“Fish On” can be heard echoing accross the high banks of the Feather River coliseum. Otherwise know as the Thermalito Outlet Hole. This place has come alive in its true fashion over the past week or so. Following last weeks drastic water drop and then water rise, a load of chinook salmon arrived at the famous salmon fishing spot. Stacking up against the concrete apron along the face of the spillway is an understatement. The mass of king salmon sitting directly in front of the bank anglers on the Vance Ave and the Larkin Rd sides of the outlet waisted no time bagging their fair share of clean Feather River king salmon. The mass of salmon anglers grew rapidly over the past week as word got out the “flossing party” had begun. And just like that the Outlet Hole was finally alive. Like it is known to be. Hearing the words “fish on” being repeated yelled out from all sides of the hole. Vehicles blazing in and out of the Oroville Wildlife Area at dangerous speeds. Dust trails left billowing behind for miles along the Pacific Heights by side of the Outlet Hole. Everyone rushing in making a mad dash for their particular “line-up”. I would say conservatively no less then 100 anglers a day make their way to the outlet hole at current time. Many of which are catching and leaving with their catch as they come in. The outlet hole finally feels like the outlet hole. Bank anglers, don’t wait any longer, it’s time! With roughly a month remaining in the season you can be assured the catching will be outstanding for the duration of the shortened season.

Private boaters and professional fishing guides relying on the Outlet Hole to produce king salmon for their time spent fishing these turbulent waters, have not shared the same salmon fishing success the bank anglers are reaping. Anglers fishing from vessels, who are sticking to the standard methods of take, have been lucky to grab a single king salmon or two for their days efforts. A sardine wrapped Kwikfish presented prior to the sun coming up has been about the only bite to speak of using traditional fishing techniques in the upper Feather River. Northern California salmon fishing charters who are willing to leave moral and ethical fishing practices shelved for the moment have enjoyed the same success as the bank anglers. Picking up limits of king salmon for their clients and guest by dragging the edge of the white water rapids with beads or yarn. Salmon fishing guide Adrian Murrir, owner of AM Guide Service and SalmonSacRiver’s Mike Rasmussen have both pulled limits of king salmon for their clients on afternoon guided fishing trips this past week. Afternoon fishing trips can be more successful time to time as fishing pressure tends to lighten up through the hotter afternoon hours. This is certainly true of the outlet hole.

Further down the Feather River at Yuba City, Ca fishing has remained about the same. A steady flow of fresh chinook salmon continue to push up river at a steady pace. Making for consistent but not red hot fishing. If you are into quality over quantity when it comes to your salmon, this is the place for you. The king salmon being caught here are top quality when it comes to river salmon. Shiny and bright, thick and oily meat. You may have to spend two or three times the effort here to catch your salmon as you would at the outlet hole, but the quality is worth noting. Silvertron spinners seam to be the people’s choice in the lower river. For good reason, they work. On anchor or trolled down hill. Both methods are proven effective every day in this section of river. Single and double silver blades are working about the same. Both very effective. The current heat wave may have the lower river bite off this coming week as water temperatures will pass the 68 degree threshold, becoming lethal to king salmon. Causing the salmon to cease up river migration, become lethargic, and in turn become far less aggressive. These are all negative attributes for anglers targeting cranky migrating salmon. As we are targeting in the lower part of the Feather River when fishing out of Boyd’s Pump and Star Bend boat launches. This instinctual phenomenon will only last as long as river water temperature hover around or above the 68 degree mark. Once temperatures drop below 68 degrees the bite should resume as previously experienced. Anglers can find cooler water by moving up the river system to Gridley, Ca or the Outlet Hole. Where water temperatures are lingering around 65 degrees currently.

Be sure to get out there and get your hands on some of the healthiest ocean grown fish known to man kind! There is less then a month of the season remaining for the upper Feather River. Shutting down on September 15, 2025. Good luck and much respect to all anglers. Tight Lines!