Just made available. SCFF Trout Logo on cotton hoodie with a full zipper. Small logo on front pocket only in sizes Small, Medium Large and Extra Large. Price is $59 which includes shipping. We are only going to inventory a few per size, so please buy and we will get it to you as soon as we can.
Posted on November 24th, 2020
It’s now time to prepare for our Annual Santa Cruz Slideshow (Zoom Meeting on January 6th, 2021) and look forward to sharing last years Fishing Experiences with our entire club. As he did last year, Rich Rubin has graciously agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies for Our Slide Show.
Please submit your photos to Rich Rueben to richr@cruzio.com
Pictures should be emailed directly to Rich so he can save them to his iPad. Please don’t use Dropbox or other cloud based applications.
Posted on November 24th, 2020
Something new this month, we are doing a bucket raffle. No, we are not raffling off buckets, rather you put your tickets towards the prize you want to win. Here is how it works. We have three great prizes :
Select the number of tickets you want per prize. A 20% discount will be applied if you have purchased 25 or more tickets. (i.e. 25 tickets for $20) You do not need to attend the Zoom meeting to win.
Check out the new Web Store page on the link below where all the raffle tickets will now be sold. Pick your prize and buy exclusive raffle tickets for that prize.
Posted on November 24th, 2020
another mystery solved!
Posted on November 24th, 2020
More than half of all current members have renewed 2021 membership online https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/join/membership.
The balance of renewals (45) have been mailed out to members to be paid by check or online. To date, over $2,200 has been received for Scholarships/ Conservation. This years renewal response has exceeded expectations and members continue to support our Club in this transitional time.
Thank You
Posted on November 23rd, 2020
What birds see looking down on O’Neill Forebay.
Posted on November 23rd, 2020
Date: Dec. 9th 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Zoom Meeting
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This month will feature an emerging aquatic insect for trout. Best used in stillwater with a floating line. Once again, a simple fly to tie, which is working best via Zoom. Great fly for you beginners. We have tools and vise to loan to you. Sign up by calling, and allowing enough time to pick up materials and directions at my door. (831)688-1561.
Beginners need to allow a little more time for a face time session to learn how to use equipment. If you live far away, I can mail you what you need or if you wish to use your own materials, I can email you the directions. Feel free to just tune in to watch , if you wish. Its best to set up and review directions ahead of time. The thread will be olive 8/0.
Posted on November 22nd, 2020
Date: 12/2/2020
Time: 7:00 pm
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Ryan Williams is going to join us again. This time he will be discussing Clear Lake and more about his Float and Fly technique.
After Ryan’s earlier presentation in August about Lake Oroville, Sam Bishop and his friend fished with Ryan after the presentation to the Club. Sam enjoyed fishing with Ryan and suggested we have him do another Zoom Presentation.
Ryan’s expertise covers major Rivers and Lakes, among which are the Lower Sac, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville, and most fish in which we will are interested: Smallmouth and Black Bass, Stripers, Trout, and Steelhead. He will be presenting Bass fishing Clear Lake, using his Float and Fly technique
I’ve included his web address above as before and suggest you visit his website. I did in August and found it informative, interesting and fun, all set to music! https://flyfishcnv.com/
Posted on November 21st, 2020
Date: November 4, 2020 Zoom Presentation
Time: 7pm
Place: Zoom- click here to join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83842895848
Chris King was introduced to fly fishing at a young age. During his high school years in New Jersey he traveled the eastern seaboard in search of trout with his father. He spent 8 years in Colorado where he turned his passion into a career. From there he made his way West where in 1998 he found a home at The Fly Shop. Chris is currently Master Certified, Two Hand Certified and an emeritus member of the organization’s Casting Board of Governs. Chris resides in Redding with his wife and two children and has been guiding and teaching casting in Northern California for over 20 years.
Posted on October 28th, 2020
This is one of my “go to flies”. A caddis hatch does not need to be occurring for trout to gobble this one up. The larger sizes work well for the Rocky Mountains, smaller for the Sierra. Fish with a floating line, drag free, in moving water.
