Author: santacruzflyfishing_gia1ac

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Bird’s Nest

by Elaine Cook--Fly Tying Chairman

Hook: Mustad 3906 or TMC 3769 (substitution , TMC 5262). Sizes 12-16

Thread: black 6/0, but I prefer 8/0

Rib: small gold wire

Tail: lemon wood duck flank feathers

Abdomen: Australian possum dubbing ( substitution,  grey rabbit dubbing )

Legs: same as tail

Thorax: same as abdomen

1. Attach thread 1/3 back on shank.

2. Position wire under shank. Wrap in place to rear of shank. NOTE: wire under shank prevents it from repositioning tail when spiraling it forward.

3. Line up tips of feather out to side of stem. Cut about 8 from stem. Tie to top of shank, tips extending about 2/3’s shank length beyond shank. Cut excess mid shank.

4. Dub a slightly tapered body 2/3’s shank forward.

5. Spiral rib forward in about 5 wraps. Tie off. Twist wire to break. NOTE: wire dulls scissors.

6. Using one feather, line up tips just beyond rear of hook. Fold feather around hook shank. Tie in place with a couple wraps. Check to see if barbs extend backward all the way around shank. Make a couple more thread wraps. Cut excess.

7. Using dubbing loop, wrap a generous fuzzy thorax.

8. Holding fuzz back, wrap a sm. thread head. Tie off. Cut excess.

 

Posted on November 24th, 2020

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Fly Tying Tool – The Burner

by Sam Bishop

Have you ever put the dumbbell eyes a bit too close to the eye when tying a Clouser, then found that when you tied it all off, you just couldn’t keep some of the deer hair or synthetics out of the eye? Then when you tried to trim it out you risked damaging your expensive scissors?
Well, for something between $7 and $15 you can buy a thread burner, a device used by those who sew, and solve the problem once and for all. But if you buy one, be sure it has a replaceable battery.

Note the smoke in the picture.

Posted on November 24th, 2020

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November Speaker and Raffle provided by The Fly Shop

by Jim Black

Date: November 4, 2020 Zoom Presentation
Time: 7pm
Place: Zoom- click here to join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83842895848

Chris King was introduced to fly fishing at a young age. During his high school years in New Jersey he traveled the eastern seaboard in search of trout with his father. He spent 8 years in Colorado where he turned his passion into a career. From there he made his way West where in 1998 he found a home at The Fly Shop. Chris is currently Master Certified, Two Hand Certified and an emeritus member of the organization’s Casting Board of Governs. Chris resides in Redding with his wife and two children and has been guiding and teaching casting in Northern California for over 20 years.

Posted on October 28th, 2020

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Deluxe guide trip – November raffle prize

by Jeff Goyert

THIS IS ONE YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!

check this out!  The Fly Shop in Redding California,  known for decades as the “go-to” shop for their guided fly fishing trips,  has donated to our club an all inclusive full day guided  trip for TWO! Package includes all gear to include rods, leaders, tippets,  and flies along with a hearty streamside lunch.

The lucky winners have their choice of any of the Fly Shop’s destinations to include the Lower Sacramento,  the upper Sacramento,  the Fall River, the Pit River, Hat Creek, the  McCloud River, and Baum Lake. California fly fishing at it’s finest. Excluded are the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. Your guide fr the day will be Russ Kegler, check out his Bio on the The Fly Shop website. www.theflyshop.com

The  trip prize is intended to be used during 2021. Only one trip will be awarded. Gratuities not included.

Click on the following link to purchase tickets,  one dollar each, 25 for $20.

Buy Raffle Ticket

Buy a bunch of tickets, the more you buy, the better your chances!

The drawing will be held at the November zoom meeting on 11/04/20.

Need not be present to win.

Buy Raffle Ticket

Posted on October 24th, 2020

Date:  Nov. 11 , 2020. (Wednesday)

Time:  6:30 pm

Place:  Zoom meeting

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Glow Bugaboo – November Fly Tying

by Elaine Cook - fly tying instructor

Here’s a nice fly for small streams and lakes to catch brooks, rainbows and steelhead (smolts and up to half pounders ). The pattern can be varied in several ways. A couple will be featured in the class. This is a simple fly to tie and good for beginners. We thank Tim Loomis for suggesting the fly for a class.  He speaks from experience about its definite effectiveness. You will need red 6/0 or 8/0 thread. Let me know if you need to borrow some.  For beginners: call well ahead so we can set you up with vise and tools and receive some basic instruction via face time.

