Pat Murray, a dear club member of ours, passed away recently. She was introduced to the club in 2006 by long-term club member Gill Santos. You could find her at many club functions and fishouts ,and help at the annual fundraiser was much appreciated. On one particular memorable horse pack trip into Humphreys Basin in the High Sierra, she kept us entertained with her skills at playing bridge , which helped us deal with the cold rain and then corn snow which fell upon our tarps all day. The O’Neil Forbay was one of her frequent haunts. She really enjoyed catching those mighty Stripers. Thanks Gil for introducing us to Pat who was such a fun friend. – by Elaine Cook
Katalla River: Juno AK, September 2005. L-R: Gil Santos; Pat Murray; Ed Marcillac; Tom McMillan; Dougald Scott.
176 members have paid their 2022 dues as of the end of January. Although membership dues and donations are more than last year, they are less than the 2019 pre Covid level which included the annual fundraiser dinner. The Board will be reviewing the 2022 Budget on Feb 16th after all 2021 expenditures and revenues are finalized. 2022 Budget will be sent to members in March.
If members are not receiving the monthly newsletter, it may be included in their spam file, or members are using an alternate email to review the newsletter, or dues have not been paid for 2022. Please email me if there is a problem with the newsletter or googlegroups. Robert6367@aol.com
We’ve received another donation to share with our club members. Ed Sacks is the person we thank for his thoughtfulness and generosity. He was a club member some years ago and remembers well shopping at Ernie’s. He no longer ties flies so offers us what he had. That includes a fly tying table with vise, light and magnifier. Watch for these on the free giveaway table at an upcoming, in person club meetings.
We are on schedule to meet our membership dues budget and are hoping for additional donations in order to offset the loss from our annual fundraiser dinner. At the end of December 150 members have renewed their 2022 dues membership. In addition donations of $2,000 have exceeded the prior year by 50% and continues to grow with members support.
In February, we will have final 2021 revenue and expense figures and update our 2022 Budget. We still have 25 members who have not renewed and we will accept renewals at the January BBQ and for the balance of January. Email reminders will be sent in early January.
For those that have already renewed and donated online, THANK YOU
The club has had a great variety of Fishouts over the years. It’s planning time for 2022 and I’m encouraging you to think about planning one. It can be very simple or involved. And as fishmaster chairman, I’m here to help you with the decision to do one, choosing a plan, and guide you on how to organize the outing.
If you are hesitant, I would encourage something very simple. For example: making an announcement in the newsletter that includes, place, date and time, your name and contact info as fishmaster, type of fishing and equipment needed. Make it so sign ups are not needed, everyone is on their own for food and any fees required.
There is no need for you to be an expert in fishing that area and it is understood that you are not guaranteeing how good the fishing will be. It’s important to acquire basic information ahead of time, such as, how to get there, approximate driving time, any entrance fees, equipment inspections, PDF requirements, etc.
Please consider stepping up this year and help provide the opportunity for us to get together, have fun, find out about a new place to fish and the fishery, and learn from others. I’m waiting for your phone call. Please do call. John Cook — fishmaster chairman. (831)688-1561. (831)234-6515
90 members have renewed 2021 dues for a total of $4,500 including $1,200 in donations averaging $50/member.
100 membership renewal letters have been mailed out to those members who have not yet responded. Deadline to be included in the 2022 roster is Dec 31st. Member names who have not responded will be deleted from the roster and Googlegroups.
We are on schedule to meet our membership dues budget and are hoping for additional donations in order to offset the $4,500 loss from our annual fundraiser dinner not being held for 2 years. With additional member contributions we could double our High School scholarships from $200 to $400/student, maintain our conservation project funding, and pay to restore the County Steelhead plaque on the San Lorenzo River damaged by vandalism with matching funds.
For those that have already renewed and donated online, THANK YOU
In January, we’re going to be back at the Sherriff’s Posse Hall for another BBQ and our annual Club Members Photo Slide Show! Just a reminder for anyone that wants to include a photo(s) in the club’s annual slide show, please send the photos directly to me Thomaspolito12@gmail.com. Thanks!
