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October 2024 Table of Contents

October Monthly Meeting: Local Surf Fly Fishing………………
October Raffle……………………
President’s Line……………………
Fly Tying……………………
 October Class: Adachi Clouser
 Fly of the Month: Black Smut Midge
Conservation Concerns……………
 Profile: Eastern Sierra Land Trust
Gearing Up…………………
  Upcoming Fishouts
Outside Club Events…………………
  Yubafest 2024
  NCCFI Hall of Fame Dinner
Cartoon ……………………
SCFF Advertisers ……………………

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Local Surf Fly Fishing

Oct 02 6:45 AM at the Aptos Grange
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89352294939

The ocean is the closest fishery that we have in Santa Cruz.  Luckily for us in the area, our beaches provide ample access for those to take advantage of this fishery year-round.

Club members Jerry McKeon, Tommy Polito, and Lance Boiling will discuss fly fishing on our local beaches.  We will chat about everything from tides and conditions to gear and tips.  Whether you’re new to fishing the surf, or an experienced feather chucker; come share stories and learn why our closest fishery is one of our favorites.





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October Raffle

The second best thing about Fall is that Summer is over, mornings are crisper, and there is sometimes a chance of rain. The first best thing about this time of year is that it is the start of the Fall fishing season! The streams, lakes,and even the surf are different, for many of us it is our favorite time of the year to fish.
It is also a good time of the year to buy some lucky raffle tickets. Take a look at some of these great prizes.
We have a really nice V-Access rod/reel package, 4 piece 9 foot, in 5wt, 6wt, 7wt, or 8wt. Take your pick, it is winners choice.
Take a look at the greatest float tube pump ever built! This the famous K-Pump made in the USA. No hoses, simple adapters, and can be used on the water. Quick and simple.
“Striper flies from Lee Haskin” What more do we need to say? Here we have a handful of Lee’s classic Forebay Striper flies, both Gurglers and Smelt. Great flies tied by the master himself.
Raffle tickets will be available for sale at the meeting, Wednesday 10/2, a dollar each, $20 bucks gets you 25. Don’t miss out, buy a ticket and be a winner.

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Embracing the Challenge of Fly Fishing

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of fishing the Fall River with club members Alex Ferber and Wilson Taguinod. Having previously fished this big, slow-moving spring creek, we thought it would be a good opportunity to try our hand at dry flies. With Alex guiding on the river, Wilson and I felt confident in our technique. However, when it comes to achieving the perfect downstream drift with a size 20 fly on an 18-foot leader, things can get tricky!

While we managed to catch a few fish by stripping some bugs, we couldn’t land a single one on a dry fly. Later, as we discussed the day, it became clear: if we wanted to improve our chances of success, we needed to practice and refine our techniques.

Upon returning to Santa Cruz, I attended a fly casting clinic to work on my presentation skills. Here’s the truth I’m learning: regardless of your skill level, fly fishing can be a challenge if you want it to be. It involves solving many little puzzles—finding the right location, determining what the fish are eating, and figuring out how to present the fly. It’s crucial to gauge how much challenge you want without letting frustration lead you to give up.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Santa Cruz club is excited to offer more educational and fishing opportunities. We have some new volunteers on board who will help us broaden our offerings, catering to novices and providing challenges for experts alike.

Over the past five months, Alex Ferber has been instrumental in our casting clinic, and I’m pleased to announce that he has been voted onto the SCFF Board as our casting instructor. Alex’s passion for teaching is evident—whether casting on the grass, practicing with yarn on the San Lorenzo, or fishing rivers up north, he is dedicated to helping you improve. In 2025, Alex will design casting classes that culminate in fishing trips. For instance, his current spey casting clinic will conclude with a steelhead outing on the Trinity River.

Another valuable addition to our team is Jesse Collins. Jesse previously gave a presentation about his experiences as a professional guide in Alaska. In late August, he, Bob Garbarino, and Kevin Murdock ventured to Alaska to fish. Jesse will join the board in 2025 and is already planning advanced fly tying sessions, adventure trips to Alaska, and greater outreach to the fishing community in Santa Cruz.

Do you remember this quote from JFK?

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…”

I choose to fly fish and explore different techniques, species, and situations because it is a challenge—and because it’s hard. I’m grateful for the club and its members who help me navigate these challenges. I hope you find similar benefits through our community.

