Delta Fishing Report

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Delta Tides: www.saltwatertides.com                          Delta Winds at Frank's Tract: Sugar Barge Resort and Marina

Delta Water Temperatures: California Department of Water Resources, Division of Flood Management 

Delta Fishing reports are updated on Monday evenings.

Archived reports

Spring, 2006

     
     This is my last report for the 2006/2007 season. I'll be in Baja for June and part of July and then may head to Montana for a few weeks. The fishing report for the 2007/2008 season will start sometime around August 1,  2007. Thanks for checking in. 
June 17, 2007

Sloughs off the San Joaquin, Mokelumne River

Water temp 74-76
Visibility 3-5 feet

 LMB - Fishing is fair to good. The wind has finally laid down or become manageable most days and the water has warmed to far beyond the 70 mark. While some fish can be found in the frog water, many fish seem to have moved to areas of some current where the water is more oxygenated and cooler. Work rocky points, rock walls along major current flows. The fish are working top water throughout the day but there seems to be no hot period as there was earlier in the year. Topwater - Fish poppers, gurglers and hair patterns close to the cover, especially 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 - Bluegill, clousers, and other streamers patterns fished on a type III to VI line over the weeds and outside weed lines will produce all day long. Cast close to shore and use the slowest retrieve possible while still staying above the weeds and out of the rocks.
June 11, 2007

Sloughs off the San Joaquin

Water temp 69-72
Visibility 3-4 feet

 LMB - Fishing is fair to good. The wind is finally showing signs of abating. Last week was tough with afternoon winds keeping delta water temperatures down and muddying the banks. Sunday it blew a near gale but fish could be had by fishing in the lee of the levees and working close to the bank. The bite was primarily in the afternoon with subsurface action possible throughout the day. 

The next few days are predicted to be warm, into the mid ninety's and the winds below 10 mph. This week may be THE week to get out and do some afternoon and late night fishing.

 Topwater - The bite starts about 1:30pm but is slow until about 5:30 and then starts picking up. The major portion of the bite is from 7:30 till 9:00pm. Work the rock walls, the trough between the walls and weeds and the top of the weeds out past the outside edge. Areas of weed and tulles are also major producers. The flies of choice are Dahlberg divers, hair poppers and gurglers in black, green and yellow. Start retrieving as soon as the fly hits the water but pause before picking up if outside a weed line.

Subsurface - Bluegill patterns fished on a type III to VI line over the weeds and outside weed lines will produce all day long. Cast close to shore and use the slowest retrieve possible while still staying above the weeds and out of the rocks.
June 4, 2007

Sloughs off the San Joaquin

Water temp 67-69
Visibility 3-4 feet

 LMB - Fishing is fair to good. The wind still remained a prime factor in holding the fishing down. The sometimes all day strong westerly winds are causing water temperatures to remain steady rather than rise. In addition, two low pressure systems moving through the delta slowed the bite. Nevertheless, the persistent angler able to find cover can finish the day with a dozen bass hooked and released and another five or six missed.

Prime areas to fish are rock walls with weed growth extending beyond, tulle islands, rocky points, underwater berms with weed growth extending from tulle islands and shallow flats with weed growth. Fish areas where the fish can move about, not the thickest jungles of weeds and algea.

High tides produce the easiest fishing with more weeds subsurface and less hang ups.

 Topwater - The bite starts about 1:30pm but is slow until about 5:30 and then starts picking up. The major portion of the bite is from 7:30 till 9:00pm. Work the rock walls, the trough between the walls and weeds and the top of the weeds out past the outside edge. Areas of weed and tulles are also major producers. The flies of choice are Dahlberg divers, hair poppers and gurglers in black, green and yellow. Start retrieving as soon as the fly hits the water but pause before picking up if outside a weed line.

Subsurface - Bluegill patterns fished on a type III to VI line over the weeds and outside weed lines will produce all day long. Cast close to shore and use the slowest retrieve possible while still staying above the weeds and out of the rocks.
May 28, 2007 No Report. Fished the Fall River and Baum Lake over the Memorial Day Weekend.  
May 21, 2007

Sloughs off the San Joaquin

Water temp 67
Visibility 3-5 feet

 LMB - Fishing is fair. If the wind would only stop blowing the fishing would be great. However the reality is that the wind kicks up around 11am and gets stronger as the day progresses. At least three days last week were impossible because of winds. When the wind's not blowing the fish are willing to take top water presentations over the top of the weed beds. The winds and 67 degree water are holding back what would probably be a hot bite. The morning bite is inconsistent but the fish do respond in the afternoon starting about 5:30 and ending about 8:30. The early part of the week produced double the number of takes when compared to the recent weekend. An evening's fishing can produce two dozen grabs with half that many fish in the boat for release. Topwater - gurglers and hair poppers were consistent producers when fished on a floating bug taper. For easy casting in the wind, fish a line two sizes larger than the rod. Use a noisy popper that produces a good sound and bubble stream. Chug it in in a continuous strip after casting with a  5 second pause before picking it up.

Subsurface - fish a bluegill or woolly bugger pattern on a slow to medium retrieve just over the weeds. A type II or III sink tip is best for this presentation. Vary your strips until you're getting consistent results.
May 14, 2007 No Report - Trolling motor broken on boat, repaired on Sunday, 5/13. Will be fishing again this week.  
May 7, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off he main river, Frank's Tract

Water temp 63
Visibility 2-3 feet

 Stripers - No Report  
LMB - Fishing is poor but should improve dramatically. The fishing fell apart this week with a series of spring storms hitting and then three windy days in a row. Water temperatures dropped four degrees from 67 down to 63 and the water muddied up from the wind churned waves striking the levees. Air temperatures dropped as well. Fishing was tough in the wind and few fish responded to top-water presentations.  

The forecast for this week is much better with daytime temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's and much lighter winds. The fishing should be back on schedule by the weekend. Fish will be most aggressive during mornings and evenings.

 The rapid drop in temperature completely shut down the top-water bite. When the wind allowed fishing, the bass still took bluegill patterns fished over and through the weeds.

Delta waters should warm nicely through the coming week allowing for top water action by the weekend. Fish the rip-wrap troughs and weed beds at high tide with poppers, gurglers and deer hair flies such as a deer hair mouse or diver. Find deeper areas next to the tules and off points and banks at low tide.
April 30, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, Empire Cut

Water temp 67-68
Visibility 4-5 feet

 Stripers - fishing is fair to good. Fish can be found in the San Joaquin from Santa Clara shoals to Middle River. Fish are active at the top of the tide and are feeding in shallow water. Most fish are juveniles but a few fish to ten pounds are mixed in. The adults appear to be spawned out and should soon be departing for the cooler waters of the bay.

