Sac River Barge Hole opener!

With a backdrop of dozens of river boats, Ron Shaffer shows off his prize fish of the day, a big bright King salmon!
Photo Credit: Captain Jeff Goodwin

by Jeff Goodwin
8-1-2019
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Today was the annual Sacramento River salmon season opener above Red Bluff, Ca.  Its a big event and one thats anxiously awaited by many salmon fishermen all year long.  Its just one day on the Sacramento River, but to many its a special day.  For some, its even a tradition.  Our team of guides, Captains Jeff Goodwin, Justin Thompson, and Kenny Turner, fished the Barge Hole today and our score by mid day was 6 Kings landed and 7 Kings lost.  We were mainly fishing with plugs and hook to land ratios, especially in a hole with 60 other boats, were tougher than under normal conditions.  We still had fun and we cleaned some really nice Kings for our groups at the end of the day.  Overall it seemed to be a tad slower than was anticipated, but many boats did very well.  Boats stacked with guides or seasoned anglers tend to have the upper hand and generally have the best numbers by days end.  Its a sight to see and unlike the old days, the crowd was very well behaved and everyone seemed to have a good day of fishing in very tight quarters. So there you have it!  I fresh report just hours old.  The whole Sacramento River system below Anderson, Ca. is now open to salmon fishing until December 16th.  Its going to be a good year of salmon fishing and one you dont want to pass o if at all possible.  Send me a text or an email, we still have some open dates left to book!  Thank you!

Jeff Goodwin is a full time Northern California fishing guide.  He guides year round for salmon, trout, steelhead, Kokanee, and bass on Northern California rivers and lakes. He fishes many bodies of water in the Redding area, but also guides the Sacramento River and Feather River during certain times of the year. Jeff can also be found on the California coast chasing ocean fresh King salmon and steelhead each year. To learn more about the fishing trips Jeff has to offer, please visit Jeff Goodwin's Guide Service.  You can also find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or please feel free to call him anytime at (707) 616-1905.