Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report August 23, 2021 / The Salmon Are Coming!!

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp dips his net to scoop up a king salmon for his guests. Tripp found great success fishing out of Red Bluff, Ca since the upper river opener.

Plug fishing remained solid on the Sacramento River out of Woodson Bridge as a née batch of dime bright king salmon moved into the area this past week.

Mike Rasmussen dips his Beckman net on a Sacramento River king salmon Amanda Gradney hooked using a K16 Kwikfish.

Hear ye, Hear ye! “The salmon are coming”! I say, “The Salmon are coming”! 

      Small waives of newly arriving chinook salmon continue to move through the Sacramento River. With solid consistency and numbers behind them. When newly arriving king salmon make their way into the upper Sacramento River, instinct pumps the brakes on their migration. The much cooler river water temperatures are the salmons first indication that migration has been completed, and the ripening process begins. Meaning, a king salmon which shows up now won’t spawn until late October-November. So the time spent after they arrive, but before the salmon spawn, is what I call the “ripening period”.  Also referred to as the “maturing process”. Traveling at a pace equal to that of a power walk (about as fast as you can walk without running). The chinook salmon covers ground quickly. Tracked moving as much as twenty two miles in a twelve hour period. These kings can reach the 250 river mile mark (roughly where the start of the upper river begins) very quickly when need be. Migrating salmon have one thing on their mind. MIGRATING! Becoming much easier to catch once they find their resting (ripening) spots in the upper river’s 55-65 degree water temperatures, and deep holes. This is where the salmon will continue to live for the next two months.

As new batches of salmon roll into the upper Sacramento River. They are usually first detected by anglers fishing out of the Chico, Ca region of the Sacramento River. Where social media platforms host personal and business posts of anglers as they first run into the schools of arriving king salmon.  Leaving the Chico, Ca area they continue north roughly fifteen river miles. Arriving at the popular fishing guide hang out at Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca. Historically Woodson Bridge hosts ideal river water temperatures, and is the primary location for the ripening period. Allowing anglers both recreational, and fishing guides for hire to target the salmon from mid August through September. The salmon leave Woodson Bridge in late September heading for their spawning grounds. Which encompasses the Sacramento River from Redding, Ca down river to the town of Cottonwood, Ca. Home to the famous Barge Hole, as well as the Sacramento Rivers only fish hatchery. Coleman National Fish Hatchery. A Federally funded fish hatchery. Heavily restricted by federal funding.

      This 2021 salmon season has started off great. Well better then the past few salmon seasons anyhow. The season has a feeling of a large return. The early part of the salmon season on the Sacramento River, played out just as it should. The upper Sacramento River salmon opener on August 1, 2021 also played out as if there was going to be a larger then usual number of chinook salmon around this season. The second push of salmon arriving didn’t stop  migrating until they hit the “canyon region” of the upper river. Indicative of this particular push of early August Kings. A solid mix of bomber four year old chinooks showed up with this push of fish as well. Fishing guides working the upper river did very well in the first two weeks of August. Boasting big group limits on several occasions thus far in August. A solid fish per rod average kept customers in almost every reputable fishing charter boat, happy. In turn making the early season guided salmon fishing trips, enjoyable for the working guides. It’s always easier to walk out the door at 3:30am when you know your going to put some fish on the deck. A feeling I recognize to have been absent from this salmon fishery since the 2015/16 early seasons. Salmon were found holding in ALL the salmon spots. As apposed to only some salmon being in only a few of their favorite spots. As has been the case in the last handful of years. A almost certain sign that there is much more to come this season. 

       As “run timing” ( the calendar time associated with the arrival of different chinook salmon runs into the Sacramento River) would historically indicate. The next push of arriving king salmon will be much larger in “run count” (numbers of salmon). And should arrive in direct correspondence with this full moon cycle we are currently in. Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca should be their home. Loading up thick in the ten to fifteen miles of river surround the popular boat launch. Quickly turning it into ground zero for fishing charter services, and fishing guides. Who flock to the popular boat launch in great numbers.  It won’t be long now until we know for certain how substantial this 2021 salmon run is going to be. 

