Breakfast Meeting

[Adam Grace]

Very nice bass!

[mikenewman]

Yep, fly was a "pike fly" replicant without all the fancy stuff between the tail feathers which basically means it's just a big diver - 5" long on a Gamakatsu B10S 2/0 (Love that hook: it's heavier than your average stinger and helps the bug sit in the water properly)
Jerry, she was actually a nice fat fish in great condition (Lovely tonsils ). Camera angle makes her look kinda skinny but I don't know how to take a good solo photo on a big fish that doesn't involve undue stress, so I've opted for the release shot. Maybe I could have tethered the boga and held her tail for a better angle

Mike

[lee s.]

Awesome!!!!!
....lee s.

[KD]

Mr Newman, NICE FISH! Very Nice. Hey, I'm proud of YOUR fish!).

It just goes to show that you've got to play the game to get the rewards. An 8lb topwater bass is an awesome catch anywhere/anyhow. Good job Mike. Guys like you, Richard, "Bald Heron", and some others have taken to the Delta fishery with commitment for the game. It's an awesome game and we're lucky to have one of the best lmb fisheries in the world so close.

Again, congrats on a beautiful green beast of wildness!....it won't be your last..that is certain! Keep 'em coming..

[mikenewman]

Thanks Kevin - I knew you'd be pleased
It never ceases to amaze me how the Delta Topwater Game is effectively ignored by local fly guys. I've talked to quite a few trout addicts and they sort of look down their nose at me like I'm something the cat dragged in Then they wax lyrical about some trout water that's like 4 or 5 hours drive away. Even the striper guys migrate come Spring. Maybe there's the idea that the LMB aren't challenging enough !!!
Or maybe it's the need for some sort of watercraft that put's them off? But I'm sure Rickey could point them at a great kayak for not much more than a Sage rod and Hairstacker shows what can be done with a plastic pool lounger and a sense of adventure
Anyway, I've been fishing a long time and I've never enjoyed it as much as pursuing these great fish - absorbing, challenging, heart stopping, just plain GREAT!

Mike

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think if any fly fisher went out for a half day with KD in the Delta and saw how exciting top water bass is they would be instantly converted.

Also, the Delta is a very fascinating, vast water way that is never boring.

KD showed us that we can fly fish 12 months of the year down there too.

Now somebody just has to buy a really big place down there?

Some of us have thought about putting a trailer down there and leave the boat down there too.

[Hairstacker]

Yes, I will be happy to assist anyone interested in pursuing these beasts with a "plastic pool lounger."

It is curious why some fly fishermen eschew any thoughts of pursuing these gamefish. I've even heard some trout guys go so far as to refer to them as "green trash fish." I think it's a case of what Bill said -- folks simply have to experience a successful, exciting topwater day out there at least once.

Perhaps some folks were discouraged when they only experienced the areas of the Delta inundated with cabin cruisers and water/jet skis versus the nice quiet areas you can practically have to yourself even on a weekend day. To me, with so many new areas to explore and new flies to tie and try out, it always seems fresh and exciting. You never know when your next cast might be slurped up by an 8 lber.