Salmon Fly Fishing....
I've fished for and caught Salmon on a fly from coastal estuaries, northern and valley rivers. Not claiming any great expertise, just a lot of first hand experience.
Generally, in the Valley, you can find Salmon in two different types of river water, shallow or deep. Those caught in deeper/slower water are, generally, not as close to spawning as those in shallow/faster water. You can see 'em rolling in deeper pools (like the pool under the old Fair Oaks footbridge) anytime after the middle of August. Different rivers have differing time tables for returning fish. Best targeted in low light conditions.
I used to like to fish for them in deeper pools. Generally, that requires a pram or drift boat to cover more water. You can wade in shallow water but your opportunities will be limited by your lack of mobility. The fish caught in shallows may not be very high quality (due to the yuk factor).
If you're not experienced with Salmon, a 9 weight rod would be the least I would recommend. Match it with a reel that has some capacity and a good drag. Think fast sinking heads/lines and weighted flies. Color may be important but patterns vary greatly. Many with great success. I prefer the classic Boss/Comets but just about anything will do. Leaders need to be heavy enough for the fish. They don't seem to be leader shy. 10 pounds test minimum. Lots of guys use light gear but, whether they admit it or not, the fish that they play forever will die regardless of whether they're released. Beyond that, no lecturing on ethics from me.
I stopped fishing the American or Feather for Salmon many years ago as large fish that are easily caught in these rivers seems to bring out the worst in a lot of us. My advice, these days would be to take a guided trip on the American with someone like Andy Guibord or pick another river. My choice would be around Red Bluff/Los Molinos on the Sacramento below, say, Blackberry Riffle in a drift boat. Caught several 20 pounders in that area many years ago.
Of course, the real problem these days is making sure you that you're fishing legally. Lots of regs in place covering Salmon fishing in the valley.
Frankly, I wouldn't eat a fish I caught in any valley river outside of the Sacramento as they all tend to pick up an algae/muddy taste. The only way they taste OK is smoked. Sacramento fish tend to arrive early and stay in better condition than other runs. Catching Salmon in a valley river isn't really much of a challenge. Just Find some fish and get busy.
Anyway, good luck and I hope I haven't discouraged you. 
Last edited by Darian; 07-25-2012 at 05:13 PM.
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Lower American - Salmon???
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. All I have is a 7wt so that will have to do for this fall. I have hooked salmon on accident on the lower Yuba with my 5wt and it was a joke, couldn't even get them to budge and ended up just breaking them off (one took a run and had me into backing in a matter of seconds). So fast water, sink tip, big colorfull streamer, now I wait for the fish.
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