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BOB MARRIOTT'S FISH REPORTS -
Compiled by Joe Libeu
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HIGH SIERRA'S -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
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Bridgeport Reservoir -
Bridgeport has been great lately in spite of the wind. The trolling has produced lots of rainbows up to about 4 pounds and a few browns
up to just over 5 pounds. Bait fishing is producing tons of fish in the 1/2 pound to 4 pound range. The fly fishing has been a little tough due mainly to the wind lately,
but as the wind subsides the fly angling should get better.
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Crowley Lake -
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Excellent. Mostly gray/black and all black chironomids coming off daily in tonnage but watch the barometer.
It fell yesterday and much slower today. You have got to try new places as fish are on the move this time of year and don't stay more than a couple of days in any real
concentration. If you are in a boat I'd click off 10 minutes at Pelican Point, Sandy Point, Alligator half way out, Bart's Bluff and McGee Bathroom deep. At least one will
produce every day. Streamer action has picked up along Green Banks and no one there much who isn't midging. Your own private lake!
Recommended Flies: Red/black Optitiger with dubbed head has been best producer early then go to straight black or gray/black dubbed Optimidge as the sun gets
higher. Both in size 16. Black/Gold Zebra size 16 will also do the job! Also try a Red Barron larva pattern from the guide box before the pupae get started daily. |
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Davis Lake -
Fishing is picking, expect to see fish cruising the weed beds for damsels in the warmer weather. Same Flies as Frenchmans. Some roads are still closed on the west side. |
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East Walker -
The East is running around 202 today and we're still getting mostly good reports from down there. Still lots of small midges and caddis
nymphs working, as well as some big ugly terrestrial patterns and a few streamers here and there. In thinner water dry/dropper rigs have been doing well, and in
water that's deeper than about 2 feet you'd want to go straight nymphing. Lots of anglers are getting into 20+ fish per day with a few in the high teens and low
twenty's thrown in. A few patterns that have been working include: z-wing caddis, fox's poopah, 3-wire caddis, zebra midge, flashback emerger, wd-40, silver streak,
zuddlers, foam hoppers, rubber leg stimulator, elk hair caddis, ec caddis.
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Hot Creek -
Fishing Conditions and Hatches:
Good - Excellent-
Midges and Baetis are still coming off but high flows make for difficult presentations.
Recommended Flies: DRIES: Extended body BWO 20#-22#, #20 to 24 Parachute Adams, or Brooks Sprout Baetis. Gray Caddis patterns late. NYMPHS: Black or olive #20-24
WD-40's, #20-22 Flashback Optimidge, size 18. Silver Stockers Lightning Bug #20-22. Late go with La Fontaine's Caddis Sparkle Pupa and Gallitan's Pupa in size 18.
Add in egg patterns and San Juan worms. STREAMERS: Try streamers early and late but slow retrieves are better . . . still cold water. |
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June Lake Loop -
Slow troll right on bottom or fish under the indictor in about 12 ft of water. Gull and June Lake beach continue as best areas so far.
Recommended Flies: Red/black early then Olive are the colors of choice in the midging department, which is decent at June Lake beach and next to the weeds at Gull.
Dark Woolly Buggers for stripping. |
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Kirman Lake -
Kirman is still fishing well these days in spite of the weather. Scud and leech patterns have been doing the best. Most of the brookies are
running from 17" to 20" and the cuts are in the 18" to 24" range. Be sure and bring your
float tube as it's a bit tough to fish from the shore. |
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Lower Owens -
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good. Fishing has been pretty good for those who know the wide bends etc where the fish are feeding.
Midges followed by Baetis and Caddis as usual. Go big, bright and bushy on your top fly when nymphng.
