Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report October 12, 2021 - Sacramento River’s “Top Gun” Fishing Guides

Who would you rather book with when hiring a salmon fishing guide on the Sacramento River? Or any of Northern California’s rivers really. For the sake of simplicity, in this fishing blog we will use the Sacramento River. For our example in debate. If the salmon fishing charter you and your guests were going to book your yearly fishing getaway through. Gave you and your group of guests these two options. As for who the potential fishing guides you will hire for the day of your fishing trip. Letting you, the guest choose your own destiny. Would you as the guest choose...

All smiles for the guest that booked a reservation for a salmon fishing charter on the Sacramento River. 23 year old fishing guide Jacob Frye is far advanced in this fish

A) A fishing guide that is more of a “seasoned veteran”? A fishing guide that has been around for a couple decades? Someone that has years of experience and is booming with self confidence? Undoubtedly knowing a thing or two about the fishery you are planning to visit?

B)-A much younger fishing guide? A guide full of piss and vinegar? Beaming with enthusiasm, ready to get out there and get after it. At the first sign of daylight. Someone who still loves their occupation. A fishing guide that is consumed by the constant thoughts of success. Doing whatever he may have to do to achieve the goal he set out after. Someone fishing like they have something to prove? 

A look back at a picture of young Jacob Frye as he grew up in the trade. Working with his father and fishing guide Jerry Frye as he grew up.

      This is critical thinking right? Well not really but....definitely something to think about before booking your next guided fishing trip. So, as I see it! A part of your conscious that has been trained by societies stereotypes. Tells you subconsciously, there is no replacement for experience. Triggering the brain to lean on the side of the older more experienced fishing guide. Correct? This may be true in some aspect. But I ask “you” (the readers) to keep a open mind as we explore the benefits and drawbacks of both younger and older fishing guides. Your personal feed back is welcome in the comment section of this blog post. We appreciate the different views and opinions of the public at large. Having worked in the fishing industry as a guide for hire since the early 2000’s. I have been fortunate to have taken thousands of clients out fishing. As well as the opportunity to meet and go fishing with some of the most influential fishing guide in this industry. Gaining at least some knowledge from each and every contact I made over the last two decades. I have also watched the sport of fishing change tremendously in the past two decades. The guide for hire business changing right along with sport fishing. Let’s have a look back at some of the changes that have taken place in the fishing industry on the Sacramento River over the past two decades.

A young Jacob Frye holds a salmon he caught while driving the SalmonSacRiver charter boat and captain around on the Sacramento River. At the age of seventeen.

When I embarked in this new business opportunity in the early 2000’s things were much different on the business end of things. Finding new clientele was much more difficult than in today’s modern and technological times. We use tools like the yellow pages, sports expos, word-of-mouth, and fishing reports in monthly magazines. Which now are all nonexistent. With the exception of word-of-mouth. Still a very important tool for getting new clients. As well as the overflow clientele from other fishing guides who were gracious enough to help out a new guide on the River. This was and still is a excellent way to keep busy and money coming in when struggling to exist as a new fishing guide. Keeping you on the water and clients in your boat. With the exception of the new fishing guides of the last five years. Most reputable fishing guides started their work careers in other industries. Maintaining a full-time job in another industry, while fishing part time on the weekends and full time at certain times of year. Off hand I can’t think of any full-time guys that started as full-time fishing guides as their first job. For several reasons. One reason being there were not a lot of local folks willing to spend their money on fishing trips. I’m not saying the clientele wasn’t out there somewhere. I’m just saying these potential clientele were much harder to reach. Reaching them was the problem. The World Wide Web changed everything in the mid to late 2000’s. And I mean everything. Probably the most useful tool in finding potential clientele came with the use of the Internet. Including social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Now the general public was able to find your services for a change. The first major change in business opportunities for fishing guides came with the ability to build and maintain a website. Where a quick Google search would allow you to show up to potential clients. Showing off your business to a endless amount of potential guests. Gallery pages allowed you as a fishing guide to show off your great success through photos. Blog post allowed fishing guides to write fishing reports. Keeping the public informed on the up-to-date fishing action. As well as load google up with valuable website data about your business. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram changed the guide for hire business for ever. The ability to make a post about real time fishing success allowed fishing guides to reach thousands if not tens of thousands of potential clients with every post. Friends list allowed a lot of fishing guides to get real time pictures in front of thousands of so-called friends. Making the phone ring instantly when fishing was hot. Who was to benefit from all this? Every fishing guide was to benefit from all this.