Everyone will need to call ahead to allow enough time for materials and directions to be assembled and for you to pick up at my home. ( about 2 days ) (831)688-1561

Wed, November 11,   Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Posted on October 24th, 2020

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Pull Out Your Roster!

by Tom Hogye

Well – this is late.   Stuff has hit us again.   It’s not a knock out punch by far, but I’m really getting bothered by the constant belting we are taking.  And it hasn’t even started raining yet!

Covid has been troublesome enough. While respecting all concerns, I’m getting tired of Covid, Fires and PSPS! PG&Es means of mitigating more lawsuits from potential fire activity.  We need some rain.

Due to the aforementioned, I’m typing on battery power hoping to send when I can get to a wifi signal tomorrow morning.   But I’m not really complaining.

In the midst of all of this, we’ve really been fortunate.

If you own a fly-rod and some flies, a decent reel, and have been fishing this year – consider yourself fortunate.  If you went fly-fishing at all this year – same.

At this writing, the only power I have is what’s left in this laptop battery.   Otherwise, I am managing my life by what everything else is throwing at us, hitting back with all this 5’6” dog can muster.   It’s only a couple of days, but stacked on top of the last 7 months – ugh.  I’ve been spending weekends preparing for rain – hoping to get some in spurts so the mountains don’t wash away.

Do me a favor – pull out the club “roster” you’ve been given.   There are about 150 of you.   Tantamount to a miracle given this year of 2020.   Take that roster and call someone you don’t know.   You have an interest in Fly-Fishing in common, you’re stuck at home -make a new friend.

Get to know each other.  Do something different, even if it means just talking and getting to know the person on the other end of the line.  Like the old days – the good – old days.

As your “President”, at this President’s Line – All I want you to do is pick up the phone and call someone you don’t know – on the roster – and start from there.

Since 1977, the Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen (and BTW, that means, every being that has two feet and walks on this planet) describes a mission to “Promote, Educate and Enjoy the Sport of Fly Fishing”.   This is “high-level” thinking but you are part of this greater good.  This mission isn’t just for the board members – it’s for you too!

We have some fun stuff coming up and if you haven’t been on one of Elaine’s Zoom Fly-Tying classes, try it.   We also have the results of your survey with some really excellent input on things we can do to improve the membership experience.

I also want to thank all of you for submitting very generous donations to the club for use in our Conservation budget, the High School Scholarship program and the general club fund.

The on-line raffle at the club meeting has been very successful and will continue to improve.  Jeff is going to start to set up again the opportunity for you to choose which “buckets” you want your tickets to go to.

Be proud of SCFF; we’ve been helping our other FFI clubs in Northern California sharing our successes as we quickly morphed from a nymph to a beautiful salmon fly during this year of opportunity.   Thank you for being part of it.    More to come.  Jump on Zoom – do something different!   ?

Posted on October 28th, 2020

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O’Neill ForeBay fishery concerns.

by Steve

Aside from my article in ‘Fishy Tales’, I wanted to share some observations on the fishery and interesting findings from Andy Gorbus from Fish and Wildlife.

Our own master fisherman and guide and fly tier friend, Lee Haskins, commented Saturday on how the ForeBay has improved due to the non poisoning of weed beds the last few years. I agreed and remember sending letters to both California Water Board and the Dept of Fish and Wildlife asking questions about the herbicide ‘Endothall’ (End-it-all)! in 2017.  Andy Gorbus has kept in touch over the last 3 years, mostly to send toxicology reports on HAB (harmful bacteria blooms). We all noticed the odor of the blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) hugging the shoreline on the eastern shore which is the side that the wind blows towards the most. We all saw the dead fish wash up in some areas and the soupy green algae was everywhere.

One member who did not wear waders and fished a half day a week prior to the fishout developed the same swimmers itch symptoms as we developed doing the same thing at the north shore of Lake Almanor in June.  Little red pimples that look more like bug bites than a rash. It could be partially because of all the bird activity (poop). (coots at the ForeBay and geese at Almanor).

Because of the non poisoning of the weed beds for several years, the shad are back in numbers and fish are boiling again and fishers are getting fish in the 20″ range or better.

It is so often you may think one person complaining and writing letters and making a few phone calls cannot do anything but that is not true at all. I think our society wants to do the right thing and to help make things right, it is so political also and you have to appeal to the greater good like not poisoning the water that is heading for public consumption (LA). Although they say the herbicide Endothall is not harmful to fish and animals, would you drink the water knowing that?

Click image to see letter

On another front, the 2 Alaskan senators are now supporting saving Bristol Bay from the Pebble Mine project, the president has even said he also supports protecting the bay. The Alaskan fund of Trout Unlimited sends me letters of thanks to the SCFF members for their support in saving the most precious of resources left on planet Earth. Good for us and for all.  We all ‘Rock’.  Thank you.

