The Delta Fishing Report is updated every Monday night.
Archived reports
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This is my last report for the '7-08 Season. I'll start up again in July for the '8-09 season!
June 2,
2008
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Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, White Slough, Little Connection Slough, Disappointment Slough, Empire Cut, Bishop Cut Water temp 69-71 Visibility 6" -1 foot LMB -
Fair at best. The conditions, with the exception of the wind
continue to be good to outstanding but the fishing is less than stellar.
Some mornings and evenings a few fish will respond to topwater
presentations but the majority seem to be sulking, and do not respond to
even the best presentations. A number of fish, rather than slam the
popper, just swim up to it and suck on the trailing feathers.
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The warmer water, combined with long hours of sunlight has produced an algae bloom causing the water to cloud up by the end of the day. The mats are starting to build in the slow current areas, especially in the eastern portion of the delta. Top
Water - Fish poppers, divers and gurglers in a variety of habitats
for any action. Try open rock walls, walls with weed lines, walls with
tules, areas of light and heavy cover. Submerged weed beds, etc. Once
you find some action, work similar areas for the remainder of the day.
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When retrieving, start chugging the fly on splash down but PAUSE at the end of your retrieve for as long as tolerable, especially during evening hours. Subsurface - Fish unweighted bluegill style Puglisi flies, woolly buggers and zonker imitations over the weeds. Use a slow retrieve May 26,
2008 |
LMB- No
report. While I was home Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the wind
blew so hard it made fishing impossible. I spent the remainder of the
week in Burney chasing trout on the Fall River and Baum Lake. Sad to
say, the weather down turn affected fishing there as well with cold, wet
and windy weather through the holiday. |
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May 19,
2008
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Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, White Slough, Little Connection Slough, Mokelumne River, San Joaquin River, Disappointment Slough, Empire Cut, Bishop Cut Water temp 71-75 Visibility 2-3 feet LMB -
Fair. While fishing conditions have been absolutely perfect, the
fishing is not living up to the conditions. The morning bite is sporadic
and the evening bite is totally unpredictable, sometimes providing
minimal action and sometimes almost totally void of action.
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What's the cause? Maybe the rapid change in temperature? Maybe the largest majority of the fish are in the spawning mode and not feeding? I don't have a clue and no one I've talked to has as well. With the stable temperatures it's expected that the fishing will improve in the next few weeks. In the meantime, keep on trying. Top
Water - Fish poppers, divers and gurglers in a variety of habitats
for any action. Try open rock walls, walls with weed lines, walls with
tules, areas of light and heavy cover. Submerged weed beds, etc. Once
you find some action, work similar areas for the remainder of the day.
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When retrieving, start chugging the fly on splash down but PAUSE at the end of your retrieve for as long as tolerable, especially during evening hours. Subsurface - Fish unweighted bluegill style Puglisi flies, woolly buggers and zonker imitations over the weeds. Use a slow retrieve May 12,
2008
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Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, White Slough, Disappointment Slough, Empire Cut, Bishop Cut Water temp 64-68 Visibility 2-3 feet LMB -
Good. Finally! The water in the east delta has warmed to the point
where top water action can be found.
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Mornings are still tough with the water in the 64-65 zone. A few fish will come to the top but a better catch rate will be found by fishing sub surface. Fish are active throughout the day but don't respond to top water with any regularity until the early afternoons. The action continues until the water temperature starts to drop in mid evening. A few more degrees of warming will produce a LMB top water explosion! Wind has been a problem in the afternoons. Top
water - Fish poppers, divers, and gurglers along the rock walls and
near tulles. Be ready for grabs as soon as the popper lands. If no takes
there, chug the fly out to the weed line and then stop. WAIT as long as
you can before picking up.
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Fish over the weed lines and close to the rocks on high tide. Fish the edge where moving water passes the weeds and growth on low tide. Fish every corner where tulles meet the rocks as well as any points. Subsurface - Fish unweighted bluegill style Puglisi flies, woolly buggers and zonker imitations over the weeds. Use a slow retrieve. May
5, 2008 |
San Joaquin, Mokelumne, Holland Cut, Little Mandeville Island, Sandmound Slough, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough Water temp 60-63 Visibility 18-24" Stripers
- Fair. Same as last week, Small numbers of schoolie stripers can be
found spread thin throughout the north delta. The largest portion of the
fish are up the Sacramento River system. Cover LOTS of water to find
fish. Winds have been a problem.
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LAST STRIPER REPORT FOR THE YEAR Subsurface
- Fish along the rock walls and tule berms with a quick sinking line and
streamer flies such as whistlers and clousers. Allow the fly to sink to
within a few feet from the bottom and use an erratic retrieve of longs
strips interrupted by pauses. |
LMB -
Fair. Top water action fell off with a drop in water temperatures
with few fish willing to take anything on top. Subsurface presentations
produced some action. The wind has been a problem both with casting and
the resultant evaporation dropping water temperatures.
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It's just a matter of sitting and waiting for water temperatures to climb into the high 60's. The weather report shows a string of 80+ days which should help. Topwater
- Cast to grab ratio is probably 500 casts to one. Topwater will
improve with warmer water temperatures.
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Subsurface - Fish a baitfish pattern such as a Puglisi sunfish imitation cast close to the rock walls and stripped to the boat slowly or dead drift a lightly weighted zonker strip on a long 8' leader with a floating line next to the weed lines. April
28, 2008 |
San Joaquin, Old River, Middle River, Mokelumne, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough Water temp 60-63 Visibility 18-24" Stripers-
Fair. Fish can be found in small numbers throughout the river
system. Mostly small males with two large females reported caught, a 25
and 26, both unfortunately, killed.
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Wind is a problem most days, calmer in the morning and blowing in the teens in the afternoons. Surface
- No action at all.
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Subsurface - The fish can be found in current lines along tule berms and rip-wrap banks. Cast traditional striper flies such as whistlers and clousers but also try some Puglisi style shad patterns. Fish the fly in the bottom four feet of water using the standard striper strip. LMB -
Fair. Top water action is just starting with lots of casts
generating few strikes. A few more degrees of temperature should turn
the fish on for more consistent action.
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Numbers of fish can be found in the shallow water along rip-wrap walls, and in the shallow tule flats. Wind is a problem, especially in the afternoons. Surface
- Fish poppers from the edge of the bank or tules all the way out
past the off shore weed line. Pause for 10-15 seconds before picking up.
