Friday, September 30, 2011

9-30-11

Today I guided Lee Shropshire Jr. and Fred Howland on a pig hunt. We met in Colusa and headed up to the ranch. Upon completing the necessary paperwork we headed to a high vantage point over looking the wheat field to see if any pigs were still using it as a feed source. As it got lighter I was sure that there would be pigs in the field but I just could not find any. After 10 minutes of staring into the field I finally spotted a large group of black dots in the center of the field and it was game on. I figured that the pigs were going to head east, given there current location so we loaded up in the ranger and drove around to the other side of the field to try and cut them off. As soon as we had driven through the gate and into the wheat I looked over at 80 yards and there they stood. We could only see the tops of their backs because they were in a small depression so the guys got into the back of the ranger and used the roll bar as a rest. On the count of three gun shots broke the silence but nothing fell. The pigs took off across the field and by then the boys were warmed up and shooting straight. Lee was the first to drop one and Fred was not far behind. Both of the guys ended up with small boars in the 125 pound range. This was just what they were looking for as they wanted meat for the freezer. The hunt was short and sweet, as we had the pigs loaded into the ranger and headed for the skinning shack before the sun was all the way up. Both of these guys were a pleasure to hunt with and I hope to see them again in the future.

Casey

Thursday, September 29, 2011

9-29-11

Today I guided Rick Sr. & Rick Jr. for salmon. We hit the water at 9:00AM and headed back up stream to where we had fished a few days ago. Within minutes Rick Jr. was hooked up and had the first fish in the box. We made a couple more passes without any bites so we headed further up stream to see what we could find. We saw very few fish on the sonar and very few rolling but we kept at it and caught a fish here and there as we worked our way down stream. We ended up hooking 7 fish and landing 4 today. The biggest landed was a 30 pound buck caught by Rick Sr. and Rick Jr. hooked into an even bigger one that we lost right at the boat. It was another great day on the water and I am sure that there will be a push of new fish soon.

Casey

Monday, September 26, 2011

9-26-11

Today I guided Rick and Estelle for Salmon. Again we launched at Ord Bend at 9:00 AM and headed up stream. We got to the first hole and immediately it was fish on. Pass after pass we were hooking fish, and within no time we were limited out! The fishing was so fast that after Rick and Estelle had limited out I went ahead and caught a couple for myself. Today all of the fish were caught on roe and in great shape. I had all 6 of the fish cleaned and the boat back on the trailer by noon. It was fast and furious, now lets just hope that it stays that way!!

Casey

Thursday, September 22, 2011

9-22-11

Today I guided Rick, Nolan, and George for salmon. We all had things to do in the early AM so we headed out at 10:00AM to see what we could catch. We launched the boat at Ord Bend and headed up stream to see what we could find. The first couple of holes were not holding any fish but as we made our way through the next run it was fish on. George was the first to hook up and the others followed in quick order. We fished from 10:00-3:00 and then called it a day. We ended up hooking 8 fish today on roe and managed to land 5 of them. All of the fish were small jack salmon but they fought like champs and they cut beautifully. The meat was bright colored and firm, fresh from the ocean. It was a great day on the water and I think I may just continue to fish bankers hours for the rest of the season!

Casey

Thursday, September 15, 2011

9-15-11

Today I guided Carol Miller on a salmon trip and Andy came along for the ride. We hit the water at 7:00 and made our way up river. We stopped at the first hole and within seconds of the lures going into the water it was fish on! Carol hooked the fish and within minutes he was in the net. The fish was a ten pound jack salmon but we were happy to have him. We made a couple of more passes in this hole as I was marking fish but they had lock jaw so we moved on. At the next stop Andy got a bite and caught another jack salmon. I did not see many fish in this hole so again we headed up stream. At the next stop we started up high and worked our way into the hole. Just as we got to where the run tailed out Carol's rod went down and it was fish on. Right of the bat you could tell it was no jack as it was stripping line off the reel. Carol fought the fish for 20 minutes before we finally slipped the net under the 30 pound buck. As soon as we landed the fish we looked up to watch all of the other boats swarm the hole so we moved on. We went back down stream to the first hole that we fished today and within seconds Andy had one try to rip the rod out of his hand but he was a little slow on the draw and the fish got away with his bait. He caught alot of shit from both Carol and I but it was all in good fun. We managed to box 3 fish today and had a few missed bites. It was not red hot but we had a great time on the water. The fishing should only get better as the month goes on and I am looking forward to many more days on the water this season.

Casey

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

9-14-11

Today I guided Tom, Maury, and Phil for Salmon. We hit the water at 7:00 AM and headed up to the first hole to see what we could find. We put on sardine wrapped K-15's and started back trolling, but as we went through the hole there were no fish on the screen so we headed up river. We checked a few other holes on the way up but did not find any fish until we got up around Stony Creek. As soon as we found fish we switched to roe and right off the bat it was fish on. We fought the fish for 15 minutes before slipping it into the net. It was a beautiful 20 pound buck and in the box it went. We headed back up and made another pass. As soon as Phil's bait hit the bottom he had fish on! The fish put up one hell of a fight and soon enough he had the fish in the box. We made a couple of more passes and came up empty so we moved on. At the next stop we hooked another nice fish and had it in the box quickly. We began fishing our way back towards the ramp as it was getting hot and the guys did not want to bake. We hit a couple more holes and got a few more bites but missed them. We ended the day with 3 salmon in the 17-25 pound range. The fish are fresh from the ocean and the meat is as bright red as I have ever seen. It was a great day on the water and these guys have already booked another day in October, so you will be seeing them again.

Casey

Saturday, September 10, 2011

9-10-11

The salmon run has finally returned on the Sacramento River. We have been fishing out of Ord Bend and although the fishing is a little slower than up around Chico the boat pressure is minimal. I would rather catch half of the fish and not have to deal with all of the other boats. It just makes for a nicer day for all. We have been averaging 3-5 fish per day with several other hook ups that just don't make it into the boat. One day the fish will hold and the fishing is great and other days the fish are moving and you have to try and stay in front of them. Either way we are catching salmon again, but some days are better then others. The water flows should be coming down soon and the fishing should improve as more of the fish should slow down and start to hold in the holes. We still have plenty of availability through October so give me a call and we can get your trip on the books!!

Casey

Monday, September 5, 2011

9-5-11

We have gotten through the dove opener and again it was a success. I would like to thank all of you who came out for the annual dove opener and I hope all of you had a great time. The dove hunting was a little slower than usual as the birds were very spread out this year due to all of the alternative feed sources. The hunting in the morning was just mediocre but the afternoon shoot was excellent. Most of our hunters finished up with limits of birds or very close to limits. It was another fun hunt and I look forward to seeing you all again next season. Thanks again!!

Casey