Opening day of the 2019 Sacramento River salmon season is in the books. It wasn’t a great one, and it wasn’t as bad as some opening days we have seen over the past decade. There were certainly salmon around to be caught. Mostly gathered in a few key holes. Scattered between Hamilton City, Ca and the Red Bluff, Ca Diversion Dam. Boaters who congregated in the deep, boiling, holes of the Sacramento River found the most success. The early arriving fall run chinook salmon seeking the comfort of 20ft to 30ft dark deep holes. Feeling much less secure in less then 12ft of water. The majority of boaters in these deeper holes found at least some success. Or had opportunities at the hard fighting, chrome bright targets. Not every boat brought in a opening day King Salmon. But success was wide spread, just on a smaller level. One fish per boat average may even be a little on the high side. Not to say good times weren’t had by any means. Seeing the net come out ( which happened quite a bit early in the morning ) always keeps motivation and expectations high for salmon anglers still waiting to hook up. The over all synopsis being a positive one. There were and are some chrome salmon in the Sacramento River at current time. And with the onset of this full moon cycle, there will be a much larger group of chrome chinooks are well on their way. Expect them to show in the next 7 to 10 days. Around the Woodson Bridge region of the Sacramento River. Near Corning, Ca.

Opening morning photograph on the Sacramento River near Los Molinos, Ca. Photo taken with J. Pearl Guide Service.

For the Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guides that were present for the 2019 salmon season opener. Success was more prevalent. Rightfully so for the simple fact they spend a great deal more time on the water targeting salmon. As well as for the majority of fishing guides operating on the Sacramento River, they have years of opening day experience. Having a better knowledge of where and when to show up to certain areas on the river. Salmon fishing guides like John Pearl from Lake County, Ca performed extremely well on the season opener. Hooking nine king salmon. Bringing three fresh, chrome bright kings to the boat by 10:00am opening morning. Johny Eller also managed to pull out three dime bright kings for his opening days efforts on the Sacramento River. Loosing a handful of chinooks that weren’t ready to meat their fate. Making for a eventful day of salmon fishing for both guides and their guests fishing on the Sacramento River’s opening day.

John Pearl of J. Pearl Guide Service holds the net. Preparing to net the chrome Chinook Salmon Amanda Gradney hooked while back bouncing a sardine wrapped Kwikfish on opening morning. July 16, 2019. Photo taken by salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen.

The primary meathod of take for salmon fishing guides and recreational salmon fishermen. Came as a result of backbouncing sardine wrapped kwikfish. In the K16 and K15 sizes. Color is a matter of personal preference. Chartreuse and silver are the by far the most popular colors preferred by salmon fishermen on California’s Sacramento River. The object of this fishing teqnique ( back bouncing ) is to find the correct amount of weight needed to find the bottom of the river ( where the salmon are located ). Then use the rivers current to allow you to back your vessel ( facing up river ) down the particular hole you are fishing. In theory covering the entire hole from top to bottom. This meathod can seem complicating at first attempt. If mastered though, this is a deadly approach to catching kings.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide Mike Rasmussen poses with Bruce from Corning, Ca on July 16, 2019.

Overall a good opening day was had on the Sacramento River for anglers participating. Signs of a solid run of Fall Run Chinook Salmon heading up the Sacramento River looks very promising. Judging by the amount of salmon in the river on opening day.

Salmon fishing guide John Pearl watches on as one of his guest hooks up on a dime bright King Salmon opening morning. The group was fishing on the Sacramento River near Los Molinos, Ca.

Mike's Fishing Guide Service for Sacramento River fishing targeting King Salmon, Striped Bass, White Sturgeon, American Shad and Rainbow Trout. The Best Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guide and Striped Bass Fishing Guide on the Sacramento River.