First Float- American River

[Colton M]

Hi everyone. I grew up fishing the American and other local rivers, but have since moved up to Seattle for school/work. I just purchased a 13' AIRE raft with an NRS frame and had it shipped to my buddies house in Carmichael.

I'm headed home for a while and we're hoping to take it out on the American this weekend for stripers and half-pounders, and possibly the Yuba or the Feather. I'm fairly new behind the oars, except for rowing drift boats on flat water. Are the current flows (2,500) suitable for a drift from Sailor Bar to Gristmill? From what I've seen/ read, it seems super mellow, but I just want to get some input. For the San Juans, just stay to the left, correct?

Sorry if this has been covered before, I couldn't find an old thread on the topic.

[tcorfey]

Here is some good info on what to expect at certain flows.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/4538

and

http://cacreeks.com/amer-low.htm

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Striper fishing on the American has been pretty good for some locals.

Only two short rapids on the lower A. Other than that is flat.