This was the first September in history that salmon fishing was not permitted on the Sacramento River, although it will open for a restricted salmon season starting on November 1. As anglers looked around for an alternative, they have discovered surprisingly good action on striped bass.

"The stripers are biting extremely well on the Sacramento River from Ord Bend up to Woodson Bridge", reported Richard Peeples at the Tackle Box in Chico. "They are good-sized, averaging about 12 pounds, and the largest we've heard of is 35 pounds. Most are being caught on topwater lures like Zara Spooks."

Peeples tipped, "The best time is from about 4:00 AM until about an hour after first light, and then again in the evening until about 10:30 PM."