Book Signing, December 10, 2009

The event was a great success!
Thanks go to Captain Mike Costello, John Sherman
and to all who attended!

On Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM the shop will be holding a book signing for Captain Mike Costello's new book; " Fly Fishing the California Delta ". Additionally, the book's photographer, John Sherman, will also be on hand to sign your book.

Publisher's Description

This is the first major book describing the techniques used for landing trophy striped bass and other species in California's famed Delta. Anglers from all over the country will learn how to fish the Delta's 2,000 levees and 1,200 miles of rivers as shown in 250 spectacular photos.

The California Delta has become a major new destination for trophy striped bass. Other species are also popular. There are more largemouth bass tournaments in the Delta than any other body of water in the world with total weight of bag limits exceeding any other watershed.

• Features more than 250 spectacular photos and 6 maps.
• Bass anglers from all over the country want to learn about this fishery.
• Foreword by Ralph Cutter, author of Sierra Trout Guide and Fish food: A Fly Fisher's Guide to Bugs and Bait.

Table of Contents

1. The California Delta
2. History of Delta Fly Fishing
3. Seasons of the Delta
4. Fly Rod Game Fish of the Delta
5. Fly Fishing for Delta Stripers
6. Locating Delta Stripers
7. Fly Fishing for Delta Largemouth Bass
8. Fly Fishing for Delta Smallmouth & Spotted Bass
9. Fly Fishing for Delta King Salmon
10. Fly Fishing for Delta Panfish, Carp, & Catfish
11. Navigating & Fishing Delta Waters
12. Tips from Delta Captains
13. Future of the Delta
14. Catch Data

Just Arrived; New DVD " Rise; The Movie "

Fly Fishing and Technology; What's this number 37.653874,-120.993397 ?

View Larger Map


Cut and paste this number; 37.653874,-120.993397 into Google maps and it will take you to: Sierra Anglers Fly Shop,700 McHenry Ave., Modesto, CA, USA, Earth. Cut and paste this; 38.255894,-119.224663 into Google maps and it will take you to a good place to eat breakfast ( Haye's Street Cafe ) in Bridgeport. Need to tell some friend about a secret spot such as this; 38.193329,-119.992163. Hah! You didn't really think I was going to give up one of my secret spots did you!
How do you do it? Just zoom in on Google maps, zoom down to as close as you need. If you zoom too close it may switch to " street view " which is also really cool. Then, right click on your mouse, then left click on " What's here ". Look in the box above and you will see the GPS coordinates to that spot. Here's the coordinates to the front door here at the shop; 37.653883,-120.993411 and here's the coordinates to the rear door ( 50 feet or so ); 37.653851,-120.99318 . Scary, isn't it?

Learn more about Google " Street View ".

Please post any suggestions or comments below.

First Snowfall, October 13, 2009

Tioga Pass cam from the Yosemite Association

Update for today, October 16, 2009: The passes have reopened!

The Sierra received it's first major snow storm of the 2009/2010 season two days ago. Ebbetts, Sonora, and Tioga Pass remain closed as of this morning October 15. Despite the warm storm, Mammoth Mountain received 26" of snow and will open to skiing tomorrow. It was a real " gully-washer " and some of the freestone rivers may be high and muddy. The good news is that what appeared to be a high fire danger fall has been averted!

Fly Fishing for Delta Bass with KD

Recently, a friend of mine, Mike Baisdon, and I had the pleasure of spending few hours with Captain Kevin ( KD ) Doran learning about pursuing largemouth bass with topwater flies in our California Delta. KD is a fly fishing guide for both largemouth bass and striped bass and he really likes to take these fish on topwater flies. He has definitely paid his dues pursuing these fish in the Delta. As the video shows, KD's approach to guiding is one that really provides the client with the intricacies of the why, where, and when of pursuing Delta largemouth bass ( and striped bass during the Fall and Winter months. You can learn more about KD and his guide service at DeltaAdventures.com.
PS he also guides for trout on some of our local rivers.

Optimum Flows

This is the time that the best fishing in the Sierra occurs, just after the snow is all but gone and the water warms into the 50 degree plus range. Insect activity increases and the fish start to look up!

Repairing Simms Gore-Tex Waders

The Simms Fishing Products' website has some good information about their products, especially information about product care. Besides the " Repairing Pinholes " seen in the video above, there is " Repairing small tears " and " Evaluation & repair of neoprene stockingfeet " as well as other videos.