September: Mammoth Lakes Region………………
My Turn: Membership Update & Reflections after 9 Years ……………………………
Fly Tying……………………
August Fly Tying Class: Loberg
Fly of the Month: Hot Butt
Conservation Concerns……………………
Bull Trout History in California
Membership Notes…………………
Club Activities – September thru November
Gearing Up ……………………
Fishout Schedule
Marketplace……………………
Cartoon ……………………
Posted on August 22nd, 2025
Please Note – New Time & New Format
Luke Kinney from Golden Trout Guiding Company and Elaine Cook will be talking about Mammoth Lakes area and the fishout.
NOTE: Meetings will now follow this time: 6:30 pm – Hands on Learning, 7:00 pm – Club information, 7:30 pm – Main speaker(s)
Posted on August 21st, 2025
I first joined SCFF club in July 2008 after I had retired and was looking forward to expanding my fishing experience from a spinning rod and reel to fly fishing, in not only California, but in other States and eventually Alaska and other areas, as well as meeting other like minded fishing partners who shared similar interest. I would have to say that my 17 years in the club has far exceeded my expectations, including the following trips and experiences:
I only mention these trips since these are experiences and memories that make the Club something more than just a monthly meeting or an annual BBQ. In 2016, I volunteered to be Membership Chair to help the then President Jim Black with membership since he was doing
two jobs as Membership and newly elected President. Since then I have seen the club grow from 120 members to 240 members on the current Roster. It’s been a good run, but it is time for me to step down and have let someone else take the responsibility of club membership.
Membership Chair involves the following tasks and responsibilities:
The above only highlights recent changes in the Club since 2008 when memberships dues were either paid by check , or in cash, and monthly newsletters were printed and mailed out (and before that they were mimeographed for those who can still remember). I hope that the above comments may help members understand a little more about the Membership Chair and for those that have the time and interest to think about expanding your club experience by contacting me or any Board member by email or text.
Bob Peterson/robert6367@aol.com
Posted on August 21st, 2025
We will be tying a streamer fly that is particularly successful at Crowley Lake near Mammoth. Tie up a few for the fishout there at the end of the month. It imitates a bait fish so will work in many stillwaters for bass or trout. Please bring your equipment and red 6/0 thread. If you don’t have 6/0, 8/0 will work as well. There will be a red sharpie pen to color any light colored thread.For you beginners, everything will be provided for you to borrow. As always, the class is free and all materials provided. Sign ups are very important in order to have enough material for all. Please do that at the club meeting or call with at least 24 hours notice. 831-234-6515
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to Fly Name to see more information.
| Date | Fly | Excerpt |
|---|
Posted on April 24th, 2025
This fly represents an adult caddis with an egg sack. The female caddis returns to the water in an interesting up-and-down dance, depositing her eggs and sometimes becoming trapped in the surface film and very available to the trout.
HOOK: TMC 100 sizes 14–20. Crimp barb.
THREAD: 8/0 black. Attach 1/3 back on shank.
EGG SACK: Spooled Antron yarn, hot pink. Place strand on top of shank with end above hanging thread. Fasten to top of shank with touching thread wraps back to above barb. Cut short so length equals 1/4 hook shank.
HACKEL: Grizzly, barbs equal to 1/2 hook gap. Prepare “crew cut“ at end of stem. Fasten crew cut to top of shank, tip to rear, dull side of feather toward you. Touching thread wraps back to tie in.
BODY: Peacock herl. Select three strands. Break off fragile tips. Lay on top of shank with tips at tie in and butts to rear. Tie in place back to rear of shank. Form a dubbing loop. Advance thread to tie in. Using dubbing tool make a chenille. Wrap chenille forward with touching wraps to tie in. Tie off, cut excess. Spiral hackle forward in about 3 to 4 wraps. Tie off, cut excess. Cut barbs short on top of body.
WING: Deer hair (medium thick shafts). Closely cut a clump of hair from hide the size of a wooden match stick. Remove under fur. Stack tips. Lay on top of shank, tips at rear of egg sack, butts forward. Make one loose thread wrap around hair only – not shank. Make second wrap around both hair and shank. Snug in place by pulling bobbin downward. Make 3–6 more tight thread wraps on top of one another. Raise hair butts upward and cut short at an angle so that butts extend 1/4 hook shank length beyond thread wraps. Half hitch knots under cut butts and behind hook eye, cut thread. Apply small amount of glue.
Posted on April 2nd, 2025
A couple months ago, I was forwarded an interesting article from Dougald Scott—one the members of our SCFF conservation committee. What makes it so interesting to me is it includes conservation, history, a California native fish and one of the legendary rivers in our state—The McCloud River. And it was written by Dr. Peter B Moyle, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and associate director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis. In my limited perusing of matters relating to fish science in California, Dr. Boyle’s work has frequently appeared and he is well respected in his field. Here are several points I learned that I hope you will find interesting in this article titled Bull Trout and Other Endemic Fishes: McCloud River, found in California WaterBlog. I encourage you to read it for much more insight. Many thanks to Dougald Scott for sharing the article.
Bull Trout were native to the McCloud River, primarily in the headwaters and noted for a “very handsome and beautiful fish”. In the 1800s it was targeted by wealthy anglers and the indigenous McCloud Winnemem Wintu.
Bull trout are actually type of char and were called Dolly Varden when they were found in the McCloud, as they called are in Alaska (and perhaps other areas). As you may know, Brook Trout are also char that thrive in colder water.
