Fly
Casting Stripers, South Delta's Secret
Like its cousin Plug Casting, Fly
fishing is growing in popularity in Delta waters. While there
are many like myself that guide fly casting anglers around areas
like Frank's Tract beginning in late September yet possibly the
best winter fishing is here in the South End throughout the winter.
Certainly the best time to be on the water is an hour before sunrise
early in the fall, but as winter sets in and the Valleys overcast
takes hold later in the fall winter period it is less important.
It’s not a lot different than plug casting , Look for moving
water between the cuts in and out of submerged Islands. Don’t
ever forget, THE BIRDS? BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS, they are there for
a reason. The baitfish is fleeing to the surface to avoid being
eaten by the stripers, and instead get eaten by the birds. Shad
are the main bait now, and that is why anglers use the clouser
minnow and the whistlers. Just like tossing lures, it’s
really important to get down to the fish, most anglers find a
fast-sinking shooting head is pretty much a prerequisite.
Eric Gets Ready
The
real push of fly anglers here is early in the fall when most spend
their days between False River and Holland Tract until the water
gets too muddy. Mildred Island is another very popular location
for fly casters. Some will toss topwater poppers at the boiling
fishing early in the season while now throughout the winter as
the stripers cruise the Delta backwaters where Whistlers and Clouser
Minnows are the ticket for success.
This past weeks trip, most of the stripers that
were taken by fly where 7 to 10 pound schoolies with a few pushing
into the teens. Many anglers play catch-and-release throughout
much of the day here in the winter wit the stripers. Sure, lure
and bait tossing anglers may tend to hook more stripers in the
12- to 14-pound class than the fly crowd, with plenty of smaller
fish and enough larger ones to keep things interesting.
Fly casting expert Dan Blanton shared some of
his thoughts about the subject, “While most of it is accurate,
it gave me the impression that you feel fly anglers don't catch
many large fish and that they don't fish during winter. I can't
tell you how many fish over 20 pounds fly fishers, including me,
have taken. Lost count of the teeners this season alone and Mike
Costello has gotten his clients four over 30 this season - one
a 42. Twenty or more fish days, even in winter are common”.
Blanton and I did this twice last week. Blanton continued, “Each
year I've managed fish over 30 lbs on flies, lots over 20 and
last year I lost a 40 plus right at the boat - and so on. Indeed,
good fly anglers don't take a second seat to any method except
in water deeper than 20 feet with strong currents”. Blanton
adds, “I've often said I'd rather have a poor fly angler
aboard when guiding than a poor lure angler. The fly line keeps
the fly down despite poor techniques. Conversely, a poor jig or
trapper that can't drop, pause, fade the lure to keep it down,
often doesn't catch many fish. There is no handicap to fly fishing
for stripers and often we'll outfish everything including live
bait”.
Fly
Fishing is a blast for the stripers and with the right equipment
a fairly easy transition.
Enjoy!
Dan
Mathisen
FishDelta.com
- All Species, All Delta
The
Ultimate Resource For California Delta Fishing
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