Fish hard, my friends,

Scott Kitayama, President

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October Fly Tying Class: Adachi Clouser

by Elaine Cook - Fly Tying Chairman



Oct 09 6:30 PM @ Aptos Grange

October Fly Tying Class: Adachi clouser

Our club member, Tommy Polito, is having much success in both the surf and forebay catching stripers using this fly.. He is also finding other fish species are attracted to the fly as well.  There have been many requests for our club members to have a class for tying clousers, so I’m glad to make that happen.  Please, as always, sign up at the next club meeting or call 831-234-6515.  The class is always free and materials are provided. If you have flat wax nylon white, do bring it and some will be available to borrow   We welcome you beginners and have equipment for you  to use.    ~Elaine


Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.

Date Fly Excerpt
Nov 13 6:30 pm - 8:30 pmTBD

Help

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Black Smut Midge

by Fly tying chairman – Elaine Cook.

Midges are the main source of food for trout throughout the winter and even though they are very small, they are usually abundant. If you’re going to a spring creek or tailwater, you will want to have some in either this pattern or others. This is an adult midge, not easy to see on the water, so best to trail it off of a fly that you can see. You will be needing to use thin tippet such as 6X.
HOOK: TMC 101 size 20. This is a straight eye hook. Crimp barb.
THREAD: 12/0 or 14/0 black    Attached behind eye. Touching wraps to rear of shank.
BODY: beaver, black. Wrap a non-tapered body forward to one eye length behind eye.  Make one thread wrap backward onto body and let thread hang.
WINGS: 2 dark dun hackle tips from size 16 neck feathers. Position one on the far side of body with dark side outward and tips hook shank length. Tie in place. Repeat with other hackle tip on near side.
HACKLE: Grizzly saddle, hackle size 20.  Prepare butt end with “crew cut”. Tie in “crew cut” with light side facing you.  Several wraps of hackle in place.  Tie off cut access.
HEAD: Whip finish forming head. Cut thread.

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Profile–Eastern Sierra Land Trust

by Bob Garbarino

This month, we continue our profile series on one of the conservation organizations our club supports:  Eastern Sierra Land Trust

This organization is relevant in that the area affected by Eastern Sierra Land Trust’s efforts helps protect the fishery where one of our club fishouts takes place in the Mammoth Lakes and surrounding area. In fact several members of Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club will be there when this article is released.
Eastern Sierra Land Trust works with willing landowners to protect vital lands in the Eastern Sierra region for their scenic, agricultural, natural, recreational, historical, and watershed values. Rich in natural beauty, home to abundant wildlife, and steeped with history, the Eastern Sierra is a magnificent and complex region.  Wildlife habitat is plentiful and diverse, supporting fisheries, migrating deer herds, and important bird flyways. Historic working farms and ranches are scenic, productive, and an integral part of our local economy.
By partnering with forward-thinking landowners and conservation supporters like you, ESLT is able to permanently protect the land, water, and wildlife that make the Eastern Sierra so special. Since their founding in 2001, they have successfully conserved over 23,000 acres on 26 unique properties that provide important resources to wildlife and the local community.

What does a land trust do?
Land trusts work with private landowners and the public to conserve working farms and ranches, natural areas, and cultural and biological resources for the benefit of their communities. They may acquire lands through donation or purchase; set up voluntary land protection agreements (conservation easements) with willing landowners; or mediate land trades between landowners and public agencies.
Land trusts have existed for over 100 years; today, more than 1,300 are operating in the United States. Funded primarily by charitable donations and private or government grants, land trusts across the nation have cumulatively conserved more than 56 million acres – including scenic areas, hiking trails, critical wildlife habitats, farms and ranches, and historic landmarks. Most land trusts operate locally, providing crucial land-use tools for property owners and citizens concerned with conservation on private lands.

