Hard to decorate fish eggs.
Posted on March 21st, 2026
Itty Bitty Easter Eggs
March 2026 Newsletter
March 4 7pm at Aptos Grange: Landon Mayer shares his secrets for catching large predator trout
F3T Film – Santa Cruz, April 19, 2026 …………
My Turn: My Fly Fishing Journey………………
Fly Tying……………………
March Fly Tying Class: Poppers
Fly of the Month: Lardo’s Ant
Conservation Concerns……………………
AI Making It’s Mark on Fish Conservation
Membership Notes…………………
Club Activities – March thru May
Swap Meet
Are you smarter than a Crew26 member? – Part 1
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Cartoon ……………………
Posted on February 25th, 2026
Landon Mayer shares his secrets for catching large predator trout
Mar 04 7:00 PM at the Aptos Grange (Zoom Presentation)
Landon Mayer’s angling success is fueled by an addiction to pursuing large trout with small flies and lightweight fly-fishing equipment. Mayer enthusiastically teaches and demonstrates his techniques and on-river knowledge to fellow anglers and has developed innovative strategies for sighting, hooking, and landing selective trout. He shares these tips and secrets in his books Guide Flies: Easy to Tie Patterns for Tough Trout (2022), The Hunt for Giant Trout: 25 Top Locations in the US to Catch a Trophy (new for 2019), Trout Tips: A Guide’s Secrets, Tactics and Techniques (2016), Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing (2013), Sight Fishing for Trout (2010), and How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life (2007), in addition to his new film with Headwater Media: Mastering the Short Game (2019), Fly Tiers Master Class: Guide Flies and other Favorites (2024).
Landon’s passion for fly-fishing has allowed him to make several noteworthy contributions to the sport on and off the water. This has included travels to fly-fishing related organizations of the Mid-Atlantic, West, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southern states, as well as teaching through guided trips, fly-fishing classes, presentations, and demonstrations of his unique techniques.
Mayer is a contributing writer for Fly Fisherman and High Country Angler magazines. His contributions also have been featured in publications such as Fly Rod and Reel, American Angler, Southwest Fly Fishing, Field and Stream, and Fish and Fly magazines.
He’ll also be at the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show at the end of February presenting, tying, and casting
Mayer has been guiding in Colorado full time on the South Platte River for the last 23 years, and one full season on the Nak Nek River in AK. He resides in Woodland Park, Colorado. For additional information on his services and presentations, contact him at:
719-210-0619
www.landonmayer.com
Landon Mayer Fly Fishing on Facebook
Landon Mayer Fly Fishing You Tube
@landonmayerflyfishing on Instagram
NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 6:30 pm, we will be conducting short Crew26 Introductory clinic to help our those new to the sport. Please look at the Club Activities article in the Newsletter for more information.
Posted on February 19th, 2026
F3T Film – Santa Cruz, April 19, 2026
Apr 19, 2026 3:00 PM at the Woodhouse Brewery
| 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 25th, 2026
My Fly Fishing Journey
Like many of you, I have been fishing all my life—in streams, lakes, and the ocean. Every minute I fish is pure joy, even if I don’t catch a thing. About 25 years ago, I purchased a fly rod and reel while visiting friends in Michigan. A friend at work gave me a book and a video cassette (this was before the internet!) to help me learn how to cast. I fiddled around with it, but I never really had the time or patience to learn to cast properly, so the rod went into the fishing cabinet to collect dust.
I was fortunate enough to retire in 2019, and one of the things on my bucket list was to finally learn how to fly fish. It always looked so peaceful and majestic. Now that I had the time, I saw an announcement in the Sentinel for the monthly Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club meeting and decided to attend. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was impressed by how friendly everyone was, how well the meeting was run, the interesting presentations, and how fun the raffles were. I even won some great items!
Shortly after that, I attended casting classes sponsored by the club. In a short time, I gained the skill and confidence to cast. I began bringing a fly rod on camping trips and was soon able to catch fish! I also started attending fly-tying classes. What a mistake that was! I enjoyed it so much that I began gathering tools to tie at home. Materials came together slowly, but thanks to club members bringing items to meetings to give away, my collection grew. I can now follow recipes on YouTube and tie what I want. It’s incredibly gratifying to catch a fish on a fly I tied myself. These days, I even find myself tying flies specifically for upcoming trips.
After getting so much from the club, I decided it was time to give back. I was asked to join the board and took on the role of Facilities Director before later transitioning to Secretary. I’ve built many great relationships with my fellow board members and truly enjoy our board meetings.
My next venture will be hosting my first club fishout at Lake Nacimiento. Last year, a group of us had a successful trip there, and I’m hoping for the same this year. We’ll be camping at the Pine Knoll campground. Reservations shouldn’t be necessary, as the campground was wide open last year with hardly anyone there. Access to the Nacimiento River is by boat and takes about an hour to reach. I can accommodate a maximum of six people in my boat, so spots are limited unless someone else would like to bring a boat. If you’re interested, please see the details in the newsletter.
Posted on February 17th, 2026
Date: March 14 and March 15
Time: Saturday 10AM-3PM, Sunday Noon-4PM
Place: Elaine's Home
Posted on — Leave a commentMarch Fly Tying Class: Poppers
Mar 14 10:00 AM @ Elaine’s House
Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about a fly to entice those largemouth bass. . It’s not too early to sign up for this class that we do annually. There is limited space so being committed to attending is very important. All materials will be provided. Beginners should attend at least one fly tying class prior in order to be able to complete the poppers. In general it takes no particular skill to make these beauties and it’s very artsy crafty. Please call if you have any questions. 831-234-6515.
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Lardo’s Ant
Trout readily eat ants that accidentally end up in the water. There are many patterns around but are often difficult to see. This one will catch your eye because of the deer hair.
1. HOOK: TMC 100 Size 12–14. Crimp barb.
2. THREAD: 8/0 Cream or tan. Attach behind eye. Touching wraps to rear of shank.
3. REAR BODY: Reddish brown, super fine dubbing. If unable to find mix the 2 colors. Dub and eye shaped round body 1/3 the way up the shank. See diagram for size and shape. Make two touching thread wraps forward.
