Wanted to let you know about an opportunity to get involved with a local chapter of “Project Healing Waters” (PHW). PHW is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of injured and disabled military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.
Our contact for PHW is Brian Steckler. Brian’s email is PHWFF.SF…@gmail.com and phone is (831) 402-1584. Please contact Brian ASAP if you can help, especially with the June 1st event and the July outing. I have enclosed Project Healing Waters FAQ.
Below are some of the activities they will be doing this summer and need volunteers.
July overnight outing y), Mokelumne River east of Stockton (3.5 hour drive from Monterey). Camping at Lake Amador Campground. July 13-16. PVH can take only 4-5 vets and they must have participated in two events by June 2nd. Volunteers needed.
Next outdoor class (reading the water, entomology (study of bugs/flies), casting practice – roll and double haul casting): Wednesday July 10th from 7-9 PM. Location TBD.
August overnight outing (note this is a newly announced event). Location TBD based on some recon trips I’m doing prior to this event. PVH can only take 4-5 vets and they must have participated in two events by July 2nd to be considered.
August outdoor class (repeat of June knot tying, typical nymph and dry fly rigs, what to expect on a one-day and/or overnight outing for camping and fishing): Wednesday August 7th from 7-9 PM.
As you may know, the club currently has 15 members on the Board of Directors. But did you know that we also have at least 10 others working in the background to help the club flourish? We have a lot of ideas to improve the club and we need more volunteers. Take a look and step up, We Want You!
WWYT organize and lead a fishout: We’re actively expanding our fishout opportunities and are looking for enthusiastic leaders. You don’t need extensive experience or a large group to get started; just a passion for organizing enjoyable fishing outings for our members.
WWYT publicize your business for free: As a club, we want to support our members’ businesses and services. To make this happen, we’re creating a dedicated page on our website to showcase and promote member businesses and organizations that contribute to our club’s success. Let us know about your business so we can feature it!
Facebook Group Administrator: We’re considering using a private Facebook Group to enhance member interaction and engagement. If you’re social media-savvy and passionate about fostering community within our club, volunteering as a Facebook Group Administrator could be a great fit for you. This role involves managing the group, encouraging participation, and sharing exciting updates and content.
WWYT help with the end of year slideshow: Rich Rubin has graciously volunteered to create a slideshow for our January meeting. We’re seeking a volunteer to assist in collecting digital photos from members throughout the year and coordinating with Rich from October to December to ensure a fantastic end-of-year presentation. If you have an eye for visuals and enjoy working collaboratively, this opportunity is perfect for you.
WWYT sell and attend the May 11 Swap Meet: Save the date! Our May 11 swap meet at the Aptos Grange is a fantastic opportunity to buy, sell, and connect with fellow members. Make sure to mark your calendar from 9 am to 1 pm and join us for a fun and lively event.
WWYT help us learn about our members: Understanding our members’ interests, preferences, and feedback is crucial for enhancing our club’s offerings. We’re looking for someone passionate about gathering insights, devising meaningful questions, and developing strategies to engage and serve our diverse membership better. Your input can shape the future of our club activities and initiatives.
WWYT invite your friends to join the club: Our club thrives on the enthusiasm and camaraderie of members. We’re aiming to get our membership to 260 by year-end and believe that our current members are our best advocates. Invite your friends to join us for casting lessons, fly fishing adventures, and a vibrant community of fellow fishing enthusiasts.
If any of these opportunities resonates with you or if you have any questions, please reach out. Your involvement and contributions are invaluable in making our club flourish.
We are fortunate to call the Monterey Bay area our home, where the ocean’s health directly impacts our well-being. Recently, our club members became aware of petition 2023-33MPA, pushing for new no-fishing zones around Pleasure Point and off the coast of Natural Bridges State Beach. While protecting kelp forests is a commendable goal, the proposed fishing ban has raised concerns in our community about potential threats to our fishing rights. Personally, I joined the club because I wanted to learn how to fly fish the surf and I know a lot of club members that enjoy fishing from the beach as well as fishing the kelp beds from a kayak.
The heart of the debate revolves around assessing how fishing activities may affect kelp ecosystems in Santa Cruz. Advocates for the petition, primarily environmental groups from Southern California, argue that implementing no-fishing zones is crucial to safeguard these fragile habitats. However, opponents of the petition, including members of our club, question the necessity and effectiveness of such broad fishing bans. We argue that the conditions in Santa Cruz’s kelp forests may differ significantly from those in other regions, such as Southern California, where fishing restrictions might be more warranted. This article in Santa Cruz Local and its links give a good explanation of the issue.