       This past week may have been a early indication that in fact, things may just be right on course for the Woodson Bridge showdown. Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon.com got into some chrome early in the week. As did salmon fishing guides Jacob Frye and Dakota Townley, on Tuesday after the two returned from a few day tuna fishing trip in SoCal. Ryan Tripp also scored big on his first fishing trip to Woodson Bridge this season. Boxing over a fish per rod average in his first two days back at the “playground” (Woodson Bridge). All in all a solid performance from the crew of guides who are local to this boat launch. Showing up at Woodson Bridge on a hunch they would likely get in front of the start of this big push of chrome kings. This next week will let us all know what we have in store for the peak of the 2021 salmon season. Tight Lines!

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Teresa has her Phenix Rod on a hard bendo while fishing out of Woodson Bridge this past week.

These three guests of Robert Petty’s NorthStateSalmon.com got their hands on some quality king salmon fishing below the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam on August 15, 2021.

This action photo captures fishing guide Ryan Tripp putting a king salmon in his boat on August 11, 2021.

Clean chrome chinook salmon like this one held up by Teresa from Vacaville, Ca showed up south of Woodson Bridge on Sunday August 15, 2021.

Sacramento River Fishing Report July 13, 2021 - Holy Heat Wave!

      Here we are enjoying the scorching Northern California dog days of summer. Triple digit heat waves peaking out in the mid one hundred and teens. Yay! Right? The summer solstice has now passed and our days are cut a minute or so shorter everyday. It will still be the better part of two months before we start to see relief from summers sweaty grasp on the Northern Sacramento Valley. With very little going on for sportsmen, and women during the early summer months. The 2021 King Salmon Season on both the Feather River, and the Sacramento River is certainly something we look forward to opening. The countdown has already begun for enthusiasts, and die hards, who just can’t wait to hook into a dime bright king salmon. The 2021 Fall Run Chinook (King) Salmon season is set to open here in Northern California on July 16, 2021 at approximately one hour before sunrise. And I personally can’t wait to get after it! I’m sure others who enjoy the sport will agree. The thrill of the first king salmon of the season that starts yanking the (excuse my French) shit out of your fishing rod; is indescribable. Also heavily addicting I might add. For the folks who haven’t yet indulged in this outdoor adventure that takes place on a fresh water river system that you would swear is miles from civilization.  In reality it’s 10-15 minutes away from the states largest interstate. It is quiet the experience river fishing for king salmon. Quite frankly, I think you’re missing out. There becomes this instant addiction that takes place the very second a aggressive king salmon strikes your lure out of anger. Whaaaam! He pulls hard on your fishing rod as he bends his body in half, reaching beside him with his toothy mouth, chomping onto your plug like a chew toy. Ripping it all the way accross his body to the other side. “Got Him” or “Fish On” is sounded out by the angler who just felt his rod get yanked like someone was trying to take it from them. And it’s on! A violent strike on your rod and suddenly you are battling a king salmon that has just arrived from the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes I feel like they are trying to take that lure and run back the two hundred miles they already swam to arrive here. 

A beautiful sunset saturates the rivers surface at the Barge Hole near Cottonwood, Ca. Ending the day of guided fishing with a stunning backdrop.

       Where is “here”, anyway? “Here” is the stretch of the Sacramento River we fishing guides call “Woodson”.  Short named for Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area. Located six miles east of the town of Corning, Ca. A very popular fishing guide hang out during the first two and a half months of our six month salmon season. Finding here the river water conditions suitable to sustain their existence while they wait to spawn. The king salmon entering the Sacramento River system now will have to wait until mid to late October before their spawning will take place. Water temperatures exceeding 75 degrees in the lower Sacramento River, near places like Colusa, Ca. From Colusa, Ca all the way down river to the confluence with the Feather River in Verona, Ca. Areas of the Sacramento River that water temperatures are much to warm for the salmon to stop migrating and start holding. These kinds of conditions, when we see river water temperatures reach or exceed the mid to upper 70’s it’s becomes slightly alarming to us. These kind of water temperatures can be lethal to the king salmon once “in river”. Without the cold salty Pacific Ocean water running through their gills. Problems like gill rot, and flesh eating warm water bacteria infections can set in. Typically infecting the areas where the skin that have a open wound. Often occurring where a pacific lamprey had attached itself to the migrating salmon. Once unlatched the salmon is left with a perfect circular open wound! The flesh eating bacteria establishes a host area and the sores will become huge. The bacteria eating away at the edges of the hosts wound were the skin remains. The wound also will never heal on the salmons skin, remaining open and growing by the day. As was the case in 2016 when Sacramento River water temperatures ran higher then usual. Consequently 85% of the salmon were infected with this flesh eating bacteria. 

