California Delta Fly Fishing Report
By Bryce Tedford – Fly Fishing
CA Delta Fishing Report
A change of seasons is coming to the Delta! Spring striper season is winding down, and water temperatures are rising. That means it’s time to shift our focus from striped bass to largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing.
Throughout the summer months, I turn my attention to long half-day (5-hour) topwater bass trips. These outings are a great way to introduce newer fly anglers to the sport or give seasoned veterans a chance to simply have fun on the water.
For smallmouth bass, we use 4-5 wt rods with floating lines and size 6 poppers while targeting rocky shorelines and rock walls. These trips are perfect for anglers new to fly fishing. The fish are generally smaller, but they fight hard for their size and are incredibly fun on light tackle. We can even stop for coffee and/or ice cream during the trip, which is always a crowd favorite.
For largemouth bass, we use 8 wt rods with floating lines and 2/0 poppers while targeting heavy cover along rock walls, reeds, weed beds, and other structure. These trips are more challenging when it comes to casting, hooking, and landing fish, but the average fish is generally larger than a smallmouth.
After either trip, your guide can recommend some great lunch spots to cap off a fun morning on the water. All gear, snacks, water, and sodas are included. Guests simply need to bring a valid fishing license, sun-protective clothing, and a positive attitude.
I still have some prime dates available if you’d like to get out on the water this summer!
Open Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass Half-Day Trips
June: 18
July: 16, 21, 29
August: 3, 7, 20, 28
