<blockquote>
Guide Dave Jacobs holds up a fine example of a Sacramento River chinook salmon.</blockquote>COLUSA – Northern California anglers are fortunate to have plenty of fishing opportunities and fish species to target: bass, trout, catfish and many more. But arguably the most prized game fish, the mighty chinook or king salmon, has been put off- limits this year almost everywhere in California. The exceptions are the Klamath, Trinity and Smith rivers, in the north state.The restrictions on the take of salmon resulted from the collapse of the number of fall salmon returning to spawn in 2007 and the prediction that even fewer adults will return to Central Valley streams this year.So far the predictions seem to be coming true. The fish ladder at Nimbus Hatchery opened Tuesday with only a trickle of salmon working their way to the holding ponds.However, a faint glimmer of hope, if not sun, broke through the gloom and rain Saturday on the opening of a short salmon season on the Sacramento River, which concludes Dec. 31.Anglers can take one salmon per day, one in possession from Knights Landing to the Red Bluff Diversion Dam over the next seven weeks. The rationale for allowing a limited season? It's believed the declines that hit the fall chinook salmon run didn't affect the separate late-fall run."I actually did better on the late-fall run salmon in November and December last year than I did earlier," said Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service. He and others did well last weekend, cathching an average of one fish per boat.While Sacramento River salmon are typically caught from a boat, Bob Boucke of Johnson's Bait and Tackle reported that bank anglers can succeed in the section of river between Grimes to the new Tisdale Boat Ramp. There, anglers have easy access to the deep water that salmon prefer. He suggested using big, heavy No. 6 Mepps or Blue Fox spinners.Boat fishermen have many more choices, not only on areas to fish, but also the best holding water. Inexperienced salmon anglers should hire a licensed guide. These experts know how to navigate the snags, sandbars and other river hazards.This is not fast fishing. The river is subject to sudden rises and turning muddy after storms this time of year, but the rewards are great. Late-fall run chinook salmon enter the river in prime, ocean-fresh condition, and not only are fierce fighters but also make for great table fare. They typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds, although fish weighing over 40 pounds are possible. Way over 40 pounds.A giant king salmon – an early fall- run fish – was found dead by a fishery agency salmon survey crew last week on Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River, after presumably spawning successfully. It was just under 51 inches long. Based on measurements, Matt Johnson of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission estimated its weight to be 85 pounds – perhaps even heavier just before it stopped feeding and entered fresh water. (The California record is 88 pounds and was set almost 30 years ago.)So, while anglers are getting a limited opportunity to catch a salmon this year, that giant king offers a ray of hope for the future.To catch a salmon:You need a fishing license, casting outfit with 20-pound-test line; lures like Silvertron spinners and Kwikfish fished on a 3-foot leader. Shops with gear and advice: Kittle's Outdoors and Sports, (530) 458-4868, 1004 Market St., Colusa; Johnson's Bait and Tackle, (530) 674-1912, 298 Garden Highway, Yuba CityGuides: Dave Jacobs, Professional Guide Service, (800) 355 3113; Scott Feist, Feisty Fish Guide Service, (707) 540-2381– Jim Jones
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/story/1373586.html
Guide Dave Jacobs holds up a fine example of a Sacramento River chinook salmon.</blockquote>COLUSA – Northern California anglers are fortunate to have plenty of fishing opportunities and fish species to target: bass, trout, catfish and many more. But arguably the most prized game fish, the mighty chinook or king salmon, has been put off- limits this year almost everywhere in California. The exceptions are the Klamath, Trinity and Smith rivers, in the north state.The restrictions on the take of salmon resulted from the collapse of the number of fall salmon returning to spawn in 2007 and the prediction that even fewer adults will return to Central Valley streams this year.So far the predictions seem to be coming true. The fish ladder at Nimbus Hatchery opened Tuesday with only a trickle of salmon working their way to the holding ponds.However, a faint glimmer of hope, if not sun, broke through the gloom and rain Saturday on the opening of a short salmon season on the Sacramento River, which concludes Dec. 31.Anglers can take one salmon per day, one in possession from Knights Landing to the Red Bluff Diversion Dam over the next seven weeks. The rationale for allowing a limited season? It's believed the declines that hit the fall chinook salmon run didn't affect the separate late-fall run."I actually did better on the late-fall run salmon in November and December last year than I did earlier," said Dave Jacobs of Professional Guide Service. He and others did well last weekend, cathching an average of one fish per boat.While Sacramento River salmon are typically caught from a boat, Bob Boucke of Johnson's Bait and Tackle reported that bank anglers can succeed in the section of river between Grimes to the new Tisdale Boat Ramp. There, anglers have easy access to the deep water that salmon prefer. He suggested using big, heavy No. 6 Mepps or Blue Fox spinners.Boat fishermen have many more choices, not only on areas to fish, but also the best holding water. Inexperienced salmon anglers should hire a licensed guide. These experts know how to navigate the snags, sandbars and other river hazards.This is not fast fishing. The river is subject to sudden rises and turning muddy after storms this time of year, but the rewards are great. Late-fall run chinook salmon enter the river in prime, ocean-fresh condition, and not only are fierce fighters but also make for great table fare. They typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds, although fish weighing over 40 pounds are possible. Way over 40 pounds.A giant king salmon – an early fall- run fish – was found dead by a fishery agency salmon survey crew last week on Battle Creek, a tributary of the Sacramento River, after presumably spawning successfully. It was just under 51 inches long. Based on measurements, Matt Johnson of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission estimated its weight to be 85 pounds – perhaps even heavier just before it stopped feeding and entered fresh water. (The California record is 88 pounds and was set almost 30 years ago.)So, while anglers are getting a limited opportunity to catch a salmon this year, that giant king offers a ray of hope for the future.To catch a salmon:You need a fishing license, casting outfit with 20-pound-test line; lures like Silvertron spinners and Kwikfish fished on a 3-foot leader. Shops with gear and advice: Kittle's Outdoors and Sports, (530) 458-4868, 1004 Market St., Colusa; Johnson's Bait and Tackle, (530) 674-1912, 298 Garden Highway, Yuba CityGuides: Dave Jacobs, Professional Guide Service, (800) 355 3113; Scott Feist, Feisty Fish Guide Service, (707) 540-2381– Jim Jones
http://www.sacbee.com/fishing_hunting/story/1373586.html
