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!