Berryessa Bug Toss
What a day for the books! Hosting the very first Berryessa Bug Toss was an absolute blast. Bright and early—before the sun even thought about waking up—27 boats hit the water, each packed with nearly 50 fly anglers ready to put their float-and-fly skills to the test. This wasn’t just a fly fishing tournament; it was all about the float-and-fly setup, and the anglers delivered. When we kicked things off with the national anthem and that countdown, the energy was electric. Those boats took off into the darkness like a scene from an action movie.
And soon after, as the sun crept up over Lake Berryessa, the beauty of the day really hit us. It was the perfect backdrop for a fly-fishing showdown.
This tournament wasn’t just any event for me—it was personal. My dad and brother were out there slinging flies too, making it a true family affair. They brought their A-game, cracking jokes, and keeping the competition fun. (Okay, maybe they didn’t win, but hey, they gave it their all and kept me smiling.)
The fishing action was intense, with every angler leaning into their float-and-fly techniques, using indicators like the Jadicator to pinpoint bass in deeper waters. By the time the weigh-in rolled around, you could feel the buzz in the air. Roger Bloom and Jon Nelson ended up stealing the show with a killer 17.07-pound bag, and Roger took home the big fish prize with a 4.16-pound largemouth. Absolute legends!
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of some truly incredible people and sponsors. Ryan Williams deserves a massive shoutout for everything he did to bring this tournament to life—his expertise and passion made all the difference. Kurt Young also knocked it out of the park, capturing every moment with his camera. Thanks to him, we’ll have amazing photos to relive the day.
To our sponsors—your support was everything! Big thanks to Galvan Fly Reels, Cal Bass Union, Costa Sunglasses, Loon Outdoors, Rio Products, Redington Fly Rods, Country Cannabis, Simms Fishing, Sage Fly Fish, Pultz Poppers, Delta Bass Bugs, Fly Fishing Specialties, Echo Fly Rods, Yolo Land and Cattle Co., Markley Cove, Jaydacator, Ego Fishing, Berryessa Brewing, ClackaCraft Drift Boats, and Off the Hook Fly Fishing. who helped us hand out over $13,000 in prizes and cash. You made this event unforgettable!
We wrapped up the day with a barbecue that hit the spot and plenty of laughs to go around. Reflecting on the Berryessa Bug Toss, I couldn’t be prouder of how it all came together. The competition, camaraderie, and community made it something truly special. Here’s to the start of a new tradition—and maybe next year, Dad and my brother will finally give me something to brag about!
Check out the final results, here.
