“Probably the worst opening day of salmon season I have ever seen”. Reports veteran fishing guide Mike Rasmussen. Owner of SalmonSacRiver.com and Mike’s Guide Service. The salmon fishing charter captain deciding to start the 2022 salmon season off on the Feather River, near Oroville, Ca. Rasmussen considering the famous “Outlet Hole” on the Feather River as good of a spot as any to tangle with a few king salmon to start the season off. Feeling strongly that there would be at least some action for anglers on opening morning. As 4:53am (legal fishing time) rolled around and lures were dropped to the bottom of the turbulent salmon fishing hole. Only the sound of Yamaha kicker motors and crickets were to be heard. This continued until dawns earliest light. Allowing anglers in the dozen boats that were in attendance to watch closely at each other. As well as the hundred or so bank fishermen who lined the banks of the Outlet Hole. Still nothing! By the time 7:00am rolled around without a single incident, Rasmussen threw in the towel and headed accross the valley to the Sacramento River at Ord Bend, Ca. Where similar results were had by the fishing guide. As it turned out less then a handful of king salmon were brought in for the one hundred plus anglers in attendance.

Similar experiences were had over the entire Sacramento River above Verona, Ca. All the way up river to the closure point at the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam. It wasn’t just a tough, or slow opening day of salmon season. It was just straight up 🤬 terrible! The worst ever seen by all anglers polled on the question of “how was opening day”. I’m talking about not ten, not forty, not seventy, not seventeen. One! Numero uno! Only a single report of a salmon caught on the Sacramento River 2022 opening day. By god, hats off to Adam Andrieni. The Northern California fishing guide who did catch the only reported salmon on opening day. One salmon for several hundred anglers river wide. WTF! Please excuse my clear disapproval, disappointment, and lack of respect held for the guilty parties. Which who carelessly disregard the importance of our states struggling salmon runs. Making matters worse, the responsible parties are not held accountable for direct violations of mandates relating to the health and preservation of the Sacramento River and the California Delta. Mandates in place to protect these very circumstances that are unfolding as we speak. To my lengthy recollection of past salmon season mjj JJ opening days. I have never seen a opening day on the Sacramento River this poor. EVER! For the record I have fished through several of the worst opening days in record history. 2022 still takes the cake. Without a doubt the Sacramento River’s water flows consistent with the Sacramento River Water Management Plan 2022. Are 100% to blame for this disastrous opening day of salmon season.

No person, professional, professor, scientist, biologist, blogger, or any other entity can or will change my own opinion and judgement on where to place blame. As was pointed out in previous SalmonSacRiver.com current fishing reports, and blogs. The “fine print” of the “Sacramento River Water Management Plan 2022”. Which was made to appear to most folks as a user friendly endangered species (winter run chinook) advocate approach to water management. Unfortunately it couldn’t be farther from the truth. This water management “plan” is predestine to be a much larger killer of Sacramento River chinook salmon then any other single event or circumstance. It remains very difficult for me to witness the ongoings that deliberately cause a struggling ecosystem to collapse farther, and farther. Headed toward complete extinction eventually. All while the majority of the unaware public is led to believe some special efforts by the “plan” are in someway aiding in Salmon restoration efforts! Shame on you who linger on political coattails, and influences. Disregarding the truths of the matter. You know who you are, who you work for, and what you’ve done. Be ashamed and embarrassed at your spineless decisions. As you selfishly watch the entire eco system of the Sacramento River become choked and squeezed from existence. You folks suck! To enlighten those of you who may not have given much thought as to who the decision makers are, or where they come from. Let me just say this. 95% of these lobbyists, politicians, water districts, special interests groups, state and federal water management personnel, or anyone else involved in the decision making process concerning the Sacramento River’s water. Have never even actually seen the Sacramento River with their own eyes. Never stood by it, never waded or swam in it, never been in a boat on it, floated on it, fished or recreated in it, and certainly have no idea of its historical values and importance. None of these people could tell you what species of fish, wildlife, or plant life exist on the river. They couldn’t describe to you the geographical differences in sections of the Sacramento River, nor its physical appearances. Sadly these are the people who decide what happens to our river. The people who do know all of these things, and are directly impacted by the decision of the less informed. Are the same people who are negatively effected the most when money hungry bureaucrats lay down their monopoly like laws.

On a more positive note for north state sportsmen, particularly pertaining to the salmon fishermen and women. The upper Sacramento River (above the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam) is set to open this coming Monday (August 1, 2022). Unlike the opening day of the lower section of the Sacramento River, the upper section of river is expected to produce a great deal of success for anglers who attend Monday’s opener. This stretch of River hosts the only suitable water conditions for the migrating chinook salmon. In the weeks prior to the lower river opening, a large push of salmon migrated into the cool waters of the upper river. Joined by the smaller pods of dime bright chinooks who have raced through the scorching lower river water temperatures since the season opened. Accumulating in the deep, dark, forty and fifty foot deep salmon fishing holes of the lava laid “canyon region”. Pre-season scouting trips by a number of local fishing guides like John Kenyon, Danny Hamilton, Jacob Frye, and Dakota Townley all indicated salmon were found in decent numbers throughout the entire canyon. Including the world famous “Barge Hole”! Where as many as 50-70 jet boats converge on opening morning. Large stacks of staged chinook salmon are awaiting anglers according to fishing guide Jacob Frye, and his Garmin electronics. With the humiliating lack of success during the past two weeks of salmon season down river. The ability to fish the upper river will certainly be a breath of fresh air for fishing guides and recreational enthusiasts alike. Good luck and tight lines for those who will be in attendance.

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.