Opening Day on the American River kicked off the new year on a strong note, with solid fishing throughout much of the system. Anglers were into plenty of smolts and half-pounders, with a legitimate chance of connecting with a quality adult fish mixed in.
Flows on January 1 were sitting around 4,600 cfs and have since bumped up to approximately 5,170 cfs. The river carried a light tint, averaging 3–4 feet of visibility, but fish showed little concern with the added color.
Bright live beads in the 12–14mm range were the clear producers in the off-colored water. For those covering water, swinging slightly medium to larger dark streamers also proved productive, especially in softer edges and walking-speed seams.
Fish are primarily holding in water moving 1–2 feet per second, focusing on transitional holding lies rather than heavy current or dead slack water. Despite the increased flows and color, fish remained aggressive and willing to eat.
Safety Note: Flows are expected to increase as water is released from Nimbus Dam over the weekend. Conditions can change quickly, so be sure to check current flows and river conditions before heading out, and use caution when wading.
Overall, it’s shaping up to be a promising start to the season with good numbers of fish in the system and improving opportunities as winter progresses.
