Napa River report for 9-7-23: Capt Ben and I were on the water by 0645. Most of the boats launched were full of fly fishermen, and they all did well on the stripers. We cast, trolled...

Nook Loc: Vacaville CA

Capt Ben and I were on the water by 0645. Most of the boats launched were full of fly fishermen, and they all did well on the stripers.
We cast, trolled, cast, trolled...you know the routine.Capt. Ben was doing some serious fish hunting, found a bunch on the electronics, but didn't do so well on the hookup.
Ended the day with a 22 inch, 3# 14oz keeper, a 19-20 inch that Ben released, and a couple of dinks. Nice day on the river. Off before noon. You could tell the bite died, because we were in a line waiting to pull the boat out. Ben gave me a hard time while I was filleting the fish.....something about being so spoiled catching fish with him I don't take pictures....no. I'm jusy getting old and forgetful. Here's a mid-process snap.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Nook wrote:

Capt Ben and I were on the water by 0645. Most of ... (show quote)

That's better than a skunk Hal. The next time you guys see Fly Fishermen doing well, try some topwater, like Poppers or Wakebaits. Thanks for the picture.

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

Nice 👍

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Nook wrote:

Capt Ben and I were on the water by 0645. Most of ... (show quote)

Hey nook, question. You said that the fly fisherman were doing well. I’m assuming that they were addressing a top water bite. Last time on the Petaluma we noticed that there was a lot of bait activity on the surface. Did mark a lot of fish on the graph with a lot on the upper five feet. Wondering if we might change tactics. Hard to leave the old stand by, rattle traps trolling but maybe there is something to learn here. Maybe slow the troll down and go to a more shallow running lure. I agree with Fred. Top water might be the way to go!

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Fredfish wrote:

That's better than a skunk Hal. The next time you guys see Fly Fishermen doing well, try some topwater, like Poppers or Wakebaits. Thanks for the picture.

Agreed!

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Still above water wrote:

Agreed!

You gotta try and "match the hatch" as the fly guys say Rich . If they're feeding on the surface, then fish on the surface.

Nook Loc: Vacaville CA

Yeah, I'm not smart enough to have asked about technique, and was too focused on what I was doing to pay too much attention.i know one fisherman that uses weighted flies to get down deep to where the fish are, but don't know if that's common or if he's an outlier

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Nook wrote:

Yeah, I'm not smart enough to have asked about technique, and was too focused on what I was doing to pay too much attention.i know one fisherman that uses weighted flies to get down deep to where the fish are, but don't know if that's common or if he's an outlier

👍👍👍, gonna try trolling flys next time. Gonna trust my graph and put my bait where the fish are!!! It’s hard to get away from those rattletraps. They have been so successful in the past!! Live and learn!!!

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Still above water wrote:

👍👍👍, gonna try trolling flys next time. Gonna trust my graph and put my bait where the fish are!!! It’s hard to get away from those rattletraps. They have been so successful in the past!! Live and learn!!!

All the fly fishermen are usin sinkin line and fly. They aren't fishin top water.

Wrench Loc: Santa Rosa, Ca

Hi Stagers,
Phil and I experiance on the Pet Thursday.
We trolled for 5 hours at all of the usual places, and then some and
came up with 1 20" keeper which we turned loose.
Weak tides, slow day.

Still above water Loc: San Francisco ca

Wrench wrote:

Hi Stagers,
Phil and I experiance on the Pet Thursday.
We trolled for 5 hours at all of the usual places, and then some and
came up with 1 20" keeper which we turned loose.
Weak tides, slow day.

Thanks for the report. Seems like it has really slowed down. Did u happen to see a lot of bait in the water?

Wrench Loc: Santa Rosa, Ca

None to speak of.