Lower A

I read on Kiene’s recent fishing reports that the “half-pounders” catch rate has decreased recently.

Thoughts on whether the change in weather coupled with dropping flows will help or hurt in the next few days?


DATE / TIME REL SCH
09/01/2023 00:00 3900 cfs
09/01/2023 04:00 3800 cfs
09/01/2023 08:00 3700 cfs
09/01/2023 12:00 3600 cfs
09/01/2023 16:00 3500 cfs

https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryRES?s=nat

The drop in flows , hopefully it goes down more. It will help condense what fish are in there. Cooler weather should trigger more fish to come up into the system. This is my favorite time of year to fish.

Smitty, Thanks. I agree both factors will help, but wonder if it will take a few days for the fish to recover from the "shock" of both things happening at once.

Hooked up this morning. Didn’t see what it was, small half pounder maybe?

I always fish the river when the flows drop.
The full moon will have an effect. But I still fish
Anyway. You never know. Good luck out there.

May hit it tomorrow morning. If so, will post

I fished Half-pounders with night crawlers starting at about 16 and worked at shops near the river for ~50 years.

The traditional, unofficial start for Half-pounders is late August down low from Watt Avenue downstream.

Early and late is usually best with size 10-12 wet flies.

Sept/Oct is usually good.

We used to keep our tackle in our vehicles and fish before and after work.


Captain Andy Guibord probably is the leading expert on the lower American River including Half-pounders.

Andy knows the entire length of the river from Sailor Bar to the Discovery Park.

You would enjoy a float with him because he can tell you where almost every Striper over 30# has been caught on a fly.

In the past 30+ years, Andy has mentored hundreds of people.

Andy and his knowledge of the American river is endless. He has some great fly patterns for the American that work very well. Some of my biggest was with his patterns.

Very nice Smitty Fish

I was very lucky to fish with Andy quite a bit which is fun and educational too.

Sunday my brother and I swung soft hackles mid-river and caught a bunch of dinks (probably 3X as many were LDR'd). Nice to be on the river. Stumbled upon some nice ripe figs as a bonus (and blackberries).

Also met SmittyFish, ironically.

Nice to meet you and your brother Troutsource.