A prime example of a early season king salmon caught on the Sacramento River in the first few days of August near Red Bluff, Ca.

     The migrating salmon typically blast through the lower Sacramento River until finding the river water temperatures suitable for their two month stay. Ideally in the low 60 degree range. Which the salmon find in the vicinity of Woodson Bridge most years. This being the reason for the heavy boat traffic and overall popularity of this boat launch facility. Concerning salmon fishermen who are fishing the Sacramento River north of the city of Sacramento anyhow. These conditions salmon find appealing only during the early portion of the six month long salmon season here in NorCal. Before fall air temperatures cool a greater portion of the river system down. By this time during the salmon season “Woodson” is generally played out, and the party moves up river closer to the hatchery.

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp (Ryan Tripp’s Guide Service) processes his guests king salmon caught on their daily fishing charter on the Sacramento River.

       Fishing on the Sacramento River may bring you some relief to the day time air temperatures that keep most people inside this time of year. Air temperatures generally run about ten degrees cooler while on the river fishing. Making it at least bearable, during the mid day sunshine. The early morning hours are much cooler. We always recommend bringing a hoodie or light jacket along on our daily salmon fishing charters. That start as early as 5:00 am PST. The fresh cool river air can seem a bit chilly to some folks. Followed by ideal temperatures for the majority of your fishing trip. A T-shirt and shorts will likely be all our guest are wearing when we arrive back at the boat launch ending the fishing trip. Before we send you home, pictures will be taken, and your wild Pacific caught king salmon will be processed for you by your captain. Filleted and bagged up, this orange or red seafood will be ready for your enjoyed consumption. However you may decided to prepare it. Heck you wouldn’t be the first person to bring a little soy sauce and wasabi. Ask your captain to cut you off thin slices of this firm, flavorful, and delectable early season Chinook Salmon. A salmon you caught earlier that same day (personally my favorite way to enjoy the omega rich flesh of these wild king salmon). The daily bag (kept fish) limit for King Salmon is two salmon per person, per day, on board the fishing charter. However your overall possession limit is four king salmon total. We urge our customers to consider the possibility of booking two consecutive days with our Sacramento River fishing charter service (SalmonSacRiver.com). This way you are able to take home as much wild Pacific Salmon as you can legally possess. Wild caught Pacific King Salmon retail for somewhere between $30-$60 dollars a pound depending on the year. Far outweighing the cost of the fully guided fishing trip. Minus the experience, photographs, and memories of the days event’s. If you have never experienced the guide for hire business, you should check it out. We have a lot to offer any angler, regardless their skill level. First time anglers to life long anglers. Our salmon fishing guides are top notch and very versatile. Willing to help anyone anytime. As well as willing to acknowledge a skilled anglers talent and ability to quickly learn the tricks of the trade. Anglers who have purchased their own private boat. Wanting  to join the fleet of salmon fishing vessels that occupy the Sacramento River daily during the salmon season. Should first consider hiring a professional fishing guide to take them out and show them the “playing field” if you will. This is a good way to prevent something catastrophic from happening on your first trip out. One bad boating experience on the Sacramento River and statistically speaking you will never put that boat back on the river. Northern California rivers systems are full of snags and submerged gravel bars. The river levels change frequently. Sometimes daily during certain times of the year. Learn from a professional before heading out on your own. Especially in a new shiny boat. 

A fish box full of limits of wild king salmon caught last week in the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco, Ca. Captain John McGee of Legal Limit Sport Fishing sent this photo with a very promising fishing report coming from the salt.

       The 2021 Northern California “in river” salmon season starts this Friday.  July 16, 2021. We are expecting a strong run of mature king salmon this season. Reports from the party boats fishing for chinook (king) salmon as they enter the fresh water, are having great success. Social media platforms showed solid action this week for anglers fishing with the salmon fishing charters working out of the Berkeley, Ca marina. As well as fishing charter services and private boaters fishing up North of the Golden Gate Bridge Up the California coast at Bodega Bay, Ca. Some hefty four and five year old salmon were caught, and pictures posted to Facebook and Instagram this week of salmon exceeding 30 and even 40 pounds. These salmon will move south very soon. Staging in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Waiting to start their “in river” migration. In the several days prior to the next full moon. All very good indications that a solid season lays ahead for the “in river” salmon fishery of Northern California. Tight Lines! Be Safe! Respect others and the great outdoors! 

