This great stillwater trout pattern simulates a bait fish and in the past at Crowley Lake mimics the Sacramento perch, which thrives there. It’s the yellow in the body that shows through the mallard flank feather that gives it the same coloring as the fish. Use a sinking line and alter the strip to find what works.
HOOK: TMC 5263. Sizes 6 – 12. Crimp barb.
THREAD: Black 6/0 or 8/0. Attached one quarterback on shank.
BODY: Flat silver tinsel. Tie in at slightly backward angle. Wrap to rear of shank with overlapping wraps, then forward in the same manner. Tie off, cut excess, tie down tag.
UNDER WING: Yellow marabou. Select feather with barbs equal to 1 1/2 hook shank long. NOTE: it’s easier to handle if it’s wet. Cut barbs from stem (a 1/2 inch to 1 inch section. Snugly tie, butt ends to top of shank. Tie down butt ends. Position thread 1/3 back on shank.
WING: Gray Maillard feathers. Select two mirror image feathers. At least 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 length of shank. Prepare feathers by:
1. Hold against hook so tips are at end of marabou.
2. Starting at hook eye, firmly stroke, barbs forward.
3. Cut stem at that point. Place one feather on far side and one on near side, dark sides facing outward. Cut stem right behind hook eye. Tie and place up to hook eye then 1/3 back on shank.
EYE: Imitation jungle cock feathers. Size medium (30 mm) for hook sizes 6–8, size small for hooks sizes 10–12. Remove two eyes from supporting paper. Position one on each side of body with stub beyond hook eye. See photo for positioning. Tie in place with snug wraps, cut excess tie down stubs.
HACKLE: Grizzly saddle or neck. Select feather, barbs equal to 1 1/2 hook gap. Prepare feather:
1. Cut off fuzzy end.
2. Stroke bars firmly toward cut end.
3. Cut short 5 to 6 barbs on each side of stem at butt end (butch hair cut). With shiny side facing you, tie in butch with tips of feather at end of marabou. Wrap thread forward to one hook eyed length behind hook eye. Wrap hackle forward, close wraps, forming a thick collar. (NOTE: use a second feather if needed.) Tie off, cut excess. Tie a thread head. Whip finish, cut thread. Apply glue to head.
Summer and fall are the best times to use this trout fly. It’s best used in small streams where the water is not real turbulent. The Sierras are great for this fly. It also works well in stillwater and quiet parts of rivers.
The class is free and materials provided. If you have 8/0 black thread, please bring it. As always, bring your vice and tools.
For you beginners, there will be what you need to participate and you are always welcome and encouraged to come. Be sure to bring prescription glasses and if you have magnification, bring that as well.
Sign ups are important so that the amount of material will be adequate. You can do that at the club meeting or calling by the day before the class. 831-234-6515 or 831-688-1561.
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.
As summer wears on hoppers are getting bigger and become available to trout as the grass dries and the only green left, that the hoppers eat, is near water. Needless to say they are a big source of protein which makes them particularly attractive to trout and bass. There is a good demonstration on the web for tying this fly, but it’s without any sound. Watching the video and reading my helpful hints below I believe you will be able to successfully tie the fly. Look it up by name: “Tying an easy foam hopper”
HOOK: TMC 5263 size 10.
THREAD: 6/0 color to match body (tan, yellow, green, brown, and even blue).
BODY: 2mm foam. Cut strip slightly wider than hook gap. Position rounded end hook shank beyond rear of hook. Poke both holes using a bodkin instead of scissors. Apply glue to the thread wraps on the shank, as well as the foam on each side of those thread wraps. After folding foam backward to form the head, squeeze to prevent gap between layers.
OVER WING: EP fibers or spooled Antron work well. My picture is made with EP fibers.
INDICATOR: White 2 mm foam. Cut strip slightly narrower than body.
LEGS: Round rubber legs, color to match body or have some fun with stripes and a different colors. Take a look at the samples. Please note: I didn’t do a great job with positioning the knot in the legs. Look at sample in the video. Rubber legs need some explanation. Use about 6 inches, fold in half, tie a knot near the fold and cinch down tight. Cut the loop near the knot. The doubled up rubber legs will be tied in, and position the knot beyond the end of the hook. After tying in, cut short one leg on each side in front. Don’t forget when completing the fly to add a dab of glue to the knots in the legs.
