American River report

[Andrew Guibord]

Just wanted to let you know that I am beginning to hear about half pounders being in the river. I will try to venture out and see if I can swing one up on my switch.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

After fishing for Half-pounder Steelhead and working in the fishing tackle business near the Lower American River for about 50 years I can tell you that in August, usually late August, we get our Half-pounders.

At about 4,000 cfs they might be in here earlier.....



Am and Pm is best. Get out real early till about 10:00am in the mornings.

Then go out after work, maybe 5pm till dark.

Right at dark try a #12/14 caddis dry.....you can dead drift it over feed fish or skate it over them.

Keep moving...look for rolling fish early and late.


If you have not been go out for a short even with Andy Guibord.


Trout rod with a floating line, 9' leader to 3x and swing a wet fly, about size #12 to get some action.

Early on, like now, they will hit a larger fly. Later they will get keyed in on Caddis so you need to match the evening hatches.


When the river is low they usually hold up at the River Park/Paradise Beach/Log Hole area.

With this flow they might just blast up the river to around River Bend Park (Goethe Park to Baby boomers).

.

[Sheepdog8404]

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I love it.......thanks SD

[Sheepdog8404]

Haha. Glad someone appreciated it, Bill! I've been waiting impatiently for a report like this. Can't wait to get out there and start swinging for em!

[EricO]

LOL, love it. And wholeheartedly agree. Already feeling the SH fever coming on.

Eric

[Mark Kranhold]

You bet! The summer and spring steelies are my favorite to catch, not the biggest but full of piss and vinegar Just need to get my shoulder healed ASAP! You all keep me posted with some pics, I need fish porn!! Missing standing in the water knee deep swinging my stick and anticipating that vicious grab! Floating lines are the best for the grab , but don't forget to get down deep when sun up ,Good luck guys!

A nice summer steel specimen

[EricO]

Mark,

I remember the FIRST steelhead I ever caught on the fly. About 12 years ago on the American.
We all remember our first time, don't we?

Swinging, of all things (and never used since) a red fox squirrels tail. Does anyone use that
fly anymore??

The half pounder was only 15 inches, as I recall but kicked the crap out of me! After that,
I was fully converted to SH.

Fish porn? You got it. Here's a couple perfect specimens Jeff F caught some years back.
Not a blemish!

Eric

[Jeff C.]

Those Fisher footballs are beautiful!

[Jeff F]

Oh gawd!!!! Thanks a lot, Eric. Now I'm gonna get absolutely blasted on this Board for having those fish on the rocks.

It was a looooooong time ago, folks. And those fish were fine and released unharmed.

Speaking of those fish......Jeff Ching and I use to find them in a particular spot on the American in the dead of summer, meaning early August, before the first run of late August 1/2 pounders came in. Pretty sure there were was some sort of underwater spring in this spot that spewed ice cold water. It was very strange......almost guaranteed to find them there for a couple years in a row. Now that run has mostly been filled in with gravel. But it was sweet while it lasted. I even remember the fly I used......#12 Mercer's BH Poxyback Hare's Ear. Go figure......

~Jeff