‘Slim’

Posted on October 24th, 2020

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2021 Renewal Update

by Membership chairman Bob Peterson

Almost half of all current members have renewed 2021 membership online https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/join/membership.

The balance of renewals have been mailed out to members to be paid by check or online.  To date, over $1,000 have been received for Scholarships/ Conservation.  This years renewal response has exceeded expectations and members continue to support our Club in this transitional time.

Thank You

Posted on October 24th, 2020

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O’Neill ForeBay FishOut 2020

by Stosh

image:  Cecelia Stipes with 25″ Striper

It was a record according to our senior members attending, 21 of us during the four day event. I want to thank those attending, we all thought it was highly successful although the fishing was not great in our side of the lake, those who found the bait, found the fish.

Scheduling the yearly event I have moved it to mid or late October and try to coincide with the new moon phase and to find cooler water and a change in the weather for good fall time fishing.  This was not the case this time. Ninety plus degree days and little wind or clouds knocked us off the lake when the fishing shut down after 9 AM. Those who fished till the mid afternoon did a lot of kicking the tube around in the hot sun. We only had one person, former fish master Jim Hall and his little aluminum car top boat found the fish and had the highest fish count which he whispered “got 15 this afternoon bite”. He rarely brags how well he does.

Everyone attending was happy to escape their homes and get together with friends and fish and the most important part was to all join the evening campfire to tell stories and laugh out loud a lot. Every day was a little different, as some fishers came for the day and did not sleep over or stayed at the nearby Motel 6.  We had no more than seven of us sleeping on any night. Special thanks to those who were there all four days. Kevin and Terry Murdock, Elaine and John Cook, Kathy Powers, Scott Kitayama and yours truly.

Sunrise at Medeiros Campground.

For me personally, the heat was oppressive, and fishing sucked, averaging one fish a day and almost zero bumps which is so rare this time of year. I did play fish-master casting instructor with a new member who won a fly rod at the last meeting, Carly and Sean got an hour and a half casting her new rod from a rock below our camp. They were not ready for float tubing yet and just starting out fishing.  It is always great to see the younger generation pick up where the older folk are leaving off.

Super special thanks to ‘Kevin and Terry’s Bar and Grill’ for bringing everything under the hot sun to eat and drink and to Steven and Milana Rawson who make pizza dough from scratch and a pizza via Dutch oven before our eyes right in the camp. I am always blown away by the variety of skills our membership have. The best way to get to know a person is to go camping together. I’m a lucky person indeed.  Stosh 10/2020

Posted on October 24th, 2020

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Fishing the Williamson

by David South

By the time all the smoke cleared from the Klamath, OR region, it was the first week in October…..very low water levels and 90 plus degrees…made for very poor fishing at Rocky Point Campground  (a month before friends were catching 20 -30 trout/day).   I gave up and went out on the Williamson with guide Craig Schuhmann, and caught this bad boy on a #10 maroon and black leech, using intermediate sink line. He estimated at 26-27″ and 6-7 lbs.

Posted on October 24th, 2020

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Surf Fishout, October 11, 2020

by by Fishmaster Mark Traugott

Masked and socially distanced fishermen prepare to brave the surf.

We had a good turnout for the final surf fishout of the year at Palm Beach in Watsonville. Nine members hit the beach around sunrise: Sam Bishop, Elaine Cook, Gary Cramton, Bob Garborino, Scott Kitayama, Matt Maurin, the father-and-son duo of Steve and Joshua Wilkens, and myself. The fish were not overly cooperative, but it was possible to land the occasional surf perch. The proof is that Matt, one of our newest members, hooked and landed his first ever surf fish on a fly. Congratulations, Matt! Scott got the “exotic catch award” for landing a guitarfish (which I had to google, never having seen one in person.) Striped bass were, unfortunately, a no-show yet again. If you weren’t able to attend on October 11, you may want to get out to one of our State Beaches in the next few weeks, before the surf builds, the winter storms begin, and the fly-fishing focus shifts to steelhead. You can’t beat the brisk morning weather, the bright sunshine, the healthy exercise you get resisting the crashing waves, and the chance of fooling a fish.

Personal Best for Mark Traugott

Posted on October 24th, 2020

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Vernille Caddis

by Fly tying instructor : Elaine Cook

Vernille Caddis

This is one of my “go to flies”. A caddis hatch does not need to be occurring for trout to gobble this one up. The larger sizes work well for the Rocky Mountains, smaller for the Sierra. Fish with a floating line, drag free, in moving water.