Trout Unlimited Steinbeck Country Chapter (Central Coast of California) membership meeting announcement.
Please join us for a hybrid General Membership meeting on June 19th. Date: June 19 Time: 6:30 – 8:00 In Person Location: Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 Zoom option: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88295626770
Meeting ID: 882 9562 6770
Agenda: 6:00 Gather and Social Time 6:30 Call to Order and Introduction by Christy Fischer, Chapter President 7:00 Presentation: Current and Future of the Klamath River – After the Dams are Gone – Latest news and Vision for the Future Presentation by Tommy Williams, SW NOAA Science Center 7:45 Presentation: Carmel River / Rancho Canada Floodplain Project – Turning a Golf Course into a Natural River on the Central Coast Presentation by Tim Frahm, Trout Unlimited 8:00 Wrap up by Christy Fischer – What’s next for the Chapter
Our lead presenter for this meeting is Tommy Williams who is a research biologist at the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) for the past 24 years, Tommy serves as the lead for the SWFSC on issues related to planning, and science issues regarding the removal of four dams on the Klamath River. He knows the river, the landscape, the politics, the current conditions and the potential for recovery of cold-water fisheries.
Also presenting will be Tim Frahm, TU Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager discussing the ambitious Carmel River Floodplain Restoration Project (largest such project on the California Coast) which will commence construction next summer (2-year effort).
Posted on June 14th, 2024
Date: July 10th
Time: Doors Open at 6:15pm
Place: Place: Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Dr, Aptos 95003
Description of Fly: This is my favorite all around nymph pattern. It is very versatile and has accounted for many large trout around the US. From central Pennsylvania spring creeks, Appalachian mountain streams, Putah Creek and Hamilton Branch in California, to the Beaverhead River in Montana…it just produces fish. It is perfect in smaller sizes for picky spring creek fish and in larger sizes it makes a great point fly for czech style nymphing. The jig head keeps the hook riding up which keeps the hook point sharper and reduces snags. The CDC collar traps bubbles and looks very buggy. This is a great all around pattern for mayflies, smaller stoneflies, and even caddis pupa.
Class is free
Provided: All materials except thread (some will be available for beginners), instructions, demonstration, and helpful assistance.
Bring: Olive, pink, or grey 70 denier or 8/0 thread, vise, tools, magnification, and glasses as needed. (some will be available for beginners) who are always welcome.
Sign Up: Call instructor at least 24 hrs ahead: Jesse Collins: 831-227-9987
The clouser fly is designed to go after stripers either our local surf, Delta, O’Neill Forbay. and other waters that hold stripers. This is a style of tying a fly, and there are many different this one has been used successfully in the past at the Forbay and since fish are going for larger fish now this pattern has been increased in size.
HOOK: Mustard 34007 size 1/0 and 2/0. Crimp bar
THREAD: white strong thread Such as: 3/0 monocord, flat waxed nylon, Dannille 2/0, Ultra thread 140 denier Attach 1/3 back shank. Lay down thread base halfway to eye. Position thread 1/4 back on shank.
EYES: barbell eyes, either white or red with black pupil Sizes 1/30 or 1/40 ounce. Attached to top of shank with figure 8 wraps and snug parachute wraps. Apply superglue, or similar. Allow to dry. leave thread hanging in front barbells.
LOWER BODY: chartreuse crystal flash. NOTE: for this and other materials being used, moisten for easy handling.Place center of 14 strands on top of shank where thread hangs. Make two thread wraps, move thread to behind barbells. Fold forward strands backward over top of barbells. Wrap, snuggly and place. advance thread to in front of barbells. Cut length to 2 1/2 inches from front of hookeye.