Several factors were probably to have caused the extirpation of the Bull Trout from the McCloud river:
The last documented encounter with a Bull Trout in the McCloud occurred in 1975.
The story of the McCloud River’s place in trout history hopefully will teach us some lessons on how to do a better job of prioritizing our native fish for the benefit of all us and for future generations.
Another interesting bit of history:
The first fish hatchery on the West Coast was built in 1872 on the McCloud, producing Chinook salmon and steelhead for the McCloud (and other locations domestically and internationally). The hatchery shut down in 1937 as it was to be submerged by the impending Shasta Reservoir. Another hatchery, Livingston Stone National Fish Hatchery, was subsequently built below Shasta Dam.
*The first adult Chinook salmon in over 100 years have been spotted in the McCloud River.
Posted on August 21st, 2025
| Date | Activity Link | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 05 8:00 am - 10:00 am | Spey Casting Class--8:00 AM Start on San Lorenzo River | Casting Master: Alex Ferber
For this class I will focus on an Introduction to Spey casting and be gearing it to those with little or no experience. Those with experience are welcome to come and work on their casting and I will be available to give tips. I have rods to loan out, so if you don’t have a 2 handed rod there will rods for you to use. I should have enough for about 8 people. The remainder of the classes ( dates to be announced) will be a chance to continue your practice, but also an opportunity to work on some other casts that you might be interested in learning.
We will be wading into the river, so waders are a good idea. We won’t be fishing–no hooks allowed. We’ll have yarn to attach to your leader. If you can, please let me know if you can attend, but it’s not necessary. Just show up.
831-419-0564 We will be meeting at the Mike Fox Skate park parking lot on the San Lorenzo river at 8 AM.
Address: 299 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
| Mike Fox Skate Park Parking Lot |
| Sep 14 8:00 am - 10:00 am | Spey Casting Class--8:00 AM Start on San Lorenzo River | Casting Master: Alex Ferber
For this class I will focus on an Introduction to Spey casting and be gearing it to those with little or no experience. Those with experience are welcome to come and work on their casting and I will be available to give tips. I have rods to loan out, so if you don’t have a 2 handed rod there will rods for you to use. I should have enough for about 8 people. The remainder of the classes ( dates to be announced) will be a chance to continue your practice, but also an opportunity to work on some other casts that you might be interested in learning.
We will be wading into the river, so waders are a good idea. We won’t be fishing–no hooks allowed. We’ll have yarn to attach to your leader. If you can, please let me know if you can attend, but it’s not necessary. Just show up.
831-419-0564 We will be meeting at the Mike Fox Skate park parking lot on the San Lorenzo river at 8 AM.
Address: 299 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
| Mike Fox Skate Park Parking Lot |
| Sep 20 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 |
| Sep 21 8:00 am - 10:00 am | Spey Casting Class--8:00 AM Start on San Lorenzo River | Casting Master: Alex Ferber
For this class I will focus on an Introduction to Spey casting and be gearing it to those with little or no experience. Those with experience are welcome to come and work on their casting and I will be available to give tips. I have rods to loan out, so if you don’t have a 2 handed rod there will rods for you to use. I should have enough for about 8 people. The remainder of the classes ( dates to be announced) will be a chance to continue your practice, but also an opportunity to work on some other casts that you might be interested in learning.
We will be wading into the river, so waders are a good idea. We won’t be fishing–no hooks allowed. We’ll have yarn to attach to your leader. If you can, please let me know if you can attend, but it’s not necessary. Just show up.
831-419-0564 We will be meeting at the Mike Fox Skate park parking lot on the San Lorenzo river at 8 AM.
Address: 299 San Lorenzo Blvd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
| Mike Fox Skate Park Parking Lot |
Posted on August 18th, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 17 - Oct 20 | O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 17-20th | Camping and striped bass fishing at the O'Neil Forebay. |
| Nov 07 - Nov 09 12:00 am | Trinity River Fishout – Confirmed Date Nov. 7th – 9th | 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. |
| Mar 15 - Mar 21 | Pyramid Lake Ladder Fishout – March 2026 | 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. This one is similar to trips we've done in the past except on a smaller scale. I have reserved 2 trailers and can accommodate 10 people. The dates are March 15th through the 21st. The weather can be very unpredictable in March, but we have had good times in the past fishing this time of year. General Lake / Shore [...] |
| Apr 25 - May 02 12:00 am | Green River – Utah | 2026 Green River Fishout is now open! We are doing a maximum of 12 people. Contact Fishmaster Scott Andersen for more information; Cell: 831-247-2993. Email: scott.a.andersen@gmail.com |
Posted on August 18th, 2025
Trout Unlimited (TU) is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater conservation organization, dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring native trout and salmon resources and their habitats across North America. Founded by anglers in 1959, the non-profit has over 150,000 members organized into local chapters nationwide. Each year, TU members contribute more than 650,000 volunteer hours working together to make local streams cleaner, colder and healthier.
Our local Steinbeck Country Chapter is focused on protecting, restoring and exploring the watersheds of the Central Coast from the San Mateo Coast to San Luis Obispo. Each membership supports on-the-ground conservation work in your own backyard and offers opportunities to meet like-minded people as we work to protect native rainbow and steelhead trout in our coastal streams and waters. Together we’re spending time doing what we love and helping protect wild places for the next generation.
Join us! Use the QR Code below or this link: www.tu.org/join198SteinbeckCountry to become a member – first time members can join today for 50% off TU’s modest annual dues.
TU membership also includes:
Posted on August 22nd, 2025
Posted on April 24th, 2025
