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Sacramento River Fishing Report | August 1, 2026

Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin
Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service on the upper Sacramento River and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Reach him at (530) 510-2925 to book a trip. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle.
What is working right now

The upper Sacramento River king salmon season opened August 1, 2026 at the world-famous Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. It was a slow opener with under a dozen fish caught, but Capt. Jeff Goodwin says prime fishing is only 2 to 3 weeks out. His go-to is back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on 10 ounce weights, double-wrapped with fresh sardine and wild prawn.

What is biting on the upper Sacramento River right now?

King salmon are the target at the Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. August 1, 2026 was the official opener, and Capt. Jeff Goodwin called it a light, slow opener with fewer than a dozen fish caught. His daughter Gracie boxed the first fish. More salmon are arriving as the run builds.

What technique is working for Sacramento River king salmon?

Back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on the bottom. Jeff runs 10 ounces of weight to reach bottom in the deep water, with 12 to 18 inch droppers and about a 48 inch leader. The lead gets the plugs down where the fish hold since they will not dive that deep alone.

How do you wrap plugs for Sacramento River salmon?

Double-wrap the plug with fresh sardine and a piece of wild-caught prawn. Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. Start with a loose wrap that keeps the hooks free so you do not tie them to the plug body, then add a couple of wraps on top. More bait draws more bites as long as it does not kill the action.

How do you tune a Brad's KillerFish plug?

Wrapping bait shifts the center of gravity, so a plug that ran straight can start leaning one way. The fix is the eye: if the plug swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. Test it beside the boat until it dives straight and dances side to side. Out of tune plugs will not get bit.

What does massaging the plug mean?

It means keeping continuous action on the plug so it never sits dead on the bottom. Pull up on the rod to make the plug dart to one side, then drop the tip so it flutters back. Salmon often hit on that flutter, so be ready for a hard, full-on strike that takes line right away.

What is the guide's outlook for the Barge Hole?

Jeff says the area is about 2 to 3 weeks out from really good fishing. August, September, and October are the prime months, and a late fall run from November through the end of December produces some of the biggest fish of the season. Eggs, boondogging, and hover fishing come later in the run.

Watch the full report

From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): One of the favorite techniques for fishing out here in the Barge Hole is to back-bounce Brad's Killerfish. Today, we're using 15s and 16s as far as the size goes. We're running 12 to 18-inch droppers, and then about a 48-inch leader. We're using 10 ounces of weight today because we've got quite a bit of water, and we let out enough line to get down to the bottom.

Sacramento River August 1, 2026 FAQ

When did the upper Sacramento River salmon season open in 2026?

The Barge Hole area opened August 1, 2026. Jeff notes his openers have always been July 16th and August 1st, though an open river does not mean the fishing is great yet.

Where is the Barge Hole?

On the upper Sacramento River near Anderson and Cottonwood, California, just below where Battle Creek dumps in. Salmon stack here and hold until the first October rains, then turn up Battle Creek to Coleman National Fish Hatchery.

What weight do you use to back-bounce at the Barge Hole?

Jeff ran 10 ounces of weight on opening day because there was quite a bit of water, letting out enough line to stay on the bottom.

What leader and dropper lengths does Jeff Goodwin use?

About 12 to 18 inch droppers and roughly a 48 inch leader, sometimes into the 50s.

What baits do you wrap on Brad's KillerFish plugs?

Fresh sardine and wild-caught prawn are the go-to, and Jeff also wraps tuna and squid.

How do you know a plug is tuned correctly?

Pull it up toward the bow of the boat. If it stays alongside the boat and dances side to side while diving straight, it is tuned. If it swims to the right, turn the eye to the left.

When is the best salmon fishing on the upper Sacramento River?

August, September, and October are prime, and a late fall run from November through the end of December brings some of the biggest fish. The opener itself was slow, about 2 to 3 weeks from really good fishing.

Who guides the upper Sacramento River Barge Hole?

Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Service. Call or text (530) 510-2925 to book.

Tags: jeff-goodwin king-salmon sacramento-river

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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