4. FORWARD BODY: Same material as rear body. Wrap around body up to one and an half eye lengths behind eye. Don’t crowd eye. This will be smaller than the rear body. See diagram for size and shape.
5. WING: Light fine, deer hair. Cut small clump from hide. Clean out under fur. Stack tips. Position bundle on top of shank with tips to rear and above center of rear body. Tie in place with first loop of thread around hair only and second around both hair and shank. Make a couple of snug wraps. lift butt ends of hair and make one wrap under hairs behind eye. Then one more wrap around hair and shank. Cut but ends at an angle. See diagram for the angle and length.
6. HACKLE: Light ginger, barbs equal to one and a half hook gap. Stroke barbs against grain at butt end. Cut about five or six barbs short on each side of the stem forming a crew cut. Put small drop of glue on top of shank where hackle was tied down. Place crew cut on top of glue, tip of feather to rear and dull side facing upward. Wrap around shank several times. Tie off, cut excess. Whip finish behind eye underneath deer hair.
Posted on November 24th, 2025
AI Making It’s Mark on Fish Conservation
It seems like we are increasingly bombarded with news about artificial intelligence and how it is becoming more a part of our lives. For me, it can be mind boggling and overwhelming how fast AI is growing in capabilities, both useful and downright creepy. Without going too deep into this subject—where there appears to be no bottom—I want to share some news about some useful data collection is being done in the field of fishery management with AI used as a tool.
Klamath River
It’s been about a year and a half since the last dam was opened up to remove barriers to fish passage from the Pacific Ocean to the headwaters above Klamath Lake in Oregon. As part of the comprehensive plan, one of the ongoing efforts is to monitor and measure fish migration in the watershed. To achieve that objective, a diverse group of tribes, CalTrout, California and Oregon Departments of Fish and Wildlife, university scientists , and nonprofits have collaborated to collect data to measure the effects of the dam removal and to help them make decisions on adjustments to their plan as they move forward. Of primary interest of course is information on fish species, numbers, size, and when they pass a given location on the river. CalTrout and members of the Fisheye Project (a group of scientists from Caltech, MIT, and UMass Amherst) are collaborating to use sonar to continuously capture movie-like recordings that are analyzed with the power of AI to produce more accurate data at a faster rate. The Fisheye Project is leveraging off the Visipedia project which was part of the photo ID aspect of the Merlin application that is used to identify birds. The power of the use of AI on this project thus far is to do the manual work which is reviewed by experts in the field. As the machine learning aspect keeps refining, the results are improving where best case accuracy is over 98% and processing speed is about 2 times faster than other methods. In the future the team aims to expand its capabilities to include estimate fish length so they can distinguish between Chinook, Coho and steelhead/rainbow trout. They also are working to achieve real-time updates remotely and improving accuracy.
During the 2025 fall run, over 10,000 fish over two feet in length passed a checkpoint at the former Iron Gate Dam site—a 30% increase from the previous year. While this is just one facet of a complex effort to restore a massive watershed to a free-flowing river, it is a crucial part of the process. One of the vital partners in this effort is CaTrout, which Santa Cruz Fly Fishing supports with annual contributions. SCFF would not be able to do this without all our member support. Thank you for helping revive and protect our precious waters.
Photo credit: Summer Burdick, USGS
Article source and related information:
https://caltrout.org/news/klamath-dam-monitoring-december-2025/
https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/salmon-everywhere-one-year-after-klamath-dam-removal
Posted on February 25th, 2026
Club Activities – March thru May
| Date | Activity Link | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27 - Mar 01 10:00 am - 6:00 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth A4 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth. Discounted show tickets are available for current Santa Cruz Fly Fishing members. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Feb 28 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | This class will be geared toward learning surf casting skills and will be limited to 6 participants. If you are interested in attending this class, please contact Alex Ferber at 831-419-0564. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Mar 04 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Crew26 Introductory Skills | We are going to have some of the items described in Module 1 and 2 of the introductory fly fishing program.
| Aptos Grange |
| Mar 21 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | This class will be geared toward learning surf casting skills and will be limited to 6 participants. If you are interested in attending this class, please contact Alex Ferber at 831-419-0564. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 11 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | Stay tuned for an email to the club on what Alex Ferber has planned for this month’s casting class. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 19 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 | The 19th annual FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T) 2025 is at the Woodhouse Brewery with a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead! | Woodhouse Brewery |
| May 16 9:00 am - 1:00 pm | Swap Meet at Aptos Grange - 2026 | Swap meet at the Aptos Grange parking lot. 9am to 1 pm. All things fishing/outdoors! | Aptos Grange |
| May 30 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | Stay tuned for an email to the club on what Alex Ferber has planned for this month’s casting class. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
Posted on February 25th, 2026
Swap Meet
Posted on February 25th, 2026
Are you smarter than a Crew26 member? – Part 1
In lieu of the February general meeting, we had an orientation for new members of the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club. We had 19 new members attend and their experience ranged from never having touched a fly rod to being accomplished fly fishers with a desire to learn about new locations and find a community of like-minded people.
To try and improve the basic knowledge of the new members, we are providing a “self-study” program through the year to introduce basic concepts. The study modules come from the Norther California Council of Fly Fishing International (NCCFFI) and we appreciate all of the effort they put into it.
So would you like to see if you are smarter than a Crew26 member? We’ve created a knowledge assessment for each of the modules. Maybe you would like to try? Click on the links below and test yourself!
If you are unsure of the answers or just want to know more, here are the self-study slides.
