May: Lance Gray – Steelhead………………
My Turn: SCFF club by the numbers……………………………
Fly Tying……………………
May Fly Tying Class: No Mess Mouse
Fly of the Month: Orange Stick
Conservation Concerns……………………
NCCFFI Conservation Advocates
Membership Notes…………………
Club Activities – May thru July
Sun Protection for Fly Fishers
21 new memberships for 2025
Gone Fishing: Roostercomb Ranch ……………………
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Cartoon ……………………
Posted on April 24th, 2025
Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89352294939
The Feather River, located in Oroville, CA, has a large Fall and Spring run of steelhead. The fishery has been in the news lately due to our wild winter 2017. The river has changed in many ways for the good. The high water has wiped the slate clean. New spawning gravel has been exposed, and side channels have been opened to rear the small steelhead and salmon minnows. The presentation gives a well-rounded view of the river. The lecture portion of this presentation covers history, angling information, access points, fly-fishing techniques, and flies. Lance will explore the difference between the Fall and Spring run fish and our tactics to target these great fish.
Lance will join us on Zoom to share the knowledge he’s gained since age 17, when he went to work at Powell’s in Chico, in the fly shop and building rods. He guided for Powell’s, led fly-tying and fly-fishing schools, and traveled.
In 1993, Lance and Kirsten started Saltwater Innovations, a company that manufactured and distributed products for saltwater fly fishing. Lance’s Crystal Popper, Gray’s Billfish Fly, the KO Charlie line and the Raghead Crabs are all Saltwater Innovations products. Kirsten worked behind the scenes, handling the day-to-day operation and running the manufacturing floor of the company.
In 2003 they launched Lance Gray & Company, a full-service outfitter offering guided trips, fly-fishing schools, workshops and a travel agency. Lance conducts presentations at fly clubs and outdoor shows and supports local groups like Cub Scouts and 4H. He’s a signature tier for Aqua Flies, pro staff member for Sage and Rio and is a featured writer, with articles published in Angling Trade Magazine, California Fly Fisher, Fly Fishermen, Sierra Fisherman and Northwest Fly Fishing.
NOTE: Prior to the start of the General Meeting at 6:15 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.
Posted on April 24th, 2025
Welcome readers. This month’s “Presidents Letter” is brought to you by Jim Tolonen, SCFF Treasurer. To help spread Scott’s president duties, each of us Board Members has taken over one month’s president’s letter. This month is my turn.
I am going to summarize the “ins and the outs” of our finances; then for anyone who makes it through that, I will also share a couple “good read” paragraphs from a fly-fishing book I recently read.
The SCFF was formed in 1980, and so we are a 44-year-old club, (which is an amazing accomplishment for any organization). We were formed as an IRS section “501- C- 4” fishing club. As such, we are a non-profit organization, but not a charity; so, contributions to our club are not tax-deductible, but generally we file a simple tax return, and we owe no taxes whether we make or lose small amounts of money each year.
We have four major sources of Revenue: Membership Dues (42%), Donations (16%), Annual Fund Raiser Dinner (28%), and all else (14%).
Membership dues are currently running about $9,000 per year, (225 members at $40 plus/minus for Family and honorary).
Donations have been running about $3,500 per year, although the past two years this number has been much higher due to extra donations from the passing of Steve Rudzinski, John Steele and Gil Santos.
The Annual Fund Raiser Dinner generally sells out for $7,400 (185 tickets at $40 each), Auction/Raffle for about $4,100, and Silent auction items for about $1,500. But we have big expenses of Hall rent, $800, Food and supplies $3,200, Raffle and door Prizes $3,000. So, net we bring in about $6,000 for the event.
All else miscellaneous revenue includes; monthly meeting fund raisers net of costs, BBQ and Swap meet events, Film tour net of costs, Yuba fishing trip net of costs, sales of logo-ware (now outsourced so just close-out this year), Sam Bishop’s donated stripping basket sales, etc. Although each year varies, these have generally brought in approximately $3,000 per year.
The net of all the above revenues runs about $21,500 per year, but can vary a lot, (as mentioned, more due to donations the past two years).
We try to run the club so that our expenses run just under this amount. Biggest recurring expense items typically are Aptos Grange rent $2,500 (club, fly tying, board meetings each month), Speakers costs $2,500, web site and newsletter consulting and fees $1,500, Roster/Printing postage PO Box and Supplies $1,500, FFFI Dues and Insurance $1,000, All Other $2,500 (Steele award, Fly tying supplies, computer and Zoom supplies, BBQ supplies, etc.) totaling about $11,500, but these also vary significantly each year.
