Lots of Steelhead in the Lower American right now

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think we are 'missing the boat' here.

I talked with someone today who was talking with a serious convention fisherman who told him he had caught 24 Steelhead above Watt Avenue.

He said they ran from 14" to 9 pounds.

I think we just need to get some serious people out there and really fish that river hard.

This is when the big winter run is coming into the river.

[DS18]

I am a beginner fly fisherman. I have a 10weight that i got for salmon and stripers in the american. Is a #10 to heavy for steelhead?

DS

[jbird]

DS

Nothing is too heavy for steelhead. Though you do take the fun out of it with a big stick. My advise is, dont let that detail get in your way of enjoying diving into steelhead flyfishing. Once you get into the sport and learn more about whats what, you can start picking up other gear. Flygear is expensive so just use what youve got until you really know what you need. My advise would be totaly diferent if you asked if a 4wt was adiquate for steelhead. I have had to explain several times to my wife, regarding buying new rods, flyfishing is a bit like golf. You cant realisticaly get around the golf coarse with just a driver, theres a right club for every situation. So is the case with fly fishing.....Then you'll discover the endless horizon of choosing lines for your rods.

Good luck, have fun and welcome to the sport.

Jay

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Hi DS18,

You could use a #6-8 weight outfit for Steelhead in the river if you have one in that size.

A #10 is pretty big but I would not let that stop me.

I would either go after them with the indicator/split shot/nymph/egg system or I would use a sink tip, short 4-6' 2x leader with something black and weighted like a #8 Boss or black woolly bugger or leech or marabou Spey fly/Popsicle.

I think it would be better early and late on the sunny days and all day on the over cast ones.

You can fish from Goethe Park downstream to River Park/Cal Expo area.

Drifting the river with a good drift boat guide would be the best way.

It is less than 3 weeks till the upper river opens.

[bruce mace]

Okay! Never fished the American for steelhead... but, that what I love to do. Got a drift boat, another steelhead buddy and a day off tomorrow. Coming from the bay area should we fish the American or Yuba? Suggestions for a drift of up to 10 miles? Shuttle? Put in and take out points? Lots of questions, I realize... but, maybe someone out there can set us on the correct path. Steelhead tomorrow!

[Jasonh]

Bill, your dead on. Not enough people target these steelhead until the upper river reopens which is later in the run. By then most of the fish are getting dark and preparing to spawn. There is some great steelhead water between goethe and paradise beach and i have hooked quite a few steelhead in early december especially around paradise beach. I wish i could be there now fishing for them as i would be outh there everyday. People need to get out there and fish and learn the river. The more you go, the more you will learn the river and where these flish like to hold. Give it a try and post a report.

Jason Hartwick

[Darian]

Hey Bruce,.... This forum is a litttle slow to meet your needs for a trip tomorrow. I'd recommend calling Kiene's, today for current info and help. You can find the shop's number on the home page...

[chapmag]

I have the same issue as DS18, but from the opposite direction. I just got back into the sport and bought a general purpose 5 weight rig. I've been wading on the American using primarily the indicator/shot/egg/nymph system and have had pretty good luck with the ~16" fish. What other methods would any of you recommend for a 5 weight?

[Jgoding]

I think a 5-6wt is good for the half pounders but anything over 20" I'm not so sure about. I know plenty of guys have probably landed adult fish on smaller rods but back in March some little chromer kicked my butt on my 6 wt. The fish had total control and just screamed on his runs and jumps. I think I lost my fish yesterday because back in my mind I didn't want to pressure him too much in fear of the fish taking off on a line screaming run on my 6wt. I was thinking of using my 8wt too but I just grabbed the 6wt figuring I wouldn't hook anything too big.... and I don't have a floater for it either.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

JG,

"Did you catch anything".........."No, did you"........

Where did that come from?

I laugh out loud every time I read it.