Here we are in a New Year!! I would first like to thank all the friends and customers who gave Mike's Guide Service and SalmonSacRiver.com a chance to provide a fishing experience on one of Northern California's rivers. Hope that you all enjoyed your outings and we look forward to providing you with other river adventures in the future. What 2018 will bring to the table for anglers fishing for striped bass, sturgeon, salmon, steelhead, trout, and shad is uncertain, to say the least. Judging by the 2017 seasons for these species I would have to say another successful season lays ahead of us. 2017 was a all around successful year in the North State. This winter season of 2017/2018 has started of very dry and concerns of yet another drought year are starting to become the talk of all sportsmen. All we can do is sit by and hope that mother nature will see fit to bless us with much needed late season rain here in Northern California.

A typical sunrise photo this winter on the Sacramento River. Photo taken by Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service on December 28, 2017.

Until a significant amount of rains falls on the North Coast of California Mike Rasmussen owner of Mike's Guide Service will continue to fish the Sacramento River in various locations depending on the type of species sought after on that particular fishing trip. The striped bass fishing for schoolie type "taco bass" has recently kicked into action with the delivery of 86,000 steelhead juveniles that have been released into the Sacramento River at the Bend, Ca bridge boat launch facility, just up river from Red Bluff, Ca. Stripers in all sizes have moved up into the Sacramento River out of the California Delta. The smell of the steelhead in the river water has sent a charge of linesides into the entire Sacramento River system. Fresh schoolies of all grades are being caught on swim baits, rip baits, and small glide baits as the steelhead slowly migrate down river. With the very minimal flows on the Sacramento River the out migrating juvenile steelhead are being devoured by the striped bass in pinch points and natural funnels created by gravel bars on the Sacramento River between Butte City, Ca and the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam. WARNING..if u are not a everyday goer on the Sacramento River now is not the time to go launch your vessel and scout for these striped bass. The river is at record lows and is VERY difficult and dangerous to navigate at it's current state. A river guide that is actively fishing the Sacramento River in these low water conditions is recommended, if you want to get in on the striper action as of late. Billy Dreissen of Dreissen's Guide Service (530-520-3295) has been specializing in trophy style striped bass fishing trips and has extensive knowledge in the low water conditions, and has been putting multiple trophy style bass in the boat on every outing. Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service has been getting in on the action and is offering either a full day of striper fishing for any sized striped bass and steelhead and trout fishing trips up the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. Where steelhead and hefty rainbow trout are bing caught in abundance on every outing. Upon request the option is currently available to due a combination striped bass and steelhead/trout trip around the Red Bluff, Ca region of the Sacramento River. Rasmussen can be reached by cell phone at tel:530-722-8876.

Sacramento River fishing guide Mike Rasmussen holds up a keeper sized striped bass he caught on December 30, 2017 on the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. Mike was using a 1oz lead jig to attract these stripers.

Plenty of fishing opportunities currently exist in this new year here in Northern California and many beautiful days with stunning sunrises and sunsets start and finish your day spent on the Sacramento River. The days are short this time of year and spending all day on the river is recommended for optimal outcomes on your daily river adventures. Don't forget it is a new year and a new California Sport Fishing License is a must before engaging on any guided adventure with a licensed guide. So make sure to purchase online or at your local sporting good dealer. Hope to see you out there on the river in this new year. Tight Lines everyone!!!

Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen takes a photo of his Lowrance fish finder as a dozen quality striped bass appear on the screen.

Mike's Fishing Guide & Charter Service For Sacramento River Fishing targeting King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Striped Bass, Sturgeon, Shad And Trout the best Sacramento River Fishing guide and Sacramento River Charter on Sac River