FISHING
TIPS and Techniques
Fly Fishing For Delta Stripers - By Dan
Mathisen
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.
Many
anglers play catch-and-release throughout much of the day in the
winter with 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 continued,
“Each year I've managed fish over 30 lbs on flies, lots
over 20 and last year I lost a 40+ 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
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Ultimate Resource For California Delta Fishing
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