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Subsurface - Strip small Puglisi style baitfish patterns and woolly buggers out from the bank. Use a slow strip and walk the fly just above the weeds or bottom. April
21, 2008
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San Joaquin, Old River, Middle River Water temp 57-60 Visibility 18-24"
Stripers
- Fair. Fishing was all over the board last week with some days yielding
moderate numbers of fish and other days difficult. Wind was an additional
problem with wind speeds in excess of 15 at least four days of the week.
The last part of the equation, water temperature, didn't add anything
since each day the wind came up, the water lost a degree or so, ending
the week down a degree from the week before.
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The schools of stripers in the north delta seem to be composed almost exclusively of small males with no large females being reported caught at all. The males do not seen ready to spawn yet since they are not oozing milt when caught. Most of the fish have been reported close to the main San Joaquin from 14 Mile Slough down to Fisherman's Cut. The coming week doesn't have any real hurricanes predicted but no flat calm days as well. The best fishing looks to be toward the weekend with warmer daytime temperatures and a stable system raising water temperatures. Surface
- Very slow
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Subsurface - Work the rip-wrap banks and the edges of tule berms both on the outside and inside, all the way up the river. Fish can be found in schools along the edge as deep as 25 feet and as shallow as 5-6 feet. The fish go through periods of lockjaw mixed with short periods of wide open bites. Surprisingly, the bottom of the tide, both incoming and outgoing seem to be the most productive times. Fish a medium sized chartreuse/white clousers, white shad pattern puglisi flies, and deceiver type flies on quick sinking lines or heads. Use a standard striper strip of two or three hard pulls, followed by pauses and mixtures of one, two, three and four hard pulls as you strip in. Fish are in the bottom half of the water column so count down to get into the zone before stripping in. LMB -
Fair. The continued cold water is holding the LMB back from the
beginning of the top water bite. Fish are still hesitant to take flies
on top but do respond to streamer type flies cast close to the tules and
along the weed lines. |
Surface
- Too Cold.
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Subsurface - Streamer patterns and puglisi shad and sunfish patterns fished close to the tules and weed lines produce fish but it's slow fishing compared to the top water action coming in a few weeks. April
14, 2008
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San Joaquin, Old River, Middle River, Connection Slough, Holland Cut, Mildred Water temp 57-60 Visibility 18-24" Stripers
- Fair. Numbers of fish are in the system in small schools, mostly
males. They have been reluctant to eat most days with brief feeding
periods followed by long hours of inactivity. Most fish can be found on
the break between shallow and deep water or close to tulle berms. You'll
have to cover a lot of water to make the day worth while since the small
schools are widely scattered..
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The outlook for this week is for high winds most days making fishing a dismal affair. The forecast calls for the best days being Thursday and Sunday with winds less than ten miles an hour. Surface
- Very slow.
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Subsurface - Fish clousers, whistlers and giant woolly buggers on a fast sinking line such as a Rio 350 or SA Custom Express. Start with several strong hard pulls and then an erratic series of strips and pauses to the boat. Make sure you allow the fly to sink deep enough to cover the water within three feet of the bottom. Fish close to banks, tulle berms and flats close to deep water. LMB -
Fair. Water temperatures dropped a degree or two during the week,
slowing down the bite. In addition, many fish are moving to the spawning
beds and are reluctant to eat. We need a good spell of stable warm
weather to raise water temperatures to the 64-66 mark to start the
topwater bite. Some fish are available on streamers in the deeper water
close to banks and tulle berms. |
Surface
- Still too cold to produce any consistant results.
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Subsurface - Fish sinking lines and streamer flies such as clousers, zonkers and giant woolly buggers close to tulle berms and on the outside of weed lines. Work any open channels to shallow water. Use a slow retrieve. Try flies of different sizes. April
7, 2008
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San Joaquin River, Old River, Middle River, Holland Cut, Connection Slough Water temp 58-61 Visibility 18-24" Stripers
- Good. Enough fish are in the system to make fishing worthwhile but
they're spread thin. Fish can be found in shallow water and on flats
next to deeper water as well as on seams of current around points and
tule berms. Because the fish are spread so thin it's necessary to cover
lots of water. If you're not catching fish after ten minutes, move. Top
and bottom of the tide fishing has proven to be slow.
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The outlook for this week is poor for Tuesday and Wednesday with increased activity toward the weekend with a rising barometer and warmer and more stable weather. Surface
- Not much activity. Try early and late if you must fish on top.
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Subsurface - Fish clousers, whistlers and other streamer flies on an express type line over graphed fish. Use a strip consisting of a series of rapid strips mixed with pauses. Fish the fly all the way to the boat. Chartreuse, pink and black are the go to colors. If you're graphing fish but no takes, try changing colors and sizes, working to smaller flies from larger ones. LMB -
Fair to Good. The rise in water temperatures has stalled with most
areas of the delta at or below 60 degrees. Most fish are in the
pre-spawn mode, hungry but in deeper water. Fish the deeper areas
outside the weeds and channels leading to shallower water.
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The coming weekend should produce the best fishing with a possible rise in water temperatures of up to three degrees. Surface
- Water is still too cold for any real action.
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Subsurface- Sinking lines and streamer type flies rule. Fish close to the bottom with a weedless streamer, giant woolly bugger or other buggy fly. Strip slowly and use a strip set on any resistance. Big fish are possible. March
31, 2008
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San Joaquin River, Old River, Middle River, Holland Cut, Connection Slough Water temp 58-61 Visibility 18-24" Stripers
- Good. Fish in respectable numbers have moved into the system and
seem to be spread over the entire delta in moderate numbers. Fish are
holding in their usual habitats, along side current flows, off rock
walls in moving water, the shoulders of berms, etc. If hungry, the fish
are aggressive and with the warmer water are starting to pull harder. It
seems that the fish shut down a portion of each fishing day. Once shut
down, grabs are hard to come by although fish still show on the graph. |
Surface
- Not much happening. Better to fish subsurface.
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Subsurface - Fish both large and small flies on quick sinking lines. Allow the line to sink and then strip in using a series of rapid strips mixed with long pauses. Hot flies include clousers, whistlers, epoxy head deceivers, in chartreuse/white, black, tan over white keel flies. Make sure you fish the fly all the way to the boat. LMB -
Fair but improving. Some fish are definitely either making beds or
already on them. Prespawn fish will feed if you drop a fly in front of
them or have them chase a clouser. Spawning fish are tougher since they
fast while egg laying and guarding the nest. The earliest spawners
should be moving off the nests in the next two weeks and should be
hungry and ready to eat. The increase in water temperature will kick off
a topwater bite soon. |
Surface
- You may be able to bring a fish to the surface in the late
afternoon but a consistent topwater bite is still a few weeks away.
