General Meeting……………………
Striper Fishing on the Lower Sac with Hogan Brown
June Raffle Prizes
President’s Line…………………….
Fly Tying……………………
Dali Lama
CDC One Feather Fly Cripple
Conservation Concerns……………
Endangered California Salmon Returned To Safer Waters After More Than A Century
Membership Notes…………………
UFO Meetup – Jade Park
Fishout Schedule…………………
Cartoon…………………………..…
Posted on May 24th, 2022
Growing up on the Lower Yuba River as an only child who had a bug collection and really liked catching fish with imitations of those bugs didn’t make Hogan the coolest kid growing up. Good thing he got over it and persevered. Deciding to start rowing a drift boat and guiding the lower Yuba instead of living in the woods bitter and resentful. Living in Chico, CA now Hogan guides for anything that swims, from trout to striped bass and carp to steelhead, he is at home in a drift boat or poling a mud flat for carp. Guiding the Lower Yuba River, Feather River, and Lower Sacramento River for stripers, trout, steelhead, shad, carp, and bass has made him one of the most versatile and experienced guides in Northern California. His trout, bass, carp, and striper flies have become staples in his home state of Northern California and throughout the West, and his patterns are currently sold through Rio Products and numerous fly shops. Hogan is a Scott Fly Rods, Lamson – Waterworks Reels, Stealth Craft Boats, Air Flo Fly Lines, and Echo Rods Pro along with being a Simms, and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses Ambassador. Hogan is also co-founder of the California Bass Union dedicated to Developing, Sharing, and Growing Fly Fishing for bass in his home state of California as well as the host for the Barbless fishing podcast. Hogan is also a connoisseur of fine ales and fermented grains, a home gardener, die-hard San Francisco Giants baseball and Notre Dame Football fan, along with being a husband and father to two young boys.
Future Speakers. Dates and speakers may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
| Monthly Speaker | Date | Excerpt |
|---|
Posted on April 14th, 2022
As they say “June is busting out all over” and we say it’s time to get serious about fly fishing! To that end we have some great raffle prizes up for grabs.
Posted on May 26th, 2022
The absolute most difficult part of being President of this Club, especially after so many years getting to know so many of you, calling you family, friends, is when we lose someone to an untimely passing. This isn’t supposed to happen in a fly-fishing club – is it?
As many of you know already and by the extraordinary outpouring of your hearts on the club mail account is the untimely passing of our beloved Steve Rudzinski. So many of you described Steve and his character in the most beautiful of ways. A staple at the Pyramid Lake fish-out always rallying everyone together. A consistent O’Neil Forebay Fish-out master who would do everything to set up a successful adventure for everyone and especially newcomers, before he began catching is first fish – which he did very well. And the Casting classes he came up with on his own, that turned into one of the most successful monthly events and fun gatherings on the lawns at Jade Street Park. If there was an activity, an event, a gathering, at SCFF, or MBSTP, Steve was one of the first to volunteer. As many of you heard me say – we will never see a vapor trail ever the same way again, and I guess in a cool way, they will always remind me of Steve. And the UFO’s. How wonderful to be so transparent and so genuine. I really wanted to go bowling with him.
The ole saying is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.
And so it goes. Until we meet again Steve, thank you for your heart and soul my friend.
June is upon us.
The fishing will be good, the summer hot, and plenty of comradery to be had with all at SCFF. I hope you have all you need to be fishing from the surf to the Sierra and beyond. Mona and I will be heading east to dabble in the Sierra rivers this weekend and I’m looking forward to that solace one finds out on the water, in the environ as natural, untouched, and far away as possible. If that’s possible.
These next couple of weeks, we’re handing out scholarships to the high-school students as part of our commitment to the future of the environment, fly-fishing and the club. Hopefully, these long-term investments will pay dividends for the benefit of our environment, even if it’s long after we’re gone, but hopefully sooner.
