Can't believe there was no one at the fishing hole this morning. I started fishing at 9 AM from Johnny's Rock.
At around 9:30 AM, I heard hollering and hooting downstream towards the Cove. This meant fish on!!! They were coming my way! Patiently, I cast back and forth expecting a hookup at any moment. That moment came at 10 AM. Bam! Fish on! It was the Green Pirate again! My heart jumped! This would be my fifth salmon! Unfortunately, the excitement was short lived! The fish became unbuttoned 😞
I went back to the drawing board the next hour and a half. Picked up at 11:30 AM and headed towards the Cove. Who do I see?
Cheech at the Cove
Brother Cheech told me at around 9:30 AM he hooked into a nice salmon. He was by himself at the Cove. He brought along with him a fish landing net with a modified handle. He extended the handle so that he can land the fish a little further from the shore. The fish fought hard and swam back and forth. Anyhow, he had the fish tired out and hooked . Or so he thought! He went to reach for his net... But... He released tension on his fishing line! There went the fish 😞 That was what the hollering was all about, lol.
I fished with Cheech until NOON. No more excitement for the day, unfortunately for the both of us.
Trucker informed me that his home is located on my way when I go salmon fishing. He asked if I wouldn't mine picking him up. Today I went by his home before heading out to the Oak Tree. Thus, we both arrived around 9:10 AM. There was no one fishing from Locations #1 - 7?!?!? No one sent us an E-Mail.
I fished at Lucky's Rock, while Trucker fished at Johnny's Rock.
At 10 AM, we were joined by Lethal & Son and the Saint. After a short time, I went and try Location #4, where I have caught salmon before. This time: nothing.
Around 11 AM, I walked over to the Cove and fished by myself until 11:15 AM; at which time, I felt a sweet pull, and set the hook! After a few long seconds, I realized that I must have caught a cable or a branch on the bottom of the river. Donate a homemade lure! Ouch! I felt the pain.
Disappointed, I moved further downstream to Location #6. Fished another quarter of an hour without success.
Went back to the Oak Tree. Fished at Johnny's Rock until NOON. Felt one bump, and Lethal looked at me with the expression, "What's up!?!?" I told him that, just like last Thursday, before I hooked into the number 4 salmon, I felt the same bump. Let's see if I can duplicate the feat.... Not today....
Faisal came at around 11:55 AM to fish. We all took off at NOON, so he got the place to himself.
I just realized the significant of catching the latest salmon. It was caught after my 20 hours of fishing. According to my calculations, for every hour, I make 50 casts! So for 20 hours, that's ONE THOUSAND CASTS!!! Whoa! Hopefully, the next one won't take that many casts, lol.
Today I came to the fishing hole around 9 AM and met Anthony from Stockton. He said he had been fishing since 7 AM. He got two mini-hookups, but none stuck. The water was rising (INCOMING TIDES!), which was supposed to be excellent fishing!
Shortly, past 9 AM, we were joined by Trucker.
Anthony left at 10 AM with no further action. Yours Truly got one little nibble, or it could just be my imagination 😀.
Trucker and I continue to fish until NOON. Nothing and "Nada!" Trucker said he's fishing until 1 PM today. I made an exception and kept him company until 1 PM.... Still: SKUNK!
Trucker tried his different selections of Flying C's, although he said that all three salmon that he caught this season has been on the PINK Flying C.
Here's Trucker and his favorite fishing spot! Click on the picture to play the video.
You fortunate brothers who received a prototype of my lure may be holding on to a collectable item, lol. After three years of testing, I have finally arrived at the working versions. You have seen them here first!
SIREN, Code Name: Green Pirate!
SIREN, Code Name: Pink Squid!
SIREN, Code Name: Fire Ball!
These are handmade with lots of tender loving care. And... more important, THEY CATCH FISH!!!
I visited the Oak Tree this morning at 9 AM. Jeff and Lucky had been fishing since Dark Thirty, that's as soon as fishing was legal!!! Jeff was at Location #1 while Lucky fished at Location #5. I left at 11:30 AM, and the guys were still fishing! I had a slight bump around 10:30 AM, but no hookup. Lucky had a hookup at around the same time; however, the fish cut his 35# braided line clean. He lost the Flying C that was attached to it. Darn!
Peace & Have a blessed weekend!
