Casini Ranch / Russian River / Duncan Mills

I'm camping with some (non-fishing) friends in a few weekend (Mid April) at Casini Ranch, which is on the Russian River near Duncan Mills.

any local knowledge on fishing that section of river?  probably won't bring my kayak, though will throw a few rods in the truck - any knowledge/info much appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian.

Shad. Downstream steelhead (very few showed this year though). Smallmouth and largemouth bass. Squawfish.

Might be a weird middle time too late for steelhead and too early for the others. Some ball head jigs with smaller plastics or a ned rig style plastic for the bass and squawfish. Small spinners and spoons for the steelhead. Standard Shad stuff for the shad.

Barbless artificial only for that time of year.

cool - thanks John

Shore fishing around there, I've had decent luck with smallmouth using spinners. Haven't had any success with steelhead no matter what season, but I'm pretty inexperienced with that target. Barbless hooks all year.

Fishing aside, we love kayaking there. Might be worth bringing just to get some nice paddling time.  I bring my kayak and SUP.

Love early morning coffee slowly drifting down the river.

It’s pretty easy to catch small mouth bass with the usual common bass lures/plastics (barbless).

The deep hole right above the campground holds some of the biggest squawfish that I've ever seen. Arm length, no exaggeration.

I didn't get a chance to fish, though I did do some hikes along the water - my first time along the Russian.  Water was higher than I expected, and moving well, color was a light/dirty green with low visibility.  It was obvious that water in that area was above it's banks recently.  I did not come across anyone fishing, though did see folks (mainly kids) walking around with fishing poles.  Looks like it would be a nice place to either walk the shore and fish, or kayak.