Folks the count down begins! You might have absolutely no idea what awaits at the end of the countdown or what we are counting down down to. I must apologize. I auto assume everyone suffers from the same sickness myself and others like me do. Symptoms such as the feeling of being lost, not knowing exactly what to do, where to go, or how to go about your day differently. A day spent without feeling the rhythmic beat of a Flatfish or Kwikfish thumping on your Phenix Rod.  Not sitting in a seat on the edge of a jet boat with the handle of a nearly silent Yamaha 9.9 kicker motor in your opposite hand. Not having to fixate on the graph (salmon finder) and figure out your targets next move. Your  snacks arn’t in the bait cooler anymore. You can’t smell the lingering stench of sardine and salmon on your clothing and skin. These are the very real withdrawal symptoms of King Salmon Addiction (KSA). The symptoms will eventually subside after a week or two of quitting cold turkey. Normal life may, but will not always ensue. After almost six months of living without catching, netting, or processing king salmon, no daily phone calls from clients checking in and out. No clowning on the phone with other veteran fishing guides about your day on the river.  As to the social media post and daily ongoings of the new  fishing guides who turned bromances into “fishing teams”.  No roe to cure in the garage. No stage four sunglass tan! No stinky finger, from bait odors. Your everyday life as a salmon fishing guide has finally ceased, and you have taken on other ventures and hobbies. At this point you may almost be  deemed normal again through the eyes of the close friends and loved ones who know your struggles. Seeing you as more of a feral adult during the months of salmon season, than a salmon fishing guide. Just as you seem fully adjusted to things in the mainstream lifestyle, you realize that June has passed and the 16 day countdown to opening day of salmon season has started. The 2020 opening day of salmon season on the Sacramento River and Feather River is less then a week away. The euphoric thoughts of the violent plug bite from a big chrome king salmon start to saturate your mind. This is worth the wait of the countdown I previously left in question. The countdown to Northern California’s king salmon season is quickly approaching!

     Yes! Finally! The guide life is back. Not to mention a 15 day season extension on the Sacramento River. Previously running from July 16th to December 16. This 2020 season on the Sacramento River the season will run until the years end. December 31, 2020 will mark the closing of the Sacramento River salmon season. Our favorite time of year to chase the biggest and strongest king salmon of the season...Late Fall Kings!  Veteran salmon fishing guides on the Sacramento River, Dave Jacobs and Mike Rasmussen specialize in this genetically superior salmon run, lasting from Halloween to the season closure. This year will close on December 31, 2020.  That is then and this is now. The “Fall Run Chinook Salmon” (the biggest of the Sacramento Rivers four genetically different and distinguished runs of king salmon annually) are first to the diner plate. Meaning the fall run kings are what we are catching on opening day July 16, 2020. Dime bright, strong, aggressive, and picture worthy. These king salmon will be our target species for the remainder of the summer months. With the run peaking out from the middle of September through the middle of October. A time when clients can expect to limit their guide boat out in a timely fashion. Filling the boats live well with wild pacific king salmon. To take home with them processed and packed at their departure.  

     The Sacramento River is one of the nations few premier salmon fishing destinations. A must experience if you are visiting from another state or country. The fishing trips consist of a full days adventure into Northern California’s Sacramento River. Where your day starts early. Departing for the fishing grounds at daylight. A comfortable but exhilarating ride in your own chartered jet boat, zips you to your fishing destination. Typically only a few miles distance from the boat launch you start your day at. At the most a 15 to 20 minute scenic ride on the Sacramento River. You can expect to see many other wild indigenous species while on your days adventure. Birds of prey such as bald eagles, osprey (fish hawk), and red tail hawks among others. Predators on the riparian habitat lined river banks including, mountain lions, black bear, coyotes, bobcats, grey and red fox are among the frequently viewed wildlife by clients of the chartered jet boats. Other game species including black tail deer, feral hogs, wild turkeys, and valley quail are frequently seen on the river banks during a days time. As well as providing excellent opportunities for outdoorsman to target during fall hunting seasons. Just getting to the fishing grounds can be a adventure in its own. Once your salmon fishing guide stops the vessel’s navigation, you have arrived at your fishing destination. This is where the salmon fishing begins!