The revenues less these recurring expenses leaves about $10,000 which we have been choosing to donate for Conservation contributions, $4,000 and scholarships $4,000. (Although this year 2025, due to the large increase in donations the past two years, we plan to increase Scholarships to $5,000 and Conservation Contributions to $5.000). We also expect to incur several thousand dollars in consulting costs to begin moving us onto a computerized accounting system, (we are still all manual and spreadsheet.)
That about does it. Any questions? Give me a text or email. Want to help out? Bill Seaman is stepping up as Treasurer for next year and perhaps sharing the load with a couple of Assistant Treasurers. Let Scott, Bill or me know if you have interest and can help.
Since I have heard that many fly fishers can read, we might consider book reports as a more regular item in the newsletter?
Now for a few good words, taken from the book “River Songs – moments of wild wonder in fly fishing” by Steve Duda (c) 2024:
“Fly Fishing teaches us a few things about a few things. We know which way is north and which direction the winds blows when the weather’s about to turn. We can stop the bleeding, patch the leaks, and always have duct tape handy. We know a few good knots, a few good jokes, and can curse in a handful of languages. We can pitch a tent in the dark and point to a few constellations. We know how to ford a river, build a fire and brew a cup of coffee. We can open a beer with almost anything.
We’re good sports and gracious winners who are used to long odds and making friends with failure. We are blessed with a vast reservoir of hope, and we trust that better outcomes and brighter prospects – the next cast, the next run, the next day – are around the next bend.
We’re a family of enthusiastic activists, weirdos, obsessives, and odd balls exploring the peculiar back alleys, sidetracks, and secret rooms of our sport. Fly fishing isn’t just one thing: it’s a whirling ball of bamboo rods, blue-lining, and bass. It’s poetry, permit, and plotting to bring down dead-beat dams. It’s tarpon, tenkara, and the alchemy of old fishing caps. It’s carp, conservation, and keeping a cigar lit in a sideways gully washer. It’s steelhead, shore lunches, and the beauty of native fish. It’s strange and beautiful – beautifully strange – and it’s what we do.
Most of all, this is a family that understands and appreciates the enormity wildness and wonder of the outdoors. Together, we stand in its light with humility, appreciation, and the determination not to lose what we love.”
Posted on April 23rd, 2025
Mouse patterns are becoming popular for bass and even trout fisherman. This is an easy fly to tie and good size. Please bring brown 6/0 thread. If you don’t have this thread, bring another 6/0 and there will be a Sharpie pen to color your thread. If you are a beginner, which we always welcome, there will be thread, vice, and tools for you to use. Please sign up at the club meeting or call me with at least 24 hours notice. 831-234-6515. As always the class is free and all materials provided. We never seem to have enough table lights, so if you have one, please bring it.
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.
| Date | Fly | Excerpt | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Jun 11 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Royal Trude |
The fly for the June fly tying class is the Royal Trude. Participants will need black thread. There will be a sign-up sheet at the monthly club meeting the week prior to this fly tying class (June 4th). Greg will also be present at the May club meeting with the sign up sheet. If you are unable to sign up at the club meeting, Greg can be reached for sign-ups at (831) 239-8780 The class will start at 6:30pm, doors open at 6:15pm. |
Posted on November 11th, 2024
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
Our club is a member of the Northern California Council Fly Fishers International. NCCFFI is one of many nationwide councils under the umbrella of Fly Fishers International. So what is NCCFFI and what do they do? Here’s some information that provides an overview from NCCFFI’s website.
Vision
“To educate current and future generations on the traditions of fly fishing, and to conserve and improve healthy aquatic watersheds.”
Mission
“We are a volunteer, non-profit educational and conservation organization dedicated to preserving our outdoor watersheds and fisheries. Our purpose is to inform the public about the benefits of the fly fishing traditions, and to fight for clean water, healthy watersheds and fisheries. We do this by supporting our member clubs through education, conservation advocacy and outreach on behalf of their members and communities.”
Purpose Statements
Work to preserve our fisheries and watersheds.
Educate the public that fly fishing is a sport/hobby for all ages.
Provide value to fly fishing clubs on issues they are interested in and cannot do alone.
