fishsniffer.com - Steely newb on the American

BeefCakeScout

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Newbish

Posts: 23
Sacramenthole
Gender: male

Steely newb on the American
Nov 4^th, 2009 at 12:31pm

So this morning was my first steelhead expedition. I'm a bass striper guy, but I hear the steely's are good on the American, and since I live here now....might as well try. What should I look for? What time to fish?

I bought some cleo's at the warehouse at the instruction of one of the counter guys so i'm using them. Any other good lures/baits? Not looking for anyone's hole, just what I should look for to find my own.

Any good websites/books other than here? Thanks in advance.

Back to top

It's ok.....i've done this before

IP Logged

Nor Cal Drifter

Senior Member

Offline

Posts: 466
Gender: male

Re: Steely newb on the American
Reply #1 - Nov 4^th, 2009 at 1:58pm

Welcome to your new addiction! Grin

Books: anything on reading water is good for starting out. Orvis actually makes a good one...called "reading Trout Streams" or something like that. You need to be able to decipher what is going on beneath the surface. Also..any book by Bill Herzog at Amato Publications - (pick your poison...spoon fishing, color guide to Steelhead drift fishing, etc.)

Other sites: Piscatorial Pursuits.com - mostly WA and some OR anglers, but good info. ifish.net - mostly OR anglers, but also good info.

Back to top

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it."

IP Logged

BeefCakeScout

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Newbish

Posts: 23
Sacramenthole
Gender: male

Re: Steely newb on the American
Reply #2 - Nov 4^th, 2009 at 2:06pm

cool, i'll definitely look into that. My big thing right now is reading the water. I can spot a bass/striper hideout from a mile away, but right now, I could likely wade right past a steely and never know he should be there. For now I'm using my very limited trout knowledge. Would I be right to fish the bottom side if rapids,swift channels and ripples? I fished just below watt this morning, at the bottom of the ripples and at the base of the bridge.

Back to top

It's ok.....i've done this before

IP Logged

Nor Cal Drifter Senior Member Offline Posts: 466 Gender:	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #3 - Nov 4^th, 2009 at 5:18pm Steelhead need two things...cover and food. Find a spot that provides both and you are golden. Sounds like you were on the right path this morning...
Back to top	"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." IP Logged

trout_dodger YaBB Newbies Offline I Love fishsniffer.com Posts: 7	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #4 - Nov 8^th, 2009 at 6:44pm Does anybody know what the regulations for the American regarding motorboats are?
Back to top	IP Logged

ghostfish_slayer Yabb Moderator Offline also known as loften Posts: 4803 just around the corner Gender:	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #5 - Nov 8^th, 2009 at 7:07pm call dfg and find out for sure but right now i think the cable at ancil down is legal for motor.. before the upper river closed a week ago i think it was legal all the way up to the legal fishing areas around the hatchery.. i think that area opens back up to motors in march not sure on that as it has been a while..
Back to top	..put the wood to them.. IP Logged

Americansteel Gold Member Offline Fishless streak: trips Posts: 1019 Antelope	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #6 - Nov 8^th, 2009 at 8:17pm re-opens march 15ish
Back to top	IP Logged

gbslade Full Member Offline Posts: 168 Pioneer, CA Gender:	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #7 - Nov 9^th, 2009 at 8:11am Steelhead like the seams between swift and slower currents.
Back to top	IP Logged

ibanezax Senior Member Offline Put Down The Remote And LETS FISH!! Posts: 332 ElkGrove Ca Gender:	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #8 - Nov 10^th, 2009 at 7:35pm I would like to know more about fly fishing, is there any better place than another?? I see guys below Watt sometimes, is there a certain amount of river flow that would be better?? Thanks Ibanez
Back to top	IP Logged

Wishnbfishn Gold Member Offline A bad day fishing beats a good day at work! Posts: 1121	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #9 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 11:59am Go to the Kienes fly shop website. Lots of American River steelie chatter on those message boards. Wishn
Back to top	IP Logged

BeefCakeScout

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Newbish

Posts: 23
Sacramenthole
Gender: male

Re: Steely newb on the American
Reply #10 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 7:14pm

I found what looks like a great spot. Its a bottleneck, with some tree cover on one edge, then it all moves into slightly swifter water about 2-3 ft deep with some deeper slower channels in the middle. I've been throwing a couple little cleo's from 8-9 am with no luck. Should I switch to bait of some sort? I'm pretty new to this. I just sorta cast and reel through the current, bumping and drifting it now and again.

Back to top

It's ok.....i've done this before

IP Logged

jfitalia Senior Member Offline I Love The Fish Sniffer! Posts: 353 sacramento Gender:	Re: Steely newb on the American Reply #11 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 6:37am you may wanna try earlier or right at dusk.
Back to top	IP Logged