Hook: TMC or TFS 2487 (or similar scud hook ) , sizes 12-16
Thread: olive or olive dun, 8/0
Body: olive (vernille, ultra chenille, or velvet chenille), size small or standard (depending on brand). Super Glue or Zap-A-Gap.
Underwing: dun spooled Antron, light or dark
Hackle: dun, light or dark to match underwing, barbs equal to slightly less than hook gap
Wing: light or light tipped deer hair
1. Position hook in vise so that straight lower portion is parallel to table. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread behind eye. Wrap to rear, with touching wraps to above hook point.
3. Round end of body material using a candle. Carefully melt the end buy placing it near the base of the flame. Apply glue to thread wraps. Position on top of shank, tip above rear of hook. Tie in place with spiral wraps up to 2 eye lengths behind eye. Cut excess.
4. Cut end of underwing material to even fibers. Lay on top of body with tips slightly beyond end of body. Tie down infront of body while splaying fibers. Cut excess. Tie butt ends down up to eye.
5. Prep hackle by removing fuzzy end then cutting 4-5 barbs short on each side of butt end of stem (crew cut). Position crew cut under shank, tip of feather to rear. Tie in place back to body then forward to eye.
6. Cut match stick size bundal of hair, clean and stack tips. Position tips at rear of Antron. Tie in place with first wrap around HAIR ONLY, then firmly around hair and shank a couple times to splay fibers. Stroke butt hairs into bundal over eye forming start of head. Wrap a thread collar back to body. Advance thread back to head. Make one loose thread wrap around bundle of hair above eye, then one around collar. Trim head at an angle (see photo).
7. Make several wraps of hackle up to head. Tie off cut excess. Finish with half hitches under head , behind eye. Small amount glue to tie off threads.
Posted on October 28th, 2020
I recently had a rod that just wouldn’t come apart no matter what I did. Went on U-tube and found this 4 handed cross over technique. It was so simple and effective. Takes 2 people. Place hands on rod pieces as shown, then just pull apart. Also saw a method using tape by Kelly Gallop. Haven’t tried that method however. Don’t think I’ll jam a rod together to test it.
Posted on October 28th, 2020
Well – this is late. Stuff has hit us again. It’s not a knock out punch by far, but I’m really getting bothered by the constant belting we are taking. And it hasn’t even started raining yet!
Covid has been troublesome enough. While respecting all concerns, I’m getting tired of Covid, Fires and PSPS! PG&Es means of mitigating more lawsuits from potential fire activity. We need some rain.
Due to the aforementioned, I’m typing on battery power hoping to send when I can get to a wifi signal tomorrow morning. But I’m not really complaining.
In the midst of all of this, we’ve really been fortunate.
If you own a fly-rod and some flies, a decent reel, and have been fishing this year – consider yourself fortunate. If you went fly-fishing at all this year – same.
At this writing, the only power I have is what’s left in this laptop battery. Otherwise, I am managing my life by what everything else is throwing at us, hitting back with all this 5’6” dog can muster. It’s only a couple of days, but stacked on top of the last 7 months – ugh. I’ve been spending weekends preparing for rain – hoping to get some in spurts so the mountains don’t wash away.
Do me a favor – pull out the club “roster” you’ve been given. There are about 150 of you. Tantamount to a miracle given this year of 2020. Take that roster and call someone you don’t know. You have an interest in Fly-Fishing in common, you’re stuck at home -make a new friend.
Get to know each other. Do something different, even if it means just talking and getting to know the person on the other end of the line. Like the old days – the good – old days.
As your “President”, at this President’s Line – All I want you to do is pick up the phone and call someone you don’t know – on the roster – and start from there.
Since 1977, the Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen (and BTW, that means, every being that has two feet and walks on this planet) describes a mission to “Promote, Educate and Enjoy the Sport of Fly Fishing”. This is “high-level” thinking but you are part of this greater good. This mission isn’t just for the board members – it’s for you too!