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Subsurface - Work the deep troughs near banks and tule growths, especially open channels between deeper and shallower water with a type III or IV sink tip and a zonker strip, giant woolly bugger or other streamer fly such as a clouser. Move the fly slowly in a series of jerks and pauses. Strip set on any resistance. March
25, 2008
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San Joaquin River, False River, Old River, Holland Cut, Little Mandeville, Potato Slough Water temp 56 Visibility 12-24" Stripers
- Fair. Conditions could not be better but finding fish is VERY
difficult. Cover lots of water and trust your graph, if you're not
seeing fish, they're probably not there.
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Work the rock walls, berms and current both on the incoming and outgoing. Focus on current intersections at points and other rips. Surface
- Little surface activity being observed. Again, if fishing top
water
fish early and late in the shallow areas.
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Subsurface - Does the rule, "If it ain't chartreuse it ain't no use." mean anything to ya! Mike McKenzie claims he didn't coin this phrase but stole it from someone back east. In any case, he's the west coast rep on this saying! Like the man says, chartreuse clousers and other streamers fishing on LC13, T14, or other integrated lines will put the fly in the zone. Use an erratic strip and strip all the way to the boat. LMB -
Fair. Water temperatures are still too cold for the spawn to start
in earnest. Larger males are moving into the shallows and preparing
nests but the majority of fish are still holding in water 8 feet
deep. |
Surface
- You can occasionally bring a fish to the top, especially in the
evenings when the water warms but for the most part, it's still a
subsurface game.
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Subsurface - Work the deep troughs near banks and tule growths, especially open channels between deeper and shallower water with a type III or IV sink tip and a zonker strip, giant woolly bugger or other streamer fly such as a clouser. Move the fly slowly in a series of jerks and pauses. Strip set on any resistance. March
18, 2008
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San Joaquin River, dead end sloughs off Mokelumne, Holland Cut, Connection Slough, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, Middle River, False River Water temps 53-55 Visibility 12-24" Stripers
- Fair. Conditions continue to be excellent but the lack of fish is
discouraging. Some schools are cruising the San Joaquin delta but the
secret is finding them. Fish are moving from the upper bays into the
Sacramento side and hopefully will move into the San Joaquin side as
well.
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Mid-week fishing conditions look to be outstanding with mild days and moderate winds. Conditions are expected to deteriorate by Easter weekend. Surface
- Little surface activity is being observed. If you must, fish the
shallow areas in low light conditions.
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Subsurface - Finding the fish is harder than getting them to strike. Cover lots of water and watch your graph. When found, fish will readily take a fly, clousers and whistlers being the flies of choice. Fish can be found in the bottom four feet of water. Fish a quick sinking line with an erratic retrieve. Fish the line all the way to the boat. LMB -
Fair. The largest males have started building nests as can be seen
from their worn fins. Most fish are still holding in 6-8 feet of water.
A major migration to shallow water for nest building with a climb in
temperature of a few more degrees. |
Surface
- If you have the stamina, working a popper against the banks in the
early morning or late afternoon will produce a few takes over a couple
of hundred casts. However, they're likely to be bigger fish than normal.
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Subsurface - The fly rod version of "finesse fishing" will produce some takes. Fish a weightless giant woolly bugger or other unweighted fly on a short leader on a type III sink tip. Cast into the channels connecting the deep water with the shallow banks and move the fly with a series of very short slow strips rod tip in the water pointing directly at the fly. Set the hook on any resistance. Black, olive and chartreuse are the most productive colors. March
10, 2008
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San Joaquin River, dead end sloughs off Mokelumne, Holland Cut, Connection Slough, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, Middle River, False River Water temps 51-54 Visibility 6-18" Stripers
- Fair. Conditions were absolutely perfect throughout the week but
the number of fish were few. Things look even better the first part of
this week with a possible downturn on the weekend because of a weak low
pressure system moving in.
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Sea lions are thick throughout the delta, especially in Beaver and Hog Sloughs and the main San Joaquin. Traffic on the delta waterways Thursday through Sunday will be very heavy with a major bass tournament taking place. Be careful rounding points and watch for fast moving boats. When underway make sure your intentions are understood by making noticeable changes in heading when overtaking and meeting other boats. Make sure you obey the rules of the road. Surface
- Little surface activity is being observed. If you must, fish the
shallow areas in low light conditions.
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Subsurface - Finding the fish is harder than getting them to strike. Cover lots of water and watch your graph. When found, fish will readily take a fly, clousers and whistlers being the flies of choice. Fish can be found in the bottom four feet of water. Fish a quick sinking line with an erratic retrieve. Fish the line all the way to the boat. LMB -
Fair to good. Fish are still in he pre-spawn mode with most found in
eight feet of water or more. The largest males should be working their
way to the shallows getting ready to claim territory and build nests. A
few more degrees of water temperature should get the spawning cycle
going. |
Surface
- If you have the stamina, working a popper against the banks in the
early morning or late afternoon will produce a few takes over a couple
of hundred casts. However, they're likely to be bigger fish than normal.
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Subsurface - The fly rod version of "finesse fishing" will produce some takes. Fish a weightless giant woolly bugger or other unweighted fly on a short leader on a type III sink tip. Cast into the channels connecting the deep water with the shallow banks and move the fly with a series of very short slow strips rod tip in the water pointing directly at the fly. Set the hook on any resistance. Black, olive and chartreuse are the most productive colors. March
3, 2008
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San Joaquin River, dead end sloughs off Mokelumne, Potato and Little Potato Sloughs Water temps 51-54 Visibility 6-18" Stripers
- Fair. The previous week's rains muddied up the main channels in
the delta leaving only the dead end sloughs on the Mokelumne fit to
fish. Fishing was fair the first part of the week but weekend winds
ended the week's fishing opportunities.
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This weeks fishing should slowly improve through Saturday and then fall off Sunday and Monday with a mild storm passing through. Look for clear and warmer water to produce some results. Surface
- Work the shallows during low light with gurglers and crease flies,
especially close to the rock walls and tulle points. Use a series of
long strips.
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Subsurface - Use an un-weighted streamer such as a chartreuse over white clouser fished on a quick sinking line with a series of erratic strips. Work different depths by starting the retrieve at different count downs. LMB -
Fair to good. The largest males are moving into the shallows and
getting ready to prepare nests. The females should be following shortly.