Recommended Flies: NYMPHS: Size 18 green or red/black midges and Copper Johns, size 16-18. Micro mayflies on top and midges on bottom is still producing. Add a
Glo Ball or San Juan Worm up top to get seen. DRIES: Para-Adams and Baetis Dry’s, size 16-20. Elk hair caddis, parachute caddis,e/c caddis, hot creek caddis (olives,
tans, browns) #18-#20s, extended body BWO's in 20-22. |
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Pleasant Valley Reservoir -
The stream section is a good alternative to the lower Owens. Midges coming off as early as 8 am followed by baetis hatch at about noon.
The lake section has been good for float tubers pulling streamers. Find the congregation of local bait guys, who will locate the fish for you bt don't encroach too close or you might get some hardware in your lap!
Recommended Flies:
Nymphs: Size 18 Zebra midges, non-beaded flashback PT's, or gray/black Optimidges. Size 10-20 Poxy-backed baetis or Micro mayflies in the afternoon. Dries: If you see
them sipping, Para-Adams and Baetis Dry’s, size 16-20. |
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Upper Owens -
Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good below Benton Crossing. The DFG stocked below Brown's campground and lots of takes.
Midges, then Baetis then Caddis on warmer days. Recommended Flies: DRIES: Para Adam, Stimulators in sizes#18-#20s, Extended body BWO's in size 18. NYMPHS: Glo
Balls, Red/Black Zebra Midges, Flashback PT's, Copper Johns, San Juan Worms #18-#16s, STREAMERS: Purple or cinnamon Wooly Buggers sizes #8-#12 on the swing. |
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San Joaquin River -
No current reports. |
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Kern River -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
Kern
River -
The 20 mile roadside section of the upper Kern The fishing was on fire until the flows came up today. We had a cold front move in last week,
which made the flows come down for a few days. The river cleared up and the fish were willing on the upper river . However, this time has passed and the flows are on the
increase with cfs up to 2100 today. We have another cold front moving into the valley the next few days , which could bring the flows down by friday if we are lucky. If
you do fish the 20 mile section make sure to fish flies trout can see in this murky water. Fish the edges and eddies that the river has created with the new flows.
Rainbows will be on the edges in the slower water. The 20 mile section turns into a different river when the flows come up. You can still fish it, just be careful.
Tips of the week weekDead drift your nymphs deep and then let them swing. Trout are grabbin flies on the swing. Fish extra slow , methodical and use nymphs like the
BH Flashback Hares Ears size 12 . When fishing, bring two rods set up with different techniques. Fish the same water but change techniques and flies. Great flies to use
in the 20 mile section: #1 flyBH Royal Flush 12 , Zwing Caddis size 18, Brooks Sprout Baetis and Andy Burks Bottom Rollers , RL Stimulators size 12, BH Flashback Hares
Ear, Baetis Nymph size 20-24, BWO Dry Fly size 14-18 Good attractor flies:#1 Fly Kern Kandy size 10 -12Flashback Hares Ear size 16 Tungsten Teddy size 10-12, Kern
Emerger Red ,Pink and Yellow size 12-18, Prince nymph size 12-18 Olive mini bugger size 10 , pink swinger.
The 4 mile wild trout section -Open year round is tough
with the higher flows- not recommended. Special
Regulations apply! Catch and Release barbless hooks
only!
