Delta Report 4/6-11/15

[Hatch]

Fishing for stripers in the big D is going strong. The bite is good to great depending on the day and we are finding a few nice quality fish most days along with good numbers of medium grade. We have been, accidentally, getting some quality LMB also. This past week we did not do well on morning topwater but the "I" line and full sinking bite was working fine. My clients have been helping me test some prototype low stretch lines that RIO will introduce soon and we all love them. Striped bass already hit the fly hard with regular lines and these new lines make that grab even more violent. We have been finding that the Intermediate line grab to hook up ratio is greatly increased with the Connect Core line. I have been getting bit best on Bluegill patterns but a LMB colored fly would be my second choice. These fish should be around for another month or so so get out there and get into the fun!
HATCH

[Dan LeCount]

Good stuff Maury.

[Spicytuna1]

Awesome stuff man, I was curious about those no stretch lines and their use on the Delta.

Great reports and pics as always, wish I haven't been so detained as of late and could go out and get after them.

Great work man you are an animal...keep it up.

[Hogan Brown]

Air Flo has been making no stretch striper lines for a few years now...The Sniper series of fly lines were developed by Mike Costello and John Sherman along with a bunch of other striper and salt water guys...ounce you fish a shooting line with a braided core for stripers or really anything that you catch while retrieving a fly you won't got back.

[GreggH]

Nice report, great fly's. First off, I have 4-5 rods on my boat at all times with 3 Air Flow Sniper and 3-4 OBS's on spools ready to go. My question is this. Have you ever said I wish I had a better no stretch line, I think I would catch more fish? My boat's have caught our fair share of fish and thats never been said. I love the Sniper line for a couple reasons none of which are from the no stretch at the bite. Please explain the increase in hook ups.

[Hatch]

GreggH,
I have been fishing I lines for a few years now, and I am sure you and the folk on your boat have also. From the data that I have collected on fishing these lines for approximately 200 days now. The grab from a striper on a full sinking line compared to an I line is very different. From my experience the Striped Bass eat a deeply presented fly, and then a do a quick turn around. Most of the time if the angler keeps his or her rod pointed at the line coming into the rod the fish hooks themselves. If the angler keeps striping or does nothing at all (except lifting the rod up or to the side) the fish comes tight and is hooked. In a shallow water presentation using an I line or a RIO S3, in my experience, the Striped Bass eats the fly (hopefully) and instead of quickly turning around and hooking itself the fish keeps coming towards the offering. So, in my and many of my clients opinion, the 6% VS 30% stretch lines aid in a better hook up ratio. When the fish EATS the fly in a shallow water situation it is imperative, in my opinion, that the angler keeps striping to aid in the hook up. I hope that I have been clear to you on my thoughts about the lines and greatly look forward to more discussions on this topic!
HATCH

[GreggH]

Hatch,

I'm unsure what the 6% vs 30% means. Please forgive me I know very little about the science of fly line's but what I do know is I like the new OBS's and the Sniper lines. I believe both running lines sink about the same but unclear on the full sinking, I line comparisons.

[James]

This guy is a genius, NOT! Less stretch, MEANS more fish.

What's not to get? Some people are just SLOW.

Update - we spoke about it, now we are all buddies!

[GreggH]

Thanks James, you just cost me a extra half hour with my therapist tonight. Hatch, not sure what line you were referring to but I believe Rio has improved the core on the OBS and the 30% stretch is a thing of the past. I believe there's more sensitivity and a better connection to my fly with the Sniper but better hook up ratio?? IDK. Again, thanks James for pointing out my ignorance, I could have waited for my wife and kids to get home for that. So again I'll ask, has anyone said "GD I think I'm missing fish because my line is stretching".................

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks for the wonderful post here Maury.

Thanks for sharing the good info.

Hope to get out with you in you fantastic new Delta boat.

.