During our recent Club Board meeting, we discussed the issue and decided to take a stance of patience and proactive engagement. The California Commission of Fish and Wildlife is currently handling numerous petitions, including 2023-33MPA. In solidarity with those opposing the petition, I have sent letters on behalf of SCFF to key opponents, including Supervisor Cummings, UCSC Professor Zavaleta (a member of the California Fish and Wildlife Commission), and the All Waters Protection and Access Coalition. These letters express our readiness to collaborate and provide assistance in finding sustainable solutions that balance environmental protection with community interests.
Although there is no specific deadline for the commission to decide on the petitions, we are committed to remaining informed and actively participating in the ongoing dialogue. We encourage members with experience or insights into navigating such petitions to share their expertise with the club.
Alex Ferber – (831) 419-0564
alex.ferber74@gmail.com
adventureflyfishingsantacruz/home.com
Learn or improve your ability to make successful surface presentations (Dry Fly) to rising fish on Spring Creeks. The true art of fly fishing. This class will focus on loop control, drag free drifts with long leaders using small dry flies. This 5 day class will include 3 days of lawn instruction, culminating in 2 guided day workshops on Hat Creek and Fall River; two iconic Spring Creeks in Northern California, where accurate, well presented flies are a must. Minimal skills: Ability to consistently overhead/false cast to a minimum of 45 feet
Note: Registration through Capitola Recreation Department. (Link will be put here when the catalog is published)
Jade St. Soccer Field/OFF-SITE FIELD TRIP
R $450| NR $467
Jade St Park:
Sat 9:00-11:00am 5/18, 6/1, 6/15
Hat River Field Trip:
6/27-6/30 (All Day)
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
I have had the pleasure of serving this fine establishment in many ways over the last thirty years. Conservation, President, Programs, Casting, and now Master of Ceremonies at our annual dinner / fundraiser. I suppose the next best opportunity is hosting the Oscars.
As mentioned during our annual dinner, this was our 45th year, only ever interrupted by Covid in 2021 and 2022, the first annual dinner a small gathering of the original members in the Portuguese Hall for a spaghetti dinner. There are photos of some of these annual dinners in albums somewhere in the club members’ possession.
The annual dinner/fundraiser is the primary funding source for the club’s desire to provide for conservation, and other costs not directly associated with the membership dues. Since those early days back in 1977, the clubs funding goals have expanded into several areas of conservation focused on opportunities for fly-fishing, and our pursuit of bringing the youth of the world into fly-fishing and conservation with our high-school scholarship program which began in 2018 in memoriam of members who have passed away.
Santa Cruz Fly Fishing is one of some 50 clubs in California and Nevada. While other clubs suffered in 2020, or aged out of existence, you helped us continue growing and even better, sharing with other clubs, what we are doing to continue growing and thriving amidst so many challenges.
This first of our big dinner/fundraisers returning from Covid proved to be one of the most successful in many years.
Thank you to the 45 club member volunteers who helped organize the event. Much of this beginning September the previous year – yes, we do spend a lot of time planning.
Thanks to the great staff at the Pajaro Rod & Gun Club for a great venue and your warm welcome.
Special thank you to Sam Bishop and his band of Sous Chef’s for catching the salmon in Alaska, bringing it back and putting everything together. You’d be hard pressed to have had fresher salmon. To the folks at California Grill and Watsonville Staff of Life for the excellent side dishes and salad.
Enormous thank you to Elaine Cook, David South and everyone who helped with the set up and in the kitchen. If you don’t know this, Elaine has been orchestrating SCFF annual dinners for well over 35 years.
I only ask forgiveness for anyone I may have left out who also put their heart and soul into this event. Thank you.
Thanks to the those who donated many of the raffle prizes and silent auction items. I’m told the Silent Auction results of $3,075 were the highest we’ve ever seen.
In short, below is how you helped make this event a success.
$6,800 – we factored in a cap at 160 tickets but sold 170. ~150 attended.
$5,450 – Raffle tickets, an average $36.00 per person
$3,075 – Silent Auction returns
$ 266 – Donations
$15,591.00 – Total Revenue
$240 in new memberships paid at the dinner – it was exciting to see how many this was their first annual dinner/fundraiser.
($6,452) – Expenses – salmon, sides, serviettes, place settings, raffle prizes, hall rental
$8,873 – net to the club.
Our primary goal was to raise the Conservation Budget to $4,000 and scholarships to $3,200 and build a buffer to go into 2024 and planning for the 2025 fundraiser/dinner to see if we can go a bit bigger next year. Mission accomplished.
It took a village. YOU are that village. If you’re reading this, you are part of the success story. One we could not have without YOU. Yes, you.