Fish the rock walls and shallow berms during the top half of the tide. The afternoon winds have been manageable compared to past weeks.

 Chartreuse clousers fished close to the rock walls and over the shallow water of the berms have been productive. The flies should be fished on a sinking line such a shooting head of T-14 followed by Rio Slick Shooter or one of the many integrated lines. Allow the fly to sink and then give it several quick strips. Continue with an erratic strip including pauses and fish the fly all the way to the boat.
LMB - Fishing is very good. The water temperatures have climbed to the point that the fish are consistently feeding on top. For easy fishing work the rock walls at the top half of the tide. A morning's or evening's  casting of foam or hair poppers should produce a dozen or more fish per rod with most from between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. Gurglers, deer hair patterns,  and other surface flies will produce strikes throughout the day with the main feeding times dependent on high tide. Cast to the rock walls or tules, let fly sit and then begin a chugging retrieve. Allow the fly to rest before picking it up off the water.

When not fishing on top, try casting an olive #1/0 woolly bugger on a type III line in and around the weed columns and in the trough.
April 23, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. Potato Slough, lower Mokelumne

Water temp 59-61
Visibility 5 feet

 Stripers - fishing is fair. Fish can still be found along the main river channels in shallow water. Most are working the rip-wrap at high tide. Fish the rock walls, tule berms, current seams and edges. Fish are right up against the shore in shallow water. Fish are aggressive and will pull hard. Afternoon winds have been less of a problem than the previous week but the continued winds and rain are causing water temperatures to fall rather than rise. Chartreuse clousers and bluegill patterns fished within inches of the rock walls ruled the day. Cast right next to the wall and then retrieve quickly to keep from hanging up. "Walk" the fly down hill with a series of rapid retrieves and pauses. Takes can come at any time. Again, fish the fly all the way to the boat with a good pause before picking up.
LMB - Fishing is fair. The continued low water temperatures have slowed the LMB bite considerably. Most of the action is occurring during the high tide cycle with the fish retreating to the depths at low tide. The recent rain and winds have dropped delta water temperatures by one to two degrees. This week's tides suggest the best fishing will come at mid day. A warming trend is starting that should turn the fishery around by the weekend. A gurgler or popper thrown at high tide will bring up the occasional fish as will a bluegill pattern or woolly bugger worked over the weeds on a floating or intermediate line. Low tide brings on some tough fishing requiring a sinking line of type three or better and a slow to quick retrieve of a woolly bugger or clouser outside the weed line.
April 16, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. Potato Slough. West delta

Water temp 61-63
Visibility 2-4 feet

 Stripers - fishing is fair. Some fish are remaining in the system and can be found along the main river. They are keying to the tides with fishing best during the top three hours of incoming and outgoing. Fish the rock walls, tule berms, current seams and edges. Fish are right up against the shore in shallow water. Fish are aggressive and will pull hard. High afternoon winds have been a real problem keeping most folks off the water. More wind is predicted the first part of the coming week. Fish chartreuse clousers and whistlers in close to the edges. Use fast aggressive strips with lots of pauses. Fish the fly all the way to the boat. Use a quick sinking line like the SA Custom Tip, the Rio DC 26 in 350 grains, or a length of T-14 and some Rio Slick Shooter.
LMB - Fishing is fair. The drop in water temperature has made the LMB grumpy with few fish close to the surface, and those that are, not eager to take a fly. Fish slow and deep. Best fishing is at high tide over the weed beds. Dead drift an olive woolly bugger until it reaches 4-6 feet and then strip in slowly. Bluegill patterns stripped over the weeds at high tide are also somewhat effective.
April 9, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. West delta.

Water temp 63-66
Visibility 4-5 feet

 Stripers - fishing is fair. Fish are keying to the tides with the best bite on the top half of the incoming and outgoing. High afternoon winds continue to be a problem. An early start at daybreak with an incoming tide should produce some positive results. Fish the edges; rock walls and tule lines. The fish are on the move and a good deal of time can be spent just finding willing fish. Some big fish were caught during the week including a 35 pounder by John Sherman. A number of large fish  were landed at Disco Bay. As Mike McKenzie says, "If it ain't chartreuse, it ain't no use!" Clousers and whistlers were responsible for most of the fish caught. Fish a quick sinking line and count the line down within a few feet of the bottom. Use an aggressive, erratic strip with a pause thrown in now and again. Fish the fly all the way to the boat.
LMB - fishing is very good. The fish can be found on top of the weeds and in the trough between weeds and rip-wrap along the walls at high tide. As the tide drops, the fish move to open areas in the weed columns and the outside edge of the weed in deeper water. Fish are aggressive in taking a fly when retrieved in the right zone, depending on the tide. The eastern side of the delta has warmer water than the west with a difference of as many as five degrees.

A half day's fishing during the top of the tide should produce a dozen or more LMB per rod.

 Fish are hitting poppers during high water but a more consistent bite can be had by stripping a bluegill fly, woolly bugger, or small bead head clouser over the weed beds during high tide. Allow the fly to dive and dip into the holes in the weed during the retrieve. Use a III sink tip. 

As the tide drops, switch to a weighted fly like a dumbbell eyed woolly bugger or small chartreuse clouser with an erratic retrieve on the outer edge of the weed beds. Strips should be smaller than when fishing for stripers and again, the fly should be worked through and around the visible weed towers. Plan on pulling through weeds  as part of the presentation.
April 2, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. West delta

Water temp 60-63
Visibility 3-5 feet

 Stripers - fishing is fair. Fishing Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was hampered by high winds. Wind continued to be a problem on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.  Water temperatures have dropped three degrees. However, the main challenge was to find pods of fish. Once found, the fish were aggressive and pulled hard.  Cover a lot of water, and if no grabs, move on. The top half of the incoming and outgoing have been the most productive. The water seems absolutely dead during the last two hours of outgoing and the first hour of incoming tide. Eat lunch and read a book until the water starts moving. Save your arm. Chartreuse clousers are the ticket, fished with an erratic retrieve with plenty of pauses, mixed with a series of rapid strips. Count the fly down until a few feet off the bottom during the retrieve. Fish the fly all the way to the boat, especially at the point where the fly turns from the horizontal to the vertical.
LMB - Fishing is good. The expected top water explosion was delayed by the drop in water temperature. Fish are still found on the outside of the weed beds near the bottom. A few can be teased to striking a woolly bugger stripped over heavy cover at high tide. A few hungry fish are even hitting poppers but the best is still yet to come.  Strip woolly buggers over cover and through tules like a crank bait during high water. Work the outside of the weed beds deep down at low water. Deep work requires slow retrieves and lots of patience. Try white poppers over weeds at high water.
March 26, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. Frank's Tract and west delta

