Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report August 23, 2021 / The Salmon Are Coming!!

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp dips his net to scoop up a king salmon for his guests. Tripp found great success fishing out of Red Bluff, Ca since the upper river opener.

Plug fishing remained solid on the Sacramento River out of Woodson Bridge as a née batch of dime bright king salmon moved into the area this past week.

Mike Rasmussen dips his Beckman net on a Sacramento River king salmon Amanda Gradney hooked using a K16 Kwikfish.

Hear ye, Hear ye! “The salmon are coming”! I say, “The Salmon are coming”! 

      Small waives of newly arriving chinook salmon continue to move through the Sacramento River. With solid consistency and numbers behind them. When newly arriving king salmon make their way into the upper Sacramento River, instinct pumps the brakes on their migration. The much cooler river water temperatures are the salmons first indication that migration has been completed, and the ripening process begins. Meaning, a king salmon which shows up now won’t spawn until late October-November. So the time spent after they arrive, but before the salmon spawn, is what I call the “ripening period”.  Also referred to as the “maturing process”. Traveling at a pace equal to that of a power walk (about as fast as you can walk without running). The chinook salmon covers ground quickly. Tracked moving as much as twenty two miles in a twelve hour period. These kings can reach the 250 river mile mark (roughly where the start of the upper river begins) very quickly when need be. Migrating salmon have one thing on their mind. MIGRATING! Becoming much easier to catch once they find their resting (ripening) spots in the upper river’s 55-65 degree water temperatures, and deep holes. This is where the salmon will continue to live for the next two months.

As new batches of salmon roll into the upper Sacramento River. They are usually first detected by anglers fishing out of the Chico, Ca region of the Sacramento River. Where social media platforms host personal and business posts of anglers as they first run into the schools of arriving king salmon.  Leaving the Chico, Ca area they continue north roughly fifteen river miles. Arriving at the popular fishing guide hang out at Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca. Historically Woodson Bridge hosts ideal river water temperatures, and is the primary location for the ripening period. Allowing anglers both recreational, and fishing guides for hire to target the salmon from mid August through September. The salmon leave Woodson Bridge in late September heading for their spawning grounds. Which encompasses the Sacramento River from Redding, Ca down river to the town of Cottonwood, Ca. Home to the famous Barge Hole, as well as the Sacramento Rivers only fish hatchery. Coleman National Fish Hatchery. A Federally funded fish hatchery. Heavily restricted by federal funding.

      This 2021 salmon season has started off great. Well better then the past few salmon seasons anyhow. The season has a feeling of a large return. The early part of the salmon season on the Sacramento River, played out just as it should. The upper Sacramento River salmon opener on August 1, 2021 also played out as if there was going to be a larger then usual number of chinook salmon around this season. The second push of salmon arriving didn’t stop  migrating until they hit the “canyon region” of the upper river. Indicative of this particular push of early August Kings. A solid mix of bomber four year old chinooks showed up with this push of fish as well. Fishing guides working the upper river did very well in the first two weeks of August. Boasting big group limits on several occasions thus far in August. A solid fish per rod average kept customers in almost every reputable fishing charter boat, happy. In turn making the early season guided salmon fishing trips, enjoyable for the working guides. It’s always easier to walk out the door at 3:30am when you know your going to put some fish on the deck. A feeling I recognize to have been absent from this salmon fishery since the 2015/16 early seasons. Salmon were found holding in ALL the salmon spots. As apposed to only some salmon being in only a few of their favorite spots. As has been the case in the last handful of years. A almost certain sign that there is much more to come this season. 

       As “run timing” ( the calendar time associated with the arrival of different chinook salmon runs into the Sacramento River) would historically indicate. The next push of arriving king salmon will be much larger in “run count” (numbers of salmon). And should arrive in direct correspondence with this full moon cycle we are currently in. Woodson Bridge in Corning, Ca should be their home. Loading up thick in the ten to fifteen miles of river surround the popular boat launch. Quickly turning it into ground zero for fishing charter services, and fishing guides. Who flock to the popular boat launch in great numbers.  It won’t be long now until we know for certain how substantial this 2021 salmon run is going to be. 

