Blue Backs on the Lower American

As a newcomer to fly fishing, I would appreciate learning from the many experienced anglers on this forum:

- when do spring run steelhead usually appear in the Lower American?

- has anyone caught any as of this date, April 2, 2025?

Bill B.

My guess is Feb/Mar/Apr/May, depending on the runoff.

They are usually found in the top few miles below the dam.


The lower Feather River below Oroville has them as well.


Check with Captain Andy Guibord at Fly Fishing Specialties in Sacramento for any info on the lower American River for all species.

Hello Bill , Springers are in the river now. Usually they start showing up end of March. I’ve caught steelhead all months of the year.
Starting this Monday the flows on the American we be going up to 7000 cfs.

Thanks, Smitty Fish,

Coming from you, it means a lot to me.

You are one of the anglers who have spent decades fishing on the Lower American River.

Thanks Bill. I am at Fly Specialties regularly.

Thanks Smitty Fish. Good to know they are here. I will be swinging the Lower AR tomorrow before wading becomes dangerous

Today, I send everyone to Flyfishing Specialties.

Many of my old staff work at Specialties, and they all have great knowledge of the sport.

My staff hosted trips for the shop, all over the world.

I try to connect my Forum members to the staff who has experience with the destination they are headed to.

Blue backs.......a thing of the past. Living in the 90's.

As a matter of fact, I was just at the river today. Hooked two nice spring steelhead (one dark and the other chrome) on a 5wt and a Caddis nymph. They both ate it on the strip, which was odd.

Spring run Steelhead at 3-5#.

Spring run Half-pounders are 13 to 17".



Please comment on these sizes.