Lower American River

 Kevin displaying a winter chromer on the American...

Flowing through Folsom / Nimbus dams and the heart of metropolitan Sacramento, the Lower American River can be a real surprise for many anglers with its year-round availability of gamefish.  Depending on the season, there could be Steelhead, Striped Bass, Salmon, and/or Shad swimming in the currents of this wonderful fishery.

Winter Steelhead

Around the New Year, we are greeted with the arrival of winter Steelhead.  From Jan. 1 through mid-March, there may be some of the season's largest Central Valley Steelhead in this river.  While most winter Steelhead will be in the 3 - 6 pound range, there is always the possibility to hook fish in the 10 - 15+ pound class.  There are both wild and hatchery strain Steelhead during this timeframe.  You will fish for these winter chromers on the swing while wading or nymphing from a driftboat.

Recommended Steelhead Tackle

• Nymph Fishing (primary technique): 6 - 7 weight single-handed rod (9 1/2 - 10 foot length), disc drag reel with 150+ yards of 20# backing, and a nymph/indicator taper fly line to match rod.
• Two-handed/Spey Fishing: 6 - 7 weight spey or switch rod, disc drag reel with 150+ yards of 20# backing, and a matching scandi or skagit head with tips.

Striped Bass

As spring arrives, most of the Steelhead migrate out of the river and head for the salt.  Crossing their path are the true giants of the American... the Striped Bass.  Beginning around March, Stripers begin to arrive in the river to spawn and feed upon the bounty of fry and smolt that hatched in the months previous.  From March through the summer, Stripers inhabit the American River and are an excellent pursuit on a fly rod.  While most Stripers will be "schoolie" size (2 - 5 pounds), there are also behemoth Stripers up to 20+ pounds that take up temporary residence in the American River.  The most effective means to pursue the Striped Bass is from a stealthy driftboat while fishing both topwater and sinking flies.

Recommended Striped Bass Tackle

• Subsurface Streamer Fishing: 8 weight single-handed rod (9 foot length), disc drag reel with 100+ yards of 30# backing, and fast sink tip (integrated [300-350 grains] or shooting head [T-14 or LC-13]) and/or intermediate tip [RIO Outbound Short F/I] fly line.
  
• Topwater Fishing: 8 weight single-handed rod (9 foot length), disc drag reel with 100+ yards of 30# backing, and floating line [RIO Outbound Short full floating].

Shad

Next, coinciding with the Striped Bass season is the Shad season.  The season for the spirited Shad is from May through July.  Fishing for these silver slabs is pure fun and we fish for them on swung or stripped flies.  These fish school up heavily in some areas of the American and can sometimes deliver non-stop action.  The Shad will range in size from 2 - 5 pounds.

Recommended Shad Tackle

• Sink Tip Fishing: 7 - 8 weight single-handed rod (9 foot length), disc drag reel with 100+ yards of 20# backing, and fast sink tip [200 - 300 grain] fly line