-JU
Thursday - 10/25
Man, the Oak Tree is pretty popular. Went by it at 9 AM and there were already cars there. So I went to the Cove. To my surprise, there was no one there! Two guys fishing at Location #5 to the right of the Cove. I fished from 9 AM to 11 AM without a hit. The two guys had been gone since 9:30 M. Don't know how long they have been fishing. Anyhow, there were no one in sight! Amazing!
So I packed up to go home. I said to myself that I would go by Johnny's Rock, and if no one is around, I would make three casts before going home.
At the Oak Tree, already, Locations #1 - 4 were occupied. However, two of my brothers, Lethal and Saint, were at Location #2 and #3. No one was on Johnny's Rock. I went between Lethal and Saint to make a cast. On the second cast, I felt a bump.
"Hey, Lethal, I just got a bump."
On the third cast, I got a hit!!! Man, the fish gave a great fight! Lethal netted it for me. Wouldn't you know it? My GoPro was in the Fish Mobile!?!?!?
So this is the seventh trip since Salmon No. 3 and 20 hours by the shore. God is GOOD!!!
Wild Jack, 6#, 25 inches
Wednesday - 10/24
Went beyond the Oak Tree to Location #5. Today, just fished for two hours between 9 AM - 11 AM. Mark was downstream past the Cove at Location #6. He said that, yesterday, Kevin, fishing in the Cove, overheard us talking that the salmon have been coming by between 2 and 3 PM for the last week. That conversation was at NOON. So Kevin decided to fish until at least 3 PM. He was rewarded with a giant at around 2:30 PM in the Cove. Mark netted it for him. That was the first salmon of the season for Kevin from the shore. He caught one earlier in the season from the boat. Congrats, Kevin.
That was it for the day. Didn't see anyone with fish between 9 AM - 11 AM.
Tuesday - 10/23
Ran into Mark today. This brother got 19 salmon so far this year! Big, HOWEVER!!! He fished 7 - 9 hours a day until he gets one!?!?? Wowza! Most local fishermen are super dedicated like Mark.
Today, the river were swarming with fishermen between 9 AM - NOON. Unfortunately, no one emailed the salmon, because none went by during that time. We were scoreless during that time. Mark planned to fished until evening... unless he gets one before then.
Lost another Pink Squid at location #5.
Monday - 10/22
Went past the Oak Tree this morning because I saw cars already parked there. What! No one at the Cove. Hustled on down and almost tripped 😀. Okay, the water was super clear, low and current super fast. Great condition to nab a salmon today.
I see Troutzilla Man to my left at location #5. We waved. He fished an hour and didn't catch anything, so he left.
A few minutes in and I felt a super light bump. Set the hook, baby! Fish on!
See the video to appreciate the effectiveness of Green Pirate and... JU's humor.
There you have it! JU's first fish of the week. I ended up loosing a Pink Squid today. So I moved back to the Oak Tree around 11 AM when no one was there. I was joined later by Dan. We both fished until noon. Didn't see anyone with salmon today.
JU already got another engagement and can't be out fishing today. Any of you brothers want to send me pictures to post, you know how to contact me...
Have a blessed weekend! I am praying for your success! God is good! So far, the following statistics are for your enjoyment. I may have to start selling my patent pending handmade SIREN, lol.
Additionally, up in my beloved mountain:
Brother Fish Whisperer is creating havoc and knocking 'em dead, rainbow trout, that is...
Thursday, 10/18
I was out by 9 AM and Charlie was huddled in his truck getting warmed up. It was a cold morning and he has been fishing early.
We both went down to fish together. I went to Loc. #1 because it has been the hot spot this week! Charlie was at Lucky's Rock. After an hour of "nada," I went back to Johnny's Rock.
Then Lethal and the Saint joined us at 10 AM. Lethal occupied Loc. #1, while the Saint took Loc. #4. These two have been out at least five trips with nothing so far. But it all changed for Lethal at around 11 AM. Yes!!! Fish on!!! I hurried over and captured the action on GoPro. Hey, I should have a name for my GoPro. 😀
Anyhow, the skunk is gone for Lethal, who bagged a sweet chrome 10# wild jack!
Check out the action here:
Wednesday, 10/17
The whole gang was out there today. Beyond the Cove, downstream (Loc. #6), Mark and another guy were fishing; Cheech got the Cove; Lucky, upstream of the Cove (Loc. #5); Joey at Loc. #4; JU, Johnny's Rock at Loc. #3, Another at Loc. #2; and two fishermen at Loc. #1.
