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Thread: Small Wild Steelhead on the American

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Sunnyvale
    Posts
    62

    Default Small Wild Steelhead on the American

    Fished Sat, first pass through the run was with a Muddler.

    Second pass I tried a new Commando Groove (intermediate) head and a rabbit strip brass eye 3" sculpin. I wasn't sure how it would work on a 12'8" rod, but was easy to cast and turned over the fly.

    No fish where I thought one would be, but I decided to swing down the run until I hung up. 2 swings latter the line came full stop, the rod bent over and the fish leaped straight up.

    Mark H.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Amer. Wild Steelhead 20201107 (2).jpg 
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ID:	16257

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    vacaville ca.
    Posts
    629

    Default

    Thank you Mark, Headed out there Wednesday if everything Lines up.

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

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MHeuch View Post
    Fished Sat, first pass through the run was with a Muddler.

    Second pass I tried a new Commando Groove (intermediate) head and a rabbit strip brass eye 3" sculpin. I wasn't sure how it would work on a 12'8" rod, but was easy to cast and turned over the fly.

    No fish where I thought one would be, but I decided to swing down the run until I hung up. 2 swings latter the line came full stop, the rod bent over and the fish leaped straight up.

    Mark H.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Amer. Wild Steelhead 20201107 (2).jpg 
Views:	754 
Size:	144.5 KB 
ID:	16257
    OMG......so beautiful Mark........I think many here are missing this opportunity right in town?
    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
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    18

    Default

    Beautiful fish. I went out 3 or 4 times last week with no luck.

    Hoping this rain will push some more fish into the lower river.

    Also the upper section of the river is opening up, this should produce some good fish but also produce many many many other anglers..

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

    Default

    Jan/Feb can be top months for the big adult Steelhead.

    March/April can be good for small adults and some spring Half-pounders with no flooding.


    Below the first dam on many valley rivers is a good spot for spring steelhead and resident Rainbows.
    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........
    ______________________________________

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2020
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Kiene semi-retired View Post
    Jan/Feb can be a top month for the big adult Steelhead.

    March/April can be good for small adults and some spring Half-pounders with no flooding.


    Below the first dam on many valley rivers is a good spot for spring steelhead and resident Rainbows.
    Below the dams will be a hot spot for fun fish no doubt...but navigating the crowds there...not so fun.

    How unlikely is it that the lower American can produce the same numbers of quality fish as the "popular" sections up near the hatchery?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

    Default

    In the past during low water a bunch of winter steelhead spawned down near the Log Hole.
    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........
    ______________________________________

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Sunnyvale
    Posts
    62

    Default

    Because there seems to be so few places for a wild fish to spawn on the Am. (especially where they won't be harassed), I was very surprised to run into one.

    Hatchery fish, as I understand, tend to make a quick run for the hatchery. Given there are so few these days, it is really matter of being out there on the right day, and luck (plus a 1000 cast). I suppose these rains are our best chance, for the stars to align.

    Mark H.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    O'vale Ca., Estes Park Co.
    Posts
    131

    Default

    Kind of cool what they have done to the new ladder at the hatchery.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Granite Bay, CA
    Posts
    505

    Default

    Last year I fished mid-river every weekend from August-June, and didn't get skunked once. This year I've only fished twice (last weekend, and several weeks ago), and got skunked both times. The first time I at least LDR'd one, but nary a hit last weekend (maybe because a front had passed throught the day before). I started seeing some BWO's coming off around noon but had to leave. Besides that, all I saw were some micro micro midges, maybe size 34 or 36. November/December have often been the slowest months for me. But I thought last year I had cracked the code. I'm hoping it picks up soon. Last year was actually great for me. Around March, I think, there was an unexpected surge of 20" fish. Then when the shad came through I couldn't keep them off of the hook while fishing a Frenchie for the steelies/halfpounders. One great thing about fly-fishing is that it's an ever-evolving mystery that begs to be solved but never is.
    TroutSource.com
    we deliver the river

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