Lake Isabella - The fishing in Lake Isabella is very good.Crappie are on fire and so are the Carp.The trout fishing in the lake is good with the cold temps . Fish are
rising early in the morning and late in the evening if there isn't any wind. Carp fly fishing is on
Lower Kern: KernDFG just stocked the lower river today. The lower river is fishable and the fishing is good from the Isabella Dam down to Erskine Creek. Water below
the dam is very clear for the lower river. Water is very muddy below Erskine Creek and fishing has been ok. . A few anglers getting some rainbows in the flume and
below the dam. Smallmouth fishing is poor from Democrat dam to the Isabella dam , water to cold for them right now Open year roundGood flies are Andy Burks "Bottom
Rollers " size 10-12 and Mike Mercers Z Wing Caddis size 12-18. Nymph these bugs and you will be successful
Remember to release those wild fish and use barbless hooks. No stocking of the upper river continues, so anglers wanting to keep fish may want to stay away from the
upper and lower river for a while or practice catch and release techniques. |
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
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Fall River -
Fishing is good. Best fishing is from 9am to 1pm during the PMD hatch. There are good numbers of rainbows rising to dries and
cripples. Hot fly: Quigley’s Film Critic. Use a long leader to 6x tippet on a downstream drift. In the afternoon fish a leech along the banks and deep holes. A caddis
hatch gets the trout excited late afternoon and evening. Swing a soft hackle caddis pupa in the flats. The Hex hatch is starting and the fish are on them. Look for it
to really get going in the next week or so. Recommended Flies: Hexagenia cripples/dries Quigley’s Hex cripple, Mercer’s poxyback hex cripple, Water’s foam hex,
Bear’s foam hex, (#6-8). Hex nymphs- Quigley’s emerging hex nymph, Burk’s hex nymph, Bear’s headbanger hex, Mercer’s Rag Hex (#6-8). PMD emergers/cripples/dries, Lake
woolly buggers/streamers. BWO/Baetis emerger/dries. |
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Feather River
(Hwy70 to Gridley) -
Fishing is fair. There are still a few nice spring steelhead over 20 inches scattered in the low flow. Best fishing is during low light
conditions when they are less spooky. In the early morning, fish a caddis pupa with a small BWO nymph under an indicator. In the afternoon, switch to multiple caddis
patterns. Move to find the fish. Concentrate on riffles and tailouts in the low flow section up to the hatchery. Recommended Flies: BWO/Baetis nymphs Hogan’s
S&M nymph, Hogan’s better baetis, berry nymph in gooseberry, Burk’s crystal hunchback, Hogan’s olive military may, Mercer's BWO trigger nymph, Kyle's beerhead baetis,
tailwater tiny, flashy pheasant tail, Sloan’s mighty may, Burk’s olive hunchback two-tone, Mercer’s micro mayfly (#16-22). Attractor beadhead nymphs, Caddis pupa/emergers. |
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Frank’s Tract & San Joaquin Delta -
Fishing is fair. Water is off color due to an influx of dirty water. Best fishing is on the Mokelumne, Sycamore, Beaver, Whiskey and
Discovery Bay. Use a 1/0 clouser in chartreuse and white with T-14 custom line. Give stripers plenty of opportunity to grab your fly with a slow/erratic retrieve with
lots of pauses. Look for fishing to improve in coming weeks as water temps climb. Recommended Flies: Flashtail clousers and whistlers in chartreuse/white, pink/white, all white, and black (2/0-3/0), pearly poppers (red/yellow, green/yellow),
gurglers, crease fly.
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Hat Creek -
Fishing is fair. The PMD hatch starts around 9:30am in the flats below the riffle to Carbon Bridge. Rainbows are on the emergers
and cripples. The nymphing with small PMD nymphs and caddis pupa is also good in the riffle all day. The afternoon fishing slows, so take a break. In the evening, some
green drakes, micro caddis, rusty spinners, and still some salmonflies are out. A few big trout have been caught above the barrier pool with salmonfly dries.
Recommended Flies: Attractor beadhead nymphs royal flush, Hogan’s Steelie Caddis, hare’s ear, twenty incher, Hart’s dark lord, copper john (red, black, lime,
copper) bird’s nest, black AP, prince of darkness, king prince, dirty bird (tan, olive), Hogan’s drifter, biotic nymph, Hogan’s Red Headed Step Child (#10-18). Pale
evening dun dries Hackle stacker PED, Fluttering mayfly cripple PED, loop wing comparadun PED, PED parachute, sulphur parachute (#14-20). Midge pupa and Callibaetis
dries
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Lower Sacramento -
Flows out of Keswick Dam have remained at 8,500 cfs since the 13th, with no scheduled changes at this time. Normal flows for May are between
9,000 cfs and 12,000 cfs. Expect the flows to keep increasing gradually, with Shasta Lake now around two feet from the top.
