American River

Steelhead Fishout

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

 

Fishout Site:  American River sites to be announced.

Fishout Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Fishout Leaders:

Mike Susslin

Carmine Forcina

Phone: 916-652-7246

                916-682-7961

Email: Mike Susslin

          Carmine Forcina

Meeting Time:

Return Time:

6:00AM or when u can…Whenever

Meeting Location:  to be announced

Max. # Attendees: 12

Sign-up at Meeting, Jan. 2008

Directions:

Check with fishout leaders

Map: see below or www.mapquest.com

Website links:

http://www.theamericanriver.com/   http://www.arconservancy.org/

Fish:

Steelhead

Fishing strategy:

Wading

Wet fly

Tackle:

Rod Wt(s)

6-7-8+ wt. or Spey

Line

WFxF or sink tip

Leader

12 lb.

Tippet

10 lb.

Other

Split shot

Flies:

Pattern(s)

Hook size(s)

Egg Sucking Leech, Pettis Unreal Egg, Glo Bug, Egg, Lg. Nymphs

#12 - ? with BARBLESS HOOKS; split shot

Other gear:

Wading staff

Waders

Dress warm

CA Freshwater Sport Fishing License & Bay/Delta Stamp

Steelhead report card

Rain jacket with hood

Polarized glasses

Fishout Report:  Five adventurous souls braved the cool, fog shrouded waters of the lower American River early on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 to try their luck with the feisty steelhead that frequent these waters in the winter.

 

The water was very low and a little off-color, but very fishable. Not many fish showed, but three salmon were hooked by one member fishing near some redds. A variety of methods and flies were used, but no one was able to entice a strike from a silver bullet. The sun finally burned through the clouds at about 10:45 AM. All things considered it was a great day.

There will be a sign-up sheet at the January Meeting. The targeted fish will be Steelhead. These fish range from 5 - 20 pounds. In the past Alex Giannini reports he had days where every fish landed exceeded eight pounds! These fish require 12 lb test leader material. You won’t want to use anything lighter or you will consistently break off fish. You will need to use at least a nine-foot, 6-wt rod. Alex uses a 7-wt spey rod. As for fly lines, in most cases, you will want to use a floating line, but you may also want to have a sink-tip with you.

 

Fly selection can vary from traditional steelhead patterns, (egg leaches, lanterns) to nymphs. Nymphs work well and make sure to bring egg patterns. Bring plenty of split shot as the fishing is almost strictly on the bottom. A pair of polarized sunglasses will easily help you spot the fish. Don’t forget your waders, boots, and staff.

 

You will also need:

  1. 2008 fishing license

  2. Bay-Delta Enhancement Stamp

  3. Steelhead Punch Card

  4. $4 cash fee for entry into the park or your American River Season Pass

Contact Alex Giannini via email: freshwater_flyfisher@hotmail.com for more information.  Sign-up sheet will be at the January General Meeting.

 

Mike Powers demonstrates how it’s done in these photos by Kent Ripley taken below Sailor Bar in 2004:

  

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