Sacramento River Striped Bass Fishing Report 4/16/2022 “Wide Open Striper Bite”

If fast action is what you want when fishing. Don’t miss out on the wide open striper bite going down currently on the Sacramento River south of Colusa,Ca. Near the remote launching facility at Tisdale, Ca. Wide spread, wide open striper fishing action is being had by just about everyone willing to make the trip out to Tisdale, Ca. You won’t find a store, nor a post office. There isn’t a school or a taco truck. No stoplights, or crosswalks either. What you will find in Tisdale, Ca is a boat launching facility. Most likely you will find it to be packed with a array of different fishing boats. This boat launch is a “anything goes” area. Expect to see striped bass fishing guides departing before daylight. Recreational anglers launch continuously throughout the day. Weekends can get extremely busy in Tisdale. Striper fishermen and their countless techniques will accumulate by the dozens. Casting swimbaits, black plastic worms, ripping jerk baits, trolling rebels, drifting minnows, and every other method used targeting striped bass. All this will be going on in the general vicinity of Tisdale. The boat traffic may constantly leave you rocking and rolling in the wakes of anglers passing by. Make no mistake, despite all this, everyone is catching here.

 Coleman National Fish Hatchery is stuck between a rock and a hard spot, due to our states severe drought conditions. The federally run hatchery is catching a great deal of heat over management practices carried out by the hatcheries higher ups. Primarily concerning the release of Sacramento River Fall Run Chinook Salmon juveniles during the peak migration of spawning striped bass. Who at the time of the hatcheries release are entering the Sacramento River system to carry out their reproduction. The hatchery releases of juvenile fall run chinooks get gobbled up by the thousands of stripers spread throughout the river system from Chico, Ca to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. The hatchery management has their hands tied with current river conditions being what they are. Forced to make in river releases, knowing the trucking program has zero potential benefits for salmon returning to the Sacramento River. Hatchery releases made by Coleman in early and mid March were much more beneficial in avoiding peak predation timing. Allowing the “fry” ( a younger and smaller stage of juvenile salmon development ) to out migrate without being on the stripers radar, so to speak! Which I personally believe will show much greater success as this year class of salmon show back up as adults in three years time. The last release made in early April probably not as successful as the March releases. Overall a strong judgement call by hatchery management.

Striped bass fishing charters and fishing guides have been finding wide open striper action fishing the Sacramento River south of Colusa, Ca. Mainly focusing their efforts in the “ditch” ( the region of the Sacramento River from Grimes, Ca down river to Knights Landing, Ca ). Primarily using the Tisdale, Ca boat launching facility. Centrally located in Sutter County. Striped Bass fishing guide Ryan Tripp 530-635-3719 of ryantrippsguideservice has been running day and night trips with astounding success. Dragging live minnows down the ditch at daylight has been making for easy boat limits for Tripp’s customers. While trolling broken back yo-zuri plugs has proven irresistible to the linesides after dark. Ryan offers both fully guided day and night fishing trips for customers eager to get after the fast action the striped bass are known for.

Robert Petty 530-917-8901 of NorthStateSalmon.com is also mopping up limits of lineside schoolies for his customers. Primarily working the Colusa, Ca region of the Sacramento River. Using the Wards Landing boat launch facility. Located just a few miles south of the town of Colusa, Ca. Petty also finding a great deal of success down trolling live minnows during the daylight hours. As well as finding the same amount of angler success while trolling plugs after dark. Targeting the violent reaction bite trolling plugs is known for when darkness falls. Striper action has been red hot and shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. Booking a reservation for a striped bass trip of your own couldn’t come at a better time, as many North State youth are out of school for their spring break. This fishery is a great experience for younger kids as well as adults. The fast pace style of fishing that is experienced here keeps children from being bored in between bites. Contacting a fishing charter service will ensure a highly productive fishing trip. With many great memories made for future reflection.

For the recreational anglers and die hard private anglers who need no guidance from a fishing charter. If you haven’t already done so. Head out to the river. It’s been time! The striped bass wide open minnow bite has been excellent to say the least. The residual trickle of juvenile salmon who are in part responsible for this wide open minnow bite, are continuing down river. Keeping the live minnow bite in full swing for anglers willing to cough up the cash for live bait. I can assure you it’s well worth the cough. Kittles Outdoors and Sport (530-458-4868) is centrally located in Colusa, Ca and is easy to find, as well as to access with a boat in tow. Live minnows are sold here in several sizes, and can be purchased six days a week. Open early and only minutes from several popular boat launches. Kittles is a popular and convenient place to stop and shop. Licenses and all necessary tackle is sold here by a helpful staff. Definitely worth a stop when you head to this part of the river.