Fishing has been been less consistent this week with the varied weather patterns. There have been moments of intense feeding (including some dry fly action), mixed in
with lulls in the action. Once weather conditions become more consistent (by mid-week next week), fishing should improve. The best fishing action has been midday to early
evening, when PMDs and caddis have been hatching. Shad/Stripers: Frequent storms this spring have made shad/striper fishing difficult on the fly so far. Bait anglers have done very well, so the fish are there, we just
need a little better clarity to the water in the lower sections of river and the fly fishing bite should turn on any day now.
Recommended Flies: • Super Floss Rubberlegs #6, • Micro Mayflies #14-18, • Pseudo Mays #16-18, • Zaddis #14-16, • Poxyback PMD #16, • Fox Poopah's #12-16,
• Birds Nest Brown #14-16, • Amber Wing Prines #14-16, • Micro Spawns Oregon Cheese #12, • Silvey's Pupa #14-16, • Lower Sac LaFontiane #16 |
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Upper Sacramento -
The Upper Sac is very high from snowmelt and runoff (2,500 cfs at Delta). It is flowing clear, so dedicated upper Sac anglers can find a
few fish to take by concentrating on the deeper, slower moving pockets and pools, but it may be more work than it's worth until runoff subsides later this spring.
The key to success when fishing high spring water on the upper sac is using plenty of weight to get your flies down, and concentrating on the deeper pools and
slower-moving pockets. The fish will try to get away from the heavy currents, and can sometimes be concentrated in certain calmer waters. Recommended Flies:
• Super Floss Rubber Legs #6-8, • Poxyback Golden Stones #8-14, • Red Copper John's #16-18, • Olive Zaddis #14-16, • Fox Poopah's #14-16, • Dark Lord's #14-16,
• Possie Buggers #8-14, • Zebra Midges Black #18, • Micro Mayflies #16-18, • Pseudo Mays #16-18
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Lower Yuba River -
The Upper Sac is very high from snowmelt and runoff (2,500 cfs at Delta). It is flowing clear, so dedicated upper Sac anglers can
find a few fish to take by concentrating on the deeper, slower moving pockets and pools, but it may be more work than it's worth until runoff subsides later this spring.
The key to success when fishing high spring water on the upper sac is using plenty of weight to get your flies down, and concentrating on the deeper pools and slower-moving
pockets. The fish will try to get away from the heavy currents, and can sometimes be concentrated in certain calmer waters. Recommended Flies: Midge pupa glass bead midge (red, black), crystal dip, disco midge, brassie, desert storm, zebra midge (rust, black), WD40 (olive, chocolate)
WD50 tungsten (olive/wine), skinny nelson, biot midge, crystal HBI (#18-22). BWO/Baetis nymphs,Golden stonefly nymphs (listed elsewhere). Attractor beadhead nymphs,
BWO/Baetis emerger/dries, Attractor dries.
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McCloud River -
Fishing is fair and improving. Best fishing is on sunny days from late morning to dusk. In the morning, nymph the pocket
water with a stonefly and small mayfly nymph. Look for the slower runs and pools as a lot of the pocket water is running fast. Dark nymphs are best. Trout are looking up
from 3pm to dusk. Caddis and PMD's are bringing them to the top. Also, keep your eyes out for the larger stoneflies as they are due anytime. Water levels could rise prior
to the weekend to allow for low flows for Memorial Day fishers. Recommended Flies: Golden stonefly nymphs jumbo john, Morrish cone stone, Morrish WMD, Mercer’s
raghead, Poxyback golden stone nymph, Mercer's poxyquill golden stone, beadhead twenty incher, copper back, Burglar stone golden, tungsten rag stone golden, speculator
stone, tungsten golden stone (#8-12). Golden stonefly dries, BWO/Baetis nymphs, Pale morning dun nymphs, Caddis pupa/ emergers |
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Pit River -
Fishing is good to very good. In the morning, highstick a big stonefly with a beadhead nymph dropper. Tip: Black AP #14 is a hot
fly on the Pit. Nymph the fast water around boulders. Late afternoon and evening dry fly fishing is good and getting better. Caddis, PMD's and stones (on warmer days) are
out and about. Trout are looking up. Concentrate on the shallower runs and pocket water. The Pit trout do not rise in the pools very much. Access on Pit 4 from Big Bend
Road. Road construction on Pit 3. Call Barnard Construction for current road conditions.
