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Thread: Berryessa

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
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    Fair Oaks
    Posts
    665

    Default Berryessa

    I'd like to learn Berryessa. I've fished it twice, did get a couple of trout on a fly that were much nicer than what we typically get in Folsom above 20'. We have Folsom pretty dialed in for bass, so this would be a trout lake for me.

    I'd hire a guide but can't find any that fly fish it. Any suggestions on where to launch and targeting would be so great, thanks.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
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    23,837

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    John,

    30 to 40 years ago many fly fishers would fish the low elevation Nor Cal reservoirs in the Fall (Oct/Nov) when the schools of Threadfin

    Shad were on the surface being eaten by trout and other gamefish when these lakes "turned over."


    Popular reservoirs were Shasta, Almanor, Butte, Folsom, Berryessa, Collins, Oroville but I am sure dozens more were popular too.

    Many have worked there way down into the Delta to like the "lakey" areas like the Port of Stockton, Port of Sacramento, Fracks Tract

    and Mildred Island.


    Many used float tubes, the round ones, other used boats.

    Most used a weight forward floating line to cast into the schools of Shad being busted by gamefish.

    A nice calm day is what you are looking for, take binoculars. Look for birds.



    Hal Janssen designed a floating mylar minnow that was popular.

    I heard Mike Monroe sometimes used a #12 grey dubbed nymph to imitated the smaller size Shad.

    Andy Puyans and Bob Quigley liked to go the Shasta lake in the Fall for the Threadfin activity.

    Neil Hansen liked Berryessa in the Fall.

    Al Perryman and Bob Long liked Collins Lake in the Fall too.

    .
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Sunol, Ca
    Posts
    28

    Default Berryessa

    Quote Originally Posted by JAWallace View Post
    I'd like to learn Berryessa. I've fished it twice, did get a couple of trout on a fly that were much nicer than what we typically get in Folsom above 20'. We have Folsom pretty dialed in for bass, so this would be a trout lake for me.

    I'd hire a guide but can't find any that fly fish it. Any suggestions on where to launch and targeting would be so great, thanks.
    Call Ryan Williams at North Valley Fly Fishing.

    Vaughn

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    El Dorado Hills
    Posts
    3,715

    Default

    Do not overlook the smallies at Berryessa. The trout are planted at Berryessa, fun but not as fun as the smallies. If you want trout, go to Davis.
    So long and thanks for all the fish!!!
    `·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    East Bay
    Posts
    681

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott V View Post
    Do not overlook the smallies at Berryessa. The trout are planted at Berryessa, fun but not as fun as the smallies. If you want trout, go to Davis.
    Trout are planted there but there are eagle lake trout planted there that are big and strong. I’m sure they’ve got a spawning population that goes up putah creek when it’s a good water year. If you’ve ever fished putah below the dam I’m sure you’ve caught trout that were once in berryessa as well. Not to mention some trout with cutthroat markings in PC. Those were spawn from stocked fish too.
    Last edited by Rossflyguy; 11-16-2020 at 11:55 AM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
    Posts
    23,837

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    Lake Berryessa in the Spring time is Dave Hudson's favorite Smallmouth fishery.



    In the Fall and Winter it has been a popular trout lake for many.



    Locals from the Flyfishers of Davis fish the Smallmouth every Spring.



    Old timers Chuck Bobby and our tax accessor Bill Lynch told me they used poppers along the steep drop offs for Smallmouth in

    the Spring time from their aluminum boat.



    50 years ago my dad and I top line trolled Berryessa on a calm day. With 100 feet of 6 pound mono out we trolled

    small baitfish lures, Rapalas, right under the surface. When we hooked nice Rainbows they would greyhound like a marlin.
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  7. #7

    Default

    You might also try Patrick McKenzie. He guides fly fishing trips on Lake Berryessa. I have been very impressed when I have hired him.

    https://www.mackenzieonthefly.com/

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