SAC River Update

[Tony Buzolich]

Just got in from a short morning trip with my brother-in-law from the upper Sac. I have been fish the Grimes/ Tisdale area and doing quite well but wanted to try some of the old stomping grounds too.

Most of the schoolie fish have definitely dropped down in the river system. But, what they left behind were the MO's.

First fish hookup today broke off after major bend. Second fish came to the net at 12 pounds. Third fish, another long line release after more major pulls.

The one that really got me shook up today was easily my biggest ever. Another deep water take that felt like a snag on a farmer's pump that shot straight down into deep water. This one pulled like no other.

I got on to my reel and started to work her as she took us all over the river. I got on the bow while my bro ran the trolling motor trying to keep her out of the snags. After a minute or so she suddenly came to the surface where I could see this fish was easily over four feet in length.

Another quick dive toward the bottom and suddenly that sickening feeling of slack line.

I reel in the line and fly with no apparent damage except for some schaffing on the leader about eight inches above the fly. This appears to be where the line was in the fishes mouth.

So, What's happening? This is the third big fish that has done this to me. The same thing has happened to several of my friends who have also hooked up to really big fish.

We get a good hook-up, we fight the fish hard, and the fly pops out without getting deep in to the meat.

Are these fish just holding on with a closed mouth and not really hooked?

It seems these guys are just holding on and then getting tired and just opening their mouths.

Whewwwwww! I'm exhuasted just writing this and the adrenaline is still pumping.
TONY

[Hairstacker]

Wow Tony, really fascinated by your report but could just sense the despair of such a major loss. I don't know what to tell you as far as what happened and am looking forward to hearing the speculation of others. Sure hope it turns out different for you next time.
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-- Mike

[Darian]

Tony,.... I can just see all of those Stripers down deep, working out their jaws so they can gum a leader and then let go (after giving quite a show).... Then going back to tell their buddies, "you shoulda seen the look on that guys face."

Oh well,.... At least you had a big one on for awhile.... maybe a bigger gapped hook or a different style and/or bend in the hook. Are the hooks VERY sharp All of these things are stuff I know you normally take care of in the regular course of preparation. Next time...
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H. L. Menken

[Bill Kiene]

Sounds very exciting...........................you won't forget that fish.

Tony,

Has anyone hooked a King Salmon while fly fishing up there for Stripers?
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Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
800/400-0359 shop USA toll free
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Thanks for participating!

[gene goss]

Tony I use a line set on striper, don't used the rod to set the hook.....point the rod at the fish and hit them 3 times with your line hand HARD......barbless flies will penetrate deeper.

[paulegan81]

tony,

I feel your pain..


Paul
tight lines to all
and to all a good fight....

[Tony Buzolich]

Thanks guys for all the good ideas.

I've run most of them through my head already and will be using more saltwater hooks ( 5/0 Owners and TMC600SP) on all of my Clouser creations. I've tried swithing from EC413's to EC730's which have a bigger gap but I want MORE strength as well.

Bill, As for salmon, yes . Last Sunday my friend Jim May and I were chasing stripers just above Grimes. Jim had got a big hook-up and I saw the take while standing on the bow of his boat. The salmon had come up out of a deep hole and slammed Jim's fly about two feet under the surface. It stopped momentarily and shook it's head then dove for the deep and came undone. Definitely a bright chrome king. We're seeing quite a few rolling as they move upstream.

TONY

[Bill Kiene]

The guys in the lower American River hook a salmon once and a while too.

Dan Blanton says they have taken some pretty nice salmon in the Delta while fly fishing for Stripers.

I would love to hook on myself some day.
_________________
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
800/400-0359 shop USA toll free
916/486-9958 local shop

Thanks for participating!

[Tracy Chimenti]

... but you were gonna release him anyways weren't you?

Alright, you've got me primed. Should I take any other lines other than LC13? Are you hooking any in the afternoons?

Thanks, Tracy
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When all else fails, put down the pole and swim with the dog.

[Tony Buzolich]

Tracy,

I haven't got it figured out yet either, I just put in a lot of time on the water and know where to go.

The other day I took two guys out and one was using T-14. He could cast well but was snagging up constantly in most of the river. The LC-13 and T-14 would definitely be good for the holes (20'+) but are a bit much for the rest of the river until you get used to working them right.

Did I mention the one 12#er we kept had a belly full of crayfish, full size and undigested. This guy was feeding in the rocks.

TONY

[Charlie Gonzales]

Heres a 12, 9, and a couple 6 lbers that were also in the rocks






Good times with an old buddy!
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[Andy Guibord]

Hi Tony. What hook are you using?

[Tony Buzolich]

Hi Andy,

Most of the time I use my 9 weight with S/A's Mastery Streamer Express in 350gr. or Rio's Outbound in 378gr. type 8.

Sometimes I go lighter when the fish are right on the bank. They come up to feed and crowd the bait right up against the rock walls. A lot of times they smack it as soon as it hits the surface of the water like a black bass. Often it's a squawfish too.
TONY

[Frank Alessio]

Hey Andy,

I will answer for my Bro.... Tony uses the EC 413 mostly in the 3/0.

Do you think it helps to open (widen the gap) just a touch when putting the

hooks in the vise?? We do this with our hooks for Black Bass and it seems

to work... Thanks Frank

[Adam Grace]

Nice fish Charlie. I'm glad to see that you and Matt could get together and fish.
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Limit Your Kill - Don't Kill Your limit