More Northern California Fishing Reports...
Sacramento River Fishing Reports
Shasta Lake Fishing Reports
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2003 : 1 2 3 
Year :
2002
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Tue Sep 23, 2003 10:33:16 PM Northern California
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Tim and Mike smiling, with their catch of the day. 2 beautiful salmon from the Sacramento River.
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This day started at 5 AM, when my First Mate and I met Mike, Tim, and Jerry at their Motel, and off to the river we went, and launched the Vicki Ann. We slipped thru the darkness, and turned into the current. The depth finder was reading 3 1/2 feet, when it happened.
The cry of "Fish On" rang out! Mike was now on!! After a fight of about 12 minutes, Mike boated a pretty 20 pound hen from the Sacramento River, with the sun just peeping over the hills. A few more hits, and we soldiered on, as the fish once more developed a case of lock-jaw. We tried roe and Kwick-Fish, to no avail, until we came back up river and parked on top of a pod of fish. Now it was Tim's turn, as the line was ripped off the reel! This fish was not all that big, but it sure thought it was, and it had some shoulders on it! With the 2nd fish to the boat, the day ended, with the scores at: salmon 4, fishermen 2, but nevertheless... we had a pleasant day and caught some fish. As for me, I met some fine gentlemen, that I would fish with anytime.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Sun Sep 21, 2003 10:35:08 PM Northern California
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Norman and Warren, with a beautiful 18 1/2 pound salmon!
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This day started when I met Norman, and his brother Warren, at their Motel, and off to the river we went. We launched the Vicki Ann, and our fishing trip began. The fish were rolling and everything looked good, but we couldn't find a biter in the bunch. We fished hard, but the fish had a case of lock-jaw, and this was to be one of those days... a battle of wills... us against the fish. Along about 1 PM, we decided to find some shade, and cool down. I had the spinning gear still in the boat, from the previous trip, so we started casting for trout/salmon. It wasn't too long before Warren hooked a large salmon, and the fight was on! The fish tore line off the tiny reel with us in Hot pursuit with the boat! About 10 minutes into the fight, the fish found a snag, and his freedom... once again to follow his destiny. It wasn't until the day was almost over, that Norman's rod bent, and stayed bent. Finally, the river would give up one of her beautiful returning salmon of about 18 1/2 pounds to Norman, and so... the day ended, with only one fish, but lots of great memories of the Fall Salmon Run, on the Sacramento River.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Thu Sep 18, 2003 10:30:25 PM Northern California
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Pictured here, is the entire group, with a bright little trout, and a nice salmon, caught on the Sacramento River.
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This day started at 5:30 AM when my First Mate and I met Soichiro, Shinya,Yasoshi, Hiroshi, Koichiro, and Motohiro, at their Motel, and they followed us down to the river. As we headed up the river, we suddenly realized that something had been overlooked. (Fishing License's) So, I phoned my son to obtain 6 License's for the entire crew, and a short while later, we were fishing. That day we caught 30-40 trout, some squaw, and other varieties of fish.
The following day, with everything in place, we caught more trout until just before lunch, when Soichiro cast out towards the bank, and the line went taught. A salmon had taken his single egg offering. Unfortunately, the 6 pound test soon broke, and the fish continued on it's marathon swim up the river. Shortly after, we put a couple of Kwick-Fish out, and one of the rods went flat. The fight was on, and a beautiful 18 pound King hen, showed herself to us, and shortly joined us in the boat.
After their fishing trip, they went on their way to do some sight-seeing. I hope they all had a wonderful time! It was an honor to have these fine gentlemen, who came all the way from Japan, to fish with me on the Vicki Ann, and I hope to someday have the privilege to see them again.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Mon Sep 15, 2003 10:45:23 PM Northern California
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Joe and Mike standing proud with their bright salmon catch, from the beautiful Sacramento River!
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This day started started at 5 AM, on Sept. 15th, when my First Mate and I met Mike, Joe and Charlie, at their Motel, and they followed us to the River. We fished hard, and Mike hooked the first fish of the day... a nice 40+ pound King buck made it to the boat, and found his way to the private Jacuzzi pool.
Joe was next, and the cry of "Fish On" was heard! After a good fight, he led a 20+ pound hen to the waiting net, and she took her place in the private pool on the Vicki Ann.
