The American River

[Adam Grace]

I have been living in Chico for about 7 months now. I have fished the Feather River a few times but not as much as I once fished the American. Simply because of my proximity, I lived much closer to the American than I do the Feather.

I don't feel likeI have ever really figured the American out. But I rarely fished the "easy" way as to challenge myself. I hardly indo-nymphed flies for steellhead, I swung the majority of my flies. I fished for the grab! Even though I did not catch tons of fish, the fish I did catch were on my terms and the grabs were exciting.

I am reminiscing because today I found myself staring at a map of the American River during a shift at the Fish First fly shop. This gaze brought me back to some happy times. I recalled every place that I had ever fished and I remembered what the those places looked and smelled like. I found myself feeling homesick and missing my home waters. I have had some wonderful experiences on the American with my fishin buddies and even alone.

I used to fishing it's cold waters with my spey rod by myself in weather similar to today. Often early in the moring. I enjoyed rigging up my rod as the sun would rise and light the morning sky. I loved to watch the river's evaporation rise from the water's surface like whispy smoke. The sound of the soothing babble of the riffles and runs would relax me even more than the fishing. The sights and sounds of waterfowl and river wildlife such as deer are forever etched into my memory. The American river in the morning can be quite peaceful.

I used to sneak out to the river in the mornings before working at Kiene's and fish for a couple hours in this peaceful setting. I have not yet experienced such a relaxing way to start my day. Those of you who live near the American; you should fish an early morning or two if you have not already done so. As long as half of Sacramento is not fishing in "your" spot, it can be a wonderful experience

I will leave you guys with a few of my favorite pictures of the American.

Enjoy!









The American was a perfect local river to spey fish/cast.

I miss the American River and my Sacramento buddies!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Great message Adam.

I love that river for all the good times I have had on it over the past 40 years.

Mostly with some really fun people.

[MSP]

Good read Adam, so get your butt down here, it hasn't changed much and gas prices are going down

[Adam Grace]

Only if you write my English papers for me!

Maybe someday......if your lucky

[Frank Alessio]

Adam...... Go Fishing... You have quite mastered the art of Rhetoric...
Keep up the good work.... Frank Alessio

[Jasonh]

Nice post Adam. I love the American as well and is one of my favorite rivers to fish because it is so close to home. While it is a very tough fishery it can be very rewarding if you hit it at the right time. I have spent many ad days fishless on the American but it is so peaceful to be out on a amazing river like that right in the middle of a huge city. Now that i have become addicted to spey fishing, i apprecitae the American even more. It is a great river to use a spey rod when pursuing halfpounders and steelhead and while you not always be successful, those fish you do hook on the spey make it that much more worthwhile.

Striper fishing at 5:30 am on a beautiful june morning.

Jason Hartwick

[Bill Quinn]

Hi Adam,

You've become quite the renaissance man with your pictures and words. It's nice to see the Chico experience become a positive experience for you. Party on. Just kidding.BQ