Posted on February 19th, 2026
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13 - Mar 15 | Putah Creek Fishout | Putah Creek Interdam Region, Section 1-5 Date: March 13th-15th Friday afternoon, Saturday Morning and Evening sessions, and Sunday Morning Fishmasters: Jesse Collins - jesse@jcollinsproperties.com Marcus McDonough Number of Anglers: 10 Anglers Total Registration: Wednesday February 11th - 9am jesse@jcollinsproperties.com Fee: $25.00 - Registration Fee Payable to SC Flyfishing Club - Invoice by Email to Follow Registration Accommodations: We have booked two large full—hookup Campsites next two each other (Site 2 and 3) at Lake Solano Campground: 8685 Pleasants Valley Road Fishing: This area is known for large, native rainbow trout that have steelhead genetics. We are using technical methods with [...] |
| Mar 15 - Mar 21 | Pyramid Lake Ladder Fishout – March 2026 – UPDATED – 12/01 | Trailers are Full - 12/01 Fishmaster: 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. This one is similar to trips we've done in the past except on a smaller scale. I have reserved 2 trailers and can accommodate 10 people. The dates are March 15th through the 21st. The weather can be very unpredictable in March, but we have had good times in the past fishing this time of [...] |
| Apr 06 - Apr 08 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | -CANCELED- Nacimiento River Camp & Fishout | Nacimiento River Camp & Fishout April 6th -8th UPDATED 3/30/3036 From the Fishmaster I’ve been keeping watch on this and it looks like the White bass run up the river was early this year. Probably has to do with the warm weather last month and low lake levels. Due to this I’m going to cancel the trip planned for next week. Will give it a go next year. Kevin The Nacimiento river is a 1hr boat ride from the Pine Knoll Campground and 1 hour back. The plan is to limit 6 angles per day (unless we secure another [...] |
| Apr 17 - Apr 19 | Roostercomb Ranch | Call-in is Sunday, March 8 at 7:00 pm and not earlier. (831) 566-7707 This is our club’s 24th annual bass fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch. April 17-19, 2026 (Fri-Sun), Fishmaster: Cecilia Stipes (831) 566-7707 flyfishgal3@aol.com |
| Apr 25 - May 02 12:00 am | Green River – Utah | 2026 Green River Fishout is now open! We are doing a maximum of 12 people. Contact Fishmaster Scott Andersen for more information; Cell: 831-247-2993. Email: scott.a.andersen@gmail.com |
| May 01 - May 03 | Coyote Lake – Gilroy (bass, bluegill, crappie) | We are going to do a local fishout with some of our partner organizations, Sisters on the Fly and the Monterey Chapter of Project Healing Waters. The intent is to provide a place close to home where members new to fly fishing have an opportunity cast for fish, get comfortable using a float tube, camp, and participate in the fellowship of a fishout. Will arrange to have shared meals, rigging clinic, and casting clinics. Fishmasters: SCFF: Scott Kitayama & Randy Saar Sisters on the Fly: PJ MyattProject Healing Waters: Dave Kite Location: Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County [...] |
| May 05 - May 07 | Roostercomb Ranch II: May 5 – 7th | Call-in is Monday, March 16 at 7:00 pm and not earlier. (831) 234-2244 This is a second outing due to popularity of Roostercomb Ranch. May 5-7, 2026 (Tu-Thu), Fishmasters: Michael Sherwood (831) 234-2244 michaeldsherwood@gmail.com AND Elaine Cook (831) 234-6515 coookin@gmail.com |
| May 09 5:50 am - 9:00 am | Rio Del Mar Beach | I am hosting our first surf fish out of the year which will be at Rio Del Mar Beach on Saturday, May 9. Sunrise is at 06:07, so we will meet a bit before that, at 05:50. This timing falls in about the middle of an ebb tide with a high of 4 feet at 3:40 am to a low of 0 (zero) feet at 10:40. After fishing, for those that wish, we can adjourn to the Pixie Deli nearby for coffee, breakfast burritos, beer and to share experiences. But it doesn’t open until 0900. For details on what to [...] |
| May 15 - May 17 2:00 pm - 12:00 pm | CANCELED – McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP – DIY Camp & Fishout | Unfortunately due to low interest, this Fishout has been CANCELED DIY Camp & Fishout This is a new Fishout opportunity to our members the club has booked 2 campsites (across from each other) and is offering the campsites to the first 16 people to sign up (8 per campsite). There will be no host or organized events like our typical Fishouts. We are offering this as a put it on your calendar and make it happen outing. The opportunities in and around the state park are diverse and would take to much to list them all. If you have not [...] |
| May 22 - May 24 | Pit River Camp Fishout | Pit River Below Lake Brittan Dam Fishmaster: Alex Ferber / alex.ferber74@gmail.com Location: Pit River, close to Burney, California. The Pit river is located in the Shasta National Forest. Accessed via Hwy 299 and Hwy 89. Approximately 2 hrs east of Redding California Lodging: We will be camping at Ruling Creek Campground PG & E Campground - First come first serve ($15.00 daily cost subject to change). Located on the Pit 4 reach, below the Pit River 4 Dam. There are toilets, and fire rings. There usually is water available. The closest shopping is in Burney, about 1 hr away. Description of the River: [...] |
| Jun 06 - Jun 08 | Pyramid Lake Floatie Fishout – June 2026 – UPDATED April 16 | Fishmaster: Frank Gombos (Salinas Fly Club) Update April 15 - Due to low response, we have canceled the SCFF only fishout and will join the Salinas club on June Currently Jeff Goyert, Michael Sherwood and Scott Kitayama are going from the Santa Cruz club. If interesteed contact Frank @ 831 970 9623. |
| Jun 06 5:20 am - 10:00 am | Beer Can Beach Surf Fishing & Breakfast | Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Peter Soderstrom / petertsoderstrom@gmail.com |
| Jun 19 - Jun 21 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | Yuba River Private Water – UC Davis Property | Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club (SCFFC)Lower Yuba Private Water Camp & Fishout June 19th-21st 2026 (Date subject to change due to weather and flows) The information provided below has been modified from the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishing Club and Tri-Valley Fly Fishing Club (2022-23) Special Notes The outing is limited to 20 people. With a $50.00 buy in payable to the club. Reservations will be accepted via email to the Fishmaster (Justin Ice) only one person reservation per email (if you and your buddy want to go then 2 emails are needed). Due to the limited capacity, reserving your spot [...] |
| Jun 20 - Jun 27 12:00 am | Lake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 20th – 27th 2026 | The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for June 20th thru 27th, 2026. 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 Crater Lake, Manzanita Lake, [...] |