Water temp62-66
Visibility 2-5 feet

 

 Stripers - fishing is fair to good. Pretty much the same as last week. The secret is finding the fish. Most of the fish found were working the rip-wrap on the main channels and weed edges  with fewer found in the flats. When found, fish pulled hard. Midweek proved tough with wind being a problem. The BASS tournament boats at the end of the week cut down on the fishable water. A long outgoing tide on the weekend didn't help fishing. Many fish are up river at the spawning grounds and some are already spawned out and heading for the bay. Chartreuse clousers were still the fly of choice fished on quick sinking lines. Fish are willingly taking the flies, sometimes on the strip, sometimes on the pause. Even fish of 4 pounds are putting some anglers on the reel.
LMB - Fishing is good. Fish at the eastern end of the delta are already spawning in the warmer water while fish at the west end are still moving up. Woolly buggers stripped through the tules and along weed edges will score. Chartreuse clousers and giant woolly buggers as well as olive woolly buggers fished on type III lines will produce fish if fished close to tules and weed lines. Allow the fly to sink from 4 to 
March 19, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. Mokelumne sloughs.

Water temp 60-66
Visibility 3-5 feet

 

 Stripers - fishing is miserable to very good. The big secret is finding willing fish. Anglers had periods of intense activity followed by hours of casting practice. Catches varied from zero (more common) to 20 plus fish (uncommon) for the day depending on whether a school or schools of fish were located. If found, the fish proved to be aggressive and pulled hard. Most of the fish were found close to the main channel of the San Joaquin with the deeper sloughs both east of the San Joaquin and up the Mokelumne only spotty in productivity. Those finding fish released pinstripers up to 14 pounds with many in the 4 pound plus category. High boat traffic on the weekend seemed to shut down the bite in major traffic areas. 

Large numbers of stripers are reported to be up river on the Mokelumne, in the skinny water below Woodbridge dam. (No public access) and up the Sacramento and the Feather. Down streamers are already being reported as being landed by trolling guides working the Sacramento.

 If there is any secret to striper fishing, it's the retrieve. Any well tied chartreuse clouser, bluegill, or whistler pattern will catch fish if stripped in properly. A poorly done strip will result in fewer if any numbers. Each strip should be rapid and about 20 inches long, with one to four strips in a series, followed by a short to long pause, equal to the timing of one to four strips. A counting method helps the beginner. Most fish are hooking up on the pause. 

Prior to stripping, the fly and line should be counted down to  within three feet of the bottom. Type VI, LC13 or T14 lines are a must. Flies should NOT be heavily weighted with dumbbell eyes, Bead chain is a better choice. Use the line to get the fly down, not the fly itself.
LMB - Fishing is good. The pre-spawn bite is progressing with more fish moving up in the water column. The majority of fish are still down along the bottom of the weed edge. They are willing to take a fly but the presentation is tough, demanding a steady hand and the nerves to twitch a fly slowly in short strips along the bottom on the outside of a weed bed. Some people have teased a few bass into taking a top water bug but the water temperatures are working against any real consistency. Best patterns are still chartreuse clousers and giant woolly buggers fished on fast sinking lines along the outside of the weed beds. The fly should be worked slowly along the edge of the weeds. Takes can be subtle or hard, depending on the direction the fish moves. Watch the sag in the line while retrieving for a hint as to grabs.
March 12, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. Mokelumne sloughs.

Water temp 57-60
Visibility 3 feet

 Stripers - fishing is very good to excellent. The steady barometer and warming trend has turned the fish on all over the delta. A quick rise in water temperatures occurred over last weekend and the fish responded with voracious appetites. Double digit catches were reported from all the way in the south to the sloughs in the north. Fish were scattered and the angler must plan on covering lots of water but once found, the fish are willing. Fishing slowed a little Thursday afternoon and Friday because of  the wind but the fish showed up again during the weekend with Saturday being the better of the two days. Sunday afternoon was tough with poor tides responsible for shutting most of the bite down across the delta.  Most of the fish reported are under seven pounds. Any striper fly is proving productive, especially anything in chartreuse including clousers, whistlers, and my favorite, the giant chartreuse flashtail woolly bugger. Fish the fly on a quick sinking line with a number of pauses during the strip. Allow the fly to sink to two to three feet from the bottom by counting down and fish the fly all the way to the boat.
LMB - Fishing is good. Pre-spawn has started.  The bigger bass can be found just on the outside of the weed-line at the bottom. Fish are averaging two to three pounds. Nest building and and egg guarding should start soon. Chartreuse woolly bugger, clouser, or bluegill fly, worked slowly on type six line right next to weed line. Point the rod tip directly at the fly, feel for takes.
March 5, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river. Mokelumne sloughs.

Water temp 50-56
Visibility 3 feet

 Stripers - fishing is poor. The rain and cold weather of the previous week caused a rapid drop in water temperatures shutting the striper bite down. The three days of warm weather Friday, Saturday and Sunday were not enough to turn fishing around. The next seven to ten days of warm weather and a relatively stable barometer should produce a drastic change for the better. Those that stuck fish used a variety of flies, with a chartreuse clouser being the fly most often chosen. Casts to the bank, stripped erratically with a number of pauses allowing the fly to sink produced the few fish caught.
LMB - Fishing is fair. a number of bass were caught while fishing for stripers. Although no one seems to be targeting these fish yet, it appears that some success can be had by working the weed beds and troughs near the rip-wrap. Subsurface flies, fished slow and deep will get some grabs. Chartreuse clousers and woolly buggers fished on type IV sink tips, allowed to drop all the way to the bottom and retrieved slowly will entice a strike.
February 26, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river.

Water temp 52-55
Visibility 2 feet main river, 3 feet or more in the backwater sloughs

 Stripers - fishing is good. The weather was the story this week with most days too tough to fish. Those that were able to find a break in the wind and rain found the fish scattered but willing despite the one to two degree drop in water temperature. The water in the main river was clearing nicely with visibilities to two feet in the main river and even more in the sloughs. Fish were aggressive in taking flies and pulled hard. The whole situation will change in the coming few days with muddy flows expected on all the major rivers. Anglers will have to go deep into the sloughs to find clear water since the main rivers, especially the Mokelumne and San Joaquin will quickly muddy up. The drop in water temperature should halt this week and a small rise should occur by next Monday keeping the fish active. Most of the fish are from 2-3 pounds with a few 8-9 pounders mixed in. Large flies fished on quick sinking lines with a medium retrieve produced hard grabs. Long casts with lots of pauses helped entice the fish to the fly. A number of follow-ups showed the fish were interested if the right fly and retrieve was put together. 
Watch the fly when coming  close to the boat. Expect grabs at any time. If seeing follow-ups change the retrieve and if that doesn't work change the fly. Chartreuse still seems to be the preferred color.