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 Salmon Fishing Report October 12, 2021 - Sacramento River’s “Top Gun” Fishing Guides

Who would you rather book with when hiring a salmon fishing guide on the Sacramento River? Or any of Northern California’s rivers really. For the sake of simplicity, in this fishing blog we will use the Sacramento River. For our example in debate. If the salmon fishing charter you and your guests were going to book your yearly fishing getaway through. Gave you and your group of guests these two options. As for who the potential fishing guides you will hire for the day of your fishing trip. Letting you, the guest choose your own destiny. Would you as the guest choose...

All smiles for the guest that booked a reservation for a salmon fishing charter on the Sacramento River. 23 year old fishing guide Jacob Frye is far advanced in this fish

A) A fishing guide that is more of a “seasoned veteran”? A fishing guide that has been around for a couple decades? Someone that has years of experience and is booming with self confidence? Undoubtedly knowing a thing or two about the fishery you are planning to visit?

B)-A much younger fishing guide? A guide full of piss and vinegar? Beaming with enthusiasm, ready to get out there and get after it. At the first sign of daylight. Someone who still loves their occupation. A fishing guide that is consumed by the constant thoughts of success. Doing whatever he may have to do to achieve the goal he set out after. Someone fishing like they have something to prove? 

A look back at a picture of young Jacob Frye as he grew up in the trade. Working with his father and fishing guide Jerry Frye as he grew up.

      This is critical thinking right? Well not really but....definitely something to think about before booking your next guided fishing trip. So, as I see it! A part of your conscious that has been trained by societies stereotypes. Tells you subconsciously, there is no replacement for experience. Triggering the brain to lean on the side of the older more experienced fishing guide. Correct? This may be true in some aspect. But I ask “you” (the readers) to keep a open mind as we explore the benefits and drawbacks of both younger and older fishing guides. Your personal feed back is welcome in the comment section of this blog post. We appreciate the different views and opinions of the public at large. Having worked in the fishing industry as a guide for hire since the early 2000’s. I have been fortunate to have taken thousands of clients out fishing. As well as the opportunity to meet and go fishing with some of the most influential fishing guide in this industry. Gaining at least some knowledge from each and every contact I made over the last two decades. I have also watched the sport of fishing change tremendously in the past two decades. The guide for hire business changing right along with sport fishing. Let’s have a look back at some of the changes that have taken place in the fishing industry on the Sacramento River over the past two decades.

A young Jacob Frye holds a salmon he caught while driving the SalmonSacRiver charter boat and captain around on the Sacramento River. At the age of seventeen.

When I embarked in this new business opportunity in the early 2000’s things were much different on the business end of things. Finding new clientele was much more difficult than in today’s modern and technological times. We use tools like the yellow pages, sports expos, word-of-mouth, and fishing reports in monthly magazines. Which now are all nonexistent. With the exception of word-of-mouth. Still a very important tool for getting new clients. As well as the overflow clientele from other fishing guides who were gracious enough to help out a new guide on the River. This was and still is a excellent way to keep busy and money coming in when struggling to exist as a new fishing guide. Keeping you on the water and clients in your boat. With the exception of the new fishing guides of the last five years. Most reputable fishing guides started their work careers in other industries. Maintaining a full-time job in another industry, while fishing part time on the weekends and full time at certain times of year. Off hand I can’t think of any full-time guys that started as full-time fishing guides as their first job. For several reasons. One reason being there were not a lot of local folks willing to spend their money on fishing trips. I’m not saying the clientele wasn’t out there somewhere. I’m just saying these potential clientele were much harder to reach. Reaching them was the problem. The World Wide Web changed everything in the mid to late 2000’s. And I mean everything. Probably the most useful tool in finding potential clientele came with the use of the Internet. Including social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Now the general public was able to find your services for a change. The first major change in business opportunities for fishing guides came with the ability to build and maintain a website. Where a quick Google search would allow you to show up to potential clients. Showing off your business to a endless amount of potential guests. Gallery pages allowed you as a fishing guide to show off your great success through photos. Blog post allowed fishing guides to write fishing reports. Keeping the public informed on the up-to-date fishing action. As well as load google up with valuable website data about your business. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram changed the guide for hire business for ever. The ability to make a post about real time fishing success allowed fishing guides to reach thousands if not tens of thousands of potential clients with every post. Friends list allowed a lot of fishing guides to get real time pictures in front of thousands of so-called friends. Making the phone ring instantly when fishing was hot. Who was to benefit from all this? Every fishing guide was to benefit from all this.

Guests of twenty year old fishing guide Ryan Tripp, hold up their two fish per person limit of Sacramento River King Salmon.

