Fishing Report

Written by LCO Staff

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Delta, frdelta, Striper

California Delta Fly Fishing Report

Aug 16, 2025

Written by LCO Staff

Captain Bryce Tedford Reports on August 14th, 2025

August has been a bit of a grind. We've been finding good numbers of smaller fish, but not seeing many of the larger bass I have come to expect this time of year. For me, fishing has been decent, but not great on the CA Delta this summer.

From June 15-September 15 I turn my focus to topwater largemouth & smallmouth bass excursions. These 5hr 1/2 day trips are a great way to get newer anglers into the sport as well as a blast for seasoned veterans who just want to watch largemouth & smallmouth explode on a fly.

Smallmouth fishing has been picking up the last few weeks so I have been chasing both smallmouth & largemouth depending on the day & the guests interest. My remaining summer dates are booked up & I will be turning my attention to stripers come early to mid September. Looking forward to a great fall of striper hunting throughout the Delta!!!

Written by LCO Staff

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Delta, frdelta, frnapariver, San Francisco Bay

Local Striper Fly Fishing Report

Jul 22, 2025

Written by LCO Staff

Captain Patrick MacKenzie Reports on July 21st, 2025

FISHING REPORT

Napa River:

Clarity: Off

Temp: 70-73f

River has been slow due to warmer water temps. There are still stripers out in Carquinez Straight - but they are staying outside and not coming into the River. Bait is abundant as it usually is this time of year, so we should see fish move into River in next month or so.

SF Bay

Clarity: 0-4ft

Temp: 62-68f

Great option for striper & halibut as long as weather allows. June and most of July has been very windy as usual, but on right tides there are great opportunities for stripers and halibut at Berkeley Flats, Angel Island, Alcatraz & Richardson Bay. Fingers crossed for the wind to lay down!

Cpt. Patrick MacKenzie
MacKenzie On The Fly
707-721-6700
www.mackenzieonthefly.com

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Delta, frdelta

Delta Bass Fly Fishing Report

Jul 22, 2025

Written by LCO Staff

Captain Bryce Tedford Repost on July 22nd, 2025

Summer fishing has been going strong! From June 15-September 15, I turn my focus to topwater largemouth & smallmouth bass excursions. These 5hr, 1/2 day bass trips are a great way to get newer anglers into the sport as well as a blast for seasoned veterans who just want to have fun watching largemouth & smallmouth explode on a fly!

Smallmouth fishing has been a bit slow this year so I have been primarily focused on largemouth the past few weeks. My guess is cooler summer temperatures have kept the water temperature down & the smallmouth are staying deeper, but that’s just a guess. That said, I have two options during the summer: Option 1 (smallmouth focus): There is one section/launch of the Delta that has a bunch of smallmouth with a small side of largemouth, but it is primarily smaller fish, lighter rods, smaller flies & easy/fun fishing. Also, well protected from the wind & we start a bit later on this trip (7-7:30am). Option 2 (largemouth focus): The other section/launch is just to target largemouth, primarily larger fish, heavy rods, big flies & more challenging fishing overall. This area is open to the wind so that can be an added challenge. Generally start earlier on this trip (6am-7am).

Still have some remaining dates in early September if anyone wants to jump on one of these Summer trips!

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Delta, frdelta

Delta Bass Fly Fishing Report

Jun 27, 2025

Written by LCO Staff

Captain Bryce Tedford Reports on June 25th, 2025

Summer fishing is off to a solid start! From June 15-September 15, I turn my focus to topwater largemouth & smallmouth bass. These 5hr long 1/2 days are a great way to get newer anglers into the sport, as well as a blast for seasoned veterans. This is a great for guests who just want to have fun watching largemouth & smallmouth blow up a fly!

Option 1--smallmouth focus: There is one section/launch on the Delta that has a bunch of smallmouth with a small side of largemouth, but it is primarily smaller fish, lighter 4-5wt rods, smaller sz6 flies & easy/fun fishing. Also, this section is well protected from the wind & we start a bit later on this trip (7-7:30am).

Option 2--largemouth focus: The other section/launch is just to target largemouth, primarily larger fish, heavy rods, big flies & more challenging fishing overall. This area is open to the wind so that can be an added challenge. Generally start earlier on this trip (6am). Still have some remaining dates in August if anyone wants to jump on one of these summer trips!

Captain Bryce Tedford

206.696.2437

brycetedford@gmail.com

www.brycetedfordflyfishing.com

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Delta, frdelta, frlocalsurf, frnapariver, San Francisco Bay

Napa & Bay Striper + Lake Sonoma Fly Fishing Report

May 28, 2025

Written by LCO Staff

Napa & Bay Striper + Lake Sonoma Fly Fishing Report

Capt. Patrick MacKenzie Reports on May 17th, 2025

Napa River

Clarity: Off

Temp: 64-66F

Fishing has been inconsistent with the changing water clarity, but there is a lot of bait around, especially in middle section which bodes well for the summer fishery in the wildlife refuge! Schools of smaller stripers have started to show up after the smolt drops in Mare Island / Carquinez.