The second day, (Sept.16th) began much the same, and as time wore on, another beautiful 40+ pound King buck made it to the boat for Charlie.
Several more fish won their battles for the right to meet their destiny further up the river.
Another great trip with memories of good people, and good fishing on the beautiful Sacramento River.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Fri Sep 12, 2003 10:37:43 PM Northern California
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Bruce, Russell, and Ted standing proud, with their beautiful Sacramento River salmon!
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This day began when my First Mate and I, met Russell, Bruce, and Ted. We launched the Vicki Ann, and now in the water, she came to life with a rumble, and everybody made their way onboard. As we slipped out to the main-stream of the River, and headed down-stream, in about 5 minutes, I turned the Vicki Ann into the current, and the kicker came to life, and the main motor went silent. I gave the word to put 'em out! About 7-10 minutes into the day, Russell's rod tip tried to touch the water, and the line tried to head South. The first fish had grabbed his lure! The lines cleared, and the fish came to the boat. A nice bright fish, of 14 pounds. Still on the first drift, Ted's rod decided to follow suit, and the first run now yielded two bright Sacramento River Kings! The second run yielded the same number of Kings.. and now there were 4 fish in the boat. A few more slaps and fish on and off, until Bruce's turn came, and he brought in another beautiful silver bullet, a hen this time! The day yielded 5 fish, between 12 and 21 pounds. A good day on the Sacramento River with 3 great guys, now came to an end. I hope to see them all back again!
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Mon Sep 8, 2003 10:40:00 PM Northern California
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Harvey, with a big smile, and 2 beautiful salmon.
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This trip began as my First Mate Dallas, and I met Harvey and launched the Vicki Ann. We headed down river and turned the Vicki Ann into the current, and approximately 5 minutes into the day we started to drop our lures back into position, but... they didn't make it. 2 salmon decided to slam them on the way out, at the same time! Harvey landed a beautiful 28 pound silver bullet, and the other fish found a way to shake the lure. A couple of passes later, towards the back of the hole, the rod went flat, and once again, the fight began. A 31 pound brute at one end, and Harvey at the other, with Harvey eventually becoming the Victor! The day ended, but not before 2 more kings, found their way to the boat. A 17, 23, and 28 pounder, and the Big one for the day, the 31 pounder. Seven other fish won their tug-o-war's. What a day! 11 fish in all!
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Wed Sep 3, 2003 10:20:42 PM Northern California
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Charlie and Jeff holding their salmon catch of the day.
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This trip began at 5 AM, when my First Mate, Dallas, and I met Charlie and Jeff, and off to the river we went, with the forecast calling for thunderstorms. We were fishing down-river, when the lightning decided to give us a light show, and with a conductor like we were sitting in, we decided to wait on the bank. When the clouds parted, we moved back up-river to the hole above where we took refuge for a while. Now the skies were somewhat clear, so we dropped in. As we started to drift back, Jeff's rod went off and the cry of Fish On, was heard! A beautiful 18 pound hen came to the boat. As we prepared to make another drift through the hole, the lightning decided to come back and haunt us. This time instead of hiding, we decided to run! Faster and faster we ran up the river, with the lightning hot on our heels, until we got in sight of the trailer, at which time the lightning was striking all around the ramp area, so once again, to the bank we went, and everybody out, as we waited out the storm. About a half hour to 45 minutes later, the skies began to clear. So, once again we decided to fish. The first run didn't produce anything, but I was sure that there was some fish in this hole, so we made another pass. Halfway through, it happened, and the cry Fish On, was heard once again! As Charlie and the fish battled, the skies were cooperating, and the fish finally made it's way to the boat. An 18 pound buck this time. What a day! Catching fish, being chased by lightning, and being in the center of a light show... and the last fish caught within sight of the trailer.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Mon Aug 25, 2003 10:50:46 PM Northern California
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Dave and Diana with a 42.5 pound buck, and little Elliott looking on.
