American River

Fished the mouth of the American today ( 10-1 ). Anchored above the zoo along the color line and jigged with no luck.



Pulled up and changed to an RSK and started heading up river when I saw Alfredo pull up the the launch under the bridge. I paddled over and met Al. Great guy! We worked up river, Al with a Quickfish and me with my RSK. No luck. We headed back the the zoo of boats and drifted through and along side of them. I think all the anchored boat owners were a little envious of our mobility and ability to thread them like a needle. Still no fish though. I only saw one fish caught. Seemed everyone was jigging a Gibbs minnow or the like.
Even though we didn't catch anything, I had a GREAT time. Meeting Al was worth the trip down the hill in and of itself.

I would have joined you, but mornings aren't really my thing.  I did, however, get out from 4-6pm.  Trolled with kwikfish from Broderick to the confluence.  Anchored below the confluence and let the kwikfish work its magic, which was lacking today.  No fish for me or anyone I saw.  So sad.

I might head out again tomorrow afternoon depending on the weather.

Later,
Stallion

Thanks for the update.  When this heats up, I gotta try it.

I had a fun morning fishing the river with Tote 10/1/05. Too bad the fish weren't ready for us yet. Trolling up the American was easier than I expected. The river is wide there and the current isn't all that strong. I could feel the difference when I paddled out into the Sacto past the color line.

Launch and take out was a breeze at the Jibboom bridge ramp, no trailer traffic. Tote was a little bolder than me. I sat back and watched him thread his yak between the anchored boats at the color line. All those people had there eyes on us as we freely trolled the area. Also had to keep an eye on some of the bankers. One of them could cast out to middle of the river.

Bring on the Salmon!

Thanks for a fun morning Mike..look forward to going again.

Other photos in album

Tote with Disco park in the background


Working the line.


Boats lined up

Am I the only one who doesn't know what you mean by "the colorline"?   What is it's significance?  This freshwater stuff is new to me.
Thanks.......
Pat

Normally rivers or creeks have different color water from the amount of sediment or algae in it. When they flow into one another the water stays separated for awhile before mixing and becoming one. Very apparent during a rain when the smaller creeks mud up faster or some time after when the smaller creeks clear faster. Salmon and Steelhead often hang out near these lines. I would guess to hide in the darker water, they may also get confused trying to decide which way to go. Another reason could be the diff. temps,or maybe it's just a contour to follow. A lot of times when the river is muddy the clearer water coming from a creek is the only spot to fish.

Same thing happens in saltwater from temp, depth,nutrient level, salinity and where rivers and bay meet the ocean or each other.

Sacramento and American River color line at Discovery Park.

The American is the cleaner water on the right.

I will have to join you guys next time.  I work like 10 minutes from discovery park.

I'm up for a river salmon run. I too did not know what a color line was.  what did you jig with?

Mike

Please keep us up to date. My wife has been beggin for me to bag a salmon.