LMB - Fishing is poor. The drop in water temperatures has delayed the pre-spawn madness. No change is expected until at least the weekend. Nothing happening with any consistency yet. Get those woolly buggers ready, the first bite will be sub-surface in the weeds.
February 19, 2007

San Joaquin and sloughs off the main river.

Water temp 54-57
Visibility 2-3 feet, Mokelumne flowing muddy, visibility 1 foot

 Stripers - fishing is good. Fish are scattered throughout the delta, are generally aggressive and willing to take a properly presented fly. Most fish are from 2-3 pounds with a few 7-9. Don't expect to find large numbers of fish at any one location. Anglers should stock up with a full tank of gas and plan on hitting all their favorite spots. Fish channels and intersections. The outgoing tides have been the most productive. While the bite was constant throughout the week, the weekend winds definitely slowed the fishermen if not  the fish. The unsettled weather in the coming week along with a probable drop in water temperatures may slow the bite for the next six days. Chartreuse whistlers, clousers and woolly buggers accounted for most of the fish hooked and released. Long casts allowed to sink to a couple of feet off the bottom, and then retrieved with LOTS of pauses proved most effective. Expect a number of short strikes before the fish commits and really takes the fly. As always, fish the fly all the way to the boat.
LMB - fishing is fair. I spent a few hours throwing flies into the weeds and did not get many takes although a number of fish are being picked up while striper fishing. The pre-spawn bite is still a week or more away. When the bite starts, clousers, whistlers and woolly buggers thrown over  the weeds and stripped just above their surface will bring on the strikes.
February 12, 2007

San Joaquin, and sloughs off main river.

Water temp 52-57
Visibility 2 feet, more in the main river, less in sloughs.

 Stripers - Fishing is good. Water temperatures have warmed considerably, and along with the rain, has brought on a decent bite. Fish are now aggressively striking flies and are much hotter than two weeks ago. Plan on covering a lot of water to find fish since they are scattered. Stick to the main sloughs and river arms off the San Joaquin in 10-15 foot deep moving water. The water is remarkably clear with a slight brown color, even after three days of rain. A spring algae bloom is adding to the loss in mid winter visibility. Visibility varies from one to three feet with two feet average overall. The hot fly for me was the chartreuse and white giant flashtail woolly bugger. It seemed to out produce clousers and bluegill patterns. Tie the woolly bugger weightless on a 2/0 hook. Use lots of flashabou in the tail. Fish it on a quick sinking line Count down till about two feet off the bottom. Use erratic strips and include some pauses, especially where the fly turns from the horizontal to the vertical.
LMB - Fishing is fair. Some fish are showing as incidental catch while striper fishing. While I did not stick any LMB, I have numerous reports of a few being caught on various striper flies.
February 5, 2007

San Joaquin, Old River, Middle River, Mokelumne Sloughs, Frank's Tract

Water temp 47-51
Visibility: 
Dead end sloughs 1 foot
Open areas of delta 2-3 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is poor to fair. Water temperatures are slowly climbing and the fish are beginning to feed but are inconsistent. Anglers hoping to score need to cover a lot of water, trying any location where there's a seam, drop off, or other moving water. Fish are scattered in small groups and anything over one or two fish at a location is an exception rather than the rule. Most of the fish are in the 3-4 pound class 

A light rain is predicted for the weekend and may provide the stimulus the fish need to start eating. Air temperatures will stay above normal and should allow water temperatures to rise.

LMB - Fishing is poor. Not a lot happening yet.

 Fish weightless flies such as chartreuse giant woolly buggers, blue gill patterns and whistlers on quick sinking lines. Vary the retrieve and include lots of pauses. The takes are soft and the fish are still lacking in aggressiveness.

 

 


Wait a few more weeks.
January 29, 2007

San Joaquin, Old River, Franks Tract, Middle River

Water temp 44-47 Visibility 2-4 feet

 

 Stripers - Fishing is poor to fair. Things are definitely looking up and the fish are on the feed more than the last few weeks but fishing is still spotty. A brief window of sun will turn the fish on. A shadow of cloud is just as likely to turn the fish off. Fish can be found on flats with deep channels nearby and are still schooled up fairly tight. Afternoons are still the most productive time of the day. The next seven days are are predicted to be fair weather with mild mornings in the low 40's and afternoon highs in the sixties. The water temperatures should climb back towards the 50 degree mark and the fish should be back on the feed on a more regular basis by the first weekend in February. Next weekend will be the  time to gas up the boat, make a lunch and head out for a day on the water. The fishing should be the best its been since before Christmas.

LMB - Fishing is poor. Another 30 days to go and the whole situation should bust out.

 Bluegill patterns have proved effective as well as whistlers and deceivers, any fly that can be stripped in slowly. The fish need to be teased into a strike and a retrieve adding a lot of variation will bring on the take. Medium to fast sinking lines are the ticket.

Top water action may return early if the warming trend continues. If you have the space, rig a rod for top water and have it ready with a gurgler or crease fly.

 

Start tying those poppers and woolly buggers. Black, Olive, dark olive, yellow, , deer hair and chartreuse are the colors of choice for both.
January 22, 2007

San Joaquin, Old River, Franks Tract, Middle River

Water temp 43-45 Visibility 2-4 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is poor to fair. The cold mornings of the past week have been countered by warm sunny afternoons causing the delta waters to increase a few degrees. The bite is still tough in the morning but the sunny afternoons are causing a few fish to go on the feed. The fishing is day to day with some schools of fish eating while others have lockjaw. Your best bet is to locate   schools of fish in shallow areas in the afternoon and work them, looking for the occasional grab. Fishing should improve throughout the week.

LMB - Fishing is poor. Nothing happening yet. Water is still too cold to bring on a bite.

 Same as last week. Bluegill patterns, whistlers, deceivers and any fly that will suspend is favored right now on a slower sinking line such as a type three. Work the fly in slowly with lots of pauses.

 


Nothing seems to be working to move these warm water fish right now.
January 15, 2007

Warmest waters seem to be Frank's Tract at Old River, Prisoner's Point and San Andreas Shoals.

Water temp 38-43 Visibility 2-4 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is poor. Water temperatures hovering around the 40 degree mark have shut down the striper bite and it appears it will stay that way for the next week or longer. Fish metabolisms at these temperatures require very little food for long periods of time since the digestive process shuts down. If you HAVE to get away from the house, check the water temperature link above and look for the areas of warmest water. Fish the afternoons after the sun has raised temperatures a few more degrees. Dead end sloughs, usually productive at this time of year, appear to be some of the coldest water.