Fish will be found in channels connecting shallow water with deeper
holding areas. |
Subsurface
- Work a large weedless un-weighted fly like a whistler or giant
woolly bugger from the shallows to deeper water in a series of slow
short strips. Fish the fly on a short 10-15 foot sink tip line with
relatively short casts of 30-40 feet. Maintain contact with the fly and
do a hook set on any resistance. |
February
25, 2008
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San Joaquin River, dead end sloughs, Potato and Little Potato Slough Water temp 48-52 Visibility - 1 foot Stripers
- Improving rapidly. The fishery was set to bust wide open last
Monday and Tuesday but the incoming storm dropped enough water and
provided enough cloud cover to lower water temperatures by as many as
three degrees. The rapid drop shut the fishing down by Thursday and the
weekend winds finished any possibilities of a decent fishing week.
Weather predictions this week call for daytime highs of high 60's to low
70's with no storms in sight. Expect an explosion of activity with a
rise in water temperatures of four to five degrees. If we stay dry and
warm, the next month should provide some excellent striper fishing. |
Surface
- Work gurglers and crease flies in the shallows, especially close
to the rock walls in the early morning light and especially in the late
afternoons when the water is at its warmest. Use a series of long strips
and keep stripping if chased until you hook up.
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Subsurface - bluegill flies, clousers, whistlers in olive or chartreuse and white cast to shallow water and stripped into the channels and deeper cuts will be effective. Stripping speed can increase because of the warming water but make sure to include some good pauses. Fish the fly all the way to the boat. LMB -
Fair to good, prespawn continues. The bigger male bass are moving
into the shallows and building nests along the rock walls. Once the
water temperatures reach the mid 50's the females should be attracted
for spawning. The intensity should pick up in the next few weeks as the
water warms |
Surface
- Water temperatures are still way to cold for consistent activity.
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Subsurface - Fish a large un-weighted fly with a slow retrieve with lots of pauses. Fish close to the bottom. Chartreuse over white is still the color of choice. Fish close to the rock walls in the troughs between the weeds and shore. the closer you fish, the greater chance of LMB rather than a striper. February
18, 2008
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San Joaquin River, dead end sloughs Water temp 49-54 Visibility - 1 foot Stripers
- Improving rapidly. Water temperatures have jumped dramatically
bringing the fish out of their winter funk. Fish are still seeking the
warmest and clearest water and can be found in dead end sloughs and on
flats that warm rapidly on clear days. Activity should pick up even more
in the next few weeks however the spring winds have started blowing.
Check for wind reports if you're driving a distance to fish. |
Subsurface
- Chartreuse clousers, whistlers and other streamer flies fished on LC
13 or T 14 with a series of strips and pauses will produce grabs. Fish
dead end sloughs and flats that warm quickly. Work the shallow water
along the rock filled levees at the top half of the outgoing and
incoming tides. Fish will be hungry and on the prowl. |
LMB -
Pre-spawn has started. Bass have started moving from the deep water
back into the shallows looking for anything to eat after a long winter
in hibernation. If you can put a fly in front of these fish, they won't
hesitate to strike. Fish all the shelves, channels and passages from
deeper water into the shallows. |
Subsurface
- Use a Type III short (10-15 feet) sink-tip line with a short, 3-4 foot
leader to a lightly weighted weedless giant woolly bugger, clouser,
bluegill fly or whistler. Cast short 30-40 foot casts into channels and
along breaks. Use short strips with long pauses, rod tip in the water.
Set on any resistance. Maintain contact with the fly! |
February
11, 2008
|
Water temp 45-47 Visibility 6 inches Stripers
- Poor. The water is still cold and muddy but is showing signs of
improving quickly. While fishing is VERY slow right now, a rapid turn
around could
come with the lack of recent rains and warming water. Check delta water
temperatures on the link above. Any rapid rise in water temperature
should turn the fish ON! |
Subsurface
- Fish a large un-weighted fly with a slow retrieve with lots of
pauses. Fish close to the bottom. Chartreuse over white is still the
color of choice. |
February
4, 2008
|
Water temp 44-46 Stripers
- Poor. The cold water and heavy turbidity makes fishing tough. Fish
are feeding infrequently. Fish dead end sloughs and areas of cleaner
water. Even if you find fish, they may not be in the mood to eat. |
Subsurface
- Fish a large un-weighted fly with a slow retrieve with lots of
pauses. Fish close to the bottom. Chartreuse over white is still the
color of choice. |
December
31, 2007
|
Water temp 43-45 No
report. The holidays took up most of my time this week and I
received zero reports from my fishing friends. Water temperatures are
very cold and the fish should be sluggish.
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My boat is being hauled out for maintenance and its 500 hour check up, about 60 hours overdue. It won't be back in the water until sometime around the 21st of January.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Here's to some great fishing in 2008! December
24, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, Middle River, Sandmound Slough, Little Mandeville. Water temp 46-48 Stripers
- Fair. Fish continue to be available throughout the delta with
concentrations in the east and south delta. The stable weather and some
fresh rain helped wake up the fish.
|
Fish flats and cuts, points and banks for individual fish cruising in 10-16 feet of water. Get your fly down within two feet of the bottom. Subsurface
- Try fishing both larger and smaller flies. Chartreuse/ white flies
during the brighter hours and black during low light, morning and dusk.
Use a regular striper strip but make sure you include plenty of long
pauses. Strip the fly in just fast enough to keep it off the bottom.
Fish are tentative in taking the fly and may butt it several times
before grabbing it. Once hooked, fish have lost their early season speed
and come to the boat slightly easier in this cold water. |
December
17, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, Middle River, Sandmound Slough, Little Mandeville. Water temp 46-48 Stripers
- Fair. Scattered reports from the south delta around Stockton
continue to be positive with double digit catches on a regular basis.
Another area with decent results are the sloughs at the east end off Disappointment
Slough. The north delta including areas around Frank's Tract, and the
San Joaquin east from False River to the Mokelumne continue to be slow.
The few reports from the sloughs on the Mokelumne are not encouraging as
well. The best day of last week seemed to be Thursday with weather
somewhat of a problem on other days. Fish were markedly more sluggish
once hooked.
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The coming week's storms make fishing unpredictable with the first opportunity to avoid the rain Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Subsurface -
Same as last week. Fish a chartreuse over white bead
eye clouser, whistler or light weight streamer fly in water of six feet
or more. Make sure you add some LONG pauses between strips. Fish will
pick up the fly on the pause and you'll find them holding the fly on the
next strip. Work areas of deep water with a quick sinking line. This is definitely
the time for using a T-14 or LC-13 head and mono over an integrated line
since you want to go deep and stay there.
