Summer is coming!!

The upper Sacramento River between Hamilton City and the Red Bluff Diversion Dam in the city of Red Bluff is host to the American shad and the striped bass, two anadromous fish species that arrive in early summer. Mike Rasmussen of SalmonSacRiver.com is reporting excellent shad fishing between Hamilton City and Tehema. The American shad (poor man's steelhead) is pound for pound the hardest fighting fish in the Sacramento River. We are catching an average of 20 to 30 of these fish per rod this week.

Also making their appearance on the upper Sacramento River are the striped bass, providing a great combo opportunity while on one of our guided American shad trips. The last two nights have had explosive top water action, with Mike spotting keeper sized striped bass on his return up river. These "boils" where feeding Striped Bass are devouring the Sacramento River's baby salmon are very visible. Mike prefers small top water baits but almost anything you throw at these post spawn fish will work.

The rainbow trout bite between the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and the Sundial Bridge in downtown Redding is always consistent, with lots of action and beautiful rainbow trout weighing up to 3 pounds. We saw the most action while drifting small shots of roe naturally -- no puff ball or glo bugs needed! John Pearl reports that his bigger fish came during the mid-morning while trolling down river in the deeper runs using small wee warts and hot shots and adding light weight when necessary. Call 530 722 8876 or click to book with John or Mike today.