Recommended Flies:
Golden stonefly nymphs jumbo john, Morrish cone stone, Morrish WMD, Mercer’s raghead, Poxyback golden stone nymph, Mercer's poxyquill golden stone, micro cable stone,
beadhead twenty incher, copper back, Pat’s Rubberleg. Caddis cripples/dries Hogan’s last call caddis, Henryville, Brook's headlight, elk hair caddis (brown, tan, olive),
Cutter's E/C, Overly's spotlight (tan, olive), Hemingway, Goddard caddis, hot butt peacock caddis, peacock caddis, Lawson's E-Z caddis, Blue ribbon X2 caddis, Fox’s
crowning poopah olv/cinn, Kyle’s better foam caddis (#12-20). Attractor beadhead nymphs and BWO nymphs and River woolly buggers and Golden stonefly dries. |
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Klamath River -
Water Conditions: Flows are right around 1,700 cfs out of Iron Gate dam; 2,900 at Seiad, and about 9,000+ at Orleans. The upper Klamath
near Iron Gate Dam is still fishing good to great for adult steelhead and a few half-pounders. Conditions are great on these sections of stream, and the fishing for
steelhead typically lasts through February and into early March, so there's a few weeks left to enjoy some quality steelhead fishing in this remote stretch of California.
Our new Lodge, Klamathon Lodge, offers a great location for lodging, right on the banks of the upper Klamath.
Recommended Flies: • Superfloss Ruberlegs #4-8, • S.A.L.T Stone #6, • Glimmer Stone #6, • Thurmanators Black #6, • Micro Spawns, • Redd Reapers,
• Copper Johns, • 3-D Nymphs, • BH Prince Nymphs. |
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Trinity River -
Flows on the Trinity are 300 cfs out of Lewiston dam. The Fly Fishing Only Section is now open and fishing is great. The best action is
with either nymphs (san juan worms, poxyback pmd nymphs, prince nymphs, red copper johns, etc) or dry flies (PMD emergers, parachute adams, yellow humpy, etc) for the
trout-sized (10-14 inches on average) steelhead smolts. There are also some bigger half-pounders (16-20 inches) and even some adult steelhead floating around, too.
Golden stonefly nymphs, Attractor beadhead nymphs, Egg patterns. |
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Truckee River -
The river is flowing at 420 CFS through Truckee CA, 1270 CFS at Farad and 955 through Reno. The bests area to fish the river is above the
inflow of the Little Truckee at Hirschdale, the water up there is clear a lower than the rest of the river. We have been catching fish with nymphs on a floating line
under an indicator try: Golden Stones, Caddis Pupa, Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails and Bottom Rollers. We have also been picking up some nice fish on streamers try: McCunes
Bandit Leech, Articulated Sculpin and Mini Loop Sculpin. We should see the entire river begin to shape up in the next few weeks as run off slows.. |
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Little Truckee River -
The LT is flowing at 40 CFS and has been fishing great. Nymphs fished under an indicator have been working well try: San Juan Worms, Baetis, and small midge patterns.
There has been a pretty strong ant fall on hot days so be sure to have some large carpenter ants on hand. |
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Yuba River -
Fishing is fair. Best fishing is on sunny days when fish are actively rising to skwalas, caddis and PMD's. On sunny days, hatches start around 11am and continue until
4pm. Fish feed on skwalas from 1pm to 3pm. Best fishing with skwalas is in the riffles where fish can’t get a good look and are less likely to refuse them. On cloudy
days, fish are rising to BWO’s and midges. Fish the flats with a long leader and delicate downstream drift. Nymphing is producing the best numbers. A rubberleg stone
with a caddis pupa is a good setup to prospect sub-surface. Clarity is currently bad due to recent storms but will improve with a break from the rain.