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December
10, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, Middle River, False River, Holland Cut, Connection Slough, Sandmound Slough, Little Mandeville. Water temp 47-50
Stripers
- Slow. Water temperatures dropped another two degrees and may be
near their winter lows. Willing fish can be found but to do so you'll
have to cover lots of water. If you see fish on the graph, don't give up
on them, try changing flies and retrieves. The north part of the delta
seems to be slower than areas close to Stockton and Tracy. Fishing
reports are also a little more optimistic on the Sacramento side. In
addition to the cold water, wind has been a problem most of last week
and the current week is starting out the same way.
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If you're planning to fish this week; cover lots of water, if you find fish keep working them, check dead end sloughs, work areas adjacent to deep water, enjoy the experience even if the catching is not as good as the fishing. Topwater
- Almost no action with the current cold water temperatures.
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Subsurface - Fish a chartreuse over white bead eye clouser, whistler or light weight streamer fly in water of six feet or more. Make sure you add some LONG pauses between strips. Fish will pick up the fly on the pause and you'll find them holding the fly on the next strip. Work areas of deep water with a quick sinking line. This is definitely the time for using a T-14 or LC-13 head and mono over an integrated line since you want to go deep and stay there.
December
3, 2007
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San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, Middle River, False River, Holland Cut, Connection Slough, Sandmound Slough, Little Mandeville. Water temp 49-51 Stripers
- Slow. Water temperatures dropped four degrees in as many days,
shutting down the bite until the fish accommodate the colder
temperatures. Fish seemed absent from very shallow areas in favor of
water deeper than six feet. The cold water conditions were made even
tougher with 10-20mph winds over Saturday and Sunday.
|
Fishing should improve slightly with water temperatures in the 50 degree area throughout the week and be helped along with some light rain on Thursday and Friday. The coming weekend looks grim with air temperatures dropping to the mid 30's during the early morning hours causing another drop in water temperatures. Once water temperatures drop down to the 46 degree area you're better off staying home and playing a fishing game on your X-Box. Topwater
- Almost no action with the current cold water temperatures.
|
Subsurface - Fish a chartreuse over white bead eye clouser, whistler or light weight streamer fly in water of six feet or more. Use the standard striper strip but increase the pause time between strips. Almost all the fish hooked are taking the fly on the pause. Most fish are lip hooked with few taking the fly well into the mouth. Make sure to work the fly all the way up to the boat, fishing it until you lift it from the water. November
26, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Holland Cut, Connection Slough, Sandmound Slough, Little Mandeville. Water temp 51-54 Stripers
- Fair. I took the first half of the week off for a visit to
Monterey and started fishing again on Friday. Water temperatures have
dropped considerably and fish were noticeably slower on the take and
harder to tease into a strike. High winds on Friday fell away to
practically dead calm conditions on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Big
fish were exceptionally hard to find with most fish reported caught well
below the ten pound mark.
|
The predicted rain during the coming mid-week has faded to be replaced with predictions for stable moderate weather through to the weekend. The major incoming tide is shifting to the morning hours which should improve morning fishing. Between the stable weather and major incoming tide and the fish accommodating themselves to the colder temperatures may produce a wide open bite by Thursday, Friday. Topwater
- Reports of willing fish working to gurglers and other topwater
presentations make casting a topwater fly interesting and possibly
productive. Areas around tules, and weed edges are prime targets. Early
morning and late evening have proved to be the most productive time.
|
Subsurface - Mike McKenzie said it best, "If it ain't chartreuse, there ain't no use." Chartreuse over white clousers and whistlers were the most productive flies. Getting the fly down early and keeping there is important. T-14 and LC-13 fished on small diameter running lines put the fly in the fish zone. Strips should be only slightly slower than earlier in the season but pauses are a necessity. Lots of takes using the "Delta Dangle" right at the boat. November
19, 2007 |
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough, Holland Cut, Disappointment Slough, Sandmound Slough, Little Mandeville. Water temp 57-58 Stripers
- Fair to good. Morning fishing on the incoming tide proved
worthwhile throughout the week but the afternoons were brutal with
little water movement caused by a weak minor tide. Fish seemed to group
up in the morning current but then scattered and had to be found one by
one in the afternoons. Finding these fish was hard work with lots of
casts and few results. For the most part the fish
were willing to take a fly once found but the looking took it's toll at
the gas pump. Mid day winds became a problem later in the week along
with an unsettled weather pattern.
|
The coming week's weather looks to be some of the best in two weeks for fishing with a stable weather pattern and great minor and major tides. The only thing needed to be added is some fish willing to eat a fly and maybe some fresh rain. Some schools of larger fish are reported to be moving up the system from the bay. If they arrive the action should be outstanding. Topwater
- A few boils can be seen. However no one fishing with me has had
the patience to fish a blind topwater fly for any significant time. Some
anglers have found great fishing in extremely shallow water and over
weed beds. It might be the thing to do during high water slack tide.
|
Subsurface - Chartreuse and White were the colors of the day during the bright sunlight. Black whistlers paid off during the early mornings and late evenings. Most takes were on the pauses and close to the boat. Quick sinking lines such as T-14 and LC-13 outfished the lighter Rio 350's when fishing the edges of drop offs but the lighter lines served well in the shallower water or water with weaker currents. Once again, count down, a couple of quick strips to send out some shock waves, an irregular stripping pattern to the boat and finish with the, "Delta Dangle." November
12, 2007 |
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough, Holland Cut, Disappointment Slough, Sandmound Slough, Taylor Slough, Mildred, Little Mandeville. Water temp 58-59 Stripers
- Fair but improving. Last Tuesday the fishing started with a bang
but slowly fell off. By the weekend storms the fishing was tough, tough,
tough. Bright sunlight during midweek along with crystal clear water
made getting a grab difficult at times. A daytime minor tide did not
help improve the bite.
|
Today's fishing was much improved with fish found throughout the system willing to take a fly. Fishing through mid week should be good to outstanding with the major incoming tide moving to the morning. Another rainy session is predicted for the coming weekend. The weather change may slow the bite down for a few days. Topwater
- Boils can be seen almost daily but the culprits are generally
small fish. Finding big fish willing to take a topwater presentation is
more difficult. Have a rod rigged with a floating line, gurgler, crease
fly or striper popper if you want to target these fish.
