Have an insatiable thirst for knowledge?

​

We offer instructional clinics on every aspect of fly fishing

​

Fly Tying

Casting

Tours of Local Waters

Private Lessons

FISHING REPORT
Updated - 6/15/21 

Scroll down for up to the minute Stream Flows,
Lodging Information, Map and Fishing Regulations

​

SIGN UP FOR OUR 2021 SHAD DERBY THAT STARTS MAY 1st

​

Current River Conditions: 1790 CFS (6/15/21 @ 7:05 am)

​

Fishing - Good:  Shad is about over though we still are getting some positive reports from the die hards.  Most of the fish are spawned out.  This is not a bad time to start paying attention the the Stripers that are following the Shad. 

​

​

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. 

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  

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

​

Shad: Bloody Maria's, Firecrackers, American River Pinky, Green Weeney (and more)

​

See Hatch Chart Below!

See Run Chart Below!

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.

RUN CHART - LOWER AMERICAN RIVER