As you hike down the trail  towards Gray Eagle Bar you will see a large pine tree on your right next to the path.

The picture below was taken about 30 yards after I passed the tree.

Just be aware that you are close to the side channel crossing once you pass the tree.

Grey Eagle Bar Pool - Middle Fork American River - Horsehoe Bar Preserve

Grey Eagle Bar Pool – Middle Fork American River – Horsehoe Bar Preserve

About 40 yards past this large pine you will see a path going down to the side channel.

At the bottom of this path is a rope crossing the river.  The movie below is Bob Schardt crossing the side channel.

Grey Eagle Bar Pool - Middle Fork American River - Horsehoe Bar Preserve

Grey Eagle Bar Pool – Middle Fork American River – Horsehoe Bar Preserve

After crossing the side channel you will see several large trees about 30 yards downstream.  Walk towards the trees below.

Once there you should be able to see the opening to the lower Gray Eagle pool and also the Gray Eagle run

which is about 100 yards long before it reaches the side channel entering the main channel.

Grey Eagle Bar Pool - Middle Fork American River - Horsehoe Bar Preserve

Grey Eagle Bar Pool – Middle Fork American River – Horsehoe Bar Preserve

Once you are on the main river you will see where the river widens with several fast currents and large swirling eddies on both sides of the river.  The fast current on the near side is a great place to nymph and swing flies. Frankly, there are numerous places to swing flies and nymph.  The far side of the river is a good distance which requires a Spey rod to reach.  The eddy on the far side is loaded with large rainbow that feed on the food that flows into the swirling eddy.  I have hooked many 20’+ rainbows swinging a black leach with a trailing Pheasant Tail.   The problem is once the get hooked they rise doing somersaults and tail-walking which makes it hard to keep them hooked.    There are also great dry fly areas providing the sun is not high in the sky.  If the sun is high you need to be deep.  Below is a picture of the area.

Grey Eagle Bar Pool - Middle Fork American River - Horsehoe Bar Preserve

Grey Eagle Bar Pool – Middle Fork American River – Horsehoe Bar Preserve

The Gray Eagle Bar run extends below this swirling pool for several hundred yards before it goes into a huge deep pool loaded with monster browns.

This pool is where I caught the 10 pound brown with Bill Carnazzo.

Grey Eagle Bar Pool - Middle Fork American River - Horsehoe Bar Preserve

Grey Eagle Bar Pool – Middle Fork American River – Horsehoe Bar Preserve


I hope this helps you as you learn to explore the various areas of the club downriver.

Tom Bartos