Northern California salmon fishing guides are picking up a average of a fish per rod. Or better this past week on the Sacramento River. Boat limits have been caught on a few occasions and by only a few fishing guides. Day to day success has been changing frequently over the last week or so. Newly arriving Chinook salmon have been showing up everyday with the onset of this full “sturgeon” moon. Some days more fish push through the Woodson Bridge section of the Sacramento River, then on other days. So daily success changes depending on how many salmon stop in the section of river chosen to fish. We are on the brink of limit out salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. Any day in the next week or two salmon fishing guides will be filling their fish boxes with limits of king salmon.

Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp reaches out to sneak the net in front of a feisty king salmon. Photo taken on August 17, 2019.

A large group of salmon worked their way through Colusa, Ca. Where private angler Greg Comer got in on the action every morning. Catching at least one chrome king salmon a day. Some days landing two. Not including the missed take downs and salmon that tore free. Greg reported doing most of his work on the “pick” (anchor). Putting a “Silvertron” blade behind the boat. Catching the salmon as they move up the edges of the Sacramento River. At a pace of a humans fast walk. Taking a bite at anything in its way. The flash and vibration created by the Silvertron blade triggers such strikes from the migrating salmon.

Boat limits for daily salmon fishing charter SalmonSacRiver.com and Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp. Including seven king salmon and one striped bass. The group fished with Ryan on August 16, 2019.

This same group of arriving chinook salmon. That moved through Colusa, Ca in the past ten days. Have started to move through, and start to stage in the Woodson Bridge, Ca area of the Sacramento River. Located near Corning, Ca. Where ideal water temperature are met for the migrating salmon. It is here that the salmon will start to hold up their migration and wait to sexually mature over the next month and a half. Spawning in late October through November on the Sacramento River. As the waiting salmon congregate in the large deep holes of the Sacramento River. They are more easily targeted by local salmon fishing charters and guides. Making the stretch of Sacramento River between the Irvine Finch boat launch facility near Hamilton City, Ca and the Woodson Bridge State Recreation area boat launch facility near Corning, Ca. Ground zero for salmon fishing in Northern California. For roughly the next 60 days.

Brian Clark formerly from Paradise, Ca now residing in Gridley, Ca brought his nephew Mathew salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. Mathew holds up his first salmon of the 2019 salmon season. A truly special guest to have on board. Brian Clark stan… — Brian Clark formerly from Paradise, Ca now residing in Gridley, Ca brought his nephew Mathew salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. Mathew holds up his first salmon of the 2019 salmon season. A truly special guest to have on board. Brian Clark stands with Mathew for the photograph.

These days the technique used by the majority of salmon fishing guides and recreational sport fishermen alike. When targeting the Fall Run Chinook Salmon on the Sacramento River. Would be “dragging” or “boondoggling”. In which the fishing vessel drifts sideways through the length of the salmon hole being fished. With each angler on board, facing up river holding a standard spining outfit (rod and reel). Drifting cured salmon roe. With a colored “puff ball” to keep your bait off the river bottom. A fairly easy meathod of salmon fishing for anglers and boat operators of all skill levels. Not to mention productive! The majority of fishing guides working the Sacramento River currently. Are for the most part finding greater success using this technique. As apposed to the more traditional back bouncing of either kwikfish or cured salmon roe. Not to say either of the two back bouncing methods aren’t producing for the salmon guides. It’s just not practiced near as much. With plenty of targets (salmon) around to fish for. Whatever meathod is chosen to use. It is likely that success is very prossible.

A Chinook Salmon caught on August 19, by salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp. This picture was taken near Red Bluff, Ca on the Sacramento River this week.

Sacramento River salmon fishing charters and salmon fishing guides are working full time at this piont in the 2019 salmon season. Grabbing up remaining days still open for booking. Is highly suggested. As remaining available days are dwindling fast. Sacramento River fishing charter SalmonSacRiver.com still has available dates open for the months of September and October. Using multiple local licensed guide services to meet customers needs. Calling 530-722-8876 or by clicking the website link above. Will put you in contact with salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen. Mike can also be contacted at salmonsacriver@gmail.com

A chrome Chinook Salmon caught by a guest on the SalmonSacRiver.com salmon fishing charter. The group was fishing the Sacramento River on August 16, 2019.

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.