| Jul 10 - Jul 12 | CANCELED – Burney & Around | Due to unforeseen circumstances, this Fishout has been canceled. Please stay tuned as there is a chance for rescheduling. Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Date: July 10th-12th 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 [...] |
| Aug 01 5:50 am - 10:00 am | Palm Beach Surf Fishout With The Delta Fly Fishers | Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers |
| Sep 08 - Sep 15 | Alaska Kenai Peninsula Fly Fishing | 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. |
| Sep 19 - Oct 03 | Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 19-Oct. 3rd 2026 | APR Update: We have one space open in the first week and one space open in the second week. If you want to go or get more info, contact Scott Kitayama or Randy Saar. |
| Oct 15 - Oct 18 | O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 15-18th | Camping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay. |
| Nov 13 - Nov 15 12:00 am | Trinity River Fishout | Target: 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 25th, 2026
Fin Flutter
Posted on February 13th, 2026
February 2026 Newsletter
February: New Member Orientation – Crew26………………
My Turn: Moving Forward Together in 2026…………
Fly Tying……………………
February Fly Tying Class: Guinea Hen Soft Tackle
Western Coachman (aka: Mr. Bill)
Conservation Concerns……………………
Record Salmon Return to Putah Creek
Membership Notes…………………
Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show
Previous Club Meeting Recordings Available
Club Activities – February thru April
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Cartoon ……………………
Posted on January 23rd, 2026
New Member Orientation – Crew26
Feb 04 7:00 PM at the Aptos Grange
Starting at 11:00 minutes into the recording: Chris Severs gives a tour of the club website, discuss the Sef-Study “intro to fly fishing program”, the 3 major goals for the evening. Zoom Recording Link
We are not going to have an “official meeting” in February since we have just had the Annual Fundraiser the Saturday before. However, we have already rented the Aptos Grange for Feb 4th and so we are going to use for New Member Orientation and hopefully the start of a new members group called Crew26.
New Member Orientation: This is open to anyone, but is primarily meant for people who have joined in the last year. Opportunity to meet other new members, talk about your fishing goals and learn how to get the most out of the club.
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Moving Forward Together in 2026
As I write this on January 26, I’m wrapping up work and looking out at clear skies, hoping for more rain. The San Lorenzo has been steadily dropping in flow, and for the sake of the steelhead, I’m wishing for storms that will bring the river back to healthy levels so these fish can reach their spawning grounds. Just as seasonal changes renew the watershed and bring new runs of fish, our club is experiencing some changes of its own. I’d like to take a moment to share where we’re headed in 2026. The first big change is that we have a new president — me. I know I have big shoes to fill in Scott Kitiyama’s absence. Over the past three years, Scott led this club with dedication, enthusiasm, and a hands‑on presence in nearly every facet of our operations: fishouts, fly tying, and so much more. Scott, thank you for everything you’ve done. I hope we’ll continue to see you around.
You may also have noticed that we haven’t been holding our usual raffles at monthly meetings. In short, we’re working through the paperwork required to align our nonprofit status with state regulations so we can legally run raffles again. We’re optimistic that raffles will return later this year, but we can’t guarantee timing quite yet. In the meantime, please hang in there with us. At our annual fundraiser, instead of raffles, we’re offering some great door prizes and expanding our silent auction — and we think you’ll really enjoy what we’ve put together.
One of my goals as president is to encourage more member engagement. In my opinion, fishouts are the heart of this club and the spark that keeps people involved. When I joined in 2021, I attended only a couple of meetings and didn’t feel very connected at first. That changed when I signed up for the 2022 Lake Almanor fishout — I’d always been curious about the Hex hatch and decided to give it a try. I ended up sharing a cabin with Jeff Goyert, Michael Sherwood, Bob Garbarino, and Kevin Murdock, and we had an incredible time. That weekend turned me from a ghost member into an active one.
If you’ve ever felt hesitant to show up because you don’t know many people, trust me — I’ve been there. A fishout is the best way to break the ice, get involved, and make new friends. In 2024 we held 18 fishouts, in 2025 we bumped that up to 22, and in 2026 we plan to top that.
I’m also passionate about making semi‑exotic fishing opportunities both accessible and affordable. This September, Rick Chace and I are hosting two weeks of fishouts on the Kenai Peninsula — giving members the chance to fish world‑class trout, steelhead, and salmon waters for a fraction of lodge prices. My hope is to make Alaska an annual trip that continues even if I’m not able to attend someday. I’d also love to eventually add DIY trips to British Columbia and winter steelhead trips to the Olympic Peninsula. The more engaged members we have, the more adventures we can offer. The sky is the limit, but we need you to bring your fishing experience and skillset forward to make the opportunities possible. If you have a bucket list destination and would like to organize a trip, please let us know, we are happy to help you make that vision a reality.
Last year, Justin Ice did a fantastic job organizing the Fly Fishing Film Tour at Woodhouse Brewery. We filled the place with more than 120 people and added six new members that night. We plan to host the event again this year and are looking into expanding to the International Fly Fishing Film Tour as well. We’re also exploring a monthly fly swap and fly‑tying meetup at Woodhouse. If you tie — or want to learn — we’d love your ideas and involvement.
Another area I’m excited about is updating our club logo. A great brand starts with great imagery, and I think it’s time for a refresh that reflects who we are today while honoring our roots. We’ll develop several options and put the final decision to a club vote. Strong visual branding on our merchandise will help represent the club in the best possible light.
My overarching goal is to celebrate the club’s history and tradition while fostering growth, engagement, and connection. I’m passionate about providing meaningful fishing opportunities for all of you, and I truly believe that time outdoors — fresh air, movement, and camaraderie — is some of the best medicine there is. I hope you’ll join me in making 2026 another outstanding year for our club.