The guys were fishing way before JU arrived. They still fished after JU have gone. The only hookup was at Loc. #1. The guy fought the fish for about five minutes before his 20-lb. braided line broke off!
Meanwhile, on other parts of the Sac. Riv., Fish Whisperer's friend hired a Service Guide and boated his first ever salmon!
Tuesday, 10/16
Today, my extra GoPro batteries arrived. Except, I got zip today. God is good!
However, my brother Trouzilla Man scored from Johnny's Rock. Right when I got a snag and had to break off the line and donate my first Green Pirate to the river, Troutzilla Man throws a Flying C in front of me and nabbed a 13 pound, hatchery! I got it on my YouTube channel. If you subscribe, you would have seen the video today instead of waiting for my weekly summary on Friday. Hint, hint....
Video:
Meanwhile, remember my brother Cheech that I met last Friday? He came by with a whopper!!!
"Hey, Johnny, take a picture of me. I want to be on your blog." Said Cheech.
You got it brother!
Super chrome! 19-lb Hatchery Hen.
Monday, 10/15
Went by the Oak Tree this AM. Saw several vehicles already there, so I went directly to the Salmon Hunter Cove. Darn, another dude was already there also. I found a nice open spot upstream from the Salmon Hunter Cove; this will now be known as Location #5. Got it all to myself. AWESOME!!!
I can see the fisherman at the Cove fishing. Not sure what he was fishing for, but he threw his Flying C very close to shore. He was using a small bass fishing pole. The next two hours, he kept going back and forth from his vehicle to the cove with some different lures. At one point, his lure made such a big splash, I thought it was a salmon jumping. You know JU.... I immediately threw my Fire Ball in that direction. Then, I realized it was his lure! Good thing our lures didn't get tangled up! May be he was trying to knock the salmon over the head! LOL. I'm just teasing, no disrespect meant. I have heard people catching salmon on a bunch of different rigs. Who am I to say?
Anyhow, the brother picked up and left at 11 AM, so I hurried over because there were two more fishermen downstream kinda eyeing the spot. Nah, it's my imagination. Nevertheless, I booked it over to the Cove. Got it all to myself. AWESOME!!!
Half an hour in and GoPro battery went dead! It was 11:30 AM. I ordered extra batteries and they're on the way; but, that is not helping my situation at that moment. Got another half an hour of fishing to do😉. I was throwing Fire Ball and Green Pirate up until then. Got a big scare when Green Pirate got snagged! I ha and hem for awhile before deciding to tighten the line and break off the lure😞. Praise be God. When I pulled up the line, I found that my Green Pirate was intact! Only the hook broke off where the split ring connected it to the lure! YEAH! Spiderwire Glow-Vis Braid 20 lb test line just earned a satisfied customer. So by default, I retired the Green Pirate for the day and was using Fire Ball!
One tough line!
At 11:45 AM, I felt a familiar tug.... Set the hook baby! Darn, no GoPro. The fish gave the best fight so far out of the previous two that I have caught! She ran back and forth; until finally, I netted her myself! She was a beautiful 8 pound, 26 inch, hen!!!
There you go. This one took six days and 18 hours of fishing to get! 😀
God is good!
Fire Ball, baby!
Wild Hen - 8 #, 26 in.
Sunday, 10/14
I was supposed to go fishing with PRO in the American River, but due to previous commitment, I missed out on the First Salmon from the American River for 2018!
Conditions were tough... water level was low... But you are talking about PRO!!!
He managed to get a fish on for a friend. I am guessing that PRO was using sardine wrapped Kwikfish. Any salmon, no matter how dark, that slams a Kwikfish, is a keeper!!! If it's too dark for you, PLEASE, PLEASE call JU. I want it! The Captain will smoke it for me. Yummy.
SALMON FISHING IN THE SACRAMENTO RIVER FROM SHORE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!
At least for this year, if you wish to catch a salmon from the Sacramento River banks where I fished, you gotta put in your time. Granted, this year, I fished at the most undesirable time from 9 AM to NOON; but, hey, you fish when you can😀.
I feel extremely blessed just to know that the SIREN still works! Just add water and some salmon!!!
I went by the Oak Tree today and there were too many cars already parked there. I went to my next favorite place: the Salmon Hunter Cove. I was joined by brother Cheech. We both fished for three hours straight without a hit! We saw an awesome walrus surfaced right in front of us. Unfortunately, I couldn't chase down the video footage....
