Summer 2026…
I believe I mentioned in my last report that I am supposed to be in Alaska for the summer, but that didn’t happen due to my father getting sick. I have to be with family! So, I decided to be with the Taco Familia too.
Since the Hex Hatch, I have commercial fished for Salmon (crazy ass shit), took the Whaler to the bay and went trolling for salmon in Monterey Bay and Half Moon Bay. Then I did more ocean fishing with a swimbait rod, yep…I dusted off the old gear and got out with my Half Moon Bay fam and caught my first halibut! Not on the fly, but super fun nonetheless, and I am addicted to chucking those swimbaits again. You can watch that experience here.
I also got to get out on the Lower Sacramento River and Trinity River as well.
Trinity River
I hit the Trinity July 25th with some new clients, and we had a blast looking for those half pounders. One was a 13 year old first time fly fisher!
There are plenty of salmon in the river as I type this, but we were looking for the steel. Not much bug action, and we even did an evening float. I think we missed the big hatches by just a few days. Although, fun was had, and it was nice to be back on the Trinity for the summer sessions that I love. Would have loved to try to swing up a salmon, but just didn’t have the time this trip.
Rich got himself a nice half pounder, and I was excited that I had two days with this awesome Uncle/Nephew combo.
Lower Sacramento River
July 27, Rich and Collin were back to finish up their Nor Cal trip on the Lower Sac. She was fishing good! Collin was able to have the trip he will remember forever with those “I wonder how big that fish was…” memories as well. The conditions were great, and the fishing was awesome. I was so stoked to be back on the Lower Sac. I know I have talked down on that fishery in the past, but then once I am on it, I am stoked. Those fish pull so hard. Also, having these dudes on the boat was special. I love my nephew a lot, and we fish sometimes too, so it was cool to see Unc take his nephew out for a solid rip.
Thank you!
August 13 to 15
The top opened on the 1st, which is closed for 4 months each year, but I was out salmon slamming on the open ocean on a commercial boat. That didn’t matter much because the fish were still eating when we got there on the 13th. And wow, were they eating. Jimmy and Gary, my two good buds, wanted to get a float to have fun and practice before their trip to Alaska. They had A LOT of practice. Over the two days I had them on the boat, we hooked over 50 fish. WOW! What a fun fishery. It’s amazing how hard these fish pull. The largest was 20”!
I say it so much, but if you haven’t heard it, you need to get out on the Lower Sac with me in August. Preferably the opening week after August 1st. I heard that opening day was nuts.
Then I had Mikey and his lady Jackie. She had never fly fished before, and August is a good time to teach someone. They’ll have plenty of chances to dial in their fish fighting techniques. I feel like the Lower Sac is a great place to teach a beginner. Lots of open room, and the indicator allows one to learn the basic mechanics of using a fly rod. Her first fish was SLAMMER. WOW! What a fish.
The afternoon slowed a bit, but then we were back on em’ as soon as the sun started to creep down, and wow, the bugs were popping. So much fun, and you killed it, Jackie!!! And wow, we had a crazy experience. Had to help a guy get his Dad out of the water and back in his boat. He hit a rock blazing up the river and shot his Dad out of his boat. So sketchy. Mikey pulled that guy up out of the water like he was a little baby! Poor viejo.
Be safe out there, people, and always wear a life vest when charging up hill in a power boat.
Well…I am off to fish Tomales Bay this weekend on the fly and on the conventional gear. Then I head to AK for a month. I can’t wait.
Love you all and appreciate you for coming and reading the fishing report. Let’s line up August next year!?!
Mario
