Showing posts with label largemouth bass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label largemouth bass. Show all posts

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Trip Report: Anglers Inn - El Salto (Nov. 2012)

Recently, repeat client Charlie and his friend Brad (Camas, WA) returned from Anglers Inn at Lake El Salto with a stellar report and testimonial about their fishing and overall experience.  This was Charlie's 3rd season fishing El Salto during the fall topwater Largemouth Bass bite.  Here are the reports from Charlie and Brad respectively...

   
 Charlie displaying a jumbo topwater El Salto Bass!

Hi Keith,

For me this year was almost the antithesis of last year.  In 2011 the water was low and we caught incredible numbers of 2 and 3 pound bass with a few 4 pounders and a 5 and 6 pounder thrown in.  This year with higher water we caught many fewer, but the fish over all were much bigger. (I don't know it the water level has anything to do with it.)  We each caught several over 5 pounds and most on top.  Of the 4 1/2 days, only one day left us without a plus five pounder.  Though the numbers were not there, the anticipation of big fish kept it very interesting, and even the small fish were bigger.

As usual, the whole experience makes me want to return.  The members of the staff make it a most enjoyable time.  Juan, our guide, worked very hard to take us to fish and seemed to have a knack of finding the big ones.

I certainly hope to return at the same time next year!  ~Charlie

All smiles for El Salto Bass!

Keith, I have had a week to collect my thoughts on last weeks trip, but simply put it ranks right up there as one of if not the best fishing experiences I've ever had.   To share it with Charlie made it really special.  From the time you sent me the blue information packet to the long ride back to Mazatlan airport and everything in between the trip was a huge success from the camp hosts Herby, Steve and his wife Geoff to the incredible staff,... especially Jose, Sammy and Ramon who made sure everything ran smoothly and made us safe and comfortable - they were true professionals in every sense. 

Now let's talk fishing, I won't speak for charlie but your choice of guides was spot on!  Juan was incredible, from his boat handling skills to his making sure we both were seated before throttling the boat up to get it on plane he projected safety confidence and knowledge and I very much appreciated that.  Juan also put the both of us into personal best trophy Bass and as an added bonus the man has a unnatural ability to spot wildlife, he pointed out a huge Mexican black snake, large lizards in the trees and sunning on the rocks charlie and I had no clue they were even there!  

Back to the fishing, the morning bite for the both of us was terrible...... charlie for months told me how outrageous the morning bite would be but the afternoon/evening bite more than made up the disappointment of slow morning fishing with the clincher being the first evening as Juan took us to a shallow bay close to camp and ask us to cast against the bank pulling our Dalhberg Diving bugs over bushes and other debris only to watch in amazement the water explode taking turns hooking and landing back to back to back 6+lbs fish to cap off an already great day!  Charlie and I hooked fish on a variety of surface and subsurface patterns, with deer hair bass bugs, foam and standard deer dalhberg divers, foam gurglers, foam divers in a variety of styles and colors, my personal favorite colors white, yellow, black purple and blue and green frog representing the floating aspect..........and silver and white clouser minnow, airheads and gummy minnows doing the damage subsurface. Again Keith the fishing, especially the surface bite exceeded any and all expectations that I had and am already looking to next year!  Thanks again and tight lines!  ~Brad

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Lake El Salto Fly Season Wrap-Up!

Primetime at El Salto ends with a SPLASH!

Well, I am excited to report that this past season's fishing at Lake El Salto was strong! We had multiple groups fish El Salto from mid-November through mid-January and all had consistent fishing for Largemouth Bass up to almost 9 pounds. There was good sessions of topwater on some trips, but most of the bass were fooled in the top of the subsurface water column (down to about 6 feet).

And of course, the fantastic accommodations and service was provided by Anglers Inn. It was great to see the all of the same friendly staff members such as Jose, Sammy, and Tony. Also, Anglers Inn purchased new boats that are absolutely ideal for fly anglers. The boats are configured with spacious, level front and rear casting decks and super comfy seats for each angler. Anglers Inn seems to keep raising the bar every year with incredible service and hospitality.