Working Farms & Ranches
The Working Farms and Ranches Program helps local families set up voluntary land conservation agreements that permanently protect their working lands from the threat of subdivision. The Eastern Sierra’s working farms and ranches are scenic, historic, and a vital part of the regional economy. They also offer important habitat to wildlife: many iconic or rare species use the Eastern Sierra’s irrigated meadows and open pastures as a place to roam, forage, and raise their young. Yet many families following the ranching traditions of their parents and grandparents are struggling. Rising pressures to subdivide are putting these productive lands at risk. They don’t want to see their land developed, but many are running out of options. Fortunately, conservation provides a solution – and a growing number of ranchers and farmers in the area are choosing to partner with Eastern Sierra Land Trust to conserve their land for the future. This is usually accomplished by using one of their primary conservation tools: the conservation easement. Under a conservation easement, landowners retain title and management of their property, while designating how their land may be used now and in the future. For example, landowners may want to protect their land’s current agricultural use in perpetuity by prohibiting any subdivision or land use that would compromise those protected qualities, while retaining all other property rights. Landowners also may benefit from significant tax advantages currently and for future generations.

Critical Habitats
Eastern Sierra Land Trust’s Critical Habitats Program helps protect and restore lands that wildlife need to survive – providing them with safe, healthy homes forever. As our population grows, poorly-planned development puts wildlife at risk. Subdivision of open lands chops up migration corridors, wetlands, and breeding grounds, leaving wild creatures with nowhere to go. The Critical Habitats Program helps ensure that the Eastern Sierra’s wild inhabitants will always have a place to thrive. They accomplish this through public education; habitat restoration and land stewardship; and legally-binding agreements, such as the conservation easement, that protect important habitat from the threat of future development. Concerned property owners in the Eastern Sierra are working with ESLT to conserve and restore wildlife habitat on their land. For example, in the community of Swall Meadows, several landowners have partnered with ESLT to protect a critical migration corridor for the Round Valley mule deer herd.

Community Connections
Eastern Sierra Land Trust’s Community Connections Program works to build bonds between families and the land. By getting people of all ages outdoors and educating them about the natural world, they cultivate a deep appreciation for our region and all that it offers.
At Eastern Sierra Land Trust, they know that preserving the Eastern Sierra goes beyond protecting land with legal tools. By introducing people of all ages to the value of conservation and by helping them develop deep bonds with this land, you’re ensuring that the work we do today will last long into the future. Outings such as the annual field trip to our local Mule Deer Migration Corridor, wildflower walks, birdwatching opportunities, and hands-on volunteer days get families out in nature, where they get to know the places and wildlife species that make the Eastern Sierra unique.

One recent activity was The Great Sierra River Cleanup—part of California Coastal Cleanup day. ESLT, Friends of the Inyo, and volunteers will remove trash along the Owens River on LADWP land near the Artesian Springs.

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Fishout Schedule – Oct

The newsletter provides brief fishout info.  For full detail, go to the website menu and select EVENTS -> Fishout Schedule

Date Activity Link DescriptionLocation
Sep 21 - Oct 05 12:00 amMammoth Fishout -Sept. 21-Oct.5

Fall trout fishing in streams and lakes. Trip is for seven days and the participants share a condo in Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes
Oct 05 6:50 am - 8:50 amLast Surf Fishout of 2024!

Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers

Palm State Beach
Oct 17 - Oct 20 O'Neill Forebay 'Stosh' Memorial Fishout October 17-20th

Camping and striped bass fishing at the O’Neil Forebay.

Medeiros Primitive Campground – Oneill Forebay
Nov 01 - Nov 04 12:00 amTrinity 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. 


Sep 21 : Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 21-Oct.5


Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 21-Oct.5
UPDATED - 9/16/2024 -  first week is full,  second week is full. Sign Ups: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout. Call John Cook letting him know which week, both or private room. 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 # (831) 234-6515 Fishmasters: John & Elaine Cook Dates:  This Fishout will take place over two consecutive one-week periods. You may sign up for one or both weeks. Week 1: Sept  21 - Sept 28 .       Week 2: Sept 28 - Oct 5. 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.   Each person will be assigned a dinner that you will need to purchase and prepare.   You will then be reimbursed for the cost for the dinner.   Read More

Oct 05 : Last Surf Fishout of 2024!