Regards,
Jesse Collins
Posted on January 27th, 2026
Date: February 11 2026
Time: 6:30PM
Place: Aptos Grange
Posted onFebruary Fly Tying Class: Guinea Hen Soft Tackle
Feb 11 6:30 PM @ Aptos Grange
This fly represents a number of aquatic insects as they are emerging in the stream lake or pond. They are often used as if they are moving in the water. The fly will be simple to tie. Beginners, you are always welcome and equipment is provided for you. As always all the materials are provided and if you have black 8/0 thread please bring it. Sign ups are important so that we have enough material for everybody that attends. Therefore sign up at the club meeting or call me at 831-234-6515 with at least 24 hours notice.
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.
| Date | Fly | Excerpt | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mar 14 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Poppers | Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about a fly to entice those largemouth bass. . It’s not too early to sign up for this class that we do annually. There is limited space so being committed to attending is very important. All materials will be provided. Beginners should attend at least one fly tying class prior in order to be able to complete the poppers. In general it takes no particular skill to make these beauties and it’s very artsy crafty. Please call if you have any questions. 831-234-6515. |
| Mar 15 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Poppers | Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about a fly to entice those largemouth bass. . It’s not too early to sign up for this class that we do annually. There is limited space so being committed to attending is very important. All materials will be provided. Beginners should attend at least one fly tying class prior in order to be able to complete the poppers. In general it takes no particular skill to make these beauties and it’s very artsy crafty. Please call if you have any questions. 831-234-6515. |
 | Apr 08 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Foam Ant | April’s fly tying class will be the Foam Ant |
 | May 13 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Web Wing Caddis | We’re going to be focusing on classes that are easier for beginners this summer. So if you’ve ever thought about trying your hand at fly tying please join in. This pattern is a dry fly imitation for trout. As always all the materials are provided but if you have brown or tan 8/0 thread please bring it. Tools and vice will be provided for beginners. It’s important to sign up so that enough material is available for all who attend. You can do that at the club meeting or by calling 831-234-6515.If you sign up and find you cannot attend, please call to cancel. |
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Western Coachman (aka: Mr. Bill)
This dry fly for trout is considered an attractor. It doesn’t look like a specific insect, but resembles many and triggers the fish to feed. It’s a high floater and very easy to see.
HOOK : TMC 100 or other standard dry fly hook. Size 8-16. Crimp barb. Directions are written for a size 14 hook. Adjust materials accordingly.
THREAD: Black or red 6/0 or 8/0. Apply mid shank, then wrap to rear of shank.
TAIL: Golden Pheasant Tippets. Select six tippet fibers. Lay on top of shank, extending hook shank length beyond hanging thread. Tie on with two thread wraps, then one under tail fibers, then wrap thread forward to mid shank. Cut excess.
BODY: Peacock herl. Two strands, three for larger hook. Place tips on top of shank where thread hangs. Thread wraps to rear of shank. Use dubbing tool to form a chenille. Wrap chenille forward, making a generous body up to mid shank. Tie off, cut excess.
WING: Crinkly white calf tail. Cut a bunch of hair from hide. Hold tips and pull out under hair. Stack hair tips. Place on top of hook shank with tips halfway between rear of body and tips of tail. Wrap in place with first wrap around calf tail only then subsequent wraps snuggly around shank. Cut calf tail butts at a slant. Tie down tightly up to eye then back to wing. Apply drop of glue.
HACKLE : Brown saddle. Barbs equaling one and a half times hook gap. Cut 4 to 5 barbs short on each side of stem end. Tie in place with dull side facing you. Wrap thread forward to one eye length behind eye. Wrap hackle about 4 to 6 times forward. Tie off cut excess. Using bodkin, place opening over eye pushing back against hackle tips until they are at right angles to the shank. Make two thread wraps in front of tool. Remove tool.
HEAD: Black thread. Wrap a small thread head. Whip finish, cut thread, apply glue.
Posted on January 15th, 2026
Record Salmon Return to Putah Creek
I never thought of Putah Creek as a salmon stream. I’ve fished it a few times for it’s wild trout it never occurred to me that salmon could also be be found in this watershed. Well, I just found out that last year a record 2,100 Chinook salmon returned to spawn in Putah. As it turns out, Putah has supported a small salmon return over the years. But 2025 was exceptional. So, what were the contributing factors?
- A 25 year collaborative effort with key partners UC Davis and Solano County Water Agency funded with a $20 million grant.
- Work to create a salmon passage in the lower creek that was funded by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Wildlife Conservation Board.
- Pulsing of creek flow that appears to attract more fish to make their way into the stream to spawn.
- Habitat enhancement including adding gravel that is required for salmon spawning.
- Years 2023-2025 were “wet” years in our region, which typically favor increased salmonid numbers.
- The commercial salmon fishery has been shut down for the last three years.
Most of salmon found in Putah Creek last year originated from the Mokelumne River Hatchery. The team would like to see increased numbers of returning of adult wild salmon. The hope is the robust 2025 spawn will achieve that goal.
There are other early reports coming out with increased Chinook returns in the Sacramento, Feather and Klamath Rivers. One of the Klamath River tributaries—Fall Creek—had about 65,000 juvenile Chinook counted.
While we can’t control the weather, those that are committed to protecting and growing healthy populations of salmon and other fish recognize that projects to improve floodplain connectivity, provide cold water and habitat improvement (like clean spawn gravel and large wood refuge) can help mitigate the periods of dry years.
Information for this edition of Conservation Concerns was found in the two articles below. For more details, check them out.
https://www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news/record-returns-2100-salmon-spawned-putah-creek?utm_source=The+Fish+Report&utm_campaign=28d2aba8b6-EMAIL_FR_2025_salmon_returns_2026_01_12&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4a3609ac31-28d2aba8b6-579602216
https://fishbio.com/right-as-rain-salmon-surge-after-consecutive-wet-years/
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show
Feb 27 - Mar 01
The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth A4 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth. Discounted show tickets are available for current Santa Cruz Fly Fishing members.
