Author: santacruzflyfishing_gia1ac

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My Love of Fishing

      Some people who don’t fish think that fishing is lazy or boring. But it is just the complete opposite. There are multitudes of little decisions to be made for each situation. Variables to be considered. And you are never quite sure what choices will make the difference.
      Did I cast too high or too long, too far to the right or to the left? Did I retrieve the subsurface fly too slowly or too quickly?  Is the color of the dry fly too bright or too dull, is the size too big or too small?  Do I stay “here”, or should I go over “there”?
       And you know hooking a fish is not just luck, but you do not know by how much. That is why I fish.
       It is never exactly the same. Success requires constant readjusting, reevaluation. Because I am never disappointed in the outdoors. Because I don’t expect anything. Because anything is possible, I can be hopeful out there, even if I don’t succeed. Because I know if I just go over there behind that rock or next to that log jam or wade out into that water just a little further it might make a difference. Something might be different. Something I change might lend itself to success.
         And if I catch a fish the reward of success gives me great joy, a deep sense of accomplishment, and gratitude for the experience.
                                               Tight Lines,
                                                Kathy Powers
                                                SCFF at-large Board Member

Posted on September 18th, 2025

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Bead Chain Whistler

by Fly tying chairman – Elaine Cook

This pattern can be used for stripers, pike, salmon, steelhead or ocean fish, depending on size. These directions are appropriate for stripers. Use a fast sinking line and rapid long strips. The overall length of the fly should be about 3 inches, which will turn upside down when finished.
HOOK: Mustad 34007 , size 1 to 1/0.  Crimp barb.
THREAD: White flat waxed nylon.    Attach behind eye. Touching wraps to mid shank then forward to one and a half eye lengths behind eye.
UPPER BODY: Red or white  bucktail. (recently, a copper tan color has worked well). Cut a clump from hide about the size of a wooden match stick. Pull out long fibers from tips and line them up with others. Cut bucktail ends at an angle two and three-quarter inches from tips. Attached to top of shank behind barbells, then back to mid Shank. Repeat with a second plump. Apply glue.
MID BODY: Mega Baitfish Emulator pearl color.   Cut about 1/8 inch of binding. Attached strands behind barbells to top of shank. Trim to length of fly.
LATERAL LINE: Grizzly neck hackle.  Select Two feathers, barbs equal to 1/2 hook gap. cut about 10 barbs short on each side of the butt end of stem, forming a “ crew cut”. Tie in “ crew cut “ on each side of shank behind barbells.
LOWER BODY: white bucktail.  Repeat like upper body only use one clump.
THORAX:  Red chenille.  Strip fuzz from end exposing about 1/4 inch of threads.  Tie in infront of body materials. Advanced thread to barbells. Wrap chenille forward. Tie off, cut excess.
HACKLE: Very webby grizzly hackle with pliable barbs. NOTE: picture of fly did not have pliable barbs and too long.  Select feather, barbs equal to one and a half hook gap. Cut off fuzz and and prepare crew cut. With dark side up, tip to rear, tie in crew cut between barbells on top of chenille. Stroke barbs to rear while wrapping three times behind barbells.Tie off cut access. Moisten fingers, hold barbs back, make a couple of thread wraps to hold them toward rear.
HEAD THREAD: Make a number of figure 8 wraps around barbells. Form a small tapered nose in front of eyes. Whip finish, cut thread. Apply glue to nose and thread between barbells.

Posted on September 17th, 2025

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Trout Unlimited – 50% discount for first time members

by Christy Fisher - TU Steinbeck Chapter President

Trout Unlimited (TU) is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater conservation organization, dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring native trout and salmon resources and their habitats across North America. Founded by anglers in 1959, the non-profit has over 150,000 members organized into local chapters nationwide.  Each year, TU members contribute more than 650,000 volunteer hours working together to make local streams cleaner, colder and healthier.

Our local Steinbeck Country Chapter is focused on protecting, restoring and exploring the watersheds of the Central Coast from the San Mateo Coast to San Luis Obispo.  Each membership supports on-the-ground conservation work in your own backyard and offers opportunities to meet like-minded people as we work to protect native rainbow and steelhead trout in our coastal streams and waters.  Together we’re spending time doing what we love and helping protect wild places for the next generation.

Join us!  Use the QR Code below or this link:  www.tu.org/join198SteinbeckCountry  to become a member – first time members can join today for 50% off TU’s modest annual dues.

TU membership also includes:

  • Subscription to TU’s Trout magazine.
  • Access to national and regional TU events, workshops, and trainings.
  • Updates and alerts from your local chapter.
  • Potential discounts with TU’s partner brands and gear companies.

Posted on August 22nd, 2025

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Bull Trout History in California

by Bob Garbarino

A couple months ago, I was forwarded an interesting article from Dougald Scott—one the members of our SCFF conservation committee. What makes it so interesting to me is it includes conservation, history, a California native fish and one of the legendary rivers in our state—The McCloud River.  And it was written by Dr. Peter B Moyle, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and associate director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis. In my limited perusing of matters relating to fish science in California, Dr. Boyle’s work has frequently appeared and he is well respected in his field. Here are several points I learned that I hope you will find interesting in this article titled Bull Trout and Other Endemic Fishes: McCloud River, found in California WaterBlog.  I encourage you to read it for much more insight.  Many thanks to Dougald Scott for sharing the article.

Bull Trout were native to the McCloud River, primarily in the headwaters and noted for a “very handsome and beautiful fish”.  In the 1800s it was targeted by wealthy anglers and the indigenous McCloud Winnemem Wintu.

Bull trout are actually type of char and were called Dolly Varden when they were found in the McCloud, as they called are in Alaska (and perhaps other areas). As you may know, Brook Trout are also char that thrive in colder water.

Several factors were probably to have caused the extirpation of the Bull Trout from the McCloud river:

  • Shasta Dam, built in 1945 and McCloud Dam built in 1965 blocked migration of salmon and steelhead and reduced of size of the river by about 80% by diverting it to the Pit River for hydropower.
  • Juvenile Salmon—which are no longer present in the McCloud*—were a declining source of food for Bull Trout.
  • Brown trout were introduced into the watershed, which were likely to have competed for habitat and food.
  • Logging in the watershed.

The last documented encounter with a Bull Trout in the McCloud occurred in 1975.

The story of the McCloud River’s place in trout history hopefully will teach us some lessons on how to do a better job of prioritizing our native fish for the benefit of all us and for future generations.

Another interesting bit of history:
The first fish hatchery on the West Coast was built in 1872 on the McCloud, producing Chinook salmon and steelhead for the McCloud (and other locations domestically and internationally).  The hatchery shut down in 1937 as it was to be submerged by the impending Shasta Reservoir.  Another hatchery, Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, was subsequently built below Shasta Dam.

*The first adult Chinook salmon in over 100 years have been spotted in the McCloud River.

Posted on August 21st, 2025

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Membership Update and Reflections after 9 Years

by Bob Peterson Membership Chair since 2016

I first joined SCFF club in July 2008 after I had retired and was looking forward to expanding my fishing experience from a spinning rod and reel to fly fishing, in not only California, but in other States and eventually Alaska and other areas, as well as meeting other like minded fishing partners who shared similar interest.  I would have to say that my 17 years in the club has far exceeded my expectations, including the following trips and experiences:

  • 4 trips to Alaska with John and Pat Steele catching more Salmon in a week and still had 50lbs to take back on the flight home.
  • 5 trips also with John and Pat with Ed Lawrence Guides to Bozeman, Montana on the Yellowstone, Madison, Missouri, and additional trips on the Green River in Utah and Antelope Valley Reservoir.
  • 3 trips to Mcloud Preserve in Northern California with Tom Donovan.
  • 12 trips to the Mammoth fishout with John and Elaine Cook which is always my favorite annual trip since I have been going to June Lake since 1955 with my family to fish the June Lake loop and Crowley with favorite memories  of visiting Bodie, 4th of July fireworks on Mono Lake, and waterskiing on Mono Lake.
  • 5 trips to to Pyramid Lake standing on a ladder with 20 other members waiting for the next bite before the wind and waves got too big.  And my best picture is of my daughter catching a Pyramid fish bigger than her net.