Historically to become a fishing guide, as I pointed out earlier. One must first start out part time. Either on weekends, or during time off of their regular full-time job. Almost all fishing guides had other careers. Having to much time invested in their regular job and it’s retirement plan. Just quitting and chasing the American dream wasn’t a viable option. It was thought unfathomable for this generation of fishing guides to not have had a full time job of some sort. Even myself who started dabbling in the guide for hire business at the age of twenty four. Had been employed by Pacific Gas & Electric company for several years. As well as relying heavily on the housing construction boom in the early 2000s. To support a family while trying to become a fishing guide. A juggling act for sure, leaving the securities of a full-time job with benefits. For a career of uncertainty doing what I loved. Sacrifices were certainly made by my family, and my friends. Having no financial stability in the beginning. My point being is this. No fishing guides to my recollection over the age of 40 years old like myself started out to become a fishing guide. It just didn’t happen. But oh how times of changed.

      In today’s modern times it is perfectly acceptable by society standards to just successfully complete high school and receive no further education. For the record, I said “acceptable”, not suggested. Meaning today’s youth are likely to live productively in society with the completion of trade schools, and self employment. Loans, grants, and private investors make it possible for our youngest generation to explore avenues of business, and afforded opportunities that were never a option for past generations. Who were lead down the road of success by societies acceptance of graduating high school, then junior/graduate college. Then finally onto a career that was predetermined by college preparation. The only other option was to join the service, and serve our country. A selfless and honorable act made by countless Americans after the completion of high school. Needless to say times have changed. Along with it the fishing industry has changed. Young children who watched fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or family friends embark in the guide for hire business. Found themselves at a place in time where the opportunity for them to step strait out of high school, and go pro. As being a completely viable option. 

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp is photographed driving the SalmonSacRiver charter boat in the states most turbulent and challenging salmon fishing hole. At the age of 16!

Many of the young fishing guides here locally in the Sacramento Valley, grew up working on, or spending time on, the boats of relatives or close family friends. Completely aware of the possibility to earn a good living doing as their elders and mentors had done. Working as deckhands through their high school years or even younger. These youngsters know their way around the business. Fishing is almost a second nature to these young men. Who grew up on fishing guide boats. Learning how to treat clients, and how to act around clients, became a second nature. Guiding isn’t about fishing as much as it is about entertaining. As guides it’s safe to say we all know how to fish. Learning how to perform a service to your clients that allows them to have a good time, as well as catch fish is the key to a successful fishing operation. As I mentioned earlier, word-of-mouth is still your number one promoter. Happy customers tell friends. These friends call to book fishing trips. These fishing trips fill up calendar days. The up-and-coming fishing guides who grew up in charter boats surrounded by clients are fully aware of this cycle. Not to mention, the learning curve! Much more difficult for a person of my age to learn new and ever changing ins and outs of the internet and social media. This proving to be much more difficult to stay on top of, then it is for the younger generations who grew up in this technological time. Technology is almost given no thought by today’s younger generations. It comes as a second nature to these youngsters. Being fully functional in technology allows these young men to breeze their way through finding clientele via the internet. While the older generations are better left paying for someone to keep them relevant on the World Wide Web. 

This family group holds up 11 king salmon they caught with fishing guide Ryan Tripp during the first week of August this current salmon season (2021)

I’ll go ahead and let my guard down and be completely honest with myself and with the readers of this post. There comes a time in every adults life where the proverbial passing of the torch takes place. It is a proven fact that the younger mind is capable of learning, processing, computing, and problem-solving at a much faster rate then those minds of a person two, three, or four times their age. Facts! This is why we the veterans of the industry rely on experience, because stepping out of our comfort zones and trying new things is a very rare occurrence. With so many new advancements in fishing technology, tackle, techniques, it is hard if not impossible to keep up with the younger generation. They handle and adapt to these things with ease. Utilizing all these new advancements in the fishing industry to their advantage. Making themselves more successful at the base level of the trade. The fact is that the youth of our trade undoubtedly are more efficient when on the water. It wouldn’t be likely to find your charter boat captain sitting on the bank while he prepares tackle periodically through out the day. It is far more likely the younger guide will do this on the fly. A multi tasking marvel if you will. Their determination to beat all the other guides makes for great efficiency. Very little down time can be expected when hiring a younger guide. They will leave the older guides behind at the boat launch at start time. As your guide has been preparing for an hour prior to you showing up. His intentions are mindful of being the first guide done with limits for his clients everyday. He wants those easy targets(salmon) in his fish box before the other boat traffic catches up to him, and the daily grind starts. These “young guns” have something to prove! Remaining courteous, respectful, and intellectual, these kids can hold a conversation, answer questions, teach fishing techniques, and remain patient when tangle ups happen. Then happen again, and again. The cliche “salty captain” comes from the barking of orders, and growling towards clients that repeat the same mistakes. It comes with the trade, and the years of fixing and repeating the same client mistakes. It happens to the best of us. Haha….however the fresh younger guides deal with these problems with ease. Fixing the fishing foopa’s on the fly, and dealing with the incidents as fast as they come. Eager to get the lines back in the water and fish back in the fish box. Plain and simple, your younger guides are more efficient, productive, and have a stronger drive. Boxing the most fish possible for their clients in the time allotted. 

