Fishing Season: Year Round

Yuba River - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

50

Joe Garza's Tip of the Week

It's go time for Shad in the Lower Section! Dust off those swing rods and break out the Shad darts. Look for tapering riffles that drop off into 6" to 10' pockets. Shad like medium current so avoid the fast riffles and the slow frog water.

Directions open in app

Map of Yuba River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 5/1/26

Fishing has been excellent on both the Upper section for wild trout and the Lower section for Shad. All techniques are working in the Upper section. Swing techniques are working in the Lower Section. Spring is here and the hatches are as well. Caddis (#12,14), PMD's (#14/16) and Shad darts (Pink and Red) have been the most productive.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/1/26

Dry Fly, Tight Line/High Stick Nymphing, Indicator nymphing, Single Hand Swing, Spey/Switch.

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Wild Rainbow Trout

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    Wild Steelhead

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    Striper

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    Shad

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    Smallmouth Bass

Joe Garza's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Spotlight Caddis Emerger Tan, Olive 14, 16,18
Blue Wing Olive Parachute N/A 16, 18
Higa's S.O.S. Black, Olive 18
Tungsten Twisted Tactical May Olive, Black 18
Pat’s Rubber Leg Stone Brown, Coffee, Black 6, 8
Fox Poopah Cinnamon, Olive 12, 14
Quasimodo Pheasant Tail N/A 16, 18
TH Zebra Midge Black, Red 18
Hale Bopp Black, Rust, Olive 6, 8
Tactical Sob-Czech Olive, Ginger 16, 18

Spotlight Caddis Emerger

Trout can't ignore this Caddis emerger fly because it behaves exactly like the naturals.

2.99

Item #46C0

Buy Now

Joe Garza's Recommended Gear

Description: About Yuba River

Nestled in the foothills of Yuba County, winding its way into the Sacramento valley lies one of California’s best year-round technical wild trout rivers. Located in the heart of gold country, the river has something to offer for anglers of all calibers. Whether you are new to fly fishing or you have fished all over the world, this river has something for you! Englebright Dam releases cold clear water to feed the Lower Yuba River. The river is gin clear and has a diverse yet healthy insect population, which produces some epic insect hatches. Do not be fooled though, these fish are educated, cautious, and particular about what they want. Inch for inch, pound for pound, these fish are the hardest fighters in the Sacramento Valley. The Lower Yuba River offers a variety of methods to target these hard fighting feisty trout and Steelhead. These methods include indicator nymphing, dry, tight line/high stick nymphing, streamer, and swinging. The river is known for its wintertime dry fly fishing. However, the river has seemingly endless hatches. The more popular hatches are the Skwala Stoneflies (January through March), Pinkies (February through April), March Browns/Gray Drakes (March through April), PMD’s (April through August), Golden Stoneflies (June through July), Grasshoppers (June through September), Caddis (May Through October), Baetis (October through April), Alevin (December through February), and Midge (Year-Round). Downstream below Daguerre Point Dam to Marysville California, holds Shad and Striper (April through August).

Nearest Airport:

Sacramento International Airport

Hatches:

March Browns, Caddis, Pink Alberts, PMD's, Stoneflies, Baetis, Chironomids, Crawdad, Sculpin, Shad Darts.

Best Time to Fish:

9am to 1pm

Best Stretch:

Sycamore Ranch or Hallwood

Best Access:

Sycamore Ranch or Hallwood