Fishing Notes:
The Rubicon River and Ralston Afterbay Reservoir (Oxbow Reservoir) are located in a remote section of the Middle Fork of the American River watershed. Make sure that you have plenty of water, gasoline, food and emergency supplies when you travel in the canyon, since there are no services available once you leave Foresthill. It's a good idea to always fish with a partner when pursuing trout in the canyon.
Rainbow and Brown Trout provide anglers with good action on spinning and fly gear throughout the year on the Rubicon. The American River North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork and their tributaries, including the Rubicon, are subject to special regulations from November 16 through the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used during this period. From the last Saturday in April through November 15, the bag limit is 5 per day 10 in possession. The top fly patterns include stonefly and mayfly numphs and stick caddis. The best dry flies are attractor patterns such as Royal Wolffs. Elk hair caddis patterns are productive above Ellicotts Bridge.
Ralston Afterbay is a sleeper fishery for wild rainbow and brown trout at times. The area below the Powerhouse yields good fishing when the facility is running. Anglers should use Power Bait, Nitro Bait, nightcrawlers, spinners, spoons and an array of flies. Trolling with minnow imitation lures and worms behind dodgers can also be effective.

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