Just in time for Christmas, we are discounting some SCFF logo wear. This offer is only good if you are willing to pick up the items in the Aptos area. Take a look int the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Store.. After you purchase, you will coordinate a pick up place and time with Kevin Murdock.
To date we have 170 members on the roster including 40 new online members since 2021 , which is almost 25% of the membership. For Oct and November we would like to encourage members to renew online at santacruzflyfishing.org/membership which has proven to be more efficient, accurate, and cost effective offsetting postage and printing costs. Members can still renew by check mailed to PO Box 2008, Santa Cruz, Calif 95023. In December, a renewal packet will be sent to those members who have not renewed online…last year over 50% of members renewed online. For those new members after July 1, 2021, will not need to renew for 2022.
Please contact me if you have questions or membership concerns….Robert6367@aol.com
Its just about that time when my loved ones say, “I don’t know what to get him, he buys all the fishing stuff he wants when he wants.”
Maybe a hint would be for to look at the items from the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Store. For your holiday shopping, we are going to set up pickup in Aptos for the items. After you purchase, you will coordinate a pick up place and time with Kevin Murdock.
Or maybe if you can’t wait until Christmas, just buy some stuff yourself.
Here are my notes with some of the fishing photography tips that pro photographer Brian O’Keefe shared at our June 2, 2021 SCFF meeting
He recommends the iPhone 11 or 12 to meet all of our fish pic needs. Specific notes regarding the use of those cameras are at the end of this piece.
For a “Magazine Cover” format, keep the LENS AT FISH EYE LEVEL by the water surface, with the FISH HEAD ANGLED SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE CAMERA .
With TOOTHY FISH, pics especially good with its head angled well toward the camera.
Nice to show the ROD/TACKLE HELD NATURALLY, NOT over your shoulder, in your mouth, etc.
Pics of FLIES are fun.
Try getting UP HIGH. Stop the car for a good shot! Pics from a LOW DOWN angle are also especially good.
Look for pics of CURVES IN THE RIVER, with the FOREGROUND IN FOCUS.
CUT OFF THE PEOPLE, HONOR THE FISH!
To take a pic of your buddy DON’T SAY “WAIT”, SAY “KEEP FISHING!”
BACKLIT SHOTS ARE GREAT, lighting up the net, the fish’s tail, etc.
Avoid the “BORING BULLSEYE” with your subject centered in the photo.
”30 SECOND RULE”: Take a bit of time to move to the spot with the best composition, background, light, etc.
FISHERMAN LOOKING AT THE FISH (rather than at the camera) respects the fish.
Showing MOVING WATER AROUND THE FISH is good.
Showing JUST THE HEAD OF THE FISH is good.
With SUPER SHINY FISH, FIND SHADE to show the scale detail.
EARLY AND LATE LIGHT yield MORE COLOR and beautiful SILHOUETTES.
With RIVER PICS show a VISIBLE ANGLER.
Find INTERESTING COMPOSITION. DON’T CENTER EVERYTHING.
With SILVERY FISH try bending fish at different angles to decrease reflection.
Showing DRIPPING is good!
”THE HONORABLE BLUR” shows a moving fish.
OK to hold BASS a bit out of the water, best just out at the surface, but KEEP YOUR ARM BEHIND.
!! AGAIN !! : TAKE PICS AT LOW, EYE LEVEL TO THE FISH!! WITH ITS HEAD TOWARD THE CAMERA!!
BTW: SHOTS LOOKING DOWN AT THE FISH BY SHORE SHOW all the MUD aroused in the water.
On BRIGHT SUNNY DAY with the fisher’s face in shadow use FILL FLASH.
Tell people to LOOK HAPPY! SHOW THE MOMENT!
THROW IN SOME COLOR: shore foliage, etc.
Show what fish eat!
JUMPING FISH SHOTS: He gets LOW IN THE BOAT.
For SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD (flower shots, bugs, etc) use PORTRAIT MODE.
BIG COLOR is great to capture when present.