       This past week may have been a early indication that in fact, things may just be right on course for the Woodson Bridge showdown. Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon.com got into some chrome early in the week. As did salmon fishing guides Jacob Frye and Dakota Townley, on Tuesday after the two returned from a few day tuna fishing trip in SoCal. Ryan Tripp also scored big on his first fishing trip to Woodson Bridge this season. Boxing over a fish per rod average in his first two days back at the “playground” (Woodson Bridge). All in all a solid performance from the crew of guides who are local to this boat launch. Showing up at Woodson Bridge on a hunch they would likely get in front of the start of this big push of chrome kings. This next week will let us all know what we have in store for the peak of the 2021 salmon season. Tight Lines!

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Teresa has her Phenix Rod on a hard bendo while fishing out of Woodson Bridge this past week.

These three guests of Robert Petty’s NorthStateSalmon.com got their hands on some quality king salmon fishing below the Red Bluff, Ca diversion dam on August 15, 2021.

This action photo captures fishing guide Ryan Tripp putting a king salmon in his boat on August 11, 2021.

Clean chrome chinook salmon like this one held up by Teresa from Vacaville, Ca showed up south of Woodson Bridge on Sunday August 15, 2021.

Northern California Fishing Report For: Sacramento River Striped Bass

The lack of rainfall in Northern California this winter, has lead to another good trophy striped bass season on the Sacramento River. Very little rainfall equals, many days of fishing. The Sacramento River historically has somewhere around a fifty percent chance of being blown out at this time of year. Many years the winter months are spent staring at a dirty, debris littered Sacramento River. Swollen from strong pacific storms that typically slam the Northern California coast this time of year. Leaving only maybe a handful of days to fish for the trophy class striped bass that are “holding over” in the river prior to he spring spawn. However that was then and this is now. The past decade has been exceptionally dry for the early part of winter. December, January and even February have been drought stricken for the better part of this last decade. Bad for Sacramento River salmon. Great for Sacramento River striped bass. This winter of 2020 has been no exception. Little rain! Big Stripers!

The quick and careful removal of the hooks before releasing this striped bass back into the Sacramento River. delta_fisher removes a “slyguylures” glide bait from the striped bass before quickly releasing her back into the Sacramento River.

The striped bass fishing on the Sacramento River has been widespread. The same can safely be said about the catching. Striped bass fishing charters and recreational anglers have shared a very productive season thus far. Very few days of down time have been had, due to poor river conditions. The lack of rain has allowed the Sacramento River to remain low and clear for the majority of the winter season. Up to this point anyhow. With all the hype these days behind the trophy striped bass fishery the Sacramento River hosts. The attendance of anglers present at local boat ramps every day, was nothing less then impressive. These ideal conditions made for some amazing opportunities. Opportunities for anglers of all skill levels to potentially catch that striped bass of a lifetime. On any given cast. On a seventy mile stretch of the Sacramento River. Many anglers experiencing their “personal best”(PB) striped bass. Dozens of striped bass in the thirty pound class and a handful of slobs weighing in the fourty pound class. Hit the digital scales of anglers who were more likely then not, still shaking from the experience. The largest known striped bass to my recollection this season. Would have to be the 49 pound monster striper caught by hard core striped bass enthusiasts Nate Barbour. Who has brought a plethora of trophy class striped bass to be viewed on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. “NorCal Nate” has made a undeniable name for himself and his favorite glide bait! “Sneaky Pete”! Nate has featured Sneaky Pete hanging, dangling, and sticking out of the lips of 500 pounds of striped bass so far this season. Well that might be a slight exaggeration. I’d have to actually do the math. But I think the point is made that the Nate and Sneaky Pete duo, has been a pretty solid combination so far in 2020.

