Literary accounts of fishouts in the recent past,
to make you sorry you didn't go.
O'Neill Forebay below San Luis Dam - September 6th
Fishmaster: Harry Petrakis
O'Neill Forebay below San Luis Dam - September 6th
Fishmaster: Harry Petrakis
Meeting at 6:00 AM, we started fishing near the boat ramp on the north shore for two hours, then eventually all of us moved to the Medeiros area on the south. This fishout was geared towards float tubes and pontoon boats. We had seven members in attendance. The weather was perfect until 2:00 PM, when the wind blew us off the water, which can frequently happen this time of the year. Winds are less of a problem in October and November, late October being one of the best times to be on the water since they will take poppers in the shallows if water temps stay up. Dougald Scott did manage two 6-pound fish on top water (White Gurgler) in the flats, fishing the openings in the weeds in six feet of water while kicking in from a 2 1/2 hour session in deeper water. Dougald had over ten fish for the day, pretty good for fishing from a float tube but not the high stick for the day. Tom Bradley had "probably over forty, with five fish between two to six pounds." when I asked he said he was using a 2 1/2 inch flash/Clouser hybrid that he had tied.
Tom was fishing the slope of a channel in his float tube not too far from Dan Blanton and Chris Bradford who were in Dan's boat.
As you may or may not know, Dan Blanton is a big player in the west coast striper fishery which he helped to bring to the public's attention. He along with SCFF club member Ed Marcillac, are two very good independent striper guides. Ed is one of the club's great mentors and a life member of the club.
Dan introduced Chris to his first striper on a fly this day, a nice 31/2-pound fish. They too caught numerous fish. New member Mike Koslosky also caught his first striper on a fly that day. Mike is fond of fishing trout in the Mammoth area and commented how much work it is to float tube the forebay but he stayed with it all day much to his credit. The fish can be anywhere and mobility is key to having a successful day, so float tubing lowers your chances of success but it has remarkable numbers and big fish potential given the stealth factor when you do find the fish. To wit, the world record inland fly caught striped bass, 57.6 lbs was caught here from a float tube!
Just ask SCFF member Lee Haskins. Lee was not in attendance, but much of what was passed on was learned from Lee in one of his classes.
Patrick Marshall was in a pontoon boat and was able to get around very well as well as stand up and cast. Patrick had to leave early but I believe he came away with enough information to take the mystery out of fishing here.
Fish the channel slopes, moving water created by the in and out flows from the dam, look for bait fish breezing on top; all are keys to success. Dave Jensen got a break from the harvest long enough to make it out and he managed a four-pound fish on a Puglisi Peanut Bunker pattern chartreuse over white. Dave fished from a float tube traveling great distances.
Tim Loomis had a tough morning on the Medeiros side with Tom and Dougald but he did well fishing from the bow of Gil Santos' boat later in the day as did Gil who is also one of our great club's mentors. I was in my boat staying close to the two new comers to the forebay. I had one grab. My fish pulled hard for a couple of seconds but I never saw before he dropped me. I was fishing a 6 inch chartreuse whistler. I was using a 20 pound 5 ft long fluorocarbon leader, and a 7/8wt rod with leadcore and amnesia monofilament shooting line. I used an intermediate (slow sink) line in the flats for both underwater and popper type flies. Keep the poppers moving to get them to bite. Do not set the hook when you see the splash, rather wait to feel the weight of the fish before setting the hook least you pull the meal completely out of his maw before the hook has a place to purchase.
Always wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device or life vest).