I only mention these trips since these are experiences and memories that make the Club something more than just a monthly meeting or an annual BBQ.  In 2016, I volunteered to be Membership Chair to help the then President Jim Black with membership since he was doing
two jobs as Membership and newly elected President. Since then I have seen the club grow from 120 members to 240 members on the current Roster.  It’s been a good run, but it is time for me to step down and have let someone else take the responsibility of club membership.

Membership Chair involves the following tasks and responsibilities:

  1. Primary duty is to update the current Roster with member information and updates. This has been made easier by moving from an excel spreadsheet to an online membership database where members can input membership data and in the following months will be able to access the current club Roster with other club members’ contact information and other club information with a secure ID and password for members only.
  2. Collect annual membership dues in Nov. and Dec. this has also been made easier with the use of Square/Visa and in 2026 automatic dues renewal.
  3. Attending monthly meeting to respond to member questions and sign up any new members attending the meeting for the first time.
  4. Attending monthly Board meetings for any updates on membership information or changes.
  5. Monitor SCFF Google groups – the Club’s go-to email forum for club activities and member questions.

The above only highlights recent changes in the Club since 2008 when memberships dues were either paid by check , or in cash, and monthly newsletters were printed and mailed out (and before that they were mimeographed for those who can still remember). I hope that the above comments may help members understand a little more about the Membership Chair and for those that have the time and interest to think about expanding your club experience by contacting me or any Board member by email or text.

Bob Peterson/robert6367@aol.com

Posted on August 21st, 2025

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Last Barrier on Alameda Creek—Removal Begins

by Bob Garbarino

Back in November 2023 I wrote an article for this newsletter about a project being planned on Alameda Creek. The goal of this project is to remove the last major barrier to Chinook salmon and steelhead passage on Alameda Creek. The barrier in question is a protective erosion-control concrete pad over a PG&E gas main that crosses the creek just south of the Interstate 680 crossing near SR 84. The exciting news is that this project got started June 2025 and is planned to be complete by October! Before the barrier removal began, biologists from PG&E, CalTrout, East Bay parks, SFPUC, and volunteers used nets to rescue each fish, frog, and other native and nonnative freshwater species in the work zone and move them one by one to other locations where water runs cool and clear. Now, PG&E will remove the concrete barrier and relocate the pipeline about 100 feet downstream and bury it approximately 18 to 20 feet beneath the creek bed. CalTrout and others will replant and work to restore the affected area to a natural flow as well as monitor the creek during and after the gas line is relocated. The result will be to open up another 20 miles of creek upstream—greatly increasing spawning and rearing habitat and also enhance the overall health and resilience of the Alameda Creek ecosystem. This collaborative project, known as the Sunol Valley Fish Passage Project, was launched by California Trout (CalTrout) and PG&E with several other entities, including the Alameda Creek Alliance.
For an interesting read about the history of Alameda Creek Alliance and the creek they have worked to restore for 28 years, check out this article in Bay Nature: After 28 Years, Alameda Creek Opens Up To Fish
Thanks to Mary Hermansky of the SCFF conservation committee for sending me this article. And thank you club members for your support of the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club that enables us to contribute to organizations like Alameda Creek Alliance and CalTrout.
Another source of information for this article: CalTrout and PG&E Kick Off Construction on Alameda Creek Fish Passage Project

Posted on July 21st, 2025

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A Great Week on the Green River

by Rick Chace - Marketing

The last week of April 2025, my wife, Linda, and I had the pleasure of hosting a Club Fishout week with the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club at the Green River. Below Flaming Gorge Reservoir Utah, the Green River offers stunning scenery, jaw-dropping views, moments of wonder, combined with trophy trout.  Known as one of America’s most scenic trophy trout destinations, the Green River was not a disappointment. Located in the remote northeast corner of Utah, the Green River is one of the premier tailwaters in the country. The river flows from Flaming Gorge Reservoir through towering red rock canyons and holds upwards of 12,000 fish per mile. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to fly fishing, it’s hard to have a bad day here. The Green is best fished from a drift boat, but wade fisherman can also equally enjoy the river from its banks.  The Green is divided into three main sections:

Section A (7 miles): A true tailwater with cold, clear water and consistently strong fishing.
Section B (11 miles): Slightly slower water, less crowded, and known for bigger fish.
Section C (14 miles): Meanders through Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge and into Colorado- home to some truly massive brown trout.

The river fishes with midges, Baetis and caddis as the primary insects, as well as terrestrials in the summer. Resident fish are Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat, and Flaming Gorge reservoir holds Lake Trout, Rainbow and bass. Most of our group of 10 anglers used Trout Creek Outfitter Guides, a longtime partner of our club. Many will remember Denny Breer, the shop’s founder, who used to present at our club meetings back in the 1980’s, and generously donated float trips to our annual fundraiser. For this trip we were able to secure a four bedroom home that could accommodate 14 anglers. We had two last minute emergency cancellations. Our food coordinator was unfortunately in a car accident on
his way out of town and could not attend the trip. The home was a great match for our group of 10. A fun fact we learned was that the home was previously owned by Denny! 

The fishing and the catching were excellent. On our very first evening, Club President Scott received a tip from a Trout Creek Creek guide that Lake Trout were actively spawning along the banks of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Scott ventured down on a solo mission and returned triumphantly with photo of himself with a beautiful 5 pound Laker! I know some of the other in the group fished the lake, but to my knowledge Scott was the only that managed to land a Lake Trout .

Over the next week all of the club anglers returned from the Green with daily fish counts in the mid-twenties. I believe the high count for the week came from Steve Pappas, who netted 34 fish floating section A and B of the river. We ate like kings each evening, with club members taking turns at cooking and cleanup. We also had the pleasure of watching the last few games with the Warriors in the playoffs on the two big screen TVs. The Fishout indeed was a great success, with many anglers expressing interest in returning for next year’s trip.

The club currently has a hold at the same property for the same week, April 25- May 2, 2026. The outing is to be Fish Mastered by Scott Anderson, who will be accepting trip commitments. For more information contact Scott at his Email: scott.a.andersen@gmail.com

Posted on July 18th, 2025

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A Local Watershed Gets Some Love

by Bob

Hi Everyone,
I hope your spring has been rewarding and you have been getting out and wetting your line—or have some plans in the works. I just got back recently from the club Green River fishout. I’m amazed at how many fish there are in this tailwater, considering all the pressure the Green gets.  A healthy ecosystem with an abundant supply of clean cold water that supports lots of aquatic insects no doubt is key.
This month’s Conservation Concerns message is brief but it points to an interesting conservation story with local water significance. The watershed in question is probably one of the most under-appreciated and neglected in our area—the Pajaro River. The story gets even more pertinent in that some SCFF volunteers helped out with some labor to help clear wood debris behind Pickell’s Dam on Little Arthur Creek, a tributary of the Pajaro River. Because Pickell’s Dam was an obstacle to steelhead reaching important habitat, it was eventually removed. This was the ultimate goal of Trout Unlimited Central Coast Project Manager Tim Frahm. Here is the article. I think you will find it a worthwhile read. I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering with my SCFF friends, Tim and his wife Christina Fischer, who happens to be the president of the TU Steinbeck Country Chapter.  I look forward to more opportunities for our club to participate in conservation projects!