Guests of twenty year old fishing guide Ryan Tripp, hold up their two fish per person limit of Sacramento River King Salmon.

Historically to become a fishing guide, as I pointed out earlier. One must first start out part time. Either on weekends, or during time off of their regular full-time job. Almost all fishing guides had other careers. Having to much time invested in their regular job and it’s retirement plan. Just quitting and chasing the American dream wasn’t a viable option. It was thought unfathomable for this generation of fishing guides to not have had a full time job of some sort. Even myself who started dabbling in the guide for hire business at the age of twenty four. Had been employed by Pacific Gas & Electric company for several years. As well as relying heavily on the housing construction boom in the early 2000s. To support a family while trying to become a fishing guide. A juggling act for sure, leaving the securities of a full-time job with benefits. For a career of uncertainty doing what I loved. Sacrifices were certainly made by my family, and my friends. Having no financial stability in the beginning. My point being is this. No fishing guides to my recollection over the age of 40 years old like myself started out to become a fishing guide. It just didn’t happen. But oh how times of changed.

      In today’s modern times it is perfectly acceptable by society standards to just successfully complete high school and receive no further education. For the record, I said “acceptable”, not suggested. Meaning today’s youth are likely to live productively in society with the completion of trade schools, and self employment. Loans, grants, and private investors make it possible for our youngest generation to explore avenues of business, and afforded opportunities that were never a option for past generations. Who were lead down the road of success by societies acceptance of graduating high school, then junior/graduate college. Then finally onto a career that was predetermined by college preparation. The only other option was to join the service, and serve our country. A selfless and honorable act made by countless Americans after the completion of high school. Needless to say times have changed. Along with it the fishing industry has changed. Young children who watched fathers, uncles, grandfathers, or family friends embark in the guide for hire business. Found themselves at a place in time where the opportunity for them to step strait out of high school, and go pro. As being a completely viable option. 

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp is photographed driving the SalmonSacRiver charter boat in the states most turbulent and challenging salmon fishing hole. At the age of 16!

Many of the young fishing guides here locally in the Sacramento Valley, grew up working on, or spending time on, the boats of relatives or close family friends. Completely aware of the possibility to earn a good living doing as their elders and mentors had done. Working as deckhands through their high school years or even younger. These youngsters know their way around the business. Fishing is almost a second nature to these young men. Who grew up on fishing guide boats. Learning how to treat clients, and how to act around clients, became a second nature. Guiding isn’t about fishing as much as it is about entertaining. As guides it’s safe to say we all know how to fish. Learning how to perform a service to your clients that allows them to have a good time, as well as catch fish is the key to a successful fishing operation. As I mentioned earlier, word-of-mouth is still your number one promoter. Happy customers tell friends. These friends call to book fishing trips. These fishing trips fill up calendar days. The up-and-coming fishing guides who grew up in charter boats surrounded by clients are fully aware of this cycle. Not to mention, the learning curve! Much more difficult for a person of my age to learn new and ever changing ins and outs of the internet and social media. This proving to be much more difficult to stay on top of, then it is for the younger generations who grew up in this technological time. Technology is almost given no thought by today’s younger generations. It comes as a second nature to these youngsters. Being fully functional in technology allows these young men to breeze their way through finding clientele via the internet. While the older generations are better left paying for someone to keep them relevant on the World Wide Web. 

This family group holds up 11 king salmon they caught with fishing guide Ryan Tripp during the first week of August this current salmon season (2021)

