Today I went up to the North Fork. There was some melting snow on the ground, but air temps were warm. Above Cresta the water was gin clear and very low. Not a lot going on hatch-wise. There was a pale colored midge coming off when I got there around 1100am. Also, there were good numbers of small size 14-16 dark grey stone flies on the wing. An occassional fish was rising to the midges in the flat water sections, but none working any feeding lanes that would isolate their movement. A very pleasant change of scenery... stark contrast to the Yuba and the low flow on the Feather. Did manage to catch a few fish between Cresta and Poe. Nice fish, but none larger than 13". All fish were taken nymping. Only saw two other anglers who left just after I arrived. If you plan to go, be aware that you'll spend as much time getting to the water as you will fishing. Plan on working hard to stick a few fish. Be prepared to do some rock-hopping and bush whacking. Concentrate on the water below cresta where the river has some color and a higher flow. You can cross the river right above the cresta PH and work your way down stream on the other side. All in all, it was a pretty good day on a new water. Definately not nearly as many fish per mile as there are in the NF off Caraibou Rd, but a good alternative destination from the central valley rivers.
Willie