LMB - Fishing is poor. The delta rats are definitely in a funk right now. Same problem as the stripers, low water temperatures. Just think though, only 45 days to go before the pre-spawn. Tie piles of those giant flash tail woolly buggers in chartreuse and white. 

 Bluegill patterns, whistlers, deceivers and any fly that will suspend is favored right now on a slower sinking line such as a type three. Work the fly in slowly with lots of pauses. An offering to the fish gods in the form of a cup of hot coffee from your thermos poured in the water where you are fishing might help.

 


Try bluegill patterns worked along the bottom of weed lines on a quick sinking line. Don't expect much, even the pro bassers are finding things difficult right now.
January 8, 2007

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, on both sides of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 44-47
Visibility 3-5 feet with some areas showing more mud and debris.

 

 Stripers - Fishing is fair. The bright afternoons and warmer mornings have provided a reasonable afternoon bite with fish from three to seven pounds being caught on a one per every two hour basis. Schools of fish can be found throughout the delta but not all are feeding. Work over a school and if no grabs move on. Try the same school a few hours later and the situation may change. The top of the tide, either outgoing or incoming seems to be the most productive.

The whole recovering fishery may go down hill later this week with some frigid air moving in from the north. Morning temperatures are predicted in the mid 20's and highs in the mid 40's. High winds are predicted on Friday. If the cold spell is short lived, the fishing may bounce back in a few days. If prolonged and water temperatures drop below much below 44, fishing will become an extremely difficult proposition.

LMB - Fishing is fair. The warm afternoons have brought back a sporadic afternoon bite while fishing for stripers. Bass can be found in numbers in any weedy area. A chartreuse fly will usually entice a bite if fished deep and dropped in front of a hungry fish's nose.

 Bluegill patterns are still out producing clousers. Fish the fly weightless on a sinking line such as a SA Custom Tip or a Rio DC 26 350 grain with a regular to slow retrieve with lots of pauses. Keep stripping all the way to the boat. Use a strip set and set on anything that feels like a grab. Fish are just mouthing the fly on the pause and are sometimes difficult to feel.

 

 

 

If targeting LMB, fish a chartreuse Woolly Bugger on a quick sinking line, in and among the weeds. Fish are taking on a slow, steady strip. Most fish are in the 1.5 to 3 pound range. 
January 1, 2007

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, on both sides of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 44-47
Visibility 3-5 feet with some areas showing more mud and debris.

 Stripers - Fishing is poor. Water temperatures have dropped to what will probably be a season low of 44 degrees. The bite is almost non-existent although the numbers of fish in the system remain high. A few fish are being picked up in the afternoons but for the most part it's like fishing in a desert right now.

 

 

LMB - Fishing is poor. The low water temperatures have finally shut the LMB bite down. It will take some warmer water to bring the appetites back on these delta rats.  

 Try any pattern fished slow and deep on a quick sinking line with lots of pauses. Look for areas of warmer water or large flats that will benefit from a sunny afternoon. If a warming trend starts, dead end sloughs are usually the first to start yielding fish.

 


If fishing for stripers, you're still liable to pick up a few LMB on a clouser or bluegill pattern. Wait 60 days and the bite will be wide open.
December 25, 2006

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, on both sides of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 46-49
Visibility 4-5 feet

 

 Stripers - Fishing is poor. Water temperatures have dropped to 46 degrees and although everyone is graphing fish, few are getting them to grab. The secret seems to be waiting until a burst of sunshine creates a rapid warming locally and cast to anything on the graph. Afternoons seem most productive. Fish are everywhere from Hog and Sycamore sloughs on the Mokelumne down to Disco bay. The majority seem to be small fish, under 22 inches with a few fish to seven pounds and, even rarer, fish above the ten pound mark. The water is still clear and the real rainy season has held off so far. A warming trend would help to wake up the pinstripes.

LMB - Fishing is fair. Incidental catches of LMB seem to continue with catch rates approaching 50/50 with stripers in some areas of the delta. Any chartreuse pattern fished deep and slow next to weed beds seems to produce some fish.

 Both bluegill and clouser patterns on quick sinking lines are producing when the fish decide to turn on. Fish can be found in almost any depth and are cruising the flats and up against the tulles. Shallow bays and flats of less than 10 foot depth should be the most productive on occasions where the sun comes out in the afternoon and warms the water. Vary both the retrieve and fly until you get results. If you're going out early, dress warm, it's very cold out there.

Chartreuse clousers and bluegill patterns fished deep on type IV to type VI lines, with a slow retrieve and lots of pauses produce fish.
December 18, 2006

Franks Tract, Middle River, area around Mildred

Water temp 49-51
Visibility 4 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is fair. The freezing night time temperatures have slowed the bite and dropped delta water to below fifty degrees in many areas. If you can find fish and find warmer water, double dozen days are possible but for most, one fish an hour is the norm. Most fish are small, within the 12-22 inch bracket. The water in the main channels and Franks is still clear but some cloudiness is appearing in the dead end sloughs. 

A weather change is predicted for the coming weekend with night time temperatures ten degrees warmer, and bright sunny but only to high fifty days. Possible high winds on Friday but Saturday and Sunday look like excellent bets for a better than average season bite. You'd better have your Christmas shopping done or you'll get in trouble with your significant other.

LMB - Fishing is fair. The incidental catch of LMB has dropped to the lowest point of the year so far. Any lower and it would move into the poor category. If targeting these fish, work the weed beds both in the sparse growth and at the base of the larger weed banks.

 Bluegill patterns outdid clousers, both fished on quick sinking lines. Use a count down to retrieve the fly about three feet above the bottom. Vary the retrieve with some quick strips, slow strips and looong pauses. Fish are short striking and gently mouthing the fly rather than making big grabs. Use a strong strip set. Make sure you fish the fly all the way to the boat especially where the fly moves from the horizontal to the vertical. A graph and temperature gauge is a necessity to locate fish and warm water.

 

If you're prepared to dredge close to the weeds right at the bottom with an express type line you'll pick up bass. Chartreuse patterns in the shape of bluegill and giant flashtail wooly buggers as well as clousers will catch fish.
December 11, 2006

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, on both sides of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 49-51
Visibility 4-5 feet

 

 Stripers - Fishing is fair to good. The weekend rains did nothing to muddy delta waters and visibility is still at four to five feet. Water temperatures are low but fish are responding to a well placed fly. Mid week catches were dependent on finding fish with the most successful anglers moving from spot to spot until a willing school of fish was located. The weekend storms were harder on the fishermen than the fish. Fishing should continue at about the same rate as last week with steady temperatures and only minor storm fronts moving through the area.