Posted on May 22nd, 2025

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Sun Protection for Fly Fishers

by David South

2025 SCFFF Scholarship Winners

Each will receive a $600 a scholarship which is the most we have ever given due to the generosity of our members and donations in honor of our good friend, Gil Santos.
Aptos HS: Charlotte Morgan, Univ. of Hawaii Manoa,   Environmental Science
Harbor HS: Serena Manildi, Cal Poly SLO, Marine Biology/Science
Pajaro HS: Kimberly Torralba Crecencio, CSUMB, Marine Biology/Science
San Lorenzo HS: Abigail Gabrielson, UCLA,  Environmental Engineering
Santa Cruz HS: Catherine Sheehan, Cabrillo College, Marine Biology/Science
Scotts Valley HS: Abigail Howell, Cal Poly SLO, Animal Science/ Evolutionary Biology
Soquel HS: Alyce Javier, CO State Univ. , Wildlife Biology
Watsonville HS: Ronlewis Estrellon, Cabrillo College, Environmental Science

SUN PROTECTION FOR FLY FISHERS

Fly fishers are at particular risk for sun damaged skin (PD/photo-damage) , eye damage and ultraviolet (UVL) induced skin cancer, some of which are life threatening. This is due to our sport requiring prolonged exposure to sunlight and it’s reflection off of water and sand.

UVL damage is cumulative and responsible for 90% of aging, which appears as thin, easily bruised and torn, wrinkled skin. UVL is associated with cataracts and numerous eye disorders. The annual cost of treating UVL induced skin cancer in the U.S. is around 10 Billion dollars. Protection is the key to avoid these adverse effects of sunlight.

The best sun protection is opaque clothing: hats without mesh, sun-gloves, “Buff” bandanas for face and neck, quality sunglasses, recently popular sun “hoodies,” and long sleeved shirts and pants. The density of the thread count is most important….a $10 KMart shirt that you can’t see light through when held up to strong light is equal/better in protection than a $90 one impregnated with sun protective factor (SPF) chemical. Some clothing like a white T-shirt become worthless when soaking wet. Don’t forget umbrellas where practical.

Sunscreen is the next best protection. They are rated in SPF (generally the higher number the better) and they are classified “organic” (meaning chemical) or ‘inorganic’ (meaning physical or mineral components). Of the dozen or more US approved ingredients, organic Avobenzone is considered the the safest and most effective. Oxybenzone the most likely to cause allergic reactions. Of the inorganic ingredients, micronized titanium dioxide & zinc oxide are the most commonly found. In addition, there may be pigments or antioxidants added for additional protection. When using any of these products remember to use them liberally, and re- apply through out the day. The inorganic group tend to be messy/greasy and wash of easily, so they definitely need to be re-applied more often than the chemical types.

Sunscreens have repeatedly been shown to prevent most common skin cancers and about 50% of malignant melanomas. They have recently come under scrutiny and controversy regarding THEORETICAL effect on human hormone production, bleaching of coral reefs, effect on algae in still waters, and presence of “nanoparticles” in the bloodstream. To date there is NO EVIDENCE of harm due to sunscreen in any of these areas.
The supposed “bad ingredients suspected are Benzophenone, Homosalicalate , and Octinoxate. Sunscreens thought to be “safer” are the mineral type…..but these have negative aspects as listed above.
“Safe “brands include: Think Sport, All Good Sport, Thrive Bodyshield, Banana Boat Light as Air, Badge Adventure Mineral, Hello Bello, Purely Simple & Sun Burn.

Thankfully, as fly fishers, if properly clothed, we only need a small dab of sunscreen on ears, nose, lips and possibly hands, so we don’t need to sweat safety issues…..feel free to use something cheap, highly effective and hard to wash off like Coppertone Sport 50 or 75 SPF! The best selection of sunscreen lip balms are found at “ski” shops.

Posted on May 22nd, 2025

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Sun Protection for Fly Fishers

by David South

SUN PROTECTION FOR FLY FISHERS

Fly fishers are at particular risk for sun damaged skin (PD/photo-damage) , eye damage and ultraviolet (UVL) induced skin cancer, some of which are life threatening. This is due to our sport requiring prolonged exposure to sunlight and it’s reflection off of water and sand.

UVL damage is cumulative and responsible for 90% of aging, which appears as thin, easily bruised and torn, wrinkled skin. UVL is associated with cataracts and numerous eye disorders. The annual cost of treating UVL induced skin cancer in the U.S. is around 10 Billion dollars. Protection is the key to avoid these adverse effects of sunlight.

The best sun protection is opaque clothing: hats without mesh, sun-gloves, “Buff” bandanas for face and neck, quality sunglasses, recently popular sun “hoodies,” and long sleeved shirts and pants. The density of the thread count is most important….a $10 KMart shirt that you can’t see light through when held up to strong light is equal/better in protection than a $90 one impregnated with sun protective factor (SPF) chemical. Some clothing like a white T-shirt become worthless when soaking wet. Don’t forget umbrellas where practical.

Sunscreen is the next best protection. They are rated in SPF (generally the higher number the better) and they are classified “organic” (meaning chemical) or ‘inorganic’ (meaning physical or mineral components). Of the dozen or more US approved ingredients, organic Avobenzone is considered the the safest and most effective. Oxybenzone the most likely to cause allergic reactions. Of the inorganic ingredients, micronized titanium dioxide & zinc oxide are the most commonly found. In addition, there may be pigments or antioxidants added for additional protection. When using any of these products remember to use them liberally, and re- apply through out the day. The inorganic group tend to be messy/greasy and wash of easily, so they definitely need to be re-applied more often than the chemical types.

Sunscreens have repeatedly been shown to prevent most common skin cancers and about 50% of malignant melanomas. They have recently come under scrutiny and controversy regarding THEORETICAL effect on human hormone production, bleaching of coral reefs, effect on algae in still waters, and presence of “nanoparticles” in the bloodstream. To date there is NO EVIDENCE of harm due to sunscreen in any of these areas.
The supposed “bad ingredients suspected are Benzophenone, Homosalicalate , and Octinoxate. Sunscreens thought to be “safer” are the mineral type…..but these have negative aspects as listed above.
“Safe “brands include: Think Sport, All Good Sport, Thrive Bodyshield, Banana Boat Light as Air, Badge Adventure Mineral, Hello Bello, Purely Simple & Sun Burn.

Thankfully, as fly fishers, if properly clothed, we only need a small dab of sunscreen on ears, nose, lips and possibly hands, so we don’t need to sweat safety issues…..feel free to use something cheap, highly effective and hard to wash off like Coppertone Sport 50 or 75 SPF! The best selection of sunscreen lip balms are found at “ski” shops.

Posted on April 24th, 2025

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May: Lance Gray – Steelhead

May 07 6:45 PM at the Aptos Grange
Lance Gray - Steelheading on the Feather

Zoom Meeting:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89352294939

The Feather River, located in Oroville, CA, has a large Fall and Spring run of steelhead. The fishery has been in the news lately due to our wild winter 2017. The river has changed in many ways for the good. The high water has wiped the slate clean. New spawning gravel has been exposed, and side channels have been opened to rear the small steelhead and salmon minnows. The presentation gives a well-rounded view of the river. The lecture portion of this presentation covers history, angling information, access points, fly-fishing techniques, and flies. Lance will explore the difference between the Fall and Spring run fish and our tactics to target these great fish.

Lance will join us on Zoom to share the knowledge he’s gained since age 17, when he went to work at Powell’s in Chico, in the fly shop and building rods. He guided for Powell’s, led fly-tying and fly-fishing schools, and traveled.

In 1993, Lance and Kirsten started Saltwater Innovations, a company that manufactured and distributed products for saltwater fly fishing. Lance’s Crystal Popper, Gray’s Billfish Fly, the KO Charlie line and the Raghead Crabs are all Saltwater Innovations products. Kirsten worked behind the scenes, handling the day-to-day operation and running the manufacturing floor of the company.

In 2003 they launched Lance Gray & Company, a full-service outfitter offering guided trips, fly-fishing schools, workshops and a travel agency. Lance conducts presentations at fly clubs and outdoor shows and supports local groups like Cub Scouts and 4H. He’s a signature tier for Aqua Flies, pro staff member for Sage and Rio and is a featured writer, with articles published in Angling Trade Magazine, California Fly Fisher, Fly Fishermen, Sierra Fisherman and Northwest Fly Fishing.



NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 6:15 pm, we will be conducting short Introductory Skills to help our those new to the sport. We will also have the same Introductory Skills class at the casting clinic. Please look at the Club Activities article n the Newsletter for more information.

