Date: Not applicable
Time: Not applicable
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Posted on — Leave a commentThe pliers on the left look very similar to my pliers, which I have misplaced. Have you seen them? They probably have a piece of yellow tape on them. The pliers on the right were left behind at the proper class. Please call if you can help solve this mystery. Sherlock Holmes. 831-234-6515. AKA ELAINE
Posted on March 26th, 2025
As I write this article, I’m hopeful I’ll make a trip to the Eel River to fish for steelhead before the season ends the end of March. This will be my first time to fish this river and I’m looking forward to learning about this fishery. I remember driving past the Eel many years ago when I lived in the Arcata/Eureka area and being struck by its beautiful deep green color. Not only am I excited about the prospect of getting up there and experiencing the natural beauty of the area, I’m also encouraged by the progress being made to improve the health of the river.
Eel River History
The Eel River once supported the third largest runs of salmon and steelhead in California. Salmon were so plentiful canneries operated on the river in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But, over the years a number of factors have contributed to a severe decline to a small fraction of historical numbers:
Commercial overfishing
Erosion from clear cut timber harvesting, cattle ranching and road building
Introduction of invasive pikeminnow
Floods and drought
Water quality issues
Dam construction
Water diversions
Dam Removal
One of the key developments that have experts encouraged is the planned license surrender and decommissioning of the Scott and Cape Horn Dams by PG&E. This will open the opportunity to completely remove the dams. The result will be to open up 288 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead all the way to the river headwaters. The removal of the dams is currently projected to begin in 2028.
Water Diversion to the Russian River
The other related aspect of the dam removal is what to do with the water diversion tunnel at Cape Horn Dam. This is a tunnel that has been sending water to the Russian River watershed since 1908. Earlier this year, a complex Memorandum of Understanding was established by numerous stakeholders: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Trout, Eel-Russian Project Authority, Humboldt County, Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission , Round Valley Indian Tribes, Sonoma County Water Agency, and Trout Unlimited. This memorandum defines the requirements and infrastructure to allow water to be diverted from the Eel River to the the Russian River. One of the key requirements outlined in this document is that diversions will not negatively impact fish restoration progress. Let’s hope that is the case.
Santa Cruz Fly Fishing provides contributions to Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited and Friends of the Eel River—all of whom have been instrumental in having a positive impact on helping the Eel River making a comeback.
For more insight into the Eel River restoration, have a look at Cal Trout’s Vision Book
and Friends of the River.
Posted on March 26th, 2025
Currently in 2025 the club has roughly 18 Fishouts on the calendar from still water to the surf.
A primary reason I joined the club was to participate in the Fishouts. We are fortunate to have members here who are and have been willing to share some of their favorite places with those in the club. We have members that have been hosting the same trip for over 15 years and every year they sell out with a waiting list. As a club we have the unique opportunity to utilize the vast experiences and knowledge those in the club share. This goes with out saying that with larger groups we are able negotiate better pricing for most of these trips making them much more affordable and accessible to those who might not be able to make such trips a reality. As an example take a look at Rich Hughett’s Loreto trip in Mexico coming up in July. This is a smoking deal with almost all expenses paid with your buy in. All one has to do there after is save the date. Here you join group of anglers that have visited the same location for over 20 years and they are more than willing to share their advise and help getting you to their honey hole.
I recently hosted my first Fishout. The Yuba River Private Water trip. For those of you who were on the originally scheduled date and those of you who were able to attend, you know that this was a trip 3 years in the making! Due to high waters and weather we had to postpone the trip and reschedule, but it happened and it was a blast. Granted the fishing was not great, but it was my first camping trip of the year and I am grateful for that alone. Besides that, I was able hang out and talk with folks from the club that during meetings or online has been fleeting at best. During the Fishout there is no hurry or expectations share a drink or a meal and you really get to know your fellow club members.
When I first took on the position of Fishout Committee Chair my predecessor John Cook would advise me to make sure I let everyone know that the Fishouts are the best way to meet new friends, get to know others in the club in a relaxed environment and that there is no better ice breaker than sharing a beer and talking about “the skunk that followed you around all day”.
I personally have always considered myself an introvert. I fish and camp alone or with my dog and or maybe a friend. Taking on the Fishout was a step out of my comfort zone, but I am glad I did it and plan on organizing another soon.
I hope this article inspires some of you to join a Fishout, offer to host one or even offer suggestions on a great location for a Fishout. New to the sport or a salty dog, you can’t catch a fish if you don’t get your line wet.
Posted on March 26th, 2025
We will be pausing raffles at our monthly meetings. This is a precautionary measure as we work with the State of California to address the club’s tax-exempt status. We have been actively working on this matter for over thirteen months and expect to resolve it well before the end of our fiscal year on January 30, 2026.
Posted on March 26th, 2025
Rob Andersen, owner and operator of Bucket List Fishing, join the club to share his expertise on new techniques for fishing Pyramid Lake and Peacock Bass in Brazil. Zoom Recording Link
Rob’s team will be guiding the club’s Pyramid trip on June 2nd – 4th. There are still spaces left, check your calendar and bring your questions to the meeting Pyramid trip link
Rob was born and raised in Virginia, where he grew up hunting and fishing from a very young age. A career in Golf brought Rob West and rekindled his interest in Fly Fishing. After a serious accident in 2000 that required surgery and rehabilitation, Rob changed careers and joined the Reno Fly Shop. He played a key role in building the guide service and became the first non-tribal guide at Pyramid Lake, where his efforts helped grow the lake’s popularity through fishing reports and a dedicated website.
In the early 2000s, Rob’s passion for Peacock Bass led him to Brazil, where he began hosting trips to the Amazon and developing a travel program. When the Reno Fly Shop closed in 2010, Rob launched his own website to promote local guiding, including trips to Pyramid Lake, and continued his work in the Amazon with various lodges. In 2016, he partnered with Neto Silva to create an exclusive fly-fishing program on the Xeruini River Preserve, now one of the world’s premier fishing destinations.
Today, Rob runs his local guide service, Bucket List Fly Fishing, and hosts charity events, all while supporting conservation and local communities. His passion for fishing, especially at Pyramid Lake, and his dedication to giving back continue to drive his work.
NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 5:45 pm, we will be conducting short Introductory Skills to help our those new to the sport. We will also have the same Introductory Skills class at the casting clinic. Please look at the Club Activities article n the Newsletter for more information.
