Home Stretch

(Sept. 19, 2017 newsletter) — We’re coming into the home stretch of what has been an outstanding salmon 2017 session…We will again thank everyone involved in the many projects that have saved our salmon from the predicted impending disaster caused by drought and other not-so natural obstacles.

It’s now that time of year when there are generally fewer fish landed, but the overall size is worth the wait. Patience is the key to fall fishing; it’ll have its ups and downs, but keep fishing and you may be rewarded. The season runs until end of October.

The Argo still has room this Saturday for a salmon trip, and a scattering of open weekends leading up to the end of the season. The predicted weather for the weekend, and following week, is scheduled to be very good.

An ocean alternative to salmon with lots of action is the rockfish bite that has turned on along the Marin coastline. It’s now in full swing with plenty of bites and tasty fillets mostly guaranteed.

Coming the first Saturday in November is the opening of crab season. The Argo will be running crab/rockfish combo trips weather permitting. An alternative when the weather does get funky will be heading into the San Pablo Bay for striped bass.

Currently inside the SF bay, striped bass have been on their annual fall tear. Lots of action on school-size fish with catch and release a big part of the game. This action should remain steady until the live bait receiver closes October 8. After that, we’ll have to be a little more creative.

Leopard sharks remain active in the calm bay waters. Of course, we use barbless hooks for easy release, and all our sharks are returned to bite another day.