Tony, Spokane, WA- Experienced outdoorsman Click here to read the full review
...This is a Quality fishing experience. . .Bill is simply one of the most knowledgeable and capable guides I've hunted or fished with in my lifetime...

...If you are looking for a place where there is great fishing, good food, and wonderful hospitality, welcome home...

...Bill and Julie worked together like a well-oiled machine to ensure all fish hooked made it to the boat, and I was back fishing as quickly as possible for the next one...

Jared, San Francisco - Novice angler Click here to read the full review
...you and Julie were the perfect hosts – friendly, informative, easygoing – perfect for the novice fisherman...

...Finally it hit – the one I’d been waiting for. You maneuvered the boat and talked me through the landing, working him in slowly but surely without losing him...

...just like the salmon, we are hooked! Can’t wait to come back next time. Many, many thanks to you and Julie and the Salmon King Lodge for showing us such a wonderful time...

Tony's review:

If you are looking for a place to completely relax, unwind, and enjoy yourself, you've found it. If you are looking for a place where there is great fishing, good food, and wonderful hospitality, welcome home. Salmon King Lodge is a place designed to completely forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Just a 3 ½ hour drive from the Bay via I-5, it is easily accessible by Bay Area residents.

Upon my arrival, Bill and Julie Divens, the owners and proprietors of the Lodge, welcomed me at the porch. Bill served drinks and gave me a tour of the Lodge, while Julie helped me unload my bags from the car. The dining room has a 170-degree view of the valley below, with Mount Shasta in the distance. It is absolutely breathtaking. The remainder of the evening was spent on the veranda with an incredible sunset and wonderful conversation.

The Saturday fishing trip, unbeknownst to me, actually began the night before at dinner. During dinner, Julie inquired as to the types of food I preferred while fishing, and had it all prepared for me. Bill, unlike other CFO's (Chief Fishing Officer ;) ), had all the bait and rigs ready before we left Saturday morning. My experiences in the past had the guides prepping the gear and bait AFTER we got out on the water, cutting down on the actual fishing time. The trip began at the time of MY request, not the time Bill decided we would leave.

One thing I would like to recommend, at least once in your life take a jet boat ride up a fast-moving river. The Sacramento River, with its rugged beauty and high-desert feel, is absolutely breathtaking. The jetboat ride in itself is an experience, but coupled with the scenery and Julie's guidance of the area landmarks, fishing spots, and wildlife, it was beyond words.

Once at our fishing spot, Bill explained the 'Rule of Engagement' for the day, and how we would proceed throughout the day. He also explained what types of techniques we would be using, and how we would change our tactics depending on the activity of the fish that particular day.

Bill and Julie worked together like a well-oiled machine to ensure all fish hooked made it to the boat, and I was back fishing as quickly as possible for the next one. This is a quality fishing experience, not so much a quantity fishing service. Bill is simply one of the most knowledgeable and capable guides I've hunted or fished with in my lifetime.

When the trip was done and back at the Lodge, I was given several choices for dinner and evening entertainment, of which I chose dinner downtown and a tour of the Red Bluff area. The area is rich with history, something to enjoy, especially if you are a California native.

The room and bed was extremely comfortable and welcoming, with a private bath for my use while there all three days. The view of the mountains, when waking in the morning, was spectacular. The Lodge is surrounded on three sides by porch, so there is always a quiet shady place with a comfortable chair to curl up and enjoy a book or just watch the wildlife at play.

In summary, if you are looking for a quiet place to spend a weekend, that includes many options, Salmon King Lodge is the place. Fishing, a jetboat ride, great food and company, and a place completely removed from the stresses of the city, in a heavenly setting. This is it. Salmon King Lodge.

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Jared's Review:

I have never properly thanked you for the incredible experience I had with you and Jules at the Salmon King Lodge. I had done some dock fishing before, but never caught anything of note. I was also completely uninformed about bait, lures and basically everything to do with salmon.

When we visited Salmon King Lodge, you and Julie were the perfect hosts – friendly, informative, easygoing – perfect for the novice fisherman. I received a great education in preparing plugs and lures as we prepared for the coming day. The lodge itself is incredible – comfortable, thoughtfully arrayed and welcoming. The bedrooms are private and cozy – the common areas pleasant and open. Watching the sunset from the deck of the lodge with the deer running through the backyard in the distance was incredible, and enjoying cocktails on the deck at nightfall was a pristine experience.

Rising before dawn, we layered up for the cold mountain air and trucked the boat and coolers down to the river. It was great to put in early, with no other boats around. You and Jules – the perfect team - knew exactly where the regulars would be looking for fish that day – the “easy” holes where we could come back through if we had no luck further out – but we immediately took off down the river, the bank slowly rising and falling as the wind whipped past us. The morning was still, and startled deer by the riverbanks testified that we were the first ones by that day.

Settling far upriver into one of your own favorite spots, you proceeded to show us how to bait our hooks with roe, how to plumb the bottom with bobbing lures and what kind of action the rods needed. Early on, we wuz robbed once or twice but enjoyed ourselves thoroughly nonetheless.

By midmorning, we were moving on to other parts of the river where you figured our luck would improve. Though we passed one or two other boats, we still were clearly far from the masses and most frequently enjoyed peace and quiet of the still day.

Finally it hit – the one I’d been waiting for. You maneuvered the boat and talked me through the landing, working him in slowly but surely without losing him. We got him back close to the boat and - triumph! - I pulled him over the side into the waiting net – a beautiful 19-lb male. Less than 20 minutes later, my girlfriend landed her own catch- a pearly pink 16-lb female to match. What a set! They looked awesome side by side, and they tasted even better. There was plenty of filet on those two fish, and our friends got to enjoy it also.

Now of course, just like the salmon, we are hooked! Can’t wait to come back next time. Many, many thanks to you and Julie and the Salmon King Lodge for showing us such a wonderful time.

Please email us for Jared's contact info