Have a blessed weekend.
Thursday - 10/11
Praise the Lord! Good things come to those who wait.... I am still waiting, lol, 😁.
Today, I caught a new friend. He came out to the Oak Tree because he said there were already 15 fishermen at the Dock when he drove by. He took out an old school setup that had a 2-oz sinker, followed by a double bladed Silvertron spinner! After a while, he donated the Silvertron to the river. The weight was too heavy for this location. I told him that if he catches a fish when my GoPro is running, I can post him on my new YouTube channel and give him a nickname. He said he already has a nickname. It's Cheech! I have his permission to post his picture in this blog. He said that there's a big salmon with his name on it and there's one for JU too. He can't wait to be on my YouTube channel when it happens.
You and me both, brother!
There's a big salmon out there for you Cheech.
Another fisherman joined us because the Dock was crowded. So, three fishermen today, but still waiting....
If you want to get the most current fishing news, you should SUBSCRIBE to the Johnny United Nation Fishing channel. This blog will typically lag the YouTube channel...
Have a blessed day.
-JU
Wednesday - 10/10
Lucky scored another one after going scoreless the last 7 tries!!! My brother, the Captain, fished from 7 AM to NOON and didn't get any bites. I didn't see it, but my brother said that Lucky came by around 8:30 AM and said that he got an 8 pounder beyond the Oak Tree, at the Salmon Hunter Cove.
I fished from 9 AM until 1 PM with no bites either. We were joined by Dan for about an hour. He didn't get anything either.
So today's report is that three fishermen went scoreless between the hours of 9 AM and 1 PM by the Oak Tree.
Might as well enjoy the view.
God is good!
Tuesday - 10/9
Trucker was already fishing when I got there this morning at 9 AM. He was fishing with two other individuals that I do not recognize. I went to Location #4 to fish. The others left around 11 AM, so I moved back and fished with Trucker. I was testing out another one of my lineups: the Fire Ball!!!
Five minutes before noon, I nailed a...????? What cha ma call it fish. It was 3-lb and 21 inches!
Officially, the Fire Ball works!!! Where are the salmon anyway? We didn't catch any during the 3 hours that I was there.
However, there was one caught before I got there and one caught about an hour after I left. So if you are willing to dedicate more than THREE hours per day, you may be blessed with one!
God is good!
Introducing: Fire Ball!!!
Bigger than the tiny salmon from last week, LOL.
Monday - 10/8
JU, Captain, Lucky, Trucker, Troutzilla Man, and Charlie fished from 9 AM to NOON. Well, actually, everyone was already there when JU and Captain got there at 9 AM, LOL. Super dedicated bunch of fishermen.
At the end of the session, Captain landed his first fish from the Oak Tree. He has been fishing at this location for the past three years. Talk about "super dedicated...."
The trippy thing is that the fish passed JU, Charlie, Troutzilla Man, Trucker and Lucky before getting to the Captain! Once again, the last shall become first! Where have I heard that saying before?
Total fishing trips for JU: 16; total fishing hours: 48; total salmon caught: TWO
Total fishermen while JU was fishing: 50; total fishing hours: 3,120; total salmon caught: TWO
JU lost three lures.
It's a tie between the Pink Squid and the Green Pirate:
You gotta be kidding me. It's a gorgeous Friday and it was only Lucky fishing by himself when I arrived at 9 AM. We got the whole place to ourselves.
Since the Last Samurai landed a fish at Location #1 yesterday, and Lucky was on his rock, I hadda give it a try😀 I fished the entire hour trying out the Green Pirate with all kinds of juices to see if I can duplicate the Last Samurai's feat. To the Green Pirate, I rubbed Mike's Salmon, Mike' Anise, Pro Cure Sardine, and Pro Cure Sand Shrimp Oil. After an hour of casting and retrieving, I got nada, zippo, and nuthin'.
So back to Johnny's Rock I went! Lucky decided to move to Location #1 where I was. While I was switching between the Pink Squid and Green Pirate with different combo of juices, out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Lucky caught something!!! Wow! What's up??!?! He caught a beautiful fishing pole combo. No kidding!!! He fished a complete fishing pole setup out of the water!!! That's why he's LUCKY!
