{RPT} 8/11 Barge Hole

My plan today went well except for landing the fish. Launched about noon, I try to hit the Barge Hole when the guide boats finish the morning session. Used a 1 1/2" rubber legged bug. Triple swivel, 3/8 oz weight, 5' leader with two small spit shot about 18" apart and the rubber legged bug.

The guide boats left around 1:00 pm fish immediately begin to move, jump. I was in about 5' of water north end of barge hole. I could see the salmon, maybe two dozen moving. Got one hit but didn't hook him, about two minutes later another nice hook up, fish turned my kayak and started pulling me toward Battle Creek, this is when I made the fatal error, turned to start the GoPro, as soon as I let a little tension off he spit the hook.

Few minutes later a big boat roars up, bite is over and no one catches anything the rest of the afternoon. I don't get those guys and their 50 hp motors don't they understand when you go roaring through fish stop biting?

Anyway tomorrow is another day. Also didn't see any pictures yet but reports of stripers being caught up here now.

Where is barge hole?

Sacramento River between Redding and Red Bluff

https://www.google.com/search?q=barge+hole+fishing+images&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=947&tbm=isch&imgil=JokotOk4qHJOdM%253A%253BkzMmPYMGXjNpOM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fblog.hookbuzz.com%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=JokotOk4qHJOdM%253A%252CkzMmPYMGXjNpOM%252C_&usg=__k_f942Yzns5G803WEOPCZxsKgxQ%3D&ved=0CDEQyjdqFQoTCMXn9s7goccCFQKTHgodD_wBuw&ei=t0vKVYWwMoKmeo_4h9gL#imgrc=JokotOk4qHJOdM%3A&usg=__k_f942Yzns5G803WEOPCZxsKgxQ%3D

Stripers up here, as in Los Molinos up here, or Bhole up here?

I'd like to get out there with you Bryan, but just spooked by that Damn river. I've been on it a couple times with the yak, but Damnit that water is cold!

Btw, I've got a guide buddy who uses a 1/2 oz. silver/blue Kastmaster for salmon and flat out slays. Just typical vertical jig/flutter with upgraded hook (not snagging).

Stripers up here, as in Los Molinos up here, or Bhole up here?

I'd like to get out there with you Bryan, but just spooked by that Damn river. I've been on it a couple times with the yak, but Damnit that water is cold!

Barge Hole, heard today one of the LC guys caught a small striper down there. Also Danny, who knows you, from gold panning, and the 530 fishing sight told me a couple others have been caught recently up here. That is why I was using a rubber leg bug today. Good for trout, salmon, and stripers. I also saw either a couple carp or large SMB. Water is coming off bottom of Shasta Lake, crystal clear right now, plus they are dumping 100% of normal flow from Whiskeytown through clear creek for the salmon.

Best thing about floating the barge hole is the reverse currents caused by Battle Creek coming in, float through the deep areas, either go left or right and current will carry you right back up the river. There are some places where no current, hold in the same spot with little effort. No problem in a kayak, I see entire families floating through with young kids in kayaks and occasionally some people who do it on Wal-Mart swimming pool float tubes with no PFD. 

Any time you want to go let me know, we can float down there fish from the kayaks, throw lures from the bank or not fish at all, only 5 more minutes to float down to gravel bar to be picked up.

Btw, I've got a guide buddy who uses a 1/2 oz. silver/blue Kastmaster for salmon and flat out slays. Just typical vertical jig/flutter with upgraded hook (not snagging).

Probably because the blue/silver kastmaster flashes like these minnows, saw 100's maybe 1000's of them with some larger 12-14" fish chasing them today.

Wow. Those look like baby suckers or pikeminnow. Maybe run the gold 1/2 oz. Well, if I can get a striper that high up, I'm gonna have to give it a whirl. I put about 15 oaks on the ground today; I bet I'll have free time by Friday.

Wow. Those look like baby suckers or pikeminnow. Maybe run the gold 1/2 oz. Well, if I can get a striper that high up, I'm gonna have to give it a whirl. I put about 15 oaks on the ground today; I bet I'll have free time by Friday.

Sounds good. Nothing on my schedule Friday

Thanks for the report!  I wouldn't joining you guys out there one of these days when my schedule permits.  Until then I will have to enjoy reading your reports of success.

Bret

Thanks for the report and picture Bryan.

Thanks for the update, things will only get better from here.
Jesse, the flows are absolutely perfect this year for playing on the river.  My last client was a 63 year old lady who had never fished from a kayak, and never kayaked on a river.  Zero troubles, after a few miles she was reading the water and maneuvering her boat with ease.  Respect the river, but don't let it spook ya!    Wish I could make it out there Friday with you guys, good luck!

Thanks for the update, things will only get better from here.
Jesse, the flows are absolutely perfect this year for playing on the river.  My last client was a 63 year old lady who had never fished from a kayak, and never kayaked on a river.  Zero troubles, after a few miles she was reading the water and maneuvering her boat with ease.  Respect the river, but don't let it spook ya!    Wish I could make it out there Friday with you guys, good luck!

Ben,

Wife and I are thinking of rafting from S. Bonnyview to Anderson. What is it like that stretch of the river this summer? I remember you telling me last spring there was one spot you go left instead of right or vice-a-versa.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

It's all good.  There is a chute you can drop off to the right that gets a bit gurgly in higher flows, but even it looks fine now.  Staying left in the main channel will keep you in more fish-able water though in case you have a rod along. 

Thanks Ben, when my wife and I go in raft instead of kayaks she guides and I fish, so main channel it is.