Hook: TMC or TFS 2487 (or similar  scud hook ) , sizes 12-16

Thread: olive or olive dun, 8/0

Body: olive (vernille, ultra chenille, or velvet chenille), size small or standard (depending on brand). Super Glue or Zap-A-Gap.

Underwing: dun spooled Antron, light or dark

Hackle: dun, light or dark to match underwing, barbs equal to slightly less than hook gap

Wing: light or light tipped deer hair

1. Position hook in vise so that straight lower portion is parallel to table. Crimp barb.

2. Attach thread behind eye. Wrap to rear, with touching wraps to above hook point.

3. Round end of body material using a candle. Carefully melt the end buy placing it near the base of the flame. Apply glue to thread wraps. Position  on top of shank, tip above rear of hook. Tie in place with spiral wraps up to 2 eye lengths behind eye. Cut excess.

4. Cut end of underwing material to even fibers. Lay on top of body with tips slightly beyond end of body. Tie down infront of body while splaying fibers. Cut excess. Tie butt ends down up to eye.

5. Prep hackle by removing fuzzy end then cutting 4-5 barbs short on each side of butt end of stem (crew cut). Position crew cut under shank, tip of feather to rear. Tie in place back to body then forward to eye.

6. Cut match stick size bundal of hair, clean and stack tips. Position tips at rear of Antron. Tie in place with first wrap around HAIR ONLY, then firmly around hair and shank a couple times to splay fibers. Stroke butt hairs into bundal over eye forming start of head. Wrap a thread collar back to body. Advance thread back to head. Make one loose thread wrap around bundle of hair above eye, then one around collar. Trim head at an angle (see photo).

7. Make several wraps of hackle up to head. Tie off cut excess. Finish with half hitches under head , behind eye. Small amount glue to tie off threads.

 

 

Posted on October 28th, 2020

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How to disconnect 2 sections of a fly rod that are stuck together

by Elaine Cook

I recently had a rod that just wouldn’t come apart no matter what I did. Went on U-tube and found this 4 handed cross over technique. It was so simple and effective. Takes 2 people. Place hands on rod pieces as shown, then just pull apart. Also saw a method using tape by Kelly Gallop. Haven’t tried that method however. Don’t think I’ll jam a rod together to test it.

Posted on October 28th, 2020

Date:  October 7, 2020 Zoom Presentation

Time:  7PM

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Andrew Harris, Confluence Outfitters

by Jim Black

 
Andrew Harris has been guiding in northern California since 1997.  He lives in Red Bluff, California with his wife Katie and daughters Mackenzie and Madison.  In 2007 Andrew created Confluence Outfitters with help from partners Gino Bernero and Jon Hazlett. Andrew puts the “Outfitter” in Confluence Outfitters, as he is the one who answers the phones and emails. Andrew can help you select the right guide, destination, and time of year for your next fly fishing trip. Andrew is a USCG-licensed Captain, is a regular on the fly-club speaker circuit, has written countless articles for California Fly Fisher and other magazines, and is the author of the Plumas National Forest Fishing Guide, a fly fishing guidebook to the Feather River Country.

Posted on September 18th, 2020

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PILES OF PRIZES! !

by Jeff Goyert

Lots of good stuff for this month’s Zoom meeting raffle. The lucky raffle winner this month gets to  pick a prize. The more tickets you buy, the more chance to win!

Door number 1

How about a Coleman propane camp grill. This is not your run of the mill camp stove but rather a real gas  grill! Throw on chicken breast, salmon fillets, or maybe a couple of hot links. This is a great way to cook in your fish camp or at a tailgate gathering at the Pleasanton Fly show.

Door number 2

While you are at fish camp a great way to be comfortable is with this Browning XT (extra tall) director’s chair. Perfect for storytelling around the campfire or hanging on the beach at Pyramid Lake.

Door number 3

Float tubers know that at times a bit of extra reach comes in handy. To that end  we have up for grabs a beautiful laminated wooded long handle landing net. It has  fish gentle clear netting and, best of all, it floats.

Door number 4

Can’t have a raffle without a rod and reel package. Let’s do a winners choice for either a 4wt or 5wt Echo Carbon XL, 4 piece 9 ft. Rod along with an ION large arbor disc drag reel. Either one a great outfit for Sierra trout.

 

Raffle tickets are a dollar each, a double sawbuck  ($20) gets you 25!   Click on this link to buy your tickets.https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/join/raffle-ticket/

In the remarks section please note which prize you would prefer to win.

