The upper Sacramento River salmon season opener, did not disappoint. From the famous Barge Hole, down river to the city of Red Bluff, Ca. Anglers in jet boats, as well as anglers fishing from the bank. Scoring big this past Sunday. As the first day of the 2021 salmon season started above the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam, on the Sacramento River. The salmon fishing that has been taking place in the past few weeks, took place below (down river) the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam. This may help explain things to those of you readers who may not know how the Sacramento River is broken up during salmon season. Anglers started laying into king salmon almost instantaneously. River wide, from Red Bluff, Ca to Roosters Landing in Anderson, Ca Sunday morning. As darkness gave way to the crack of dawn. Recreational salmon fishermen, as well as Sacramento River salmon charter services, reaped the rewards of an abundance of king salmon laying around. Nearly every salmon fishing hole in the “Canyon” region of the Sacramento River, the “Downtown” stretch of Sacramento River (running through the town of Red Bluff, Ca), and finally anglers fishing the famous “Barge Hole” in Cottonwood,Ca had salmon living in them. Anglers in the Barge Hole found the most success, as they targeted the largest concentration of king salmon in the Sacramento River. 

        5:07am marked the start of legal fishing time for chinook salmon. In the waters of the Sacramento River above the Red Bluff diversion dam. The scene at the most popular and crowded salmon fishing hole in Northern California was set. Approximately 75 salmon fishing vessels had descended on the Barge Hole for the opening morning fishing event. 5:08am several hundred plugs (Kwikfish, Flatfish, Killerfish and more) were dropped to the bottom of the hole. Anticipation was high on every boat. The usual battle positions were established by the hierarchy of the fishing hole (seniority rules as they say). The Kenyon’s (Scott and nephew John) settled in hovering above the ledge of the holes deepest drop off. Justin Thomson of justinthompsonfishing.com sat above the cable. Guides Danny Hamilton and Robert Weiss (norcalsalmonguide.com) worked the back flat of the hole. Where the water funnels up and leaves the hole on the west side of the island, at the bottom of the Barge Hole. Outdoor Adventures, Kirt Protercaro (Sacriverguide.com) started below the confluence of Battle Creek. Salmon fishing guides Dakota Townley and Jacob Frye sat above the rock point. The SalmonSacRiver.com Koffler made jet boat operated by the youngest guide in the fleet, Ryan Tripp (ryantrippsguideservice), hung out back in the “corner pocket”. Strategically speaking, the scared and confused salmon run to the back of the hole. Escaping the bombardment of the masses of kwikfish, flatfish, lead weights, motor noise, and god only knows what other haptic sounds or vibrations attributed to the several hundred angler who have dumped their gear in the water. 5:10am  “FISH ON” is heard from within the masses of jet boats. A good sign indeed. In the fact that a chinook salmon hunted down the rhythmic, irritating, and obnoxious vibrations of a plug working in the current, and aimed to kill it (lacking arms and hands the salmon uses its mouth as a weapon). Taking a bite of the sardine wrapped plug, yanking it’s head from side to opposite side in one big sweeping  motion. Intending to inflict maximum damage to it’s intruder. 5:15am Guide Danny Hamilton is on! Ryan Tripp in the SalmonSacRiver.com boat is on. Other chaos is heard in the masses. 5:30am Daybreak gives way to daylight, the scene at the barge hole has become a full shit show. Looking up into the barge hole from the back, reminded me of times past. Nets waiving around, yelling and orders being barked, boats piled in on the holes deepest waters. From the creek mouth to the flat in the back of the hole. Full blown salmon madness was underway. Finally a opening day worth talking about! 6:00am. Full salmon madness ensues! Boats maneuvering, anglers hollering, nets swinging, lures tangling, pictures being taken, and fish being fought non stop around the clock at this point. On some occasions there would be a dozen salmon or so being fought at once. Most of the action is centered around the Kenyon’s (Scotty, John, and Mike) off the ledge. 6:30am The “roe wars” start in the depths of the hole, as the salmon seek the cover of darker, deeper, water. When the sun starts rising. Ryan Tripp puts his “devil fish” (the last king salmon needed to fill the boat limit) in the box. Ending the season opener for his crew just before the 6:30am mark. Landing 8 king salmon and loosing just as many. The action has spread throughout the Barge Hole. A solid opening day for anglers to say the least. 

       The “Canyon” region of the Sacramento River, located between the Bend, Ca boat launch and the Jelly’s Ferry boat launch facility, was just as action packed. Primarily recreational anglers in this stretch of the Sacramento River, this area has a ton of historic value in salmon fishing. The deep dark holes, lined with lava rock walls. Creates a nearly perfect environment for salmon waiting another month or better to spawn. Anglers fishing the narrow and turbulent waters of the canyon were also rewarded with a surplus of king salmon. Salmon fishing guide Jason Wiggam whomped on the kings in his traditional starting spot in the canyon. A veteran salmon guide, and plug fishing purist. Wiggam leaned  into 25+ hookups opening day at his favorite hole. A day of salmon fishing his guests will never forget. Action in the “Canyon” has continued to pump out quality king salmon weighing up to 35 pounds this week. Traditionally a tough week to fish after the heavy boat traffic on opening day. 

        After all is said and done on the upper river salmon opener on the Sacramento River. It is estimated by CDFW research biologists that somewhere around 150 king salmon were retained by anglers fishing the Barge Hole. As well as another 50 or so king salmon retained down river in the Canyon. Making the opening day madness a complete success for most anglers who attended this annual event. 

      Fishing has continued to stay above average for salmon fishing charter services, and salmon fishing guides actively guiding for hire this week. Following the season opener on Sunday August 1, 2021.  Fishing guides Dakota Townley, and Jacob Frye joined forces this week. Running their clients together in one  jet boat. A solid decision considering their fishing location. Which only allows the boat operator to drive the boat (typically most captains fish a rod themselves), and not to fish. Making the extra guide on board responsible for running the deck and hooking some fish for their clients. The pair of guides found success in three consecutive days operating their services out of the Jelly’s Ferry boat launch. In the canyon of the Sacramento River.  Where as fishing guide Ryan Tripp settled into the lower part of the canyon around Bend, Ca. Where he shared similar success in consecutive days. Tripp fishing plugs on the flatline in shallow, faster water. Having his best day on Wednesday August 5, 2021. Putting eleven hefty kings in the box for his group of six clients.  

      Farther down river, below the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam the few guides that chose to stick it out down river, despite the upper river opener. Were also rewarded for their decision making. As most anglers jammed up river for opening day. The few that stayed enjoyed the solitude of quiet water ( very few anglers). In turn making for great salmon fishing. Fishing guide Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon.com kept his clients busy this last week, catching salmon on plugs below Los Molinos, Ca in the Barn Hole. Scoring chrome king salmon for his clients, with almost no one around. The same applied for salmon fishing guide Johny Eller from Corning, Ca. Who took the opportunity to fish his guests in the vacated waters below Red Bluff, Ca. Eller also catching his clients their king salmon on sardine wrapped Kwikfish. All in all, a success for the few guides who made their decision to avoid the chaos of the upper river hype. 

       If the amount of chrome salmon showing up this week in the canyon is any indication of what is to come. Then it’s about to be a really, really good season. Much more salmon fishing action lays ahead. In the weeks and months to come. We will continue to bring weekly salmon fishing reports to the people of the  North State. Throughout the entire 2021 salmon season. Be safe out there and Tight Lines.

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.