LMB - Fishing is fair. The incidental catch of LMB slowed a little with the low water temperatures but some fish were still landed on bluegill patterns and clousers while fishing for stripers. Fish close to the bottom next to large growths of weed.

 Bluegill and clouser patterns led the pack of successful flies. They should be fished on quick sinking lines about two to three feet off the bottom. Use  an erratic strip with plenty pauses. Fish are grabbing the fly on both the strip and the pause. Lots of takes on the upswing and within the last few feet before the fly leaving the water. Fish the fly all the way to the boat. 


Fish bluegill, clouser and giant woolly buggers just outside the weed line along the bottom. Most of the fish hooked are bigger than the summer average.
December 4, 2006

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, on both sides of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 49-51
Visibility 4-5 feet

 

 Stripers - Fishing is fair to good. Water temps dropping to under the 50 degree mark in midweek did nothing to help the striper bite. Although the midweek bite was great, things slowed down to a crawl by Sunday. The good news was the size of the fish released seemed to be on the increase with many 8 to 10 pounders caught. The bright sunny days expected through Thursday of this week may raise water temperatures slightly and bring on the grab. If so, it should last through Friday when the weather changes and hopefully into at least Saturday on the weekend. Be optimistic, stripers can only go for about five to six days before getting very hungry. Wind may be a problem on Saturday.


LMB - Fishing is good. The incidental catch of LMB while striper fishing is continuing, even with the drop in water temperature. These "Delta Rats" have pretty much infested all of the weedy areas and will hit anything that gets in their way.		 Bluegill patterns worked well in the early week but seemed less effective when the temps dropped below the 50 mark. Chartreuse and gray clousers produced a few fish on the weekend. Use a fairly quick sinking line like a Rio Striper Express or the new SA Custom Tip. Count down until you feel bottom and the take about three seconds off your next retrieve. Try variable strip combinations until you find something the fish are keying into. Don't be discouraged by a few weed bumps. The fish seem keyed to the weed beds and tulles.

If targeting LMB work smaller clousers, woolly buggers and other subsurface flies through and at the base of the weed beds along the rip wrap and tulles.
November 27, 2006

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, on both sides of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 54-56
Visibility 4-5 feet

 

 Stripers - Fishing is good. While a few people "found 'em" fishing for most was tough this week. A rapidly falling barometer, some windy days and a ten degree drop in the thermometer seems to have made the fish more reluctant to hit a fly. Water temperatures dropped a couple of degrees as well. The numbers of fish per rod were still high but the size of the fish was definitely a disappointment. Those that did well found fish throughout the system but the extended weekend was tough for most. 

Work the outside seams where water movement is evident in water shallower than 15 feet. Look for fish sporadically working the surface as a give away for concentrations of fish.

 

 

LMB - Fishing is fair. Lower water temperatures have slowed the bite down with fewer fish being caught as incidental to striper fishing.

 The Puglisi style flies seemed to be consistent producers with the new F-561 Ghost, the winning combination. Other flies include the standard striper mix of chartreuse/white clousers, whistlers and deceivers taking their share of fish. Fish these flies on a quick sinking line such as the new integrated lines or the old standby LC-13 or T-14 and Amnesia. With the lower water temperatures, it might be time to slow the retrieves down just slightly and make sure to include a few pauses to keep the fish in touch with the fly during the retrieve. Important, make sure you fish the fly all the way to the boat. Many takes occur when the fly moves from the horizontal to the vertical in the retrieve.


All of the fish caught were incidental while fishing for stripers. Striper flies fished deep did the trick.
November 20, 2006

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, all south of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 57-59
Visibility 4-5 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good to excellent. Smaller fish can be found almost everywhere in the delta but larger fish are harder to find and fewer in numbers. To locate fish, work the slower water on the tide changes next to rips at points and along the outside of seams in areas where water meets and almost any place that's shallower than 15-18 feet with some kind of water flow. Tougher fishing periods occur during high and low slack water.

Fish are on the bite early and seem to quit about the time the light fades around five. The winter fog has rolled in and the fish have become used to the low light conditions but sometimes turn on after mid day when fog lifts and the sun comes out. Late afternoons may bring some top water action. Be prepared for fog and some cold morning temperatures.

LMB - Fishing is fair. Fish are still turning up as incidental catches while fishing for stripers but not in the numbers of a few weeks ago with warmer water temperatures. If targeting these fish work the outside of weed lines with a quick sinking line.

 The imitation Puglisi sunfish fly continued to produce along with the traditional clousers in sizes 1/0 through 3/0. Use a quick sinking line such as a Rio 350 striper express. Other choices include T14 and Amnesia or one of the SA express tip lines. Flies should retrieved after counting down to within a few feet of the bottom. Try not to troll the fly with the boat moving cross current and keep your rod tip down. Start with a few quick strips and then vary the strip to pause ratio and retrieve speed until you get consistent results.  Use s strip set. Fish the fly right up to the boat. 


Chartreuse or olive flashtail woolly buggers, bright chartreuse clousers fished close to the weeds and tulles.
November 13, 2006

Franks Tract, sloughs from Fisherman's Cut in the west to Bishop Cut in the east, all south of the San Joaquin.

Water temp 57-59
Visibility 4-5 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good to excellent. Fish from 6" to 20" inches are everywhere. Larger fish are harder to find. Fish the wider portions of the sloughs where water depth is from 8 to 15 feet and flats when the water is moving. Use a quick sinking line such as a Rio Striper 350 grain Express, or the old standby T14 or LC 13 and Amnesia. Fish turn off with the incoming low pressure systems but bounce back between fronts. Surface and bird activity has diminished with the lower temperatures. 

 

LMB - Fishing is good. These delta rats will take any fly passing close to the weeds or tulles while striper fishing. If targeting these fish, work a large flashtail woolly bugger parallel to the weeds or tulles on a fast sinking line.

 Puglisi sunfish imitations are the HOT fly. Other flies include chartreuse/white, gray/white, yellow/white clousers or similar fished on a fast sinking line. Count down before retrieving depending on the depth of the water. Use a quick strip with frequent short to long pauses. Be ready for strikes when starting after a pause and when the fly turns from horizontal to vertical at the boat.