We have some fun stuff coming up and if you haven’t been on one of Elaine’s Zoom Fly-Tying classes, try it. We also have the results of your survey with some really excellent input on things we can do to improve the membership experience.
I also want to thank all of you for submitting very generous donations to the club for use in our Conservation budget, the High School Scholarship program and the general club fund.
The on-line raffle at the club meeting has been very successful and will continue to improve. Jeff is going to start to set up again the opportunity for you to choose which “buckets” you want your tickets to go to.
Be proud of SCFF; we’ve been helping our other FFI clubs in Northern California sharing our successes as we quickly morphed from a nymph to a beautiful salmon fly during this year of opportunity. Thank you for being part of it. More to come. Jump on Zoom – do something different! ?
Posted on October 28th, 2020
The first-time introduction of a bacteria into California caused a culling of many fish at hatcheries. Member, Tom Deetz, let us know about this and below is an article from CalTrout about it. If others find new information about this, please share on Google Groups or submit to the newsletter. – Scott Kitayama
On July 20, 2020, three California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) hatcheries in Southern California and the eastern Sierra euthanized 3.2 million hatchery trout to stop the outbreak of a bacterial infection. Fish at the hatcheries have been infected with Lactococcus garvieae, which is similar to streptococcus, wildlife officials said.
The disease was previously unknown in California, and CDFW staff have been trying multiple treatments and strategies to try to resolve the outbreak over the last three months. Efforts have been unsuccessful. Consequently and as a last resort, CDFW pathologists have recommended that the fish be euthanized and the facilities disinfected before repopulating the hatcheries with L. garvieae-free fish.
The trout, which are used to stock waterways for recreational fishing, are at Mojave River Hatchery, Black Rock Hatchery and Fish Springs Hatchery.
Where have scheduled fish plants been canceled, due to this outbreak?
The counties affected include:
– Los Angeles
– San Bernardino
– Riverside
– San Diego
– Orange
– Ventura
– Santa Barbara Inyo
– Mono
Can CDFW make up for the canceled plants with fish from non-infected hatcheries?
Currently, three of CDFW’s largest trout production hatcheries in the state are shut down, and two others are coming back online after significant infrastructure problems and not yet at full production. In addition, a catchable size fish takes around two years to get to size. There is no way for the remaining trout hatcheries to make up that level of fish production. CDFW is evaluating the possibility of re-allocating fish destined to be stocked in northern California waters to a small group of high use, easily accessible Eastern Sierra and Southern California waters, but there are still significant logistical details to be worked out including safety of staff and travel under current COVID-19 restrictions.
Can humans get sick from this bacteria? Should people take extra precaution if eating fish they catch?
There is limited evidence L. garvieae bacteria has been passed to humans, but fish-to-human transmission is extremely rare. As always, anglers should follow USDA recommendations on cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
More information can be found on the CDFW FAQ list. “FAQ for Lactococcus garvieae outbreak in Southern California fish hatcheries“
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Masked and socially distanced fishermen prepare to brave the surf.
We had a good turnout for the final surf fishout of the year at Palm Beach in Watsonville. Nine members hit the beach around sunrise: Sam Bishop, Elaine Cook, Gary Cramton, Bob Garborino, Scott Kitayama, Matt Maurin, the father-and-son duo of Steve and Joshua Wilkens, and myself. The fish were not overly cooperative, but it was possible to land the occasional surf perch. The proof is that Matt, one of our newest members, hooked and landed his first ever surf fish on a fly. Congratulations, Matt! Scott got the “exotic catch award” for landing a guitarfish (which I had to google, never having seen one in person.) Striped bass were, unfortunately, a no-show yet again. If you weren’t able to attend on October 11, you may want to get out to one of our State Beaches in the next few weeks, before the surf builds, the winter storms begin, and the fly-fishing focus shifts to steelhead. You can’t beat the brisk morning weather, the bright sunshine, the healthy exercise you get resisting the crashing waves, and the chance of fooling a fish.
