Steve Schalla is the creator of the website, www.FlyFishingtheSierra.com. Filled with maps and fishing knowledge, the website has become a repository for everything he’s learned about fly fishing over the past 30 years. Steve’s goal has been to create regional maps covering all of the waters of the Sierra. These maps show fish species, fishless areas, access trails, fishing/permit regulations, and a hatch chart with a suggested fly selection.
Steve is a graduate of Forestry from Cal with an emphasis on Botany from UCSB. He has established reforestation nurseries in California, Oregon, and Washington and grew close to 45 million seedlings for replanting many of our forests. Additionally, Steve is active with Fly Fishers International and his local club, Sespe Fly Fishers.
Steve will be speaking to the club on the history of the Golden Trout Wilderness, from the uniqueness of the geology and natural fish introduction to cultural interests that impact Golden Trout today.
PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES! DOOR PRIZES & RAFFLE PRIZES
Spring has sprung which means that it is time to start thinking about trout fishing! We have some great raffle prizes and door prizes to be given away at our April meeting,
Don’t miss out, buy your lucky raffle tickets. The online ticket sales office will close at noon on 3/31/24.
Raffle tickets cost a dollar each, $20 bucks gets you 25. Click on the following link to purchase your lucky raffle tickets:
We are fortunate to call the Monterey Bay area our home, where the ocean’s health directly impacts our well-being. Recently, our club members became aware of petition 2023-33MPA, pushing for new no-fishing zones around Pleasure Point and off the coast of Natural Bridges State Beach. While protecting kelp forests is a commendable goal, the proposed fishing ban has raised concerns in our community about potential threats to our fishing rights. Personally, I joined the club because I wanted to learn how to fly fish the surf and I know a lot of club members that enjoy fishing from the beach as well as fishing the kelp beds from a kayak.
The heart of the debate revolves around assessing how fishing activities may affect kelp ecosystems in Santa Cruz. Advocates for the petition, primarily environmental groups from Southern California, argue that implementing no-fishing zones is crucial to safeguard these fragile habitats. However, opponents of the petition, including members of our club, question the necessity and effectiveness of such broad fishing bans. We argue that the conditions in Santa Cruz’s kelp forests may differ significantly from those in other regions, such as Southern California, where fishing restrictions might be more warranted. This article in Santa Cruz Local and its links give a good explanation of the issue.
During our recent Club Board meeting, we discussed the issue and decided to take a stance of patience and proactive engagement. The California Commission of Fish and Wildlife is currently handling numerous petitions, including 2023-33MPA. In solidarity with those opposing the petition, I have sent letters on behalf of SCFF to key opponents, including Supervisor Cummings, UCSC Professor Zavaleta (a member of the California Fish and Wildlife Commission), and the All Waters Protection and Access Coalition. These letters express our readiness to collaborate and provide assistance in finding sustainable solutions that balance environmental protection with community interests.
Although there is no specific deadline for the commission to decide on the petitions, we are committed to remaining informed and actively participating in the ongoing dialogue. We encourage members with experience or insights into navigating such petitions to share their expertise with the club.
Posted on March 27th, 2024
Date: April 10
Time: Doors open at 6:15 PM, class begins at 6:30 PM
This fly was created by Andy Puyans back in the 1960s. He was a well-known fly tyer and this pattern has been successfully used for decades in waters that hold mayflies. If you are planning to fish Los Padres Reservoir or Lake Almanor, be sure to have a few of these with you. It can be tied in sizes 10 to 18 and for our class we will be using a size 10 hook, an easy size to handle. Our fly tying classes are always free and materials provided. For beginners, who are always welcome, vices and tools are available. If you have black 6/0 thread please bring it. You can sign up for the class at the club meeting or call me, with at least 24 hours notice, at 831-234-6515.
