Local Surf & Bay Fly Fishing Report

LCO Staff reports on Ocotber 22nd, 2026

Our old friend, El Nino, is working hard to keep water temps warm. Both the Bay and the Ocean are running room temp currently. The migration is ongoing and the World Series begins Friday--go Brewers! We are right on time and the cylinders are firing. 

Coastal-Yes, it's late in the season on the coast, but don't think that means no fish. We've received good reports from Ocean Beach and up to Stinson. Stripers are migrating back toward the Bay, but there's still a lot of bait out there on the Pacific side and that can make stripers stay on the beaches and feed. They can't pass up a meal. Feed 'em.

The Bay-North Bay, East Bay, Crissy... fish are spread throughout the Bay right now and the catch rates are improving daily. The better fishing has been in East Bay: Alameda, Berkeley Bulb, Molate. But, Crissy has really come on lately, with the crush of anglers to prove it. Lotta folks flinging flies down there recently. Remember to give other anglers a little space, say hi and cover water. The fish are always moving. You need to go find 'em. Watch for dogs on your backcast too! Marin has been spotty, but pods of fish are moving through. You just need to intercept them. When you find a pod, it can be fast and furious. But, you gotta have your fly in the water, or you'll never know. 

While this isn't "match the hatch" trout fishing, it seems like more fish are eating chartreuse or olive-ish or gray, lighter colored patterns lately. Much of the water in the Bay has been really clean lately (especially Crissy) and that's when lighter colored flies prevail.

The Delta-The Delta remains a solid option for those anglers with a boat. Stripers are migrating back into the Delta and feeding everywhere they go. Some of the biggest fish don't migrate to the ocean in the summer and just hang out in the Delta and eat everything in sight. Around the Mokelumne and out in the Western Delta have both been decent to excellent lately. Pray for light winds and throw 3/0 Clousers with a rattle. We prefer the Steve Adachi edition.

Honorable Mention-The Napa River is putting out some good size and numbers. If you have a boat, you can cover a lot of water, but pay attention to the tide and channels. The Napa hosts a lot of skinny water. Don't get stuck out there! If you are on foot, take a hike along the numerous sloughs and channels off the main river. Find cuts and pipes and current seams with moving water and you will find fish.