Happy guests from the Tyee Club pose with their daily catch of king salmon. They wrangled these chinook salmon to the boat where captain Ryan Tripp swooped them up with his net. A great haul of king salmon to take home and enjoy eating.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report/2021 NorCal Drought Monitor

Some experts are calling for a ten year drought here in Northern California. It’s hard to believe our major waterways will be squeezed even tighter in the years to come. The state’s largest reservoirs sucked dry by thirsty agricultural planted hundreds of miles to the south. In the central and southern portions of the golden state. The Central Valley Water Project and the exporting of stored water for big agricultural, has become big money. Unable to compete with the special interest groups, lobbyists, lawmakers, and politicians. The salmon industry has had to rely on our state and federal hatchery programs to produce, a let’s say a...”struggling run”, at best. As the state and federal hatcheries have to produce salmon by law (ordered by the courts for the loss of habitat due to the construction of Shasta and Oroville Dams). They don’t have to do a good job doing so. Hatchery release practices of juvenile salmon by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Colman National Fish Hatchery (on the Sac side) in the last decade, have been questionable to say the least.

Lake Oroville photographed from the Highway 70 bridge on June 25, 2021.

So here we are entering summers hottest months with our reservoirs already so low that 80% of boat launches in NorCal reservoirs are unusable. It is predicted that come fall, Northern California’s Lake Oroville will reach the lowest level seen since the construction of the 770’ earth filled dam was completed in 1968. Water temperatures will then likely rise in the Feather River downstream of Oroville Dam. Causing lethal water temperatures for spawning salmon. Which arrive during the late summer months and into the early fall. When historically the states second largest reservoir will reach its lowest level. Putting extensive strain on a already struggling salmon fishery. A fishery so rich with salmon fishing history, it’s hard to believe it struggles to produce consistent runs of hatchery raised chinook salmon in these modern times. Hosting the second largest run of Fall Run Chinook Salmon in the Sacramento Valley. As well a separate run of Spring Run Chinook Salmon. The Feather River two decades ago was for the most part a year round fishery. Only closing for two short winter months. Famous salmon fishing spots like the notorious “Outlet Hole”, were stuffed with king salmon. The hundreds of anglers who lined the banks fishing the turbulent waters of the Thermilito, Ca discharge (aka “Outlet Hole”), caught salmon by the hundreds. On a daily basis mind you. I myself frequently bank fished this unique location as a younger angler. While in my late teens and early twenties. Prior to owning a jet boat, and discovering the guide for hire business. A little over two decades ago now. On a average day of “combat fishing” (coined by the chaos, occasional fist fight, stabbing, or drowning) it was common to hook up twenty or maybe thirty king salmon on every outing. The limit was even three salmon in possession for some time. A far cry from today’s twenty or thirty salmon hooked between all the bank anglers combined. The Feather River flowed with a much higher volume of water. When wading in the turbulent waters of the outlet hole some twenty years ago, your legs would become numb from the cold water. The places we waded, stood, and fished from back then, are now exposed gravel bars. The water is now much warmer to the touch, there is far less of it, and its getting worse every season. The warmer river water has made the Feather River become sterile of successfully spawning Fall Run Chinook Salmon. The Spring Run Chinook Salmon are almost nonexistent, and anglers are no longer aloud to target this particular run of Feather River King Salmon. The State Run Fish Hatchery is all that’s left to produce salmon in this river system, and that hasn’t proven to be effective in sustaining a solid run of salmon in my opinion. To most anglers who don’t know the details or history of this Northern California river system, it may seem as though this fishery is in “ok” standing. I can assure you, it is not. The Feather River will certainly be put to the test later this season as Lake Oroville reaches record low levels. It is likely we will not know the outcome of the damages done by this seasons extreme drought, for three year to come. As the majority of King Salmon do not enter the fresh water river systems until after spending three years in the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. We shall wait and see...

Lake Oroville shown from a NASA satellite image in July 2019 (left) and again in June 2021 (right). Depicting the significant water loss from two rainless NorCal winters.

This NASA satellite image shows the significant loss of water storage between July 2019 and June 2021. Only two short years and Shasta Lake has dropped to 43% of storage capacity.

