……”Who’s there”? Salmon”! “Salmon who”? “The salmon you haven’t seen in three years”. They’re here! They’re Back! They’re knocking at the front door. Who’s ready to catch some kings?

Yup, it’s hard to believe it’s been three long years since the Sacramento River had its last salmon season. If my memory serves me right our last salmon season wasn’t much to write home about either. Hence the the three year closure. So it’s been a good minute since we’ve had a decent season on the Sac. Nevertheless here we are…only days away from opening day. For me this day is a tradition. It’s a day I look forward to throughout the year! It may be my favorite day of the year. I had perfect attendance for almost two decades prior to the last three years. I’ve had the most phenomenal opening days that I’ll never forget. I’ve also had a couple opening days I never saw a salmon caught. Reguardless the outcome of opening day on the Sacramento River, I wouldn’t miss it for anything. This year will be no exception, as I too am counting down the days.

Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca would be considered my home water on the Sacramento River. I grew up in this area. I was taught by the best plug fisherman on the West Coast at the time. Dave Jacobs! Who I’m certain will be in attendance on opening day at Woodson Bridge. With his plugs wrapped and ready to drop at legal fishing time. I have many unbelievable stories from this stretch of the Sacramento River. I learned how to be a salmon fishing guide here. I learned how salmon behave here. I learned what makes a king salmon bite, how they travel, and where in the river they like to hide. I’ve spent more time in this stretch of river then I have anywhere when it comes to salmon fishing. Yet I have not made up my mind on where I will begin salmon fishing on opening day. Woodson Bridge, and some home field advantage is tempting and sounding better and better the closer we get to opening day.

Be sure to remember the change in regulations to the closure point of chinook salmon fishing on the Sacramento River. Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca is the new boundary for the start of the season on July 16th. No salmon fishing upriver of Woodson Bridge until August 1st.

In this past week a steady push of fish have started to work through Woodson Bridge. Several scouting trips have revealed the expected migration of king salmon following our last full moon. There have been more salmon moving into the upper river prior to the season starting then I have seen in at least a handful of years. These dime bright kings have ideal water conditions to migrate currently, and nothing seams to be stopping them. For the most part these early season kings can be caught in the crossfire at Woodson Bridge, but primarily these chinook salmon are headed for the famous Barge Hole! Where we will be able to catch back up with them on August 1st when it opens. As salmon do it on the Sacramento River, the first batch heads straight to the top (Coleman National Fish Hatchert). From there they will start to back up and hold in the “Canyon” region below the Barge Hole. From there they will back up below the Diversion Dam in Red Bluff and eventually Woodson Bridge by the middle of August. At which point Woodson Bridge becomes ground zero for salmon fishing for the following month and a half. This is a basic rundown of how a “normal” season historically plays out. This is all water dependent as well. Changes in the river flows will change the salmon’s habits and migration patterns. As for now we have great water conditions for chinook salmon fishing.

If you are planning on visiting Woodson Bridge for the season opener or anytime shortly after the season opens. Let me save you a few potential headaches. I’m typically a let you learn for yourself type of guy but I don’t want to see anyone have opening day ruined by death or serious injury. God willing I want to see everyone catch a salmon on opening day. So a couple things to know about Woodson Bridge that only experience can teach you?

1)-Don’t come witch a propeller on your boat unless you have, a spare prop. Or don’t care about your boat. I’m not saying it can’t be done but if you don’t know your way around this stretch of river you are just gambling on a real accident.

2)-Three areas of concer heading down river from Woodson bridge. 1)-directly below the lauch is a island. Stay left of the island and on the left hand side of that particular river channel. 2)- Three miles south of Woodson Bridge is a beautiful, big, salmon hole. Many people will fish here and for good reason. What you need to know about this spot is at the bottom of the rock wall, in the middle of the river is a big submerged rock pile. The tip of this rock pile will rip the bottom out of your boat if you hit it. Make sure to pay close attention here. Also when head down river after passing the “Rock Pile” there will be another larger island on your left had side, and a smaller gravel island to the right of the larger island. Here you pass in between the two islands to get to the next hole. The “Pipe Hole”! 3)-the third area of concern is when leaving the “Pipe Hole”. When headed down river stay along the high bank side until you reach the 90 degree turn against the steep bank. Slow down and come off pad here to make your way through this turbulent and snaggy water. Once passed this last trouble spot the river is fairly easily navigated down to the the next boat launch in Hamilton City, Ca. My suggestion for new comers, or anglers that haven’t been on this stretch of the Sacramento River in some time, would be to either follow someone else through these spots at a safe distance, or go with someone who knows the river well before trying it on your own. One for sure way to ruin a opening day is to hit a submerged gravel bar or tree hiding just under the surface. Be sure to use caution wherever you are fishing this opening day, and try your best to remain courteous to other boaters. A little respect goes a long ways.

I wish everyone good luck out there on opening day, and hope merories are made for you all. If you are looking to book a salmon fishing charter this season you can reach out by calling 530-722-8876 or sending a email submission form from this website. I am very much looking forward to this full salmon season ahead and hope to see some of you out there. Tight lines…Good luck!