Posted on April 24th, 2025

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Fishout Schedule

The newsletter provides brief fishout info.  For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule

Date Link (new tab) Description
May 10 5:45 am - 10:00 amRio Del Mar State Beach Surf FishoutFirst Surf Fishout of 2025! Saturday May 10th 2025 5:45AM Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach
May 16 - May 19 Upper Sacramento River / McCloud Fishout – UPDATED –This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring. The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to.
Jun 02 - Jun 04 Pyramid Lake FishoutFishmaster: Mike White Greetings fellow Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club Members I have been leading the Pyramid Lake fishing trip for the past ten years. It has always been a remarkable fish out, and one of the best attended too. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome. That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a [...]
Jun 07 5:15 am - 10:00 amManresa State Beach Surf FishoutLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. https://www.lostcoastoutfitters.com/collections/surf-flies What to Expect:  Good Times Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and [...]
Jun 20 - Jun 22 Burney and Around – UPDATED –Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions 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 going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up. This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster [...]
Jun 22 - Jun 28 12:00 amLake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 22th – 28th 2025The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for the last week of June, 6/22 thru 28th, 2025. 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 dark between Lake Almanor West to Canyon Dam on the Southwest side of the lake. Most of the fishing is done from float tubes as well as small boats or even from shore. In addition to the evening "Hex" hatch, a multitude of opportunities exist for fishing throughout the day to include Little [...]
Jul 05 5:20 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – UPDATED –Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Scott Kitayama / scottkitayama@gmail.com Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Meet at 5:20AM. Sunrise is at 5:53 and we are fishing a 3-foot tidal crest, high tide being 8: 55AM. Breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s house, 115 Driftwood Ct, Aptos, please RSVP by July 3rd to mikelovejoy94@gmail.com.  Coffee at 8:00am and breakfast served 8:30-9:30. Park on the street.  Hot water available for hand wash.  Hose available for rinsing equipment.
Jul 07 6:00 amLoreto Fly Fishing TripLoreto Mexico Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed  The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about. The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person, double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. -  It does not include [...]
Aug 09 5:45 am - 8:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout w/ coffee and snacks afterwardsFishmaster : Scott Kitayama Contact info: scotttkitayama@gmail.com Location: Palm Beach State Park Date High Tide Low Tide Sun Moon AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set 9 Sat 12:06 PM 4.0 10:53 5.5 5:25 -0.7 4:46 2.4 6:19 8:06  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many [...]
Aug 23 5:45 am - 10:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Fresno Fly FishersLocation: Palm Beach State Park  (End of Beach Rd. In front of the state park) Location subject to change depending on conditions. Updates to be provided.  Stay tuned Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 6:29AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 11:57AM. Fish Master: Justin Ice / justin@schwagerdavis.com / 408-690-6143 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Fresno Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing and all are welcome to join https://flyfishers.clubexpress.com/ Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket [...]
Sep 06 6:00 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – CO Fishout with The San Jose Fly Fishing ClubLocation: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master:Michael Lovejoy <mikelovejoy94@gmail.com>  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: RSVP For Breakfast by 5:00pm September 3nd 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 Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. Steve Adachi Clouser What to Expect:  Meet at [...]
Sep 20 - Oct 04 12:00 amMammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4thFall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes.
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 [...]
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (236 Ocean View Drive Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 Stripping Basket [...]
Oct 16 - Oct 20 O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 16-20thCamping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay.
Nov 07 - Nov 09 12:00 amTrinity River FishoutTarget: Steelhead and trout.  Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip, text Alex at (831) 419-0564  or alex.ferber74@gmail.com. 

Posted on April 22nd, 2025

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F3T Film – Santa Cruz, April 19, 2026

Apr 19, 2026 3:00 PM at the Woodhouse Brewery
Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026

Woodhouse Brewery
119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
April 19th from 3:00 to 8:00 PM The 2026 Tour is Proudly Presented by the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club

The 20th annual FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T) is back on the road for 2026 with a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead!  The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind and we are proud to be an annual community event for all anglers. Come for the action,  buy a beer and snacks,  and stay for the prizes.  (door prizes and give aways require proof of purchase and or door ticket)

ONLINE PURCHASING IS COMPLETE. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

 

More info: https://flyfilmtour.com

Ticket Purchasers:  (as of 4/19)

Andersen,S.,3
Baginski,M.,2
Bishop, S, 1
Bohn,M.,1
Burt, B, 1
Codiga, C, 2
Collins, J, 1
Crosby,M.,1
Dahl, P, 2
De Guzman, N, 1
Del Core, B, 1
Egelhofer, B, 1
Garbarino, B, 1
Gosciminski, J, 1
Goyert, J, 1
Hammig, M, 2
Harris, B, 2
Holombo, R, 1
Hogye, T, 1
Ice, J, 1
Ingraham, M, 1
Johnson, N, 2  (SQ)
Kitayama,S,3
Lavin, C, 3
Lindberg, B, 2
Loomis, T, 1
Lovejoy, M, 2
Malloway, G, 1
Marden,A.,2
Matteson, B, 3
McKee, D, 1
Murdock, K, 2
Naghshineh, D, 1
Nelson, K, 2
Nguyen, C, 1
Quail, G, 1 (purchased by South, D)
Ramsey, R, 3
Salgueiro, J, 2
Schork, L, 1
Severs, C, 1
Smith, N, 2
Wilson, I, 1
Winters, V, 1,
Wright, C, 1
Young, K, 1
Zigman, M, 1



Posted on February 2nd, 2026

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F3T Film – Santa Cruz, April 23

Apr 23 6:00 PM at the Woodhouse Brewery
Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025

Woodhouse Brewery
119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
April 23rd @ 6:00PMThe 2025 Tour is Proudly Presented by the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club

The 19th annual FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T) is back on the road for 2025 with a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead!The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind and we are proud to be an annual community event for all anglers. Come for the action,  buy a beer and snacks,  and stay for the prizes.

More info: https://flyfilmtour.com



Posted on March 26th, 2025

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Fishout Schedule

The newsletter provides brief fishout info.  For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule

Date Link (new tab) Description
Apr 12 6:00 am - 1:00 pmKelly Lake – Watsonville (bass, crappie)Stand by as dates and details to be updated as the days get longer and warmer! Fishmaster: Scott Kitayama Location: Kelly Lake in Watsonville (Private lake limited to 6 people) Species: bass,  crappie, bluegill Duration: 1 day Registration and Cost: No Cost, but you must contact Scott as the number of people fishing is limited.  Contact at scottkitayama@gmail.com. Addtional Details & Confirmation of dates to be updated - Stay tuned Meeting time and place: Scott will directly be in contact with those that are coming on the Fishout. Equipment: Need to have float tube or kayak to fish the lake.  [...]
Apr 18 - Apr 20 Rooster Comb Ranch – UPDATED –23rd Annual Bass Fishout at Roostercomb Ranch 3/04/2025 - SOLD OUT  - If you are still interested, contact the Fish Master to be added to the wait list (contact information below) This is our club's 23rd annual bass Fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch since year 2000. This sprawling private ranch is located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, off Hwy 152  entrance in Hollister near Casa de Fruta Restaurant.  It's a 22-mile off-road trek through the backcountry from the park entrance. This requires a 3-day weekend commitment.  Accommodations are a 1928 ranch house and bunk house with options to tent [...]
Apr 26 - May 03 12:00 amGreen River – UtahGreen River - Utah Currently this trip is at maximum capacity. For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster  Rick chace rchace@got.net General Information - It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club's standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations. Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee. If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the [...]
May 10 5:45 am - 10:00 amRio Del Mar State Beach Surf FishoutFirst Surf Fishout of 2025! Saturday May 10th 2025 5:45AM Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach
May 16 - May 19 Upper Sacramento River / McCloud Fishout – UPDATED –This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring. The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to.
Jun 02 - Jun 04 Pyramid Lake FishoutFishmaster: Mike White Greetings fellow Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club Members I have been leading the Pyramid Lake fishing trip for the past ten years. It has always been a remarkable fish out, and one of the best attended too. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome. That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a [...]
Jun 07 5:15 am - 10:00 amManresa State Beach Surf FishoutLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. https://www.lostcoastoutfitters.com/collections/surf-flies What to Expect:  Good Times Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and [...]
Jun 20 - Jun 22 Burney and Around – UPDATED –Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions 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 going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up. This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster [...]
Jun 22 - Jun 28 12:00 amLake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 22th – 28th 2025The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for the last week of June, 6/22 thru 28th, 2025. 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 dark between Lake Almanor West to Canyon Dam on the Southwest side of the lake. Most of the fishing is done from float tubes as well as small boats or even from shore. In addition to the evening "Hex" hatch, a multitude of opportunities exist for fishing throughout the day to include Little [...]
Jul 05 5:20 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – UPDATED –Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Scott Kitayama / scottkitayama@gmail.com Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Meet at 5:20AM. Sunrise is at 5:53 and we are fishing a 3-foot tidal crest, high tide being 8: 55AM. Breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s house, 115 Driftwood Ct, Aptos, please RSVP by July 3rd to mikelovejoy94@gmail.com.  Coffee at 8:00am and breakfast served 8:30-9:30. Park on the street.  Hot water available for hand wash.  Hose available for rinsing equipment.
Jul 07 6:00 amLoreto Fly Fishing TripLoreto Mexico Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed  The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about. The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person, double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. -  It does not include [...]
Aug 09 5:45 am - 8:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout w/ coffee and snacks afterwardsFishmaster : Scott Kitayama Contact info: scotttkitayama@gmail.com Location: Palm Beach State Park Date High Tide Low Tide Sun Moon AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set 9 Sat 12:06 PM 4.0 10:53 5.5 5:25 -0.7 4:46 2.4 6:19 8:06  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many [...]
Aug 23 5:45 am - 10:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Fresno Fly FishersLocation: Palm Beach State Park  (End of Beach Rd. In front of the state park) Location subject to change depending on conditions. Updates to be provided.  Stay tuned Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 6:29AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 11:57AM. Fish Master: Justin Ice / justin@schwagerdavis.com / 408-690-6143 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Fresno Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing and all are welcome to join https://flyfishers.clubexpress.com/ Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket [...]
Sep 06 6:00 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – CO Fishout with The San Jose Fly Fishing ClubLocation: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master:Michael Lovejoy <mikelovejoy94@gmail.com>  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: RSVP For Breakfast by 5:00pm September 3nd 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 Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. Steve Adachi Clouser What to Expect:  Meet at [...]
Sep 20 - Oct 04 12:00 amMammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4thFall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes.
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 [...]
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (236 Ocean View Drive Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 Stripping Basket [...]
Oct 16 - Oct 20 O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 16-20thCamping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay.
Nov 07 - Nov 09 12:00 amTrinity River FishoutTarget: Steelhead and trout.  Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip, text Alex at (831) 419-0564  or alex.ferber74@gmail.com. 

Posted on March 26th, 2025

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40 copies of the 2025 roster available at the April Monthly Meeting

by Bob Peterson

The 2025 SCFF Roster will be available at the Wednesday Monthly Meeting April 2 at the Aptos Grange. An electronic PDF file that can be down loaded, as well as a googlesheet file is available for easy reference upon request.  Should you have any questions, please contact me at robert6367@gmail.com

The costs of printing and mailing are over $11/copy with mailing/postage over $3 for each roster.

Posted on March 26th, 2025

Date:  Not applicable

Time:  Not applicable

Place:  Not applicable

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Lost and found at Poppers Class

by Elaine Cook, 831-234-6515

The pliers on the left look very similar to my pliers, which I have misplaced. Have you seen them? They probably have a piece of yellow tape on them. The pliers on the right were left behind at the proper class. Please call if you can help solve this mystery. Sherlock Holmes. 831-234-6515. AKA ELAINE

Posted on March 26th, 2025

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A Free Flowing Eel River? Let’s Hope So!

by Bob Garbarino

As I write this article, I’m hopeful I’ll make a trip to the Eel River to fish for steelhead before the season ends the end of March. This will be my first time to fish this river and I’m looking forward to learning about this fishery. I remember driving past the Eel many years ago when I lived in the Arcata/Eureka area and being struck by its beautiful deep green color. Not only am I excited about the prospect of getting up there and experiencing the natural beauty of the area, I’m also encouraged by the progress being made to improve the health of the river.

Eel River History
The Eel River once supported the third largest runs of salmon and steelhead in California. Salmon were so plentiful canneries operated on the river in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But, over the years a number of factors have contributed to a severe decline to a small fraction of historical numbers:
Commercial overfishing
Erosion from clear cut timber harvesting, cattle ranching and road building
Introduction of invasive pikeminnow
Floods and drought
Water quality issues
Dam construction
Water diversions

Dam Removal
One of the key developments that have experts encouraged is the planned license surrender and decommissioning of the Scott and Cape Horn Dams by PG&E. This will open the opportunity to completely remove the dams. The result will be to open up 288 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead all the way to the river headwaters. The removal of the dams is currently projected to begin in 2028.

Water Diversion to the Russian River
The other related aspect of the dam removal is what to do with the water diversion tunnel at Cape Horn Dam. This is a tunnel that has been sending water to the Russian River watershed since 1908. Earlier this year, a complex Memorandum of Understanding was established by numerous stakeholders: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Trout, Eel-Russian Project Authority, Humboldt County, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission , Round Valley Indian Tribes, Sonoma County Water Agency, and Trout Unlimited. This memorandum defines the requirements and infrastructure to allow water to be diverted from the Eel River to the the Russian River. One of the key requirements outlined in this document is that diversions will not negatively impact fish restoration progress. Let’s hope that is the case.

Santa Cruz Fly Fishing provides contributions to Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited and Friends of the Eel River—all of whom have been instrumental in having a positive impact on helping the Eel River making a comeback.

For more insight into the Eel River restoration, have a look at Cal Trout’s Vision Book

and Friends of the River.

Posted on March 26th, 2025

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April: Rob Anderson – Bucket list fish

Apr 02 6:45 PM at the Aptos Grange
Rob Anderson - New Pyramid Lake Strategies

Rob Andersen, owner and operator of Bucket List Fishing, join the club to share his expertise on new techniques for fishing Pyramid Lake and Peacock Bass in Brazil.  Zoom Recording Link

Rob’s team will be guiding the club’s Pyramid trip on June 2nd – 4th.  There are still spaces left, check your calendar and bring your questions to the meeting  Pyramid trip link

Rob was born and raised in Virginia, where he grew up hunting and fishing from a very young age.  A career in Golf brought Rob West and rekindled his interest in Fly Fishing.  After a serious accident in 2000 that required surgery and rehabilitation, Rob changed careers and joined the Reno Fly Shop. He played a key role in building the guide service and became the first non-tribal guide at Pyramid Lake, where his efforts helped grow the lake’s popularity through fishing reports and a dedicated website.

In the early 2000s, Rob’s passion for Peacock Bass led him to Brazil, where he began hosting trips to the Amazon and developing a travel program. When the Reno Fly Shop closed in 2010, Rob launched his own website to promote local guiding, including trips to Pyramid Lake, and continued his work in the Amazon with various lodges. In 2016, he partnered with Neto Silva to create an exclusive fly-fishing program on the Xeruini River Preserve, now one of the world’s premier fishing destinations.

Today, Rob runs his local guide service, Bucket List Fly Fishing, and hosts charity events, all while supporting conservation and local communities. His passion for fishing, especially at Pyramid Lake, and his dedication to giving back continue to drive his work.



NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 5:45 pm, we will be conducting short Introductory Skills to help our those new to the sport. We will also have the same Introductory Skills class at the casting clinic. Please look at the Club Activities article n the Newsletter for more information.

