As we look ahead to 2027, Santa Cruz Fly Fishing (SCFF) membership dues are increasing. The new rates will help keep our club financially healthy and support the classes, speakers, activities, and fishouts that make SCFF such a valuable resource for local fly fishers.
The good news? There are ways to save on your membership, and the value you receive can be many times the cost of your annual dues.
2027 new rates
Individual Membership: $50
You can save $5 in either of two ways:
- Renew by December 31, 2026, and pay just $45.
- Sign up for auto-renewal when you join or renew and pay just $45.
Family Membership: $70
Families can also save $5 in either of two ways:
- Renew by December 31, 2026, and pay just $65.
- Sign up for auto-renewal when you join or renew and pay just $65.
Please note: The discounts above are alternatives, not cumulative; the listed discounted rates reflect a $5 savings.
A printed 2027 club directory will be available for an additional $10. An online version will be available through the membership portal.
What Is Your Membership Worth?
A full day with a fishing guide can cost more than $600, and even a single casting clinic can run over $100. YouTube videos are free, but learning to fly fish on your own can be challenging. It’s hard to replace hands-on instruction, local knowledge, shared experience, and the camaraderie of fishing with others.
Without a doubt, a local fly fishing club is one of the most economical—and enjoyable—ways to learn, improve, and grow as a fly fisher. We’re fortunate to have the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club right here in our community.
With more than 250 members, SCFF is financially healthy and able to offer a wide range of opportunities. A large membership also increases your chances of finding like-minded anglers. As we often say, it’s a chance to find your tribe.
Here are just a few examples of what your membership makes possible.
Fishouts: Adventures at a Fraction of the Cost
Over the past 12 months, SCFF has hosted 24 fishouts, including eight locally. Fishouts offer opportunities to explore new waters, share expenses, learn from fellow anglers, and enjoy fishing adventures that would often cost much more if booked independently.
Our 2026 adventures included:
- Three weeklong trips to Alaska with club members, at less than half the cost of comparable lodge trips.
- Two weeklong stays in the Mammoth Lakes area, sharing a condo and meals for about the same price as camping.
- A weeklong trip to the Green River with fellow club members.
These trips aren’t just about saving money. They’re about sharing the experience, learning from one another, and building friendships along the way.
Classes: Learn, Practice, and Improve
SCFF makes it easier to develop your skills through regular instruction.
- Casting: Alex Ferber offers monthly casting lessons, with each session representing an estimated $70 in value.
- Fly tying: Elaine Cook provides monthly fly-tying lessons, with equipment and materials included with annual membership.
Whether you’re learning the basics or refining your technique, these classes provide hands-on opportunities to improve without the expense of arranging individual instruction.
Speakers and Monthly Meetings: Learn From the Experts
Our monthly general meetings are more than presentations. They’re a place for old friends to catch up, new members to meet fellow anglers, and everyone to learn something new about fly fishing.
Over the past 12 months, our speakers have included:
- Johnny Feaster on Putah Creek
- Matt Heron on the Truckee River
- Landon Mayer on catching large trout
- Jesse Collins on trout tactics and entomology
- Michael Bert on the Green River
- Alex Ferber on the Trinity River
That’s a year of valuable local knowledge, fishing techniques, and inspiration—all part of being involved with the club.
Conservation, Outreach, and Volunteering
SCFF is about more than catching fish. We’re also part of a community working to protect our fisheries and introduce others to the sport.
Conservation: The club contributes financially to conservation efforts and maintains strong relationships with local conservation organizations. Members are often invited to help count steelhead, relocate smolts, restore native plants, and clean up rivers and shorelines.
Outreach: SCFF has hosted booths at events such as the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show and FFI/YubaFest. These events help us connect with the broader fly-fishing community and introduce new anglers to our club.
Participation: SCFF is entirely driven by members who volunteer their time and energy to make the club better. Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet other members, learn about new fishing opportunities, and discover where and how to fish.
The more you participate, the more you get out of your membership—and the more you help ensure that these opportunities remain available for everyone.
The Bottom Line: What Is $50 Worth to You?
Considering everything SCFF offers, it’s reasonable to expect that members can receive at least as much value from a year of club membership as they would from a half-day guided fishing trip, which can cost around $500. Between fishouts, classes, speakers, and friendships, the opportunities add up quickly.
I know I’ve received many times the value of my membership this year. Of course, I’ve also tried to give back through my own participation.
As you consider renewing your membership, I encourage you to think about the value you’ve received from SCFF over the past year.
If you feel you haven’t received $50 worth of value and decide not to renew, drop me a note. I won’t hound you during the upcoming membership drive. I’d rather understand your experience than pressure you to stay.
But if you’re like me and have received far more value than the cost of membership, I encourage you to get even more involved. Join a fishout, attend a class, volunteer for a club activity, or consider adding a donation when you renew. Your participation and support help keep SCFF healthy and ensure that we can continue offering these opportunities to current and future members.
Here’s to another great year of learning, fishing, and fellowship.
Looking forward to seeing you out on the water!
Scott Kitayama
SCFF Membership
Posted on October 29th, 2026