I’ll go ahead and let my guard down and be completely honest with myself and with the readers of this post. There comes a time in every adults life where the proverbial passing of the torch takes place. It is a proven fact that the younger mind is capable of learning, processing, computing, and problem-solving at a much faster rate then those minds of a person two, three, or four times their age. Facts! This is why we the veterans of the industry rely on experience, because stepping out of our comfort zones and trying new things is a very rare occurrence. With so many new advancements in fishing technology, tackle, techniques, it is hard if not impossible to keep up with the younger generation. They handle and adapt to these things with ease. Utilizing all these new advancements in the fishing industry to their advantage. Making themselves more successful at the base level of the trade. The fact is that the youth of our trade undoubtedly are more efficient when on the water. It wouldn’t be likely to find your charter boat captain sitting on the bank while he prepares tackle periodically through out the day. It is far more likely the younger guide will do this on the fly. A multi tasking marvel if you will. Their determination to beat all the other guides makes for great efficiency. Very little down time can be expected when hiring a younger guide. They will leave the older guides behind at the boat launch at start time. As your guide has been preparing for an hour prior to you showing up. His intentions are mindful of being the first guide done with limits for his clients everyday. He wants those easy targets(salmon) in his fish box before the other boat traffic catches up to him, and the daily grind starts. These “young guns” have something to prove! Remaining courteous, respectful, and intellectual, these kids can hold a conversation, answer questions, teach fishing techniques, and remain patient when tangle ups happen. Then happen again, and again. The cliche “salty captain” comes from the barking of orders, and growling towards clients that repeat the same mistakes. It comes with the trade, and the years of fixing and repeating the same client mistakes. It happens to the best of us. Haha….however the fresh younger guides deal with these problems with ease. Fixing the fishing foopa’s on the fly, and dealing with the incidents as fast as they come. Eager to get the lines back in the water and fish back in the fish box. Plain and simple, your younger guides are more efficient, productive, and have a stronger drive. Boxing the most fish possible for their clients in the time allotted. 

A 2016 Smith River, Ca salmon fishing photo taken by Mike Rasmussen, shows a 19 year old fishing guide Dakota Townley (left). Holding up a giant king salmon he had caught on the fishing trip.

As far as the Sacramento River is concerned, there are three independent “bad a__” fishing guide services on the river locally that are run by fishing guides under the age of 25. All three of them with multiple salmon seasons under their belt. These three fishing guides are full time, independently operating guiding machines. I urge anyone reading this blog and considering to book a reservation for a salmon fishing trip in Northern California to checkout one of these premier fishing guides. If you are into flat out “catching”. Book a trip with one of them.  If you are into a slower pace fishing trip book with an OG! These three top guns have known nothing but the guide life. This is their full time occupation, has been, and will be, their full time occupation as long as there are fish around to catch. I will list below the name and contact information for each one of these young men. You can’t go wrong with any choice. From oldest to youngest....

Dakota Townley - (530)-680-3717 This year around fishing guide started fishing when he was for real, “knee high to a grasshopper”. He worked with his  grandfather (The legendary fishing guide Frank Townley). Deck-handing for the “Fishin Magician” through grade school, junior high school, and part of high school.  When his grandfather passed. After finishing high school, Dakota took on a five year contract fishing with well known fishing guide Kevin Brock. He is currently operating independently, and can be called directly by using the contact link provided. Dakota is now 25 years old and has literally a decade of guiding under his belt. He is all business on the Sacramento River. Expect to catch! 

Dakota Townley scoops up a chinook salmon for his client in late August, 2021. Full time and independent fishing guide Dakota Townley is nearing a decade of guiding experience at the age of 25.

Jacob Frye- (530)-410-3174 At age 23 this young full time fishing guide sets out every morning to beat the fleet. Expect this young man to think outside the box. Taking advantage of opportunities to put a quick fish or two in the box, as the the opportunities arise. Quick thinking, and versatility keep this youthful guide at the top. Jacob also grew up in the guide for hire business. His father, fishing guide Jerry Frye had instilled the trade into his son at a early age. Jacob is a versatile guide, fishing plugs, or bait in several different applications. This keeping him catching in all fishing conditions, during any time of the season. Like Dakota, Jacob is a full time fishing guide. Working year around for several species of fish. Count on this young man to be around for many years to come. Jacob owns and operates as a completely independent full time fishing guide. He can be contacted using the cell Phone link provided. As well as on major social media platforms.

Full time fishing guide Ryan Tripp holds onto a feisty king salmon he hooked back bouncing a Kwikfish in late July 2021, on the Sacramento River at Woodson Bridge.

