We've been catching King salmon on every trip this year!
The Sacramento River King salmon season is in full swing now and we're seeing some pretty good numbers of fish in the upper river near Red Bluff. Anglers who are putting in some time on the water are taking home fresh salmon. Plugs and bait seem to be working equally as well right now and water conditions couldn't be more perfect. The bulk of this years run consists of two year old salmon that are averaging 7-10 pounds. There are some bigger fish around, but they are definitely fewer in numbers right now. I personally haven't seen this many jacks in the Sacramento River since I started guiding over here, although I hear there was a big run of them in 2011. If current trends prove to be accurate, the Sacramento River will see a good run of salmon returning next year as three year olds that average 18-25 pounds. After two devastating years of a smolt (juvenile salmon) trucking program from Coleman NFH to the California Delta, we should once again see the lions share of the salmon in the upper sections of the Sacramento River.
Happy clients from a trip earlier this week!
With the Feather River seeing such good fishing this year, just a handful of local guides and anglers have been fishing the upper river making for some very roomy conditions on the water. Its been a late start up here near Redding this year, but if the current conditions and continued numbers of salmon hold steady, we will end up calling the 2017 salmon season a good one! I have September 26,27,28th available right now if anyone is interested in some Sacramento River salmon fishing this month. The run should peak sometime around the end of the month, but we should see some good fishing through mid October if we avert any big rains between now and then. Tight lines and enjoy the rest of the summer, its almost over!