Recommended Flies: Midge pupa glass bead midge (red, black), crystal dip, disco midge, brassie, desert storm, zebra midge (rust, black), WD40 (olive, chocolate)
WD50 tungsten (olive/wine), skinny nelson, biot midge, crystal HBI (#18-22). Skwala Stonefly Adults/Nymphs Hogan’s split wing skwala, Hogan’s skwala, Bullethead Skwala,
poxy-back Skwala nymph, Mercer’s tungsten skwala nymph, tungsten bead skwala, flush floater skwala (#8-12). BWO/Baetis nymphs, Golden stonefly nymphs, Attractor beadhead
nymphs, BWO/Baetis emerger/dries. |
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PYRAMID LAKE, NEVADA -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
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Pyramid Lake
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The season is open until June 30th. Anglers continue to catch fish all over the lake. The water temperature is climbing and the fish are
starting to creep back into deeper water. Stripping wooly’s and tadpoles and nymphing under an indicator are both still catching fish. Early mornings and late afternoons
have been the best. Any day with some chop on the water or some cloud cover will increase your chances for a good day for sure. Another tip that will help is to fish
beaches that have less pressure from jet skis and boaters. Monument, Spider Point, Wino and blockhouse are all good options. |
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BIGHORN RIVER, MONTANA -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
Bighorn River
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The nymph fishing has been outstanding. The trout have been eating sowbugs aggressively. Fish a gray or tan Ray Charles, or any
number of sowbug patterns. Midge pupa and Baetis nymphs are still working too. There are good wade-fishing places where the fish are really concentrated, but there are
fewer of these places with the higher flows. You have to relearn the river when it’s high; fishing holes disappear and new ones appear. Keep in mind that the fish are
almost always feeding, and if you fish with confidence, you’ll generally do well. There have been a few spots where the fish have been feeding on Baetis duns, but these
spots are few and far between.
Hatch Info Some Baetis & midges, but limited surface action.
Hot Fly Patterns #16 Pink Scud; #14, #16, #18 Tan Ray Charles; #16,#18 Grey Ray Charles; #14,#16 Soft Hackle Sow Bug (camel dubbing); #16 Root Beer Midge; #16
Red Midge w/pearl bead; #8 San Juan Worm (wine) Dry Flies #20 Student; #20 Spider Midge; #20 Sipper Midge; #20, #22 Parachute Adams (black post); #18,#20 CDC Baetis
Sparkle Dun. Streamers #4,#6 Black Conehead Wooley Bugger; #4,#6 Brown Wooley Bugger; #4 Black Zonker (gold body);#4,#6 Bighorn Bugger (Brown & Yellow).
River Flows 8,750 CFS
Water Temperature: 43 degrees at Afterbay. |
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BAJA CALIFORNIA -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
East Cape
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Every week it gets a better. The Let's Talk Hook Up fishing tournament this week enjoyed awesome fishing, with huge Roosterfish, Wahoo,
Yellowfin, Dorado, Amberjack, Striped Marlin, Blue Marlin, Pargo, and numerous other species. Lots of fish taken daily. By far the most Wahoo taken this year. Most
anglers were fishing with mono, consequently lots more bit off than were taken. The tournament boats beached 12 in 3 days fishing. Yellowfin to 46# were taken both
far south, close to shore, very spread, or under Porpise further outside. Lots of Gallos released this week, probably 20 over 50#'s and 10 over 60#'s, uncounted from
30 to 40#'s. Some nice Dorado to 36#'s. The Striped marlin are on the bite, very spread both north and south. A few Blues to 250#'s, released this week.
Yellowfin - Both under porpise 10-30 miles off, and south of Frailles 1-5 miles off the beach. The schools under the Porpise hitting Cedar plugs and Hoochies.
Chunk squid and live cabalito are working closer inshore.