The fly tying class this month is an AP nymph. It’s tied in the same manner, but using different materials. This pattern works well for flies sized 12 to 18. The AP nymph is better adapted to the larger hooks like 10 to 14. mayflies come in a variety of colors. More comonly tan, olive, brown and pale yellow. use same color for thread, mallard, feather, body and thorax.
HOOK: TMC 200 R, sizes 12 to 18. Crimp barb.
THREAD: color to match body Attached mid shank, and wrap to rear of shank.
TAIL: Died mallard flank feather. Stroke barbs so that tips are lined up. Cut approximately 6-10 barbs from stem. Position on top
of shank, tips to rear forming a short tail. (see sample). Attach to top of shank up to 1/3 back from eye. Cut excess.
RIB: Find gold wire. Attach strand under hook shank back to tail.
BODY: Super fine dubbing. Dub a tapered body up to 1/3 back from eye. Spiral wire forward, 5 wraps. Tie off cut excess.
WING CASE: Died mallard, flank feather. Prepare the feather in the same manner as above, but select twice the number of barbs.
Position on top of shank with tips to the rear, allowing length to be slightly longer than hook. Tie in place.
THORAX: Same dubbing as body. A generous, round body. Finishing one eye length behind eye. Bring wing case forward over
thorax and tie down.
LEGS: Divide mallard barbs in half. Tied down one half on far side with tips to the rear, and 1/2 on the near side.
HEAD: Tie a small thread head, and then whip finish. Cut thread.
A Sacramento County superior court judge recently handed down a ruling upholding an important decision by the California State Water Board that impacts flows in the San Joaquin River and its three primary tributaries—the Tuolumne, Merced and Stanislaus Rivers.
Background:
In 2018, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a water quality plan for the San Joaquin River and the aforementioned tributaries that are part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta watershed. The plan called for increasing flows in the three tributaries to help increase severely decreasing populations of chinook salmon and steelhead trout. In order to increase flows, water diversions would need to be reduced. Diversions of over 80% of river flows are currently allowed. In 2022, a stretch of the Merced River was run dry. The 2018 plan was challenged with numerous lawsuits and claims by large agricultural water suppliers such as the Merced Irrigation District and Westlands Water District as well as municipal suppliers including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the city of Modesto.
The Decision:
A total of 12 lawsuits and 116 claims were rejected in this ruling. If and when the standards are implemented, diversions during certain times of the year will be limited to 50%-70% of total river flows. This will result in a double in water flow in the rivers at certain times of the year. Also rejected was a challenge to a limit to salinity levels. It is expected that lawsuits will challenge the court decision.
Another Idea:
Another approach governor Newsom has promoted are so-called “voluntary agreements”. This approach, where parties come together to work out a comprehensive, multi-year solution that brings together dozens of water agencies with the state and federal governments to pool resources and take concrete actions to provide targeted river flows and expand habitat in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and Bay Delta. These environmental improvements are supposedly guided by scientific monitoring and collaborative decision making. Many of the water agencies, including Westlands support the VA path. But, former Water Board chair Felicia Marcus says a voluntary agreement can be effective, regulatory requirements must be in place to enforce adequate water for the environment.
We will see how this saga plays out and if salmon and steelhead numbers bounce back sooner than later.
All are welcome from beginners to experienced casters. This is a good time to continue working on and enjoying your progress with effectively casting your fly-line -whether it’s 25, 35, 40, or 50 feet – 90% of your fishing casting. We will continue to work on this foundation for everyone who wants to successfully and enjoyably pickup their fly rod and cast exactly where you want – time after time. Bring your rod and reel if appropriate, and I will also have the nice club rods we have so you can toss one of those around too.
