Delta Fly Fishing Report – July 9, 2026
Anglers: Dennis Estrada, Charles Won
Guide: Captain Toby Uppinghouse
Put In / Take Out: Wimpy’s Marina
Water Fished: South Mokelumne River, San Joaquin River and adjoining sloughs
Overview:
We had fair to good conditions out of Wimpy’s with Captain Toby. We started on the South Mokelumne and finished strong on the San Joaquin side. Classic summer Delta pattern – slow early, then it turned on with the water movement.
Conditions & Bite:
South Mokelumne River was tough early. Water clarity was poor, and we had a slack morning tide. That combination really put the bite off – few follows, few commitments.
Once we moved to the San Joaquin River and the adjoining sloughs, it was a different story. Clarity was excellent, and as soon as the incoming tide started pushing, the bite picked up significantly. Fish moved up and started looking up.
How We Fished:
All casting from Captain Uppinghouse’s boat.
Topwater: Floating line with popper patterns – best once the tide got moving.
Subsurface: Intermediate line with swimbait patterns – good for searching the deeper cuts.
Gear:
6 and 7-weight fly rods with matching lines rigged for each method – floating for topwater, intermediate for subsurface.
Hot Flies:
Double Barrel Bass Bug – Orange & Chartreuse: Both colors fished equally well, our most consistent producers on top.
Rainy’s Rattlin Frog: Great drawing power when a louder pop was necessary.
Flymen Minnow Changer: The go-to subsurface fly when they wouldn’t come up.
Solid summer day on the Delta. If you get out this week, focus your time on the San Joaquin side with clean water and fish the incoming tide.