FUTURE SPEAKERS

Date Monthly Speaker Description
May 07 Lance Gray - Steelheading on the FeatherWe’re excited to welcome Lance Grey, longtime friend of the club and owner/operator of Lance Grey & Company, to speak with us about some of Northern California’s most renowned fisheries, including Lake Almanor and the Feather River. Lance has spent years exploring and guiding in these waters, and his deep knowledge of these rivers and lakes will give us invaluable insights into fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, and how to make the most of your time on these iconic fisheries.
Jun 04 Jesse Collins - EntymologyOur own Jesse Collins is going to give a presentation on stream entomology (study of insects).  Not only will this help you understand the insects that are around the streams, but also a discussion of the flies that imitate them and  how to fish them.   Zoom Recording Link

Posted on March 26th, 2025

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F3T Film – Santa Cruz, April 23

Apr 23 6:00 PM at the Woodhouse Brewery
Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025

Woodhouse Brewery
119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
April 23rd @ 6:00PMThe 2025 Tour is Proudly Presented by the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club

The 19th annual FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T) is back on the road for 2025 with a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead!The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind and we are proud to be an annual community event for all anglers. Come for the action,  buy a beer and snacks,  and stay for the prizes.

More info: https://flyfilmtour.com



Posted on March 11th, 2025

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Mosquito

by Elaine Cook -fly tying chairman

The mosquito pattern has been around for decades and is a good old standby. Use for trout, apply floatant, and fish dead drift. The traditional mosquito uses the natural grizzly feather, which is black and white. Don’t hesitate to use grizzly that has been dyed brown, cream, or dun.
1. HOOK: TMC 100 size 12 to 18    Crimp barb.
2. THREAD: Black 6/0 for larger flies, 8/0 for smaller.   Attach 1/3 back on shank.
3. WINGS: Grizzly neck     Select two feathers from side that have rounded tips and width of feather just a little below the tip equals 2/3 width of the shank. Note location on stem that is the equal to hook length. Stroke all barbs from that point back on stem. Position feathers with tips forward, separation of barbs mid shank, bend of feathers going away from each other. Tie in place, cut excess. NOTE: WINGS SHOULD BE 1/3 BACK ON SHANK.  Several wraps of thread in front of wings to hold them upright. One wrap of thread between wings too slightly separate. Cut any excess barbs, extending forward over eye of hook.
4. TAIL: Grizzly Hackle Neck. Feathers from the side of the neck have stiff barbs that are straight. Select one that has long barbs. Stroke barbs against the grain to line up the tips. Cut 10 to 12 from stem. Lay on hook shank with tips extending hook shank length beyond shank. Tie in place with touching wraps, up to wings. Cut excess.
5. BODY: Moose mane.  Cut one dark and one light strand from stem. Lay strands on top of hook shank with tips just behind wings and butts to rear. Secure to top of shank with touching thread wraps up to wings. Wrap both strands forward at the same time forming a barber pole effect. Cut excess.
6. HACKLE: Grizzly.  Select feather with barbs equal to 1/2  length of hook gap. Cut several barbs short on but end of stem. Tie in crew cut behind wings. Wrap thread forward to one eye length behind eye. Wrap hackle around hook  shank, twice behind wings and twice in front of wings. Cut excess.
7. HEAD: Wrap thread head. Whip finish. Cut thread.

Posted on March 9th, 2025

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Fishout Schedule-Mar

The newsletter provides brief fishout info.  For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule

Date Link (new tab) Description
Apr 12 6:00 am - 1:00 pmKelly Lake – Watsonville (bass, crappie)Stand by as dates and details to be updated as the days get longer and warmer! Fishmaster: Scott Kitayama Location: Kelly Lake in Watsonville (Private lake limited to 6 people) Species: bass,  crappie, bluegill Duration: 1 day Registration and Cost: No Cost, but you must contact Scott as the number of people fishing is limited.  Contact at scottkitayama@gmail.com. Addtional Details & Confirmation of dates to be updated - Stay tuned Meeting time and place: Scott will directly be in contact with those that are coming on the Fishout. Equipment: Need to have float tube or kayak to fish the lake.  [...]
Apr 18 - Apr 20 Rooster Comb Ranch – UPDATED –23rd Annual Bass Fishout at Roostercomb Ranch 3/04/2025 - SOLD OUT  - If you are still interested, contact the Fish Master to be added to the wait list (contact information below) This is our club's 23rd annual bass Fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch since year 2000. This sprawling private ranch is located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, off Hwy 152  entrance in Hollister near Casa de Fruta Restaurant.  It's a 22-mile off-road trek through the backcountry from the park entrance. This requires a 3-day weekend commitment.  Accommodations are a 1928 ranch house and bunk house with options to tent [...]
Apr 26 - May 03 12:00 amGreen River – UtahGreen River - Utah Currently this trip is at maximum capacity. For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster  Rick chace rchace@got.net General Information - It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club's standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations. Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee. If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the [...]
May 10 5:45 am - 10:00 amRio Del Mar State Beach Surf FishoutFirst Surf Fishout of 2025! Saturday May 10th 2025 5:45AM Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach
May 16 - May 19 Upper Sacramento River / McCloud Fishout – UPDATED –This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring. The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to.
Jun 02 - Jun 04 Pyramid Lake FishoutFishmaster: Mike White Greetings fellow Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club Members I have been leading the Pyramid Lake fishing trip for the past ten years. It has always been a remarkable fish out, and one of the best attended too. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome. That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a [...]
Jun 07 5:15 am - 10:00 amManresa State Beach Surf FishoutLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. https://www.lostcoastoutfitters.com/collections/surf-flies What to Expect:  Good Times Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and [...]
Jun 20 - Jun 22 Burney and Around – UPDATED –Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions 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 going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up. This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster [...]
Jun 22 - Jun 28 12:00 amLake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 22th – 28th 2025The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for the last week of June, 6/22 thru 28th, 2025. 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 dark between Lake Almanor West to Canyon Dam on the Southwest side of the lake. Most of the fishing is done from float tubes as well as small boats or even from shore. In addition to the evening "Hex" hatch, a multitude of opportunities exist for fishing throughout the day to include Little [...]
Jul 05 5:20 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – UPDATED –Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Scott Kitayama / scottkitayama@gmail.com Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Meet at 5:20AM. Sunrise is at 5:53 and we are fishing a 3-foot tidal crest, high tide being 8: 55AM. Breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s house, 115 Driftwood Ct, Aptos, please RSVP by July 3rd to mikelovejoy94@gmail.com.  Coffee at 8:00am and breakfast served 8:30-9:30. Park on the street.  Hot water available for hand wash.  Hose available for rinsing equipment.
Jul 07 6:00 amLoreto Fly Fishing TripLoreto Mexico Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed  The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about. The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person, double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. -  It does not include [...]
Aug 09 5:45 am - 8:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout w/ coffee and snacks afterwardsFishmaster : Scott Kitayama Contact info: scotttkitayama@gmail.com Location: Palm Beach State Park Date High Tide Low Tide Sun Moon AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set 9 Sat 12:06 PM 4.0 10:53 5.5 5:25 -0.7 4:46 2.4 6:19 8:06  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many [...]
Aug 23 5:45 am - 10:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Fresno Fly FishersLocation: Palm Beach State Park  (End of Beach Rd. In front of the state park) Location subject to change depending on conditions. Updates to be provided.  Stay tuned Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 6:29AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 11:57AM. Fish Master: Justin Ice / justin@schwagerdavis.com / 408-690-6143 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Fresno Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing and all are welcome to join https://flyfishers.clubexpress.com/ Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket [...]
Sep 06 6:00 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – CO Fishout with The San Jose Fly Fishing ClubLocation: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master:Michael Lovejoy <mikelovejoy94@gmail.com>  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: RSVP For Breakfast by 5:00pm September 3nd 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 Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. Steve Adachi Clouser What to Expect:  Meet at [...]
Sep 20 - Oct 04 12:00 amMammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4thFall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes.
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 [...]
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (236 Ocean View Drive Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 Stripping Basket [...]
Oct 16 - Oct 20 O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 16-20thCamping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay.
Nov 07 - Nov 09 12:00 amTrinity River FishoutTarget: Steelhead and trout.  Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip, text Alex at (831) 419-0564  or alex.ferber74@gmail.com. 