I saw a sign the other day that stated, “The planet was far better without us”. True. I hope as the future becomes more diverse, more aware of what we’ve done in the name of progress, those youth of today will shape tomorrow a bit better for the fish. If the fish can thrive, anything can. I’ve often said the fish are today’s canary in the coal mine. Sure, they aren’t all warm and cuddly like a puppy, cat or stuffed bear, but not much on the planet can survive if the fish aren’t here. Steve had his vapor trails and UFO’s; I have my beef with development and water. Oh well – Lani Waller once told me, we each have our fights and to keep fighting the good ones.
Our June meeting will be at the Grange and on Zoom. Yay! So much fun being back together and at the same time giving those who can’t make it to the grange, an opportunity to hang out with us, even if we’re still ironing out the bumps of making it all happen together. Come to the June meeting with a chance to see each other. As many of you know, we don’t have a July meeting because of the 4th of July week, and August will be our annual club BBQ, Swap Meet and Raffle again at the Sherriff’s Posse Hall.
Elaine is having fly-tying classes in person at the Grange, which is great, so check in and learn all you need to know about the foundation for tying flies at the vice, or vices for fly tiers! Materials are provided, check in with Elaine for any other particulars by class.
If you would like to be more involved with the club, come to a Board meeting. We have fun, don’t bite, and could use your help. Plenty of good opportunities to make a difference in the world, lead, be part of change, fun activities, and the opportunity to Promote, Educate and Enjoy the sport of fly fishing. If you’re interested, reach out to me, or any of our esteemed board members, we’d love to have you.
Lots of fishing opportunities in the Fish-Out schedule, but if you still don’t see what you’re looking for, be sure to use the Club Google group email and put out a few feelers where you might want to fish, what you want to fish for. You will get a wealth of information from your fellow members. Where to fish, what to fish with, when, … You might even find yourself with a few companions go to with you.
Get out there -have Fun. Make a new friend. Life is too short.
Peace out. Tom
Posted on May 23rd, 2022
IMPORTANT: This class will be taught at the Aptos Grange. Masks will be OPTIONAL for this session. NO ZOOM access.
The Dali Lama is our go to fly on the Tsiu for silver salmon. It would work for steelhead or large trout. We will be tying 2 sizes one for salmon and a size 2 fo streamer fishing for trout. The salmon one uses a cut off hook in front with a stinger hook in back.
Contact John Steele to let him know that you will be attending: owlspad@icloud.com
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
| Monthly Speaker | Date | Excerpt | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Jul 13 | Pat’s Tungston Bead Head Rubber Legs - JULY Fly tying | Dar Naghshineh, Instructor – Pat’s Tungston Bead Head Rubber Legs is primarily for trout, but also black bass. |
 | Aug 10 | Fluke Fly - Aug Fly tying | Greg Foy, Instructor – Fluke Fly is a jig to target Black Bass and Sunfish |
 | Sep 14 | Foam Run Caddis | A simple great drive fly pattern for this month. |
 | Oct 12 | Cicada | Fly for bass, trout and carp! |
Posted on April 21st, 2022
CDC stands for cul-de-canard which is the butt feather of a duck. It has some interesting properties that will help the fly float without gel floatant. In fact gel floatant actually mashes down the barbs making the fly not float. Instead dress with a dry powdered floatsnt like Frog Fanny. When it becomes waterlogged, squeeze dry on clothing or a chamois. Then brush more Frog Fanny into the fibers. Don’t be concerned with the white fluffy appearance for it doesn’t seem to deter the fish at all.
HOOK: TMC 200 size 24-20. crimp Barb. Note: length of CDC feather will determine size of hook. See shuck below.
THREAD: 8/0 Color to match CDC NOTE: mayflies come in many colors. Some of the more common are gray, olive, tan, brown and cream. Attach thread behind eye. Wrap to above hook point with touching wraps.
SHUCK; CDC feather. Measure length of feather along stem were barbs protrude. Select a feather that is at least as long as the following as in the following chart. Longer is even better.
One and 3/4” for 14 hooks.