Posted on January 17th, 2026
Previous Club Meeting Recordings Available
In order to provide additional value to club members, we are going to post the recording club meeting speakers in the member portal. To access the recordings, you will need to log into the member portal. As the picture shows, there will be a sub-menu to take you to the recordings. The recordings that are there now include:
- Michael Bert – Spring on the Green
- Jesse Collins – How to Catch More Trout and Entymology
- Rob Anderson – New Pyramid lake Strategies
- Alex Ferber – The Trinity
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Club Activities – February thru April
| Date | Activity Link | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27 - Mar 01 10:00 am - 6:00 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth A4 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth. Discounted show tickets are available for current Santa Cruz Fly Fishing members. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Feb 28 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | This class will be geared toward learning surf casting skills and will be limited to 6 participants. If you are interested in attending this class, please contact Alex Ferber at 831-419-0564. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Mar 04 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Crew26 Introductory Skills | We are going to have some of the items described in Module 1 and 2 of the introductory fly fishing program.
| Aptos Grange |
| Mar 21 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | This class will be geared toward learning surf casting skills and will be limited to 6 participants. If you are interested in attending this class, please contact Alex Ferber at 831-419-0564. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 11 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | Stay tuned for an email to the club on what Alex Ferber has planned for this month’s casting class. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 19 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Fly Fishing Film Tour 2026 | The 19th annual FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T) 2025 is at the Woodhouse Brewery with a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead! | Woodhouse Brewery |
Posted on January 21st, 2026
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13 - Mar 15 | Putah Creek Fishout | Putah Creek Interdam Region, Section 1-5 Date: March 13th-15th Friday afternoon, Saturday Morning and Evening sessions, and Sunday Morning Fishmasters: Jesse Collins - jesse@jcollinsproperties.com Marcus McDonough Number of Anglers: 10 Anglers Total Registration: Wednesday February 11th - 9am jesse@jcollinsproperties.com Fee: $25.00 - Registration Fee Payable to SC Flyfishing Club - Invoice by Email to Follow Registration Accommodations: We have booked two large full—hookup Campsites next two each other (Site 2 and 3) at Lake Solano Campground: 8685 Pleasants Valley Road Fishing: This area is known for large, native rainbow trout that have steelhead genetics. We are using technical methods with [...] |
| Mar 15 - Mar 21 | Pyramid Lake Ladder Fishout – March 2026 – UPDATED – 12/01 | Trailers are Full - 12/01 Fishmaster: 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. This one is similar to trips we've done in the past except on a smaller scale. I have reserved 2 trailers and can accommodate 10 people. The dates are March 15th through the 21st. The weather can be very unpredictable in March, but we have had good times in the past fishing this time of [...] |
| Apr 06 - Apr 08 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | -CANCELED- Nacimiento River Camp & Fishout | Nacimiento River Camp & Fishout April 6th -8th UPDATED 3/30/3036 From the Fishmaster I’ve been keeping watch on this and it looks like the White bass run up the river was early this year. Probably has to do with the warm weather last month and low lake levels. Due to this I’m going to cancel the trip planned for next week. Will give it a go next year. Kevin The Nacimiento river is a 1hr boat ride from the Pine Knoll Campground and 1 hour back. The plan is to limit 6 angles per day (unless we secure another [...] |
| Apr 17 - Apr 19 | Roostercomb Ranch | Call-in is Sunday, March 8 at 7:00 pm and not earlier. (831) 566-7707 This is our club’s 24th annual bass fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch. April 17-19, 2026 (Fri-Sun), Fishmaster: Cecilia Stipes (831) 566-7707 flyfishgal3@aol.com |
| Apr 25 - May 02 12:00 am | Green River – Utah | 2026 Green River Fishout is now open! We are doing a maximum of 12 people. Contact Fishmaster Scott Andersen for more information; Cell: 831-247-2993. Email: scott.a.andersen@gmail.com |
| May 01 - May 03 | Coyote Lake – Gilroy (bass, bluegill, crappie) | We are going to do a local fishout with some of our partner organizations, Sisters on the Fly and the Monterey Chapter of Project Healing Waters. The intent is to provide a place close to home where members new to fly fishing have an opportunity cast for fish, get comfortable using a float tube, camp, and participate in the fellowship of a fishout. Will arrange to have shared meals, rigging clinic, and casting clinics. Fishmasters: SCFF: Scott Kitayama & Randy Saar Sisters on the Fly: PJ MyattProject Healing Waters: Dave Kite Location: Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County [...] |
| May 05 - May 07 | Roostercomb Ranch II: May 5 – 7th | Call-in is Monday, March 16 at 7:00 pm and not earlier. (831) 234-2244 This is a second outing due to popularity of Roostercomb Ranch. May 5-7, 2026 (Tu-Thu), Fishmasters: Michael Sherwood (831) 234-2244 michaeldsherwood@gmail.com AND Elaine Cook (831) 234-6515 coookin@gmail.com |
| May 09 5:50 am - 9:00 am | Rio Del Mar Beach | I am hosting our first surf fish out of the year which will be at Rio Del Mar Beach on Saturday, May 9. Sunrise is at 06:07, so we will meet a bit before that, at 05:50. This timing falls in about the middle of an ebb tide with a high of 4 feet at 3:40 am to a low of 0 (zero) feet at 10:40. After fishing, for those that wish, we can adjourn to the Pixie Deli nearby for coffee, breakfast burritos, beer and to share experiences. But it doesn’t open until 0900. For details on what to [...] |
| May 15 - May 17 2:00 pm - 12:00 pm | CANCELED – McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial SP – DIY Camp & Fishout | Unfortunately due to low interest, this Fishout has been CANCELED DIY Camp & Fishout This is a new Fishout opportunity to our members the club has booked 2 campsites (across from each other) and is offering the campsites to the first 16 people to sign up (8 per campsite). There will be no host or organized events like our typical Fishouts. We are offering this as a put it on your calendar and make it happen outing. The opportunities in and around the state park are diverse and would take to much to list them all. If you have not [...] |
