Amerian River Crime

[Greg Vinci]

A recent post lamented about the current level of crime on the AR Parkway. Though I, as a local fisherman, spend a considerable amount of time on the AR and generally only observe evidence of vehicle breakins (broken glass in parking areas) the claim that there were robberies at gunpoint and rapes etc was news to me. I therefore logged on to the Sacramento County Parks & Recreation Dept web site and had a look at the crime statistics for 2019. You can click here and see for yourself what types of crime occured in that year. https://regionalparks.saccounty.net/Rangers/Pages/Latest-Ranger-Activity-Data.aspx. After logging on scroll down to "Crime Reports" so you can see the types of crime that were reported for that particular month. It's always best to research the facts before drawing conclusions.

Whenever one is on the parkway, one needs to take the normal prudent precautions to avoid being a victim just as you would in any urban area:

1. Always park in open areas where there is good view by both yourself and others of your vehicle. Don't park under bridges or among foliage.

2. Do not leave any possessions in your vehicle (even empty rod tubes) whether they are valuable or not. An old ratty coat can attract the interest of a homeless individual.

3. Fish with a friend particularly if you are going to be in the park after sundown.

[Quinnphoto]

All good advise Greg. Thanks for passing on the good information.

[Scott V]

Been fishing the American for about 12 or so years now and have never been broken into. But then I don't leave anything visible in my car.

[Dave E.]

Interesting read Greg, but a question or two come to mind. I noticed on one of the parks pages that to report on-line the link went to the Sheriffs Office. Which made me wonder, in the case of violent crime, would the park rangers really have the investigative tools at their disposal or would the case be handed off to the nearest City, County or state agency with the tools to get it done?

Maybe one of the LEO's here can answer that one and if it does get handed off, which agency would add it to their collective stats?

Never mind, to many variables, to much time away from the fish.

[Larry S]

Dave,
In the same "General Fly Fishing" section, scroll down to find
Lance's thread "vehicle break ins at Sunrise area."
Best,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Lance Gray]

Interesting read Greg, but a question or two come to mind. I noticed on one of the parks pages that to report on-line the link went to the Sheriffs Office. Which made me wonder, in the case of violent crime, would the park rangers really have the investigative tools at their disposal or would the case be handed off to the nearest City, County or state agency with the tools to get it done?

Maybe one of the LEO's here can answer that one and if it does get handed off, which agency would add it to their collective stats?

Never mind, to many variables, to much time away from the fish.

At Butte County we handled all the violent crimes that came from the parks and recs unless they where in city limits. Greg has not gone to see the city and county sites. They have a list of all the reported felony cases. They are in the public log.

The parks and rec rangers in Greg's words when he got a ticket a couple of years ago is a "joke". The parks and recs rangers are rangers. Not deputies or city police. These rangers are not sworn personal.

I stand by what I am doing. I am not guiding or doing any of our original LGC's tours on the river. The risk is not worth the fishing. I would like for you folks to do your own research and look for yourselfs. Greg has proven my point. It is unsafe to even fish late into the evening and by yourself. Please use caution folks. I will only guide and do our tours in safe areas. Not questionable or semi safe. But in safe areas. Thanks folks 👍. Have a great weekend and be safe!

[Brian Clemens]

Another crime on the AR is all those fishing to and targeting spawning steelhead then posting pics on social media and being proud of it. Pics of the new side channel with steelhead, pics of fish from the tailout at the sailor bar chute as well as sunrise fish too. When will ppl learn not to target or fish to spawning steelhead on the American. Lots of places to fish on the AR where you will not be fishing over or to spawning steelhead. It sickens me to see it and one of the main reasons I try not to fish or guide in the early months of the year.

Think it's time to purpose a longer closure on all the rivers that have a Jan 1 opener. The American especially. Salmon are still spawning, guys deliberately walking all over the redds to try and get a steelhead. Crush eggs while they walk. One bad egg spools the bunch, just like an apple. It's the same on the Feather as well. Would love to see the Feather become a Feb 1 opener and the American a March 1 opener and the Moke too, that was horrible watching and seeing everyone walking over every single salmon redd in that river. At least then the eggs would have time to hatch and a good majority of the steelhead can spawn in piece without getting raped off their redds several times a day.

Would even love to see the closure on the Yuba go to Jan 1 as there are still spawning salmon above the bridge and again, it will give more time for those eggs to hatch.

I thinks its time to start working on that.

[Lance Gray]

Another crime on the AR is all those fishing to and targeting spawning steelhead then posting pics on social media and being proud of it. Pics of the new side channel with steelhead, pics of fish from the tailout at the sailor bar chute as well as sunrise fish too. When will ppl learn not to target or fish to spawning steelhead on the American. Lots of places to fish on the AR where you will not be fishing over or to spawning steelhead. It sickens me to see it and one of the main reasons I try not to fish or guide in the early months of the year.

