Lower American Half-Pounder Fishing

[thethrill02]

Well, I tried fishing the Lower American for half-pounders at the Sunrise access. I've tried 4 or 5 times over the past week or two, and well, I've gotten a lot of bites and no fish. Oddly, all of them bit my dry fly, and there were no nymph or streamer takes. They were all on a size 14 light cahill. I tried swinging and nymphing in many spots, and it didn't seem to work. I tried caddis nymphs, woolly buggers, and san juan worms. The reason I got no fish to the net with my dry fly was probably my hookset. Too used to bass and bluegill using a strip set. It's too bad though, never caught a half-pounder nor a steelhead. Luckily, it's really pretty there even for an urban setting. Don't know if I'll be able to get out again before the season closes for the year, so good luck to anyone who tries to get one.

[STEELIES/26c3]

Well, I tried fishing the Lower American for half-pounders at the Sunrise access. I've tried 4 or 5 times over the past week or two, and well, I've gotten a lot of bites and no fish. Oddly, all of them bit my dry fly, and there were no nymph or streamer takes. They were all on a size 14 light cahill. I tried swinging and nymphing in many spots, and it didn't seem to work. I tried caddis nymphs, woolly buggers, and san juan worms. The reason I got no fish to the net with my dry fly was probably my hookset. Too used to bass and bluegill using a strip set. It's too bad though, never caught a half-pounder nor a steelhead. Luckily, it's really pretty there even for an urban setting. Don't know if I'll be able to get out again before the season closes for the year, so good luck to anyone who tries to get one.

Did you hook any in the spot I sent you to (I'm Mark, the tall, gear guy who spoke with you and your friend on the bridge) ;)

[thethrill02]

Oh hey! Sadly, we didn't. I thank you for the advice however. I swung a #14 olive caddis poopah and it didn't seem to work. I also swung a woolly bugger. Both were in that riffle section near the creek outlet. Then again, I'm a complete newbie when it comes to river fishing for trout/steelhead. I haven't really started doing it too much until this year. My experience lies with bass and bluegill in ponds and small creeks on the fly.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The Thrill02,

I believe that this is very possible because our numbers of Half-pounders have not been very good for a long time.

Andy and I are always hoping these numbers will improve but not so much lately.



When I get home from Florida in early December I can take you out and give you some free help with your technique to be sure you are going in the right direction.


In the Spring and the Fall if we have a decent run of Half-pounders (average size 14-16-18") catching them in the mornings and evenings is not very difficult if you use the traditional system.


I would use a 9' #5 or #6 line rod with a good weight forward floating line, 9' 3x leader, barbless #12 wet fly of your choice.

Caddis seem to be the top choice but lots of wet flies will work.

If you go into Kiene's on the weekends Andy should be working and he can draw you a map of a good access and were to fish.

Swinging in the right water is critical. Reading the water is so important.

Just above a riffle, drop in elevation, and in a riffle and below it as it fades into the pool, flat water, below.

If anyone who has successfully fished for Half-pounders can take you out just one evening or morning, can really make a big difference for most.

I like Sept//Oct and March/April/May for Half-pounders on the Lower American River.


My favorite access is the Watt Avenue. Above the bridge is best for me but below is good too.


From Sailor Bar down stream to Paradise Beach there are many good riffles to fish.

I would fish a different rifle every time I went out.



**Going out for a lesson on fishing Half-pounders one evening or morning with Andy Guibord would be a smart thing too.

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