Anyhow, shortly after, I caught a setup myself. The water was super low at this time around 10:30 AM. The setup I fished out of the water was Ruben's striped bass fishing rig LOL 😂. Lucky took it from me and cleaned it up and left it by the rock just in case Ruben comes back. Ruben was striped bass fishing with his buddy early in the morning at 4:30 AM. Lucky met them when he arrived early in the morning also.....
Back to serious business of salmon fishing now....
Come back later for the rest of the report. It's gonna be a doozy..... It involves another video, hee, hee, hee.
Reset! Yes! That's right. Now the process starts all over for JU! Hopefully, it won't be another 11 days and more than 30 hours before the next salmon😂
Today, my big brother, the Captain, came fishing with me. We met at my home and carpooled over to the Oak Tree. At 9 AM, there was Lucky already putting in his 3 hours of fishing! Wow!
We were later joined by the Saint, Lethal, and the Last Samurai (Joe). Why the Last Samurai? Shoot! The dude was the last man out to the Oak Tree... and he was the first one to score! Yes, he got his today! This is only his third try! Awesome!
Lethal, Lucky, and I all got hookups, but nothing stuck! So, that's the summary for today: six fishermen in a span of 3 hours, got one landed!
Winning Lure of the Day
Video:
God is good!
Wednesday, 10/3
To the Oak Tree, JU!
I came to the site at 9 AM today. Already, Trucker (Calvin) and the Legend (Caleb) were there. I was honored to finally meet the Legend!!! Why the Legend?!?!??! The man caught THREE salmon in THREE tries this season. I should have taken a picture of his net! He brought a trout net to the salmon fishing hole. I am pretty certain that the last 18 pounder salmon that he landed would not have fit in his net. He had Ruben came to the rescue last Wednesday to help him net his fish. This was the same Legend that Ruben told me last Wednesday, "A dude came by, fished for twenty minutes and landed a big salmon. I saw that he was struggling, so I help netted his fish."
Later on in the day, I was told by Lucky that it was his third salmon in three tries! Hence, introducing the Legend!!!
The Legend!
Remember Trucker from Monday? He actually caught the salmon by sitting on his chair casting and retrieving just like the picture below. As a matter of fact, he was at the same location doing the same thing on Monday.
Trucker
How long has this been for JU? Today would be the eleventh trip!!!
So 20 minutes in to fishing and the Legend said, "Fish on!" Why does the guy with a trout net always catch the big fish?😀 I reeled in my line super fast and dashed for location #1 where Legend was fishing; of course, I took my big net to help him. However, before I got there, the fish became unbuttoned! That would have been four for four for him. He is the Legend and my new hero on the block!
Run for the net video:
I went back to "Johnny's Rock" to fish. God bless the locals. They named location #3 as "Johnny's Rock!" Anyhow, 15 minutes later, using the pink squid SIREN, I finally, finally, finally, landed a CUTE wild jack. I said cute because it was a tiny salmon shy of 3 pounds! It's arguably the smallest salmon that I have caught! Hey, it's still the FIRST salmon of 2018 for JU! After ELEVEN tries and 30.5 HOURS of fishing in the Sac. River, JU got one!!! Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be fishermen!
God is good!
Pink Squid SIREN
Look at the flakes on this CUTIE 😀
2018 Silver as a bullet!
JU's First 2018 Salmon video:
Here's the bullet video:
Tuesday, 10/2
Got out there at 8 AM, and there were already four fishermen present: Lucky, RainbowTroutMan, Lethal, and the Saint (that's Francis 😂). Got one bit, but it did not stick. Also, a fish jumped twenty feet in front of me. Fished till 11 AM, but no one caught any today.
Oak Tree, Location #4
Fish jumped video:
Yes, JU using a casting reel video!
I have decided to write a daily report; so check back tomorrow....
Monday, 10/1
Dude, I can't believe it's already October!!! Now, granted I haven't fished for salmon in the Sac. River as much as I did in 2017, but it's been eight days and 24 hours.... But, I digress.... The worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work!?!?!?
I did catch the most salmon last year in October. So I am praying that it will be the same for this year. This is the JU attitude. Keep on fishing, baby.... Good things will happen.
Out by the oak tree today, we got Lucky, Calvin, Santos, Joe, and I. So today, before the first battery on GoPro ran out, I actually hooked onto a nice steelhead. Check out the video.
Finally, finally, someone landed a salmon after 9 days and 27 hours of fishing. Another video. Now if you're out there fishing and it ain't on my GoPro, it doesn't count!