Where other clubs have struggled to stay alive through Covid; some of which dissolved all together, your leadership team has been very enthusiastic about this club, its mission and future. Because of you the future of fly-fishing, the environment around fly-fishing and the terrific community / family we have come to be, is being shared with other “clubs” here in California, Nevada and clear across the country.
Scott has had a theme of “fellowship” as being our goal for 2023-24. And to that extent we are enthusiastic about our future and sharing it with others.
Thank you. And you thought this was just a club for fly-fishing.
The 5 Murdock BrothersEverything is under controlPrepping the BBQRod and Gun Club160 attendeesYum
Dinner Tickets: The dinner is sold out. Dinner ticket purchasers, please go to this link and make sure that we have you on the list. We will not be selling dinner tickets at the door.
Directions and Parking: Use the address 557 1/2 Lakeview Drive, Watsonville, CA on your GPS to find the building. Lakeview Drive is a country road with no street lights, so you want to get to the dinner before sunset. There will be a lit SCFF banner to show where to turn to get to the clubhouse.
Parking Pro Tip: Saturday is forecasted to be rainy, and some of the parking lot is packed gravel, so you don’t need to wear your dress shoes. The parking lot is very dark at night, so you will want to have a flashlight or use your phone’s light.
Dinner: There are enough tables for everyone to comfortably sit in the main room. We will arrange the tables to seat six. If you want to reserve seats when you arrive, please make it obvious the seats at the table that are reserved and the ones that are still open. We have a lot of single ticket buyers, so there will be a lot of groups sharing tables. There is a cash bar at the back of the clubhouse, so bring cash.
Dinner Pro Tip: The seats are metal folding chairs and you will be sitting for a long time. Bringing a seat cushion will make it more comfortable and also make it obvious that you are reserving that seat.
Raffle Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online and can also be purchased at the event. If you purchased online, your tickets will be waiting for you along with your entrance/lunch receipt when you check-in. Raffle boxes will be on the tables for you to decide what you want to win. Keep a portion of your ticket so that you can claim your winnings.
Raffle Tickets Pro Tip: Keep your ticket stubs as a connected strip. On the paper provided with your tickets, write down the first number and the last number. Then when the tickets are being called, you can quickly tell if your have the winning number. While others are enjoying appetizers, use the time to look over the items being raffled. Make a ranked list of your top 10 or 20 items that you want. Pay attention during the raffle to see what items are taken so you can quickly get the best prize left on your list.
Door Prizes: You will be getting a door prize ticket for each of the entry tickets that you purchased. There are two door prizes, each 50 raffle tickets! This should help increase your chance of winning.
Silent Auction: Silent Auction bidding will open at 5:00 pm with bidding increment of $5.00. Silent auction will end at the break between Table A and Table B raffle. Payment can be done with cash, check or credit card. Item must be taken home at the end of the evening.
Program Timing: 5:00 – 6:00 pm: Appetizers and prize perusal. Silent auction bidding will be open 6:00 – 7:20 pm : Dinner 7:20 – 7:35 pm : Awards and introduction of 2024 Board of Directors 7:35 – 9:00 pm: Raffle and Silent Auction 9:00 – 9:30 pm: cleanup crew to put away tables, chairs, get rid of garbage, etc.
For the second year in a row, I get to proclaim “The State of the Union Club is strong”.
Some indicators of our strength:
Our finances are strong: In November, our treasurer, Jim, reported that our bank account was about $42,000. Since then we have had additional membership renewals and an upcoming sold-out fundraising dinner which will strengthen our financial position.
Our philanthropy is strong: In 2024, we will contribution $4,000 to to Fishing and Conservancy organizations. Also, club members have been generous in volunteering work hours for local conservation programs. And in 2024, we will again provide $3,200 in total scholarships, to eight seniors from the eight Santa Cruz public high schools going on to study environmental science.
Our membership is growing: In 2021, we had 150 in the club directory, in 2023, we had 175 in the club directory and in 2024 we will have at least 210 members listed. That is a significant growth over three years!
In 2023, I tried to emphasize Fellowship as a way to improve the value that the club to each member. I hope that your interactions with the club and other members have been positive.
As we look forward, I can easily see the club getting to 250 members in the next year or two. I worry that our current structure of 16 members of the SCFF Board of Directors managing all the club activities will limit the club. We need a way to get more club members to participate in planning and running activities; we need to figure out how to scale the club.
A step in the right direction is what Bob Garbarino has done by creating Conservation Committee. Suddenly he has involved three more club members in providing insight and effort to tackle conservation issues for the club. I am hoping that we will be able to reach out and get more members involved in helping in the areas of fly fishing education, fish-outs, and technology. If you have suggestions to help grow the club, I would love to hear from you.
