In the coming weeks of early September through mid September, the Sacramento River Fall Run Chinook Salmon Run will reach its peak. A very solid season is currently upon us. Several waves of migrating chinook salmon have pushed their way through the Woodson Bridge region of the Sacramento River. Continuing up the Sacramento River, working their way past Red Bluff, Ca. and into “The Canyon” (a short stretch of the Sacramento River near Bend, Ca). This is where deep lava holes, and cold water temperatures slow their migration down, and they finally arrive at the world famous Barge Hole in Cottonwood, Ca. Coleman National Fish Hatchery resides up Battle Creek, only a few miles from the Barge Hole where it dumps into the Sacramento River. This week some of the salmon that were pushing up river through Woodson Bridge have arrived at their final destination. It is safe to say that salmon are currently throughout the Sacramento River from Hamilton City, Ca. up river to Cottonwood, Ca. A sure sign that the much larger push of Sacramento River Fall Run Chinook Salmon will start arriving any day now. This is going to be substantial in comparison to what has already shown up thus far.

Party leader Paul Simons holds up a beautiful king salmon he caught on August 21, 2019 while dragging cured salmon roe on the Sacramento River.

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp is photographed directing traffic up in the mix of the “fish on” chaos. Joe Cimino and guests, as well as Greg Collier and guest. Watch on as the battle with a king salmon pursues. This salmon was caught dragging roe … — Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp is photographed directing traffic up in the mix of the “fish on” chaos. Joe Cimino and guests, as well as Greg Collier and guest. Watch on as the battle with a king salmon pursues. This salmon was caught dragging roe near Red Bluff, Ca on August 22, 2019.

The past week has been busy on the Sacramento River at several of the popular boat launch locations. This weekend in particular was extremely crowded around the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area boat launch near Corning, Ca. This particular area was overtaken by salmon fishing guides and recreational salmon anglers. Estimates from several different boaters that were in attendance Saturday morning August 24, 2019 at the most popular boat launch (Woodson Bridge) reported there to be between 50 and 70 boats on the river salmon fishing. Making the weekend salmon fishing much more difficult. Boat traffic being to blame for the most part, which sent the newly arriving salmon into hiding during the daylight hours. Sending the fish seeking cover in the nearby tree snags, in the back flats of the salmon holes, and on the edges of the river where they are not disturbed by anglers or vessels navigating the river channels. With the salmon being under so much pressure, the bite was certainly put down this weekend leaving fishing guides, and recreational anglers managing only a couple fish to the boat only if your boat was one of the lucky ones. As many weekend salmon anglers came back to the ramp with the old “goose egg” (0 salmon). During the last work week prior to the crazy weekend, the salmon fishing reported by Sacramento River salmon fishing guides saying the fishery remained consistent for the whole week, still holding onto the one fish per rod average. That being the average take for salmon fishing guides over the past two weeks now. Sacramento River salmon fishing charters and salmon fishing guides are awaiting the arrival of the historically much larger September push of salmon. This push should be arriving in the Woodson Bridge region of the Sacramento River at anytime. This allowing for fishing guides to put two salmon per person in their boats for the days efforts. To get in on September’s wide open salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. Call salmon fishing charter SalmonSacRiver.com at 530-722-8876. For information about booking a reservation for a daily guided salmon fishing adventure. You can also reach this Northern California salmon fishing charter by email at salmonsacriver@gmail.com or by visiting the website link highlighted in this fishing report. Availabilities for morning and afternoon trips are still available for the months of September and early October.

Ruben and friend Shamal from Chico, Ca hold up a pair of king salmon they caught while on a afternoon guided salmon fishing trip on a daily fishing charter out of Red Bluff, Ca. Fishing guide Ryan Tripp put these two friends on their pair of salmon.… — Ruben and friend Shamal from Chico, Ca hold up a pair of king salmon they caught while on a afternoon guided salmon fishing trip on a daily fishing charter out of Red Bluff, Ca. Fishing guide Ryan Tripp put these two friends on their pair of salmon. August 21, 2019

As far as how these Sacramento River salmon are being targeted and caught by fishing guides and private angler, well let’s say….not much has changed this past week. It probably won’t change much moving forward during the remainder of this 2019 salmon season. Dragging cured salmon roe, by far was the most popular method of angling for the Sacramento River’s King Salmon. With the majority of the working salmon fishing guides solely relying on this method of angling. Win, loose, or draw! For the most part “boondoggling” (dragging) cured salmon roe has proven successful for the anglers putting in their time on the water. The few exception to the rule. As far as only using the dragging technique, some have had some exceptional days. Putting boat limits up for their guests. OG fishing guide Jeff Glaveris from Anderson, Ca. put up boat limits at least twice this week. One day being the busiest day all year at Woodson Bridge. This past Saturday Jeff used his extensive knowledge and experience in “back bouncing” (a traditional approach to salmon fishing) to limit out his boat of four anglers. Catching a total of eight salmon for his boat limit. Using the heavy boondoggle traffic to his advantage as salmon tried going into hiding where Glaveris was waiting. A spectacular performance from the veteran fishing guide. Salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen reported his daily fishing charter run by Sacramento River fishing guide Ryan Tripp, on August 22, 2019 came back to the launch at 8:45am with four quality King salmon for two clients. Then returning to run an afternoon salmon fishing charter later that same day. The rookie fishing guide put two more kings in the fish box on his afternoon party of two clients with a fish a piece. Both fishing guides using the back bouncing technique to credit their success. Tripp back bouncing Kwikfish while Glaveris back bounced cured salmon roe for his guests. Being versitle in fishing techniques can prove to be very helpful at times.

This gentleman from Chico, Ca. Caught his first ever salmon on August 23, 2019. Not only was this his first salmon ever, but it was his first ever fish of any kind. He was fishing with fishing guide Ryan Tripp.

The best of the 2019 salmon season lays ahead of us still roughly 60 days remaining, most of which will be limit out style salmon fishing. Make it a point to get outside and enjoy all that Northern California has to offer.

Riley Gradney from Dairyville, Ca does her famous cradle pose holding a dime bright king salmon she caught while back bouncing cured salmon roe on August 24, 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.