FUTURE SPEAKERS
| Date | Monthly Speaker | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 07 | Lance Gray - Steelheading on the Feather | We’re excited to welcome Lance Grey, longtime friend of the club and owner/operator of Lance Grey & Company, to speak with us about some of Northern California’s most renowned fisheries, including Lake Almanor and the Feather River. Lance has spent years exploring and guiding in these waters, and his deep knowledge of these rivers and lakes will give us invaluable insights into fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, and how to make the most of your time on these iconic fisheries. |
| Jun 04 | Jesse Collins - Entymology | Our own Jesse Collins is going to give a presentation on stream entomology (study of insects). Not only will this help you understand the insects that are around the streams, but also a discussion of the flies that imitate them and how to fish them. Zoom Recording Link |
Posted on March 26th, 2025
| Woodhouse Brewery 119 Madrone St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 April 23rd @ 6:00PMThe 2025 Tour is Proudly Presented by the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club |
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|---|
The 19th annual FLY FISHING FILM TOUR (F3T) is back on the road for 2025 with a top notch selection of short films that are sure to get you fired up for the season ahead!The F3T is the original and largest fly fishing film event of its kind and we are proud to be an annual community event for all anglers. Come for the action, buy a beer and snacks, and stay for the prizes.
More info: https://flyfilmtour.com
Posted on March 11th, 2025
This is a high floater that never wants to sink. Use a floating line and floatant. There are over 300 species of caddis in the western USA so vary your fly colors and sizes. Good colors would be gray, brown, or dark gold.
HOOK: TMC 100 size 16-20 Crimp barb.
THREAD: 8/0 or smaller, pick a color from above. Attach 1/3 back on shank. Wrap to rear of shank.
BODY: Super fine dubbing, same color. Wrap generous body forward to tie in.
WINGS: Spooned Antron, same color. Cut two pieces 1 1/2 inches long. Fold in half. Place on top of shank with loop extending forward over front of eye. Attached to top of shank with three wrap then lift loop and make three wraps right in front of tie in, then make three more wraps over original three wraps. Divide wing and half and figure 8 wraps to hold wings out to the side with tips slightly up. One or two wraps around base of wing will help hold them in place. Cut wings to length of hook. Wrap thread forward binding to one eye length behind eye.
HACKLE: Grizzly dyed color as above, barbs equal to 1 1/2 hook gap. Stroke barbs against grain at base at butt end.. Cut 4 to 5 barbs short on each side of stem. Lay on top of shank with shiny side up. Tie in place and wrap thread forward to one eye length behind eye. Wrap hackle forward in 3 to 4 wraps, tie off, cut excess.
HEAD: Extended wing material. Advance thread to behind hook eye. Make 3-4 Half hitched knots. Cut thread. Hold Antron loop up and cut short equal to two eye lengths.
LEGS: Cut hackle tips off at the bottom to the level of hook point.
Posted on March 9th, 2025
Here’s a fly that is super easy to tie. It’s also super effective in the surf.
1. HOOK: TMC 5263 size 6. Crimp barb.
2. THREAD: Red 6/0. Attach behind eye. Touching wraps to 1/3 back on shank. Then forward to two eye lengths behind eye.
3. EYES: Silver bead chain, small or medium size, Loctite glue or similar. Cut bead chain into 2 ball sections. Attach to top of shank with multiple crisscross wraps, then circular wraps around underside of balls, pull tight, then repeat several times. Apply glue. Position thread above hook point.
4. TAIL: Orange spooled Antron. Using a 3 inch piece, cut in half and stack on top of one another. Tie in center of bundle with two thread wraps. Fold forward strands to rear. Tie in place back to rear of shank. Cut tail length equal to 1/2 hook shank.
5. BODY: Orange medium sized chenille. Remove fibers from 1/4 inch of center of threads. Tie threads to top of shank. Reposition thread to in front of bead chain eyes. Wrap chenille forward with close touching wraps up to bead chain eyes.
USING SNUG WRAPS: Wrap chenille forward between top of eyes, then down on far side of shank, then under shank to near side, then back over top between eyes, then down on far side of shank, then forward under shank between eyes. Tie off behind hook eye. Cut thread. Apply glue to tie off threads.
Posted on March 9th, 2025
The mosquito pattern has been around for decades and is a good old standby. Use for trout, apply floatant, and fish dead drift. The traditional mosquito uses the natural grizzly feather, which is black and white. Don’t hesitate to use grizzly that has been dyed brown, cream, or dun.
1. HOOK: TMC 100 size 12 to 18 Crimp barb.
2. THREAD: Black 6/0 for larger flies, 8/0 for smaller. Attach 1/3 back on shank.
3. WINGS: Grizzly neck Select two feathers from side that have rounded tips and width of feather just a little below the tip equals 2/3 width of the shank. Note location on stem that is the equal to hook length. Stroke all barbs from that point back on stem. Position feathers with tips forward, separation of barbs mid shank, bend of feathers going away from each other. Tie in place, cut excess. NOTE: WINGS SHOULD BE 1/3 BACK ON SHANK. Several wraps of thread in front of wings to hold them upright. One wrap of thread between wings too slightly separate. Cut any excess barbs, extending forward over eye of hook.
4. TAIL: Grizzly Hackle Neck. Feathers from the side of the neck have stiff barbs that are straight. Select one that has long barbs. Stroke barbs against the grain to line up the tips. Cut 10 to 12 from stem. Lay on hook shank with tips extending hook shank length beyond shank. Tie in place with touching wraps, up to wings. Cut excess.
5. BODY: Moose mane. Cut one dark and one light strand from stem. Lay strands on top of hook shank with tips just behind wings and butts to rear. Secure to top of shank with touching thread wraps up to wings. Wrap both strands forward at the same time forming a barber pole effect. Cut excess.
6. HACKLE: Grizzly. Select feather with barbs equal to 1/2 length of hook gap. Cut several barbs short on but end of stem. Tie in crew cut behind wings. Wrap thread forward to one eye length behind eye. Wrap hackle around hook shank, twice behind wings and twice in front of wings. Cut excess.
