Got a bit of cabin fever here.
The holidays were awesome. But even with all the great parties, food, friends, music and conversation I'm feeling a bit antsy. I want to get out and fish.
It's the 5th day of the new year and I don't even have my new license yet. :(
Most of the rivers here are closed or in winter rules. Winter rules are fine (barbless hooks, catch and release, no bait, not treble hooks) because they fit a fly fishing sensibility. But I have to find rivers that are legal.
I've fished the North fork of the American and have never caught, hooked, or even seen a fish. The middle fork is open and it's suppose to have good fishing so I may have to drive there. The Yuba river below the highway 20 bridge is open but I'm not sure how good that stretch is.
So for you folks who know and fish the Sierra foothills east of Sacramento, Where should I go fishing this weekend? What flies and techniques should I be using for cold weather fishing?
Because Boy oh boy, I REALLY need to get the heck out of my cubicle at work and go stand in a river somewhere.
Sacramento and (north)east
Depends on what you are interested in. Strictly trout water or anything just to get out?
Already mentioned is the American River below Lake Natomas to the Sacramento River. Should be good steelhead, not sure when the Salmon run is.
Folsom Lake off the bank or in floattube in a cove. The east arm is the Silver Fork of the American River. Not sure where the lake ends and the river starts so check the regs. Off hand there is good access on Hwy 50 at the Ice House turnoff. Salmon Falls Bridge would be closer to the lake on the back end of the town of Folsom.
Lakes and ponds around Sacramento are always a possibility just to get rid of the shack nasties. Arden Pond at the east end of Arden Way, Mather Field Lake just outside the entrance to Mather Golf Course, Rancho Seco Lake south of Sacramento(seen a 13 lb bass come out of there). This time of year you could ask any golf course for permission to fish their water hazards(seen 7 lb bass come out of Cordova Golf Course pond in front of the club house).
I do have a special place off Hwy 80 at Emigrant Gap(not fishable now)that I would be willing to share info with the right person. Wild browns and haven't seen another person in this spot in over 20 years. I won't just throw the spot to the wolves tho.
I have lots of maps and things that I will probably never use again so if anyone is interested PM me and we can see what you might need.
Jerry
PS I am going to start fishing all of OR and whatever I can get too in WA this next year so I am going to be looking for info myself. Anything would be of help. I'm having hernia surgery in Feb so probably won't start fishing until April but info would help the shack nasties.