Report by Capt. Roger George Roger George runs Roger George Guide Service and is the exclusive guide on San Luis Reservoir. Reach him at (559) 905-2954 to book a trip. What is working right now San Luis Reservoir is fishing up and down in late July 2026 as heavy wind stirs algae and holds the water temperature at 71 degrees. Capt. Roger George is trolling the main lake flats in 60 to 80 feet of water at 2.2 to 2.4 mph, running lures 120 to 140 feet behind the boat. White belly and chartreuse are the top colors. One recent trip landed fish of 14, 21, and 27 pounds. What is biting at San Luis Reservoir right now?The bite is up and down as constant wind churns the lake. Capt. Roger George had an epic recent trip with guest Bob McGill, landing fish of 14, 21, and 27 pounds, then a tough follow-up trip. Big fish are still figuring out where the bait has moved. The report did not name a specific target species. What depth are the fish holding at San Luis Reservoir in late July?Roger is fishing the main lake flats that run about 70 feet deep, trolling in water 60 to 80 feet deep. As the surface warms toward 80 degrees over the next week, expect fish to slide deeper, likely down to 70 to 80 feet. Watch your sonar daily since depth shifts with wind and overcast. What lure colors are working at San Luis Reservoir?White belly patterns are helping out right now, and chartreuse is producing as well. Colors can change day to day with the wind and light, so Roger's rule is to let the fish tell you what they want rather than committing to one pattern. Specific lure models were not named in this report. How is Roger George rigging and trolling at San Luis Reservoir?He is trolling 2.2 to 2.4 mph and letting lures back 120, 130, and 140 feet behind the boat, running through water 60 to 80 feet deep on the main lake flats. He leans on his sonar to find the depth fish are holding at and whether they are active before committing to a zone. What are conditions like at San Luis Reservoir?The lake is holding stable near 50 percent, with water being pumped in and out, which stirs in grass, debris, and algae. Water temperature is only 71 degrees, well below normal. Heavy wind is the biggest factor, and shore anglers have been doing a little better than boaters because wind limits boat time. What is the guide's outlook for San Luis Reservoir?Roger expects temperatures to rise toward 80 degrees over the next week, which should move fish deeper and change the pattern again. His forecast is decent fishing coming up if you can handle the summer heat. Water clarity beyond the algae mixing was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Roger George): We're running 2.2, 2.4 mph and we're putting back 120, 130, 140 ft behind the boat and running it in water that's like 60 to 80 ft deep. White bellies right now seem to be helping out. Chartreuse is working as well as the white, but that could change tomorrow. Once again, let the fish tell you what's happening. San Luis Reservoir July 27, 2026 FAQ What is the water temperature at San Luis Reservoir?Water temperature is 71 degrees, well below normal for late July, held down by heavy wind. Roger expects it to rise toward almost 80 degrees over the following week. What lake level is San Luis Reservoir at?The lake is holding stable around 50 percent, with water being pumped in and taken out, which is normal for this time of year and stirs in grass and debris. How fast should you troll at San Luis Reservoir?Roger is trolling 2.2 to 2.4 mph on the main lake flats. How far behind the boat should you run lures at San Luis Reservoir?He is letting lures back 120, 130, and 140 feet behind the boat in 60 to 80 feet of water. What lure colors are working at San Luis Reservoir?White belly patterns and chartreuse are the top colors right now, though Roger says colors can change day to day. Are shore anglers or boaters doing better at San Luis Reservoir?Shore anglers have been doing a little better than boaters because the constant wind limits how and when boats can fish, while shore anglers can fish earlier and later. What size fish are being caught at San Luis Reservoir?One recent trip produced fish of 14, 21, and 27 pounds, though the next trip was much tougher. The specific species was not named in this report. Who guides San Luis Reservoir?Capt. Roger George of Roger George Guide Service, the exclusive guide on San Luis Reservoir. Call (559) 905-2954 to book. Shop the Tackle Trolling Spoons Striped Bass Tackle Shop Striped Bass Gear

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Northwest Oregon Fishing Report | July 2026

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Bridgeport Reservoir Fishing Report | July 2026

Report by Capt. Wes Hoskins Wes Hoskins runs Grey Light Guide Service in the Eastern Sierra and is a Catch America catch-crew guide. Shop Wes Hoskins's tackle. What is working right now Bridgeport Reservoir is giving up quality rainbows averaging 3 pounds, up to 5, on trolled soft plastics. Capt. Wes Hoskins dialed the bite with a Trix Minnow and Trix Worm in orange, the go-to color at Bridgeport. This lake is shallow, averaging about 18 feet, so run downriggers up high at 12 to 14 feet. A Junior Trigger Spoon in hammered copper also produced. What is biting at Bridgeport Reservoir right now?Quality rainbow trout, with a shot at big browns. Capt. Wes Hoskins put the crew on fish averaging 3 pounds and up to 5 in tough, windy conditions. The bite dialed in completely on trolled soft plastics when other lures would not cut it. What depth are the Bridgeport trout holding?Shallow. Bridgeport averages only about 18 feet deep, so Wes starts downriggers at 12 feet and runs 12 to 14 feet in about 20 feet of water. He also runs top waters and lead lines to cover the column, keeping baits up high where the fish are. What lures and colors work at Bridgeport in July?Orange is the color at Bridgeport. The giant trout keyed on the Trix Minnow and the Trix Worm in orange. A Junior Trigger Spoon in hammered copper crushed wild rainbows and brookies in nearby high Sierra lakes and also produced on the reservoir. How does Wes present at Bridgeport?Trolling soft plastics on downriggers 75 feet behind the boat, running 50 feet of fluorocarbon to braid. He uses a Cannon downrigger cycle mode to raise and lower the gear, triggering bites. He also anchors and bait-fishes an orange Trix Worm on a size 10 single hook with a light hookset. What is the guide's outlook for Bridgeport?Wes worked hard for every bite in heavy wind but caught really quality fish and expects it to improve in the next week or so. He runs his Grey Light trophy scent on the spoons. Bridgeport also holds tagged trophy trout from the local enhancement foundation. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Wes Hoskins): We're going to go after rainbows today. This lake is real shallow. The average depth is probably about 18 ft. So we started about 12 ft. Everything's coming off the orange trout tricks minnow or the trout tricks worm and orange. So orange is the color on Bridgeport, typically always works. The biggest at five pounds, but the average was at three pounds. Bridgeport Reservoir July 2026 FAQ What depth are trout holding at Bridgeport Reservoir?Shallow, around 12 to 14 feet in about 20 feet of water, since the lake averages only 18 feet deep. What is the best color at Bridgeport Reservoir?Orange, on both the Trix Minnow and the Trix Worm. How big are the Bridgeport trout?Averaging about 3 pounds, with the biggest around 5 pounds on this trip. What soft plastics work at Bridgeport?The Trix Minnow and Trix Worm in orange, trolled on downriggers. What spoon works in the Eastern Sierra?A Junior Trigger Spoon in hammered copper on wild rainbows and brookies. Who guides Bridgeport Reservoir for Catch America?Capt. Wes Hoskins of Grey Light Guide Service. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows 3" Soft Bait Trix Worms 3" Soft Bait Trigger Spoon 2.25" Junior Trigger Spoon 1.25" Shop Capt. Wes Hoskins's Tackle Shop Trout Soft Plastics

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