American River Fishing Report
The American River is fishing well right now, with half-pounders, some adult steelhead, and a few salmon being caught from Watt Avenue all the way up to Sailor Bar and the Nimbus Hatchery.
Both nymphing and swinging are producing fish. Swinging a sculpin pattern trailed by a caddis pupae has been effective, and my friend Jeff Ching has landed several nice steelhead on a brown Woolly Bugger swung on a floating line with a 10-foot sinking leader. Classic steelhead flies like the Brindle Bug, Assassin, Silver Hilton, and similar patterns are also working well. Anything “buggy” such as a Bird’s Nest in sizes 8–14 is a good bet.
For those nymphing, try running an egg pattern trailed by a tan or olive caddis and a small mayfly nymph like a #16–18 Pheasant Tail or Micro May. Don’t overlook worm patterns and Czech nymphs either. Remember, steelhead are just trout that spend time in the ocean before returning to spawn—so your favorite trout tactics still apply here.
Flows are currently just over 1,000 cfs, making for easy wade fishing conditions. Note that the upper section of the river—above the power lines crossing near the lower part of Ancil Hoffman Park—requires barbless hooks and closes November 1 through December 31.
If you haven’t fished the American lately, now’s a great time to give it a try. It’s a beautiful river with plenty of opportunity. Tight lines!
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