| May 22 - May 24 | Pit River Camp Fishout | Pit River Below Lake Brittan Dam Fishmaster: Alex Ferber / alex.ferber74@gmail.com Location: Pit River, close to Burney, California. The Pit river is located in the Shasta National Forest. Accessed via Hwy 299 and Hwy 89. Approximately 2 hrs east of Redding California Lodging: We will be camping at Ruling Creek Campground PG & E Campground - First come first serve ($15.00 daily cost subject to change). Located on the Pit 4 reach, below the Pit River 4 Dam. There are toilets, and fire rings. There usually is water available. The closest shopping is in Burney, about 1 hr away. Description of the River: [...] |
| Jun 06 - Jun 08 | Pyramid Lake Floatie Fishout – June 2026 – UPDATED April 16 | Fishmaster: Frank Gombos (Salinas Fly Club) Update April 15 - Due to low response, we have canceled the SCFF only fishout and will join the Salinas club on June Currently Jeff Goyert, Michael Sherwood and Scott Kitayama are going from the Santa Cruz club. If interesteed contact Frank @ 831 970 9623. |
| Jun 06 5:20 am - 10:00 am | Beer Can Beach Surf Fishing & Breakfast | Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Peter Soderstrom / petertsoderstrom@gmail.com |
| Jun 19 - Jun 21 7:00 am - 3:30 pm | Yuba River Private Water – UC Davis Property | Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club (SCFFC)Lower Yuba Private Water Camp & Fishout June 19th-21st 2026 (Date subject to change due to weather and flows) The information provided below has been modified from the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishing Club and Tri-Valley Fly Fishing Club (2022-23) Special Notes The outing is limited to 20 people. With a $50.00 buy in payable to the club. Reservations will be accepted via email to the Fishmaster (Justin Ice) only one person reservation per email (if you and your buddy want to go then 2 emails are needed). Due to the limited capacity, reserving your spot [...] |
| Jun 20 - Jun 27 12:00 am | Lake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 20th – 27th 2026 | The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for June 20th thru 27th, 2026. 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 Crater Lake, Manzanita Lake, [...] |
| Jul 10 - Jul 12 | CANCELED – Burney & Around | Due to unforeseen circumstances, this Fishout has been canceled. Please stay tuned as there is a chance for rescheduling. Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Date: July 10th-12th 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 [...] |
| Aug 01 5:50 am - 10:00 am | Palm Beach Surf Fishout With The Delta Fly Fishers | Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers |
| Sep 08 - Sep 15 | Alaska Kenai Peninsula Fly Fishing | 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. |
| Sep 19 - Oct 03 | Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 19-Oct. 3rd 2026 | APR Update: We have one space open in the first week and one space open in the second week. If you want to go or get more info, contact Scott Kitayama or Randy Saar. |
| Oct 15 - Oct 18 | O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 15-18th | Camping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay. |
Posted on January 21st, 2026
Garage Sale Treasure
You never know what precious things you’ll find at a garage sale!
Posted on January 21st, 2026
January 2026 Newsletter
Annual Fundraiser Sat. Jan. 31st………………
January: Michael Bert – Spring on the Green………………
My Turn: Introducing Crew26 – A Tribe for New Fly Fishers……………………………
Fly Tying……………………
January Fly Tying Class: Pheasant Tail Bonefish/Surf Fly
Mercury Black Beauty
Conservation Concerns……………………
A Plan for Native Fish In Our Local Watersheds
Membership Notes…………………
2026 Dues Reminder
Club Activities – January thru March
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Cartoon ……………………
Posted on December 16th, 2025
Michael Bert – Spring on the Green
No upcoming events scheduled - check back soon!
Posted on December 9th, 2025
Introducing Crew26: A Tribe for New Fly Fishers
Every fly fishing journey begins the same way—with curiosity, a bit of uncertainty, and the excitement of learning something new. To better support members who are just getting started, the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club is launching a new group within the club: Crew26.
Crew26 is designed to be a welcoming “tribe” for those who are beginning their fly fishing journey. Whether you’re brand new to fly fishing or still finding your footing, Crew26 is a place to ask questions, learn together, and connect with other members who are at a similar stage.
What Crew26 Is About
Crew26 will use a mix of informal tools and gatherings—a WhatsApp group, ad-hoc meetups, and occasional Zoom calls—to share information, encouragement, and real-world experience. Topics we hope to explore throughout the year include:
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Basic equipment without breaking the bank – what you actually need to get started
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Where to find good online instruction – trusted videos, courses, and learning resources
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Water safety tips – staying safe while wading and fishing
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Beginner-friendly club fishouts – what to expect and how to prepare
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Recommendations of places to fish – local and regional spots suitable for beginners
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Good catch-and-release practices – caring for the fish and the resource
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How to take a good fish photo without hurting the fish
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Recommendations of guides that club members have personally used
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And anything else the group wants to discuss
This is meant to be a flexible, member-driven space—if there’s a question, challenge, or success you want to share, Crew26 is the place for it.
How to Get Involved
If Crew26 sounds like a good fit for you, here are two easy ways to jump in:
-
Join the WhatsApp group
Scan the QR code included with this article to join the WhatsApp group called
“Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Crew26.” -
Attend the New Member Orientation
Join us on February 4 at the Aptos Grange for the New Member Orientation meeting. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Crew26 members and learn more about what’s ahead.
More Than Just Fish
Learning how to fly fish—and catching that first (or fiftieth) fish—is often what brings us to the club. But over time, most of us discover that the biggest gift the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club offers is to find great fishing buddies and a welcoming community.
Crew26 is about building those connections early—learning together, supporting each other, and finding your place within the club. We hope you’ll join us and become part of the Crew.
Posted on December 15th, 2025
January Fly Tying Class: Pheasant Tail Bonefish/Surf Fly
Jan 14 6:30 PM @ Aptos Grange
This fly is a favorite of Yvon Choinard (Patagonia) an avid fly fisher in both salt and freshwater. The Pheasant Tail Bonefish fly works well in thin as well as higher saltwater flats, we recommend tying the fly with a variety of weight eyes from beadchain to heavier barbell eyes. This fly is also effective for catching fish in the surf locally.
