Upper & Lower Yuba River Fly Fishing – Guides

Located near the towns of Downieville, Sierra City, Graeagle, Portola, Nevada City & Grass Valley, California.

North Fork Yuba River Fly Fishing Guides

We fish the North Fork of the Yuba in the Tahoe National Forest in Sierra County, California year around. We fish this river after Salmon Creek enters above the town of Sierra City and fly fish Ladies Canyon down through Downieville where it picks up more steam after the Downie River enters and big pools develop where native trout hang and feed on bugs. These upper reach sections of river are known for having trout with huge leopard like dots on their backs thought to be camouflage because the stream is so crystal clear, but of course should be duly noted for coolness. Also below Sierra City is where the Wild Trout section is for four miles down river and it sports deep pools that anglers are only allowed to use artificial lures and flies only, we like to use Caddis Droppers as the trout will bite on either one usually, depending on the time of day and locations. Trout change as you head down river and the occasional brown or more cromer colored trout can be found. We also concentrate on fly fishing down the next 14 miles to the Highway 49 Bridge and below Goodyear’s Bar as well as practice catch and release always as that is the regulation in the winter. We practice catch and release on trout & steelhead all year around where ever we guide. Give us a call, we can help you learn how to fly fish the North Fork of the Yuba River, we look forward to your day.

The North Fork of the Yuba River makes its decent from the Sierra Buttes on highway 49, we mainly concentrate on guiding it’s pure crystal clear waters from Basset’s Station to Just below Downieville, California.

Cost north fork Yuba river fly fishing

• Full Day: $300 One Angler - Two Anglers $375 Per Day Includes BBQ Lunch, Gear and Flies.
• Half Day: $200 One Angler – Two Anglers $275 Per Day Includes all Gear & Flies. (Lunch Not Included)
• Additional Anglers – $50

Your fly fishing guide trip experience will be a great one in the gold country of the Sierra Nevada’s.

Jack Trout Writes Fishing Reports and Historical Columns In Both the Mountain Messenger & Plumas News Papers.

LODGING HISTORIC DOWNIEVILLE – Carriage House Inn
(Mark Twain Town)

Stay Right On The Downie River, Perfect For The Non-Angler Who Wants to Pal Around Downtown Downieville or Come Along.

LODGING SIERRA CITY

• Sierra City Lodging & Restaurant· Herrington’s Sierra Pines Resort

We Guide On Packer Lake & Lower Sardine Lakes In The Sierra Buttes, Sierra County California

We guide both the North Fork of the Yuba River for trout from spring until fall, and in the fall & winter we guide on the Lower Yuba River for trout and steelhead.

Lodging Nevada City

• Deer Creek Inn
• Red Castle Lodge
• Piety Hill Cottages & Bed n Breakfast

Lodging Grass Valley

• Holiday Lodge
• Pines Motel & Cottages
• Grass Valley Courtyard Suites
• Airbnb

LIST OF FLIES FOR FLY FISHING LOWER YUBA RIVER TROUT

LIST OF FLIES FOR FLY FISHING LOWER YUBA RIVER STEELHEAD

• SALMON FRY/FINGERLINGS 6 & 8
• OLIVE SLUMPBUSTER 4 & 6
• BLACK BUNNY LEECH 4 & 6
• PEACHY KING BEADS 8mm

The dry fly fishing on the Lower Yuba River is the best you can find during the winter season in the state of California. We float and wade these rivers and all gear is included as well as flies and tippet.

GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LOWER YUBA RIVERS

• Fish species: Trout & Steelhead
• Fishing season: Open all year. Closed from Highway 20 Bridge upstream to Englebright Dam from August 31st to December 1st. Barbless Hooks only.
• Nearest airport: Sacramento
• Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 foot leader to 3 & 4x for nymphing, 13.5 foot supple leader for dry fly presentations.
• Recommended fly fishing tippet: 4X or 5X Tippet For Nymphing or Dries.
• Best fly fishing rod: 9 foot – 5 or 6 weight, 7 wt for steelhead.
• Best floating fly line: WF Rio Perception Fly Line
• Best sinking fly line: Rio Streamer Tip 4ips
• Fly lines: Floating, Sink Tip

All three forks flow into Englebright Reservoir, and it's below this impoundment that the Lower Yuba river starts its journey some 20 miles into the Feather River near Yuba City. The Lower Yuba River is the combined flows from the North, Middle, and South Yuba Rivers. The North Fork watershed drains off the Yuba pass and descends into Bullard's Bar reservoir, outflow continues below the dam and meets up with the Middle Fork which comes from Jackson Meadows Reservoir. After merging together these two forks meet up with the South Fork Yuba which originates from the west slope of Donner Summit.

Need more information on the Yuba River, The Feather River or others in California? Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. * 530-926-4540

Operating by USFS Use Permit Tahoe Yuba Forest District

Proud Member of the Sierra County Chamber of Commerce