American River 5-27-08

CHUB and I arrived at the Howe Ave. launch at 6:26 to see Alfredo just getting ready to paddle off.
After some minor adjustments to CHUB's anchor system ( he forgot a crucial piece ) we were off.
Worked our way up to Watt Ave for one 16.5 inch striper I got on a black curley tailed leach.
Once at Watt CHUB and I anchored off and tried for some shad for nada. Al headed to the pumphouse a little below Howe for nada and CHUB scored a big fat nada.
The little striper was it for the day between the three of us.
Pics as follows:
The only fish of the day.
CHUB's MANLEY anchor 
A coyote in the square
CHUB chillin'

Man that river is pretty and the fish looks fat. What are the water flows on the AR? Looks a lot more mellow than the Stanislaus.

Jeff

Thats one healthy looking fish, looks like its got some shoulders!

I had a nice morning paddling the Mini on the river. Always enjoyable to meet up with Tote and Chub.
Like Mike said, I caught a big nada. What do you post when you catch nada? Scenic and wildlife photos!

Al

Bueatiful shots!!!

 Nice score on the phat Striper.....  On a Leach.... Really Kool...

Whaooooooooooooooo...! Way to go Tote. I'm glad that there's some life left in the AR. That's a fat one for sure.

Freddie

I appreciate the report guys! Been thinking of going back there, you guys make me miss it all the more.

Great report of another quality father and son trip with an NCKA hookup as a kicker!  When's Chub going to start posting his own?   

Awesome photos, Al!    

So has anyone made it past the Watt rapids in their SOT? Inquiring SIK minds want to know...

We went from Hazel to Watt a few weeks ago. Are the Watt rapids west of Watt?

Those shots sure look nice....thanks for shotting them fellas....i've always wanted to fish a river, that looks like that.  I should be all over it and don't know why I'm not? 
~Tote / Chub  ...I like the SagginNuts effect!   iMAYhaveTOgetMEaPAIR!

So has anyone made it past the Watt rapids in their SOT? Inquiring SIK minds want to know...

Been there. The water is fast but there are no rapids to speak of.
It was either DFG or the Parks and Rec that had 4 of their guys go upstream in an aluminum boat from Howe Ave while we were there. They retrieved an aluminum boat that got stuck in "the screws". I do not know exactly what the proper name for it is, but I think it is the fish collector at the Watt Ave bridge.
The current was fast and the guy got up against it and couldn't get it free.

Man that river is pretty and the fish looks fat. What are the water flows on the AR? Looks a lot more mellow than the Stanislaus.
Jeff

I do not know exactly what the flows were but it seemed they bumped it up a little after the Mem. weekend.
Don't be fooled by the looks of some of it. There are places that look totally mellow; big and wide. They are also only about a foot deep so the water really moves fast there. Overall it is an easy river to navigate sans one or two sets of rapids. One of them being the San Juan Rapids.

What do you post when you catch nada? Scenic and wildlife photos!

Al

SOP.....call it what it WAS!...a RECON-MISSION     

SOP.....call it what it WAS!...a RECON-MISSION

I'm loosing it..what was I thinking? It was a successful RECON-MISSION!

One of the ranger guys told me the release from Nimbus would be dropping back down soon.
Looks like it's actually going up for now.

Date   /   Time     REL SCH    
05/29/2008 01:00   1600 cfs   
05/29/2008 02:00   1700 cfs   
05/29/2008 03:00   1800 cfs   
05/29/2008 04:00   1900 cfs   
05/29/2008 05:00   2000 cfs   

The water just downstream of the Watt bridge, and under the bridge itself are Class I rapids. So yes, no real whitewater, but plenty of current. I estimate in the 5+ mph range. At least that's the way it was when I used to paddle that section of the river.

I asked if any one had made it up past the bridge, as I used to find it rather difficult to make it past that section, doing a lot of eddy hopping in order to make it upstream. I figure it took 10 minutes or so to cover about 150 yards. But by lining a kayak from the shore, it could be done in fairly short order, and with little energy expenditure.

Of course, all this was back in my paddle-not-fish days, So I'd like to get out on that stretch of the river again and see what's what. Now that the North Fork no longer runs through the diversion tunnel, another section that's calling my name is from Auburn down to Rattlesnake Bar. Smallie heaven I'm sure. But from what I've heard, it's Class III. Maybe not such a good idea to take the T160

Regards,
Scott