7. HEAD: Wrap thread head. Whip finish. Cut thread.
Posted on March 9th, 2025
March Meeting: Jim Cox – Western River Conservancy………………
Temporary Suspension of Raffles……………………
My Turn: Fly Fishing & Conservation……………………………
Fly Tying……………………
March Fly Tying Class: Poppers
Fly of the Month: RS 2
Membership Notes…………………
Club Activities – March thru May
2025 Fundraising Dinner Was a Success!
225 Members and Growing
Pleasanton Fly Show
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Cartoon ……………………
SCFF Advertisers ……………………
Posted on February 27th, 2025
Starting a new section of monthly advertisers which will be of nominal cost for club members . Will also have a section for advertisers on the website. If you would like to advertise or have your business listed on the club website, send an email to info@santacruzflyfishing.org
The Aquaz company has agreed to offer the club a discount on all purchases of waders and wading jackets.
The Deal: Club members will receive a 10% discount on all waders and wading jackets. At the end of the year, Aquaz will return 5% of all club purchases back to the club!
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact me – Tim Loomis, and we can discuss this fantastic discount on top quality fishing gear.
Regards,
Tim Loomis,
Aquaz Nor Cal Fly Fishing Account Mgr.
C 831-345-8411
H 831-426-4683
bigsurstyles@att.net
Posted on February 27th, 2025
The newsletter provides brief fishout info. For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule
| Date | Link (new tab) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12 6:00 am - 1:00 pm | Kelly Lake – Watsonville (bass, crappie) | Stand by as dates and details to be updated as the days get longer and warmer! Fishmaster: Scott Kitayama Location: Kelly Lake in Watsonville (Private lake limited to 6 people) Species: bass, crappie, bluegill Duration: 1 day Registration and Cost: No Cost, but you must contact Scott as the number of people fishing is limited. Contact at scottkitayama@gmail.com. Addtional Details & Confirmation of dates to be updated - Stay tuned Meeting time and place: Scott will directly be in contact with those that are coming on the Fishout. Equipment: Need to have float tube or kayak to fish the lake. [...] |
| Apr 18 - Apr 20 | Rooster Comb Ranch – UPDATED – | 23rd Annual Bass Fishout at Roostercomb Ranch 3/04/2025 - SOLD OUT - If you are still interested, contact the Fish Master to be added to the wait list (contact information below) This is our club's 23rd annual bass Fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch since year 2000. This sprawling private ranch is located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, off Hwy 152 entrance in Hollister near Casa de Fruta Restaurant. It's a 22-mile off-road trek through the backcountry from the park entrance. This requires a 3-day weekend commitment. Accommodations are a 1928 ranch house and bunk house with options to tent [...] |
| Apr 26 - May 03 12:00 am | Green River – Utah | Green River - Utah Currently this trip is at maximum capacity. For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster Rick chace rchace@got.net General Information - It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club's standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations. Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee. If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the [...] |
| May 10 5:45 am - 10:00 am | Rio Del Mar State Beach Surf Fishout | First Surf Fishout of 2025! Saturday May 10th 2025 5:45AM Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach |
| May 16 - May 19 | Upper Sacramento River / McCloud Fishout – UPDATED – | This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring. The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to. |
| Jun 02 - Jun 04 | Pyramid Lake Fishout | 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. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome. That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a [...] |
| Jun 07 5:15 am - 10:00 am | Manresa State Beach Surf Fishout | Location: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. https://www.lostcoastoutfitters.com/collections/surf-flies What to Expect: Good Times Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and [...] |
| Jun 20 - Jun 22 | Burney and Around – UPDATED – | Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions Hat Creek Park off Hy 299 (See the map below). The park is approximately 10 minutes from the highway 299/80 junction. The park is on the left hand side going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up. This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster [...] |
| Jun 22 - Jun 28 12:00 am | Lake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 22th – 28th 2025 | The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for the last week of June, 6/22 thru 28th, 2025. This time period is, hopefully, the peak of the annual Hexagenia hatch that begins generally mid-June and runs through mid-July. The most productive fishing takes place early evenings on into past dark between Lake Almanor West to Canyon Dam on the Southwest side of the lake. Most of the fishing is done from float tubes as well as small boats or even from shore. In addition to the evening "Hex" hatch, a multitude of opportunities exist for fishing throughout the day to include Little [...] |
| Jul 05 5:20 am - 10:00 am | Beer Can Beach Surf Fishing – UPDATED – | Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Scott Kitayama / scottkitayama@gmail.com Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Meet at 5:20AM. Sunrise is at 5:53 and we are fishing a 3-foot tidal crest, high tide being 8: 55AM. Breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s house, 115 Driftwood Ct, Aptos, please RSVP by July 3rd to mikelovejoy94@gmail.com. Coffee at 8:00am and breakfast served 8:30-9:30. Park on the street. Hot water available for hand wash. Hose available for rinsing equipment. |
| Jul 07 6:00 am | Loreto Fly Fishing Trip | Loreto Mexico Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about. The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person, double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. - It does not include [...] |
| Aug 09 5:45 am - 8:30 am | Palm Beach Surf Fishout w/ coffee and snacks afterwards | Fishmaster : Scott Kitayama Contact info: scotttkitayama@gmail.com Location: Palm Beach State Park Date High Tide Low Tide Sun Moon AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set 9 Sat 12:06 PM 4.0 10:53 5.5 5:25 -0.7 4:46 2.4 6:19 8:06 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many [...] |
| Aug 23 5:45 am - 10:30 am | Palm Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Fresno Fly Fishers | Location: Palm Beach State Park (End of Beach Rd. In front of the state park) Location subject to change depending on conditions. Updates to be provided. Stay tuned Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 6:29AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 11:57AM. Fish Master: Justin Ice / justin@schwagerdavis.com / 408-690-6143 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: The Fresno Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing and all are welcome to join https://flyfishers.clubexpress.com/ Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket [...] |
| Sep 06 6:00 am - 10:00 am | Beer Can Beach Surf Fishing – CO Fishout with The San Jose Fly Fishing Club | Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master:Michael Lovejoy <mikelovejoy94@gmail.com> Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: RSVP For Breakfast by 5:00pm September 3nd Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. Steve Adachi Clouser What to Expect: Meet at [...] |
| Sep 20 - Oct 04 12:00 am | Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4th | Fall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes. |
| Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 am | Manresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly Fishers | Location: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY [...] |
| Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 am | Manresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly Fishers | Location: Manresa State Beach (236 Ocean View Drive Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket [...] |
| Oct 16 - Oct 20 | O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 16-20th | Camping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay. |
| Nov 07 - Nov 09 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 27th, 2025
The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth B6 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth and will have our new club signage at the show.