One and 1/2” for 16 hooks
One and 1/4” for 18 hooks
One inch for 20 hooks.
Stroke barbs toward tip of feather. Tie in on top of shank, tips hook length beyond thread, with three wraps. Carefully pull feather forward until shuck equals shank length. Lift butt and, wrapped thread to eye.
BODY: continuing with the same feather as above. Spiral wrap feather forward covering shank. Tie off with 2 wraps between barbs.
WING: using same feather as above, hold stem upright, stroke barbs backward. Make a loop with stem that extends to shuck. Tie off securely add eye. Cut excess. NOTE; loop will probably lean. Wrap thread head. Whip finish, cut thread. Do not use head cement or any glue. Stroke barbs backward. Cut them short at end of shuck.
Posted on March 29th, 2022
Teams from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have begun relocating endangered winter-run Chinook salmon to upper Battle Creek and threatened spring-run Chinook salmon to Clear Creek. The last time this relocation took place was 110 years ago. The fish are being moved from the Sacramento River below Shasta and Keswick Dams. The hope is that the colder water in the new environment will support spawning conditions and increased egg survival. The lasting drought, higher water temperatures, thiamine deficiency, predators and other stressors have devastated the Chinook over the last two years in this region. For additional details, go to the website below.
Posted on May 19th, 2022
Date: June 25, 2022
Time: 1:30 PM
Place: Jade Park, Capitola
Posted on
Where: Jade Park, Capitola
When: June 25th, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (beer thirty afterward?)
Bring your lawn chair, and fly rod to practice casting with other SCFF club members. Casual atmosphere with plenty of room for social distancing!
If you have any questions, please contact Tom Hogye. thomashogye@yahoo.com
Posted on April 22nd, 2022
mobile scrollable table
| EVENT NAME | EVENT DATE | SPECIES | FISH MASTER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Fishout – UPDATED – | Sep 23 - Oct 07 | Trout | John Cook fishmaster-- (831)688-1561 or (831)234-6515 |
| October surf fishout – Beer Can | Oct 07 | Sam | |
| Kelly Lake – Watsonville (bass, crappie) – CONFIRMED Oct 14 | Oct 14 | ||
| O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout | Oct 19 - Oct 22 | ||
| Pyramid Lake Fish-out April 1 – April 7, 2024 – New Info | Apr 01 - Apr 07 | Lahontan Cutthroat Trout | Mike White - (831) 706-5556 |
Both weeks of this Fishout has been filled. I am maintaining a waiting list. There are three people on the list currently. If I get enough I will think about getting another condo. Please email or contact me directly for inquires.
John & Elain Cook – Fishmaster
(831) 234-6515
coookin@gmail.com
Dates: This Fishout will take place over two consecutive one-week periods. You may sign up for one or both weeks. Week 1: Sept 23 – Sept 30 . Week 2: Sept 30 – Oct 7.
Location: The town of Mammoth Lakes is located on the eastern side of the Sierra, 6 or 7 hours drive from Santa Cruz. There are many lakes and streams in the area to fish.
General: We will be staying in condominiums in the town of Mammoth Lakes. Condo has a lovely hot tub, so bring your suit. Two people per bedroom. Most people bring a sleeping bag to share queen size bed or a pad and sleeping bag to sleep on floor. A private room option is possible at an increased fee.
Cost: Shared single: $450/wk, $900/2 wks, Private room: $800/wk, $1,600/2 wks. Dinner guests: $20/meal
Food Preparation: Breakfast and lunch items will be purchased by the Fishmaster ahead of time. Each person will be assigned a Kitchen Day. On that day, tasks will include setting out breakfast and lunch items, store unused food, and preparing the evening meal and clean up afterwards.
SignUps: Call John Cook letting him know which week, both or private room. A significant down payment is required to secure our spot we need people to sign up as soon as possible. Should you need to cancel, you can find someone to take your place and get your money back.