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This trip began about 6:30 AM, as I met Dave, Diana, and their little toy poodle, (Elliott) in Anderson. We said our Hello's and made our way to the river. My First Mate Dallas, tied the baits on the lures, and our fishing day began. We fished for about 10 minutes before the first slap, but that's all it was, as if the fish were saying to us, "Excuse me, I am on my way to an appointment and I can't be bothered with play right now". So, we fished on down-river, thru hole after hole, as the fish jumped and rolled around us. The day was warming up, and the fish remained cool, going about their business on their march up-stream. We had covered about 20 miles of river, and the hours were slipping by. The other boats that had been fishing the area were leaving, and I, like so many others, was without fish... but we weren't ready to give up yet, so we started working back up-river. The first hole we came to on the way back up, we put the lures down and began to drift backwards, when I noticed a lost lure floating. Dallas then manned the net, and I slipped to the starboard to retrieve the wayward plug. With the plug now in safe keeping, I jogged the Vicki Ann back into position, and the rod slammed down, but it still was not to be. With the water getting low, we ran back up-river. I hate to give up, so I suggested one more stop. We found a spot devoid of boats, and started our drift, when the rod went off one more time, and this time everything went RIGHT, as Dave and the fish were now in a battle of WILLS! A 42.5 pound buck finally made it's way to the box, and all was well. We had a pleasant day on the beautiful Sacramento River, and capped it off with a nice fish. What a way to end the day, with the trailer in sight.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Sun Aug 24, 2003 10:30:29 PM Northern California
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A smiling Jim, with a beautiful 25 pound hen.
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This day started at 5 AM, when I met Jim, Joyce, and their little dog, (Piper) at their motel in Anderson. They had brought their own boat, as Jim wanted to learn this part of the river before venturing out on their own. Our first stop was the Old Mouth, and about 5 minutes in, Jim's rod flattened out. With a few head shakes, it went still. Then one more slap at the next hole, and things went quiet. We fished our way down the river until we ended up at the Canyon where the words Fish On, rang out again, and this time, the hooks found their mark, and the line stayed tight! Jim would gain line, then the fish would take it back, and finally with the fish spent of all it's strength, it made it's way into my waiting net... a beautiful 25 pound hen! The rest of the day stayed on the quiet side, but we all had a great time, and Jim caught his first salmon out of his new 22 ft. jet boat!
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken Hoffman, The River Pirate
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Fri Aug 15, 2003 10:40:04 PM Northern California
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Jim and Martin, showing off their beautiful salmon, and George, on the swim platform.
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This trip started like most others, as I met Jim and Martin at their Motel in Anderson at 5 AM, and off to the river we went. But... what a trip this proved to be, as the day progressed. We put the Vicki Ann in the water, and slipped across to a sand bar to bait up, but on this particular morning, we were in for a special visit by one of the locals. A juvenile Canadian Goose appeared on the port side of the Vicki Ann. As we moved out into the current, turned the main motor off, and started the kicker motor, the goose was swimming beside us. We fished, and (George,as he was affectionatley by the fishing group) the goose, swam... until he found his place on the swim platform at the back of the boat, where he remained until we decided to head down the river. I shoo-ed the goose off the platform, and we were off. 5, 10, 15, miles we traveled, finally settling down, and turning the Vicki Ann back into the current. Then, as we were fishing, a bird on the wing appeared up-river, and as it drew closer, we could see that it was none other than George. As we all watched, George proceeded to land to the port side of us, swim around the back of the Vicki Ann, and once more roosted on the swim platform. As we slipped back, the cry of Fish On was heard! George came into the boat, and was now on the engine cover watching us as we fought and landed a beautiful 28 pound Buck King. After we took care of the fish, George just sat and watched us. After that, he jumped down into the boat and into the center of a seat, where he sat for quite a while, then jumped off the side of the boat, dunked himself once, and returned to the comfort of the swim platform. We decided to head back up-river, and George found his way back into the Vicki Ann, and took the ride back up-river. One more fish came into the boat, with George's approval. Five hits, 2 fish in the boat, at 28 and 28 1/2 pounds, and one goose. This was a strange day, and no one would have believed this story, had we not taken the photos of this happening. People in passing boats were taking photos as they went by. This story was written this way, at the request of Jim and Martin. They had a great time, and will be coming back soon.
Arrrrr Matey's! Ken, The River Pirate
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2003 : 1 2 3
Year :
2002
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