Ryan Tripp-(530)-635-3719 The youngest independently operating full time fishing guide in Northern California. Ryan Tripp is amidst his third season as a samon fishing guide. The kids got it! Like the two guide names above. Ryan comes from a upbringing of guide boats and filet knives. Son of fishing guide Mike Tripp, this kid was raised catching salmon. Groomed and ready to become a professional fishing guide long before the legal age of 18.  Catching any number of targeted fish species, on any number of rivers, in a number of Western states is never a problem. Quick to identify the target species, on any body of water, this 20 year old guide systematically thinks through scenarios, coming up with a instantaneous and successful game plan. Having a knack for showing up at the right place at the right time. Capitalizing on the opportunities as quickly as they arise. You won’t spend any down time while on this guides watch. Multitasking has proven its payoffs for this youngest guide on the West Coast. Expect to get after it before daylight breaks. But hooked up long before the sun comes up. Ryan can also be contacted directly for booking reservations with his guide service, by clicking the cell phone link provided next to his name.  

Jacob Frye putting up limits of Sacramento River king salmon for his clients.

      I personally know and have known all three of these full time, year round fishing guides for sometime. I knew all of them before they were old enough to engage in the act of guiding. They all three fished beside me working in my guide boat. I knew each one of them would eventually end up with more talent then I myself held, in the sport of fishing. I have watched them grow up in the trade, and become successful in the trade. There will be no disappointments when booking a fishing trip with any of these younger professionals of the trade. I urge you to consider giving any or all of these professional fishing guides a try out. They will be around for decades to come. Remaining at the top of the industries fishing guide for hire services. 

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.

Growing up in the trade taught fishing guide Jacob Frye the ins and outs of the business. Grooming himself for today’s guide life.

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!

---

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.

Sacramento River Fishing Report July 13, 2021 - Holy Heat Wave!

      Here we are enjoying the scorching Northern California dog days of summer. Triple digit heat waves peaking out in the mid one hundred and teens. Yay! Right? The summer solstice has now passed and our days are cut a minute or so shorter everyday. It will still be the better part of two months before we start to see relief from summers sweaty grasp on the Northern Sacramento Valley. With very little going on for sportsmen, and women during the early summer months. The 2021 King Salmon Season on both the Feather River, and the Sacramento River is certainly something we look forward to opening. The countdown has already begun for enthusiasts, and die hards, who just can’t wait to hook into a dime bright king salmon. The 2021 Fall Run Chinook (King) Salmon season is set to open here in Northern California on July 16, 2021 at approximately one hour before sunrise. And I personally can’t wait to get after it! I’m sure others who enjoy the sport will agree. The thrill of the first king salmon of the season that starts yanking the (excuse my French) shit out of your fishing rod; is indescribable. Also heavily addicting I might add. For the folks who haven’t yet indulged in this outdoor adventure that takes place on a fresh water river system that you would swear is miles from civilization.  In reality it’s 10-15 minutes away from the states largest interstate. It is quiet the experience river fishing for king salmon. Quite frankly, I think you’re missing out. There becomes this instant addiction that takes place the very second a aggressive king salmon strikes your lure out of anger. Whaaaam! He pulls hard on your fishing rod as he bends his body in half, reaching beside him with his toothy mouth, chomping onto your plug like a chew toy. Ripping it all the way accross his body to the other side. “Got Him” or “Fish On” is sounded out by the angler who just felt his rod get yanked like someone was trying to take it from them. And it’s on! A violent strike on your rod and suddenly you are battling a king salmon that has just arrived from the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. Sometimes I feel like they are trying to take that lure and run back the two hundred miles they already swam to arrive here. 

A beautiful sunset saturates the rivers surface at the Barge Hole near Cottonwood, Ca. Ending the day of guided fishing with a stunning backdrop.

       Where is “here”, anyway? “Here” is the stretch of the Sacramento River we fishing guides call “Woodson”.  Short named for Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area. Located six miles east of the town of Corning, Ca. A very popular fishing guide hang out during the first two and a half months of our six month salmon season. Finding here the river water conditions suitable to sustain their existence while they wait to spawn. The king salmon entering the Sacramento River system now will have to wait until mid to late October before their spawning will take place. Water temperatures exceeding 75 degrees in the lower Sacramento River, near places like Colusa, Ca. From Colusa, Ca all the way down river to the confluence with the Feather River in Verona, Ca. Areas of the Sacramento River that water temperatures are much to warm for the salmon to stop migrating and start holding. These kinds of conditions, when we see river water temperatures reach or exceed the mid to upper 70’s it’s becomes slightly alarming to us. These kind of water temperatures can be lethal to the king salmon once “in river”. Without the cold salty Pacific Ocean water running through their gills. Problems like gill rot, and flesh eating warm water bacteria infections can set in. Typically infecting the areas where the skin that have a open wound. Often occurring where a pacific lamprey had attached itself to the migrating salmon. Once unlatched the salmon is left with a perfect circular open wound! The flesh eating bacteria establishes a host area and the sores will become huge. The bacteria eating away at the edges of the hosts wound were the skin remains. The wound also will never heal on the salmons skin, remaining open and growing by the day. As was the case in 2016 when Sacramento River water temperatures ran higher then usual. Consequently 85% of the salmon were infected with this flesh eating bacteria. 

