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.
I hear you there man. My physical condition has severely hampered my activities but I am going to try to head out today at least for a walk in the local state park.
Lots of open waters here but I just cannot physically get on them. Bummer.
Man, I hate to commiserate, but I’m in the same boat. What with hip surgery in August and ankle surgery last month, I can’t get out on any water at least for another month, and the way it’s going it may even be two months. New wading boots and reel for Christmas, and not way to enjoy them. The ‘shack nasties’ are definitely creeping up on me. Keep the faith boys at least the days are getting a bit longer.
Too much snow on the ground to hike back into the spring creeks. A pair of snow shoes would be handy. So I’ve been ice fishing instead. My first fish of the season was a 12" rainbow. Go figure!
We’ve had plenty of open water and reasonably comfortable temps around here the past week or so, and I’ve managed to get SKUNKED three outings in a row.
John
Well, on reflection, getting skunked is better than not getting out at all.
Every year since I was sixteen ( more decades ago than I’d like to admit ) there has been the next years fishing license in my stocking on Christmas morning. You need to clue the family in on that simple to obtain, inexpensive and most useful of gifts. Way better than the matching argyle socks and tie.
If my calendar is correct, then I’ve only missed getting out on the water four days since December 15.
This time of year, I tend to work the larger lakes, below 3000 feet. During these periods those bodies will have very light fishing pressure on them. If you have the equipment and a good working knowledge of fly fishing lakes for the various species available to us, the fishing can be spectacular at times.
East of sac-town, the upper section of the American, below Nimbus dam reopened, so you could try your hand at Steelhead.
Sections of the Truckee are open. ( get your snow shoes out ).
Pyramid Lake ( NV ) is open and it’s only going to get better as the days click off towards spring. It’s a day trip for me and you’re even closer, so no excuses.
There’s always Folsom for Landlock’s, Bow’s and Bass. Many other central valley and mother lode lakes are still fishing well, thanks to the mild post storm(s) runoff.
As you mentioned, the forks of the American above 49. I don’t know if you can get into Sugar Pine ( out of Foresthill ) right now, but you could ask one of the Placer County Sheriffs. Your choices are many.
Now if we start looking to the north, west and south of Sac-of-tomatoes, the number of options are astounding.
Hey Dave. We still need to go fishing together some time
I was just out at Forresthill and the snow has all melted. I’m thinking of driving there and then down Mosquito Ridge road to the Middle fork of the American. I’ve never been there so I’d be improvising for sure. Google maps make it look like the road gets pretty close to the river with a dirt road following it. Have you ever fished there? Is that the right access?
I’m counting the minutes till I can go home. I think I’ll at least tie some flies tonight. What the heck, I’ll go buy my license tonight. At least there’s no more “Delta” stamp any more.
[For the non-Sacramento fishing folks] We use to have a Sacramento Delta Fisheries stamp that was “optional”. However, the stamp was required for any river that empties into the delta all the way up to the first dam. Because some rivers aren’t damned for quite a ways there are certain places where you could be at 2500 feet elevation in the mountains in a river surrounded by pine trees and still technically be in the delta. From what I see on the Cal Fish & Game web site that stamp doesn’t exist any more. So there’s an extra several dollars I can save.
Well I did get out into the woods for a few hours this afternoon. Froze my butt off, didn’t see a darned thing nut a beautiful Cardinal and it really felt great to be out there.
The wind was blowing a little bit but I was hunting next to one of my favorite trout streams that is closed for the season. The sun was out in between snow flurries while the air was clear and cold. The stream was babbling away as it is not completely frozen yet. The water was clear as gin too. The beautiful color of the Hemlocks and Eastern White Pines was a wonderful contrast to the bare silhouette of the Maple, Oak and Shag Bark Hickory.
Snow on the ground, the babbling of the creek, the scent of the evergreens in the air…
Sorry, didn’t intend to ramble on so. Just thought I would share a wonderful afternoon with you.
I’ve fished a portion of the upper middle fork and while the fish can be a bit skittish, they’re not all that hatch specific in their feeding patterns. Yet, I favor our moderate to large rivers over our smaller streams and creeks, so during the warmer months that’s where I tend to be most days.
Lately, I’ve been spending a good deal of time chasing Land lock’s & Bows around " A " with weekly side trips to some of the other large lakes. I’ll save the are up around " B " for a little later in the year.
