The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

So now I want to get into Delta Striper fly fishing. I have never done this before and have read very little on it. I want to know what is the best weight rod to use and if you're willing, effective fly patterns. I read that sink tip lines and long casts are necessary to get to where the bigguns live.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

Louie

Hey man ! Long time no see.

Hope all is well with you.

Have done the striper thing. IT's a hoot !

8-9 weights with shooting head systems is the key. Have 'loop to loop' tips of assorted "T-14" lengths to put on your running line (7 ft., 10 ft, 14 ft,etc..) to obtain the desired depth.
Heavy eyed clouser type flies in white/olive, white/chart, etc.... baitfish colors and some BRIGHT ones and DARK ones for weather days.
There are days poppers work well, so a floater with a 'crease' fly, or the new one from Rainy's flies...squirts water outta the head.
I usually go with 16-20 flouro...they're not tippet shy when they're chowin.
The EC13 hook is the best for dredging. ( 90* jig hook...rides point up...less snags)
A good fish finder is a handy tool also.

This winter we got 'em with an agro retrieve. STRIP, STRIP, let it fall almost to bottom...repeat. They eat on the 'fall'.

I've said it a hundred times over the years....wanna learn the waters and ways of something new ? Hire a local guide for one day with a pal and soak it all up.
There's a bunch of good guides out there.

I've had good personal experiences with Mike Costello. He knows his stuff and has a "Delta Striper Fishing" book in the works.

and that's my .02 $

sd

Thanks SD. Where are you these days? In Redding or out and about?

Lou

Yep, back in NorCal.
Had been on the road for about three years, coming home for the fall/winter guide season, then hitting the road. I really need to take the time to put together a report or two...last winter....living on a tiny atoll in French Polynesia with black pearl farmers, studying bonefish was quite an adventure.

Anyhow, I'm gettin' hitched in May, so my long periods of being away will come to a halt. However, I will be taking a one month assignment in AK this year looking to find some killer 'undiscovered' king and rainbow fishing on remote rivers on the penninsula.

But for now, guiding the LS for TFS and workin' on a new house I picked up. (great time to buy!!!)

Congratulations on getting married and getting a new house.

Let me know if you're ever coming down this way. Maybe we can hook up and fish the Delta or go on up to the Mountains East of here. Matt and I want to head on up and hit the Pit sometime in early Summer or Fall. I'll let you know when we go.

Lou

Looks like the Pit will be seeing "High water" flows for the whitewater rafters until April 1 or so.
After that, it should be good. I'll be tryin to find time to get up there before general season opens up.
Not sure if everybody knows, but it's open year 'round now!!!

That River is tough to fish when it's low. I wouldn't want to attempt it while it's high. I'm thinking of going sometime in June or October when it's a bit cooler. Matt and I went there in July a couple years ago and we were attacked by swarms of mosquitos. They were thick as clouds. Ended up packing our stuff and driving over to Dunsmuir only to find more mosquitos but less of 'em. Let me know when you're headed that way. Maybe we could have a couple of beers and talk about some of your adventures abroad.

Louie

Hi Louie;
Glad you're back on the board.

RE: delta stripers.
You gotta throw a lead core line, generally 28-30 feet. T14 is another alternative. Usually a 7 or 8 wt rod. Some folks go heavier, with a 9wt. Although I often use a 6wt with a Rio 250 grain striper line. Just have to have a line that stays down. Deceivers, whistlers and such like flies are what are common, anywhere from 2 inches to 6 inches long. Chartreuse and white, with lots of flash is a common successful color combination. But lots of other colors are used as well. DougP and LeeS fish the delta a lot and are a good source of info. There are others on the board who fish it alot as well. Also, you have to have a boat to get around, and a good fish finder to mark fish. A GPS unit becomes mandatory, if there is fog.

I know the area around Franks tract pretty well. Anytime you want to hook up, lemme know. It's a wonderful place. Stripers are a fun fish to catch. Even the little schoolies are a hoot.

Betty (BR)