The Sacramento River is faced with similar circumstances, if experts predictions are accurate. Lake Shasta near Redding, Ca, the states largest reservoir. Is also in dire straits as far as water storage is concerned. Lake Shasta is currently at 41% of its capacity. Down 106 feet from the same time two years ago in 2019. This according to NASA, who monitors California’s drought situation from satellite images. Most of the lakes easily accessible boat launch facilities are unusable and closed to the launching boats. Due to lake levels dropping far below the bottom of the concrete boat ramps. Summer has just begun here in Northern California. Typically the spring run off from the mountain snow pack is still filling up the enormous reservoir. In the lakes current condition it’s rumored that by fall the lake will be the lowest witness in my forty three years of life here in NorCal. Shasta lake reaching its all time low in the 1976-1977 drought. Along with Lake Oroville. Which currently resides at 34% of capacity. Sitting only forty seven feet above the historic all time low in September 1977.

The famous “Outlet Hole” during the 2017 salmon season on the Feather River, near Oroville, Ca.

Bank anglers wading in the waters of the Outlet Hole on the Feather River in Oroville, Ca.

The fight for water here in the Golden State is well underway. Has been! It’s about to get “real” as they say. Unfortunately for our NorCal sportsmen, salmon will come last in the fight for water. Simply because they generate the least amount of revenue in this states diverse, and demanding economy. Sadly, the mighty dollar will win every time. The salmon, well.... my guess is they will be left fighting to stay off the endangered species list, or worse. Assuming things shape up according to how drought experts have predicted. If there is any glimmer of hope for the states reservoir conditions. It would have to be the fact that all this could and will go away with one big wet winter. I’ll certainly be keeping my fingers cross on behalf of the hope for a strong El Niño weather pattern this winter.

The 2021 King Salmon season on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers will open on July 16, 2021. Only two short weeks away. This years salmon run into Northern California waterways will not have been affected by the drought conditions that started in 2019. Our salmon fishing charter service is expecting a solid run of Pacific Ocean chinook salmon for our clients to have a blast catching, and enjoy eating. Fishing guide Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon reported seeing a few bright king salmon jumping in the deeper holes of the Sacramento River near Woodson Bridge boat launch this week. Located just a few miles east of Corning, Ca. A popular boat launch during salmon season. Most of the chrome bright kings that will be caught on opening day (July 16, 2021), have just now started their migration from the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. With the onset of this full moon phase we are passing through currently, the king salmon instinctually gather outside the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. For up to a week prior to the full moon. Without notice the schools of chinook salmon that have gathered to migrate into the Sacramento Valley waterways, will vanish. They will quickly move up the river systems at a pace of up to twenty two miles a day. Blasting through the potentially fatal warm water temperatures of the lower Sacramento River, Until finally reaching desirable river conditions in which they will reside for several months. Waiting to eventually spawn in the Fall.

Katie and Abby Rasmussen out fishing with their father, fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of fishing charter SalmonSacRiver. Abby lands a Sacramento River King Salmon as her sister Katie watches on. Sacramento River fishing guide Ryan Tripp nets the salmon.

Opening Day (July 16, 2019) on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Ca. Captain John Pearl prepares to net a king salmon Amanda Gradney has on the line.

Reports from the salt water captains working out of the marinas surrounding the San Francisco Bay have been positive. Captain John McGee of Legal Limit Sport Fishing (a established “six pack” fishing charter service) reported that the commercial salmon vessels up North, fishing out of Bodega Bay, Ca. Crushed the king salmon prior to June 26, 2021 sport fishing season opening day. A very positive sign for the season to come. And now we wait!

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.

Sacramento River fishing September 4, 2020

Sacramento River king salmon fishing report

Big Baits...Big Fish!!

A big push of Fall run Sacramento River king salmon have made a strong showing this week.  The sheer size of many of these salmon shows just how healthy these kings are this season.

There has been many smaller jack and "jumbo jack" salmon brought in as well.  These jack salmon are a great future run indicator for next years run.

There are many ways to catch these king salmon but one technique in particular has been very successsful in targeting the largest of the king salmon.With the heavy feed in the salt this season, salmon have engorged themselves to make the long last journey upriver to the spawnning grounds feeding on krill and schools of anchovies.  While targeting the largest of the salmon in the Sacramento River, sardine wrapped "old style" kwikfish and flatfish have, hands down, produced the bigger salmon.

