NYR1: Yuba Gap - Bassetts
At the headwaters of the North Yuba River, the young river channels though several meadows and beaver ponds. And only minutes above Bassetts Station or only five to ten minutes more above Sierra City.
...you don't see the meadows from the highway
Sierra Campground lies adjacent to the river...
DESCRIPTION:
Above Bassetts: The heavy brush and timber cover lining the river channel restrits decent access in all but the meadows, and you don't see the meadows from the highway, and you have to beat through the brush to find them. This is a stretch the locals have little trouble keeping for themselves.
Pan-sized brook trout make for fun action and a great supper fresh out of the river. Rainbow trout run a bit larger and more numerous.
Sierra Campground lies adjacent to the river but in a densly forested area.
DIRECTIONS:
To NYR1: Yuba Gap - Bassetts
Travel north and east above Nevada City about 59 miles. From Truckee it is 42 miles via Highway 89 to the north and Highway 49 to the west over Yuba Pass. From either direction, the drive is some of the best of the Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway.
Follow Highway 49 above (east) of Bassetts where the river lies a short distance from the highway.
ACTIVITIES:
Fishing (Rating: Good)
Above Bassetts to below Yuba Pass: Rainbows and Brookies love the stretch above Bassetts and they live rather safely due to the tough access for anglers. Pan-sized brook trout make for fun action and a great supper fresh out of the river. Rainbow trout run a bit larger and more numerous.
Below Bassetts to Sierra City the river is a bit larger and the fish too. Rainbows are planted routinely at Bassetts. The river cuts into a canyon until it drops below Loves Falls. Access is tough for anglers even though Highway 49 is a never more than a couple hundred yards away.
Whitewater Thrills (Rating: Good)
Extreme Kayakers run the stretch below Bassetts to the next access point above Sierra City. There are more rocks than rapids but the lure of running Loves Falls draws those who like to go where few have gone before them.
There are no ratings for this stretch.
