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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Folsom
    Posts
    34

    Default American around Coloma

    I always thought this area was closed but I met someone on the lower AR around this time last year and he showed me some pictures of some beautiful trout. After reading the regs it appears the river is open and barbless / C&R only which is good with me. Has anyone been in the area? Is the water fishable or is it blown out right now with all the rain we received earlier this week. I want to head out tomorrow and wondering if I should stick to the lower AR and chase steelies or head up the hill a little and try around Coloma for trout. What would you do?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Garden Valley
    Posts
    1,076

    Default

    I am living in Coloma right now, but if I had the choice right now I would fish the lower for steelhead personally. As far as conditions go, that’s a complex situation on the South Fork. These rains haven’t really made any affect yet, but the dam releases are what you need to learn.

    Check out the schedule for a very rough idea: http://www.dreamflows.com/Pages/ChiliBarSchedule.php

    Unfortunately, that’s just the tip of the iceberg to understanding flows here. All that said, there are trout to be caught and there is some fishy water at a very wide range of flows if you are adaptable. It is not a high numbers fishery, so for me I’d rather swing for steelhead and hope for the best.
    Good luck either way,
    JB
    "Lord help me to be the person my dog thinks I am"
    - unknown

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

    Default

    One problem is the flow use to go from 500 to 1500 daily which kills the aquatic insect life.

    Stripping buggers, streamers or leeches can be effective.

    If you float it you can hit lots of good looking runs.

    _______________________________________

    Middle Fork of the American River is much better but less accessible.

    Robby Hogg guides it with rafts in the summer.

    These guys were white water rafting commandos first then got wild about fly fishing.

    http://class5flyfishing.com/

    Video.....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgcPMpAhJww
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Folsom
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Thanks all. I hear they increase the flows on the weekend for the kayackers so weekdays are the beat bet. Guess I need to stop by the shop and pick up a few flies this morning. I think I will hit the lower AR today and Coloma this evening.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Garden Valley
    Posts
    1,076

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KSB209 View Post
    Thanks all. I hear they increase the flows on the weekend for the kyackers so weekdays are the beat bet. Guess I need to stop by the shop and pick up a few flies this morning. I think I will hit the lower AR today and Coloma this evening.
    If only it were that simple, HA! In certain times, certain years, the flows might follow that pattern, roughly. There are many, many factors affecting flows up here though so you really need to:
    -develop a good understanding of likely scenarios
    -possess a good crystal ball
    -be quick and flexible, watching the real-time flow data
    -cross your fingers and take a chance
    -learn how to fish different spots at different flows

    Trying to hit the river at any given time of any given day in the hopes of a particular flow will frustrate, often. For at least the short term, I would say that the flows won’t come close to blowing out even at the upper release levels. The higher flows can make some spots pretty much impossible to fish though, and (easy) access is somewhat limited. The suggestion about switch rods is good, as there is some decent opportunities for that, but if you really want some better odds ... go with Robby or Grady in a raft! They guide both the south and middle fork, and they know their stuff!
    JB
    "Lord help me to be the person my dog thinks I am"
    - unknown

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    1,193

    Default

    I grew up fishing the south fork and its tribs. Pretty good rule of thumb is if the access is easy dont have high Hope's. If it's less than a mile walk or 500 foot drop and climb many of the fish are taken.

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