Posted on February 27th, 2025
We began 2025 with a successful Annual Fundraiser with over 184 Salmon dinners sold and 56 member volunteers and family members. We also have 225 actiive members who have renewed their annual Club membership. We also heard at our last monthly meeting, that new members need additional support and information as to what basic equipment matches different needs ie lake fishing, vs stream/ larger rivers. Members should mark your calendars for Sat May 17th Annual SWAP MEET @ 9:00 am at Aptos Grange for good deals on fly rods and reels.
Posted on February 27th, 2025
The Salmon was great, the raffle tables were overflowing with stuff and everyone seemed to have a good time.
Posted on February 27th, 2025
| Date | Activity Link | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 01 9:00 am - 5:30 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth B6 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth and will have our new club signage at the show. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Mar 02 9:00 am - 4:30 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth B6 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth and will have our new club signage at the show. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Mar 05 5:45 pm - 6:30 pm | Introductory Skills: Basic Fishing Knots |
From the New Member Orientation meeting we had in February, it was obvious that we need to provide some introductory skills and knowledge to members who are just starting out in fly fishing. Instead of building some complicated training program, we are going to start by providing short skills development before the fly casting clinic and the general meetings. The first one, will be about basic fishing knots. | Aptos Grange |
| Mar 15 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | We will be working on FFI skills development course from the Bronze and Silver levels. If you’re not familiar with these exercises, it would be a great time to come out and see what it’s all about. The skills are directed at improving your casting skills, and will improve your overall fly fishing success. This will be a perfect time for those folks who are just getting started, to learn some basic core casting techniques. I will have practice rods if needed. Hope to see you there. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 02 6:00 pm - 6:30 pm | Introductory Skills: Setting up, Moving, and Breaking down the fly rod |
This will cover the basics of setting up, breaking down the fly rod. Practice and a few simple tricks will make you proficient. Another topic covered will be how to secure your rod and flies when moving from one area to another. Note: From the New Member Orientation meeting we had in February, it was obvious that we need to provide some introductory skills and knowledge to members who are just starting out in fly fishing. Instead of building some complicated training program, we are going to start by providing short skills development before the fly casting clinic and the general meetings. | Aptos Grange |
| Apr 19 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm | Introductory Skills: Removing a hook from your skin |
Here is a skill for the novice as well as the expert. How to get a hook out of the skin quickly and minimal pain or damage. It is a simple technique, but one that makes sense when you see it and can practice it. If you just want to know how to do it, here is a video, but I am sure you are going to want to practice it. https://youtu.be/KNvWououyp4?si=_WeZUxkrtrVw4JEq | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 19 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | We will be working on FFI skills development course from the Bronze and Silver levels. If you’re not familiar with these exercises, it would be a great time to come out and see what it’s all about. The skills are directed at improving your casting skills, and will improve your overall fly fishing success. This will be a perfect time for those folks who are just getting started, to learn some basic core casting techniques. I will have practice rods if needed. Hope to see you there. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Apr 23 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm | Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025 | 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 07 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm | Introductory Skills: Removing a hook from your skin |
Here is a skill for the novice as well as the expert. How to get a hook out of the skin quickly and minimal pain or damage. It is a simple technique, but one that makes sense when you see it and can practice it. If you just want to know how to do it, here is a video, but I am sure you are going to want to practice it. https://youtu.be/KNvWououyp4?si=_WeZUxkrtrVw4JEq | Aptos Grange |
| May 10 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup--10:00 AM Start Time this Month | We will be working on FFI skills development course from the Bronze and Silver levels. If you’re not familiar with these exercises, it would be a great time to come out and see what it’s all about. The skills are directed at improving your casting skills, and will improve your overall fly fishing success. This will be a perfect time for those folks who are just getting started, to learn some basic core casting techniques. I will have practice rods if needed. Hope to see you there. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
Posted on February 27th, 2025
For this month’s “My Turn” article I’m going to focus on what we as fly anglers can do to make a positive impact on fish and the environment they inhabit. From my own journey in fishing, it wasn’t until I began fly fishing that I started to became increasingly aware of the challenges in improving, sustaining and enhancing native and wild fish populations. During my time with many of you, my fly fishing friends, I’ve been inspired by your awareness and passion for a better future in this sport. And we’ve seen some encouraging signs of hope with coming out of collaboration between many of the conservation organizations we support. The Klamath dam removal project is a shining example. The Carmel River Steelhead Association is a local group dedicated and fighting for their native fish. However, as I write this, I’ve become increasingly concerned that the headwinds facing our fisheries are growing stronger in the face of a number of politically motivated decisions. It’s becoming more urgent that we become stronger voices for fish and their habitats. So, what can we do? Many of us practice conservation already to some degree. Here’s a few suggestions of what we can do on and off the water. Most of my suggestions apply to cold water fish such as trout and salmon, but can be used for other species as well.
Catch and Release
Lee Wulff said in 1938 that “gamefish are too valuable to be caught only once.” If that was true back then, it certainly is now. There are exceptions like put-and-take fisheries, invasive species and others, depending on your point of view. But the rule of thumb approach is to release fish after catching them, handling them with care to minimize stress and ensure their survival.
Proper Fish Handling
This dovetails with catch and release. Try to land the fish without playing it too long. An exhausted fish is less likely to survive—especially in warmer water. Minimize the time fish are out of the water. I find that in many situations, using a landing net (with the soft plastic material) speeds up the time to release the fish. The net also allows you to keep it under control in the water. Before handling the fish, wet your hands and for larger fish, support its body with both hands. If the fly gets swallowed deep, cut the tippet off and leave the fly in the fish. If you plan on taking a photo, keep the fish under water until the photographer is ready. I’ve seen some great photos of fish in the water, so consider that. If the fish is sluggish and not ready to take off, gently hold it facing upstream until it’s ready to swim off. If in a lake, move the fish slowly to get some water moving through its gills.
Be Aware of Water Temperature
According to many sources, when the water temperature approaches 68 degrees Farenheit most trout become stressed to the point where their survival rate becomes much diminished after being released. In fact a recent study done suggests the 68 degree threshold is too high. For more on this subject, see the link below.
https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/are-we-wrong-about-safe-temperatures-for-trout-fishing
Another practice that is being recommended or enforced is the so-called “hoot owl” restrictions where anglers are to not fish after a set time in the day as the water temperature increases. So, bring a thermometer with you and use it to determine when to stop fishing. Look for the current best practices in the area you are fishing. If the water is too warm, look for colder water (like headwaters) or find a fishery that bass or carp inhabit as they can tolerate warmer temperatures.
