Snow Run-Off 2010

Well, we're finally getting the 2010 run-off underway. With snow falling in the Sierra as late as May 27, this year's run-off is off to a very late start. The falls in Yosemite will be spectacular! If you do try to fish some of these streams, be very careful. Unfortunately, it makes for very few stream fishing opportunities. The good news is that the water will last all summer long!

This video was shot by a friend of mine, yesterday June 4.

Bass-N-Fly 2010

My friend David Merin and his brother Ryan won the Bass-N-Fly Challenge today!!! Their share of the winning was $3,400! To top it off, my other friends Mike Baisdon and Russ Owens took 2nd place!! Both of the teams deserve it as they spend a lot of time on the water in preparation of the event. Congratulations, guys!!

Here are the standings for the top eight places:

1st Place - $2775 – Ryan Merin & David Merin Total weight (12 lbs. 13 oz.)
2nd Place - $ 725 - Mike Baisdon & Russ Owens Total weight ( 9 lbs. 7oz.)
3rd Place - $ 475 - Rod Buchanan & Joe Cerniglia Total weight ( 8 lbs. 12 oz.)
4th Place - $ 425 - Tom Maxey & John Bates Total weight ( 7 lbs. 2 oz.)
5th Place - $ 375 - Darnyl Baily & Steve Orkwell Total weight ( 7 lbs. 1 oz.)
6th Place - $ 300 – Gregg Holland & Matt Greene Total weight (6 lbs. 15 oz.)
7th Place - $ 275 – Dennis Papike & Randy Papike Total weight (6 lbs. 12 oz.)
8th Place - $ 200 – Marty Adrian & Joe Adrian Total weight (6 lbs. 7 oz.)

Big Fish $350 – Ryan Merin (5 lbs. 0 oz)

Highways over the Top are Open!

Sonora and Ebbetts passes are now open!

Below is a video I shot last year driving over Conway Summit on May 24, 2009.

The " Pole Dancers " are here!

It's not what you think! One of the most effective surface lures for largemouth bass AND striped bass in conventional gear, are lures such as the Zara Spook and the Pencil Popper. These lures, if retrieved properly, swim side-to-side in which most anglers call " walking the dog " motion. This motion can be really amazing. We have fished top water fly rod flies side by side against the Zara Spook or Pencil Popper and have had little to no reaction to the fly rod fly while the lures triggered vicious strikes! So, until now, fly designers have not been able to break through to create the side-to-side motion created by conventional lures. Along comes a very creative, innovative fly tier from the Sacramento by the name of Charlie Bisharat. Through a lot of time and effort, Charlie has been able recreate the " walking the dog " action! Watch out bass and stripers, the Pole Dancer is here!

PS  I inquired with the Pole Dancer's developer about the recommended leader to obtain the maximum side-to-side action, here was Charlie Bisharat's reply, verbatim:

" As for leaders. With the 5/0 I like to use a Quigley or equal ferruled leader of 4 to 5 feet with a 4 to 5 foot straight piece of 30 pound floro to the fly. On the medium I will do the same thing but the tippet will be with Maxima in 15 to 20 pound. With the small I use a straight section of 6 to 10 pound maxima to the fly. All tippets need to be attached to the fly with a loop knot.

As a general rule use the thinnest tippet you can for the target species. This allows the fly the best movement possible.I will be working on a video soon with KD to explain how to rig and fish the fly. "

Bass-N-Fly Practice Day; May 9, 2010

The second practice day was, weather wise, was nearly as bad as last Sunday ( see previous blog entry for video ). Jeff was able to land 3 bass but I was only able to land one small striper. Jeff took all of his fish on a Murdich Minnow. The wind really dictated where we could fish, making for a tough day.

Bass-N-Fly Practice Day, May 2, 2010

My partner for the Bass-N-Fly and I went out to scout for the tournament yesterday and encountered 35 MPH winds. We gave up after a few hours!

Delta Bass-N-Fly Challenge 2010

The third annual Delta Bass-N-Fly Tournament is set to be held May 21, 2010 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It is a fly-rod-only tournament. Last year, friends of mine, Mike Baisdon and Russ Owens won the tournament ( and place second the year before ).

Anyway, the following video was produced by two anglers that have spent a LOT of time chasing warmwater fish in California. Ken Hanley is an author of several books and  frequently  speaks about fly fishing at fishing shows. Kevin Doran ( Delta Adventures ) is fly fishing guide out of Stockton, California who specializes in fly fishing the Delta for largemouth bass and striped bass.

The video is a really informative production.