Cutoff for purchase of raffle tickets is noon the day of the Zoom meeting (Wednesday 10/7). Need not be present to win.

Everybody attending the Zoom meeting will get a chance at the no charge door prize drawings featuring a bunch of great prizes.

Posted on September 18th, 2020

Date:  10/14/2020

Time:  6:30pm

Place:  Zoom

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Tiger and Zebra midges

by Elaine Cook

Midges are the primary food source for trout. Especially in the winter. If you are going to be fishing a tail water or spring creek, it’s good to have a few in your box. This is a simple fly to tie despite it’s small size. I will be going over a lot of tips for tying small flies and how to handle beads. Don’t be afraid to tie this one, even if you have big hands. I will be tying this fly using much bigger hooks and beads so that you’ll be able to see it on you screen.  For you beginners, call me well ahead of time to work out how we can best assist you with vise, tools and information to get started.  Everyone will need to call ahead to allow enough time for materials and directions to be assembled and for you to pick up at my home. ( about 2 days ) (831)688-1561   In addition to your tools, vise, and computer or tablet, you will need a few special items for this class:   

  • prescription glasses if you wear them  
  •  magnification   
  • Scotch Tape   
  • tool with handle, such as a screw driver or kitchen table knife  
  • a very small bowl
Join Zoom Meeting:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87597787323  
Wed, October 14,   Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
 

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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Fly-Fishing Cures Covid

by Tom Hogye

Hey all, hope you are doing well now that we left Winter, skipped through Spring and Summer and now it’s Fall?!    I’ve added Evacuee to my list of things I never thought I’d be one day -but still super grateful for so much.

If you’ve missed a club meeting the last few months, you’ve missed out on some real fun and great presentations.   If you need help doing this whole “Zoom” thing, please seek out me, or Scott Kitayama and we’ll help you get set up so you can attend a Club meeting, a Fly-Tying class, and even hang out with us at a Board Meeting.

All has NOT been lost due to Covid.   We’ve actually been helping so many of you engage in casting practice, fly-tying and fishing together.   I never like fishing close to someone anyhow, so six feet is nothing.    Hey, really, so many of you and so many of us have been out fishing, casting and picking up fly-tying materials at Elaines, for the classes she’s been running.

As I mentioned earlier in the year, if we didn’t have Covid – none of us would know what Zoom is, use it, or certainly not run a club meeting or a fly-tying class with it.  But we did, and it’s a lot of fun.

The Club meetings are nice cause we get through the “business” portion in record time and spend most of it saying hi to each other, talk about places we went fishing, and other activities we’ve been doing  – like driving to Montana, Utah, Oregon, Wyoming,… instead of flying.

The presentations are excellent.  1. You can hear perfectly. 2. You can see everything perfectly cuz it’s right there on your screen. 3. You know everybody’s name, cuz it appears on the screen.   4. If you’re all talking at the same time, I can “mute” you in 1 second rather than have to ask you to be quiet!   Ha!.   AND – if your better half is at all concerned about you having a beer with the gang afterward -no more -cuz you’re already at home!   Just please make sure whomever might pass by yer camera while yer Zoomin’,  is wearin’ clothes!

Thank you again Steve Rudzinski for your corralin the folks over to Jade Street Park on Wednesdays for Social Distance Casting.    Last time I was there, some tennis player was smartin off to us ‘bout what kind of fish we were catching.   I did a back cast that poked him in the shirt and said, ‘Large mouth b-Ass’!

And Elaine!   Super Star – you wanna talk about someone who would much rather be driving her van around the country with her husband, fishin’ size 39 mini-midges to lunker rainbows than having anything to do with a computer.  Well she’s got these fly-tying classes down so good if it were a YouTube Channel, she’d be on Curt Gowdies Wild World of Sports and Adventure.

Jeff Goyert and team – what great fun we’ve been having with the raffle and how it has grown since you got more comfortable with the format.  Winning rods, reels, fly boxes and so much more is super fun.

I’m really happy to hear how many of you have been out fishing, camping and enjoying the peace and quite – albeit, pre Stormageddon that brought Armageddon the last month.   I’m still trying to figure out between Covid and fires, what day and what month it is.   And I do hope our members and their friends and families are all safe.   I know it has been a year of remembrance.

Fly Fishing doesn’t really cure Covid -but staying healthy, eating well and having the best psychological health will fight off even the nastiest bugs, physical or mental.   So hang with us if you haven’t – yet.  Reach out if you need help connecting to Zoom.  We want to be here for you and to have you with us.

It has been a year of remembrance.   Yes, some challenges, but I bet all of us have some real blessings and some great things that have come this year that would never have come if it weren’t for these circumstances.