Location: Palm Beach Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers 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) Single, double & triple fly rigs Clousers to sand crabs Directions: Take W. Beach St. in Watsonville towards Pajaro Dunes.   Park at the end of W. Beach St. on the right side of the road outside of the entrance to Pajaro Dunes.
SURF FISHOUTS 2024 Meeting    Time (AM) State Beach  Sunrise Low tide High tide Moon    Tide flow Fishmaster
MAY 4th Saturday 5:55 Rio Del Mar 6:10 LO 02:14  +1.1 HI 07:58 AM +4.0 New Jun  7 Hi Flood to High Slack Lance B
JUNE* 1st Saturday 5:35 Beercan* 5:50 LO 01:12 +1.3 HI 06:39 +3.4 New  Jun 6 High Slack to Ebb Sam
JULY 6th Saturday 5:40 Palm 5:56 LO 06:03 -1.1 HI 1:04 PM +3.7 New    Jul 5 Low slack to Flood Lance B
AUGUST 3rd Saturday 6:00 Rio Del Mar 6:15 LO 05:05 -0.7 HI 11:54 AM +3.8 New  Aug 4 Low slack to Flood Sam
SEPT 7th Saturday 6:25 Manresa 6:44 LO 07:04 +1.8 HI 1:26 PM +4.6 New  Sep 2 Low slack to low Flood Sam
OCT 5th Saturday 6:50 Palm 7:06 LO 05:50 + 2.1 HI Noon +5.0 New   Oct 2 Low Flood Sam
Notes: Meet up times are scheduled 15 - 20 minutes before official sunrise. Locations/dates/times/Fishmasters might change, notifications on Google Groups. June 1st* Mike Lovejoy's for breakfast after fishing:  115 Driftwood Ct., Aptos Contacts: Sam Bishop sambishop@totlcom.com, 831-274-4024 Lance Boling <clboling@gmail.com>
          Locations            Rio Del Mar State Beach - Google Map location for "Platform Beach"
           Beercan Beach* - Enter  1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos. Path & Stairs  between Houses (See Notes)
           Palm Beach - Pajaro Dunes, end of West Beach St.
           Manresa State Beach - Google it, but parking may be on Ocean View Dr, 500 yards down the road
Tides Zen Read More

Oct 17 : O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 17-20th


O'Neill Forebay 'Stosh' Memorial Fishout October 17-20th
Event: O'Neill Forebay 'Stosh' Memorial Fishout Date: October 17th - 20th (I will be looking for a weekend with a '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. Typically we 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.

Forebay Water level:

https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryDaily?s=Onf There will be a signup sheet at our September meeting. We'll also create a list for those hoping to participate in a pot luck 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! Read More

Nov 01 : Trinity River Fishout


Trinity River Fishout
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.
Read More

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Outside Club Events – Oct

Date Activity Link DescriptionLocation
Oct 05 9:00 am - 5:00 pmNCCFFI'S YUBAFEST 2024

Yuba Fest 2024, a one-day event, will take place on Saturday, October 5th, celebrating the Lower Yuba River watershed. NorCal Fly Clubs, including members and participants in fly
fishing, conservation, education, and community-building, are encouraged to attend. 

Sycamore Ranch Park
Oct 08 12:00 pm - 4:00 pmMBSTP Hatchery Volunteer Day

Come up to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project hatchery and volunteer for a few hours.  You will likely get a chance to check out the hatchery operation that rears Coho salmon.

Where:  MBSTP Hatchery  825 Big Creek Rd, Davenport, CA 95017

When: October 8th @ 12:00 PM

Contact:  Bob Garbarino 831-247-2045    rjgarbarino@gmail.com

If you plan on going, contact Bob so we can coordinate access into the hatchery.

 

Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project Hatchery
Nov 09 5:00 pm - 8:30 pmNCCFFI Hall of Fame dinner - EVENT

The Winner of the 2024 Hall of Fame Award is: Mike Mercer!   Working with the NCCFFI board and with the help of September speaker, Mark Rockwell,  the price of a seat for the HOF at the SCFF table is $115 which is a $45 saving compared to the ticket price on the NCCFFI website. 

Veterans Memorial Bldg – Lafayette
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SCFF Advertisers – Oct24

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

website: https://sites.google.com/view/adventureflyfishingsantacruz/home

Offering fellow SCFF club members a 10% discount on a guided trip(s) on the Trinity, either float or walk wadding so you can practice what we have learned. My guide fee is typically $500 for up to 2 anglers. This includes all equipment, including terminal tackle, flies, lunch and beverages. The Trinity River is an excellent Steelhead river with great swing water to perfect your 2 handed casting and a chance to hook a beautiful aggressive Steelhead. The majority of the fish, in the last few years have been wild. So far the returns to the Trinity have been excellent, so we are hopefully going to have a great season.
If you have any questions, please give me a call or send me an email at alex.ferber74@gmail.com or 831-419-0564