Rubicon River

[Frank Roepke]

Went Saturday to the Rubicon, I think Ed suggested the river. Good call but insanely difficult to navigate. The longest part of the drive was the dirt road off of Mosquito flat to get down to the river. We parked about 200 yards down river from the end of the road. Took a trail about 500 feet down to the river and fished up. About half way up river to the exit point we ran out of wading room because the river was too deep. We either had to take a swim, tackle major berry bushes, or scale a rock wall. I broke down the rod and scale the rock wall, one of the guys took a swim.
The river was beautiful but the fish were not as eager as we were. We landed about a dozen fish total, unlike up river by Ellcot Bridge. The fish were bigger here but not as many. All rainbows about 10" to 14" in size. There was very little sign of fishing pressure, the drive and work needed to fish that section probable keeps it that way.
We were a few miles up stream from Oxbow reservoir, I wonder if the browns come up to spawn? If so, I would like to try it again in November.

Frank
Looking Upriver from the walking bridge
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/Bridge2.jpg
Ken and BJ in the background.
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/RubiconSept2010008.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/RubiconSept2010007.jpg
walking Bridge
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/RubiconBridge.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/Rubicon2.jpg
Booted up and ready to start fishing
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/Rubicom3.jpg
http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/froepke65/SoforkAmerican4.jpg

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Cool photos.......thanks Frank.

[Tracy Chimenti]

Neat little story about your adventure.

20-years or so ago, I came across an gentleman who fished the dusk hours on the Rubicon, near Ellicott's Crossing. We were on our way out of Hell Hole.

The guy had two browns, both males, 4-pounds apiece. A crusty mountain dude, he used live hellgamites and fished them directly into turbulent, frothing pocket chutes, not big pools. He was also fishing under the moon. There are many big browns in these rivers, but most die of old age due to their habits. More like cabezone if you ask me. Maybe we should all be poke-poling with nightcrawlers!

Tracy

[kyburz]

Way to go Frank!
I take my hat off to you for creating a true fishing adventure memory. Climbing and swimming to get to the next spot truly lifts you up to the hardcore echelon. You'll remember this trip forever cause you left the crowds behind and went out to an unfamiliar place. Smart taking a friend...adds to the excitment and is safer if things go wrong. I've gotta find this place and take a buddy up there. Maybe next season.