Backbouncing "old style" kwiks in the best "moving" and "holding" waters has produced savage strikes on king salmon in the high 20 and low 30 pound class.  This week we have really seen an increase in the number of hook ups (see "salmon chew toys" pics below) and the fish boxes are filling up here in September.

Back bouncing our home cured roe and a puffball has also scored on some very big king salmon.  Another great way to get your king salmon has been "dragging" or "boondoggin" small roe/puffball combos.  This is a great way to pick up king salmon in all of the holding/moving waters as well.

September is here and the Sacramento River salmon run will build for the rest of this month making for some great salmon fishing.  If catching your own Sacramento River salmon is something that interests you, bring your family and freinds here to the Sacramento River.  Call guide Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service at (530)646-9110  We have lots of room for all of you no matter the size of your group, be it large or small..."we have been perfecting Sacramento River salmon fishing since 1985!"

www.sacramentofishing.com

Wanted to personally thank all of the guides and outfitters that have helped us send all of our families and freinds home with many pounds of fresh filleted salmon this week.  Thank you guides...Steve Lowery, Ryan Tripp, Mike Rasmussen, Jacob Frye, Jerry Frye and Robert Petty.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Guides

Salmon fishing on the Sacramento River is now open below the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and is definitely building everyday.  We are seeing good groups of salmon rolling in several of the popular salmon hole throughout the Sacramento River.  The upper Sacramento River opener is just shy of a week and a half away from opening.  The August 1st Barge Hole opener is very popular this year as it is every year with hundreds of anglers preparing for the Sacramento River above the Red Bluff Diversion Dam to come into play. The Sacramento River will open from the Deschutes Bridge downriver to the Red Bluff Diversion Dam, this section of river includes the canyon, Barge Hole, Cow Creek and China Rapids.

Guide Ryan Tripp with a fresh Sacramento River king salmon in July 2020.

From the looks of our graphs on the last two runs through the Barge Hole, opening day looks very promising and as the baits hit the river bottom it shouldn't take long to hear the shouts of "Fish On!"  The Barge Hole looks loaded with king salmon! From years past you can be confident in dropping a sardine wrapped "old style" Kwikfish or flatfish early in the morning. As the sun rises above the the tree line think about making the switch to salmon roe.  Hanging roe in the Barge Hole can be very productive later in the morning.  Many salmon like to stage in the Barge Hole as they wait for their time to enter Battle Creek, the entrance to the Coleman National Fish Hatchery.

Fresh king salmon for clients to take home from the Sacramento River in July 2020.

As for now, we have put into service our second jet sled. Guide Dave Jacobs is very fortunate to have a very talented second guide at its helm this season, Ryan Tripp from Oroville California.  Many of you will notice right away that you are in very capable guide hands with Ryan as he takes you salmon fishing on both the Sacramento and Feather Rivers through December. Jacobs has worked with top Northern California fishing guides for years and years and continues to do so to this day...You won't be disappointed with the quality fishing trip that US Coast Guard licensed guide Ryan Tripp will deliver!  All of our guides fished clients recently on two different stretches of Sacramento River. Fresh king salmon were hooked on both runs for all of our guides.  We have shared a few pics from the last three salmon fishing adventures.

Guide Ryan Tripp and Mark with a fresh Sacramento RIver king salmon recently on the Sacramento River.

Anglers looking to get on our best Sacramento River guide boats are able to do so by calling us direct at 1(530)646-9110 or visit salmonsacriver.com  and sacramentofishing.com The peak season will be here very soon in mid to late August, all of September and through early to mid October.  Bring a fishing license, a lunch and drinks and your set for your own Sacramento River salmon fishing vacation!

Northern California Fishing Report for: Sacramento River Fishing Charters 7/21/20

salmonsacriver.com guides are now available for king salmon bookings on Northern California’s top salmon producing rivers daily…the Sacramento and Feather Rivers. call (530)646-9110

Sacramento River salmon fishing

The king salmon season is now open below Red Bluff California and has been fishing good everyday since the opener. Anglers are scoring on fresh king salmon by back trolling fresh sardine wrapped old style kwikfish lures.  Another solid choice to hook one of these hard fighting king salmon is to back bounce or drag home cured salmon roe tipped with a brightly colored puff ball.  Salmon have been being hooked daily just below the Red Bluff Diversion Dam downriver through Los Molinos California and into Woodson Bridge Recreation Area.  The salmon run will only improve everyday as more and more salmon make their way upriver to their annual spawning grounds.  