I’ve needed all of you so many times this year, even if it was just a club meeting to keep me remembering what day it was and getting myself back on the ground.  We are still averaging 1 or 2 new members every month – most signing up online.

Hang in there like you were fishin’ the catch of a life time on 7X tippler.   You’ll get it to the net and we want to hear how you did it.

Appreciate all of you and do miss you -but sure glad I get to see you when we’re Zoomin’ along.   Come join us – 6:30 – Look for the link in the newsletter and if you don’t know what that is or how to get there – call me.

Fish!   Tom

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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Surf Fishout at Palm State Beach: October 11, 2020

by Mark Traugott

NOTE THAT THE OCTOBER FISHOUT TAKES PLACE ON A SUNDAY!!!!

 

The October Surf Fishout will take place at Palm State Beach in Watsonville, on Sunday, October 11th. We are now on a fall schedule, as the sun will rise at 7:12 a.m., so the plan is for us to meet at 7 AM. The tide will be high at 8:07 AM, and the surf at this time of year can be expected to be moderate. Our meeting place is just past the entrance to the State Park at 2660 Beach Road. (See the detailed directions below.) For information regarding equipment and technique, see the excellent instructions on surf fishing that Sam Bishop has published on our club website (https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/what-you-need-to-know-if-you-plan-to-go-surf-fishing/). You can also call me at 831-338-6056. The basic equipment is a five- to 7-weight rod with an intermediate to full-sinking line or sinking tip. Surf perch are available year-round, and October is a month when you have an increased chance of hooking a striped bass. A Clouser pattern or anchovy fly will work for stripers, and small bonefish patterns (for example, Gotchas) will catch perch, especially if they have red or orange highlights. The only surf-specific piece of essential equipment is a stripping basket (like the ones that Sam makes and sells for $20 to benefit the club.) Face masks are optional while actually fishing, since we will be well spread out; but masks and social distancing measures (maintaining 6’ of separation) will be in effect whenever we gather, whether at the meeting place or on the beach. It helps if all participants have their rods rigged in advance and are ready to step into the rest of their equipment immediately upon arrival.

Directions: From Santa Cruz, head south on Highway 1 past the first Watsonville exits and take the Riverside Drive (Highway 129) exit. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp, then right again onto Lee Road. At the traffic light, turn left onto West Beach Road. Drive 3 miles to where West Beach Road ends just past the entrance to the State Beach and just across from the entrance to Pajaro Dunes. Park on the right along the row of eucalyptus trees.

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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Fishout for striped bass Oct 15-18 O’Neill Forebay

by Stephen Rudzinski

Please put it on your calendar, as we are hoping for a really good number of fish to be caught this year. The weed beds are holding lots of food for feeding fish.  Those with float tubes not having oars may have some weedy areas to kick through to get out over deeper water in the channels. I am treating this years like the previous years, I am not walking around with a mask outdoors, I say that those who are most worried about airborne germs sit it out for a year but I think we need to live our lives without all this fear of getting sick from contact with friends.

More info in the October newsletter or just go into the archives from previous October newsletters to read all the info I had written on gear to bring and general info.  This is a primitive camping area, no water, vault toilets, little shade but only 70 miles from home.  Contact me anytime ssrudzinski@gmail.com  831-462-4532 (land line with message machine/old school, no cell.  ‘Stosh’

Posted on August 27th, 2020

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Message from your fishmaster chairman

by John Cook - Fishingmaster Chairman

Until covid-19 is no longer a threat, I think we should have fishouts that allow social distancing. 2021 will probably still have issues with covid. So if you have a  fishout, design it that way. Steve’s fishout at the Forbay in Oct. is one example. Show up for the day or camp out and enjoy the outing. See the newsletter for more information or call Steve. Our surf fishouts are also a safe venue. Also refer to newsletter article. Do remember masks, safe distancing and disinfectants when sharing objects. If you are thinking about sponsoring a fishout that can be run safely, and I hope you will, call me. (831)688-1561. Let’s be creative, think out of the box and have as much fun as possible fishing together.

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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Weather Weaponing in California Fires

by 'Conservation Slim' (Steve Rudzinski)

California forest fires in the last five seasons have continually increased in ferocity and acres burned. Even without the fierce Santa Ana type winds, the fires have exploded throughout the west and mysteriously end at the border with Canada.

We have seen the photos of Santa Rosa after the fires a few years ago and whole neighborhoods not near forests or grasslands were burned to the ground, car engines and aluminum wheels a puddle of metal afterwards.  Cal Fire captain I talked with one day agreed that the fires are hotter than what they have seen from normal fires, they have a good idea what it is but cannot be caught talking about anything considered ‘conspiracy’.

