Fall 2009 Update

So its been a while since I've posted anything, and I'd like to say it is because I've been spending too much time reeling in huge fish, but the sad reality is that like most of us I need to do some work once in a while in order to support my fishy lifestyle! Luckily the nature of my job allows me to spend most of my time in the environment I love most. Not having the pressure of needing to hook fish has helped me gain some valuable insight and study closely some of the fisheries I love. I am pleasantly surprised at the amount of salmon I have witnessed on the American River while doing creel surveys for work. In the past few weeks I've seen hundreds of fish holding near the spawning beds just below Nimbus Hatchery in preparation for the spawn. It is encouraging to see a good amount of fish return this year and it gives me hope for the future of the fishery. As far as steelhead go on the American I am equally hopeful about the return this season. I have spoken with a number of anglers who have been hooking fish from 2-6 pounds and I expect to see more of that plus some larger fish as the season gets under way. Starting November 1st the river is closed from the hatchery down to the power lines at Ancil Hoffman Park in order to protect spawning salmon and steelhead but there are some great spots downstream that remain open and I look forward to visiting them in the coming weeks. Kayaking the river all summer has really helped me read the water and determine great holding areas to target steelies, so hopefully this new knowledge will pay off this season!

Russian River Float Trip

Yesterday a friend and I floated the Russian River from the 1st street bridge in Cloverdale down to his property along the 101 just before you get to Healdsburg. It was a scouting float so we didn't get much fishing done but we were able to find several areas that looked way fishy! I can't wait to get out and fish the river, although we'll have to work on the timing a little. The float was around 8 miles and with the river so low it took all day without any fishing! We'll figure out a way to cut it into 2 floats and then we should have time to fish all the good holes. The sad part about it is that there just aren't many fish in the system... just not enough water! People are still getting them here and there though. I spoke with a guy briefly at the launch yesterday morning who claimed his friend got two in the last week drifting glow bugs under an indicator, and a friend of mine who fishes the river quite a bit has landed three in the last week, one beefy 15lb wild buck, and two smaller hatchery hens. Word is that a big group of fish just moved up through Healsdburg so things are looking up for February! If we could just get a little more water in the system conditions would be almost ideal for the thick of the run.... oh well I'm crossing my fingers!

American River Update

The upper end of the river opened up on January 1 and we have been having some great action so far on the American. The new spawning gravel added by the DFG in 2008 is full of spawning salmon and steelhead and there are active fish all around the area, as well as active fishermen. Brian got up early for the opener and landed a few nice fish around sailor bar despite the heavy pressure. Even during the weekdays the river is getting pounded, but it is still producing fish. We have been landing alot of halfpounder types nymphing with caddis and egg imitations and some bigger fish swinging leeches. Here are some pics from my outing last friday. I only fished for a couple of hours and managed 2 nice fish. One wild male and a chromy hatchery female. Enjoy!

Steelies

I just spoke with a friend who was out on the American a few days ago and witnessed a lot of fish moving up the river. As we all suspected the rain has really set things off and we are expecting a good opener. My car blew a head so I will be stuck for a week or so with no fishing, but Brian will be out on the opener and I am expecting results. Hopefully we'll have some pics for you after the 1st!

Rain!!!

It was getting ready to rain when I left Sacramento yesterday afternoon to visit friends in Cloverdale, Ca. This morning I woke up to the patter of rain drops on soil outside. Went out to the river and it was already swollen and dirty. I think another push of fish should be on the way soon...

Float trip!!

Tomorrow I am making my first float trip on the American and I am stoked! Brought the pontoon out and getting ready to hit it up with a friend of mine. This will be a great opportunity to explore some new water and learn about the river, not to mention catch some chromers! Expect updates soon...

December Update

Hi folks!
Its been a while... finding a job has been a bit of a struggle. Maybe I should have stayed in Idaho!!! Oh well, on the bright side the half pounder action has been decent on the Lower American River which is only about ten minutes from my place in Midtown Sac. Made a visit to the fish hatchery last week up on Hazel Ave. and observed some beastly chromers in the ladder. Fish are here, just not too many yet. Man could we use some rain!!!!