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American River Fishing Guide

California

A Sacramento area river with spring shad, summer stripers, and winter steelhead.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to American River for steelhead, striped bass and american shad. The best months overall are Mar to May, Oct to Nov. In October, steelhead and striped bass are in season, and Pat's Rubber Legs, Egg Pattern and Intruder are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 60 miles (2 fly, 10 bait and tackle); the closest is Fisherman's Warehouse in Sacramento, 2 mi away. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. San Francisco Bay is 75 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Mar to May, Oct to Nov

In October

Steelhead, Striped Bass

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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F
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What You'll Catch

American River Species

Steelhead

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
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S
O
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D

Best: Oct to Apr

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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F
M
A
M
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J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

American Shad

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F
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J
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S
O
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D

Best: Mar to May

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

6 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Pat's Rubber Legs #4-10

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead

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  • Egg Pattern #8-16

    Fly

    Nymph · Steelhead · Indicator rig.

    Shop This Fly

  • Intruder 2 to 4 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Steelhead · Swung on a spey rod.

    Shop This Fly

  • Egg-Sucking Leech #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Steelhead

    Shop This Fly

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Steelhead

    Shop This Lure

  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Steelhead · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Steelhead

Fly 11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

American Shad

Fly 9 ft 6 wt rod, sink-tip or full-sink line, small bright shad flies.

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 lb line, shad darts or small spoons.

Matched to These Species

Gear for American River

Fly Rods

Echo Spey Rod

A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.

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Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line

Gets streamers down to fish holding deep in current.

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Fly Reels

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.

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Leaders & Tippet

RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet

Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.

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Waders & Boots

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Flies

Steelhead Fly Assortment

Egg patterns, leeches, and swing flies for winter runs.

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Within 60 Miles

Shops Near American River

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · California · 75 mi

San Francisco Bay

Striped bass from piers, flats, and the gates, plus staghorn and halibut.

Striped bass · Staghorn sculpin · California halibut