The Sacramento River came alive over the holiday weekend. Salmon fishing enthusiast and sport fishing guides cleaned up on the newly arriving king salmon this weekend. Fishing is excellent and is only going to get better!!

Katie Rasmussen, oldest daughter of fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service, holds up her first Sacramento River salmon of the 2018 salmon season here in Northern California. Katie was fishing with her father on a quiet mid week morning… — Katie Rasmussen, oldest daughter of fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of Mike's Guide Service, holds up her first Sacramento River salmon of the 2018 salmon season here in Northern California. Katie was fishing with her father on a quiet mid week morning below Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca when she hooked this bright "jack" salmon.

Northern California rivers are loaded with Fall Run Chinook Salmon, as the annual spawning migration hits full swing. If you live by, or visit any of the major river systems in Northern California the smell of salmon should be lingering in the air. The skeletal remains of filleted salmon are likely littering the major boat launch facilities along the upper sections of these rivers. Social media blogs, photos and profiles from Nor Cal anglers come across news feeds all day long as individual successes are reflected by sharing them on the platforms hosted by major social media websites. Conversations around California's fishing communities and work place break rooms are centered around who caught what, what baits were used, and hole locations where recent success stories were made. Why all the hype? Because to Northern Californians salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is a big deal. And after suffering through two of the worst salmon runs in recorded history the past two years, this years much healthier run of Sacramento River chinook salmon, has the local salmon fishing communities excited and eager to take place in the action. The Sacramento River's run of historically large fall run chinook salmon are getting close to their peak of migration, as newly arriving salmon are showing up everyday in the upper section of the Sacramento River between Hamilton City, Ca to the mouth of Battle Creek in Cottonwood, Ca where Colman National Fish Hatchery resides. This movement of salmon up the Sacramento River at current time is all in response to the salmon's instinctual drive to migrate up river during the monthly full moon cycle. Which has recently occurred this past week. The biggest push of Sacramento River salmon is well on its way. This years run of fall run chinook salmon will peak out in the next two weeks, and remain at its highest concentration through the month of September and well into October.

Two dime bright salmon caught during a double hook up using cured salmon roe on the Sacramento River in Northern California. Mike Rasmussen and long time friend Jason Clack enjoy a successful afternoon outing of salmon fishing in Capay, California. … — Two dime bright salmon caught during a double hook up using cured salmon roe on the Sacramento River in Northern California. Mike Rasmussen and long time friend Jason Clack enjoy a successful afternoon outing of salmon fishing in Capay, California. The two friends posed for a quick picture of the memorable afternoon. Photo courtesy of Christopher Tocatlian.

This week had the feel of Fall in the air. Every early morning departure from the many different Sacramento River boat launches were much more chilly. Heavy, wet, cool air filled the boat launches in the early am hours making a hoodie or light jacket more of a necessity rather then a option. A strong Delta breeze blew from the South most of the week as well. Adding to the feel of a early Fall. That southern breeze keeping daytime temperatures on the river in the comfort zone of the 80's to low 90's. Very suitable fishing conditions on the river. Considering it could be well into the triple digits this time of year. Accompanying the cooler air temperatures, were the Sacramento River water temps that dropped in accordance with much cooler night time air temps this last week. Making much more ideal river water temperatures ranging from 60 to 62 degrees. Water temps on the Sacramento River were reaching nearly 66 degrees in the river by late afternoon around Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca. Although the below average day time temperatures came as a blessing to folks who are consistently fishing in the triple digit heat. The strong and almost gusty delta breeze was blowing up the Sacramento River on a daily basis ( a common weather related phenomenon with cooling temperatures in the Sacramento Valley ). The strong cool winds that started to pick up by 11:00 am daily. Reaching gusty conditions by early afternoon was causing problems for salmon anglers who continued to fish into the mid day. With the lure bite being off. Or at least much more difficult during this last full moon phase of the past week and a half. Most salmon fishing guides working the Sacramento River found most of their success dragging ( boondoggling ) bait ( cured salmon roe ). Several days this week easy limits were had by the fishing guides who chose to drag bait right out of the gate in the morning. Rather then the standard practice of running a pass or two with plugs before switching over to bait as the sun comes up. The OG guides that back bounce roe for these Sacramento River kings are always the first to fill the fish box. The mostly forgotten practice of back bouncing cured salmon roe is unarguably the fastest way to catch limits of salmon for a boat full of anglers. Name's like Hank Mautz, Dave Jacobs (sacramentofishing.com), Jeff Glavaris, and Scott Kenyon are among the last of the Sacramento River Guides who mastered the technique of back bouncing eggs and use the deadly style of fishing throughout the entire season if need be.

Clients Jim and Jake (pictured above with fishing guide Mike Rasmussen) both landed quality king salmon while on their outing with fishing guide Mike Rasmussen and Johny Eller. Jake was a absolute pleasure to have on the boat. One of the happiest an… — Clients Jim and Jake (pictured above with fishing guide Mike Rasmussen) both landed quality king salmon while on their outing with fishing guide Mike Rasmussen and Johny Eller. Jake was a absolute pleasure to have on the boat. One of the happiest and best behave kids that has ever been on a salmon fishing trip. Jakes politeness and positive attitude payed off when he landed this 15 pound hen chinook salmon. His first salmon. And well deserved!!

Sacramento River Fall Run Chinook salmon are making a strong showing following this last full moon phase, and a even bigger push of adult chinook salmon are said to be coming behind the smaller jacks and females that lead this last weeks charge into the Woodson Bridge region of the Sacramento River. Near Corning, Ca. Generally ground zero boat launch for salmon fishing guides working in Northern California. The next month and a half of salmon fishing should have the feeling of old times. Limits are the rule now and will remain the standard practice for most reputable salmon fishing guides throughout the remainder of this month and well into October. Plug fisherman shouldn't have but a day or two more to wait before the kings start biting lures again. According to a long term OG salmon fishing guide Hank Mautz. Who explained to me quickly in passing the other day, while on the river south of Woodson Bridge. The lure bite was off and had been off because of the full moon. And the direct effect it has on salmon migration patterns and run timing. Making it much more difficult to catch them on plugs as they are just blowing by. Rather then gathering in the larger holes, where their instinctual intuition tells them to attack any threat to the group ( such as plugs that vibrate and rattle ).

Angler Kyle keeps a tight grip on her Phenix Trifecta as she does battle on the Sacramento River in the canyon region near Red Bluff, Ca on August 25, 2018. Johny Eller stands by as Kyle's group takes pictures and cheers her on during her battle!

A month and a half of action packed salmon fishing is still ahead of North State anglers. Salmon will continue to trickle into popular fishing areas of the Sacramento River as the peak of the run finally shows up and stages in the upper river to spawn. Salmon are plentiful this 2018 salmon season and many, many king salmon are still arriving to be caught by North State anglers. Salmon fishing guides still have over a month of everyday action as they climb into the peak month for business as far as guiding for salmon goes. Weather it be recreational fishing, bank fishing, fishing with a hired guide, or any other means of salmon fishing, it should be done at any cost. The salmon stocks are dwindling fast at this point and may gradually continue to drop as they have since the mid 2000's The fall run we are experiencing now on the Sacramento River is a healthy run and is a solid representation of years past. I urge everyone that loves to fish or has wondered about fishing, either with a guide or on their own, to get out their and chase these beautiful salmon around. To hire a salmon fishing guide tel:530-646-9110 to speak with salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs about a reservation. Dave can also be reached at mailto:sacramentofishing.com@gmail.com or on the world wide web at https://www.salmonsacriver.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