Promote fly fishing clubs and support them on their projects.
Bring together clubs on important issues affecting fly fishing and conservation so we can speak with a loud, coordinated voice.
Reach out to clubs for input and guidance on important issues.
How does Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club benefit from being a member? FFI has a robust, structured fly casting development program. If you’ve been to any of our fly casting classes lately, those cones and rings you’ve been targeting with different casting strokes is part of the FFI casting playbook. Many of our members are taking advantage of the classes are improving, which is very encouraging to see. Another important benefit is our club is able to obtain insurance through our membership with FFI. There are numerous educational resources on all things related to fly fishing that are available, especially if you become an individual member at FFI.
And since we’re concerned with conservation, I want to highlight what role NCCFFI plays in conservation in Northern California. As noted above in their Vision, Mission and Purpose Statement, conservation is a large focus. Mark Rockwell has been VP of Conservation NCCFFI since 2021. You may recall he spoke to our club in September of 2024 about the effort to remove the dams on the Klamath River of which he has been involved since 2003. Mark has been active in several other conservation initiatives in Northern California. Below are a few examples.
Yuba River watershed enhancement and dam relicensing effort
Protection of the S.F. Bay-Deltawatershed and fishery
Update of the S.F. Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan & Voluntary Agreements
Toulomne River flow standards & SFPUC commitment to sustainable flow levels
South Santa Clara County watershed enhancement – FAHCE Agreement
Salmon & Steelhead recovery in Northern California rivers
As are many of us who are advocates for protecting and improving our fisheries, Mark is alarmed by the chaotic disregard for the environment by the the federal administration by stopping funding and eliminating jobs at the US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs. This includes impact to ongoing work to restore the Klamath Basin. I encourage you to read Mark’s April 2025 report that describes the issues and expresses his outrage at what is taking place. I share his concerns as well.
On a more positive note, did you know our own beloved Tom Hogye is NCCFFI 2nd Vice President? For those of you that are new to SCFF, Tom was our president for many years and filled other roles, including Conservation Chair. I the latest NCCFFI newsletter, Tom has an article titled “Conservation Motivation” where he talks about what steps were taken at SCFF to expand our membership with an emphasis on younger members. He also offers some ideas on reaching out and encouraging new ideas and perspectives on what will make a club thrive. If we feel we are valued, it’s a wonderful feeling that is a great beginning taking ownership in improving the club and developing friendships. It has been said that each converted fly fisher is on the path to learning about and becoming a conservationist. For a link to Tom’s article, to the link below.
If you are interested in learning about the benefits of becoming a member of FFI, go to:
https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/Join-Renew
Posted on April 24th, 2025
| Date | Activity Link | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 |
| May 17 9:00 am - 1:00 pm | Swap Meet at Aptos Grange - 2025 | Swap meet at the Aptos Grange parking lot. 9am to 1 pm. All things fishing/outdoors! | Aptos Grange |
| Jun 14 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 April 22nd, 2025
SUN PROTECTION FOR FLY FISHERS
Fly fishers are at particular risk for sun damaged skin (PD/photo-damage) , eye damage and ultraviolet (UVL) induced skin cancer, some of which are life threatening. This is due to our sport requiring prolonged exposure to sunlight and it’s reflection off of water and sand.
UVL damage is cumulative and responsible for 90% of aging, which appears as thin, easily bruised and torn, wrinkled skin. UVL is associated with cataracts and numerous eye disorders. The annual cost of treating UVL induced skin cancer in the U.S. is around 10 Billion dollars. Protection is the key to avoid these adverse effects of sunlight.
The best sun protection is opaque clothing: hats without mesh, sun-gloves, “Buff” bandanas for face and neck, quality sunglasses, recently popular sun “hoodies,” and long sleeved shirts and pants. The density of the thread count is most important….a $10 KMart shirt that you can’t see light through when held up to strong light is equal/better in protection than a $90 one impregnated with sun protective factor (SPF) chemical. Some clothing like a white T-shirt become worthless when soaking wet. Don’t forget umbrellas where practical.
Sunscreen is the next best protection. They are rated in SPF (generally the higher number the better) and they are classified “organic” (meaning chemical) or ‘inorganic’ (meaning physical or mineral components). Of the dozen or more US approved ingredients, organic Avobenzone is considered the the safest and most effective. Oxybenzone the most likely to cause allergic reactions. Of the inorganic ingredients, micronized titanium dioxide & zinc oxide are the most commonly found. In addition, there may be pigments or antioxidants added for additional protection. When using any of these products remember to use them liberally, and re- apply through out the day. The inorganic group tend to be messy/greasy and wash of easily, so they definitely need to be re-applied more often than the chemical types.