CAMERA TIPS
He recommends the iPhone 11 or 12.
Also good is Olympus T6-4 MP Olympus Tough, waterproof with 3” LCD, about $575. Both this and the above iPhones have excellent Macro ability.
Good distance shots however require a pro camera with telephoto lens.
REGARDING iPHONES:
He DOES NOT USE “LIVE” mode, but DOES USE TELEPHOTO AND OTHER function MODES.
The VOLUME button can operate the SHUTTER.
In PANO mode he seldom uses the whole range, often just 1/2 or 2/3 of the range.
3 colored dots in the upper right corner indicate FILTERS. These can be used before or after a shot. Be sure to SAVE THE ORIGINAL before trying various filters.
PORTRAIT MODE blurs out all but the subject. He especially likes STAGE LIGHT MONO setting.
iPHONES DON’T DO CLOSEUPS WELL. He makes a COPY, SAVES, THEN EDITS, usually brightening up BRIGHTNESS & SHARPNESS, then CROPS.
The Forebay fish-out Stosh organized is the second weekend of October, so I have moved our surf fish-out to the first Saturday in October (2nd) so everyone can participate in both.
Sunrise is at 07:04 and we will meet at 0640. High tide (+4.2’) is at 09:17, so we will fish a flood tide. Some people believe this is the best tide as the fish will be coming in to feed on critters untouched in the sand for several hours. I can’t personally say one way or the other, as I have caught fish in the surf at all stages of tide. It seems to be more a case of whether or not they see what I am offering and are they biting it?
I will have flies (free), stripping baskets ($20 to the Club) and brand new wading belts ($10 to repay my cost) available.
Getting there: Take West Beach out of Watsonville all the way towards the ocean until you are mired in the sand. You went just a bit too far, so back up your 4WD about 100 feet and park on the right under the Eucalyptus trees that drip and stain your vehicle when they are wet. (Hint: Wash it off right away when you get home.)
BTW, I like the State Beaches, because when you are done, there is a shower nearby to wash the sand off your waders and salt off your gear before heading home.
This is our last “organized” surf fish-out for 2021. Last month most everyone caught fish or had hook-ups. Let’s do it again!
Last reminder for our annual FishOut at Medeiros Campground, O’Neill ForeBay. (we camp just west of the power lines in a group site with 4 or 5 separate campsites near each other. Look for our club banner and lots of float tubes on the shore or out fishing. Bring all float tube stuff, #7 or #8 wt rods with fast sinking line. Tie a short 6′ leader of 14-17 lb. test fluorocarbon which sinks better than Monofilament lines and has no stretch which makes better hook sets. We hope to have more flies for sale or bring your own clauser minnows with hook sizes #1, 1-0 and 2-0 and pinch the barbs for safety.
This is a remote style camping spot, we have 1 vault style toilet that is kept clean and there is no water available. Campers be sure to bring all the gear you need. There is a store about a mile away to get ice, beer etc. If this is your first time and need more info, call me at 831 462 4532 or email me at ssrudzinski@gmail.com. Anyone wanting to order flies, do this ASAP so I can get an order in, they will be $5. each.
Hope to see you there and lets hope for good weather and especially, good fishing.
Last year was the first time I ever caught a Striper on a fly and the first time I ever fished the O’Neill Forebay. I didn’t know many people in the club, tried fishing the Forebay on my own and wasn’t very successful. One reason I joined the club’s board was to selfishly meet people who would teach me how to fish the Forebay and other places. It worked. Now I would like to help other club members who would like to Striper fish this fall.
Over 30 new members have joined in the past year and if a new member (or old member) wants to try and fish the O’Neill Forebay during October 7-10 or November 4-7 fishout, send an email at scottkitayama@gmail.com. For those busy with family and work, a half-day will still be a good experience. Send me a note even if you don’t have a float tube or heavy rod and I’ll try and help you find equipment and someone experienced to fish with you.
Oh and by the way, you can always learn to fish by calling Tom to join the board, that works too. 😉
Just a reminder that 2021 membership Rosters are still available. Just send me an email @ Robert6367@aol.com and I will put one in the mail. (Editors note: They are really nice!)
