Stay updated on what's happening in our local fly fishing world by logging on to our "Kiene's Fly Shop Group" page.
click here to pay a visit
No membership required to post
IF YOU ARE VIEWING THIS ON A MOBILE PHONE SCROLL DOWN TO
BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR LINKS TO OUR COVERED WATERS
Lower American River
(800)410-1222
Home
EASTERN SIERRA
Truckee River
Little Truckee River
West Carson River
East Carson River
West Walker River
East Walker River
Upper Owens River
Lower Owens River
Hot Creek
Crowley Lake
Pyramid Lake
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA
Upper Sacramento River
McCloud River
Hat Creek
Fall River
Pit River
Almanor Lake
North Yuba River
Baum Lake
STILLWATERS
BAY AREA
TAIL WATERS
Lower Sacramento River
Feather River
Lower Yuba River
Lower American River
Lower Mokelumne River
Putah Creek
NORTH COAST
Trinity River
Klamath River
Russian River
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 1/24/23
Scroll down to links for up to the minute Stream Flows,
Lodging Information, Map and Fishing Regulations
Current River Conditions: 8620 CFS (1/224/23 @ 10:15am) and blown out. Scroll down below for link to up to the minute flow.
Fishing - Poor to Fair: Flows have come down by a lot but we're not getting much of any reports from wading fly anglers. We have however have had a few positive reports from guys that have been floating between Sailor Bar and Rossmore. Gear anglers? that's a different story as I've received two credible reports of some very good fishing between Sunrise and Sailor bar. I've seen the pictures of some very bright Steelhead to prove it. I'm told that Shrimp with a pegged bead are the ticket. Try a large black Rubber Legs, that's close enough. Fish are being taken along the edges.
For Half-Pounder Steelhead: Fish flies that mimic local AR bugs such as BWOs (#18 Micro Mayflies/olive, or Pheasant Tails), Caddis Larva (ie Fox's Poopah), #12 or #14 Soft Hackles or Egg patterns. Also productive will be swinging small streamers such as Egg Sucking Leaches, Intruders and Slumpbusters, Hobo Spey's and Andy's U-Name-It etc. Any pattern with some red on it will get the attention of fish.
Generally Recommended Flies
Click here to go to our Fly Catalog
Swinging - Steelhead: Andy at the shop recommends swinging, Wooly Buggers, Caddis Poopa/olive, Bird's Nest/olive, Slump Busters #10, Zonkers #10, Silver Hilton and Intruders. In this off color water. Andy recommends stringing a small bright red bead on the tippet so that it rests on the eye of the hook.
On Top-Half Pounders/Smolts: Cut Wing PMD #18, Hackle Stacker Baetis #18 or #20, Hackle Stacker PMD #18. Trico Spinner #20, Drowned Trico Spinner #20, Adams Parachute #14,16,18, Elk hair Caddis #14, 16.
Indicator Nymphing-Adult Steelhead & Half-Pounders/Smolts: Bird's Nests #12,#14, Egg Patterns #12, Caddis Poopah #12, #14, Micro Mayfly/olive #18, Rubber Legs/black #8-#14, Prince Nymph #12, #14, SJ Worm/tan #12,
Vinci's "Depth Charge Bird's Nest/olive, natural or black.
Stripers: Clouser Minnows #1 white & turquoise/olive & turquoise/gray & turquoise and yellow & turquoise, white & gray.
Shad: Bloody Maria's, Firecrackers, American River Pinky, Green Weeney, Andy's Lipstick, Jeff's Jefe Early Riser (new) and more.
See Anadromous Run Chart Below!
BOOK YOUR GUIDE NOW
Click here to learn about our guides and book a trip
Up to the minute Flows
Fishing Regulations
Book a Guide
Only 3 More Days !
About the Lower American River
The lower American River begins near the town of Folsom, CA (yeah, the same Folsom Johnny Cash sang about) where it flows out of Lake Natoma (Nimbus Dam) and travels 24 miles to its confluence with the Sacramento River in downtown Sacramento.
The riparian flood plane, on both sides of the river, is designated as the American River Parkway, which is one of the largest urban parks in the state. It’s a refuge from the stress of the adjacent two million person urban area. With only a short hop over a levee you find yourself in a pristine wilderness that has changed little in 150 years.
The American River hosts several runs of anadromous fish; half pounder Steelhead, winter Steelhead, (smaller and sexually immature fish), Striped Bass, and American Shad. Half pounder Steelhead appear in September and are generally spread out in the river. This is not a large run, but provide some fun fishing for these 18 to 20 inch fish.
The winter Steelhead begin to arrive in December (while the upper half of the river is closed to protect spawning Salmon) and build in numbers until February when they begin to spawn. Though a good population spawn naturally in the river’s gravel, most fish returning to the river are hatchery fish.
In April the Stripers begin to show in anticipation to their spawning in May. They feed on Steelhead. Shad and Salmon smolts that are abundant in the river at that time.
In late April the American Shad begin to arrive and build in numbers into May. Shad provide great sport for most fishermen through June though some of them actually hang around through the summer. Some Shad diehards fish dry flies for them in July.