Contact Ph #’s (831) 234-6515, (831) 688-1561
Covid Issues: TBD
Our October surf fish-out is the last one scheduled for 2023 and will be at Beer Can Beach in Aptos. It will not be at Palm Beach. Beer Can is accessed by stairs on Via Palo Alto street in Aptos, between house numbers 1074 and 1094.
We will meet at 06:50, sunrise is at 07:08 . This is a residential neighborhood, so just gear up, sign my log and head quietly to the beach rather than congregate and talk that time of morning. If you need a stripping basket or flies, I will have them.
Starting about 9 am, Mike Lovejoy will be serving us breakfast on the deck at his home just up the street at 115 Driftwood Court. Normally we don’t ask for an RSVP, but if you do plan to attend breakfast, please let me know. Just drop me an email will be fine. sambishop@totlcom.com
TIDE: High tide is a plus 4.0 at 07:55, so we will fish the crest of the tide from high flood to slack tide, to ebb.
It will be a great time with lots of fish and great comradery afterwards at Mike Lovejoy’s home.
| Fishmaster: | Scott Kitayama |
| Location: | Kelly Lake in Watsonville (Private lake limited to 10 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.
I am waiting on confirmation on this date, however I wanted to gauge the interest in this outing and put together a list of who wants to go whether on Oct. 14th or another date. |
| Meeting time and place: | Be ready to leave the Starbucks at Riverside & Hwy 1 at 7:00 am. Saturday Oct 14. |
| Equipment: | Need to have float tube or kayak to fish the lake. PFD required and walkie talkie encouraged. |
| 6 wt with intermediate line for stripping leaches or bait patterns.
6 or 7 wt floating line for poppers or float-n-fly |
|
| Flies: | Topwater: frog pattern, sliders, gurglers, poppers
Stripping: bunny leach, midnight cowboy, micro-clouser Indicator: balanced leach, crappie jigs, hares ear (sz 10 and larger) |
| What To Expect: | Hopefully, cooler fall weather will kill off the weeds and get the bass . There maybe top water action, but most of the fishing will be done with a float-and-fly setup or stripping leaches and bait patterns. |
| Food: | Bring lunch |
| Fishmaster Contact info: | Scott Kitayama
650 279 5871 scottkitayama@gmail.com |
Event: O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout
Date: Thursday October 19 to Sunday October 22
(I chose this weekend for it’s ‘skinny’ moon, less night feeding for the fish)
Target Gamefish: Striped Bass
Location: Medeiros Campground located on the Southern Shoreline of the O’Neill Forebay, access off of Santa Nella Blvd. (Highway 33)
Hosts: Kevin Murdock troutdock89@gmail.com
These are primitive campsites so bring your own water. There are tables, sun pavilions, and chemical toilets, or outhouses and fire rings. No open fires are allowed outside of the rings.
We (brother Terry & I) will be camping as close to site 29 as we can get. This is a first come, first serve campground, so no reservations are accepted. Float tubes can be launched near the campsites, but boats must be first inspected, then launched from the
San Luis Creek Boat launch. Boats may not be left on the lake overnight. Boaters would be wise to exit prior to the closing of the entry kiosk. The ranger can place a seal on your trailer, allowing you to bypass the inspection process the next morning.
The rangers at the kiosk by the Medeiros entrance may insist that your float tubes need inspection. make sure they’re clean & dry.
Equipment: 8wt rods with fast sinking lines. Some anglers will occasionally use a floating line with a ‘gurgler’ type fly
Flies: Lee Haskins San Luis smelt, ‘Deceiver’ type patterns in red, white, chartreuse, the aforementioned gurglers and poppers.
Float tubes (may require inspection for quagga mussels)
Fins, sunscreen, polarized glasses, life vest
Links:
https://mengsyn.com/ A fly-fishing addict who fishes San Luis Reservoir and the Forebay.
http://www.danblanton.com/ Long time local fishing guide.
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryDaily?s=Onf
There will be a signup sheet at our September and October meetings. We’ll also create a list for those hoping to participate in a pot luck Friday evening in honor of Steve ‘Stosh’ Rudzinski.