Posted on February 27th, 2025

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Fly Fishing and Conservation

by Bob Garbarino

For this month’s “My Turn” article I’m going to focus on what we as fly anglers can do to make a positive impact on fish and the environment they inhabit. From my own journey in fishing, it wasn’t until I began fly fishing that I started to became increasingly aware of the challenges in improving, sustaining and enhancing native and wild fish populations. During my time with many of you, my fly fishing friends, I’ve been inspired by your awareness and passion for a better future in this sport. And we’ve seen some encouraging signs of hope with coming out of collaboration between many of the conservation organizations we support. The Klamath dam removal project is a shining example. The Carmel River Steelhead Association is a local group dedicated and fighting for their native fish. However, as I write this, I’ve become increasingly concerned that the headwinds facing our fisheries are growing stronger in the face of a number of politically motivated decisions. It’s becoming more urgent that we become stronger voices for fish and their habitats. So, what can we do? Many of us practice conservation already to some degree. Here’s a few suggestions of what we can do on and off the water. Most of my suggestions apply to cold water fish such as trout and salmon, but can be used for other species as well.

Catch and Release

Lee Wulff said in 1938 that “gamefish are too valuable to be caught only once.” If that was true back then, it certainly is now. There are exceptions like put-and-take fisheries, invasive species and others, depending on your point of view. But the rule of thumb approach is to release fish after catching them, handling them with care to minimize stress and ensure their survival.

Proper Fish Handling

This dovetails with catch and release. Try to land the fish without playing it too long. An exhausted fish is less likely to survive—especially in warmer water. Minimize the time fish are out of the water. I find that in many situations, using a landing net (with the soft plastic material) speeds up the time to release the fish. The net also allows you to keep it under control in the water. Before handling the fish, wet your hands and for larger fish, support its body with both hands. If the fly gets swallowed deep, cut the tippet off and leave the fly in the fish. If you plan on taking a photo, keep the fish under water until the photographer is ready. I’ve seen some great photos of fish in the water, so consider that. If the fish is sluggish and not ready to take off, gently hold it facing upstream until it’s ready to swim off. If in a lake, move the fish slowly to get some water moving through its gills.

Be Aware of Water Temperature

According to many sources, when the water temperature approaches 68 degrees Farenheit most trout become stressed to the point where their survival rate becomes much diminished after being released. In fact a recent study done suggests the 68 degree threshold is too high. For more on this subject, see the link below.
https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/are-we-wrong-about-safe-temperatures-for-trout-fishing
Another practice that is being recommended or enforced is the so-called “hoot owl” restrictions where anglers are to not fish after a set time in the day as the water temperature increases. So, bring a thermometer with you and use it to determine when to stop fishing. Look for the current best practices in the area you are fishing. If the water is too warm, look for colder water (like headwaters) or find a fishery that bass or carp inhabit as they can tolerate warmer temperatures.

Follow Regulations

Understand and abide by all local fishing laws including size limits, seasonal restrictions and protected species regulations. For fishing streams on our south central coast during steelhead season, a useful phone number with updates on flow restrictions is 831-649-2886.

Use Barbless Hooks

Practice using barbless hooks to facilitate easier release of fish.  In many trout waters they are a requirement. The added benefit is it’s much easier to remove a barbless hook from your body and clothes. I can attest to that!

Minimize Environmental Impact

Avoid littering, access waterways carefully to minimize shoreline damage, and clean up any debris found on the water.  If you see litter, pack it out if you can. If you are fishing during a spawn, learn to identify redds so you can avoid trampling them.

Support Conservation Organizations

Join and donate to groups like Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited and Fly Fishers International that actively work to protect fish habitats.  Join (encourage your friends too) and support SCFF because we donate $4,000 annually to 15 organizations including Trout Unlimited, Cal Trout, Friends of the Eel River and very local Coastal Watershed Council, Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project and Carmel River Steelhead Association. Participate in volunteer efforts to restore degraded stream banks, plant native vegetation, and remove invasive species. Our members have volunteered with Coastal Watershed Council, Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, Carmel River Steelhead Association, Trout Unlimited, Trout In the Classroom. We have also organized our own San Lorenzo River trash cleanup.

Educate Others

Share your knowledge about conservation practices with fellow anglers and the wider community.  This includes helping and encouraging younger generations to develop an appreciation for conservation and a passion for fly fishing. It’s extremely gratifying to help pass on some helpful tips to a receptive angler on their journey. Another famous quote by Lee Wulff which is right on the mark: “When we teach a person to fly fish, we just created a conservationist”. Support those seeking careers that help protect the environment. One way SCFF does this is by providing scholarships to local high school students that are pursuing higher education in environmental science related studies.

Advocate for Policy Change

In California, many decisions that impact how our water is managed puts fish survival at risk. Show your support for sound legislation that protects aquatic ecosystems and promotes responsible fishing practices.  Call or write your representatives and decision makers to voice your support policies that help protect and improve our fisheries responsibly. As we’ve seen with the Klamath River and now what is about to happen (we hope) with the Eel River, conservation minded individuals and organizations can help make changes when they work together with other stakeholders.

Learn about Local Ecosystems

Understand the unique fish species and environmental conditions in the areas you fish to make informed decisions about your angling practices.  Not only will you learn how to practice conservation in you fishery, but it will likely make you a better angler.

I hope you find some of these suggestions helpful in your quest to be a responsible steward of our sport of fly fishing. If any of you have an idea for organizing a group of our members in a conservation activity, contact me or another board member. Thank you SCFF conservationists!

Posted on February 27th, 2025

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March: Jim Cox – Western River Conservancy

Mar 05 6:45 PM at the Aptos Grange
Jim Cox - Western Rivers Conservancy

Jim joined Western Rivers Conservancy as Director of Donor Relations in 2011. He is a past steering committee co-chair of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and is an active member of the Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable. He is a member of numerous conservation organizations including Trout Unlimited, Flyfishers Club of Oregon, FFI, and the Native Fish Society. Jim holds a Bachelor of Theatre Degree from Willamette University and lives in Portland, Oregon. In his free time, you can find him fly fishing for trout and steelhead on is favorite western streams and occasionally sitting in as guest trumpet soloist with the Latin jazz band The Steelhead Stalkers.

Western Rivers Conservancy has been working for more than 35 years to conserve and protect lands on more than 280 rivers and streams in nine western states, purchasing properties across the West to protect and conserve vital river ecosystems and to provide compatible public use and enjoyment.  Jim will be discussing the organization’s recent projects across the west including Dillon Beach in California, McDermitt Creek in Oregon, Terryall Creek Colorado, Racetrack Creek in Montana, the Yakima River in Washington and the Selway River in Idaho among others.



NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 5:45 pm, we will be conducting short Introductory Skills to help our those new to the sport. We will also have the same Introductory Skills class at the casting clinic. Please look at the Club Activities article n the Newsletter for more information.

