FishwithJD

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Where to go camping/fly fishing?

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JD,

For Father’s Day, my wife and mother-in-law wanted to organize a camping and fishing trip for my father-in-law and I.

We’d like to stay within a 4 hour drive of Granite Bay (near Sacramento, CA), and we’d like to camp in our trailers (so moms+kids can come along and play while dads fish).

We are both novice fly fisherman. Can you recommend a good spot at that time of year and also a good fly shop to hook up with on what to use? Thanks, Mike R.

Hey Mike,

I’d probably check out Martis Lake near Truckee. Good trout fly fishing and plenty of other stuff nearby to do. There’s no RV camping there, but you can stay nearby at the United Trails

For info: Tahoe FlyFishing Outfitters

Have fun!

Fly fishing for Kings?

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JD,

I am going to be in Juneau on the 28th of June 2009. I have been told that I can fish along Fish Creek for salmon. I am a very experienced fly fisherman, but my gear is geared toward trout. What do I need for gear, (flies, waders, etc) and is there anyplace that will rent it for a day? All I want is a king and I have to do it on the cheap. All I want to do, is catch one, take a picture of it and let it go.

Thanks, Scott R.

Scott,

When the kings are in Fish Creek, it’s a bit of a mob scene, particularly around the Pond area, where snagging is legal. In the creek itself, there’s no snagging or bait allowed and that’s where you should go. I’d head above the bridge to seek some peace and quiet.

Anyway, you’re going to need at least an 8-weight rod to wrestle a king out of that creek. Big, bright attractor patterns with chartreuse and hot pink as the main colors work, but honestly, I’ve done best in Alaska on kings with black leeches fished on the swing with short strips.

As far as rental gear goes, I’m not sure about that one. I guess in a pinch if you have a 7-weight you use for larger trout, you could get away with that.

Good luck!

Fluff Chucker Bass Tourney coming to Delta

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bassfly
Okay all you bass loving, Delta-prowling fluff chuckers out there, it’s time to tie up some of your best bigmouth buggers and get ready for the 2009 Delta Bass-N-Fly fly fishing-only bass tourney May 15.

The event features a basic bass team tourney format — two anglers per boat will fish for a combined limit of 5 bass (largemouth, smallies or spotts — no stripers). The team with the heaviest limit wins some $$ and the tourney will pay out to the top three.

Additionally, there will be a bunch of cool schwag to be raffled up by the likes of Sage , Rio, Simms, Smith Action Optics, Scientific Anglers, Umpqua, Icon Products, Angler’s Inn and Pultz’s Poppers.

The Bass-N-Fly thing was a huge success in it’s first season in 2008, as evidenced by the 32 teams from around the country participated.
Click here to read more…

Fly Fishing Knots?

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JD,
I Just got a hand me down fly rod and reel.

I’ve been totally excited about learning to fly fish for steelies on the Yuba River by my house in Marysville, CA.

My question is: How do i tie a fly to the line on my reel?? I know, dumb newbie question, but i have nobody else to ask. And seeing how youre the fishing god that helped me nail my first salmon last year(30#) ever, thought you might help me out.

Maybe even some tips on how and where on the yuba.
Thanks, Minh

Hey Minh, fishing god, eh? I think you meant to say “dirty dog,” but whatever! Anyway, glad you got a big king last year…you were one of the lucky few!

As far as your main question goes, I assume you’re asking how to tie a leader to a fly line, right? If so, the best way is to get out there and buy a Nail Knot tool at your local tackle shop…Johnson’s in Yuba City probably has ’em.

Scroll down for a couple videos on how to do it…

As far as where to go, i’d get up above the Highway 20 Bridge in October and fish a Glo Bug under an indicator near any spawning salmon — the steelies will sit right behind them.

And another one…