Chartreuse or olive flashtail woolly buggers, bright chartreuse clousers fished close to the weeds and tulles.
November 6, 2006

Franks Tract, Sloughs around Mildred, Columbia Cut, Disappointment Slough

Water temp 58-62
Visibility 6 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good. The system is full of smaller fish but fish above four pounds are harder to find. Fish are feeding in periods and are less likely to take a fly when not actively working bait. Watch for circling and diving birds and surface activity to key in to active fish. During slow periods fish the shallower bays in the wider areas of the sloughs for the occasional fish. Hopefully the big fish are beginning to move in. On Friday, before the Striperfest, Matt Havelock caught and released the catch of a lifetime, a 55 pound striper. As the Auzzies say, "Good on ya Matt!."

LMB - Fishing is good. Large LMB are still willing to take subsurface flies fished close to the bottom. Most catches are incidental to striper fishing but an individual wishing to catch LMB will undoubtedly have a great day

 Chartreuse over white clousers, White and gray Sea Habits, bluegill patterns, all in 2/0 or 3/0 fished on quick sinking lines such as t-14 or Rio Striper Express.

Topwater action is infrequent.

 

 

Chartreuse clousers, chartreuse flashtail woolly buggers in 2/0 fished close to the bottom on quick sinking lines.
October 30, 2006

Franks Tract, Mildred, small sloughs off the San Joaquin

Water temp 61-63
Visibility 5 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good to excellent. Many small fish are in the system but turn on and off during the day. If you can find the right location and the fish are "on" you can catch several dozen before the day is out. Otherwise, you'll pick up one or two from location to location. Fishing seemed to pick up most days after mid morning with fish working the surface by mid day to later in the afternoon. Most fish are under 20 inches but a few 5-7 pounders can be found. Midweek was tough with 35 mph winds. Things improved towards the weekend. A 41 and a 31 pound fish were reported as being caught. The 31 pounder was released. The 41 pounder, unfortunately killed.

LMB - Fishing is good. A quick sinking line with a chartreuse clouser or woolly bugger is bound to produce hookups. Most of the fish caught are incidental while striper fishing.

 Chartreuse over white clousers in 1/0 to 3/0 were the fly of choice. Other producers included small deceivers and bluegill imitations. Top water action was too infrequent to key into fish working the surface.


 


Olive or chartreuse woolly buggers, small clousers fished close to the bottom. 
October 23, 2006

Franks Tract, Mildred, all the small sloughs off the San Joaquin

Water temp 61-64
Visibility 5 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good to excellent. The week started out red hot with almost all fishers into double digit hookups. Friday was the peak of the bite with many fish caught and released in excess of ten pounds. Almost everyone caught a dozen or more fish. Fish could be found throughout the system although most were in the under 15 inch class. Saturday the fishing became tougher and by Sunday the fishing pretty much shut down. By Monday, the fish, while everywhere and taking bait on the surface, seemed to have lockjaw when it came to a fly.

LMB - Fishing is good. A quick sinking line with a chartreuse clouser or woolly bugger is bound to produce hookups. Most of the fish caught are incidental while striper fishing.

 Chartreuse over white clousers in 1/0 to 3/0 were the fly of choice. Other producers included small deceivers and bluegill imitations. Top water action was too infrequent to key into fish working the surface.

 


Olive or chartreuse woolly buggers, small clousers fished close to the bottom.
October 16, 2006

Smaller sloughs off the San Joaquin, Disco Bay to the mouth of the Mok.


Water temp 63-65
Visibility 5 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good. Mostly small schoolie stripers with some in the teens mixed in. Most of the action is off the main rivers. Look for fish working the tulles. Cast to the shore but retrieve all the way to the boat. The low pressure system seemed to turn the fish off on Sunday and Monday. Fishing should pick up with the rising barometer throughout the rest of the week.

LMB - Fishing is good. Cast anywhere near the weed growth close to the shore and you're bound to hook a LMB, even if you're fishing for stripers. Top water action is slow but possible.

 Gurglers  and crease flies for top water action. For subsurface, fish responded to chartreuse clousers and giant chartreuse woolly buggers. Another clouser color proving effective is gray over white, 2/0.

 

Bass will respond to a variety of top water bugs but for consistent action work a woolly bugger or other subsurface fly from a foot down the the bottom of the column. Big fish responding!
October 9, 2006

Smaller sloughs off the San Joaquin, Disco Bay to the mouth of the Mok.

Water temp 62-64
Visibility 4 feet

Stripers - Fishing is good. Schools of small stripers have entered the delta and have scattered in the various sloughs. While they can sometimes be found working bait against the shore, they seem to be spreading out. No fish over five pounds have been reported to me since last Monday.

LMB - Fishing is good. While not targeting LMB, I still found them at the end of my line when fishing for stripers and casting at the shore. All were caught subsurface using striper flies. A super chartreuse woolly bugger seemed to work the trick.

 If the fish are smashing bait against the tulles they will hit white or yellow gurglers. For consistent action fish a chartreuse over white clouser or a giant chartreuse over white FT woolly bugger, both in size 1/0 to 2/0. Also try smaller clousers in silver and gray to match the small baitfish. Cast within inches of the shore and retrieve all the way back to the boat. Try a few pauses during the retrieve.
October 2, 2006

Smaller sloughs off the San Joaquin




Smaller sloughs off the San Joaquin

Water temp  65
Visibility 4 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is good to excellent. Water temperatures have dropped and the sunlight hours have shortened. The fish have arrived in numbers. Fish the smaller sloughs against the tulles. Schoolie stripers are ripping baitfish and are extremely aggressive.  Some fish in the system up to 25 pounds.

 


LMB - Fishing is good. Fish are not working the surface but will take subsurface flies either deep or just below the surface depending on the weather, sunlight, wind, etc. 

 If the fish are smashing bait against the tulles they will hit white or yellow gurglers. For consistent action fish a chartreuse over white clouser or a giant chartreuse over white FT woolly bugger, both in size 3/0. Cast within inches of the shore and retrieve all the way back to the boat. Try a few pauses during the retrieve.

Start with a subsurface fly fished on a floating line, stripped just below the surface. Keep working down with sinking lines until you start hooking fish. Hot flies are chartreuse and white or olive flash tail woolly buggers, size 2.
September 25, 2006

 


Frank's Tract, Old River, Potato Slough

Water temp 66-67
Visibility 3-4 feet

 Stripers - No report. Only put in a few hours without finding any or graphing any fish. Some fish, including a 26 pounder on a popper have been reported as being caught in delta waters. The best is yet to come.

LMB - Fishing is good. The return to fair weather and a steady barometer seems to have turned fishing around from mid week. Fishing is best in the evenings from late afternoon until dark. Mornings are fair after the sun hits the water. Fishing slows dramatically in the early afternoons, especially on windless days and then picks up later in the day.