The techniques we will use to tie are intermediate level, and beginners are welcome to attend and learn the more advanced skills. As usual classes are free and materials are provided. Bring flo orange or white flat waxed nylon or similar material. There are vises and tools for beginners to use.
Please sign up at the club meeting or call/text Larry at 831 325 4589, with at least 24 hours notice which means notify me no later than Tuesday January 13th by noon.
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.
| Date | Fly | Excerpt | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Feb 11 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Guinea Hen Soft Tackle | This fly represents a number of aquatic insects as they are emerging in the stream lake or pond. They are often used as if they are moving in the water. The fly will be simple to tie. Beginners, you are always welcome and equipment is provided for you. As always all the materials are provided and if you have black 8/0 thread please bring it. Sign ups are important so that we have enough material for everybody that attends. Therefore sign up at the club meeting or call me at 831-234-6515 with at least 24 hours notice.
|
| Mar 14 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Poppers | Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about a fly to entice those largemouth bass. . It’s not too early to sign up for this class that we do annually. There is limited space so being committed to attending is very important. All materials will be provided. Beginners should attend at least one fly tying class prior in order to be able to complete the poppers. In general it takes no particular skill to make these beauties and it’s very artsy crafty. Please call if you have any questions. 831-234-6515. |
| Mar 15 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Poppers | Spring is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about a fly to entice those largemouth bass. . It’s not too early to sign up for this class that we do annually. There is limited space so being committed to attending is very important. All materials will be provided. Beginners should attend at least one fly tying class prior in order to be able to complete the poppers. In general it takes no particular skill to make these beauties and it’s very artsy crafty. Please call if you have any questions. 831-234-6515. |
| Apr 08 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Foam Ant | April’s fly tying class will be the Foam Ant |
Posted on December 13th, 2025
Mercury Black Beauty
This fly was originated by Pat Dorsey, and represents a midge pupae just before emergence. You would fish this under an indicator in stillwater for trout.
HOOK: Tiemco 2457 or 2488. Dai-Riki 135 or 125. Sizes number 16–24. Crimp barb.
BEAD: Spirit River Mercury clear glass. The directions clarify the type of bead names and sources. Spirit River Hi-Lite Glass Beads in silver-lined metallic, or transparent finishes. Waspish markets glass beads under the name Killer Caddis. Feed bead onto hook, up to eye.
NOTE: See chart for hook size to bead size:
THREAD: Black 8/0 or 70-denier Attach behind bead. Touching thread wraps to mid shank, then back to bead.
RIB: Silver wire, small or fine. Position wire behind bead, leaving an a tag and extending below the fly. Tie in wire, with touching wraps to about halfway back to mid shank. Slowly pull on wire until tag and slides underneath the tying thread. Continue wrapping wire to shank with touching wraps back to above barb.
BODY: Same thread. Touching wraps back to bead. Touching wraps back-and-forth from mid shank to bead, forming a tapered body. Leave thread hanging behind bead. Spiral wire forward in five wraps the last behind bead. Tie down wire and twist to cut wire short.
THOAORX/BEAD: Black super fine dubbing. Dub small thorax behind bead. Whip finish, cut thread short.
Posted on December 13th, 2025
A Plan for Native Fish In Our Local Watersheds
Water and Native Fish In Our Local Watersheds
Happy Holidays!
After a few weeks of beautiful weather—warm days with nary a cloud in the sky—I must say it’s been wonderful to enjoy these days outdoors, even though there hasn’t been steelhead fishing in our local coastal streams. Even though the flows are low, it’s a good thing the fish aren’t pressured (legally, that is) on streams with low flow restrictions. But we do need rain and so do the fish. So, by the time this article gets published, I hope we’ve had a few good storms. What does the have to do with conservation? If you get where I’m going with this, it’s about water. And when it comes to fish, the abundance and quality of water means just about everything. With this in mind, I have some news I’ve come across recently about a water issue related to native fish in our area that is interesting.
Santa Cruz Watersheds
Last September, the Santa Cruz City Council approved the Anadromous Salmonid Habitat Conservation Plan that was a collaborative effort led by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, with significant contributions from the Coastal Watershed Council, County of Santa Cruz Water Resources, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, and San Lorenzo Valley Water District. This plan has been in the works for about two decades. Some of the key aspects of the plan are:
Conserve and restore steelhead and coho salmon populations in the project area in Santa Cruz County.
Restore fish habitat. Examples are the placement of logs in San Vicente Creek and removal of invasive plants by the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County.
Increase flows in streams to allow fish safe passage. Under the plan the water department will be allowed to take less water from the San Lorenzo and other area streams. Included in the water diversion plan are limits on the amount that can be drawn based a number of factors that are tied to the flows and the fish life cycles. The plan also calls for the sharing of water between Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Soquel Creek water districts. Well and aquifer storage is also part of the plan.
Mitigate negative impact of maintenance and other water department activities on fish.
Repair and improve water diversion infrastructure.
The plan is a thirty year strategy budgeted at $36 million.
There have been some encouraging observations of steelhead and coho in Mill Creek and San Vicente Creeks after the removal of the dam on Mill Creek in 2021. However, we’ll see if there are any appreciable improvements in the San Lorenzo River watershed in the future. With all the large scale housing projects that are being built and planned, more demands for water use are inevitable. And we can surely expect drought years will occur and possibly increase. So, as the Anadromous Salmonid Habitat Conservation Plan is well intended, there are still significant headwinds facing our native fish. I do appreciate the efforts led by Chris Berry, watershed compliance manager for the Santa Cruz Water Department who has been working on this plan since 2001. Some of the local organizations like the Coastal Watershed Council and RCD of Santa Cruz County and the work they do also gives us reason for optimism. Let’s hope they succeed!
Some of the information in this article came from:
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/12/11/santa-cruz-rethinks-water-use-to-conserve-coho-salmon-save-steelhead/
Posted on December 13th, 2025