Sunscreens have repeatedly been shown to prevent most common skin cancers and about 50% of malignant melanomas. They have recently come under scrutiny and controversy regarding THEORETICAL effect on human hormone production, bleaching of coral reefs, effect on algae in still waters, and presence of “nanoparticles” in the bloodstream. To date there is NO EVIDENCE of harm due to sunscreen in any of these areas.
The supposed “bad ingredients suspected are Benzophenone, Homosalicalate , and Octinoxate. Sunscreens thought to be “safer” are the mineral type…..but these have negative aspects as listed above.
“Safe “brands include: Think Sport, All Good Sport, Thrive Bodyshield, Banana Boat Light as Air, Badge Adventure Mineral, Hello Bello, Purely Simple & Sun Burn.
Thankfully, as fly fishers, if properly clothed, we only need a small dab of sunscreen on ears, nose, lips and possibly hands, so we don’t need to sweat safety issues…..feel free to use something cheap, highly effective and hard to wash off like Coppertone Sport 50 or 75 SPF! The best selection of sunscreen lip balms are found at “ski” shops.
Posted on April 24th, 2025
Since Jan 1 meembership has grown by 21 new members, or an average of 5 new memberships per month for a a total members of 238 paid current members. We welcome all the new members below since Jan 1 and hope that they can participate in our future activities in the months ahead.
Jan L /m Shugart, T/j Livingston, J. Bombaci, R. Murphy
Feb K.Carlson, N/Smith, K.Conway-Christopher, M. Beth, D.Holton
March M. McDonough, D. Hernanez, J. Fong, D.Miyahara, H. Facchini, J. Payne, F Osman
April J. Martinez, B. Del Core, E.Medina- Banderas, E. Wilcox
Posted on April 24th, 2025
What could be more fun than 11 bass-fishing enthusiasts spending 3 days at the Roostercomb Ranch situated within the Henry Coe State Park. Sprawled among its nearly 6,000 acres are 8 ponds filled with bass and blue gill. Those present were Mark Traugott, Keith Munger, Michael Sherwood, Angela Johnson, Elaine and John Cook, Bill Seaman, Scott Kitayama, Dan Eaton, Jon Wolfe and Cecilia Stipes. So many fish were caught, it was one for the records. By Saturday Dan said it was the best fishing day he had ever had at the ranch. Hard to stop when it’s so good. He and Jon were the last to show up for dinner that evening! Scott was personally escorted around the ranch by Cecilia and discovered it was way too much fun sight-fishing the bass from shore to get into his float tube. He nailed a whopper (aka “toilet flush”) on his first cast at “Shadow” pond and before that, a series of aggressive large bass at “Secret” to start his day. By 3rd day, Elaine was gleefully teasing a series of bullfrogs (I believe 15) with her homemade poppers at “Buzzard”. Keith pulled out a bass measuring 20 in. (afraid no photo) from “Mustang”. Angela and I spent 5 hrs at “Harvey”, the farthest pond from ranch house driven by ATV over hill and dale to get there, where we caught countless bass with girth and weight. I found that the bigger popper I used (deer-hair mouse or frog), created a bigger incentive to encourage the largest bass to attack. My theory worked!
All in all, 3 days at the Roostercomb was a great success. Great fishing, wonderful camaraderie, delicious food, and of course, a great trip into the back country surrounded by Nature’s beauty and wildlife.
Posted on April 24th, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Upper 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: Manresa State Beach (Upper parking lot) Meet at 5:15AM Sunrise is 5:47AM and we [...] |
| 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 | Location: Beer Can Beach (AKA Summer Beach) - Staircase at 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos Fish Master: Lance Boiling / clboling@gmail.com / 408-728-0548 Species: Surf Perch, Striped Bass Min./Max Participants: Breakfast RSVP Required 5:00pm July 3. 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: Beer [...] |
| Jul 07 12:00 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 [...] |
| 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 16 - Oct 19 | O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 17-20th | Camping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay. |
| Oct 31 - Nov 02 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 April 22nd, 2025
Posted on April 2nd, 2025