Sacramento Suckers

[SullyTM]

Does anyone have any experience with Sacramento Suckers? Here in the Concord/Pleasant Hill area I fish a local creek, Walnt Creek which has a very nice Chinook Salmon run in October-December. This winter the Sacramento Suckers are spawning in good numbers. They average nearly 24 inches, are pickey about eating and give a decent fight. I'm using my own pupae creations but any knowledge is always helpful. Thanks. Thom

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The lower American River is loaded with suckers.

It also has the Sacramento Squawfsih or Sacramento Pike.

The suckers are on the bottom with their mouth like a vaccum clearner.

The Squawfish has a mouth a little more like a gamefish in front.

They catch lots of suckers while indicator fishing the river for steelhead with nymphs.

My first "steelhead on a fly" for a short time till I saw it roll was an ~7 pound 'gold belly' sucker at Watt Avenue about 40 years ago. It was exciting.



Picture from Klamath Resource Information System (KRIS) web site

[Darian]

Hi Sully,..... Suckers/Squawfish were one of the first fish I caught in the american after moving to Sacto. During the low water years, they could be caught drifting a bright fly (Silver or Gold Comet, etc.). Seemed like there were so many of 'em the fly couldn 't get to a Steelhead or Salmon, first.

Interesting that these fish have become elevated in importance, recently. They're certainly not a beautiful fish but..... They do fight well initially on a light outfit.

Have fun

[SullyTM]

Darian...The SS may not be a glamour fish but they do get me out of the house for a few hours of practice. I caught 5 yesterday with my 6 wt using my own fly creations...Green Envy Clone, Crimson Beadhead and Walnut Creek Nymph and the largest was 24 inches. I'm breaking out my 30 year old 3 wt unit this weekend. After the Chinook finished spawning in mid-December I thought my season was over locally but on the way out of the creek I spotted these mini-torpedoes...Now, I'm hoping for a steelhead run...Enjoy.

[David Lee]

Suckers have saved the day for me quite a few times . When "grab-bagging" on the A. w/ a sink tip , they are a scream ! I foul-hook a few on top of the nose , but most have eaten the fly fair . Shad flies , olive bead-head buggers , black leeches , and birdnest's have gotten most of them for me . My best was around 7 or 8 lbs. - great fighters !!
I release all of them , the Stripers got to eat , too ! D.J.L.

[Darian]

Hi David,..... There's that Olive Beadhead Bugger again..... I do release all of the suckers I hook (....some intentionally ). If the stripers get 'em, that's OK, too. Everything's got its own role to play. How philosophical....

[David Lee]

Darian , you have NO IDEA how much I hate that fly - the only reason I tye it is it out-fishes everything else about 5 to 1 ..... very hard to argue with those numbers , ya know ?
For some strange reason , I can't help feeling sorry for Suckers and Shad - I think that stupid look they always have on their little goofy fishie faces has something to do with it (anything out there look as silly , besides US ??) . See ya around , David

[Hairstacker]

David, what I don't understand is WHY you hate that fly. With results like that? Based on your experience alone, I recently went out and bought all the materials for that pattern, including the #6 hooks, and I hope I have half the success you've had with it. I'll bet if more folks saw that stripe you caught on one, there'd be a run on olive crystal chenille and marabou!

[David Lee]

Hi Mike , everyone has their "hang-ups" - mine is , I like my flies to look line SOMETHING .... You know , a Sculpin fly should look like a Sculpin , Dragonfly nymph should look like a REAL Dragonfly nymph . If I tye a Shad , well ..... it's gonna have eyes , a spot , a little stupid mouth ... you know .
That olive bugger only suggests food , it dosen't immitate any one thing - I'm just sort of funny about that (other things , as well ....) .
Call me crazy , I guess . David

[Hairstacker]

Yeah, I know what you mean David. Among many other reasons, I like the red/white Tap's Bug 'cause it imitates traditional bass lures.