Sacramento River Fishing Report 7/21/20

The upper Sacramento River opener is just around the corner on August 1, 2020.  This section of river has spectacular river scenery through the canyon up to the "hatchery hole" better known as the Barge Hole.  This hole is the last stop before the salmon make their entrance into Battle Creek, home to the Coleman National Fish Hatchery.  The August 1st opener above the Red Bluff Diversion Dam is very popular so show up early to reserve your best spot.  There have been several reports that the Barge Hole is loading up with fresh king salmon and the August 1st opener is looking very promising.

California’s top guides salmon fishing at Red Bluff California 7/20/20

Over on the Feather River below Oroville California both boat and bank anglers are catching king salmon in the famous Outlet Hole and below.  Bank fishermen have had success casting the largest of the Blue Fox spinners in the metallic blue or metallic purple bell colors.  Here too, sardine wrapped old style Kwikfish plugs are the top producer for fresh Feather River king salmon.

CALL (530)646-9110 to book your Sacramento or Feather River salmon fishing vacation now

SACRAMENTOFISHING.COM

SALMONSACRIVER.COM

Sacramento River salmon fishing report July 2020

After fishing salmon and steelhead for the last six or so weeks every single day, we have gotten the best plugs fine tuned, the best bait combos worked out and the salmon roe cured and ready to fish! The Sacramento, American and Feather Rivers have finally re opened this morning after a long six month closure and both rivers did not dissappoint.  As soon as our old style Luhr Jensen Kwikfish and old t-55 Flatfish were finished being wrapped and marinated in our secret bait combinations the plugs were deployed to the rivers bottom just shy of 5am. Lift, bounce, tic..tic...POW...Fish on!  We were fortunate to hook and land our first Sacramento Valley king salmon of the 2020 salmon season.  Lucky for us we had a few hot sticks on the boat and quickly hooked up on a total of nine salmon, having three come unbuttoned during a viciuos fight and landing six fresh adult king salmon. Todays double digit pile of king salmon came to the net courtesy of Dave Jacobs, Ryan Tripp, Mike Rasmussen, Mike Tripp and Mike Tipton.  The hot rod of the day was guide Mike Tripp with many kings hooked and landed this morning. 

The Sacramento and Feather rivers are now open for a full season through December 31st on the Sacramento and October 31st on the Feather River.  Anglers can hook and keep two adult salmon on the Sacramento River each day and three adult salmon over on the Feather River each day.

There has been fantastic salmon fishing reports coming in daily out of the salt, many fish and BIG fish!  The salmon are beginning their upriver migration to their spawwning grounds and the salmon run in river will only build from here on out.  

We have guided thousands of clients to the best king salmon fishing in Northern California and Southern Oregon.  This is the time to give guide Dave Jacobs a call at (530)646-9110 to book your very own fully guided salmon fishing  charter for the day.  We are available seven days a week and can take all groups be it big or small. Dave Jacobs (530)646-9110…give us a call today!

Sacramento River fishing charter

Sacramento River fishing charter shares a 2020 countdown to the Sacramento River salmon opener.

Folks the count down begins! If you have absolutely no idea what awaits at the end of the countdown or what we are counting down down to, I must apologize. I auto assume everyone suffers from the same sickness myself and others like me do. Symptoms such as the feeling of being lost, not knowing exactly what to do, where to go, or how to go about your day differently. A day spent without feeling the rhythmic beat of a Flatfish or Kwikfish thumping on your Phenix Rod.  Not sitting in a seat on the edge of a jet boat with the handle of a nearly silent Yamaha 9.9 kicker motor in your opposite hand. Not having to fixate on the graph (fish finder) and figure out your targets next move. Your snacks arn’t in the bait cooler anymore. You can’t smell the lingering stench of sardine and salmon on your clothing and skin. These are the very real withdrawal symptoms of King Salmon Addiction (KSA). The symptoms will eventually subside after a week or two of quitting cold turkey. Normal life may, but will not always ensue. After several months of living without catching, netting, or processing king salmon. No daily phone calls from clients checking in and out. No clowning on the phone with other veteran fishing guides. As to the social media post and daily ongoings of the new and insecure fishing guides who turned bromances into “fishing teams”. No roe to cure in the garage. No stage four sunglass tan! No stinky finger, from bait odors. Your everyday life as a salmon fishing guide has finally ceased, and you have taken on other ventures and hobbies. At this point you may almost be  deemed normal again through the eyes of the close friends and loved ones who know your struggles. Seeing you as more of a feral adult during the months of salmon season, then a fishing guide. Just as you seem fully adjusted to things in the mainstream lifestyle. You realize that June 16th has passed and the one month countdown to opening day of salmon season has started.