FUTURE SPEAKERS

Date Monthly Speaker Description
Apr 02 Rob Anderson - New Pyramid Lake StrategiesRob Andersen, owner and operator of Bucket List Fishing, join the club to share his expertise on new techniques for fishing Pyramid Lake and Peacock Bass in Brazil.  Zoom Recording Link
May 07 Lance Gray - Steelheading on the FeatherWe’re excited to welcome Lance Grey, longtime friend of the club and owner/operator of Lance Grey & Company, to speak with us about some of Northern California’s most renowned fisheries, including Lake Almanor and the Feather River. Lance has spent years exploring and guiding in these waters, and his deep knowledge of these rivers and lakes will give us invaluable insights into fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, and how to make the most of your time on these iconic fisheries.
Jun 04 Jesse Collins - EntymologyOur own Jesse Collins is going to give a presentation on stream entomology (study of insects).  Not only will this help you understand the insects that are around the streams, but also a discussion of the flies that imitate them and  how to fish them.   Zoom Recording Link

Posted on February 27th, 2025

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Fishout Schedule-Feb

The newsletter provides brief fishout info.  For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule

Date Link (new tab) Description
Apr 12 6:00 am - 1:00 pmKelly Lake – Watsonville (bass, crappie)Stand by as dates and details to be updated as the days get longer and warmer! Fishmaster: Scott Kitayama Location: Kelly Lake in Watsonville (Private lake limited to 6 people) Species: bass,  crappie, bluegill Duration: 1 day Registration and Cost: No Cost, but you must contact Scott as the number of people fishing is limited.  Contact at scottkitayama@gmail.com. Addtional Details & Confirmation of dates to be updated - Stay tuned Meeting time and place: Scott will directly be in contact with those that are coming on the Fishout. Equipment: Need to have float tube or kayak to fish the lake.  [...]
Apr 18 - Apr 20 Rooster Comb Ranch – UPDATED –23rd Annual Bass Fishout at Roostercomb Ranch 3/04/2025 - SOLD OUT  - If you are still interested, contact the Fish Master to be added to the wait list (contact information below) This is our club's 23rd annual bass Fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch since year 2000. This sprawling private ranch is located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, off Hwy 152  entrance in Hollister near Casa de Fruta Restaurant.  It's a 22-mile off-road trek through the backcountry from the park entrance. This requires a 3-day weekend commitment.  Accommodations are a 1928 ranch house and bunk house with options to tent [...]
Apr 26 - May 03 12:00 amGreen River – UtahGreen River - Utah Currently this trip is at maximum capacity. For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster  Rick chace rchace@got.net General Information - It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club's standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations. Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee. If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the [...]
May 10 5:45 am - 10:00 amRio Del Mar State Beach Surf FishoutFirst Surf Fishout of 2025! Saturday May 10th 2025 5:45AM Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach
May 16 - May 19 Upper Sacramento River / McCloud Fishout – UPDATED –This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring. The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to.
Jun 02 - Jun 04 Pyramid Lake FishoutFishmaster: Mike White Greetings fellow Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club Members I have been leading the Pyramid Lake fishing trip for the past ten years. It has always been a remarkable fish out, and one of the best attended too. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome. That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a [...]
Jun 07 5:15 am - 10:00 amManresa State Beach Surf FishoutLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. https://www.lostcoastoutfitters.com/collections/surf-flies What to Expect:  Good Times Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and [...]
Jun 20 - Jun 22 Burney and Around – UPDATED –Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions 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 going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up. This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster [...]
Jun 22 - Jun 28 12:00 amLake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 22th – 28th 2025The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for the last week of June, 6/22 thru 28th, 2025. 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 dark between Lake Almanor West to Canyon Dam on the Southwest side of the lake. Most of the fishing is done from float tubes as well as small boats or even from shore. In addition to the evening "Hex" hatch, a multitude of opportunities exist for fishing throughout the day to include Little [...]
Jul 05 5:20 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – UPDATED –Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Scott Kitayama / scottkitayama@gmail.com Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Meet at 5:20AM. Sunrise is at 5:53 and we are fishing a 3-foot tidal crest, high tide being 8: 55AM. Breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s house, 115 Driftwood Ct, Aptos, please RSVP by July 3rd to mikelovejoy94@gmail.com.  Coffee at 8:00am and breakfast served 8:30-9:30. Park on the street.  Hot water available for hand wash.  Hose available for rinsing equipment.
Jul 07 6:00 amLoreto Fly Fishing TripLoreto Mexico Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed  The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about. The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person, double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. -  It does not include [...]
Aug 09 5:45 am - 8:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout w/ coffee and snacks afterwardsFishmaster : Scott Kitayama Contact info: scotttkitayama@gmail.com Location: Palm Beach State Park Date High Tide Low Tide Sun Moon AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set 9 Sat 12:06 PM 4.0 10:53 5.5 5:25 -0.7 4:46 2.4 6:19 8:06  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 Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many [...]
Aug 23 5:45 am - 10:30 amPalm Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Fresno Fly FishersLocation: Palm Beach State Park  (End of Beach Rd. In front of the state park) Location subject to change depending on conditions. Updates to be provided.  Stay tuned Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 6:29AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 11:57AM. Fish Master: Justin Ice / justin@schwagerdavis.com / 408-690-6143 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Fresno Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing and all are welcome to join https://flyfishers.clubexpress.com/ Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket [...]
Sep 06 6:00 am - 10:00 amBeer Can Beach Surf Fishing – CO Fishout with The San Jose Fly Fishing ClubLocation: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master:Michael Lovejoy <mikelovejoy94@gmail.com>  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: RSVP For Breakfast by 5:00pm September 3nd 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 Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. Steve Adachi Clouser What to Expect:  Meet at [...]
Sep 20 - Oct 04 12:00 amMammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4thFall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes.
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 [...]
Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 amManresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly FishersLocation: Manresa State Beach (236 Ocean View Drive Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling  / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548  Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass  Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing 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 Stripping Basket [...]
Oct 16 - Oct 20 O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 16-20thCamping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay.
Nov 07 - Nov 09 12:00 amTrinity River FishoutTarget: Steelhead and trout.  Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip, text Alex at (831) 419-0564  or alex.ferber74@gmail.com. 

Posted on January 23rd, 2025

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Membership Renewal is over 200 members and Googlegroups

by Bob

If you are not on Googlegroups, have not renewed your 2025 membership, or have been placed on the inactive file, please email me at robert6367@aol.com  to be updated.  As of Jan 23rd we have over 200 members on our Roster.  Also, as of January 23,  we have 8 tickets left to the Annual Fundraiser Feb 1.  Thank you for your renewal,  Annual Dinner support, and generous donations.

Posted on January 23rd, 2025

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Profile-The Osprey

by Bob Garbarino

Last year when the SCFF conservation committee was looking for new ideas for our support, The Osprey caught my attention. First of all, naming your organization after such an amazing bird is a great start. So, other than a cool name, what is it about The Osprey that is a good fit for our club?
The Osprey describes itself: “International Journal of Salmon and Steelhead Conservation is a scientific journal published by a consortium of like-minded conservation organizations: The Conservation Angler, Fly Fishers International, World Salmon Forum, Wild Steelhead Coalition, Steelhead Society of British Columbia, and Skeena Wild.” The journal is published three times a year by a team consisting of an editorial committee and a group of of scientific advisors. The focus of the articles is on Pacific salmon and steelhead science, recovery and management. They are devoted advocates of conserving existing wild steelhead and salmon and recovery of diminishing populations. They identify some primary threats to their survival include climate change, population growth, ill-advised dams and hatchery projects.
By going to the website https://www.ospreysteelhead.org/, you can access their archive of publications. Some of the articles get pretty deep into the science, but it shows they are committed to understanding the fundamental basis for decisions and recommendations involving that benefit to the fish.
Here’s a sample of article titles from the fall 2024 issue:
Rewilding the Lower Snake River
Life history Diversity Emerges in Salmonids Repopulating Tributaries of the Undammed Elwha River
Native Resident Trout Policy: An Opportunity to Properly Acknowledge Gaps in Managing Resident Wild Steelhead in Washington State
Reflections on American Conservation and Economic History in Relation to Wild Salmon and Steelhead
Articles like these demonstrate the authors have a sound understanding of the science and history of the challenges these fish have endured.  It also show their commitment to the fish and rivers they care deeply about.
Not only does support for The Osprey help with the journal publication, it also helps to get the journal into the hands of wild fish conservation decision-makers and influencers including scientists, fisheries managers, politicians, and wild fish advocates.
In the fall 2024 issue, the new editor, John McMillian suggests other sources of information about wild steelhead and salmon:
Research and peer-reviewed papers by John McMillan: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Mcmillan-8
John McMillan’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/rainforest_steel/
An informative podcast about science, angling and conservation called The Deep Wade Podcast: https://thedeepwadepodcast.buzzsprout.com/

Posted on January 23rd, 2025