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June 2022 Table of Contents

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…………………………..…

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Striper Fishing on the Lower Sac with Hogan Brown


Jun 01 6:30 PM : Striper Fishing on the Lower Sac with Hogan Brown



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.

No upcoming events scheduled - check back soon!

Monthly Speaker Date Excerpt

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June Raffle

by JEFF GOYERT

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.

How about a little change up in your game with your choice between two speciality rods.
     How about a Spey rod to spice things up a bit? Think swinging flies on big Steelhead waters! This SalmonFly rod is 13ft 7in and rated as a 9/10 weight.
                             Or
     Plan B,  an Intouch competition 10ft 6in euro-nymph rod in 3 weight. Perfect for our Sierra trout streams
The winning ticket holder gets their pick.
Everybody needs an extra reel loaded with maybe an intermediate line or maybe a full sink line or some other specialty line that is needed to save the day. This Sougayilang machined aluminium reel in 5/6 weight will fill the bill. It is light weight with a large arbor and can be set up with either right or left hand retrieve.
Like the old TV commercial used to say”don’t go out without it”, don’t go wading on any of our trout streams without a sturdy wading staff. This ‘third leg’ not only helps keep you upright in the slippery rock streams, it also makes it easier to scramble down the bank to get to the stream. This collapsible staff comes with both a quiet rubber tip as well as a soft bottom basket tip along with a carabiner clip and neoprene belt sheath.
The fine print:
Raffle tickets are available for sale online up until noon on the day of the meeting June 1st.  Click on this link to purchase tickets:
Tickets cost one dollar each, 20 bucks get you 25 tickets. The raffle will be held at the June 1st meeting at the Grange Hall in Aptos.  Club membership not required, need not be present to win.
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Vapor Trails, UFOs and the Love of Fly Fishing

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

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Fly tying – June 2022


Jun 08 6:30 PM : Dali Lama

Dali Lama

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
Pat’s Tungston Bead Head Rubber Legs - JULY  Fly tyingJul 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.

Fluke Fly - Aug Fly tyingAug 10 Fluke Fly - Aug Fly tying

Greg Foy, Instructor – Fluke Fly is a jig to target Black Bass and Sunfish

Foam Run CaddisSep 14 Foam Run Caddis

A simple great drive fly pattern for this month.

CicadaOct 12 Cicada

Fly for bass, trout and carp!

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CDC One Feather Fly

by Elaine cook fly tying chairman

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.

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Endangered California Salmon Returned To Safer Waters After More Than A Century

by Conservation Chair Bob

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.

Date:  June 25, 2022

Time:  1:30 PM

Place:  Jade Park, Capitola

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United Fly-Casting Outdoors (UFO) Meetup – Jade Park

by Tom Hogye -

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

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Fishout Schedule – June 2022

mobile scrollable table 

EVENT NAME EVENT DATE SPECIES FISH MASTER
Trinity River FishoutNov 01 - Nov 04

Nov 01 : Trinity River Fishout


Trinity River Fishout
(Click for address and map)
Fishmaster:

NOTE:   Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip.  After knowing how many people are interested, it will be easier to plan logistics (camping? motel?).    You can text Alex at (831) 419-0564  or alex.ferber74@gmail.com.  If you want to go on this trip, it is highly recommended to attend the Spey Classes.

The fishery:
Basically,  this is a Steelhead Trip. There are some resident trout, including some really nice brown trout. I  walk wade or float my raft,  depending on the river conditions. I personally use a Spey rod to swing flies.   Many people use indicators.  There are a lot of walk in spots to explore. The river can be floated with rafts or driftboats. There is a shuttle service available.
Tackle:
Single hand rods, 7-8 wt rods, using floating lines with indicator set up. Typical flies used are Egg patterns, Copper John’s, Stonefly imitations like Rubberlegs,  Dark Perdigons. Sizes ranging from Size 8-14.
Spey or Switch rods, usually 5-6 wt in the Fall, I use a 7 wt in the winter. Skagit or Scandi heads, with floating to heavy sink tips, depending on the river conditions and season. Flies that work well include leeches, intruders, HoBo Spey, Traditionals, as well as dry fly patterns ( Skaters) in the early Fall.
The River:
The Trinity River is located aprox 1 hr west of Redding on  Hwy 299. Its a beautiful tailwater fishery, with flows controlled from the Lewiston Dam. This is where the hatchery can be found. It has many different faces, including some big water as it runs west. It meets up with the Klamath River on its journey to the ocean. It has an excellent run of both wild and hatchery fish, ranging from 5-7 #, with some larger fish in the  +10-12 # range. There are fish in the system year round, but typically a push of fish starts in late September and peaks in late November, with a second run usually in late December- March. The fishing remained really good thru the end of March last season. It is very flow dependant and can run quite low in the Fall, with occasional bumps in flows when there is precipitation. It can blow out on occasion, but clears pretty fast.
Amenities:
Weaverville is the closest town, where there are good restaurants, motels and a really nice Holiday Market. It’s kinda the hub. There is an RV park in Weaverville,  but no campsites.
Camping is available in Douglas City  area as well as Junction City and further west on 299. The town of Douglas city doesn’t have much, other than a small mini mart. Indian Creek Lodge is a few miles east of Douglas City. The town of Lewiston is just below the Lewiston dam. It offers some camping and motels. There is a really nice motel west of Junction City (I believe it is called Steelhead Lodge?). It’s an excellent place to stay if one wishes to fish below Junction City.