Springrun Steelhead are in the lower American River

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

On Friday Jim Christensen took out his Sage TCX #5 line Switch rod to test a new 390 grain Airflo "Rage" head with a 10' medium sink-rate Poly leader and small Green Butt Skunk .

Then "Rage" head is right between a Skagit and a Scandi head, being one of the most pracical new lines for two-handed fly rods.

That is a new large arbor Hardy UltraLite fly reel too.

Jim has fished the river for Steelhead for decades now so he knows the it well.

He caught what we think is one of the first springrun Steelhead this year. They are usually in the river March/April/May.

These fish will run 14 inches to 6 pounds.

Andy Guibord has a special love for these springrun beauties.

Local drift boat guide Kieth Kaneko know all about them too.

Jim says as it warm sup the caddis will really get hatching, especially if the water stays low like it is.

.

[Jed Peters]

Great fish, Jim!!!!!

[Charlie Gonzales]

Got my boss into a few yesterday(him 5, me 2, ) swingin soft hackles on 10' fast sinking poly leaders. It was his first time fishing flies in moving water. Fished from 9:30 to 12:30.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Got my boss into a few yesterday(him 5, me 2, ) swingin soft hackles on 10' fast sinking poly leaders. It was his first time fishing flies in moving water. Fished from 9:30 to 12:30.

Great Charlie....bring in your soft hackle flies so I can see them.

[Blueracer]

Yes Charlie let us seeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Charlie Gonzales]

this first one is a typical soft hackle hares ear
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr262/BigValleyGuide/flies002.jpg

this one is tied using the new micro uv polar ice chenille and is what I got my fish on
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr262/BigValleyGuide/flies001.jpg

[KJE]

Slightly off-topic, saw a flock of seagulls dive bombing what must have been a big school of smolts on the lower river yesterday as they were at it for over an hour. Wouldn't have guessed that smolts were the prey if I hadn't seen the gulls fly off with 10"ers.

[Mark Kranhold]

KJE, isn't that a wonderful site. This is the first year in about 4 years that I have seen the shore's of the river swimming of salmon fry. The river is looking healthy again, I had the same experience on Sunday with a group of merganser's franticly chasing fry around. Let's just hope they don't drop the river to low and dry out some of the steelie redds...pray for rain . Time for swinging a fry pattern.:fish::fish:

[BillB]

. . . It was his first time fishing flies in moving water.

Darn Charlie, you have a way with first timers don't you!

[Sierrapacific]

Cool looking flies.

[Scott V]

Charlie's fishing? You didn't get fired did you?

[STEELIES/26c3]

Slightly off-topic, saw a flock of seagulls dive bombing what must have been a big school of smolts on the lower river yesterday as they were at it for over an hour. Wouldn't have guessed that smolts were the prey if I hadn't seen the gulls fly off with 10"ers.

Those would likely be birds capitalizing on the CDFG Nimbus Hatchery steelhead smolt plants...

Unfortunately, humans join the gulls in catching 'trout' for dinner when the truck shows up 'downriver'...

[Adam Grace]

Nice pattern Charlie! You have always been a great fly tier. We need to get together in the Spring or Summer.

[Blueracer]

Thanks Charlie pretty buggy. What size hooks?