|
Subsurface - When the fishing gets tough, the fall back fly has got to be a chartreuse over white clouser fished on either T-14 or LC-13. Other flies that produced were chartreuse over white whistlers and Puglisi style shad imitations. Keep moving till you find fish. Mix up your strip until you find one that is a consistent producer. Fish are grabbing the fly right at the boat. If you're working over fish and just can't get a grab, try dropping down to a small sparse black clouser stripped slowly. You may be surprised! November
5, 2007 |
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough, Holland Cut, Sandmound Slough, Taylor Slough, Mildred, Little Mandeville. Water temp 61-63
Stripers
- Fishing is fair to good. The fish seem to be in a funk with plenty
of fish in the system but no eaters. Earlier in the week fish were
willing with double digit numbers of fish common for experienced fly
fishers but by Saturday morning they started to shut down. That trend
continued through Sunday and Monday with smaller fish still grabbing
when force fed. Fish are more active in the mornings and are more
willing to take in moving water.
|
Speculation on the slow bite could involve the overly bright days, unseasonably warm weather, the clear water or perhaps just the wishes of Mother Nature. The stable weather will continue and perhaps the fish will cycle back into an eating mode during the middle of the week. New schools of fish are said to be moving up from San Pablo Bay. Topwater
- A slight increase in the action from last week. Watch for birds working above fish taking shad on
top. Keep a rod rigged with a floating
line and crease fly, gurgler or striper popper if you want to target
these fish.
|
Subsurface - The usual lineup of flies are producing, including clousers and whistlers and bluegill style flies with lots of white. Vary the strip until you find out what works. A rapid strip combined with some long casts produced on Monday. Fish a quick sinking line and use an erratic strip. Try both large and small flies. October
29, 2007 |
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough, Holland Cut, Mildred, Little Mandeville. Water temp 61-63
Stripers
- Fishing is good to excellent. The week started out red hot
with lots of fish per rod and then slowly faded by Saturday with fish
hard to find and tough to get to take a fly. A pre-storm front on Sunday
sparked a feeding upturn to be followed by a turn-off on Monday. This
week's weather should bring on good to excellent fishing by Thursday and
it should last with the stable weather throughout the weekend.
|
Fish seemed to be scattered throughout the entire system with no particular area producing better than others. The bite varied with the tide with the best fishing on the incoming. Top of the tide and bottom of the tide were slow times. The water is extremely clear. A good retrieve pattern is essential to stimulate a strike. Topwater
- Same as last week. Not much happening. Still some birds working above fish taking shad on
top but not as frequent as weeks past. Keep a rod rigged with a floating
line and crease fly, gurgler or striper popper if you want to target
these fish.
|
Subsurface - Chartreuse over white clousers, whistlers and deceivers were the big producers with fewer takes on the Puglisi style flies. When fishing gets tough, try dropping down to a fly less than 2 inches and use a slow retrieve. Fish all of the above on a quick sinking line with an erratic strip. Lots of fish are hitting on the pause and right next to the boat. October
22, 2007 |
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough, Holland Cut, Mildred, Little Mandeville. Water temp 61-63
Stripers
- Fishing is good to excellent. Another week with a good start and a
terrible finish on Sunday with winds throughout the weekend shutting the
fishing down tight like a lid on a Tupperware container. However, a
stable system has moved into the valley and the fishing on Monday did a
huge turn around with a hot bite and willing fish taking flies on the
incoming tide. Fish were working current seams along the main waterways
and around points and islands. Most fish are sitting in deeper water
next to shallow shelves.
|
The water is extremely clear right now. Lots of followers. The fishing should remain good through the week with the stable weather predicted. The time to fish is now. Topwater
- Not much happening. Still some birds working above fish taking shad on
top but not as frequent as weeks past. Keep a rod rigged with a floating
line and crease fly, gurgler or striper popper if you want to target
these fish.
|
Subsurface - The tried and true Chartreuse over white closer or whistler seems to be king with other flies, especially all white deceivers, hallow flies and Puglisi style flies picking up fish actively working shad. Fish the flies on 20# leader with a quick sinking line. Use and erratic strip and fish the fly all the way to the boat. October
15, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough Water temp 63-66 Stripers
- Fishing is fair to good. The week started out gangbusters but a
series of fronts moving through put the fish off the bite by the
weekend. In addition, weekend boat traffic was unusually heavy with
several bass tournaments taking place. Fish are still working top water
and shallow areas close to deep water
|
Another series of fronts is scheduled to come through this week with unknown results. Take your raingear. Topwater
- Watch for birds. Keep a rod rigged with a floating line and
gurgler, crease fly or striper popper.
|
Subsurface - Fish a quick sinking line towing a clouser, whistler, or other striper streamer, close to tules and banks. Let the fly sink to within one to two feet of the bottom and use an erratic retrieve. October
8, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough Water temp 63-66
Stripers
- Fishing is good. The number of fish in the system has increased to
the point that fish are easier to find. Schools can be found in the San
Joaquin, Frank's Tract, and most of the sloughs nearby. The fish are
working the banks and tulles for threadfin shad and other bait fish,
especially in areas where the shallow areas are close to deeper
channels. The schools are scattering with fish up to ten pounds found
mixed with smaller schoolies.
|
A series of storms will move through this week which could act like a light switch, turning the bite on and off with some of the best fishing taking place the day preceding a front's arrival. Topwater
- Keep a rod rigged with a floating line, crease fly, gurgler or
striper popper. If you see birds working close on the area and cast in
the direction of working fish. Topwater activity seems to be slowing as
the water temperatures drop.
|
Subsurface - Clousers, Puglisi style flies, giant woolly buggers, all fished on a quick sinking line are the most effective. Cast into areas as shallow as you dare and strip into the deeper water. Work cuts and currents, points and shallow flats along current flows. Use a quick erratic strip but still throw in a few pauses, especially close to the boat. October
1, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Middle River, Connection Slough Water temp 66-67 Stripers
- Fishing is fair. A series of fall storms caused delta fishing to
look like the track of a roller coaster with great fishing one day only
to be followed by tough fishing the next. It's still a matter of finding
fish but once found, finding them on a hot bite is just as difficult.
Fish are still working top water on the days when they're actively
feeding. Larger fish are mixed in with the dinks in some cases. |
Some stable weather should help to improve the bite dramatically. Topwater
- Keep a rod rigged with a floating line, crease fly, gurgler or
striper popper. If you see birds working close on the area and cast in
the direction of working fish.
|
Subsurface - Clousers and bluegill patterns fished on a quick sinking line will bring on strikes when willing fish are found. Count down to within two feet of the bottom and use an erratic strip. Pause when the fly is near the surface and within ten feet of the boat. Sept.
25, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Holland Cut, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough Water temp 67-69 Stripers
- Fishing is fair. Schools of juvenile fish continue to come into
the system and those already in the system are starting to break up and
scatter. You may still spend hours looking for fish and find it hard to
stay with them once found. Large fish are more difficult to find. Top
water action continues and can be tracked by watching for birds
overhead. The top water action is extending into daylight hours as the
sun heads south and cloud cover increases. The wind has finally slowed
and is less of a problem on most days. |
Topwater
- The key is to find active working fish. Once located, any decent
fly, cast near the boils will produce an almost instant grab. If you
have two rods, keep one rigged and ready for top water presentations, a
seven weight will do. It's a blast since stripers take the fly and start
an immediate strong run, much different than a LMB.
|
Subsurface - Chartreuse over white Clousers and bluegill patterns are taken willingly once fish are located. The fish are cruising from top to bottom in the water column looking for shad and can be fished with a quick sinking line in anything from three to thirty feet if they are showing surface activity. LMB -
Fishing is fair. Water temperatures have dropped rapidly in the past
week, down to 67 in the morning hours. Fish are more reluctant to take
top water offerings with best fishing after the water has warmed.
Subsurface fishing continues to be productive.
|
This is the last report on LMB for 2007. I'll be concentrating on Striped Bass for the rest of the 2007 season. Topwater
- Casting a shad imitation popper, gurgler or crease fly up against the
rip-wrap can produce both stripers and LMB. Fishing heavy cover is
becoming more productive as water temperature drops.
|
Subsurface - Casting a chartreuse over white clouser close to the rip-wrap will provide double duty, luring both LMB and stripers. Sept.
17, 2007 |
Mokelumne River, San Joaquin River, Frank's Tract, False River, Holland Cut, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough Water Temp 69-71 Stripers
- Fishing is fair. Schools of fish are in the system, mostly
juvenile with a few 4-7 pounders mixed in. Larger fish are also
available but are solo and harder to find. Early mornings are the hot
times to fish since the schools are chasing baitfish on top and along
the rip-wrap and can be located by the splashing and the flocks of gulls
and terns drawn by the feeding. As the day brightens, the bite falls
off, only to pick up again in the late afternoon with more top water
feeding evident. |
Topwater
- If you find active, working fish, you will be able to get easy
strikes by casting to boils. Blind casting to heavy traffic areas will
also bring on strikes. Use small white/silver poppers, gurglers, crease
flies, fairly sparse. Use an erratic strip imitating the escaping bait
fish.
|
Subsurface - Clousers and bluegill patterns either in shad colors or chartreuse/white. As Mike McKenzie says, "If it ain't chartreuse, it ain't no use." If fishing schools of smaller fish, allow the fly to sink to the deck before starting your retrieve. The bigger fish are located under the dinks on top. LMB -
Fishing is fair to good. A rapid drop in water temperature from 74
to 69-70 has really slowed the morning bite. The best fishing is from
afternoon till dusk when the fish wake up. Fish seem to be moving back
to cover and fewer can be found along the heavy current seams. The bare
walls are becoming less productive in favor of the rip-wrap with a well
defined weed trough in front. |
Topwater
- Toss poppers, gurglers, and hair bugs into the trough between the
weed trough and rip-wrap or into tule cover for strikes. Heavy current
areas are becoming less productive. Make sure you give a long pause
before picking up the fly at the weed line. Especially towards dusk.
|
Subsurface - Subsurface is getting tougher as the fish move away from the open water. It's still very productive but slowing down. Cast a bluegill, clouser, or woolly bugger as close to the shore as possible and work it out with a series of short strips. Use a quick sinking type IV to VI line and a short, 3 foot leader to maintain control of the fly. Sept.
10, 2007 |
San Joaquin River, False River, Holland Cut, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough Water Temp 71-75
Stripers
- Fishing is poor to fair. A few fish are being caught while fishing
for LMB, most small. The fish don't appear to be in concentrations large
enough to target with a fly rod. Trollers are picking up fish consistently
but are covering a lot of water to do so. Most of the fish are being
caught along the banks of the San Joaquin and the major sloughs
adjoining. Look for fish busting bait on top in the mornings and
evenings. |
Topwater
- Same as last week, gurglers, crease flies and flashy poppers fished on
a floating line are catching fish. Cast to the boils and tease a strike
from the feeding fish.
|
Subsurface - Chartreuse over white clousers and Puglisi style flies are taking fish under water. Fish on a quick sinking line. Start with a couple of rapid strips and then strip in with an erratic retrieve. LMB -
Fishing is good. The fish had wind, smoke and temperature working against
them this week. Wind speeds over the water were above the 10mph
mark on most afternoons making casting and boat handling difficult. The
smoke from local fires provided a hazy atmosphere and the cool nights
dropped water temperatures as much as four degrees during the week.
Overall the fishing was lackluster with a few hours of brilliance thrown
in if you were lucky enough to be at the right place on the right tide
and shielded from the wind. Fish worked both top and subsurface
throughout the day, but large fish were hard to find. |
Topwater
- Foam and hair poppers and gurglers fished on a floating line with a
#20 six foot leader brought in fish. Fish can be found on current lines
and in cover. Moving water seems to be the secret in finding feeding
fish.
|
Subsurface - Clousers, woolly buggers and bluegill style flies, fished on quick sinking lines with short leaders, cast at the shore and then retrieved allowing the fly to follow the bottom contour produced fish on a consistent if not frantic basis. Sept.
3, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Old River, sloughs off the San Joaquin and Frank's Tract. Water Temp 73-75 Stripers
- Fishing is poor. I was probably a little optimistic last week.
Yes, the fish are here but other than juveniles, are hard to find.
You're most likely to hook fish in the 12-16 inch category while looking
for adults. The fish can be found working current lines and chasing
baitfish topwater during the early morning hours but move to deeper
water in the bright sunlight. Fish along the shore of the main river
channels and along the sloughs in moving water. Have both a topwater and
subsurface rod rigged and ready. |
Topwater
- Crease flies, gurglers, flashy poppers cast on a floating line two
weights heavier than the rod toward working fish. Strip quickly, teasing
a strike from a following fish. Use a minimum of a seven weight rod, and
six feet of 20# Maxima. The fish hit hard and turn for a quick strong
run once hooked.