Alex Ferber – (831) 419-0564
alex.ferber74@gmail.com
adventureflyfishingsantacruz/home.com
Learn or improve your ability to make successful surface presentations (Dry Fly) to rising fish on Spring Creeks. The true art of fly fishing. This class will focus on loop control, drag free drifts with long leaders using small dry flies. This 5 day class will include 3 days of lawn instruction, culminating in 2 guided day workshops on Hat Creek and Fall River; two iconic Spring Creeks in Northern California, where accurate, well presented flies are a must. Minimal skills: Ability to consistently overhead/false cast to a minimum of 45 feet
Note: Registration through Capitola Recreation Department. (Link will be put here when the catalog is published)
Jade St. Soccer Field/OFF-SITE FIELD TRIP
R $450| NR $467
Jade St Park:
Sat 9:00-11:00am 5/18, 6/1, 6/15
Hat River Field Trip:
6/27-6/30 (All Day)
Membership continues to grow with 5+ new members per month for a total of 228 members who have renewed their memberships to be included in the 2024 Roster which should be available by the end of April f0r the May meeting. We print 50 hardcopies and electronic copies are available upon request . Members can send an email to Robert6367@aol.com prior to the May meeting. Also if you are not receiving the monthly newsletter, or googlegroups, please send me an email and you can be added.
Members that have joined since January, 2024:
New Member
City
January: J. Reis D. Botman M. Kiely J. McKeon N. Dryden R. Morton C. Morast February: P. Shields M. Curtis J. Ainsworth J. Shulin B. Payne J. Raynes March: C. Chriswell C. Beale K. Taylor W Russel C. Koontz
Sant Cruz Santa Cruz Livermore Santa Cruz Santa Cruz La Selva Beach Santa Cruz
Soquel Watsonville Aptos Texas Santa Cruz Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Scotts Valley San Jose Pebble Beach Santa Cruz
With spring in the air and a new season upon us, I thought we should bring back an article from last year and ask its author (Randy Saar) for his thoughts on what this year is looking like. Below you will find Randy’s thoughts from our recent email exchange and his article from last year.
My thoughts on fishing in the Markleeville area this year (2024) are that it should be a fairly normal season — meaning the following:
Indian Creek Res. is good now and will be until it heats up in June.
Rivers will be cold but fishable soon but then they get to be chocolate milk and start to be fishable again mid, to late May. Still water should be good after getting to be accessible and continuing that way. Rivers start to get skinny late September. But September and October are when Heenan Lake opens for broodstock cutthroats. County and DFG usually stock some planters in the East Fork above Hangman’s Bridge (below there is wild w/ special regs.) around then too. DFG plants fish in the area all summer.
Randy Saar
Original Article from 2023
Have you ever fished the area around Hope Valley and Markleeville? If you have you know how many fishing opportunities there are and if not, you may want to consider venturing that way. It’s about a four-and-a-half hour drive from Santa Cruz through Stockton then Jackson, the foothills, finally to the Sierra and over ~8,700 Ft. Carson Pass on SR-88 a Scenic Byway.
There are many fly-fishing opportunities on still-water, rivers and streams. Larger lakes include Silver Lake, Caples Lake, Upper and Lower Blue Lakes and Indian Creek Reservoir. And then there’s Heenan Lake that is open from Sep. 1 through Nov. 30 where you can catch broodstock Lahonton Cutthroat. Numerous smaller lakes are also in the region, e.g. Woods Lake, Lake Kirkwood, Burnside Lake and others. 4, 5 or 6 weights are used on the lakes with wooly buggers, various nymphs with the Damsel Fly nymph often being the most productive. Hit risers with a Damsel Fly dry or parachute Callibaetis.
Much of the fishing attention is focused on the West Fork and to a greater degree East Fork of the Carson River.
The West Fork originates above Upper Blue Lake at Lost Lakes and runs through Charity Valley and Hope Valley. The meadows have good long runs with a few steeper, narrower, faster canyon areas that hold fish in the deeper pools. The river then flows down a rather steep boulder strewn path along Hwy 88 through the town of Woodfords. Call it pocket water. There are many places to pull off the road at fishable locations. Blue Lakes and the river are regularly visited by Fish and Wildlife trucks full of planters.