2021 Rosters will be available at the August 4th
BBQ…..Should you not be able to attend, email me @ robert6367@aol.com and I will mail one out to you.
Annual dinner volunteer needed to help set up online silent auction thru square and zoom. Can send me an email if you can provide technical assistance.
While summer is in full swing, now is the time to take note of the help you receive on your flyfishing journey. Freeze in your mind each act, and then nominate the perpetrator for this year’s John Steele Award. Our Annual B-B-Q at the Sherriff’s Possee House would be a great place to drop off a ballot. Or just e-mail me at troutdock89@gmail.com
We had a very successful first class on July 28. Four club members, all experienced casters, attended, and we spent the full two hours working on perfecting the mechanics of the roll cast. The riverside site can comfortably accommodate up to six casters. In order to prevent any chance of overcrowding, I will maintain a sign-up list for future classes. If you would like to participate, send me an email at traugott@ucsc.edu, or call and leave a message at (831) 338-6056. I will send an email message providing all necessary details to those who sign up.
The August casting class will focus on the Pick-up and Lay-down (PULD) cast. This is the foundation for all overhead fly casting. This lesson will be geared primarily to beginner and novice fly casters, so no prior casting experience is assumed (though the ability to do a basic roll cast would be helpful.) The class will take place in Boulder Creek at 10 AM on Wednesday, August 25. This month’s general lesson plan is to conduct a very brief review of the roll cast (for those who attended the July class) followed by a systematic examination of the steps involved in a simple PULD cast. Time permitting, we will also cover the off-side PULD and false casting. Participants should plan to bring the rod of their choice, a matching reel, and a floating line (or contact me to see if I can arrange for loaner equipment.)
Sep 22 10:00 AM : ‘Review and Advanced’ Casting
Fishmaster: Mark Trougott – Casting Intructor
Beginning in September, my intention is to continue to devote the first half of the two-hour session to touching up novice casters’ mastery of the roll cast and PULD; and to orient the second hour to more advanced techniques appropriate for SCFF members who are experienced casters. Examples of this last sort of topic might include presentation casts (reach mends and curve casts that present the fly without spooking the fish); slipping line and hauling (single and double); or loop control (how and why to throw wide and narrow loops). If you have a specific topic in mind, please let me know by mid-August so I can incorporate the most frequently requested techniques into a lesson plan for the second hour of the September session.
The riverside site can comfortably accommodate up to six casters. In order to prevent any chance of overcrowding, I will maintain a sign-up list for future classes. If you would like to participate, send me an email at traugott@ucsc.edu, or call and leave a message at (831) 338-6056. I will send an email message providing all necessary details to those who sign up.
Membership Rosters are now available by email request, or can be picked up on August 4th at the Sherriff Posse BBQ first monthly meeting of the year @ 1227 Ocean St Ext. Should you not be able to attend, or would like an electronic version, please send me an email @ robert6367@aol.com.
I would also like to thank Carly Blanchard for her technical assistance in formatting the Roster for final printing by Community Printing.
Image from https://riverbum.com/blog/intro-to-fly-fishing-casting-with-the-roll-cast/
Beginner and novice fly casters who are interested in instruction in the roll cast, one of two foundational techniques in fly casting, should plan on attending a lesson that will take place in Boulder Creek at 10 AM on Wednesday, July 28. If you would like to participate, please contact me at 831-338-6056 or via email at traugott@ucsc.edu so that I can sign you up, give you directions, and discuss any equipment issues. The plan for July is for one hour of systematic group instruction followed by an additional hour of general practice and socializing. I am presuming that most participants will have their own rod, reel, and floating line. (A loaner rod or two may be available for those who do not have their own.) If there is sufficient interest, we could follow up in August with a similar session devoted to the “Pick-up and Lay-down” or basic overhead cast. More specialized techniques for experienced casters could become the focus of future sessions. It all depends on the level of member interest, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and let me know if you would like to participate.
Maya Gipson graduated from San Lorenzo High