Scouting the Electra run on Mokelumne/ Running class 2 and 3 in the Coosa

Last Monday a friend and I decided to scout out the Electra run on the Mokelumne for fishing. The run is just outside of Jackson and it starts on Electra Rd. near the PG&E powerhouse, and ends at Middle Bar Rd Bridge where East Bay Mud has made a nice takeout facility. During the drive up Electra Rd. you can scout out all but 1 rapid. There were only 3 major rapids and a bunch of decent riffles with minimal consequences. All the rapids along the way were able to be portaged, and I highly recommend stoping and looking at each drop before you run it. If not you will not hit the right line and end up swimming or running into rocks. The biggest rapid is just below the Highway 49 bridge and it has some serious drop. The nice part was once you shot the rapid there was a big run out to collect gear if you flipped. Again this rapid could easily portaged. Between the holes there is lots of great fishing water. Long riffles, holes, and tail waters that are sure to hold some nice trout. The best looking holes to me were below 49 and after the big rapid. There were some really nice ledges and deep pockets. I saw one trout roll that had to be 20+ inches. All and all it was a really nice run with lots of great paddling and fishing. If you want to do this section I would highly suggest taking an into to currents class, or white water 101. Also do it with a friend. This makes the portages easier and running the rapids much safer. Use the shortest sit on top you can, or get a kayak designed for running white water. I use the Jackson Coosa, in moving water and it handled every rapid with ease and it has a really nice deck layout for fishing. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day.

Nice shots Dan! That looks like scary fun to a novice like me. I wanna go. I wanna go.

You are a bad ass dood!!!

Man that looks fun!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Very cool!  Clearly not a place for us pedalers.  Thanks for sharing.
Martin

Nice shots Dan! That looks like scary fun to a novice like me. I wanna go. I wanna go.

Ocean skills would transfer over. And like I said you have the option to portage any of the rapids. Do you have an old drifter? 

Dan, do you guys guide trips like that?

That is bad a$$, thanks for sharing. I want to go on that trip, if you are guiding!!!

I've ran that in my lake kayak and I went swimming on every rapid. Only small fish until you get close to middle bar. It hasn't been planted since before 2005. I'm buying a coosa this week and that's going to e my first run with it

I've ran that in my lake kayak and I went swimming on every rapid. Only small fish until you get close to middle bar. It hasn't been planted since before 2005. I'm buying a coosa this week and that's going to e my first run with it

There are some big fish in there.  When we were electrofishing for a kokanee spawning survey we rolled some 4+lb trout.

Nice, have you guys ever been above the powerhouse? I've hooked in some big bows and browns their.

I have walked/waded up there, but never electrofish.  It sure looked fishy though.