A prime example of a early season king salmon caught on the Sacramento River in the first few days of August near Red Bluff, Ca.

     The migrating salmon typically blast through the lower Sacramento River until finding the river water temperatures suitable for their two month stay. Ideally in the low 60 degree range. Which the salmon find in the vicinity of Woodson Bridge most years. This being the reason for the heavy boat traffic and overall popularity of this boat launch facility. Concerning salmon fishermen who are fishing the Sacramento River north of the city of Sacramento anyhow. These conditions salmon find appealing only during the early portion of the six month long salmon season here in NorCal. Before fall air temperatures cool a greater portion of the river system down. By this time during the salmon season “Woodson” is generally played out, and the party moves up river closer to the hatchery.

Salmon fishing guide Ryan Tripp (Ryan Tripp’s Guide Service) processes his guests king salmon caught on their daily fishing charter on the Sacramento River.

       Fishing on the Sacramento River may bring you some relief to the day time air temperatures that keep most people inside this time of year. Air temperatures generally run about ten degrees cooler while on the river fishing. Making it at least bearable, during the mid day sunshine. The early morning hours are much cooler. We always recommend bringing a hoodie or light jacket along on our daily salmon fishing charters. That start as early as 5:00 am PST. The fresh cool river air can seem a bit chilly to some folks. Followed by ideal temperatures for the majority of your fishing trip. A T-shirt and shorts will likely be all our guest are wearing when we arrive back at the boat launch ending the fishing trip. Before we send you home, pictures will be taken, and your wild Pacific caught king salmon will be processed for you by your captain. Filleted and bagged up, this orange or red seafood will be ready for your enjoyed consumption. However you may decided to prepare it. Heck you wouldn’t be the first person to bring a little soy sauce and wasabi. Ask your captain to cut you off thin slices of this firm, flavorful, and delectable early season Chinook Salmon. A salmon you caught earlier that same day (personally my favorite way to enjoy the omega rich flesh of these wild king salmon). The daily bag (kept fish) limit for King Salmon is two salmon per person, per day, on board the fishing charter. However your overall possession limit is four king salmon total. We urge our customers to consider the possibility of booking two consecutive days with our Sacramento River fishing charter service (SalmonSacRiver.com). This way you are able to take home as much wild Pacific Salmon as you can legally possess. Wild caught Pacific King Salmon retail for somewhere between $30-$60 dollars a pound depending on the year. Far outweighing the cost of the fully guided fishing trip. Minus the experience, photographs, and memories of the days event’s. If you have never experienced the guide for hire business, you should check it out. We have a lot to offer any angler, regardless their skill level. First time anglers to life long anglers. Our salmon fishing guides are top notch and very versatile. Willing to help anyone anytime. As well as willing to acknowledge a skilled anglers talent and ability to quickly learn the tricks of the trade. Anglers who have purchased their own private boat. Wanting  to join the fleet of salmon fishing vessels that occupy the Sacramento River daily during the salmon season. Should first consider hiring a professional fishing guide to take them out and show them the “playing field” if you will. This is a good way to prevent something catastrophic from happening on your first trip out. One bad boating experience on the Sacramento River and statistically speaking you will never put that boat back on the river. Northern California rivers systems are full of snags and submerged gravel bars. The river levels change frequently. Sometimes daily during certain times of the year. Learn from a professional before heading out on your own. Especially in a new shiny boat. 

A fish box full of limits of wild king salmon caught last week in the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco, Ca. Captain John McGee of Legal Limit Sport Fishing sent this photo with a very promising fishing report coming from the salt.