A 2016 Smith River, Ca salmon fishing photo taken by Mike Rasmussen, shows a 19 year old fishing guide Dakota Townley (left). Holding up a giant king salmon he had caught on the fishing trip.

As far as the Sacramento River is concerned, there are three independent “bad a__” fishing guide services on the river locally that are run by fishing guides under the age of 25. All three of them with multiple salmon seasons under their belt. These three fishing guides are full time, independently operating guiding machines. I urge anyone reading this blog and considering to book a reservation for a salmon fishing trip in Northern California to checkout one of these premier fishing guides. If you are into flat out “catching”. Book a trip with one of them.  If you are into a slower pace fishing trip book with an OG! These three top guns have known nothing but the guide life. This is their full time occupation, has been, and will be, their full time occupation as long as there are fish around to catch. I will list below the name and contact information for each one of these young men. You can’t go wrong with any choice. From oldest to youngest....

Dakota Townley - (530)-680-3717 This year around fishing guide started fishing when he was for real, “knee high to a grasshopper”. He worked with his  grandfather (The legendary fishing guide Frank Townley). Deck-handing for the “Fishin Magician” through grade school, junior high school, and part of high school.  When his grandfather passed. After finishing high school, Dakota took on a five year contract fishing with well known fishing guide Kevin Brock. He is currently operating independently, and can be called directly by using the contact link provided. Dakota is now 25 years old and has literally a decade of guiding under his belt. He is all business on the Sacramento River. Expect to catch! 

Dakota Townley scoops up a chinook salmon for his client in late August, 2021. Full time and independent fishing guide Dakota Townley is nearing a decade of guiding experience at the age of 25.

Jacob Frye- (530)-410-3174 At age 23 this young full time fishing guide sets out every morning to beat the fleet. Expect this young man to think outside the box. Taking advantage of opportunities to put a quick fish or two in the box, as the the opportunities arise. Quick thinking, and versatility keep this youthful guide at the top. Jacob also grew up in the guide for hire business. His father, fishing guide Jerry Frye had instilled the trade into his son at a early age. Jacob is a versatile guide, fishing plugs, or bait in several different applications. This keeping him catching in all fishing conditions, during any time of the season. Like Dakota, Jacob is a full time fishing guide. Working year around for several species of fish. Count on this young man to be around for many years to come. Jacob owns and operates as a completely independent full time fishing guide. He can be contacted using the cell Phone link provided. As well as on major social media platforms.

Full time fishing guide Ryan Tripp holds onto a feisty king salmon he hooked back bouncing a Kwikfish in late July 2021, on the Sacramento River at Woodson Bridge.

Ryan Tripp-(530)-635-3719 The youngest independently operating full time fishing guide in Northern California. Ryan Tripp is amidst his third season as a samon fishing guide. The kids got it! Like the two guide names above. Ryan comes from a upbringing of guide boats and filet knives. Son of fishing guide Mike Tripp, this kid was raised catching salmon. Groomed and ready to become a professional fishing guide long before the legal age of 18.  Catching any number of targeted fish species, on any number of rivers, in a number of Western states is never a problem. Quick to identify the target species, on any body of water, this 20 year old guide systematically thinks through scenarios, coming up with a instantaneous and successful game plan. Having a knack for showing up at the right place at the right time. Capitalizing on the opportunities as quickly as they arise. You won’t spend any down time while on this guides watch. Multitasking has proven its payoffs for this youngest guide on the West Coast. Expect to get after it before daylight breaks. But hooked up long before the sun comes up. Ryan can also be contacted directly for booking reservations with his guide service, by clicking the cell phone link provided next to his name.  

Jacob Frye putting up limits of Sacramento River king salmon for his clients.

      I personally know and have known all three of these full time, year round fishing guides for sometime. I knew all of them before they were old enough to engage in the act of guiding. They all three fished beside me working in my guide boat. I knew each one of them would eventually end up with more talent then I myself held, in the sport of fishing. I have watched them grow up in the trade, and become successful in the trade. There will be no disappointments when booking a fishing trip with any of these younger professionals of the trade. I urge you to consider giving any or all of these professional fishing guides a try out. They will be around for decades to come. Remaining at the top of the industries fishing guide for hire services. 

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.

Growing up in the trade taught fishing guide Jacob Frye the ins and outs of the business. Grooming himself for today’s guide life.

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.