SF Bay

Clarity: 0-4ft

Temp: 58-64F

Fishing has picked up in SP & Central Bay, we are starting to get all the fish coming back from Delta & rivers! South Bay has consistent water clarity and striper activity. Now is the time to get a day on the calendar and hope for good weather!!

Lake Sonoma

Clarity: 2-4ft

Temp: 65-69f

Lake Sonoma has early smallmouth / crappie window still, lots of recreation boats starting to show up. Topwater / FF still both viable options until Mid-June!

Cpt. Patrick MacKenzie
MacKenzie On The Fly
707-721-6700
www.mackenzieonthefly.com

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Delta, frdelta, Striper

California Delta Fly Fishing Report

May 28, 2025

Written by LCO Staff

Capt. Bryce Tedford Reports on May 26th, 2025

California Delta Fly Fishing Report:

Spring striper season in the Delta has been going strong, but is winding down as the stripers have spawned. Hoping to get another week or two out of the stripers, but they have scattered throughout the Delta. Water temperatures are climbing up towards 68-70 degrees. Currently catching around 10-15 fish a trip with, most in the 3-5lb class, & a few up to 10lbs. As water temperatures increase to 70 degrees it will get tougher & the fish will continue to scatter. It’s becoming a grind to find stripers as they are moving out towards the SF Bay or staying up in the rivers for summer. Clarity is currently 2-4’ depending on the areas you fish in. Fly wise, “Steve Adachi style” rattle Clousers are a way to a stripers mouth, so don’t leave home without them!

My spring is all booked up but fall is always an option as well. In addition, from June 15-September 15, I turn my focus to topwater largemouth & lmallmouth bass excursions. These 5hr 1/2 day bass trips are a great way to get newer anglers into the sport as well

as a blast for seasoned veterans who just want to have fun watching largemouth & Ssmallmouth blow up a fly! After summer bass season, I finish out the year with fall striper trips September 15 until Christmas. Looking forward to a great season ahead, hope to see you out there!

Captain Bryce Tedford

206.696.2437

brycetedford@gmail.com

www.brycetedfordflyfishing.com

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Delta, frdelta

Delta Fly Fishing Report

Mar 31, 2025

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Captain Bryce Tedford reports on March 28th, 2025

Spring striper season is heating up! Been seeing great numbers of stripers entering the system & the next few months should be great! Water temperature are climbing up around 60 degrees & should only go higher in the coming weeks. Recently, I have been catching 20-30 fish a trip up to 8lbs with most in the 3-5lb class. As water temperatures increase to 60-65 degrees & water clarity improves Delta stripers will continue to ramp up! Clarity is currently 1-3’ & hopefully improve over the coming weeks.

Steve Adachi rattle Clousers are the way to a stripers mouth, so don’t leave home without them!

April & May are prime striper months & I am excited at the potential of the strong season ahead! My Spring is booked but Fall is always an option as well. Also, for June 15-September 15 I turn my focus to topwater Largemouth & Smallmouth bass trips. These 4-5hr, 1/2 day bass trips are great for getting, newer anglers into fly fishing, or for seasoned veterans to just have fun watching bass blow your fly up! After Summer bass season I finish out the year with Fall striper trips September 15-Christmas.

Looking forward to a great season ahead, hope to see you out there!

Captain Bryce Tedford

206.696.2437

brycetedford@gmail.com

www.brycetedfordflyfishing.com

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Delta Fly Fishing Report

Feb 15, 2025

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Bryce Tedford reports on February 12th, 2025

Been on the Delta breaking in my new engine & dialing in the new boat for 2025!

Fishing has been decent, but it’s still winter fishing on the CA Delta. I have done about 7 days over last few weeks & averaged 5-12 stripers up to 10lbs, over 5 hrs each day. Found all these fish in the shallow water using type 3 & intermediate lines, so that has been fun!

Might be dry docked for a bit with all this rain, but the boat is ready to rock in 2025! Depending on the rains I will be getting out there in Feb./March just looking for that elusive winter grab of a big fish!

Fishing will improve as we approach the spring spawn in April/May. Water temperatures are currently hovering around 50 degrees, as those temperatures get closer to 55-60 it’s game on! Also, water clarity will be the name of the game over the next few months, too much rain/dirty water could be a challenge, but find some clarity/fish & you are in business. In addition, smolt drops are currently dropping throughout the local rivers, find those drops, a few stripers, a bit of clarity & you will find some amazing fishing.

Other than that, I plan to do a bunch of tying using my Loon Outdoor tying tools to make a bunch of Steve Adachi style Clousers. Definitely a bit of off season time, but will be getting on the water when weather & conditions permit. Prime Spring fishing is just around the corner so get ready!!!

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California Delta Fly Fishing Report

Dec 14, 2024

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Captain Bryce Tedford Reports on December 14th, 2024

Fall fishing is wrapping up on the California Delta. We had some solid fishing this Fall; it’s fishing of course with some great days, many good days & a few really challenging days. Overall, the Fall was a bit of a grind, but guests with good attitudes made the the grind a season solid. We have been averaging around 10-15 fish a day, with a good number of 3-6lb fish & the chance of 6-20lb+ fish many of the days. All in all, it’s been a good season with great guests, good weather & decent fishing.