Our local fires in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties erupted from a dry lightning storm that produced epoch images from local photographers (Roll cloud image). Locals know that these storms are very rare and usually are the result from a dying hurricane in the Pacific and accompanied by rainfall.  This years ignition cause was something different, man made and with purpose says activist and author Deborah Tavares who investigated the fires in Santa Rosa and Paradise to mention the most famous fires. I encourage anyone rolling their eyes at the mention of arson and the use of DEW’s (direct energy weapon) developed at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. High flying super lasers developed for the military to cause great damage to anything it directs its beam. (All this can easily be searched via Google and I always recommend we do our own research when we have questions).

The next challenge we face is keeping our drinking water clean. We know that tons of that orange fire retardant has been dropped in areas that collect and get into the small streams and flow into our reservoirs. Soil engineers and scientists have already analyzed and reported up to 5% of the top soil throughout the state has aluminum and barium dust, the main ingredient used to turn blue skies into that hazy white jet trail sky. We all have noticed that now and it’s no big surprise. Now we know the alumina especially is an accelerant in the fires, the tree roots absorb the nano particle dust making them more explosive than ever. It’s not climate change it’s weather warfare. (geoengineering.com).

“Slim” has researched this subject to exhaustion, he sticks his neck out to non believers because this is so important, it’s our future. Already we are having our favorite camping and fishing grounds closed down with no plan on when they will reopen and with the fear factor as strong as it is now, we may very well see the end to the freedoms we all have loved our whole lives.  It has been 18 years since the ‘Shoe Bomber’ incident and we still cannot get through the ticketing without removing our shoes. The same could easily be true about mandatory masking and vaccinations.

Slim says, question authority. The former ‘Poppy’ Bush in his famous ‘A Thousand Points of Light’ speech promoted the New World Order and the changes that will be made on Earth. Top of the list for the future was to reduce the world population to a half billion or twenty five million in the USA. Those who google, ‘The Georgia Guide Stones” can read all the new commandments carved in red granite for all times.

Slim was going to just announce the big win in our battle against the Pebble Mine developers but that news is already a couple weeks old. I was in contact with John Squires widow Victoria and she was very happy about that news and that we will be sending more club funds to Trout Unlimited Alaska in John name.  Thanks everyone for your constructive criticism and questions you may have. I will try to provide anyone the links to these subjects raised this report.   Lets hope the rains come gradually, no big gully-washers please.

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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Aug. In Oregon

by Elaine and John Cook

This was our second fishing trip to Oregon during covid. Once again, took all our food and water for the whole month. Used stream water for bath and laundry. Made Nat. Forest Campground reservations ahead of time,  so no contact with camp hosts and gaurenteed spot. Lots of mask wearing and alcohol disinfectant. All in all, very covid safe. We had the pleasure of having Rich Hughett and Bobby join us for a few days. Not a great fishing trip again. If we had trout fished, that may have been different, but our focus was on large mouth bass. There was day of bass fishing with poppers that was truly outstanding. Dozens of fish exploded on our flies. Many in the 20 inch range. We meet a local fisherman fishing subsurface. Gave him one of my poppers. All he had was success with it over the next couple weeks. He sent me a picture of it after catching around 100 bass. It was trashed! Now the down side of fishing that lake. In order to launch our tubes, we had to slug through knee deep mud for about 20 feet. Crawling helped some. Then for 200 or more yards,too shallow the paddle, so pushed with our heels. Did the adventure one more time, the fishing was good not outstanding. Geer has been in lakes and washed in a stream, but some mud still remains. It’s like clay. We will go back again , eairler in the year when the lake has more water. We left before their horrible fires began and the Santa Cruz fires were greatly improved.

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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We hit the Beach Labor Day Weekend

by Fishmaster Sam Bishop

This 2020 Labor Day weekend was due to be the hottest on record, that is the temperature of course, but unfortunately the catching was cold for the six of us that met on such a beautiful morning at Manresa Beach. The beaches were closed to people sunbathing or lounging, but open to us who were participating in “Water Activities”. Scott Kitayama caught one “Guitar Fish” and no one else even had a fish tug at a fly. Pictured left to right are Scott Kitayama, Bob Garbarino and Michael Sherwood. Not pictured are Jeff Slaboden, Gary Cramton and Sam Bishop.

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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Colorado King Caddis

by Elaine Cook

Although caddis don’t have tails,  this pattern includes two stabilizing peccary. I’m not sure what trout make of these, but it’s a very effective pattern. Due to the coloring it may represent a bee to the fish. Apply floatent, fish drag free or with an occasional skitter.

