Fly Fishing Traditions

About Clay

I have been dedicated to the pursuit of fly fishing and it’s various skills since I got my first fiberglass Fenwick rod when I was about 18 years old. I spent about 20 years in a row fishing the high country lakes and streams in Montana’s and Wyoming’s Beartooth and Absorokee ranges pursuing cutthroat trout. I bought my first drift boat, a 10 1/2’ “Metalhead” about 20 years ago. I’ve been rowing different rivers ever since.

My desire and goal is to be a teacher, mentor and fly fishing educator to help friends, family and new acquaintances to enjoy the world of fly fishing, and environments. To spread the word, that it isn’t about the number of fish you catch, it’s the experience. The time spent in and around the beautiful lakes, streams and river here in the Pacific Northwest. It’s about, friends, family and the people you encounter along the way. It’s about Life.

These days I spend most of my fishing time enjoying the experiences of fishing the Lower Yuba River, and other fisheries here in Northern Calfornia, mainly from the view of my rowers seat in my Hyde drift boat or my Fishcraft raft. I enjoy helping and teaching my friends and family and new acquaintances while experiencing the days floating or wade fishing the rivers in beautiful environments. Lets make some new “Traditions”.

Contact

13572 Green Lane

Grass Valley, Ca 95945

(530) 913-1334
clay@flyfishingtraditions.com

Questions, Comments or to Book a Trip

Copyright Acknowledgments

I want to thank the following people and sources for information used on FFT:

Bibliography

Caddisflies by Gary Lafontaine (Apr 28, 1989)
Handbook Of Hatches: Introductory Guide to the Foods Trout Eat & the Most Effective Flies to Match Them by Dave Hughes (Jan 2005)
The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing by Charlie Meyers and Kirk Deeter
Trout Rigs & Methods: What You Need to Know to Construct Rigs that Work for All Types of Trout Flies & the Most Effective Fishing Methods for Catching More & Larger Trout by Dave Hughes (Jan 10, 2007)
Western Mayfly Hatches: From The Rockies To The Pacific, by Rick Hafele and Dave Hughes
Wet Flies: Tying and Fishing Soft-Hackles, Winged and Wingless Wets, and Fuzzy Nymphs by Dave Hughes and Richard Bunse (Mar 1995)

The Lower Yuba Hatch Chart

is the result of countless hours researching the “Bugs”, their entomology, and their habitat. The Lower Yuba Hatch Chart provides detailed hatch information regarding the bugs found on the Lower Yuba River, The habitat that they live in, flies to use to fool the trout and steelhead and presentation methods to make your fishing more successful. Have a cup of coffee, take some notes before you head to the fly shop or the river and have some fun out there!

This Hatch Chart was updated on 02/22/13

Many of the patterns listed are available at our local fly shop, The Reel Anglers Fly Shop in Grass Valley, CA

The FFT Fly Pattern Index

The Fly Fishing Tradition’s Fly Pattern Index, is an alphabetical list of recommended fly patterns for the Lower Yuba River and other Northern California waters. These are the flies I carry or in some cases wish I was carrying. Many of the flies on this index are also my “Go To” flies that you will also find as recommended patterns in the “Hatch Chart”. In many cases there are fly pattern recipes for tying your own flies or information as to where you can purchase or order the recommended flies. I’ll keep this list updated with new and inovative patterns as we go along.

You can get to the Fly Fishing Traditions Pattern Index by clicking on the link below.

FFT Master Fly Pattern Index

Fly of the Week

It’s January and the Skwala Stoneflies should be starting their migration to the stream side vegetation below the riffles and along the runs. Time to tie up the Skwala nymphs and the dries. Check out the Hatch Chart for recommended patterns.

The Knothead

Sizes 12

The Knothead Skwala Stone is a prototype Skwala Dry pattern for using on the Lower Yuba River. It’s been a work in progress and will hopefully get put to the test in February.

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Pop-Up-Box The Knothead

Class & Clinics

For more info: You can go to the Classes and Clinics Pages for all the details right here

If you’re looking for one on one instruction, whether you’re just getting started in fly fishing or just want to take your current skills to a different level I’ll give you the personal attention you deserve. If you don’t feel you’ve got what you wanted in any of these classes there will be no charge and the lesson is free. You can decide if it’s worth it.

Floating Clinic on the Lower Yuba River

We’ll spend either a half day or a full day on the Lower Yuba in my Drift boat floating and wading working on techniques for fishing from a drift boat or wade fishing. You can come by yourself or bring a friend.

Team up with me for a day to get the help you need to become a more knowledgeable and skilled fly fisher.

$375 for Full Day for one angler. $425 for two anglers, 8 to 10 hours, lunch and soft beverages included.
$275 for Half Day one or two anglers, 4-5 hours, and soft beverages included.

Rods/reels/lines provided unless you want to use your own! Lunches and drinks will be provided.

Fall Special for Floating Clinic Dates

Book a trip for a Fall Floating Clinic on the Lower Yuba for 1st Time Clients or members of the Gold Country Fly Fishers.

$300 for Full Day one $325 for two anglers, 8 hours, lunch and soft beverages included. Gratuity not expected but appreciated!

Click to go to the Classes and Clinics Page for more details.

Contact Clay, for more information about the FFT Floating Clinic or to sign up.

Guided Floats on the Lower Yuba River

A guided fishing trip should be more than counting the number of fish caught. It is my job to help you become a more knowledgeable and skilled fly fisher. I will tailor each guided trip to your style, your preferences and your needs. I will share my knowledge of the gear, fishing techniques, bugs and flies and let you know what “bug” I’m tying on and why. Hiring me as your guide is about being well taken care of, enjoying the day, and always learning new techniques, tricks of the trade and learning about the entomology and the bugs that live in my home river. My guided trips are essentially a clinic on the Lower Yuba River, the Feather River or the Lower Sacramento River. Team up with me for a day or two to get the help you need to become a more knowledgeable and skilled fly fisher.

$375 for Full Day one $400 for two anglers, 8 to 10 hours, lunch and soft beverages included.
$275 for Half Day one or two anglers, 4-5 hours, and soft beverages included.

Click to go to the Guiding Page for more details.

Contact Clay, for more information about the FFT Guided Trips or to book a day.