Finally, here is a recap of the top tackle that produced BIG bass this past season. The top flies this past season are as follows:

TOPWATER FLIES
  • Chewy Pop (yellow or white in size 2/0)
  • Bisharat's Flat Fred (shad)
  • Pultz's Popper (black over silver, black over chartreuse in size 2)

SUBSURFACE FLIES

  • Bisharat's AirHead (brown over white, chartreuse over white in size 1/0)
  • Big Game Gummy Minnow (pearl in size 2)
  • Clouser Minnow (chartreuse over white in size 2/0)

LEADERS

  • Topwater: RIO Striped Bass (7 1/2 foot / 20#)
  • Subsurface: RIO FlouroFlex (20#)

KEITH'S GO-TO SETUPS

The bass will be going on the spawn soon at El Salto, which marks the close of primetime fly fishing season. The lodge continues to run strong for conventional anglers until July, but the spawn and springtime afternoon winds make conditions less than ideal for fly fishing tactics. So, with this said I look forward to another incredible fly fishing season at El Salto in Fall 2012 / Winter 2013. We already have weeks on the books for hosted trips, so if you are interested please drop us a line to inquire. Fish ON!


FAT El Salto Bass

El Salto Bass CRUSH the AirHead!

Mr. Hanely showing the goods at El Salto...

Lodge manager, Jose, putting on a show with Spanish Coffee!

Loretta showing off her BIG fish of the season. WOW, 8.8 pounds!

Morning run for topwater bass...

Ladies' double up for El Salto Bass...

Topwater "POP"...

The close of another spectacular season at Lake El Salto...

Monday, December 5, 2011

Trip Report: El Salto Largemouth (Nov. 19-23, 2011)

Charlie displaying one of his many topwater trophy Largemouth at Lake El Salto

We are excited to share a recent report from our Anglers Inn - El Salto repeat clients, Charlie and Tim of Camas, WA. They had one of their best ever topwater trips to El Salto! Here it is:

Hi Keith,

I just want you to know that we hit it right this year and the fishing was great! Here is a pictures of me with my biggest fish and my son with a big smile (he got bigger fish and lost a couple of big ones). We got 27 one morning and lost 14 all on topwater. The next morning we landed 26 and the fish were a little bigger. Sure was fun watching my son have fun catching good sized bass on flies on top. We caught some under on gummy minnows and clousers and such, too. Thanks for all the help. We hope to go next year at the same time if all goes well.

Charlie

So far, this fall season has been excellent for topwater action at Lake El Salto! We have more groups heading down there this month and next, so we will share the upcoming reports soon. Fish On!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Bass-n-Fly Tournament - CA Delta (May 21st)


Angling On The Fly is a proud team member of Bass-n-Fly and we are excited to announce that we are holding our 3rd annual Delta Bass-n-Fly Challenge, a fly fishing only team tournament! This fun-filled event takes place on the CA Delta, one of the nation's top Largemouth Bass fisheries. In addition to friendly competition, there is prize winnings for top placing teams, raffle prizes, and giveaways for all contestants.

To register, please visit the Bass-n-Fly website for instructions. We look forward to seeing you out there! Game on, and Fish On!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Trip Report: Stellar Fishing at Lake El Salto!

George with one of many topwater bass landed last week at Lake El Salto

Well, it is always exciting to receive a "photo report" about a great fishing trip... last week, father-son team George and Jon Honore, with friends Ron and Fred, fished Lake El Salto on the fly. They had a stellar week of fishing topwater. They reported that their best fishing was along steep walls/cliffs and the rip-rap along the dam face.

The top producing flies were Bisharat's Airhead (brown/white size 1/0), Crease Fly (blue or black back - size 4), Bubble Head (silver size 2), and Chewy Pop (yellow or white size 2). They had a very unseasonal cloud cover for most of their trip, and this made for some prime topwater fishing throughout the day. I almost hesitate mentioning this, but,... they reported that they were hooking about 100 fish per day!!! The Honores said this was, by far, the best fishing they have had in six trips to Lake El Salto. The largest bass was Jon's behemoth 9 pounder on top.

