Blue Ribbon Fishing

Fly and bait fishing are at their best in the North Fork of the Yuba River. This beautiful river, typical of many area streams, is heavily stocked and expert anglers seldom fail to get their limits.

The Perfect Fly presents the following information about fly fishing on the North Yuba River:

The North Yuba River headwaters begin from the confluence of two small creeks just below Yuba Pass. These are small brook trout streams that flow for about five miles to Bassets. There are also some small rainbow trout in the creeks. The lower sections have some brown trout. There's a four-mile section of wild trout designated water between Sierra City and Ladies Canyon. It requires barbless hooks. The rainbows in this section are larger, averaging about 12 inches or better. There are some brown trout which can be rather large. This section of the stream is heavy flowing pocket water with large, deep pools. Fly fishing gets better in this section of the river. Below Downieville, the North Yuba is a good size stream. The river declination is less and the flows become more moderate. This also widens the stream out. Pocket water is replaced by longer runs, riffles and pools. Much of this river can be accessed from pull-offs along the road. The Yuba River Trail also follows it from Goodyears Bar for almost six miles downstream.

More River Facts:

Nevada City Anglers in Nevada City, California, presents the following information about the North Fork of the Yuba River:

The Water:

The North Fork is a midsize stream requiring short 10-35' casts. You will see various water types including pocket water, runs and pools.

The Equipment:

Rods: 2 wt - 5 wt (or wt), 7-1/2 - 9' length
Lines: Double taper and weight forward - floating. Sink tip 5' - 10'
Leaders: 7-1/2 - 12'; 4X - 7X
Waders: Spring/Fall - Neoprene (2mm-3mm), Summer - Lightweight or wade wet
Shoes: Felt sole (strongly recommended)
Flies: Spring - stoneflys, streamers, wollybuggers, nymphs and dries call, Summer - terrestrials, small nymphs and dries call, Winter - small nymphs, dry flies, October caddis