Follow Regulations
Understand and abide by all local fishing laws including size limits, seasonal restrictions and protected species regulations. For fishing streams on our south central coast during steelhead season, a useful phone number with updates on flow restrictions is 831-649-2886.
Use Barbless Hooks
Practice using barbless hooks to facilitate easier release of fish. In many trout waters they are a requirement. The added benefit is it’s much easier to remove a barbless hook from your body and clothes. I can attest to that!
Minimize Environmental Impact
Avoid littering, access waterways carefully to minimize shoreline damage, and clean up any debris found on the water. If you see litter, pack it out if you can. If you are fishing during a spawn, learn to identify redds so you can avoid trampling them.
Support Conservation Organizations
Join and donate to groups like Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited and Fly Fishers International that actively work to protect fish habitats. Join (encourage your friends too) and support SCFF because we donate $4,000 annually to 15 organizations including Trout Unlimited, Cal Trout, Friends of the Eel River and very local Coastal Watershed Council, Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project and Carmel River Steelhead Association. Participate in volunteer efforts to restore degraded stream banks, plant native vegetation, and remove invasive species. Our members have volunteered with Coastal Watershed Council, Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project, Carmel River Steelhead Association, Trout Unlimited, Trout In the Classroom. We have also organized our own San Lorenzo River trash cleanup.
Educate Others
Share your knowledge about conservation practices with fellow anglers and the wider community. This includes helping and encouraging younger generations to develop an appreciation for conservation and a passion for fly fishing. It’s extremely gratifying to help pass on some helpful tips to a receptive angler on their journey. Another famous quote by Lee Wulff which is right on the mark: “When we teach a person to fly fish, we just created a conservationist”. Support those seeking careers that help protect the environment. One way SCFF does this is by providing scholarships to local high school students that are pursuing higher education in environmental science related studies.
Advocate for Policy Change
In California, many decisions that impact how our water is managed puts fish survival at risk. Show your support for sound legislation that protects aquatic ecosystems and promotes responsible fishing practices. Call or write your representatives and decision makers to voice your support policies that help protect and improve our fisheries responsibly. As we’ve seen with the Klamath River and now what is about to happen (we hope) with the Eel River, conservation minded individuals and organizations can help make changes when they work together with other stakeholders.
Learn about Local Ecosystems
Understand the unique fish species and environmental conditions in the areas you fish to make informed decisions about your angling practices. Not only will you learn how to practice conservation in you fishery, but it will likely make you a better angler.
I hope you find some of these suggestions helpful in your quest to be a responsible steward of our sport of fly fishing. If any of you have an idea for organizing a group of our members in a conservation activity, contact me or another board member. Thank you SCFF conservationists!
Posted on February 27th, 2025
We will be pausing raffles at our monthly meetings. This is a precautionary measure as we work with the State of California to address the club’s tax-exempt status. We have been actively working on this matter for over thirteen months and expect to resolve it well before the end of our fiscal year on January 30, 2026.
Posted on February 27th, 2025
Jim joined Western Rivers Conservancy as Director of Donor Relations in 2011. He is a past steering committee co-chair of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and is an active member of the Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable. He is a member of numerous conservation organizations including Trout Unlimited, Flyfishers Club of Oregon, FFI, and the Native Fish Society. Jim holds a Bachelor of Theatre Degree from Willamette University and lives in Portland, Oregon. In his free time, you can find him fly fishing for trout and steelhead on is favorite western streams and occasionally sitting in as guest trumpet soloist with the Latin jazz band The Steelhead Stalkers.
Western Rivers Conservancy has been working for more than 35 years to conserve and protect lands on more than 280 rivers and streams in nine western states, purchasing properties across the West to protect and conserve vital river ecosystems and to provide compatible public use and enjoyment. Jim will be discussing the organization’s recent projects across the west including Dillon Beach in California, McDermitt Creek in Oregon, Terryall Creek Colorado, Racetrack Creek in Montana, the Yakima River in Washington and the Selway River in Idaho among others.
NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 5:45 pm, we will be conducting short Introductory Skills to help our those new to the sport. We will also have the same Introductory Skills class at the casting clinic. Please look at the Club Activities article n the Newsletter for more information.
FUTURE SPEAKERS
| Date | Monthly Speaker | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 02 | Rob Anderson - New Pyramid Lake Strategies | Rob Andersen, owner and operator of Bucket List Fishing, join the club to share his expertise on new techniques for fishing Pyramid Lake and Peacock Bass in Brazil. Zoom Recording Link |
| May 07 | Lance Gray - Steelheading on the Feather | We’re excited to welcome Lance Grey, longtime friend of the club and owner/operator of Lance Grey & Company, to speak with us about some of Northern California’s most renowned fisheries, including Lake Almanor and the Feather River. Lance has spent years exploring and guiding in these waters, and his deep knowledge of these rivers and lakes will give us invaluable insights into fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, and how to make the most of your time on these iconic fisheries. |
| Jun 04 | Jesse Collins - Entymology | Our own Jesse Collins is going to give a presentation on stream entomology (study of insects). Not only will this help you understand the insects that are around the streams, but also a discussion of the flies that imitate them and how to fish them. Zoom Recording Link |
Posted on February 27th, 2025
Posted on February 16th, 2025
The RS 2 is a small delicate pattern that simulates a mayfly or midge insect. It is most commonly used trailing behind a small dry fly as a dropper. It will sink about 1 to 4 inches below the surface. Set up if you see a rise anywhere near the dry fly. This fly works best in a spring creek or tailwater fishery. This is one more you can add to your box if you are going to the Green River next month. This is a very simple fly to tie. The directions are written in detail.
HOOK: TMC 101 sizes 16–20. Crimp barb.
THREAD: Gray 8/0, 12/0 for a small hooks. Attached 1/3 back on shank. Thread wraps to 2/3 back on shank.
TAIL: Muskrat guard hairs Hold tips of approximately 5–8 hairs. Pull fuzzy under fur toward hide. Slip scissors down shaft of guard hairs, then cut near hide. Lay on top of shank, tips extending about hook length beyond shank. Make five touching wraps of thread toward rear of shank. Slowly and carefully using tips of scissors, cut out all but two of the thicker longer guard hairs near shank. If they are uneven, pull the shorter to the rear using pliers, then slowly pull guard hair forward so that the tales equals shank length. Make five more touching thread wraps forward. Raise butt ends and cut near shank. Tie down butt stubs.