With the winter draw down - meaning lower lake levels, they’ve been pulling the docks out into open ( deeper ) water, which is scattering the baitfish that make those docks their home. Scattered bait, no cover for protection, plus the addition of a few ( drowsy ) planters, tends to draw in the real fish. All streamers & Hi-D heads off of six weights. Hey what the heck, it’s January 5th. - the molasses flows slow.
We may just get a chance to meet up this year,
Best, Dave
To those who might see this as hot-spotting these are vast tracks of land and public access points to lakes in our region. I’ve yet to catch a fish from either of those two parking lots. Thanks
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.
Wow, I had no idea there were so many folks in this neck of the woods
Looks like a lot of good places have been mentioned. FWIW, I’ve caught a number of nice wild bows just below the Iowa Hill bridge on the North Fork. DruLee, send me a PM.
You also mention the Yuba. I had a banner day there less than a month ago (matter of fact it was during our “snow in Sacto” days). The temp when we started was 27, but when the sun came up it was not too bad. I shared a drift with guide Dave Sloan (out of American River Fishing) and we had a blast. Got several of those Yuba 'bows to the boat and was rewarded with some fine fighting and acrobatics. Micro Mays and San Juan Worms under an indicator, or baetis cripples when they start hitting on top.
If you don’t want to do the drift, you can park at the Hwy 20 bridge and work your way upstream. I know several people that have done well there, although it can be a hit or miss (see John Scott’s posts :-D)
Mather Lake and Rancho Seco are pretty convenient too. Other lakes you you could also look at would be Pardee and Commanche. And hey, there’s Willow Hill Reservoir right behind Folsom High School.
I’m definitely more a moving water guy and love to hit the South Fork American all along Higway 50 starting at Ice House and moving up. And I cut my teeth on the North Fork Middle Fork outside of Foresthill. If you have any questions about access, just let me know.
One more thought (I keep thinking of all these incredible places)… Lake Clementine and bottom of the Auburn Ravine.
jburge - Bringing back some memories now. Fished all those places you mention but most before flyfishing. Took a fly tying class from Dave Sloan a few years back. Great kid, never got to fish with him.
Did you know there are bass in the river below Lake Clementine? Another lake that was my favorite for tubing was Foster. First lake in off the road to Boman Lake off Hwy 20. It is also any easy bank fishing lake around the dam.
>FWIW, I’ve caught a number of nice wild bows just below the Iowa Hill bridge on the North Fork. DruLee, send me a PM.
No Way!?
I have NEVER even seen a fish in the North Fork at Iowa hill. By the way. Did you know that as one of the new revenue generation ideas by the Governator the parking lot (the wide dirt spot by the side of the road) at Iowa Hill is now a Fee Area! It cost $10 per day to park there now. And it’s not just the parking lot for the campers and kyakers, They’re charging for the side of the road parking as well.
If some anarchist was to cut down the signs and fill the money box with expandable foam I wouldn’t be unhappy about it.
You’re right about Dave. I’ve done a number of drifts with him and also took a tying class with him. Great guy and really knows his fishing.
And nope, didn’t know about the bass below Clementine or around Bowman. Shoot, I was up in that neck of the woods just a month or so ago. Thanks!
DruLee,
I sent you some pix. You’re gonna laugh! And no, I didn’t know about the parking fee. Shoot, it’s a piece of dirt. Do you know how far up the road they’ll be checking?
>Shoot, it’s a piece of dirt. Do you know how far up the road they’ll be checking?
If you walk back up the hill towards the Pennyweight Bar trail head they have not (as of the last time I was there) started charging parking fees for that area. So you’d essentially park on the Colfax side of the river instead of the Iowas Hill side. But then you have to walk down the road. And perhaps more importantly, walk back up it after a day of fishing.
BTW, if you continue up Bowman Lake road past Fuller lake a few more miles there is a dirt road pointing towards “Grouse Ridge”. It’s a 6 mile dirt road but there’s a backpacking trail head and about 8 campsites up there. From that campsite it’s an easy hike down to Milk Lake which is stocked with trout. I’ve waded in and caught several trout there.
From Milk Lake the trail continues to 54 or 5 more lakes all in a row. All of which have trout.
You can also hike north and east towards Downy Lake, Glacier Lake and the 5 lakes area. Glacier and 5 lakes is a good long hike. But it’s Sierra back country at its finest.
[edit] I should add that it’s quite often snowed in until June or July. I’ve had to shovel snow off of the road in July just to get the truck through.