Come latter December, I will wrap up my 2024 season, recharge the batteries & my 2025 Spring, Summer & Fall season calendar will be out come Jan! Hoping to close out the 2024 season strong.

My very best to you & yours, Merry Christmas & Happy holidays! Look forward to seeing you for a Delta adventure come 2025.

Cheers!

Written by LCO Staff

Filed under

Delta, frdelta, Striper

Fishing the CA Delta with Steve Adachi and Bryce Tedford

Nov 26, 2024

Written by LCO Staff

Owen's November 25th Trip with Steve Adachi and Bryce Tedford

Sometime last week, I received a phone call from Steve Adachi. He wanted to know whether I could join him and his guide buddy Bryce Tedford for a day of fall striper fishing on the California Delta. I was scheduled to work in the shop on the day he mentioned, but I knew the invitation was one I could not pass up. Thanks to an understanding shop owner and coworkers I am now indebted to, I had the opportunity to get out and chase stripers with a legendary California angler.

Conditions were incredibly unfavorable. Just a few days before our trip, Northern California had been slammed by a "bomb cyclone" that blew out most rivers and caused serious flooding. Despite the adversity, Steve still wanted to get out.

We launched at a quiet boat ramp just as more rain began falling. The river looked like chocolate milk, so we knew the day was going to be tough. Luckily, Bryce pulled some rabbits out of hats to find relatively clean water. Bryce and Steve's program was stripping Adachi Rattle Clousers in Joker and Black on aggressive sinking lines. I fished Bryce's 8wt Sage Igniter with a I/5/7 Rio Outbound Short that got the fly down fast.

Fishing clousers always seemed straightforward to me. Growing up in Marin, I fished the bay a lot and seemed to have success on various retrieval speeds. So long as I moved the fly relatively fast, I ended up running into schoolie-sized fish.

Watching the legend Steve target large fish on the delta completely changed my perspective. His stripping was intentional — with each strip, he violently popped the fly and engaged the rattle. He took long pauses and changed his retrieve to try new movements that could force a fish to bite. An hour or so in to the trip, Steve hooked up shortly after I felt a grab. He landed a fish just shy of 10 lbs that was already a daymaker.

Shortly thereafter, we ran into a small school of fish we could see on Bryce's graph. We fished to them for about an hour and a half, which consisted of a few five minute windows in which the fish would bite. Steve produced eats. These fish were not aggressively blitzing bait or hammering any fly in sight like they sometimes do in the bay. Instead, they were grabbing the fly when it moved just well enough to produce a reaction bite. Steve's magic claimed another great fish that came in around 10.5 lbs. I studied his tactics and produced a decent fish for myself too.

Seeing Steve overcome tough conditions to produce two large fish proved to be the highlight of the day. I've been friends with Steve for a while, but picking his brain on the water, where I could see him apply his knowledge, helped me grow as an angler. Listening to him and Bryce discuss striper at large also provided insight as to how West Coast striper fishing has changed dramatically in the last 50 years. My main takeaways from fishing with Bryce and Steve are as follows:

Takeaways from Fishing with Bryce and Steve

Don't be a fair weather angler — tough conditions like rain and brown water still produced some great fish for us. Steve's grit reminded me that you can't catch them from the couch.
Depth matters more than distance in the delta. Casting far is great, but Bryce emphasized the importance of depth. Cast only the amount of line you need to, and then "flake" excess line out of your guides to sink the fly down to the fish quickly.
Change your retrieve if you aren't getting bit. We slowed the fly down with long pauses for much of the day. We followed the pauses with violent and abrupt strips that seemed to force fish to react on the fly.
Big fish act like a wolf pack together. Bryce explained that they maraud around looking for a meal. Big stripers in rivers are not wasting their energy chasing fast and limited baitfish around. Instead, they are looking to capitalize on a crawfish or sunfish.
Fish different depths, pieces of structure, and areas during different times of the year. Stripers in the spring tend to stage in shallower water, whereas the fall fish we found were sitting on depth changes and humps in 10-16ft of water.
Try new things that others haven't considered. Steve explained that his legendary Surf Brown Adachi Clouser was more or less an experiment initially, and that he didn't realize its efficacy until one specific trip. He casted it at group of large fish trailing a tired striper that his friend was bringing in and watched the fly get engulfed immediately. He continued to fish it with results.

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Fishing Report

California Delta Fly Fishing Report

Local Striper Fly Fishing Report

Delta Bass Fly Fishing Report

Delta Bass Fly Fishing Report

Napa & Bay Striper + Lake Sonoma Fly Fishing Report

California Delta Fly Fishing Report

Delta Fly Fishing Report

Delta Fly Fishing Report

California Delta Fly Fishing Report

Fishing the CA Delta with Steve Adachi and Bryce Tedford