Think it's time to purpose a longer closure on all the rivers that have a Jan 1 opener. The American especially. Salmon are still spawning, guys deliberately walking all over the redds to try and get a steelhead. Crush eggs while they walk. One bad egg spools the bunch, just like an apple. It's the salmon on the Feather as well. Would love to see the Feather become a Feb 1 opener and the American a March 1 opener and the Moke to, that was horrible watching and seeing everyone walking over every single salmon redd in that river. At least then the eggs would have time to hatch and a good majority of the steelhead can spawn in piece without getting raped off their redds several times a day.

Would even love to see the closure on the Yuba go to Jan 1 as there are still spawning salmon above the bridge and again, it will give more time for those eggs to hatch.

I thinks its time to start working on that.

I with you Brian!!! You are so right.

[Lincoln Gray]

I second both of you!!! We need to protect the fish and rivers!!

Cheers!!

[Larry S]

Well said Brian.
I'm still trying to remember which of the Gray brothers is the best looking.
A hearty Hi-Ho to you both.
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Lance Gray]

[QUOTE=Larry S;194786]Well said Brian.
I'm still trying to remember which of the Gray brothers is the best looking.
A hearty Hi-Ho to you both.
Larry S
Sun Diego[/

I am Larry 😁!!

How are you doing?

Have you been wading the surf?

[Larry S]

Lance,
We generally hit the surf 2 days a week. Very slow this
winter; often we don 't even see the usual suspects
like the rays and shovelnose. Our best "catch" was back
in late Oct when a panga unloaded 11 illegals on the beach we
were fishing. A quick call to the Coast Guard resulted
in their capture, including the panga. All this around
8AM.
Best to you and all the Grays,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I guess America is still one of the best places to go to.....?

[Lincoln Gray]

Too funny Larry, you know that I am, by far!! LOL

I hope all is well!!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

What are some of the best months for surf fishing?

Maybe we could have a surf fishing outing some day?

[Larry S]

Bill,
I retired in 2000 and try to hit the surf two days
each week when I'm in town ; from Del Mar down to
just north of Scripps. I keep a log/journal for each
trip; weather, tides, times, conditions, fish seen
and caught. For the first 10 years, we had steady
catches; perch, several types of croakers, rays,
smelt, some sharks and the like. After 2010 we've
seen the fishing steadily decreasing; especially the
barred surf perch which often made up 75% of
of catches. Over the last 2 years or so, they've just disappeared.
The sport fishing boats are now recording perch numbers.
Strange.
Summers, we're still doing fairly well on corbinas and
yellowfin croakers. Not sure whether the lower numbers
are due to water temps, less feeding zones like rips and
troughs. or whatever.
Like steelheading, I should be glad for the productive seasons
that we did have.
Best,
Larry S
Sun Diego

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think many fisheries are in a full nose dive?

Not sure about what is going on?

Global warming could cause animals/fish to migrate?

Bruce Slightom in Eureka, CA says they are getting surf perch year rod?

Our Stripers are all small now with a fish over 10 pounds a big deal.

Last spring we did have a good American Shad run in the Lower American river.

The mid-West has lost their wild Chinese Ringneck Pheasants......all pen raised now.

Largemouth Bass in the canal behind our house in Sebastian, FL have gone down to about 12 inches?



*Today it is AG pollution of the water, de-watering and poorly treated human waste.



"No fish, no fishermen, no problems."

[Chasin Fin]

So what do we do beside give up and move? I would be gone in a heartbeat but family is nearby.

I grew up fishing the American 100+ days a year with my dad and cant count how many hours I’ve spent swimming in the waters. Over the past 2 years I’ve been back on the water fly fishing for stripers with my young boys and having a blast getting out for a few hours in the am together and having a few willing fish put the boys on the reel. Unfortunately at Howe ave like everywhere else it is invested with homeless/druggies. Of course I keep the truck clear and I’m usually done by 9:30am but boy does it feel a bit wiery in the early am especially with my young boys.

Such a shame. Sending my councilmen an email now but just feel like we have lost a battle that no one in office is fighting for us. The camps and trash is unreal for such an amazing river right here in town.

Just terrible.

[gitt]

Larry, I recall Ken Hanley mentioning years back in a conversation that barred perch will head for deep water when shore conditions change; in this case increased water temps. This could be the case if sport fishing boats are reporting higher catch rates of perch.

[Larry S]

gitt,
We're pretty sure that's what has happened; not only the temps, but the usual feeding zones
like troughs, rips and holes. Off shore boats are reporting perch catches; some barred and
mostly something called a blacksmith perch. Another panga unloaded a dozen or so
illegals off the beach north of us early Friday. We could see the helicopters working the area.
Best to ya!
Larry S
Sun Diego