I fish the upper reaches of the North Fork of the American river two weekends ago. It was a section of the river about five miles above the Iowa Hill Rd Bridge after the turn off at Colfax on the way to sugar pines reservoir. I had fished the area at Christmas but a lot has changed since then, entire trees have been ripped up and stacked 20 feet up the river bank, its very impressive what the power of water can do! The river was still extremely high but the water was gin clear and I didn't see a single fish! Not one, normally you would see a splash, a v-line of a back or even a shadow darting across a pool but.... nope, zip, nadda. I'm wondering if the majority of fish got pushed further down the river with all the water and debris movement due to the rains over the last two months.
I see a lot of people fishing downstream of the Iowa Hill bridge, does any one have any experience of fishing this area? Although its only five miles from my usual fishing location it can make all the difference in the numbers of fish that can be sustained. I can only hope the fish move back into the area as the weather warms up and the flows decrease. Its a great place to fish if you are looking for solitude and an entire river to yourself.
Also got to see my first hummingbird up close, unfortunately the poor wee fella had a broken wing.
Regards,
Denis
__________________
Fly fishing is so enjoyable, it should be done in bed.
Those exact thoughts crossed my mind, those cheek feathers were completely iridescent and almost metallic. However, after I administered the "coup de grâce", I felt particularly bad about killing the little fella (although it was the humane thing to do), so I left him intact for some other animal. Plus, the better half was having a hard enough time dealing with me dispatching the bird in the first place and I think it might have been pushing it a bit if I started to pluck it or if I cut off the cape.
Rgds,
Denis
__________________
Fly fishing is so enjoyable, it should be done in bed.
I have fished the Yankee Jim Road area of the river, as well as Shirtail Creek, which empties into the river right at the Yamkee Jim Bridge. Shirtail can be great, lots of small fish with the occasional 12+" fish as well. The NF American can fish okay, never got much there.
Shirtail is public access for about 1 mile upstream from the NF American. A guys has a mining claim and private ownership of land upstream from here. He guards his property rights rather vicariously, but will allow you to fish his property for $25. There is some very good fishing on his property and he's really a nice man.
I fish the Iowa Hill and Pondersa Way accesses. Bring your standard fare of Sierra trout flies. My catch rate is not the same what it used to be. I seem to be catching more Smallmouth Bass than trout. Don't get me wrong. The trout are there, but they seem to be spread out. Just look for the troutiest looking water.