BODY: Muskrat under fur. Cut small chunk from very close to hide. Remove any guard hairs. Make dubbing by pulling fibers apart and putting back together many times forming a loose homogeneous fuzzball. Apply very small amount of dubbing to thread. Wrap thread to rear of shank. Dub a narrow tapered body forward to one eye length behind eye. Trim stray hairs close to body.
WING: CDC gray. Select two similar sized feathers, one for size 20 hooks. Lay on top of one another with curves matching. Holding onto tips, stroke, other barbs in opposite direction. Lay on top of shank with tips extending to rear of hook. Tie and place with 4 touching wraps backward. Holding tips upward, pull stem forward until tips are mid shank. DO THIS SLOWLY. Make four more thread wraps to secure. Cut stem close to thread wraps. NOTE: Save feather for more flies.
THORAX AND HEAD: Muskrat under fur. Apply very small amount of dubbing to thread. Make one or two wraps backward onto wing so it ends up 2/5 back on shank. Dub forward in one or two wraps. Remove any extra dubbing. Whip finish forming head. Cut thread. Cut short any stray hair fibers.
Posted on February 16th, 2025
2025 Annual Fundraiser………………
February Monthly Meeting: New Member Orientation and Hangout……………………
My Turn……………………………
Fly Tying……………………
February Fly Tying Class: Gino’s Midge Emerger
Fly of the Month: Copper Top
Conservation Concerns……………
Profile: The Osprey
Membership Notes…………………
Club Activities – February thru March
Membership Renewal
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Cartoon ……………………
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
Is ice fishing really worth it?
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
The newsletter provides brief fishout info. For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule
| Date | Link (new tab) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 12 6:00 am - 1:00 pm | Kelly Lake – Watsonville (bass, crappie) | Stand by as dates and details to be updated as the days get longer and warmer! Fishmaster: Scott Kitayama Location: Kelly Lake in Watsonville (Private lake limited to 6 people) Species: bass, crappie, bluegill Duration: 1 day Registration and Cost: No Cost, but you must contact Scott as the number of people fishing is limited. Contact at scottkitayama@gmail.com. Addtional Details & Confirmation of dates to be updated - Stay tuned Meeting time and place: Scott will directly be in contact with those that are coming on the Fishout. Equipment: Need to have float tube or kayak to fish the lake. [...] |
| Apr 18 - Apr 20 | Rooster Comb Ranch – UPDATED – | 23rd Annual Bass Fishout at Roostercomb Ranch 3/04/2025 - SOLD OUT - If you are still interested, contact the Fish Master to be added to the wait list (contact information below) This is our club's 23rd annual bass Fishout to the Roostercomb Ranch since year 2000. This sprawling private ranch is located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, off Hwy 152 entrance in Hollister near Casa de Fruta Restaurant. It's a 22-mile off-road trek through the backcountry from the park entrance. This requires a 3-day weekend commitment. Accommodations are a 1928 ranch house and bunk house with options to tent [...] |
| Apr 26 - May 03 12:00 am | Green River – Utah | Green River - Utah Currently this trip is at maximum capacity. For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster Rick chace rchace@got.net General Information - It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club's standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations. Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee. If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the [...] |
| May 10 5:45 am - 10:00 am | Rio Del Mar State Beach Surf Fishout | First Surf Fishout of 2025! Saturday May 10th 2025 5:45AM Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach |
| May 16 - May 19 | Upper Sacramento River / McCloud Fishout – UPDATED – | This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring. The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to. |
| Jun 02 - Jun 04 | Pyramid Lake Fishout | 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. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome. That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a [...] |
| Jun 07 5:15 am - 10:00 am | Manresa State Beach Surf Fishout | Location: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. https://www.lostcoastoutfitters.com/collections/surf-flies What to Expect: Good Times Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and [...] |
| Jun 20 - Jun 22 | Burney and Around – UPDATED – | Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned Fishmaster: Alex Ferber Location: Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area Species: Trout Duration: 3 Days Cost: No Cost Meet Up: Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions Hat Creek Park off Hy 299 (See the map below). The park is approximately 10 minutes from the highway 299/80 junction. The park is on the left hand side going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up. This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster [...] |
| Jun 22 - Jun 28 12:00 am | Lake Almanor/Hex Hatch – Jun 22th – 28th 2025 | The Lake Almanor Fishout is scheduled for the last week of June, 6/22 thru 28th, 2025. This time period is, hopefully, the peak of the annual Hexagenia hatch that begins generally mid-June and runs through mid-July. The most productive fishing takes place early evenings on into past dark between Lake Almanor West to Canyon Dam on the Southwest side of the lake. Most of the fishing is done from float tubes as well as small boats or even from shore. In addition to the evening "Hex" hatch, a multitude of opportunities exist for fishing throughout the day to include Little [...] |
| Jul 05 5:20 am - 10:00 am | Beer Can Beach Surf Fishing – UPDATED – | Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 at 5:20 am. Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos (no bathrooms) Fish Master: Scott Kitayama / scottkitayama@gmail.com Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Meet at 5:20AM. Sunrise is at 5:53 and we are fishing a 3-foot tidal crest, high tide being 8: 55AM. Breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s house, 115 Driftwood Ct, Aptos, please RSVP by July 3rd to mikelovejoy94@gmail.com. Coffee at 8:00am and breakfast served 8:30-9:30. Park on the street. Hot water available for hand wash. Hose available for rinsing equipment. |
| Jul 07 6:00 am | Loreto Fly Fishing Trip | Loreto Mexico Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about. The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person, double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. - It does not include [...] |
| Aug 09 5:45 am - 8:30 am | Palm Beach Surf Fishout w/ coffee and snacks afterwards | Fishmaster : Scott Kitayama Contact info: scotttkitayama@gmail.com Location: Palm Beach State Park Date High Tide Low Tide Sun Moon AM ft PM ft AM ft PM ft Rise Set 9 Sat 12:06 PM 4.0 10:53 5.5 5:25 -0.7 4:46 2.4 6:19 8:06 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: NO Limit Cali Surf Style Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many [...] |
| Aug 23 5:45 am - 10:30 am | Palm Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Fresno Fly Fishers | Location: Palm Beach State Park (End of Beach Rd. In front of the state park) Location subject to change depending on conditions. Updates to be provided. Stay tuned Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 6:29AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 11:57AM. Fish Master: Justin Ice / justin@schwagerdavis.com / 408-690-6143 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: The Fresno Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing and all are welcome to join https://flyfishers.clubexpress.com/ Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket [...] |
| Sep 06 6:00 am - 10:00 am | Beer Can Beach Surf Fishing – CO Fishout with The San Jose Fly Fishing Club | Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master:Michael Lovejoy <mikelovejoy94@gmail.com> Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: RSVP For Breakfast by 5:00pm September 3nd Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online) Flies: Clousers, wooly buggers, sand crabs, etc. Steve Adachi Clouser What to Expect: Meet at [...] |