Personal Best for Mark Traugott
Posted on October 24th, 2020
By the time all the smoke cleared from the Klamath, OR region, it was the first week in October…..very low water levels and 90 plus degrees…made for very poor fishing at Rocky Point Campground (a month before friends were catching 20 -30 trout/day). I gave up and went out on the Williamson with guide Craig Schuhmann, and caught this bad boy on a #10 maroon and black leech, using intermediate sink line. He estimated at 26-27″ and 6-7 lbs.
Posted on October 24th, 2020
image: Cecelia Stipes with 25″ Striper
It was a record according to our senior members attending, 21 of us during the four day event. I want to thank those attending, we all thought it was highly successful although the fishing was not great in our side of the lake, those who found the bait, found the fish.
Scheduling the yearly event I have moved it to mid or late October and try to coincide with the new moon phase and to find cooler water and a change in the weather for good fall time fishing. This was not the case this time. Ninety plus degree days and little wind or clouds knocked us off the lake when the fishing shut down after 9 AM. Those who fished till the mid afternoon did a lot of kicking the tube around in the hot sun. We only had one person, former fish master Jim Hall and his little aluminum car top boat found the fish and had the highest fish count which he whispered “got 15 this afternoon bite”. He rarely brags how well he does.
Everyone attending was happy to escape their homes and get together with friends and fish and the most important part was to all join the evening campfire to tell stories and laugh out loud a lot. Every day was a little different, as some fishers came for the day and did not sleep over or stayed at the nearby Motel 6. We had no more than seven of us sleeping on any night. Special thanks to those who were there all four days. Kevin and Terry Murdock, Elaine and John Cook, Kathy Powers, Scott Kitayama and yours truly.
For me personally, the heat was oppressive, and fishing sucked, averaging one fish a day and almost zero bumps which is so rare this time of year. I did play fish-master casting instructor with a new member who won a fly rod at the last meeting, Carly and Sean got an hour and a half casting her new rod from a rock below our camp. They were not ready for float tubing yet and just starting out fishing. It is always great to see the younger generation pick up where the older folk are leaving off.
Super special thanks to ‘Kevin and Terry’s Bar and Grill’ for bringing everything under the hot sun to eat and drink and to Steven and Milana Rawson who make pizza dough from scratch and a pizza via Dutch oven before our eyes right in the camp. I am always blown away by the variety of skills our membership have. The best way to get to know a person is to go camping together. I’m a lucky person indeed. Stosh 10/2020
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Almost half of all current members have renewed 2021 membership online https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/join/membership.
The balance of renewals have been mailed out to members to be paid by check or online. To date, over $1,000 have been received for Scholarships/ Conservation. This years renewal response has exceeded expectations and members continue to support our Club in this transitional time.
Thank You
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Aside from my article in ‘Fishy Tales’, I wanted to share some observations on the fishery and interesting findings from Andy Gorbus from Fish and Wildlife.
Our own master fisherman and guide and fly tier friend, Lee Haskins, commented Saturday on how the ForeBay has improved due to the non poisoning of weed beds the last few years. I agreed and remember sending letters to both California Water Board and the Dept of Fish and Wildlife asking questions about the herbicide ‘Endothall’ (End-it-all)! in 2017. Andy Gorbus has kept in touch over the last 3 years, mostly to send toxicology reports on HAB (harmful bacteria blooms). We all noticed the odor of the blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) hugging the shoreline on the eastern shore which is the side that the wind blows towards the most. We all saw the dead fish wash up in some areas and the soupy green algae was everywhere.
One member who did not wear waders and fished a half day a week prior to the fishout developed the same swimmers itch symptoms as we developed doing the same thing at the north shore of Lake Almanor in June. Little red pimples that look more like bug bites than a rash. It could be partially because of all the bird activity (poop). (coots at the ForeBay and geese at Almanor).
Because of the non poisoning of the weed beds for several years, the shad are back in numbers and fish are boiling again and fishers are getting fish in the 20″ range or better.
It is so often you may think one person complaining and writing letters and making a few phone calls cannot do anything but that is not true at all. I think our society wants to do the right thing and to help make things right, it is so political also and you have to appeal to the greater good like not poisoning the water that is heading for public consumption (LA). Although they say the herbicide Endothall is not harmful to fish and animals, would you drink the water knowing that?