Roosterfish - Unreal Gallo fishing. Big Roosters from 35# to 65#. All taken in deeper water on Cabalito or Mullet. Lots released this week.
Dorado - Mixed with the Tuna. The best Dorado week of the year. To 40#'s.
Wahoo - 12 to the beach in 3 days. Largest 46#. Marauders and Rapalas rigged with wire working best.
Water - 79-81 Clear, flat.
Air - Cooler than normal, highs in the mid 80's, very pleasant. |
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LOCAL SALTWATER, CALIFORNIA -
Updated:
June 21, 2010 |
Santa Barbara to Ventura
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No current report.
Long Beach
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On Friday Kesley and I started fishing at Cherry and found that the wind and surf had calmed substantially. Kesley had a big fish on but
lost it. We landed nothing but small fish before everything died. We drove down to the peninsula and found an area with smaller waves. We caught some small halibut and
yellowfin croaker then Kesley again hooked a big fish. This one took her fly. I got pounded by waves twice and was totally soaked. We decided to get breakfast instead
of getting pounded anymore.
During the weekend I got calls from Tim and Kesley. On Saturday Tim reported hooking a big fish and almost getting spooled. He said that it was probably a bat ray.
Instead of risking losing his entire line he broke the fish off. On Sunday Kesley landed a 3 1/4 pound corbina. The bigger fish may be moving into the area.
On Monday I started out at Cherry and casted a while before getting my first fish. The queenfish I caught would have made good bait. It didn't take me long to land the
biggest corbina I have landed this year. It was just under 4 pounds. A couple of casts later I landed one that was 3 pounds. After landed a couple of small halibut and
yellowfin croakers I packed up and drove down to the peninsula. I quickly ran into a school of big yellowfin croakers. I guessed the bigger ones to be near 16 inches.
I landed 6 before everything died. I worked my way down the beach and finally found the waves to be too rough for me. I walked to the bay and landed a couple of small
halibut before quitting for the day.
This morning started out very slowly at Cherry. The water was choppy because of the onshore wind and a light drizzle kept my face wet. I casted for about a half hour
without any action when I spotted a halibut clear the water about 100 feet out. As I walked toward it a big halibut cleared the water and hit me in the side. I could
see what they were chasing. They were 8 inch smelt or grunion. I switched to a big Ghost Minnow and hooked a halibut after a few casts. It weighed almost 6 pounds.
It was not too long but was really thick (photo attached). When I looked down its mouth I was several tails sticking out of its gullet. I was lucky to find a jogger
at the edge of the water and she agreed to take a picture of the fish. I thought she took only one picture (she cut the top of my head off) but found that she took a
second.
After releasing the fish I waded back out and immediately caught a 4 pound halibut. This fish swallowed my big fly all the way down. I cut it off and tied on a new Ghost
Minnow. It only took a few minutes for me to land the biggest haliub that I have caught so far this year. I weighed 8 pounds. This time there was nobody around to take
the picture and I didn't want to take a picture with the fish laying in the sand. This fish also swallowed my fly so I had to give it to him. Of the three fish the
biggest put up the weakest fight. It made a couple of short dashes but was just heavy. The other two fought pretty well. I didn't have any more of the big flies to
I tied on a 5 inch Ghost Minnow. As I finished tying the fly on I noticed a dark swell coming in. It was too late to walk out so I just hunkered down to let the wave
go over me. It picked me up and tumbled me a couple times. I had my belt tightened over my waterproof shell but the water poured in around my neck. I fished just long
enough to catch a 2 pound corbina before I had enough.
It looks like the bigger fish have moved in. |
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I would like to thank the following for their reports, The Trout Fly, Fish First, Bighorn Fly and Tackle, The Artful
Angler, The Redding Fly Shop, The Reno Fly Shop, Doug Uyematsu, Guy Jeans at the Kern River Fly Fishing and Guide Service, Rancho Leonero and Kens Sporting Goods in
Bridgeport, Brocks Fly Shop.
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