| Sep 20 - Oct 04 12:00 am | Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4th | Fall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes. |
| Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 am | Manresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly Fishers | Location: Manresa State Beach (Ocean View Drive, La Selva Beach Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY [...] |
| Oct 04 5:45 am - 10:30 am | Manresa State Beach Surf Fishout – CO Fishout with The Delta Fly Fishers | Location: Manresa State Beach (236 Ocean View Drive Parking Lot) Meet at 5:45AM Sunrise is 7:04AM and we will be fishing an incoming tide cresting at 9:28AM. Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: The Delta Fly Fishers will be joining us on this outing Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety), Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket (If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket [...] |
| Oct 16 - Oct 20 | O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 16-20th | Camping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay. |
| Nov 07 - Nov 09 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 January 23rd, 2025
If you are not on Googlegroups, have not renewed your 2025 membership, or have been placed on the inactive file, please email me at robert6367@aol.com to be updated. As of Jan 23rd we have over 200 members on our Roster. Also, as of January 23, we have 8 tickets left to the Annual Fundraiser Feb 1. Thank you for your renewal, Annual Dinner support, and generous donations.
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
| Date | Activity Link | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 01 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm | 2025 SCFF Annual Fundraiser - Feb 1st, 5-9 pm | Wild Alaska Salmon will highlight the dinner and we will have many prizes available for the raffle. We are keeping the dinner affordable at $40/person and expect it to sell out early. Click on the article to see who has purchased tickets to the event. | Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club |
| Feb 15 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | We will be working on FFI skills development course from the Bronze and Silver levels. If you’re not familiar with these exercises, it would be a great time to come out and see what it’s all about. The skills are directed at improving your casting skills, and will improve your overall fly fishing success. This will be a perfect time for those folks who are just getting started, to learn some basic core casting techniques. I will have practice rods if needed. Hope to see you there. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
| Feb 28 10:00 am - 6:00 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth B6 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth and will have our new club signage at the show. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Mar 01 9:00 am - 5:30 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth B6 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth and will have our new club signage at the show. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Mar 02 9:00 am - 4:30 pm | Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show - SCFF booth | The Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will have booth B6 at the Pleasanton Fly Show. Club members will be staffing the booth and will have our new club signage at the show. | Alameda County Fairgrounds |
| Mar 05 5:45 pm - 6:30 pm | Introductory Skills: Basic Fishing Knots |
From the New Member Orientation meeting we had in February, it was obvious that we need to provide some introductory skills and knowledge to members who are just starting out in fly fishing. Instead of building some complicated training program, we are going to start by providing short skills development before the fly casting clinic and the general meetings. The first one, will be about basic fishing knots. | Aptos Grange |
| Mar 15 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Fly Casting Meetup | We will be working on FFI skills development course from the Bronze and Silver levels. If you’re not familiar with these exercises, it would be a great time to come out and see what it’s all about. The skills are directed at improving your casting skills, and will improve your overall fly fishing success. This will be a perfect time for those folks who are just getting started, to learn some basic core casting techniques. I will have practice rods if needed. Hope to see you there. | Jade Street Park baseball field |
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
Last year when the SCFF conservation committee was looking for new ideas for our support, The Osprey caught my attention. First of all, naming your organization after such an amazing bird is a great start. So, other than a cool name, what is it about The Osprey that is a good fit for our club?
The Osprey describes itself: “International Journal of Salmon and Steelhead Conservation is a scientific journal published by a consortium of like-minded conservation organizations: The Conservation Angler, Fly Fishers International, World Salmon Forum, Wild Steelhead Coalition, Steelhead Society of British Columbia, and Skeena Wild.” The journal is published three times a year by a team consisting of an editorial committee and a group of of scientific advisors. The focus of the articles is on Pacific salmon and steelhead science, recovery and management. They are devoted advocates of conserving existing wild steelhead and salmon and recovery of diminishing populations. They identify some primary threats to their survival include climate change, population growth, ill-advised dams and hatchery projects.
By going to the website https://www.ospreysteelhead.org/, you can access their archive of publications. Some of the articles get pretty deep into the science, but it shows they are committed to understanding the fundamental basis for decisions and recommendations involving that benefit to the fish.
Here’s a sample of article titles from the fall 2024 issue:
Rewilding the Lower Snake River
Life history Diversity Emerges in Salmonids Repopulating Tributaries of the Undammed Elwha River
Native Resident Trout Policy: An Opportunity to Properly Acknowledge Gaps in Managing Resident Wild Steelhead in Washington State
Reflections on American Conservation and Economic History in Relation to Wild Salmon and Steelhead
Articles like these demonstrate the authors have a sound understanding of the science and history of the challenges these fish have endured. It also show their commitment to the fish and rivers they care deeply about.
Not only does support for The Osprey help with the journal publication, it also helps to get the journal into the hands of wild fish conservation decision-makers and influencers including scientists, fisheries managers, politicians, and wild fish advocates.
In the fall 2024 issue, the new editor, John McMillian suggests other sources of information about wild steelhead and salmon:
Research and peer-reviewed papers by John McMillan: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John-Mcmillan-8
John McMillan’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/rainforest_steel/
An informative podcast about science, angling and conservation called The Deep Wade Podcast: https://thedeepwadepodcast.buzzsprout.com/
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
When I joined the club about 4 years ago my intention was to attend the monthly meetings and learn from our guest speakers. All I really wanted back then was to get out the house and learn more about fly fishing. After several meetings I got inspired to fish locally and to do so with other club members but I found it challenging to make those connections. Today I have a handful of friends I’m comfortable calling or texting who I fish with regularly. I consider this group my primary tribe. When I look back on how I became part of this network of fishing buddies, it comes down to two basic factors. Leveraging club resources and putting myself out there socially is how I made my connections.
