BY Charles Wolf
SACRAMENTO – The salmon season is drawing to a rapid close, but the fish are in, and things should only get better! Salmon action on all three rivers, the Feather, American and now the Mokelumne is in full swing.
Despite the full closure of the Sacramento River, and the current low flows on the Feather, anglers are now enjoying some of the best action of the season. Numbers on the Feather remain solid and both the size and quality of the fish are impressive. Guide Rustic Rob Reimers continues to work his Silverton magic on the lower river just above the HWY 99 bridge, targeting the less pressured fish just as they enter the open zone. He’s worked this section for the past month and except for just two days, his clients have all gone home with limits. Guide Pete Franco has been in the action further upriver and has reported equal success. Reimers had been fishing Silvertrons almost exclusively, but as the flows have dropped, he’s shifted to anchovy-wrapped Brad’s Killer Fish. The Silvertrons are great baits in the faster water, but with the current flows, he’s getting far more action on the plugs. He will warn anglers fishing in this section that there are now far more snags, and shallow water over the bars. Running with a jet is really about the only way to get past the skinny water. Conditions on the upper section of the zone are a little better, but it’s still tough going for some of the prop boats. Franco has been working a number of techniques and has reported success side drifting roe and dragging plugs.
Dennis Pfanner at Sacramento Pro Tackle reported that the American River has improved, and there are now fish throughout the system. The middle section between Jibboom Street bridge, and Ancil Hoffman Park will remain open through October 31. Areas including the 160-trestle bridge, the south shore side of Howe Ave, Watt Ave. and the “bend” have all been productive for the bankers throwing spinners. Boat anglers trolling the water intake and the dredge holes are also doing well.