Two friends, delta_fisher and slyguylures ( Instagram names ) that share the same hard core passion for striped bass fishing. Show off their reward from a quick day trip casting their custom glide baits on the upper Sacramento River In Northern California. Doing what they love and doing it well. Please remember to catch and release when ever possible.

The fishability of GRatt produced glide bait Sneaky Pete, has changed the winter striped bass fishing game as we knew it. A fishery that only a select handful of anglers took advantage of. The select few anglers that had access to custom, hand made glide baits. By the pioneers of bait making. A decade prior to the bait making phenomenon that now drives it’s own industry. These few og striped bass die hards took lessons and “hand me down” custom glide baits from their bass fishing connections. Who used these colossal artificial baits for giant largemouth bass on the West Coast. Not easy to get your hands on and almost unaffordable custom glide baits, kept the majority of anglers out of the loop or unwilling to embark on such a unknown and expensive adventure. As time passed and commercial glide baits as well as dozens of private bait makers ventured into the market of “wake baits” or subsurface “swimbaits” (glide baits). They became more available and prices came down. Making it more affordable to own, throw, and cast off these expensive lures. The kind of lures that could potentially cause divorces if the sticker price were to ever be honestly revealed. The timing and need for a affordable, good swimming, good looking glide bait was upon us. Gratt Baits had the perfect solution for the glide bait craze that has taken off in the striped bass fishery in Northern California. The answer! “Sneaky Pete”! Sneaky Pete has been steeling the show this 2020 season. Period! Even more impressive from a fishing guides perspective. Sneaky Pete has given every person casting one the opportunity at catching giant striped bass. Trophies that were only dreamt about before now. Dozens of striped bass fishermen and women have accomplished beating or setting a PB(personal best) striped bass on behalf of Sneaky Pete! Which has quickly become a house hold name to striped bass anglers abroad.

“Nor Cal Nate” holding up a recent catch. Despite deteriorating river conditions. Due to localized rainfall here in Northern California this past week.

Putting trophy bass like these in your boat are what dreams are made of. Hats off to NorCal Nate and his crew for a epic photo opportunity with two trophy class stripers.

The striped bass fishing has slowed but not stopped completely this past week. As anglers had to face poor water quality conditions in two consecutive back to back river rises. Steming from recent rainfall events in Northern California over the past week. Recent fishing charter reports from the Sacramento River are still very positive when they are able to get back on the water. As the Sacramento River begins to clear up following a rain storm. The larger trophy class fish have been scarcest for the last week or so. With no whoppers to brag about or show off pictures of. Conditions are currently getting better by the day for the upper Sacramento River. Anglers should be right back in the action by the middle of next week. With no real rain storms in the near future. Trophy striped bass fishing should resume right where it left off. On Fire!!

This show stopper weighed in at a honest 49 pounds! They don’t come much bigger then this beauty. Caught by Nate Barbour only two weeks ago on the Sacramento River. Bone colored “Sneaky Pete” lays on his lips after sealing the deal on this trophy lineside.

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.

Northern California Fishing Report-Sacramento River Salmon Fishing November 30, 2019 Late Fall Kings Are Here!!

Well here they come! The Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon have started a steady and consistent migration through the lower Sacramento River. Only stopping periodically for a short break. In a few of the suitable holes along their journey up the Sacramento River. This past week has produced some beautiful salmon. Both hatchery and wild (natural spawn) chinooks have been brought in by Sacramento River salmon fishing charter SalmonSacRiver.com. The newly arriving Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon are considered to be a genetically larger grade of king salmon then the more popular Fall Run Chinook Salmon. Which the season just ended for on November 1st. The more aggressive and physically larger Late Fall Salmon have been trickling through the upper Sacramento River. Although the peak of this genetically superior salmon run will not come until right around Thanksgiving! And remaining at its peak for the remainder of the 2019 salmon season. Which ends on December 16, 2019.

