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Thread: Jeff’s 2023 American River Shad Reports

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
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    23,837

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ephemera View Post
    Interesting pictures of California reservoirs in 2021 and now, including Folsom. After spending the winter chasing bones in the Caribbean I am looking forward to tussling with the freshwater tarpon. Tight lines!

    https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/cali...voirs/3199564/
    Amazing photos.........take a look. Thanks Ephemera.
    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........
    ______________________________________

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    The OV
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    490

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    Lake Orville seems to be the darling of all the photographers this spring- narrow canyons make for dramatic refilling pics. Still some room on Folsom, but it’s coming.

    The American was still COLD on Saturday. No real caddis activity yet, saw 2 but don’t think that means it has exactly turned on.

    Last year, my first shad at Sailor Bar was 4/13. I have a feeling it may be a little later this year…

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 2021
    Location
    Santa Clara
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    10

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    Quote Originally Posted by hwchubb View Post
    Lake Orville seems to be the darling of all the photographers this spring- narrow canyons make for dramatic refilling pics. Still some room on Folsom, but it’s coming.

    The American was still COLD on Saturday. No real caddis activity yet, saw 2 but don’t think that means it has exactly turned on.

    Last year, my first shad at Sailor Bar was 4/13. I have a feeling it may be a little later this year…
    Not to wish you any bad luck, but I’d bet it is a LOT later!

  4. #14
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Citrus Heights
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    Been scouting the lower river and the first time I went there on 4/1 the river was backed up from the Sac. The Sac dropped last week so I went back this past Saturday. The water had receded but left a layer of mud everywhere (I was slipping and sliding). It was still too high to fish. I stopped wading out at a couple of spots when I was waist deep and still standing in the bushes. Further upriver it was swingable. They should be showing up in a week or two.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Soquel
    Posts
    38

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    Really glad to see this thread again this year! Many kudos to Jeff C. for his scouting and sharing.

    Some grabby shad can't show up too soon for me. So far it has been a spring of far too few fish.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2021
    Location
    Woodacre, CA
    Posts
    12

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff C. View Post
    Been scouting the lower river and the first time I went there on 4/1 the river was backed up from the Sac. The Sac dropped last week so I went back this past Saturday. The water had receded but left a layer of mud everywhere (I was slipping and sliding). It was still too high to fish. I stopped wading out at a couple of spots when I was waist deep and still standing in the bushes. Further upriver it was swingable. They should be showing up in a week or two.
    Thanks Jeff! Really appreciate the updates!

  7. #17
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Citrus Heights
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    I went to the lower river yesterday and it’s still backed up so you can’t wade out enough to cast. Stopped by at the shop and talked to Andy who told me that he hasn’t heard of any reports of shad being caught on the Sac. It looks like that they might be late this year.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Citrus Heights
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    2,142

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    I just received a report from a friend that shad are at Freeport. Get ready because shad can travel up to 40 miles per day. The real problem with the higher flows is finding a spot where you can wade especially in the lower river.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    Granite Bay, CA
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    505

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    Jeff, that's great news! Can't wait to give it a shot when they come in. Can I pick your brain on flows and floating (vs. wading)?

    I just bought a drift boat (Boulder Boat Works River Skiff) and would like to use it on the Lower American (and Yuba). It'll be my first boat, and I've only commanded a drift boat once before. Therefore, I plan to get some lake practice before taking it on a river. I know some people advise against a low-side boat, but that is what I bought. I do not plan to take it on the Lower Sac as I feel that would be too treacherous, at least until I get more experienced.

    Any ideas on what would be a safe flow to drift the lower American (for a newbie), and when that might occur during this high water year? I was thinking of hiring Andy at Kiene's to do one float on the river with me. But it's a different game at different flows...

    Any thoughts on flows and floating the Lower American would be great.

    Thanks.

    PS I've fished it many times wading, but never floating.
    TroutSource.com
    we deliver the river

  10. #20
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Citrus Heights
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    2,142

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    Gristmill to Watt or Howe is the easier float right now for a beginner. In general you can get by on the American with a low side boat but there are a few areas that you need some experience on the sticks (Upper Sunrise Island, San Juan Rapids and Arden Rapids). Have Andy taken you on a drift from Sailor Bar to Gristmill and he will show you the ropes.
    Last edited by Jeff C.; 04-29-2023 at 06:43 AM.

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