Like clockwork, the first wave of brand new King Salmon pushed into the Lower Feather River, this past week. It has been roughly two weeks, since the August full moon. Anglers’ fishing the Feather River, out of Boyd’s Pump, and Star Bend, started seeing the dime bright Chinook Salmon showing up in the middle of last week’s heat wave. Just like a switch getting flipped, these Fall King Salmon showed up covered from head to tail in shiny tiny scales. They still bare the marks from where sea lice recently died and fell off. These are magnificent specimens, as far as, river salmon fishing is concerned. To be completely truthful; it would be hard to tell an ocean salmon, from these river salmon, if they were lying side by side. The bottom line here is Fall Chinook Salmon, just don’t come any better, than the salmon currently swimming up the Lower Feather River.

These dime bright, newly arriving King Salmon aren’t shy about biting either. They chew! Watching these King Salmon on: Live Scope’s Perspective Mode, allows the angler to catch a first hand glimpse at how migrating salmon interact with your spinner or plug; as they approach your spread, while migrating up river.This is something never before seen, in California’s salmon fishing industry, or by California anglers in general. Here is what I’ve learned in my short time fishing the Lower Feather River for migrating Chinook Salmon….

Let me first point out, the importance and power, of Garmin’s Live Scope technology. Which if time allowed, I could write a book about. In short, what I’m about to bequeath upon you readers is not my opinion, these are not my assumptions, and they are not up for discussion nor scrutiny. These are facts! Proven by technology that lets you watch these King Salmon live. As they naturally live in their environment, and interact with your lures. Something never before possible. This is what I’ve learned, and here are some of the more important take aways, from the Lower Feather River. These tips may help anglers that are salmon fishing in this area.

1)- The Feather River King Salmon are on the move on a consistent basis now. Meaning everyday, and to be more specific, all day everyday. These King Salmon slip up the edges of the Feather River, at the pace of a fast walk. They typically migrate in pairs or trios, however, groups of five to eight fish will come through several times a day. My best estimate is, 100-150 salmon per day, move through the lower river during daylight hours.

2)- Spinner fishing seems to be the most productive method of take, in the Lower Feather River. That is not to say, these King Salmon won’t bite a sardine wrapped plug, a 360 flasher with a 3.5 spinner or cut plug, or spoons, because they do. I have witnessed and also, personally caught, lower river King Salmon, using all these other methods. However, nothing gets these Chinook Salmon more fired up than a flashy, shiny, silver blade. Particularly, the single and double bladed “Silvertron” spinner. If you make your own spinners a big size 7 cascade blade, works just as well. If you do not make your own spinners, then Silvertron spinners are your best option by far. Either trolled or plunked behind an anchored vessel, spinners will find you, your best success in the Lower Feather River.

3)- Remember this: The farther you go down the Feather River, and the closer you get to the HWY 99 bridge at Nicholas, Ca.; the more salmon you will catch. With 40-80 boats per day on the Lower Feather River, these King Salmon see it all, on their migration up river. They are being educated along the way, as they pass each boaters’ spinners. The closer to the closing point at Hwy 99 you can get, the less the salmon have seen spinners, and a higher percentage of salmon will bite.

Hopefully, a few of these observations will help newer anglers to the area; understand the dynamics of the Lower Feather River. Please, remember to remain respectful to the local community, who aren’t used to the heavy, out of town fishing pressure. As this area is typically a quiet, and light pressure fishery. It has only come alive, as this local spot, is the only option for NorCal anglers. So common courtesy can go along way with the locals here.

Stay tuned for a breakdown of the Upper Feather River report next week; as we wind down the remaining days on the Upper Feather River. Tight lines….