The cooler months of November through January are prime for topwater fishing at Lake El Salto and Lake Mateos. The bass are entering prime spawn season now and will be hugging tight to their beds. In April, they will be coming off their beds with a ravenous appetite and be ready to eat on top again!

Jon with a jumbo topwater Bass...

George getting bent on big bass...

All smiles from Ron for his trophy bass!

Ron working prime topwater structure at Lake El Salto...

Jon lands a jumbo bass around deep water structure...

Fred with one of many topwater bass landed...

"Jumbo Jon"

George with a nice bass around submerged trees...

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Mexico Bass: 2010 Hosted Trips and Early Booking PROMO!

Mexico Bass on a popper (Brian O'Keefe photo)

We are excited to announce that we have secured a couple of prime 2010 weeks for hosted trips to Billy Chapman Jr.'s Anglers Inn at Lake El Salto and Lake Mateos. The fall and winter months are the prime season for excellent topwater opportunities for trophy Largemouth Bass. Here are the trip details:

Lake Mateos Trip
December 4 - 9, 2010
Group Leader: Keith Kaneko
Package: 5 nights / 4 days fishing package (dbl. occup.)
Rate: $2,065* USD per angler (from Mazatlan)


El Salto Trip
December 10 - 15, 2010

Group Leaders: Jim Christensen and Terry Thomas
Package: 5 nights / 4 days fishing package (dbl. occup.)
Rate: $2,015* USD per angler (from Mazatlan)


EARLY BOOKING PROMOTION!
We are excited to be able to offer an early booking promotion on trips booked for the 2010/11 season if you confirm your reservation with a deposit before Jan. 31, 2010 (cash or check payment only). If you book a trip before this deadline, you will receive a $100.00 discount off of your package rate.

*Current rate at time of blog post. Rates are subject to change

Monday, January 4, 2010

Catch Magazine Slideshow: Brian O'Keefe Photos - Lake Mateos / El Salto


In the latest issue of Catch Magazine (released Jan. 1st), Anglers Inn and Angling On The Fly are featured in a slideshow titled "Mexico Bass by Brian O'Keefe". Last month, I had the opportunity to travel and fish with renowned photographer, Brian O'Keefe, at Lake Mateos and Lake El Salto. Brian has the incredible talent to capture the essence of a destination fishing experience. He shot incredible images of the fishing, scenery, lodge, wildlife, and, of course, some jumbo Largemouth Bass! We invite you to check out Catch Magazine to view some of Brian's images. Catch Magazine is a free online publication that truly captures the beautiful and fun side of our great sport of fly fishing.

As a final note, I captured a few images (shown below) of Brian working his craft. I have come to realize those that have the incredible talent to capture still imagery NEVER end up in any photographs!... since they are always behind the lens. Therefore, I took the liberty of capturing a few photos of Brian in his element. And of course, a few candid fun photos too!

Brian O'Keefe shooting amidst the morning mist...

Yes, even the "pros" can get a bit disorganized (and tangled!) sometimes...

Brian shoots the graveyard at El Salto...

Big smile for good eats at El Salto!

Brian going large on greensides at El Salto...

Beer and bass flies... all the ingredients for a good time at Anglers Inn!

Brian working his craft at dawn...

Brian and a big bass (Brian O'Keefe photo)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Photography: Lake Mateos / El Salto (by Brian O'Keefe of Catch Magazine)

I am excited to announce that Angling On The Fly and Billy Chapman, Jr's Anglers Inn will be featured in the next issue of Catch Magazine (release date Jan. 1, 2010). I just returned from Lake Mateos and Lake El Salto where I had the honor of traveling and fishing with Ken Hanley (Pacific Extremes) and Brian O'Keefe (Catch Magazine). Throughout the trip, Brian's photography captured the true essence and vitality of these incredible Largemouth Bass fisheries. His best images from the trip will be featured as a slideshow in the next issue. We encourage you to subscribe to this free online publication. (CLICK HERE to subscribe)

To give you a preview of what is to come in Catch Magazine, please see the photo collages below (click on each photo collage to enlarge).