LOWER BODY CONTINUED: Mega Baitfish Emulator, flash pearl color. Get from Hairline Dubbin Inc. NOTE: this material comes with ends stitch to a cloth strip. Cut a 5/8 inch piece of cloth strip. Hold material as a bundle, cut off cloth drip. Lay center of bundle on top of shank and attached the same as crystal flash. advance thread to in front of barbells. cut to length of crystal flash
LOWER BODY CONTINUED: white bucktail. Use clump about 3/4 the diameter of a wooden matchstick. Even tips by pulling out long tip fibers and stacking them on other fibers. Position tips at rear ends of mega bait fish. Secure in place with several snug thread wraps in front of barbells. Cut butt ends at an angle behind hookeye.. Tie down butt ends and trim any whiskers. Build up a thread nose with many thread wraps. Bring bundle over barbells snuggly tied down, keeping bundle on top of shank. With finish, cut thread, apply zap gap to all thread wraps and deer hair over bar bills. Allowed to dry.
UPPER BODY: Fire Fly peacock color, Turn hook upside down. Reattached thread behind hook eye. Place center of bundle on top of shank where thread hangs.Make 2 thread wraps. Fold forward fibers backward. With touching thread wraps, tie in place back to barbells, then forward to hookeye. Whip finish, cut thread. Apply glue to all thread wraps. Trimfibers to length of mega beta fish.
by Paul Wallace Stanislaus Fly Fishers Board Member
Stanislaus Fly Fishers is having a Swap Meet instead of their July Meeting.
The event is Tuesday July 9th, 6pm at the Tuolumne River Lodge (comes up on Google maps) (across the river from the Modesto Airport). There is more information on our webpage, and a registration form. Please pre register so we have enough tables.
Please let me know if there is any further info you’d like!
Paul Wallace
1st Annual SFF Swap Meet – July 9, 2024 6PM
Our July 9, 2024 general meeting will feature a Fly Fishing Gear Swap. Have excess gear you’re looking to turn into cash? Have cash and are looking to buy some pre-owned gear fished only by a little old lady on Sundays after church? (Okay … that’s a stretch.) If you’ve got gear to clear, register now and reserve a table (or two) or half-table. Note: All sellers are solely responsible for conducting their own transactions. The Stanislaus Fly Fishers will not act as a third party in any transactions.
Location: Palm Beach State Park Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the… Read More
Sign Up Now! Experience a new HIGH! Fish for Dorado, and many other salt-water fish, including Bonito, Roosters, Yellowtail and Sailfish on a fly! Join the group going to Loreto in Baja July 7th through the 11th This trip includes: Four nights at the beautiful Hotel La Mission, on the water-front next to the Loreto… Read More
Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station / Baker & Deadman campground. http://www.kennedymeadows.com. If you want to stay in a cabin, you should try to get a reservation now. The cabins generally roll over annually with returning guests from the previous year. The Hogye's will be in Cabin 11. Rates range from $115 - 260 per… Read More
Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there… Read More
Location: Manresa State Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many… Read More
UPDATED - 7/20/2024 - Only two spots open first week, second week is full. Sign Ups: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout. Call John Cook letting him know which week, both or private room. Payment is required to secure our spot we need people to sign up as… Read More
Location: Palm Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY… Read More
Event: O'Neill Forebay 'Stosh' Memorial Fishout Date: October 17th - 20th (I will be looking for a weekend with a 'skinny' moon, less night feeding for the fish) Target Gamefish: Striped Bass Location: Medeiros Campground located on the Southern Shoreline of the O'Neill Forebay, access off of Santa Nella Blvd. (Highway 33) Hosts: Kevin Murdock … Read More
Matt began fly fishing the waters of the Tahoe-Truckee region when he was a kid. As a guide, Gilligan brings to the river over 35 years of experience fly fishing and tying flies for Truckee River trout. A veteran guide, Gill loves to guide anglers of all abilities. Gill lives on the banks of the Truckee River in Hirschdale Ca, and has a familiarity with river that he will present to you.
Trout Unlimited Steinbeck Country Chapter (Central Coast of California) membership meeting announcement.
