The majority of the fish came on san juans and caddis patterns in the faster water. The Feather should keep fishing until the first week of May for those of you looking for some steelhead options.

Tight Lines!

RJSFLYTRIPS wrote:
I had a solo client for three days that absolutely refused to fish an indicator. She said that she would rather not catch any fish than have to catch one nymphing.

My dream woman!!!

Where has she been hiding all my life?

Is she SINGLE? Straight?

Semi-attractive?

Does she have all her teeth?

I think I'm in LOVE!!!I MUST have HER!

The only thing that could be more alluring is if her nipples were beer taps!

I will gladly send her pictures of my boats, dogs, reels, rods, ... anything she wants!

Troutnut (panting like a lovesick dog, waiting in hopeful anticipation)

Thanks for the report. I was wondering if the PMD's had started on the Yuba. Been too cold! Where is spring?

She's my kind of lady, too. If by some remote chance you took me out, I, too, would fish only dries. I'm too stubborn to resort to nymphs and bobicators. May not catch as many fish, but it's more fun. Surprised you couldn't get any on dries.

By the way, I was on the Yuba today, and the fish were taking emergers--mostly March Brown and a few PMD emergers--plus a few duns, even though it was cool and breezy. Even saw a few skwalas, but the fish ignored them.

This weekend's forecast is for temps in the 80's. That should bring out some hatches. It will only get better.

Cheers,
El Rey

i was on the river 'Y' last week, I hiked a couple of miles up....the hatch of PMD's,and perhaps they were smaller gray drakes size 14 was great, that is until the sun burst through the clouds! They were taking emergers,cripples and nymphs of PMD's...the fishes had spawn/post spawn colours.Great day it was,I love the hike and the great wading...

...as long as it's done without a bobber or other device (insert personal self-serving noun used to rationalize the use of a bobber here: "indicator", "communicator", "crutch", or "training wheels" ).


Paul

There is nothing really wrong with fishing with a bobber or a float...it's bobber fishing or float fishing...just not fly fishing...


And yes, I have fished on a stream where I was required to fish a dry fly with an upstream presentation, not because of the selectivity of the fish, it was because of the published rules for fishing that stream, it was a testy place...and I was threatened with being evicted from my cabin at a California fishing location if I didn't stop catching fish on my dry fly that sunk or was "pulled" under the surface by current...that was a hot place.

Paul

Interesting technique, upstream trolling.

MN

Look at the personal qualities of this woman.

Not only is she willing to forego easy success by using an elementary (bobicating) method, she is also willing to pay to have someone help her in the process! She fishes the swing, which means she has respect for traditions.

3 days solo guided? She has MONEY too.

She hangs tough too. 2 days swinging big water,... cast, mend, swing, mend, step down, cast again.

She values quality over quanitity, so there would be room for my 5 pairs of shoes in the master bedroom closet, instead of a small corner in the the garage.


I bet she doesn't give you directions while driving too!

Fantasy woman, WHERE ARE YOU??? I think I'm in love!

Hey fella, I have been lurking here all along. Yes, I am traditional, but can you deliver? I ain't spending that money on you, go out and earn your own. Those lotto commercials are going to your head. And about those shoes- they stay out in the garage as you have been trained to do so. You aren't saying those five pair of shoes are quality are ya? What, your mother do that to you?

That guide worked for his tip every day out and I never had to argue with anybody about where I threw my line. Are you gonna do that as well?

As for giving directions? Hey why don't you admit that your lost and ask for assistance. I ain't no navigator. That means I drive and you ride shotgun if you get into the car soon enough.

In the meantime, keep fantasizing you big dreamer. Realities are never as good as your expectations. In a nutshell, get a life.

I just want to fish and don't need the ball and chain thing around as well.

SALLY!!!!!!

How nice to see you back. Did you ever get over that little disease you had???? I hope the Hard time you had to do for trolling wasn't to rough on you.....

Keep in touch!!!!

I used to have it bad for you, but you spend too much time trollfishing for me. Not enough "us" time. Aren't you hooked up with the ball and chain "He who shall not be named" anyway? I thought you two were a couple and had moved to the Castro District.

Troutnut
(still dreamimg of the perfect woman)