The East Fork originates high up between Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) and Nevada with fishable Silver Creek and Wolf Creek adding to it along the way. Most of the more accessible waters are planted. A few miles south past Markleeville the East Fork passes under Hangman’s Bridge, where from there to Nevada there are special regulations including artificial lures only. This area is not planted and flyfishers target rainbows and browns for miles down this stretch of the river. Runs, riffles and pools provide fairly straight forward dry and nymph fishing. The areas strewn with borders will make wading more challenging and requiring more technical casting and mending.
Fishing 4 to 5 wt. rods is ideal but 3 and 6 are just fine and to some degree the time of year or day and fly will influence your selection. If the County (Alpine Co.) plants Alper’s trout or you’re throwing streamers go heaver. If the flows are slow and a small fly delicately presented to smaller natives is the way of the day, go smaller. Depending on overnight temperatures morning Mayfly hatches get going like crazy and parachute Adams should do the trick. Stoneflies come out early too. When you hear the grasshoppers start buzzing, you may want to get on that band wagon. Dry dropper rigs with a nymph of the top fly work good, except in slow shallow water where the nymph could get snagged and/or the dry is small. Bigger Mayfly dry’s, Stimulator’s, Chubby’s and of course hoppers work for the dry or indicator. Imitative droppers (and for bare nymphing too such as hare’s ear, pheasant tail or stone fly) work well but loud Prince Nymphs or Copper Johns usually get more attention. In the evening, Caddis get their heads up and rising fish are targetable. Browns are more vulnerable a ways downstream from where Markleeville Creek (water not to be ignored) enters the East Fork. Go deep with streamers swung around submerged boulders. And Browns are even up in Wolf Creek meadow (think spring creek tactics, possibly with terrestrials) before it plunges down to the river. This gorge has rainbows in the pocket water. It’s bouldering territory where you dap a little dry, maybe get a couple feet of drift and, hopefully, see a little guy come up and grab your gift. Wolf Creek is about 5 mils (dead end) off Hwy 4 turning off at Centerville Flat Campground on a somewhat paved road (good fishing along there) then a dirt road to the Wolf Creek campground or a left turn before that to the meadow and then down to the river. If you keep going south on Hwy 4, fishable Silver Creek runs along the route, with good access at Centerville Flat Campground. Keep going and you’ll find Kinney Reservoir for easy access lake fishing.
So, there are lots and lots of fishing and camping opportunities in the area. Now back to kind of the center of it all — Markleeville. This is the county seat of the least populated county in California. The little town has a couple restaurants a motel and a small/limited general store. A few miles south of town is the Carson River Resort (“resort” – ya right) with a very little store and campsites across the street on the river. This stretch of the road is central for recreation in the area.
I’m writing to mention to the SCFF Club members that I think this is a great area (the beauty however has been moderated by recent wildfires) that is relatively close to enjoy and encourage you to check it out. Below are a couple of maps and photos to help orient you.
SAFETY FIRST when fishing the surf. If you’ve ever been hit by a wave or fall in the water and your stripping basket becomes involved, it can be a real issue. At that point your ability to maneuver in the water is greatly reduced as the water pulls you in the direction it wishes to go. Whichever type you use, make sure the belt and/or basket can be quickly removed. A couple of suggestions for how you achieve a quick release. 1. A basket that attaches to the belt with Velcro. 2.Purchase your own double sided Velcro, about 2 inches wide, to make your own attachment. 3. Scientific Anglers ECOastal basket comes equipped in this way. 4. The basket that Sam now has available for the club to purchase comes with a belt that has a plastic attachment that slips apart easily. Do note: belts with a button release is very difficult to do when you’re tossing in the surf helplessly. Whatever you decide to use, be sure to try it ahead of time, and probably while holding the rod in the other hand.
