American Shad, Rainbow Trout, in combination with early morning and late evening top water Striped Bass action have been on the daily agenda for fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service. As the river guide focuses his efforts in Tehema, Co on the upper portions of the Sacramento River. With the arrival of the American Shad it is safe to assume the post spawn striped bass are never far behind. The linesides always quick to exploit a easy meal! And getting a striped bass over 10 pounds can be hard to do while they focus almost solely on the American Shad. The smaller more edible stripers under 30 inches on the other hand, are very aggressive and willing to explode on top water baits like the "spook" or Lucky Craft's "sammy". The rainbow trout on the Sacramento River! Well they are always willing to bite and provide solid action, and colorful photo opportunities. All these things making for a diverse and action packed day on the Sacramento River here in Northern California.

A still shot of a hook-set on a keeper striped bass on the Sacramento River near Los Molinos, Ca on June 17, 2018. Early mornings and late evenings!

American Shad are not only fun to catch, but also visually stunning when brought into the sunlight! This shad was caught on the Sacramento River in downtown Red Bluff, Ca on June 7, 2018.

The American Shad fishing has again not disappointed this year! Total run size is unknown exactly. But it is safe to say there is a "shit load"!! As fishing guide Mike Rasmussen put it. After his first week in June fishing for the hard fighting free spawners. Large female shad upwards of 25 inches were common over the first week in June. Prior to the aviaval of the smaller more abundant males. Daily fishing trips when split up into a combo trip, with either Rainbow Trout, or Striped Bass, have been producing over a dozen fish a rod. Fishing for these gnarly little fighters is expected to continue into early July. Fly fishing will become exciting shortly after the spawn when the shad start eating the "spinners" at every hatch!

Several following American Shad are in hot pursuit of the one that is on the line. A common occurrence when fighting a shad. This picture was taken by Shawn Chen Flading "Chenzo" on the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. His guest for the day… — Several following American Shad are in hot pursuit of the one that is on the line. A common occurrence when fighting a shad. This picture was taken by Shawn Chen Flading "Chenzo" on the Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. His guest for the day, the owners of Hi's Tackle Box www.histackleboxshop.com in San Francisco, Ca were in on all the action.

This photo of a hooked-up American Shad is a screenshot off a GoPro shop.gopro.com staged under water at the fishing spot on the upper Sacramento River. Live underwater action of the shad in their natural environment were caught on this video. … — This photo of a hooked-up American Shad is a screenshot off a GoPro shop.gopro.com staged under water at the fishing spot on the upper Sacramento River. Live underwater action of the shad in their natural environment were caught on this video. Photo credits are to Shawn Chen Fading. Great work!!

The Sacramento River Rainbow Trout are not paid attention to, or credited for the amazing and widespread action these fish posses through the upper Sacramento River from the Red Bluff Diversion Dam in Red Bluff, Ca to Caldwell Park in downtown Redding, Ca. Almost all credit, when talking about trout fishing on the Sacramento River is given to Redding, Ca. Particularly the down town Redding, Ca portion of the Sacramento River . And rightfully so! Redding is where the phenomenal rainbow fishing took off and grabbed hold. Putting roots in the Redding, Ca as a trophy rainbow trout fishery. For those anglers who enjoy catching and releasing these beautiful and chunky Northern California rainbows. They can be found extensively throughout the entire stretch of river from the Diversion Dam in Red Bluff, Ca upriver to Redding, Ca. This week while on a multi species fishing trip on the Sacramento River with Mike's Guide Service, Dave Schlome, a local educator here in Northern California got some education himself when it came to the abundance of nice chunky and healthy rainbow trout. He was fortunate enough to be catching in downtown Red Bluff, Ca. Dave's own back yard! While Dave is used to being the teacher most days, he became the student this particular day. Dave learned how to target these epic and hard fighting rainbows of Tehema County. Typically naturally cured salmon roe in a small "dime shot" sized pieces. With the addition of a pink or orange puff ball is all you need to cover the bait department. Although at certain times the rainbow's interest can be sparked over a single mini crawler, or a meal worm/cricket combo. Dave's first attempt with fishing guide Rasmussen was quiet the eye opener as the pair of anglers hooked quality rainbow trout to 21 inches in their first dozen passes in downtown Red Bluff, Ca.

Fishing Guide Mike Rasmussen holding this beautiful wild rainbow trout caught in downtown Red Bluff, Ca last week on the Sacramento River.

The Sacramento River also produces smaller summer run steelhead which put up a arial display of acrobatics when hooked! This is a hatchery steelhead produced by Coleman National Fish Hatchery on Battle Creek near Cottonwood, Ca.

Oscar Nerey from Corning, Ca holds up a wild rainbow trout he caught on the Sacramento  River in early June, 2018 while fishing with friend and fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service. — Oscar Nerey from Corning, Ca holds up a wild rainbow trout he caught on the Sacramento River in early June, 2018 while fishing with friend and fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service.

These combination trips will run until the Sacramento River salmon season opens on July 16, 2018. When of course the salmon season schedule takes front seat! Great news this week out of the salmon fleet fishing the opener out in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Where limits of nearly every boat were reported by 10am the first two mornings. Fishing the shipping channels in front of the Golden Gate. Salmon that are certainly staging a entrance on this upcoming full moon cycle. Good new for salmon forecasts in Northern California rivers. If you are getting in the mood for salmon fishing and find yourself with a hour of quiet time or maybe a hour drive in front of you. Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service participated in a podcast done by educator Dave Schlome in Northern California. James Smith from Fish and Wildlife also joined in the podcast and put some history behind our local salmon runs here in Northern California. I encourage you readers to give it a listening to if the opportunity presents itself.https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-dot-101-somethings-fishy/id1070613910?i=1000412283678&mt=2 . Informational and a great source of discussion!

Chenzp fights a American shad on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Ca, using the Phenix "Dragonfly" phenixrods.com . A very impressive bend with a fast tip keeps the shad pinned tight. — Chenzp fights a American shad on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Ca, using the Phenix "Dragonfly" phenixrods.com . A very impressive bend with a fast tip keeps the shad pinned tight.

Fishing guides are starting to take reservations for our fall run chinook salmon fishing season at the current time. To book with Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com and owner of Mike's Guide Service! Please contact by phone at 530-722-8876. Mike can also be reached by email at salmonsacriver@gmail.com.

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