Please join us for a hybrid General Membership meeting on June 19th. Date: June 19 Time: 6:30 – 8:00 In Person Location: Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Dr, Aptos, CA 95003 Zoom option: Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88295626770
Meeting ID: 882 9562 6770
Agenda: 6:00 Gather and Social Time 6:30 Call to Order and Introduction by Christy Fischer, Chapter President 7:00 Presentation: Current and Future of the Klamath River – After the Dams are Gone – Latest news and Vision for the Future Presentation by Tommy Williams, SW NOAA Science Center 7:45 Presentation: Carmel River / Rancho Canada Floodplain Project – Turning a Golf Course into a Natural River on the Central Coast Presentation by Tim Frahm, Trout Unlimited 8:00 Wrap up by Christy Fischer – What’s next for the Chapter
Our lead presenter for this meeting is Tommy Williams who is a research biologist at the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) for the past 24 years, Tommy serves as the lead for the SWFSC on issues related to planning, and science issues regarding the removal of four dams on the Klamath River. He knows the river, the landscape, the politics, the current conditions and the potential for recovery of cold-water fisheries.
Also presenting will be Tim Frahm, TU Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager discussing the ambitious Carmel River Floodplain Restoration Project (largest such project on the California Coast) which will commence construction next summer (2-year effort).
This dry fly caddis pattern was featured last month as the fly of the month. If you tied this on your own Great, and if you’d like some further instruction come join the class. This class will feature how to handle deer hair as a wing. Greg Foy will be the instructor and I will be there to assist as my foot is still healing and limits my mobility. As usual, the class is free and all material materials are provided. If you have tan 6/0 or 8/0 thread do bring it. For you beginners tools and vises are available to borrow. Please sign up at the club meeting or call, with at least 24 hours notice, either Greg at 831-239-8780, or Elaine at 831-234-6515
This adult caddis is very similar to a Henryville Caddis. The larger sizes can be used pretty much anywhere and particularly in the Rocky Mountains. The very small ones are great in tail waters and spring creeks. Apply floating before fishing. Using a light dun hackle and quill wing make the fly easier to see.
HOOK: TMC 100 SIZES 12 TO 18. (I also tie size 20). Crimp bar.
THREAD: gray or olive, 6/0 for larger flies, 8/0 for medium, or 10/0 or 14/0 for small. Attached 1/3 back, wrap to rear of shank.
HACKLE: Dun barbs equal to one hook gap.
Remove any fuzz at end of feather. Cut five or six barbs short on each side of butt end of steam (crew cut). Tie in crewcut with dull side feather facing you, tip of feather to rear.
BODY: gray or olive super fine dubbing: Gray muskrat fur can also be used.
Dub a cigar shaped body up to thread tie in. Palmer hackle forward in about five wraps. tie cut excess.
UNDERWING: Wood duck or mallard flank feather.
Lineup tips of barbs. Using the hook gap as a guide cut that many from the stem. Tie to top of shank with tips, extending hook gap length beyond rear of body.
WING: mallard quill feather or secondary feathers of other birds also work. Apply silicon to feather ahead of time which will help keep the barbs from separating. If they do when fishing, the fish still respond to the fly readily.
Using the hook gap as a guide, use a Bodkin to separate the barbs. Cut section nearest the stem straight across, then fold in half length wise and cut a diagonal notch. ( See diagram). Position butt end on top of body with tips extending hook gap beyond rear of body. Pinch wing in half length wise and tie in place with several wraps. Cut excess and tie down butt ends.
HACKLE: dun hackle. Size, prep, and tie in the same as above.
THORAX: Peacock hurl.
Cut barbs from stem. Approximately four for larger hooks, three for medium, and one or two for small flies. Tie in tips make, dubbing loop. Advance thread to one eye length behind eye. Make chenille with dubbing tool. Close wraps to one eye behind eye. Tie off cut excess. Palmer hackle forward to one eye length behind eye. Tie off cut access. With finish. Apply glue to tie off threads.
Last month I started a series of profiles on conservation organizations Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club is supporting this year with cash donations. The goal of these articles is to keep you all informed and hopefully inspires you to learn more about conservation. This month I will continue with another outfit that is new on our list this year— Carmel River Steelhead Association (CRSA). CRSA is a good fit because steelhead are listed as either threatened or endangered throughout most (if not all) of the Pacific coast, and it is local.
The mission of CRSA is the restoration and conservation of the federally threatened steelhead fishery on the Carmel River and its watershed. The primary goal is to return the Carmel River watershed to as natural a state as possible so that it will maintain an annual run of adult steelhead in excess of 2,000 fish.
