Fishing Season: Year Round

Yuba River - CA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

49

Joe Garza's Tip of the Week

Stay home and stay safe. The Lower Yuba River is not going to be a safe choice to fish this next week. Earlier this week flows jumped from 2,000 cfs to 16,000 cfs in less than 24 hours. The Yuba has the potential to jump above 20,000 cfs this week.

Directions open in app

Map of Yuba River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 12/24/25

With several inches of rain in the forcast, the fishing on the Lower Yuba River will be inpacted with high dirty water. Once the rains subside around New Years and the water clears up, fishing should pick up again. Alvins and Skwala stones in January is still looking good. Followed by Pink Albert's and March Browns in February.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/24/25

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

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Rainbow Trout

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    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:

Baetis, Caddis, Stoneflies, Eggs, Chironomids, Crawdad, Sculpin, Clousers.

Best Time to Fish:

10am to 4pm

Best Stretch:

Hwy 20

Best Access:

Hwy 20 Bridge