Winter Steelhead in the American River

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

One of the better local two-handed Steelheaders, Mark Kranhold, caught this lovely fresh 8-9# fish swinging an olive soft hackle wet fly yesterday morning.

Friday morning Nor Cal Spey guide Jason Hartwick caught a large (10-12#) fresh winter run Steelhead and a big half-pounder.

I think it is time get out there.

[flyguy1]

Correction Bill, the fish was caught this morining. Great job Mark, wish I was out with you.

Scott K

[Bryce Tedford]

What size, types & various flies do you all reccomend for fishing on the American? Fo most of you fish heavy tips or will fish come up to surface??

[DAVID95670]

Good to hear fish are beingng caught...I must suck cuz I fished both watt and sac state swinging a green hackles wet, green butt skunk and egg sucking leach with a 10 ft type 6 leader and it was a skunking......hope springs eternal

[mar]

That fish has a freakishly huge tail. Nice looking chromer. Congrats!

[loganmike]

Smoker meat!!!

[Jeff C.]

Went out this afternoon after running into Mark at the shop. Hooked a big halfpounder on a sculpin pattern but it broke me off. Was using 2X fluoro tipper.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

What size, types & various flies do you all reccomend for fishing on the American? Fo most of you fish heavy tips or will fish come up to surface??

I asked Mark Kranhold to give me some feed back on what he is using for tips on his two-handed rod for Steelheading in the Lower American River at these flows.

__________________________________________________ ____________________

Bill

Today I was throwing 12' T-11. I thought I would be hanging up but it swung pretty well. Time to time it would start ticking the bottom at the end of the swing. I think most runs I fish I might have to switch over to a type 6 with this low water. But then again overcast days maybe a type 3 and sunny days get down and dirty in the depths with T-11.


Mark

[Bryce Tedford]

Still trying to get a read on the various "tradtional" or styles & sizes of flies most commonly productive on the American River Steelhead & Half Pounders.

Bill, do you have some favorites at the shop that you would reccomend or know some of the patterns & sizes that have been successful over the last few years.

Any suggestions on flies & sizes would be much appreciated!

On Dudes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Bryce,

I think any of the flies you use on the Rogue River could work in the American River.


We use lots of wet flies that are usually for trout like green caddis imitations for the smaller fish in the spring and fall but larger fish will take them too.

Sometimes we use them in smaller 12/14 size just like trout fishing becuase we have so many caddis in the river.

Then some people swing larger flies for the bigger winter run Steelhead. I think any medium size olive or black steelhead leech pattern is good.

Some use medium size black egg sucking buggers or egg sucking leeches too.

I think even olive, or black or brown Wolley buggers can be good.


Right now I think a sinktip is a good idea for the bigger fish.



If you are fishing down lower in the river, (now the upper is closed till January 1st), you should find fresher fish that will move to the fly.

If you get up above Sunrise Bridge after the opener you will fish a mixture of spawning and fresh fish.

PS: With the small runs of fish we get in the Lower American River it is hard to know if you are doing the right thing. Mostly you just need to go a lot.

.