       The 2021 Northern California “in river” salmon season starts this Friday.  July 16, 2021. We are expecting a strong run of mature king salmon this season. Reports from the party boats fishing for chinook (king) salmon as they enter the fresh water, are having great success. Social media platforms showed solid action this week for anglers fishing with the salmon fishing charters working out of the Berkeley, Ca marina. As well as fishing charter services and private boaters fishing up North of the Golden Gate Bridge Up the California coast at Bodega Bay, Ca. Some hefty four and five year old salmon were caught, and pictures posted to Facebook and Instagram this week of salmon exceeding 30 and even 40 pounds. These salmon will move south very soon. Staging in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Waiting to start their “in river” migration. In the several days prior to the next full moon. All very good indications that a solid season lays ahead for the “in river” salmon fishery of Northern California. Tight Lines! Be Safe! Respect others and the great outdoors! 

Happy guests from the Tyee Club pose with their daily catch of king salmon. They wrangled these chinook salmon to the boat where captain Ryan Tripp swooped them up with his net. A great haul of king salmon to take home and enjoy eating.

Sacramento River Salmon Fishing Report/2021 NorCal Drought Monitor

Some experts are calling for a ten year drought here in Northern California. It’s hard to believe our major waterways will be squeezed even tighter in the years to come. The state’s largest reservoirs sucked dry by thirsty agricultural planted hundreds of miles to the south. In the central and southern portions of the golden state. The Central Valley Water Project and the exporting of stored water for big agricultural, has become big money. Unable to compete with the special interest groups, lobbyists, lawmakers, and politicians. The salmon industry has had to rely on our state and federal hatchery programs to produce, a let’s say a...”struggling run”, at best. As the state and federal hatcheries have to produce salmon by law (ordered by the courts for the loss of habitat due to the construction of Shasta and Oroville Dams). They don’t have to do a good job doing so. Hatchery release practices of juvenile salmon by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Colman National Fish Hatchery (on the Sac side) in the last decade, have been questionable to say the least.

Lake Oroville photographed from the Highway 70 bridge on June 25, 2021.

So here we are entering summers hottest months with our reservoirs already so low that 80% of boat launches in NorCal reservoirs are unusable. It is predicted that come fall, Northern California’s Lake Oroville will reach the lowest level seen since the construction of the 770’ earth filled dam was completed in 1968. Water temperatures will then likely rise in the Feather River downstream of Oroville Dam. Causing lethal water temperatures for spawning salmon. Which arrive during the late summer months and into the early fall. When historically the states second largest reservoir will reach its lowest level. Putting extensive strain on a already struggling salmon fishery. A fishery so rich with salmon fishing history, it’s hard to believe it struggles to produce consistent runs of hatchery raised chinook salmon in these modern times. Hosting the second largest run of Fall Run Chinook Salmon in the Sacramento Valley. As well a separate run of Spring Run Chinook Salmon. The Feather River two decades ago was for the most part a year round fishery. Only closing for two short winter months. Famous salmon fishing spots like the notorious “Outlet Hole”, were stuffed with king salmon. The hundreds of anglers who lined the banks fishing the turbulent waters of the Thermilito, Ca discharge (aka “Outlet Hole”), caught salmon by the hundreds. On a daily basis mind you. I myself frequently bank fished this unique location as a younger angler. While in my late teens and early twenties. Prior to owning a jet boat, and discovering the guide for hire business. A little over two decades ago now. On a average day of “combat fishing” (coined by the chaos, occasional fist fight, stabbing, or drowning) it was common to hook up twenty or maybe thirty king salmon on every outing. The limit was even three salmon in possession for some time. A far cry from today’s twenty or thirty salmon hooked between all the bank anglers combined. The Feather River flowed with a much higher volume of water. When wading in the turbulent waters of the outlet hole some twenty years ago, your legs would become numb from the cold water. The places we waded, stood, and fished from back then, are now exposed gravel bars. The water is now much warmer to the touch, there is far less of it, and its getting worse every season. The warmer river water has made the Feather River become sterile of successfully spawning Fall Run Chinook Salmon. The Spring Run Chinook Salmon are almost nonexistent, and anglers are no longer aloud to target this particular run of Feather River King Salmon. The State Run Fish Hatchery is all that’s left to produce salmon in this river system, and that hasn’t proven to be effective in sustaining a solid run of salmon in my opinion. To most anglers who don’t know the details or history of this Northern California river system, it may seem as though this fishery is in “ok” standing. I can assure you, it is not. The Feather River will certainly be put to the test later this season as Lake Oroville reaches record low levels. It is likely we will not know the outcome of the damages done by this seasons extreme drought, for three year to come. As the majority of King Salmon do not enter the fresh water river systems until after spending three years in the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. We shall wait and see...