The 2020 opening day of salmon season on the Sacramento River and Feather River is less then a month away. The euphoric thoughts of the violent plug bite from a big chrome king salmon start to saturate your mind. This is worth the wait of the countdown I previously left in question. The countdown to the 2020 Northern California’s king salmon season opening on July 16th!!!

The countdown begins! Here is what awaits you on the Sacramento River at Red Bluff California.

Sacramento River salmon fishing report

Sacramento River salmon fishing report video courtesy of Dave Jacobs of salmonsacriver.com CALL (530)646-9110 TODAY

2020 Sacramento River salmon fishing regulations.

Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs is happy to announce that the 2020 Sacramento River salmon regulations have been set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's commisioners.

The Sacramento River will be open to a full extended salmon fishing season starting on July 16, 2020.  There will be a daily bag limit of two large adult salmon per person with a possesion limit of four king salmon in possesion.  Another addition worth noting is that the season will remain open beyond the traditional December 16th closing date to December 31, 2020!  This extended opener will be permitted above the Red Bluff Diversion Dam in Red Bluff, California up to the Deschutes Bridge in Anderson California.

Probably one of the biggest announcements to be made about this years salmon fishing regulations is the daily limit increase over on the Feather River.  Anglers will be allowed (3) three king salmon per day through October 31, 2020.

salmonsacriver.com guide Dave Jacobs displays one of the many king salmon he pursues on the West Coast including the Sacramento River at Woodson Bridge California.

2020 Sacramento River salmon season.

salmonsacriver.com will be available seven (7) days a week for this upcoming Sacramento River salmon season. Be sure to call early and often to reserve the very best Sacramento RIver salmon fishing dates with Northern California top guides. No group is too big or too small! We will fit you aboard our comfortable fully equipted 22 foot Koffler river sled ready and set up to six (6) anglers. All top quality bait and tackle will be provided. There are two (2) trips to choose from, both morning and evening Sacramento and Feather River salmon fishing charters from July 16, 2020 to December 31, 2020. CALL (530)646-9110 TODAY

Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs on California’s top king salmon fishing river the Sacramento. CALL (530)646-9110 TODAY



Sacramento River Fishing Report June 14, 2020

Currently the Sacramento river is temming with thousands upon thousands of large American shad. The shad have been migrating up the Sacramento River in large schools since May and solid shad fishing action will continue well into July. Anglers fishing various sections of the Sacramento River from Red Bluff California downriver through Colusa California are finding solid fishing action. Side drifting from anchor small brightly colored jigs tipped with a small curly tailed grub is all it takes to entice one of these hard fighting shad to bite. Colors like chartruese, hot pink, flame orange or champangne are all that are needed as reported by Sacramento River fishing guide Dave Jacobs.

Jacobs reports “There is alot of excitement buiding as we approach the re opening of the Sacramento and Feather Rivers salmon fishing season! With the extended salmon season and increased daily salmon limit on the Feather River many are preparing for a solid salmon opener.”

The Sacramento River will open to salmon fishing on July 16th 150 feet below the Sycamore boat launch in Red Bluff California. The upper Sacramento River will officially open on August 1st from the Red Bluff Diversion Dam up to the Deschutes Bridge in Anderson California. Daily salmon limits are (2) two king salmon per person with a total possession limit of four salmon per person. Over on the Feather River, the salmon season will also open on July 16th with a (3) three salmon per person daily limit.

Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs hoists a whopping 43.5 pound Sacramento River salmon caught below Woodson Bridge California.

Now is the time to book!

This is the perfect time to get the best Sacramento or Feather River salmon fishing trip booked in. The top guides and the peak salmon fishing dates are available now for you to choose from. We provide all of the top quality bait and tackle for your Sacramento River salmon charter. We will also professionally fillet and bag your catch for your return home. We have the top Sacramento and Feather river guides availble to take groups both large and small. Call (530) 646-9110 to reserve your Sacramento River salmon fishing guide today!