Weather conditions can vary dramatically, so it would behoove members to check prior to departure. You could email me or just get conditions on-line. High winds can cause the lake to be closed to all vessels.
This is one of our nearest Fishouts, with the possible payoff of a double digit fish! Don’t miss out!
On the morning of Saturday, October 14th, there will be a clinic for members who have not fished the Forebay before. More info at:
Pyramid trip starts the Monday after Easter in 2024. SCFF will have 5 trailers which means lots of folks will be attending. This is a bucket-list fishery.
The Pyramid Lake trip is one of the best-attended fishouts the club has, and for a good reason. Lahontan Cutthroat Trout cruise parallel to the shore in easy casting distance from shore. Cost for the week including meals and lodging and is around $300+ per person depending on the number in attendance. You need not fish all six days as there may be openings (usually later in the week.) Contact Mike for more details (831) 706-5556, to check on openings, or be put on a waiting list. First come first served.
Equipment: 6-9 weight rods with hi-speed, hi-D shooting heads or fast sink integrated lines to fish the bottom in 6 to 9 feet of water, and a floating line for indicator fishing. You should bring a stripping basket and a ladder that will accommodate it. A ladder helps to get you up out of the cold water and enable you to cast out to where the fish are. You can still catch fish without one but not with near as much consistency.
Flies: Woolly buggers in black, white, purple, olive, midge, caddis and mayfly nymphs to name a few. If as in years past the Confab in February is offering the opportunity to see how some of the best Pyramid patterns are made plan to attend and bring a vise and tie some yourself. Flies may also available from club member Jim Hall who ties some very good flies specific to Pyramid cutthroat as well as other species at reasonable cost. His number is (831) 713-6835. There is a general store with provisions as well as tackle and an assortment of flies.
How to get there: Take US 80 to Reno-Sparks, take the Pyramid Blvd. off ramp and go north about 35 miles. Crosby Lodge is at Sutcliff, near the Ranger Station.
If you are considering going to Pyramid again this year with the club and you have not already done so, please contact the person who is booking the trailer you stayed in last year. Trailer-masters, if your trailer has gaps or cancellations, you can call Mike so he can pass the names of members who don’t have lodging to fill the empty spots.
Fishing, Camping, and New Ladder Regulation:
Fishing and camping permits can be purchased online prior to the fish-out. We would highly recommend doing this. Go to www.plpt.nsn.us to obtain your licenses. There is also an RV Park available at (775) 476-1155.
As with any great fishery there are always a long list of rules and regulations. We would recommend you review them on the website above. Suffice to say those of us who have been going to Pyramid Lake for many years are a good source of information as well. We will help inform and guide all newcomers. 15.6 USE OF LADDERS, ETC. Any ladders, milk crates, boxes or other objects used in the water as a fishing aid must be occupied or closely attended (i.e. remain in the area) by fishermen at all times. Any person who leaves such objects unoccupied in the water for more than one hour will be deemed guilty of littering. 15.6.1 Fishing aids described above must have a permanent tag affixed that has the name, address, and phone number of the owner of the fishing aid. If the permitted angler using the fishing aid is not the owner, the owner will be the responsible party for any infractions by the permitted angler.
This year we have five trailers reserved. (6,7,8,9, and 10) As of September 1st 2021 we have 5 openings available. These openings will fill up quickly, so contact Mike immediately at (831) 706-5556. Last year was an incredible experience with many fish over 15 lbs brought to the net. If you cannot commit early and make it into one of our reserved trailers you can always make your own arrangements by contacting the Pyramid Lake Lodge at (775) 476-0400.
Mike White (831) 706-5556, lumberguy73@hotmail.com
NOTE: Due to insurance regulations, all attendees must be paid up members of Santa Cruz Fly fishermen, so get your membership paid up if you haven’t done so yet.
Posted on April 14th, 2022
Ha ha
Posted on March 30th, 2022