HOOK: TMC or TFC 100, sizes 8-18.    Crimp Barb.

THREAD: black 8/0.   Attach mid shank. Wrap to rear of shank.

BODY: yellow or golden/yellow , superfine or rabbit dubbing.    Dub a small ball at rear of shank. Leave thread hanging in front of ball.

TAIL: 2 black peccary hairs or can substitute other coarse black hair such as moose main or body.    Position one hair on far side of ball, tip extending hook length to rear. Make 3 wraps. Pull on butt end of hair until it extends hook shank to rear or a little shorter. Tie in place. Cut excess.

HACKLE: grizzly.    Select feather with barbs equal to one or one and a quarter hook gap. Cut several barbs short on each side of base of stem (crew cut). Tie crew cut in infront of ball, light side facing you.

BODY CONT. : same dubbing.    Dub a non tapered body forward to 2 eye lengths behind eye.

HACKLE: same feather.   Palmer forward in about 5 wraps. Tie off, cut excess.

WING: bleached or light deer hair, with med. fine hairs.    Cut a sm. clump an effectiveof hair from hide. Clean out fuzz. Stack tips. Position on top of shank, tips extending to mid tail. Make first thread wrap around only the hair, the second wrap around both hair and shank. Make several snug wraps , making hairs flare. Cut hair butts short at an angle. Wrap thread head covering all hair stubs. Whip finish, cut thread. Apply Zap-A-Gap or similar. If any hairs remain exposed in thread head, use black Sharpie.

Posted on September 25th, 2020

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FREE waders & Boots for the tall fellers

by Sam Bishop

For the big guys over 6 ‘ in our club, we have a donation of neoprene stocking foot waders and a pair of size 14 felt soled wading boots to go with it. These are not new, but perfectly serviceable and includes Simms gaiters (weed guards). The fellow also donated a belt with a rod holder and pliers. This setup was used on his trips to Alaska, stream fishing for Silvers.

These are FREE. Contact Sam Bishop sambishop@totlcom.com

Posted on September 23rd, 2020

Date:  September 2, 2020

Time:  6:30PM

Place:  Zoom Presentation

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Fishing California Valley Rivers with Gray Lance

by Jim Black

Click here to join the Zoom Monthly Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88503582444

Lance’s presentation comes at an opportune time. In a couple of months, it will be prime time – late September thru November – on these Northern California rivers. “Fishing Valley Rivers” is his newest presentation and will cover the Feather, Lower Sacramento and Yuba rivers, highlighting the what, when and how to fish these Northern California valley rivers, which offer some of the best trout and steelhead fishing throughout the year. Fall and Spring being the best times to target these rivers. Lance spend innumerable hours guiding and fishing all three rivers and during his presentation will offer insight into what he does every day on them, including flies, equipment and rigging.

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.

During 2003, Lance and Kirsten Gray launched Lance Gray & Co., a full-service outfitter offering guided trips, fly-fishing schools, workshops and a travel agency. His guide service covers Lake Almanor, Manzanita Lake, and the Yuba, Lower Sac and Feather rivers. Lance is 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.

Lance and Kirsten together have more than a combined 50 years of experience in fly fishing. Lance started fly fishing with his father and brother Lincoln at age 7. In his teens, he began tying flies commercially for shops all around Northern California. During 1993, Lance and Kirsten started Saltwater Innovations, a manufacturer and distributor 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 day-to-day operations and running the manufacturing floor.

Posted on August 27th, 2020

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Online monthly raffle! Don’t miss out!

by Jeff Goyert

If any of you faithful followers have thought about giving Euro Nymphing a try now is the time to buy a handful of raffle tickets  ($1 each, 25 for 20 bucks).

This months raffle prize is an Echo CBXL 10′ 3 WT 4 piece Euro Nymph rod. This is matched with a Rio 0x/2x 11-12 ft tapered Euro Nymph leader featuring a two-tone sighter leader and a tippet ring for your point fly leader.

To make sense of all this will be a full length DVD by Euro Nymph masters Devin Olsen and Lance Egan included with the rod and leader.

To buy your tickets click on this link:

Buy Raffle Tickets

The drawing will be held at the monthly Zoom meeting Wednesday September 2nd. At 6:30 pm. Need not be present to win. Raffle ticket sales will end at noon the day of the meeting

During the meeting a drawing will be held for a number of cool door prizes, no ticket purchases  will be required.

Any questions, call/text me at 831-234-0033.

Posted on August 23rd, 2020