

California's Only Fly Fishing Report
That's Updated Weekly

Lower American River
FISHING REPORT
Updated - 9/17/26
Scroll down to links for up to the minute Stream Flows,
Lodging Information, Map and Fishing Regulations
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CLICK HERE TO SEE LOWER AMERICANRIVER
ACCESS MAP
CLICK HERE TO SEE PDF OF CDFG
SPECIAL REGS BOOKLET
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Current River Conditions 1840 CFS
(9/5/26 @ 8:30 am) and clear. Scroll down to link below to see up to the minute flows.
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Fishing Report-Fair:
We're still in the September doldrums however the Half-Pounders should be trickling in soon. As the Salmon arive so will the Half-Pounders. In past years there have been some nice hatches of Tricos at sun up in the flat water between Rossmore and Ancil Hoffman.
If you are unsure how to spot spawning Salmon and Steelhead redds click on link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVIol18qVM8​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Recommended Flies
Swinging - Winter Steelhead
Andy Guibord recommends swinging, Wooly Buggers, Caddis Poopa/olive, Bird's Nest/olive, Slump Busters #10, Zonkers #10, Silver Hilton and Intruders. If using a two fly set up, make sure one of the flies is an egg pattern.
On Top-Half Pounders & Smolts: Cut Wing PMD #18, Hackle Stacker Baetis #18 or #20, Hackle Stacker PMD #18. PMD Parachute #16, Trico Spinner #20, Drowned Trico Spinner #20, Adams Parachute #14,16,18, Elk hair Caddis #14, 16. #18 Olive Parachute (for BWOs)
Indicator Nymphing & Swinging-Adult Steelhead & Half-Pounders/Smolts: Bird's Nests #12,#14, Egg Patterns #12, Caddis Poopah #12, #14, Micro Mayfly/olive #18, Rubber Legs/black #8-#14, Prince Nymph #12, #14, SJ Worm/tan #12, Wooly Buggers #10/black, olive, rusty.
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Stripers: Clouser Minnows #1 Hook in white & turquoise/olive & turquoise/gray & white and yellow & turquoise or white and white & gray.
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Shad: Perdigons in Peacock and gold tinsel, Bloody Maria's, Firecrackers, American River Pinky, Green Weeney, Andy's Lipstick, Jeff's Jefe Early Riser (new) and more.
See Anadromous Run Chart at the
bottom of the page
Home
EASTERN SIERRA
Truckee River
Little Truckee River
West Carson River
East Carson River
West Walker River
East Walker River
Upper Owens River
Lower Owens River
Hot Creek
Crowley Lake
Pyramid Lake
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA
Upper Sacramento River
McCloud River
Hat Creek
Fall River
Pit River
Almanor Lake
Baum Lake
STILLWATERS
Lower Elevation Still Waters
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VALLEY TAIL WATERS
Lower Sacramento River
Feather River
Lower Yuba River
Lower American River
Lower Mokelumne River
Putah Creek

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