  

 

Fish a mixture of poppers, gurglers and divers on the surface. Try stripping a greased woolly bugger on a floating line when fish seem hesitant to hit a popper. Drop down to a type II sink tip and a large olive, black or chartreuse woolly bugger for mid afternoon hours.
September 18, 2006



Franks Tract, Old River

Water temp 67-70
Visibility 3-4 feet

 Stripers - No report. I was only able to get twice  this week, since I had a head cold. The few hours I put in working for stripers produced no grabs.

LMB - Fishing is fair. Water temperatures have finally started to drop. Fish are still working top-water and subsurface but the bite has slowed dramatically from the fast pace of summer. 

 

  

 

Fish subsurface until the water warms, then go top-water until the sun is high overhead. Subsurface to late afternoon and then top-water till dark.
September 11,2006

Santa Clara Shoals, San Joaquin River


Franks Tract, Old River, Fisherman's Cut, Potato Slough

Water temp 68-72
Visibility 3-4 feet

 Stripers - fishing is poor. I made my first striper attempt this week fishing Santa Clara Shoal for a few hours at the beginning of a falling tide. Caught one small striper but didn't graph many fish. Water temperatures in the 68 to 70 range is too warm for large numbers of fish to move into the shallow waters of the delta.

LMB - Fishing is fair to good. The best days are those with mild preceding nights, a small amount of wind and some cloud cover throughout the day. Put that combination together and the fish will work all day with a slowdown in the noon hours. Cloudless and windless hot delta days are tougher with the fish shutting down early and starting up late. Water temperatures have bounced back with a spate of 90 plus afternoons.

 clousers, whistlers, deceivers in 1/0 to 3/0. Chartreuse over white is a good starting color.

 

 

 Try both top water and subsurface in the morning with gurglers, deer hair poppers, woolly buggers and zonkers. Fish subsurface mid day and switch to top water about five in the evening till dark.
September 4, 2006

Franks Tract, Connection Slough, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough

Water temp 69-72 Visibility 3-4 feet

 Stripers - Improving soon. Time to dust off the striper gear, check lines, soak that amnesia to take the coils out, start tying flies. Fish are moving up into the delta and the trollers are out and having some success. Only a couple more weeks to go and the fish should be prowling the tulles.

LMB - Fishing is fair to good. Early morning temperatures in the 50's are really slowing the morning bite both on poppers and subsurface presentations. Better fishing can be found in the afternoons when the water has warmed two to three degrees from the chilly morning temperatures. Fish right into dark working poppers if your boat has proper lights and you can find your way home. If out after dusk, don't forget the mosquito repellent.

 Good time to start tying those flies. 

 

 

Pretty much same as last week. Try both top water and subsurface in the morning with gurglers, deer hair poppers, woolly buggers and zonkers. Fish subsurface in the bright sunlight hours and switch to top water about five in the evening till dark thirty.
August 28, 2006

Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, Frank's Tract, Sandmound Slough, Holland Cut, Connection Slough

Water temp 70/72
Visibility 3-4 feet, less on weekends with heavy boat traffic.

 Stripers - Fishing is poor. Fish are being reported in numbers by trollers and bait slingers in the Rio Vista area at Decker Island. A few more have been reported on the Mokelumne at the mouth to Georgiana Slough. While fishing for LMB I've only caught one small (3") striper. The fish are not here in enough numbers to target.

LMB - Fishing is fair to good. Weather seems to be the key. Perfect summer days with no clouds, no wind and high temperatures seem to put the fish down early and start late. Even the subsurface bite slows down on these days. On days with cloud cover, some wind and cooler temperatures the bite goes on all day, sometimes going subsurface in the early afternoon. Other days top water works all day long. Weekends are tougher with high boat traffic making the banks tough because of a high amount of mud stirred up. Water temperatures are beginning to drop. Get out before the season passes you by.

 Don't bother, but good things are coming.

 

 

Top water - gurglers, sliders, deer hair poppers. Greased woolly buggers waked on surface. (Lots of fun!) Some days the fish like a repetitive strip, some days lots of pauses.

Subsurface - Wooly buggers, zonkers in black, chartreuse, olive. Make sure you pause several times during the strip. Fish will hit both on the strip and on a long pause as the fly drops.
August 21, 2006

Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, Sandmound Slough, Holland Cut

Water temp - 71/ 73
Visibility - 3/4 feet

 Stripers - Fishing is poor. Some fish have been caught on bait and trolling in the various delta arms but the fish are not here in enough numbers to make fishing worth while yet.

LMB - Fishing is fair to good. The winds have slowed for the better part of the time. The fish seem to have moved deeper and closer to cover during mid day and seem to be more hesitant to respond to top water flies in the morning hours. Best top water action is from 6:30PM till dark. I'm catching a lot of fish that have been hooked multiple times. (The stupidest ones?)

 Don't bother!

 

Fish top water poppers, divers, and gurglers mornings till 9:30 and then work chartreuse, olive and black woolly buggers, zonkers and other subsurface flies throughout the day until the sun is low on the horizon. Switch back to top water and work the flies till dark.
August 14, 2006

San Joaquin River, Potato Slough, Little Potato Slough, Mokelumne River

Water temp - 73
Visibility - 3 feet

 LMB - Fishing is fair to good depending on tides, winds and daytime temperatures. If you're lucky enough to find a mild day with mild winds you'll probably pound 'em. Winds have been a problem cutting down on the available water to fish as have some hot and still days where the bite turns off as early as 9:30 and doesn't start up again until 6PM. Surface - Weedless hair poppers and foam poppers fished on 8 feet of 15# Maxima. Subsurface - Chartreuse, olive and black woolly buggers, zonkers. Fish the woolly buggers with an erratic strip and pause before starting your next cast.
August 7, 2006

San Joaquin River/Potato Slough, Sand mound Slough

Water temp - 73
Visibility - 3 feet

 LMB - Fishing is fair to good on rising tides but peak feeding periods were just before low tide and plagued by high winds most of the week. The heavy winds, sometimes reaching 25mph effectively cut down the fishable water to 25% of what is otherwise available on the delta.

Look for better fishing with rising tides shifting to later in the afternoons and less wind. 

 Surface - Weedless hair poppers and foam poppers fished on 8 feet of 15# Maxima. Subsurface - Weedless flashabou black zonkers fished on the drop with a type II sink tip.
July 31, 2006

San Joaquin River/Potato Slough

Water temp - 73
Visibility - 3 feet

 LMB- Fishing is red hot along the banks both morning and nights for bass. Fish early and late to avoid the delta breeze. You can expect from ten to 15 fish per session. Fish rip-wrap on low tides, heavy cover on high tides. Weedless hair poppers, foam poppers - fished on 8 feet of 15# Maxima 

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