Google Groups: This email based form of communication reaches all club members that use this feature. This a good place to start up dialogue around anything fly fishing. It’s fairly common for people to post upcoming trip info to the O’Neill Forebay, Pyramid lake and other fishing destinations.
WhatsApp: A text based app you can put on your smart phone or device to message people within a particular interest group. Currently the club has one WhatsApp group and that is for local surf fishing. Folks ask questions, post invites to hit the beach and sometimes offer fishing reports when they’re finished fishing. If you seek information or fellowship fishing the beach, this a worthwhile app to put on your phone. If you would like to start a page for a different type of fishing, the opportunity is yours.
Club Meetings: A lot of members show up early for club meetings and are willing to engage with fellow anglers. You might have to introduce yourself and kick start the conversation but our members are always welcoming and happy to talk fishing.
Casting Practice: Work on your cast while building your social circle. Check the website for dates and times.
Fly Tying Classes: Every second Wednesday (the Weds after the General Meeting) the club offers free fly tying. After the initial instruction there is plenty of opportunity to strike up conversation and talk fishing while everyone is tying.
Instagram/Facebook: These social media accounts we support are a yet another way to see what’s happening in the club and put some faces to the names of our members. For both mediums just search SantaCruzFlyFishing.
Fish Outs: These club organized fishing trips are probably the most organic way to find your tribe. Not only are you fishing with like minded folks, there are usually post trip opportunities to socialize. Breakfast, campfire hangouts, meeting up for a beer, etc.
Go fish and let others know.
A great way to find your tribe is to simply plan your own trip and invite others to join. The advantage here is you choose the date, time, place, etc that works for you. A possible disadvantage is you might not get any takers but you will if you keep at it. I’ll add that when you consistently invite others to fish or simply update them with your results, they will often return the favor.
Know your fishing opportunities and improve them. If you’re fairly competent with the fundamentals you’re more likely to find people that will want to fish with you. Sure we have members who will help beginners but not everyone wants to spend their time teaching a novice how to cast or how to tie on a fly. If you can get yourself proficient in the fundamentals you’re more likely to find your tribe. While fishing the surf my first time, it was obvious my double haul needed work. The anglers getting the most hook ups could throw their flies 70-90’ consistently over the waves. I practiced my double haul at the local soccer field for several months until I was satisfied with my distance. When I rejoined the club for a few summer fish outs the fishing was more second nature allowing me to focus more on having fun with other members.
Volunteer!
The club is run entirely on volunteer service. There are lots of opportunities to support your club with your time. In addition to personal satisfaction, volunteering exposes you to a lot of engaged and very knowledgeable members and anglers. My time on the board, working a service project or leading a tying class has expedited my ability to meet members and be included on fishing outings. To learn about club opportunities check the website, newsletter or talk to board member. We’d love to have your help!
Joining an established club with 250 members can make finding your tribe challenging but if you leverage the club’s resources and push yourself socially you should find success. Next time you see me at a club event, say hi. Maybe we can go fishing sometime.
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
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557 1/2 LAKEVIEW RD. , WATSONVILLE
DINNER TICKETS: Are $40 which can be purchased at the November, December and January club meetings and online at www.santacruzflyfishing.org/product-category/annual-fundraiser/. There is room for 160 people and we are going to sell out so buy your tickets soon.
ALCHOHOL: The facility has a full bar with reasonable prices for wine, beer, liquor and sodas. You may bring wine to the event, however you will pay a corkage fee at the bar to open it and provide wine glasses. The Bar only accepts cash.
VOLUNTEERS: Many long-term club members say that the best part of our event is the time volunteering, and working with others to put the whole event together. Contact Kevin McClish at (831) 338-4513 or kbmcclish@hotmail.com (no text please) to find out how you can best help.
DONATIONS: Our club would be grateful for donations to be used as raffle prizes at our annual fundraiser. Examples: flies you have tied, other handcrafted items, business services, personal services such as fly-tying lessons, casting lessons, etc. If you have such a contribution, please contact our Scott Kitayama, at (650)279-5871.
RAFFLE TICKETS: Can will be sold at the event. Two door prizes of 50 raffle tickets will be awarded, which should increase your chances of winning. There will be silent auction items as well.
ABOUT THE ROD AND GUN CLUB: it’s located in a rural setting overlooking Kelley lake. The parking lot is gravel so not a problem if it’s raining. There is additional parking at lower lots if you go around the left side of the building.
SO ALL IN ALL, COME SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, AND DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN.
Ticket purchasers : ( 180 as of Jan 28)
Asterisk means that the person paid by cash or check. Did not purchase through website.
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
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 5th and so we are going to open it up for a hang out. There will be a couple of different groups meeting there that night.
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.
Women’s Group Meetup: This is an opportunity for women in the club to be able to meet each other, discuss fishing opportunities and ways to make the club more welcoming to the fastest growing segment of fly fishing.
| Date | Monthly Speaker | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 05 | Jim Cox - Western Rivers Conservancy | Jim Cox joined Western Rivers Conservancy in 2011 and is the Director of Donor Relations. He has more than 40 years of experience working professionally in the nonprofit sector. Jim joining the club to discuss how Western Rivers Conservancy works to restore and protect rivers through the Western US. |
| Apr 02 | Rob Anderson - New Pyramid Lake Strategies | Rob Andersen, owner and operator of Bucket List Fishing, join the club to share his expertise on new techniques for fishing Pyramid Lake and Peacock Bass in Brazil. Zoom Recording Link |
| May 07 | Lance Gray - Steelheading on the Feather | We’re excited to welcome Lance Grey, longtime friend of the club and owner/operator of Lance Grey & Company, to speak with us about some of Northern California’s most renowned fisheries, including Lake Almanor and the Feather River. Lance has spent years exploring and guiding in these waters, and his deep knowledge of these rivers and lakes will give us invaluable insights into fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, and how to make the most of your time on these iconic fisheries. |
| Jun 04 | Jesse Collins - Entymology | Our own Jesse Collins is going to give a presentation on stream entomology (study of insects). Not only will this help you understand the insects that are around the streams, but also a discussion of the flies that imitate them and how to fish them. Zoom Recording Link |
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