Monday, December 14, 2009

On-Location: Anglers Inn - Lake El Salto (Dec. 12-14, 2009)

Brian admires a nice Bass landed on a dry line and an AirHead fly...

I am finally getting the chance to blog after a busy 3 days here at Anglers Inn - Lake El Salto. After completing my hosted trip at Lake Mateos this past weekend, I transferred to Lake El Salto with "mi amigos" Ken Hanley (Pacific Extremes) and Brian O'Keefe (Catch Magazine). Ken and Brian were part of our Lake Mateos trip last week and are working on a photo essay for the next issue of Catch Magazine, which will be released on Jan. 1st. Throughout the trip, I have been fortunate to look over Brian's shoulder and see the incredible photographs that he is capturing at both lakes. So, if you haven't already done so, check out his online magazine and subscribe to it. Subscription is FREE and it has the most amazing photography and video clips about our wonderful sport of fly fishing.

Also, this past weekend my other client group of 14 fly anglers arrived here at El Salto. It is such a joy to have a fun group of passionate fly anglers here at the lake. It is always interesting to hear the fishing reports and what the daily "hot flies" are. This week's trip has been proving some old standby flies and also revealing a few newer flies that are fooling the bass.

Overall, our group has been having some very good fishing on topwater and even better fishing with subsurface techniques. The lake level is slight lower than normal for this time of the season since this region had a lighter than normal rainy season. Although the lake conditions are lower, there is one fact that still holds true about this fishery. It continues to be supercharged by an incredible abundance of baitfish - Tilapia and Shad. It is quite a scene to motor into an arroyo and see the bass busting these baitfish along the shoreline. Tilapia or shad fleeing from marauding bass by trying to launch themselves up onto the shoreline. Today, Bob and Greg told a story of a giant bass that busted a school of tilapia so hard that it splashed water 6 feet up onto a vertical rock face. Yes, this is a brutal reality for baitfish at El Salto...

So far, a few of the highlights on this trip include Paula and Phil's topwater 8 pounders,... an 80 fish day (for ONE BOAT!),... and the many stories of giant bass that have crushed our flies and escaped. One common remark from everyone is how strong these El Salto bass are... even 2 pounders will bend an 8 weight rod into the cork. These fish are in top physical form due to the abundance of forage fish... bass on steroids is often the way we coin these fish at El Salto.

On this trip, we have been utilizing the entire gamut of fly fishing, tackle, techniques and strategies... from topwater to 350 grain fast sink tips. Each part of the lake seems to fish differently and, therefore, adapting to the conditions is the way to stay in the action. The hot flies have been the Floating Clouser (white), Big-Game Gummy Minnow, Bisharat's Airhead, (brown/white or grey/white), Pultz's or Gutterres' Poppers (black, yellow), and Leo's El Salto Special (slider/darter).

Well, I am signing off for now... we have a another "grande" day of bass fishing tomorrow. Hmmm, maybe tomorrow will be 10 pounder day! Fish On!

Paula and Antonio with a "grande" 8 pound Bass!

Topwater El Salto Bass at dusk...

Brian and Ken giving the welcome cheers!

Seventeen of us fly anglers at El Salto this week...

Tough bass that eat... fishing doesn't get more grande than this!

Bass food... shad.


Topwater 8 pounder... way to go Phil!!!

Brian calling long distance for bass...

Jim goes big again at El Salto... he has landed the most 10+ pounders on a fly at El Salto

Gorgeous Lake El Salto

Sam with a nice topwater bass...

Beer and bass flies... all that is needed to have fun fishing for El Salto bass!

First light at El Salto...


Admiring a green-side... (photo by Brian O'Keefe)