FishwithJD

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So, you’re saying it’s fall??

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Sacramento King .JPG
They tell me we’re nearly two-thirds of the way through September already yet my internal calendar is reading “June.”

I guess that’s what happens when there’s no salmon fishing in the Sacramento Valley for the first time in my life. It’s a really starnge sensation to not be out chasing kings every day…depressing, really. So, just for old times sake, I thought I’d throw up a photo of ol pal, Rob Bonner, with a chrome king he caught with me in the Sac a few seasons back. Although I’m not sure if that’s making me feel better or worse…
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Trolling for River Kings

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Star Wars king
Just about every river has a slackwater salmon spot. You know what I’m talking about here: one of those spots that’s too slow for back-bouncing, backtrolling, drift fishing or even bobbers. Of course, it always seems that the fish pile up into these zones like crazy, right?

I suppose a guy could catch a few fish tossing spinners or spoons in such a spot, but I prefer to cover more water on the troll. The interesting aspect of slackwater trolling is you aren’t limited to fishing in one direction like you’d be if you were freedrifting or back-bouncing.

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The upside to downer steelhead

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upside-downer.jpg
Are downer steelhead really…well…”downers?” Lots of folks think so because when you catch them they’re usually skinny, colored up and not the greatest of fighters. Some people even get bummed out when they hook a downer (also known as runbacks, kelts or spent fish) but there’s actually a lot to love about ’em.

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Backtrolling for River Kings

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Flatlining kings
Flatlining Kwikfish for king salmon is one of my all-time favorite things to do. When a big chinook eats your plug and starts shaking his head, it’s a feeling like no other. Ready to get in on the fun? I’ll show you how.

First, a quick definition: Flat-lining refers to backtrolling plugs like Kwikfish or FlatFish without any weight — kinda like you would run a Hot Shot for steelhead.

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