Lake Oroville shown from a NASA satellite image in July 2019 (left) and again in June 2021 (right). Depicting the significant water loss from two rainless NorCal winters.

This NASA satellite image shows the significant loss of water storage between July 2019 and June 2021. Only two short years and Shasta Lake has dropped to 43% of storage capacity.

The Sacramento River is faced with similar circumstances, if experts predictions are accurate. Lake Shasta near Redding, Ca, the states largest reservoir. Is also in dire straits as far as water storage is concerned. Lake Shasta is currently at 41% of its capacity. Down 106 feet from the same time two years ago in 2019. This according to NASA, who monitors California’s drought situation from satellite images. Most of the lakes easily accessible boat launch facilities are unusable and closed to the launching boats. Due to lake levels dropping far below the bottom of the concrete boat ramps. Summer has just begun here in Northern California. Typically the spring run off from the mountain snow pack is still filling up the enormous reservoir. In the lakes current condition it’s rumored that by fall the lake will be the lowest witness in my forty three years of life here in NorCal. Shasta lake reaching its all time low in the 1976-1977 drought. Along with Lake Oroville. Which currently resides at 34% of capacity. Sitting only forty seven feet above the historic all time low in September 1977.

The famous “Outlet Hole” during the 2017 salmon season on the Feather River, near Oroville, Ca.

Bank anglers wading in the waters of the Outlet Hole on the Feather River in Oroville, Ca.

The fight for water here in the Golden State is well underway. Has been! It’s about to get “real” as they say. Unfortunately for our NorCal sportsmen, salmon will come last in the fight for water. Simply because they generate the least amount of revenue in this states diverse, and demanding economy. Sadly, the mighty dollar will win every time. The salmon, well.... my guess is they will be left fighting to stay off the endangered species list, or worse. Assuming things shape up according to how drought experts have predicted. If there is any glimmer of hope for the states reservoir conditions. It would have to be the fact that all this could and will go away with one big wet winter. I’ll certainly be keeping my fingers cross on behalf of the hope for a strong El Niño weather pattern this winter.

The 2021 King Salmon season on the Sacramento and Feather Rivers will open on July 16, 2021. Only two short weeks away. This years salmon run into Northern California waterways will not have been affected by the drought conditions that started in 2019. Our salmon fishing charter service is expecting a solid run of Pacific Ocean chinook salmon for our clients to have a blast catching, and enjoy eating. Fishing guide Robert Petty of NorthStateSalmon reported seeing a few bright king salmon jumping in the deeper holes of the Sacramento River near Woodson Bridge boat launch this week. Located just a few miles east of Corning, Ca. A popular boat launch during salmon season. Most of the chrome bright kings that will be caught on opening day (July 16, 2021), have just now started their migration from the salt water of the Pacific Ocean. With the onset of this full moon phase we are passing through currently, the king salmon instinctually gather outside the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. For up to a week prior to the full moon. Without notice the schools of chinook salmon that have gathered to migrate into the Sacramento Valley waterways, will vanish. They will quickly move up the river systems at a pace of up to twenty two miles a day. Blasting through the potentially fatal warm water temperatures of the lower Sacramento River, Until finally reaching desirable river conditions in which they will reside for several months. Waiting to eventually spawn in the Fall.

Katie and Abby Rasmussen out fishing with their father, fishing guide Mike Rasmussen of fishing charter SalmonSacRiver. Abby lands a Sacramento River King Salmon as her sister Katie watches on. Sacramento River fishing guide Ryan Tripp nets the salmon.

Opening Day (July 16, 2019) on the Sacramento River in Red Bluff, Ca. Captain John Pearl prepares to net a king salmon Amanda Gradney has on the line.

Reports from the salt water captains working out of the marinas surrounding the San Francisco Bay have been positive. Captain John McGee of Legal Limit Sport Fishing (a established “six pack” fishing charter service) reported that the commercial salmon vessels up North, fishing out of Bodega Bay, Ca. Crushed the king salmon prior to June 26, 2021 sport fishing season opening day. A very positive sign for the season to come. And now we wait!

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.