I went camping the past couple of days with my wife at Silver Lake. I did a little bit of fishing but not in the lake. The fishing was done in the Silver Fork American River. I landed over 30 fish, all browns. The biggest fish I saw was about 14" long. I hooked a couple that big, but the biggest landed was 12". Most of the fish were between 4"-10". The bigger fish were further from the campground, but I didn't have much time to venture very far. All of the fish were landed on dries. Most were landed on #16-18 Elk Hair Caddis. A few were caught on a #14 black beetle, and a couple others took a #18 black Parachute Midge Emerger. There were tons of stoneflies, caddis, and mayflies in the evening. The air was seriously full of bugs. Most of the stoneflies were little yellow stoneflies, though some were huge (salmonflies?). I also saw one little black stonefly. Most of the caddisflies were about #16, though some were a little bigger and some a little smaller. The mayflies were pretty big. I would guess they were about a #12. After fishing Putah, where the biggest mayfly I've seen was about #16, those mayflies were massive. I didn't have anything to imitate a mayfly that big. I kicked myself for not having any ant patterns. There were tons of ants up there. One of the fish I caught had an ant in it's mouth. One disappointment was Squaw Creek, a little creek that flows into Silver Lake. It was full of brookies about 10 years ago. I hiked up the creek pretty far and only saw 3 tiny fish. The creek looked perfect, just without fish. I don't know if someone wiped out all the fish or if a couple of dry seasons have cut back the population. A plus on the trip was a pair of bald eagles we saw while kayaking in the lake. One flew past us towards shore, circled once and dove, bringing up a little trout. That was too awesome!
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Silver Fork is a nice little creek, and it really is worth the hike down from the lake. The water is so clear you usually have to sneak up on the fish from downstream on hands and knees, full camo, and you get just one shot before you are busted. Your presentation skills are tested beyond your wildest nightmares. 3 wt. is an ideal rod, and definately bring the ants. . .
I used a 7'6" 3wt rod on this trip. It is a perfect rod for this little river. I couldn't do much false casting. There is room in most places to false cast, but as Yukon Mike said, the fish spook too easy in the crystal clear waters. I want to make it back up there in the next month or so to do some exploring. I know there are some nice browns in that river.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I believe I fished there just off HWY 50 at the bridge where you turn off. Was up there last weekend. Fished for 45 minutes right at dark and hooked 8-10 browns - biggest to about 10 inches. Got them all on a yellow stimulator about size 14. Acutally, caught a few on a mayfly dropper too.
Hey J.T when i was at the silver fork a few weeks ago one evening a big hatch of those huge mayfly's came off, I know what you mean those things were huge. I want to fish the south fork american along hwy. 50 soon anyone know if thats a good river to fish, looks awesome from the road and not to far for a day trip or a one nighter, seems most info. i find on that river is about whitewater rafting.
I've heard the South Fork doesn't fish all that well. I fished it twice about ten years ago and didn't catch anything. My friend landed a couple of small rainbows, though.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Fished South Fork last month for a decent time. The fishing was OK, with lots of caddis activity at night. The golden stones were the ticket during the day in slower pools. Landed 3 and LDR'd what looked to be a 18" brown. All on golden stones.
Wanna try silver fork though. If anyones headed out there give me a holler.
