California’s spring striped bass run has begun! All the signs of a prosperous and productive, striper season are starting to show themselves. It would be hard to determine the amount of Striped Bass that are already showing up daily under the stained and elevated water conditions on the lower Sacramento River. However, on the Feather River side of the Sacramento Valley Striped Bass, have been arriving for the past week. Anglers targeting striped bass on the lower Feather River in Northern California have started picking up limits of keeper sized stripers . Fishing guides like Raith Herryford of Rh Guide Service, have been producing daily bag limit for his clients this past week. Private anglers in the lower Feather River near Beer Can Beach and the East Nicholas, Ca hwy 99 bridge, have also reported, catching their limits of striped bass as these migrating fish pour into the Feather River system. Although there have been very few, if any striped bass anglers targeting these line sides on the Sacramento River, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If stripers are showing up on the Feather River. They’re also showing up on the Sacramento River. All it’s going to take is for someone to go out and find where they are hiding. It’s striper season folks, and it’s just getting underway.

Very limited angling opportunities existed south of Chico California this past week, on Sacramento River. Primarily due to the large volume of water coming down the Sacramento River from Lake Shasta, and all of its tributaries. Causing the river to run high and muddy for quite so time. Keeping would be anglers from venturing out and targeting the stripers. With the exception of a few private anglers targeting the Trophy Striped Bass fishery in the upper Sacramento River while in between storms. Siezing brief opportunities in the rivers water clarity before the next storm would arrive, discoloring river and send anglers back to the couch. Private striped bass angler Bret Wooley took a shot at a opportunity last week to target the colossal striped bass of the winter trophy striped bass fishery. Bret managed to bring in one trophy bass weighing around 30 pounds. The following day the river was blown back out. As we approach the unofficial start to the striper season on April 1, 2024 focus will switch down river, centering around the Colusa, California region of the Sacramento River. This is where the spring striped bass historically congregate, and much of the angling will take place.

Kittles Outdoors Sports in Colusa California will be the center of attention for all striper anglers come April 1st. Make sure to stop in this sporting goods store and support local business. Get all your bait and tackle supplies at Kittles. They are fully stocked with a multitude of swim bait, including the new G rat, thin swim. Which showed great success last season. As well as live minnows, pile worms, nightcrawlers, anchovies, sardines, and all the popular artificial striped bass baits you may want before heading out on the river. Which coincidentally happens to run right through the town of Colusa, Ca, and a half of a block behind Kittle’s Outdoor and Sport. It’s literally a one stop tackle shop and only a rocks throw from the striper grounds. This sporting good store opens at 5:00am and is staffed with expiring local youth who are ready to serve you. The coffee pot is always on and the lies and story telling is often taking place by patrons lounging around it. The walls are filled with trophy fish and game taken locally and from around the world. All things considered, this is just the epitome of a sporting good store. With great vibes, and a positive atmosphere.

If you want to get a early start to the 2024 spring striped bass run, and you don’t want to drive to the California Delta to do it. With its maze of water diversion through the designed sloughs, ditches, and bypasses. Which if you are unfamiliar with can be daunting and intimidating to navigate. If you are looking for a early season river fishing guide, I would recommend contacting RH Guide Service out of Yuba City, Ca. Owned and operated by striper legend Raith Herryford. The only active striped bass fishing guide currently operating north of the California Delta. In the weeks to come the vast majority of NorCal fishing guides will arrive and eventually be on site by the unofficial April 1, 2024 start of the spring striped bass run here in Northern California. Along with countless recreational angler from around the globe. The anticipation of this annual fishing event, for those who have looked forward to it since last year came to a close. In the matter of a short two weeks the anticipation will be well worth the wait. Hope to see you all out there. Tight Lines and Striped Sides…..

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.