This hefty 32 pound Late Fall King Salmon was caught on November 24, 2019 by a guest of Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen.

Some larger king salmon from the late fall run have already made it into the live wells of the salmon fishing guides working the Sacramento River. Salmon fishing guide Dave Jacobs sacramentofishing.com landing a king on November 23, 2019 that went 34 pounds. Salmon fishing charter SalmonSacRiver.com reported one of their fishing guides lost a salmon that pushed 40 pounds. Right at the net, on November 6, 2019. Guest Sam Hicks and his good friend Jess joined Sacramento River salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen. For a three day salmon fishing trip on the upper Sacramento River near Corning, Ca. The duo drove all the way from Elko, Nevada for some much needed time on the water. Their three day guided salmon fishing trip yielded seven late fall king salmon to ride home with.

Salmon fishing guide and owner of Sacramento River salmon fishing charter SalmonSacRiver, hoists a 32 pound Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon into the charter boat. Fishing guide Mike Rasmussen will fish as long as the river conditions permit. Or through the end of the 2019 salmon season in Northern California. Ending on December 16, 2019.

The cold mornings have been accompanied by warm and calm afternoons. Absolutely perfect weather for time spent in the outdoors. The calm afternoons have kept many of the fall colored leaves on the trees overlooking the Sacramento River. Leaving a picture perfect backdrop for those out salmon fishing for these late fall king salmon. A very relaxing and comfortable experience this time of year. As opposed to the hustle and heat of the summer months fall run king salmon fishing. Very few other boats, if any. Making for the feeing of solitude and tranquility. Being able to work any particular salmon fishing hole without any other boats interfering. Quite the experience!

AJ from Sacramento, Ca holds up a dime bright Late Fall Run Chinook Salmon he caught on the upper Sacramento River near Red Bluff, Ca. AJ was fishing with salmon fishing guides Mike Rasmussen and Johny Eller!

It should be noted that the Sacramento River has taken on a much different appearance in the past few weeks. The Sacramento River is running at roughly half the volume as it was when the 2019 salmon season started in July. If you haven’t been on the river for a month or so. Make sure to use great caution and awareness if or when you venture out on the river. Many new gravel bars, rocks, and submerged timber pose serious threats to navigation at this time. It is urged to use extreme caution at these low river flows. Some local boat launches have also been compromised. Due to the low river conditions and the continued dropping of the Sacramento River. Popular boat launches like Woodson Bridge boat launch in Corning, Ca. Have been filled in with gravel and sand. Leaving boat operators no choice but to launch their jet boats off the adjacent gravel bar. Having 4wheel drive is mandatory for this kind of alternative launching! If you are unsure about safe navigation. Call a local fishing guide or someone you know that frequents the river on a weekly basis. Just “winging it” could end up costing you thousands in repairs. Or worse!

This family traveled from across the United States. To cross a King Salmon of the bucket list! Mission accomplished! This chrome hen Chinook Salmon put up a tremendous fight. She was exactly what this family needed. Red Bluff, Ca November 22, 2019.

There is approximately three weeks remaining of the 2019 salmon season on the Sacramento River. The Late Fall Salmon fishing will improve daily. Reaching the peak of its run in the last few remaining days of the season. Which closes on December 16, 2019. A solid fish per rod average has been the norm thus far for salmon fishing guide Mike Rasmussen SalmonSacRiver.com. Limit out style fishing could start happening any day. As larger groups of late fall chinook salmon push up into the upper river. Guided salmon fishing trips are still available for the month of December. Salmon fishing is expected to remain excellent for the remainder of the 2019 season. For booking a reservation call Sacramento River salmon fishing charter SalmonSacRiver at 530-722-8876 or visit the website at the link above. Tight lines!

“Bro-Man” Hi’s dad calls him! This father and son fishing team come many times throughout the salmon season. Young William holds up a early morning King Salmon he caught on November 25, 2019 near Red Bluff, Ca on the Sacramento River.

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.