The association was formed in 1974. It appears that Richard Hughett (a long-time SCFF member) and Ray Wermuth are principally credited with the formation of the association. They are primarily an important advocacy voice for steelhead recovery on the Carmel and contribute matching funds to some of Tim Frahm’s Trout Unlimited projects on the Carmel River.
CRSA focuses their work in three main areas to recover steelhead populations in the Carmel River—Fish Rescues, Water Advocacy and Habitat Improvement.
Fish Rescues—Every year parts of the Carmel River and most of its tributaries go dry because of excessive pumping of water to meet the needs of humans. When this happens fish stranded in these drying reaches will die without intervention by caring people. CRSA is very integral to an ongoing juvenile rescue program in the upper watershed. They have agreements with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) who accompanies them to electroshock reaches which are drying back. The captured juveniles are moved to the main stem. CRSA members have volunteered an average of 500 hours and rescued approximately 10,000 young steelhead per year.
Water Advocacy—While there are many reasons Carmel River Steelhead are endangered, lack of adequate water ranks number one. The Carmel River has been the primary source of water for the Monterey area resulting in over-pumping of the aquifer, thus drying the river. Similarly, local pumping for housing and vineyards results in the drying of most of the river’s tributaries.
With so many people wanting a portion of our limited amount of water, it has been a primary function of CRSA to be an advocate for adequate water for fish.
Habitat Improvement—In 1997 American Rivers listed the Carmel River as one of the 10 most endangered rivers in the United States. A lot has been done since that time to improve conditions on the Carmel River and a lot more must still be done. Whether it is a simple river trash removal or the installation of woody debris, CRSA has and will continue to work to improve the habitat from Los Padres Dam to the lagoon for steelhead.
For the SCFF conservation committee, Carmel River Steelhead Association is a great fit to complement our mission and worthy of our support. With their continued dedication and effort, we look forward to seeing some positive results in the recovery of our local steelhead.
For more information on CRSA, go to: https://www.carmelsteelhead.org/
New members who may need donated items may contact me by email, robert6367@aol.com if interested. The donor’s request that it might go to a first time flyfishing member. Items are Orvis 8ft 6 wt rod and Madison reel, Cortland 7ft.6 rod 5/6w, and Waders Large.
Surf fish-out Saturday June 1st, followed by breakfast at Mike Lovejoy's. Important location information and breakfast information
RSVP Required for breakfast Read More
Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: 8am - Friday 6/07 Hat Creek Park off Hy 299 (See the map below). The park is approximately 10 minutes from the highway 299/80 junction. The park is on the left hand side… Read More
June 14th-16th, is a weekend outing to Clark Fork with an option for Beardsley Afterbay. This can also be a one-day trip for those who can’t make the whole weekend. Trailer access available, and Stillwater opportunities for those with kayaks, drift boats, or float tubes. Casual trip to finish and have fun. Read More
Fishmaster: Tim Loomis - 831- 345-8411 / bigsurstyles@att.net The Lake Almanor fishout is typically scheduled for the last weeks of June (22nd - 29th). This time period is, hopefully, the peak of the annual Hexagenia hatch that begins generally mid-June and runs through mid-July. The most productive fishing takes place early evenings on into past… Read More
Location: Palm Beach State Park Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the… Read More
Sign Up Now! Experience a new HIGH! Fish for Dorado, and many other salt-water fish, including Bonito, Roosters, Yellowtail and Sailfish on a fly! Join the group going to Loreto in Baja July 7th through the 11th This trip includes: Four nights at the beautiful Hotel La Mission, on the water-front next to the Loreto… Read More
Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station / Baker & Deadman campground. http://www.kennedymeadows.com. If you want to stay in a cabin, you should try to get a reservation now. The cabins generally roll over annually with returning guests from the previous year. The Hogye's will be in Cabin 11. Rates range from $115 - 260 per… Read More
Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there… Read More
Location: Manresa State Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many… Read More
UPDATED - 7/20/2024 - Only two spots open first week, second week is full. Sign Ups: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout. Call John Cook letting him know which week, both or private room. Payment is required to secure our spot we need people to sign up as… Read More
Location: Palm Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY… Read More
Event: O'Neill Forebay 'Stosh' Memorial Fishout Date: October 17th - 20th (I will be looking for a weekend with a 'skinny' moon, less night feeding for the fish) Target Gamefish: Striped Bass Location: Medeiros Campground located on the Southern Shoreline of the O'Neill Forebay, access off of Santa Nella Blvd. (Highway 33) Hosts: Kevin Murdock … Read More
Club Member Jesse Collins is a former guide who first started guiding on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula in 2007. He grew up within walking distance of the Chattahoochee River and started flyfishing when his grandfather took him to see the premier of “River Runs Through It” in 1992. For over 30 years Jesse has been tying flies and fly fishing and has fished all over America from the southeast tailwaters like the Taccoa, Chattahoochee, and South Holston Rivers, to the Great Lakes Tributaries, Pennsylvania Spring Creeks, Appalachian Freestones, Western rivers like the Madison, Yellowstone, and the Beaverhead, all the way to Alaska. He is passionate about all things fly fishing and one of his favorite places in the world is Alaska where he makes it back every year.
PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES! DOOR PRIZES & RAFFLE PRIZES
Spring is here in full bloom, the rains are over, Summer is just around the corner. Sounds like it is time to get serious about fishing! With that in mind we have some great raffle prizes up for grabs. This month choose between an Euro-Nympth Fly Rod/DVD set, an Echo 6/7 Arbor Reel, or a Mokelumne Gear Bag.
Don’t miss out, buy your lucky raffle tickets. The online ticket sales office will close at noon on 5/01/24.
Raffle tickets cost a dollar each, $20 bucks gets you 25. Click on the following link to purchase your lucky raffle tickets:
As we all prepare for trout fishing this spring and summer, terrestrials are important to have in your box. Be sure to sign up for the class by calling me at 831-234-6515, or you can sign up at the main club meeting. It’s important to have at least 24 hours notice so that material packets can be made. As always, the class is free, materials are provided, and tools and vises are available for beginners. If you have black 8/0 thread, please bring it. This will be a great class for beginners as well. A couple of twists for more experience tiers who want to see something a little different and a little more realistic.
When you talk about a “go to fly”, this has to be one of them. It’s an emerging caddis pattern, is easy to tie, uses few materials, floats nicely, lands on the water easily, and fish like it very well. NOTE: Directions are written for a size 16 hook. Adjust amount of material for other sizes.
HOOK: TMC 100, SIZES 14–20. Crimp barb.
THREAD: olive or tan (to match body) 8/0.
Attached behind eye.
Touching wraps to mid shank.
SHUCK: ginger or amber , Micro Zelon, Sparkle Emerger Yarn, or spooled Antron.
Separate fibers with bodkin.
Moisten fibers for easy handling.
Select about five strands.
Lay on top of shank, tips extending two shank lengths beyond eye.
Tie in place with 3 to 4 wraps.
Fold the forward Zelon to the rear.
Tie place with touching wraps to rear of shank.
Cut Zelon to shank length.
BODY: olive or tan Antron dubbing.
Dub a cigar shaped body forward to one eye length behind eye.
Trim wild hairs.
WING: Deer hair – medium thick fiber, with tips marked.
Cut clump of fibers from hide.
Clean out under fur. Finished clump should equal size of a wooden matchstick.
Hold clump above shank, tips above center of shuck.
Make one wrap around hair only, then three or four around hair and shank. The hairs will flare.
Stroke, butt fibers forward and upward into a bundle out over the eye.
Hold wing hairs in a bundle to the rear on top of the shank.
Make 10 touching thread wraps to the rear making a collar.
Advance thread to behind eye That’s good honey
Bring forward hair upward and forward into a clump.
Cut hair fibers at an angle so they equal two eyed lengths long. See photo.
Half hitch behind eye 4-5 times.
Cut thread.
Super Glue to collar and tie off threads.