On another front, the 2 Alaskan senators are now supporting saving Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine project, the president has even said he also supports protecting the bay. The Alaskan fund of Trout Unlimited sends me letters of thanks to the SCFF members for their support in saving the most precious of resources left on planet Earth. Good for us and for all. We all ‘Rock’. Thank you.
‘Slim’
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Join the Salinas Valley Fly Fishers for the annual clean up of the Salinas River fishing access. The event will be on Sunday November 22nd starting at 9:00 am. Jay Jefferson is the Salinas Valley Fly Fishers representative for this event. Wear clothing for the weather of that day and if you can, bring gloves and a three prong hoe, as it’s the best tool.
Directions:
Posted on October 24th, 2020
THIS IS ONE YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!
check this out! The Fly Shop in Redding California, known for decades as the “go-to” shop for their guided fly fishing trips, has donated to our club an all inclusive full day guided trip for TWO! Package includes all gear to include rods, leaders, tippets, and flies along with a hearty streamside lunch.
The lucky winners have their choice of any of the Fly Shop’s destinations to include the Lower Sacramento, the upper Sacramento, the Fall River, the Pit River, Hat Creek, the McCloud River, and Baum Lake. California fly fishing at it’s finest. Excluded are the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. Your guide fr the day will be Russ Kegler, check out his Bio on the The Fly Shop website. www.theflyshop.com
The trip prize is intended to be used during 2021. Only one trip will be awarded. Gratuities not included.
Click on the following link to purchase tickets, one dollar each, 25 for $20.
Buy a bunch of tickets, the more you buy, the better your chances!
The drawing will be held at the November zoom meeting on 11/04/20.
Need not be present to win.
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Date: Nov. 11 , 2020. (Wednesday)
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Zoom meeting
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Here’s a nice fly for small streams and lakes to catch brooks, rainbows and steelhead (smolts and up to half pounders ). The pattern can be varied in several ways. A couple will be featured in the class. This is a simple fly to tie and good for beginners. We thank Tim Loomis for suggesting the fly for a class. He speaks from experience about its definite effectiveness. You will need red 6/0 or 8/0 thread. Let me know if you need to borrow some. For beginners: call well ahead so we can set you up with vise and tools and receive some basic instruction via face time.
Everyone will need to call ahead to allow enough time for materials and directions to be assembled and for you to pick up at my home. ( about 2 days ) (831)688-1561
Posted on October 24th, 2020
Posted on October 11th, 2020
This 2020 Labor Day weekend was due to be the hottest on record, that is the temperature of course, but unfortunately the catching was cold for the six of us that met on such a beautiful morning at Manresa Beach. The beaches were closed to people sunbathing or lounging, but open to us who were participating in “Water Activities”. Scott Kitayama caught one “Guitar Fish” and no one else even had a fish tug at a fly. Pictured left to right are Scott Kitayama, Bob Garbarino and Michael Sherwood. Not pictured are Jeff Slaboden, Gary Cramton and Sam Bishop.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
This was our second fishing trip to Oregon during covid. Once again, took all our food and water for the whole month. Used stream water for bath and laundry. Made Nat. Forest Campground reservations ahead of time, so no contact with camp hosts and gaurenteed spot. Lots of mask wearing and alcohol disinfectant. All in all, very covid safe. We had the pleasure of having Rich Hughett and Bobby join us for a few days. Not a great fishing trip again. If we had trout fished, that may have been different, but our focus was on large mouth bass. There was day of bass fishing with poppers that was truly outstanding. Dozens of fish exploded on our flies. Many in the 20 inch range. We meet a local fisherman fishing subsurface. Gave him one of my poppers. All he had was success with it over the next couple weeks. He sent me a picture of it after catching around 100 bass. It was trashed! Now the down side of fishing that lake. In order to launch our tubes, we had to slug through knee deep mud for about 20 feet. Crawling helped some. Then for 200 or more yards,too shallow the paddle, so pushed with our heels. Did the adventure one more time, the fishing was good not outstanding. Geer has been in lakes and washed in a stream, but some mud still remains. It’s like clay. We will go back again , eairler in the year when the lake has more water. We left before their horrible fires began and the Santa Cruz fires were greatly improved.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
Although caddis don’t have tails, this pattern includes two stabilizing peccary. I’m not sure what trout make of these, but it’s a very effective pattern. Due to the coloring it may represent a bee to the fish. Apply floatent, fish drag free or with an occasional skitter.
