Well I finally made the switch over to learning to fly. I just have some questions.
So I was fortunate enough to have a fellow show me the basics and use his setup in the SAN gabby this past run and it was a blast. So the wife and I went out and bought some beginners 5/6 weight rods but they came with floating line. I know the line I used on the San Gabriel was a sinking line. This is where I get stumped I want to switch over to a sinking line or a sink tip, however there’s so many options out there when it comes to sink lines and the rate they fall. Can someone please chime in and help a fellow out with some advise. I always fish the white bass runs from Colorado bend, granger and yegua so I’m just looking for the best over all set up. Please any advise helps.
I know Ben or J Moe should have “ALL” the answers I’m looking for.
TIA

For white bass the fall rate shouldnt matter, just get some cheap Rio sinking line and you will be fine. If you were fishing deeper water you would be more concerned about the fall rate.

1+

You can further adjust the fall rate by using weighted eyes on your flies.

I'm no expert on the San Gabriel, but I have fished it a few times. FWIW, I haven't seen anywhere on that river that a floating line wouldn't get the job done. But if you'll call Chris Johnson at Living Waters fly shop in Round Rock, I can assure you he'll give you the best advice you can get for the San Gabe (both branches), Brushy Creek, or any of the other local waters. He's an avid fluff chucker and an expert on the local waters, which he fishes as often as his schedule permits. He'll shoot straight with you whether you spend money at his shop or not.

Howdy B-Sal,

You don't need to use a sinking line when fishing the white bass run unless you're fishing heavy flow. I've never had to fish the San Gabriel with a sink tip. When I fish different rivers I will bring one with me and try it quite often but only twice have I ever gotten better results with it. Once below the lock and dam on the Trinity and one time in Nails in extremely fast flow. I personally don't enjoy casting a sink tip line.

Early last season I fished the San Gabriel with my floating line along with another fly fisher who was using a sinking line. I caught 12 and he caught 0.

I'm baffled that everything you read or hear is to fish on bottom like they're carp, LOL. I always start with a bead chain clouser. If I need to get deeper faster I will put on a 1/64 ounce jig head fly. White bass will readily come up in the water column to take a fly. They also usually take the fly on the fall. If they are on bottom I will just make my drift a little longer with small twiches.

We can meet up when the run starts. I'll bring some extra flies.

Thank you!

Sounds like a plan J-Moe
I always see you guys at yegua but I’m always in a hurry to move spots lol

Thanks to everyone’s feed back, sorry takes so long to respond it’s been a busy week. I look forward to many more fly fishing outings and meeting more fly anglers on the river.