American River put in ?

Don't want to get in over my head , literally ! Where can I launch on the AR that I can paddle upstream or downstream and paddle back to my original put in ? This river is new to me with the exceptions of the two craziest spots , Discovery  Park and Nimbus Basin and I'm steering clear of both ! Want to do some salmon fishing . 

Howe, Watt, Sunrise(barbless) all will work for launching and your objectives.

Gonna have a tough time goin' upriver from anywhere but those slow spots, but the Watt bridge and the Howe Ave. boat ramp are easy put-ins.