HOOK: TMC or TFC 100, sizes 8-18. Crimp Barb.
THREAD: black 8/0. Attach mid shank. Wrap to rear of shank.
BODY: yellow or golden/yellow , superfine or rabbit dubbing. Dub a small ball at rear of shank. Leave thread hanging in front of ball.
TAIL: 2 black peccary hairs or can substitute other coarse black hair such as moose main or body. Position one hair on far side of ball, tip extending hook length to rear. Make 3 wraps. Pull on butt end of hair until it extends hook shank to rear or a little shorter. Tie in place. Cut excess.
HACKLE: grizzly. Select feather with barbs equal to one or one and a quarter hook gap. Cut several barbs short on each side of base of stem (crew cut). Tie crew cut in infront of ball, light side facing you.
BODY CONT. : same dubbing. Dub a non tapered body forward to 2 eye lengths behind eye.
HACKLE: same feather. Palmer forward in about 5 wraps. Tie off, cut excess.
WING: bleached or light deer hair, with med. fine hairs. Cut a sm. clump an effectiveof hair from hide. Clean out fuzz. Stack tips. Position on top of shank, tips extending to mid tail. Make first thread wrap around only the hair, the second wrap around both hair and shank. Make several snug wraps , making hairs flare. Cut hair butts short at an angle. Wrap thread head covering all hair stubs. Whip finish, cut thread. Apply Zap-A-Gap or similar. If any hairs remain exposed in thread head, use black Sharpie.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
Welcome to the 13 new members who have joinede online since April. See this month’s print newsletter for their names and contact information.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
With all respect to our departed casting master, Walt Robinson.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
Posted on September 25th, 2020
NOTE THAT THE OCTOBER FISHOUT TAKES PLACE ON A SUNDAY!!!!
The October Surf Fishout will take place at Palm State Beach in Watsonville, on Sunday, October 11th. We are now on a fall schedule, as the sun will rise at 7:12 a.m., so the plan is for us to meet at 7 AM. The tide will be high at 8:07 AM, and the surf at this time of year can be expected to be moderate. Our meeting place is just past the entrance to the State Park at 2660 Beach Road. (See the detailed directions below.) For information regarding equipment and technique, see the excellent instructions on surf fishing that Sam Bishop has published on our club website (https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/what-you-need-to-know-if-you-plan-to-go-surf-fishing/). You can also call me at 831-338-6056. The basic equipment is a five- to 7-weight rod with an intermediate to full-sinking line or sinking tip. Surf perch are available year-round, and October is a month when you have an increased chance of hooking a striped bass. A Clouser pattern or anchovy fly will work for stripers, and small bonefish patterns (for example, Gotchas) will catch perch, especially if they have red or orange highlights. The only surf-specific piece of essential equipment is a stripping basket (like the ones that Sam makes and sells for $20 to benefit the club.) Face masks are optional while actually fishing, since we will be well spread out; but masks and social distancing measures (maintaining 6’ of separation) will be in effect whenever we gather, whether at the meeting place or on the beach. It helps if all participants have their rods rigged in advance and are ready to step into the rest of their equipment immediately upon arrival.
Directions: From Santa Cruz, head south on Highway 1 past the first Watsonville exits and take the Riverside Drive (Highway 129) exit. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp, then right again onto Lee Road. At the traffic light, turn left onto West Beach Road. Drive 3 miles to where West Beach Road ends just past the entrance to the State Beach and just across from the entrance to Pajaro Dunes. Park on the right along the row of eucalyptus trees.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
