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Lower American River
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FISHING REPORT
Updated - 9/18/22
Scroll down to links for up to the minute Stream Flows,
Lodging Information, Map and Fishing Regulations
Current River Conditions: 2450 CFS (9/23/22 @ 6:00 am) Scroll down for a link to up to the minute flows. Water is clear.
Fishing - Very Good & Improving: Capt. Andy Guibord reports that he's spoken to several customers who have been doing well catching Half-Pounders this week. The added bonus is that many of them have been catching a few small Stripers too. He said a black leach pattern did the trick. Cooler weather should stimulate more salmon migration and with them should be some half-pounders.
Those of you who fish the upper Sunrise area should have a look at the extensive stream modification that has been going on. We are all going to hae to re-learn that section of river this year.
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 etc. Any pattern with some red on it will get the attention of fish.
For Shad: Popular flies are, Ching's Bloody Maria, Ching's Firecracker, Andy's Lipstick, AR Pinky . . . Check our online catalog to see all of the patterns we have available
Generally Recommended Flies
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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: 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!
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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.