This year the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club board of directors approved an increase in the conservation budget from $3,000 to $4,000. This was made possible by our increase in memberships, your generous donations and fundraiser/raffle participation. I hope you all realize that you are helping conservation efforts that we believe are aligned with improving and protecting our fisheries. One of the goals this year put forth by our President, Scott Kitayama, is to encourage more participation in the club committees. As our club size increases, the board would appreciate some help. I was fortunate to have Mary Hermansky, Dougald Scott and Rich Hughett help with putting together the conservation proposal for this year. They all have a lot of experience and provided some relevant perspective and fresh ideas.
For this month’s article, I’m going to provide a profile on one of the new additions to our list of organizations: Wild Steelheaders United.
Mission: Wild Steelheaders United (an organization within Trout Unlimited) was established to educate and mobilize the numerous wild steelhead advocates wanting to engage in the Initiative. It is a place where anglers can become more informed about wild steelhead biology and ecology, keep abreast of policy issues, and learn about TU’s conservation work. Some of their projects in California:
Carmel River: San Clemente Dam Removal and River Re-route Project—Wild Steelheaders United and Trout Unlimited helped gain permits, approvals, and funding for the largest dam removal project in California’s history (so far). This project restored fish passage to more than 25 miles of mainstem and spawning tributaries in this once-productive wild steelhead river. A mere three years after the project’s completion, the winter steelhead run here increased significantly.
Carmel River: Rancho Canada land acquisition and conversion to regional park—Water rights experts from Wild Steelheaders United and Trout Unlimited played a key role in negotiating the terms of and obtaining funding for this landmark transaction, which converted an old 36-hole golf course to regional park land and keeps 300 acre-feet of water per year in the lower Carmel River to improve wild steelhead habitat and migration conditions in a reach that sometimes dries back.
Klamath River restoration—in 2016, Trout Unlimited joined the States of California and Oregon, tribes, federal agencies and other stakeholders in signing the amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement, which paves the way for removing four antiquated dams on this legendary steelhead fishery, resolving decades of stubborn water quality problems and re-opening more than 400 miles of good spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead. In 2018, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation submitted to the Federal Regulatory Energy Commission its Definitive Plan for taking over the license for these dams from the utility PacifiCorp and then removing them, while the State of Oregon issued its
certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act that the removal of JC Boyle Dam would not impair water quality upstream of the California-Oregon border.
Protecting steelhead habitat and water quality on public lands in northwest California— Eel and Trinity Rivers—TU and Wild Steelheaders United are the lead sportsmen’s groups working to permanently protect key steelhead habitats in the Eel and Trinity Rivers—two of the most famous steelhead streams in the West. These rivers flow largely through public lands. In 2018, Congressman Jared Huffman and Senator Kamala Harris introduced legislation to accomplish this goal, through a package of new land and water designations, forest and watershed restoration measures, development of new and enhanced recreational infrastructure, and restoration of illegal cannabis cultivation sites.
TU’s California Water Project completes fish passage and habitat restoration projects that benefit steelhead—In recent years TU and Wild Steelheaders United have led multiple restoration projects in coastal steelhead waters, including agricultural water supply solutions in the steelhead factories of Pescadero and San Gregorio Creeks; Mill and Yellowjacket Creeks (important spawning and rearing tributaries to the Russian River); and Pennington Creek, a steelhead stream that connects to Morro Bay near San Luis Obispo.
San Geronimo Creek/Lagunitas Creek restoration—In 2019 TU and Wild Steelheaders United partnered with the Trust for Public Land to acquire and begin restoration of a former golf course on San Geronimo Creek, an important tributary to Lagunitas Creek, which harbors the last best run of wild coho salmon in California and also supports steelhead. TU volunteers have played a lead role in restoration efforts on Lagunitas Creek for many years, and TU’s North Coast Coho Project will lead the San Geronimo Creek restoration work.
The information source for this article came from https://www.wildsteelheaders.org/. Check out this site for much more information. For a conservation atlas and a steelhead fishing trip planner, go to https://www.wildsteelheaders.org/our-work/conservation/. Also, Tim Frahm and Christy Fischer of our local TU Steinbeck Country Chapter were primary forces in the success of many of the projects listed above.
Summer and fall are the best times to use this trout fly. It’s best used in small streams where the water is not real turbulent. The Sierras are great for this fly. It also works well in stillwater and quiet parts of rivers.