The Pyramid Lake trip is one of the best-attended fishouts the club has, and for a good reason. Lahontan Cutthroat Trout cruise parallel to the shore in easy casting distance from shore. Read More
Updated March 25th, fish out if full. 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. On this Fishout, priority will be… Read More
Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Hat Creek Park off Hy 299 (See the map below) This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster Alex Ferber. Here he will be discussing the local fishery, access points,… Read More
Fishmaster: Tim Loomis - 831- 345-8411 / bigsurstyles@att.net The Lake Almanor fishout is typically scheduled for the last weeks of June (22nd - 29th). This time period is, hopefully, the peak of the annual Hexagenia hatch that begins generally mid-June and runs through mid-July. The most productive fishing takes place early evenings on into past… Read More
Location: Palm Beach State Park Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the… Read More
Sign Up Now! Experience a new HIGH! Fish for Dorado, and many other salt-water fish, including Bonito, Roosters, Yellowtail and Sailfish on a fly! Join the group going to Loreto in Baja July 7th through the 11th This trip includes: Four nights at the beautiful Hotel La Mission, on the water-front next to the Loreto… Read More
Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there… Read More
Location: Manresa State Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many… Read More
UPDATED - 3/25/2024 - Several spots open first week, second week is full. SignUps: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout. Half of the spots have been filled. Also sign ups must be completed by May 1 as the Fishmasters will be traveling mid May and all arrangements will… Read More
Event: O'Neill Forebay 'Stosh' Memorial Fishout Date: Date to be updated as we get closer to October (I will be looking for a weekend with a 'skinny' moon, less night feeding for the fish) Target Gamefish: Striped Bass Location: Medeiros Campground located on the Southern Shoreline of the O'Neill Forebay, access off of Santa Nella… Read More
Location: Palm Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY… Read More
Starting a new section of monthly advertisers which will be of nominal cost for club members . Will also have a section for advertisers on the website. If you would like to advertise or have your business listed on the club website, send an email to info@santacruzflyfishing.org
David Gregory is the owner of Yosemite Outfitters, a fly fishing and Hiking guide service out of Yosemite.
David has a B.S. in Parks and Recreation Management and is a graduate of Clearwater Guide School. He is enthusiastically devoted to sharing his love of fly fishing and guides for Yosemite Outfitters. The past 19 years he has formed a deep connection to Yosemite and the cool crystal waters off the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers
From roaming the Patagonian Andes to the sheer magic of Yosemite, David Gregory will take us on an aquatic adventure through places that have captured his heart. Addressing the need for conservation and stewardship to preserve the future of our sport and planet.
March is here and it is time to get serious about going after some of the big guys at Pyramid Lake. Take a look at these great raffle prizes that will give you a leg up at the Lake of the Giants, or if you prefer a nice little rod/reel package for Sierra streams.
Don’t miss out, buy your lucky raffle tickets.
Raffle tickets cost a dollar each, $20 bucks gets you 25. Click on the following link to purchase your lucky raffle tickets:
The online ticket sales office will close at noon on Wednesday the day of the Fly Club meeting. The drawing will take place at the monthly meeting (3/6) held at the Aptos Grange. Club membership is not required to participate, need not be present to win.
Participation in the monthly raffle helps the Club’s conservation and scholarship programs, your support is greatly appreciated.
The Santa Cruz club is a member of the Fly Fishing International (FFI) which provides us with well priced insurance to run the club. I thought that was all it did, but after attending a lunch meeting at the Pleasanton Fly show, I am convinced that they have a program that will be a cornerstone of our club as well as many clubs around the world. This year our club will continue to roll out the Fly Casting Skills Development program and I can imagine a time when we will have 20+ people at our casting clinics. The “aha” for me is that the program is based around Skill Assessment, not a pass/fail test and not a classroom. And the Skills Development program is for everyone, below I have pulled information about the mission and skills involved at each level.
