We had decided to fish Silver Fork, American River near Kyburz, Ca on April 24th. We traveled east on Hwy 50 for about an hour to get there on Friday evening, we just wanted a little looksee. Turns out the water was way to cold to fish, but it was a nice drive and allowed us to make alternate plans for the weekend.
Camping at Mineral Bar
It was a nice weekend to spend outdoors so we settled down at Mineral Bar campground. Once again east, but this time on I-80 to Colfax and then follow the American river to camp. Although small, Mineral bar is a popular recreation area. White water enthusiasts launch their boats in the day use area during the higher waters in spring and gold hunters pan, sluice, and scrape during the summer. The fishing is marginal says the fish and game guys, I would have to agree... I didn't catch anything. There are 17 or 18 camping spots that are decent to marginal and more poison oak than you can shake a stick at. There are two spots down by the river that would be great if you had a group that was big enough to fill two sites. I think they are spots 17 and 18.
Our campsite and a bit of the American River in the pics above. I don't think the pedal boat is ready for those waters... Fortunately Sugar Pine Reservoir is about 25 minutes up the road.
Kimberly is a froggy type and couldn't resist chasing this little guy down to show me. A couple more shots of the American River near Mineral Bar Campground.
Sugar Pine Reservoir
A link on one of my favorite blogs, Northern California Trout, led me to the Fish and Game trout planting schedule. Sugar Pine Reservoir was recently planted and sounded like a nice place to take the pedal boat.
We traveled via Iowa Hill road, I don't reccommend it for the faint of heart. Lots of twisting one lane road along a deep ravine with sections that have signs boasting 15% grades. Kimberly had to take a nap... Sugar Pine can also be reached by Forest Hill Road, a much tamer route. There is a campground but it does not open 'til late May.
There is a forest road north of the campgrounds that has quite a few unimproved camping sites. They will most likely be rowdy during peak season but always worth a look.
We ate dinner in the parking lot. Kimberly found another critter, a little california newt.
We had a great time on the lake over the next couple of evenings but watched every one else catch the fish. They were either casting needlefish, which we didn't have or anchoring at the mouth of the stream and throwing power bait to sit in the current. We had no anchor and can't use the trolling motor until we license the boat. We will buy or make an anchor real soon, the wind really pushes us around. We are going to be a fish huntin' machine when we get fully equipped and legal.
Until later,
Hi Guys. Boy, have I spent a lot of time in that area. Weekend after weekend in the American and Shirttale canyon gold mining. In all that time, I don't think I ever saw a fish except that little one that kept comming back for a ride through the dredge. Thanks for the plug. When you replenish your tackle box, add a couple of Kastmasters and a small Rapala in firetiger. Might help.
ReplyDeleteMark
You are an incredible resource Mark, thanks for the fishing tips! I bought a cheap goldpan and used a worn down spoon I found next to the river to scrape some gravel off the rocks. No gold, but found a lot o' lead pickers... Never realized how much fishing weight lead ended up in the river.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post and the pictures. That is some good looking country. I am very interested in how you outfit the pedal boat as it comes along.
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