|
Subsurface - Fish a clouser or other streamer on a fast sinking line such as a Rio Striper 300 or 350 or the new integrated T-14 on a minimum of an eight weight rod. Leader need be no more than six feet of 20# Maxima. Cast and count down to allow the fly and line to sink. Start stripping in with a couple of aggressive strips followed by an erratic set of strips and pauses. LMB -
Fishing is good to very good. The morning bite starts as soon as
there is light and continues at a good pace until 9am or so, longer with
a good moving tide, shorter with slack water. The fish are working top
water throughout the day, remaining very aggressive some days and
slowing down to one grab in 25 or so casts on bright days with little
wind and water movement. The evening fishery is from good to great
depending on water movement. Most fish can be found in areas of current
but the occasional lunker can be found in the tule corners or in deep
cover. If the day is a hot one I'd recommend mornings over evenings
since the wind and heat is at an acceptable level. On super hot days it
seems the evening bite doesn't get fired up till past 7pm. |
Topwater
- Fish hair or foam poppers, divers and sliders on a floating line, two
weights higher than the rod rating. Use a short six foot leader of 20#
Maxima for easy casting. Cast within inches of the shore or as deep into
cover as possible. Chug the fly out with a pause at the end of the
strip.
|
Subsurface - Finesse fish an olive woolly bugger on a quick sinking line with a short 3 foot 20# leader by casting to the shore and retrieving as slowly as possible without snagging up. As an alternative, cast a bluegill style fly such as a Puglisi close to the shore and strip in using short strips. August
27, 2007
|
San Joaquin River, Sloughs off the San Joaquin, sloughs off Frank's tract. Water Temp 72-74 Stripers
- Fishing is fair. The fish are in the system but are feeding mainly
in low light conditions, early morning and late evening. If you're able
to be on the water at your favorite fishing spot by 5:30am you'll
probably find some fast and furious topwater action. Once the sun is up
and the topwater bite drops off, fish a streamer such as a clouser
until the bite shuts down, usually around 8am. The evening bite is
more of a streamer affair but watch for some topwater action after the sun
sets.
|
Fish the shallow areas along the San Joaquin and the shallow bays in the sloughs. Shallow intersections with moving water should be on your list of targets. Topwater
- Silver poppers, white poppers, crease flies, fished on a floating
line, cast to working fish and rapidly stripped in. For easy casting use
a line two numbers higher than your rod, for example, a nine weight line
on a seven weight rod. Bass popper lines are perfect. Use six feet of
#20 leader.
|
Subsurface - Clouser minnows in chartreuse over white, whistlers and other streamer flies in that same color pattern fished on a fast sinking line such as a Rio integrated 350 grain or the new integrated T14 line. Six feet of 20 pound leader. LMB -
Fishing is very good. The bite starts once the sun is on the water
and continues throughout the day. The fish are most active from about
9am till noon and then from 4pm till dark. Afternoons are not as hot but
fish are coming to the fly even at mid afternoon. Current is a key
ingredient in getting some active fish. Look for current flows along
rock walls, on the outside of tulles, and around points. |
Topwater
- Fish foam poppers, gurglers and hair bugs in green, yellow,
chartreuse, and black on a floating line. Cast to within inches of the
shore and chug the fly out beyond the weed line with a pause thrown in
at the end of the strip.
|
Seven weight rods are the rod of choice loaded with a floating bug taper, two weights higher than the rod rating. Flies should be tied on a short, six foot #20 leader. Subsurface- A large olive woolly bugger, fished on three feet of leader attached to a type VI sink tip, cast to the shore and slowly stripped back to the boat will catch fish during the hot mid-day hours. August
20, 2007
|
Sloughs off the San Joaquin Water temp 71-73 LMB -
Fishing is very good. Wind and falling water temperatures have been the
story this week. The cool nights and mild days have caused the water
temperatures to drop two degrees making morning fishing a slow affair.
Just when the fishing starts to pick up the wind starts as well, some
days manageable and others blowing just too hard to fish except in
limited areas in the lee of a levee or tree/tule cover. The bite was
wide open on Wednesday and unfortunately the wind was at its worst that
day.
|
The fish still seem to favor the edge of the current lines, rock walls and seams on the outside of tules where the water moves past the underwater weed banks. Mostly small fish are eating poppers throughout the day. The bigger fish come out at dusk. Fish can be found from inches off the rocks and shore to about 12 feet out. Topwater
- Seven weight rods over-lined by one to two numbers with floating lines
are the rod of choice. Leader need be no more than 6 feet of 20 pound
Maxima or fluorocarbon. Favorite flies are hair bugs, gurglers and foam
poppers, black, brown, olive, and chartreuse are the most used
colors.
|
Cast to within inches of the shore. Chug your fly from where it lands to the outside edge of the weed beds. Allow for a long pause before picking up. August
13, 2007
|
Sloughs off the San Joaquin Water temp 73-75 LMB -
Fishing is good. Fish are hitting top water throughout the day. The
bite starts at sunup and continues sporadically until mid afternoon.
Action starts again about 5:30 and continues till dark with the last
hour the best of the day. The favorable conditions should continue
throughout the week.
|
Try to fish weekdays. Weekend traffic is heavy creating muddy shores and multiple wake waves. Topwater
- The most active fish can be found along current lines close to the
shore, especially the rock walls and points. Cast poppers, gurglers or
hair patterns up against the rocks and strip to the weed line. Leave the
fly in the water motionless for at least five seconds before picking up,
especially towards dusk. |
August 6,
2007
|
Sloughs off the San Joaquin Water temp 74-76 LMB
- Fishing is poor but should improve with a warming trend. This is a
limited report since the only day I fished was today, Monday, having
spent four days at Clear Lake.
|
The low pressure system and cold air temperatures caused the fish to shut down for top water offerings. The bite should improve along with the coming weather. Topwater
- Fish poppers, gurglers and hair patterns close to the rock walls
during the incoming and high tides. Chug the poppers and divers but work
the hair mice more slowly. Include a pause on the outside of the weed
beds as part of the retrieve.
|
July
30,
2007
|
Sloughs off the San Joaquin, Mokelumne River Water temp 74-76
|
LMB - Fishing is fair. Ho-hum fishing throughout the day with about five grabs an hour average. Most of the fish are small with an occasional two to three pounder in the mix. Fish are taking flies throughout the day, even the mid afternoon hours, with no apparent "hot" periods. Evenings fish slightly better than mornings and fishing at the top of the tide is slightly more productive than low tide. Most of the aggressive fish can be found in moving water, along rock walls and around points. Cleaner water holds more fish. The frog water is only productive at the top of the tide. Topwater
- Fish poppers, gurglers and hair patterns close to the rock walls
during the incoming and high tides. Chug the poppers and divers but work
the hair mice more slowly. Include a pause on the outside of the weed
beds as part of the retrieve.
|
Subsurface - Unless you're into finesse fishing with a fly rod, allowing a weighted woolly bugger or zonker strip to sink slowly next to cover, top water is more productive if producing smaller fish. Stripping a bluegill pattern or woolly bugger in with lots of pauses will produce grabs as well.
|
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Turn
In Poachers