The mission of the Fly Casting Skills Development program is to give all fly anglers a guide to learning and improving casting skills that address increasingly advanced fishing situations. It starts at the Foundation level, for true beginners to the sport who might be picking up a fly rod for the first time. It progresses through 4 levels of Foundation, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These provide a broad, relevant range of fishing casts covering skill categories of loop control, accuracy, roll cast, presentation, change in direction and distance. Better casting skills open more fishing opportunities with less frustration. All fly anglers can benefit and should be proud of their accomplishment. There is even an opportunity for recognition of casting accomplishments with an award document and a pin at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
BRONZE FLY CASTING SKILL LEVEL
The Bronze Level is focused on developing or reinforcing solid beginning fly casting skills. A fly fisher with this level of proficiency can successfully fish many common fishing situations. The Bronze Level challenges are as follows: B1. Pick-Up and Lay-Down cast (PULD): 40 ft. B2. Vertical to Horizontal Casting: 40 ft. B3. Roll Cast, Dominant Side: 40 ft. B4. Roll Cast, Non-Dominant Side: 40 ft. B5. Shooting Line: Starting at 40 ft. shooting to 45+ ft. with no false casts allowed. B6. Accuracy: Hit 0, 30, and then 40-foot targets B7. Distance: Starting at 40 ft. shooting to 50+ ft.
SILVER FLY CASTING SKILL LEVEL
The Silver Level is focused on developing intermediate level fly casting skills. A fly fisher with these casting skills can successfully fish common situations and often achieve more challenging presentations.
The Silver Level challenges are as follows: S1. Vertical to Horizontal False Casts, Non-Dominant Side: 40 ft. S2. Reach Mend to Right: At 40 ft., the caster will perform a reach mend to the right. S3. Reach Mend to the Left: At 40 ft., the caster will perform a reach mend to the left. S4. Slack Line Presentation: At 40 ft., the caster will make a slack line presentation S5. Belgian style or Oval Cast: At 40 ft., the caster will perform a Belgian cast (open loop) S6. Accuracy, Non-Dominant Side: Hit 0, 30, and then 40-foot targets S7. Distance and Shooting Line: Starting t 45 ft., shooting to 60+ ft.
GOLD FLY CASTING SKILL LEVEL
The Gold Level is focused on developing advanced fly casting skills. A fly fisher with these skills can successfully fish in a wide variety of fishing situations.
The Gold Level challenges are as follows: G1. Loop Control, Non-Dominant Side: At 45 ft., the caster will perform 4 or more false casts off the non-dominant shoulder (left shoulder for a right-handed person) ending with fly hitting a 4 ft. target. Hauling is allowed. G2. Curve Casts: At 40 ft., the caster will perform a curve cast to the side of their choice with the line/leader curving around an obstacle at approximately 25 ft. The fly should land at least 45 degrees from the line layout between the caster and the obstacle. G3. Roll Cast Pick-Up: Starting at 40 ft., the caster will perform a roll cast pick-up with extension of line to 55ft. G4. Change of Direction Casts: At 40 ft., the caster will perform two different change of direction casts of their choosing with fly line and leader landing relatively straight. G5. Accuracy: Hit 20, 30, 40, and then 50-foot targets G6. Casting While Seated or Kneeling: While sitting in a chair or kneeling with one knee on the ground, start at 30 ft. and shoot to 40 ft.
G7. Backcast Presentation to a Minimum of 55 ft.:
G8. Distance and Shooting Line: Starting at 45 ft., shooting to 70+ ft.
It’s time to get ready for the bass and bluegill season with some of these top water creations. This is a two day class that is a very artsy crafty and beginners should feel comfortable in attending. All the materials will be provided including the thread. Vises and tools will be available for beginners. There is limited space, so only sign up if you are committed to attend and do so no later than March 11. You can sign up at the club meeting or by calling me at 831-234-6515
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.
This particular fly works well for trout, bass and bluegill. I believe that having the original instructions to follow will be easier for you than trying to describe the construction the normal way. The measurements will not be to scale, so be sure to use a ruler The diagrams should be very helpful. Hope this works for you. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call. 831-234-6515. Elaine
