Fly Fishing Specialties Forum

My friend, Cora, and I needed to get a quick fix, so we went out to the Ponderosa Way access on the North Fork of the American River.  Our options were limited because Cora's special order Simms G3 waders did not come in.  We were going to have to "bank it" and "rock hop" our way.

Cora and I decided to fish the downstream section below the Ponderosa Way Bridge.  There were only a few runs followed with a lot of flat water within the mile that we fished.  Would we get a Smallmouth Bass or a Rainbow Trout?  We'd make a few drifts and see.

It was challenging fishing.  On Cora's first pass, she couldn't hook up.  On my first pass on the next run, I hooked up.  The 12 inch Rainbow took a #16 beadhead Hare's Ear Nymph at the end of the drift.  At first, I thought it was a larger fish until I reallized that I was using my three weight.  It made a few jumps which made the fight more exciting.  I quickly brought the fish in and released it safely.  We fished a few more runs then called it a day with only one fish to hand.

The North Fork of the American River is considered a wild trout stream by the State of California.  It is not stocked.  There is a self sustaining population of trout, but it seems that is spread thin throughout the system.

Over the years, the fishery has been fishing slower.  It can be attributed to a bunch of factors.  During the trout season months, standard Sierra District trout rules apply.  Anyone can fish using any angling technique and take home five fish.  There were two flood years that scoured the bug life followed by a few drought years.  On a positive note, the bug life is back.  There were plenty of Blue Wing Olives that evening.

The North Fork of the American River is fishable year round.  When trout season ends in November until the trout opener in April, winter rules apply.  Only artificial lures with barbless hooks can be used.  The river is a strict catch and release stream.

-- Edited by FFSDenny on Thursday 19th of November 2009 07:44:44 PM