Now for a few notices:
There will be NO General Meeting in February. The next meeting will be March 6th.
The Fly Fishing Film Tour will be at the RIO Theater in Santa Cruz on February 10th. This is the ONLY showing of the film near the Bay Area. The next closest showing will be in Sacramento.
Please attend the Pleasanton Fly Show from February 23-25th. There are not a lot of places that you can touch products or try a fly rod in the United States. Without good attendance, the Bay Area may lose its last fly fishing show.
Thank you to those who are attending our Annual Fundraiser. The team has been working very hard at it and know that you will have a good time.
Oh yeah, Happy Valentines,
Scott Kitayama, President of the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club
ANNUAL. FUND RAISER COORDINATOR: DAVID SOUTH (831)713-5866 (831)234-0196
DINNER TICKETS: Are $40 and have already sold out..
VOLUNTEERS: Many long-term club members say that the best part of our event is the time volunteering, and working with others to put the whole event together. Contact Elaine Cook at (831)231-6515 or (831)-251-4741, or coookin@gmail.com (no text please) to find out how you can best help.
DONATIONS: Our club would be grateful for donations to be used as raffle prizes at our annual fundraiser. Examples: flies you have tied, other handcrafted items, business services, personal services such as fly-tying lessons, casting lessons, etc. If you have such a contribution, please contact our annual raffle coordinator Rick Chace, at (831)234-9200.
RAFFLE TICKETS: Can be purchased online when buying your dinner ticket (which will be issued at the door),or at our event. Two door prizes of 50 raffle tickets will be awarded, which should increase your chances of winning. There will be silent auction items as well.
ABOUT THE ROD AND GUN CLUB: it’s located in a rural setting overlooking Kelley lake. The parking lot is gravel so not a problem if it’s raining. Their insurance doesn’t permit us to bring alcohol. However, there is a cash bar where drinks and sodas can be purchased.
SO ALL IN ALL, COME SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, AND DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN.
Ticket purchasers : (as of Jan 25, 1:00 pm)
R. Arola (2)
G. Badger (2)
Y. Bernabe (1)
S. Bishop (2) *
J. Bohn (1)
R. Bruce (1)
B. Burt (1)
T. Carson (1)
R. Chace (2)
B. Ciapponi (1)
M. Converse (2)
E. Cook (1)
J. Cook (2)
S . Coplan (2)
G. Cumming (1) *
M. de Guzman (1)
M. Diciano (4)
J. Doe (2) *
M. Duckworth (2)
D. Eaton (2) *
J. Eichhorn (1)
K. Escobar (2)
R. Ethington (2) *
F. Farias (2)
G. Foy (2)
A. Frankl (1)
R. Garbarino (1)
J. Goyert (1)
L. Hardesty (2)
M. Hermansky (1) *
Cody Hill (3)
Mason Hill (1)
T. Hogye (2)
R. Holombo (2)
W. Hopkins (2)
J. Hopkins (2)
R. Hughett (2)
J. Ice (1)
M. Imlay (8)
D. Kamradt (2)
B. Kemp (1) *
M. Kemp (1)
S. Kitayama (2)
G. Lee (1)
T. Loomis (1)
M. Lovejoy (2)
D. Marks (1)
K. McClish (2)
M. Mcgibben (1)
Jerry Mckeon (1)
C. McVeight (1)
J. Mello III (2)
K. Morrison (2) *
G. Muir (5)
K. Murdock (5) *
W. Murphy (1) *
A. Muzzio (3)
A. Pavot (2)
T. Pelikan (2)
B. Peterson (1)
H. Petrakis (4)
M. Phinn (2)
P. Purtscher (1)
K. Powers (3)
A. Presser (2)
R. Ransdall (1) *
R. Reed (2)
J. Register (2)
P. Reis (2)
J. Rosendale (1)
B. Scott (1)
B. Seaman (1)
C. Severs (2)
M. Sherwood (2)
P Shields (2)
D. South (2)
C. Stipes (1)
P. Swarzenski (1)
W. Taguinod (3)
R. Thompson (5)
M. Twisselman (2)
J. Tolonen (1)
M. Traugott (1)
T. Umstead (1)
M. White (1)
D. Witmer (2)
L Yien (1)
Asterisk means that the person paid by cash or check. Did not purchase through website.
Loading Map....
Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club 557-1/2 Lakeview Rd - Watsonville Events
36.9411-121.730367
Pajaro Valley Rod & Gun club is located 14 miles south of the Aptos Grange.
Let’s start the year by hearing some fish stories from fellow club members. Stories will be about a 50 year fish hunt, chasing native fish in the west, blitzes in the bay and more. Hope to see you there!
For those of you who want to see what people did in 2023, please spend time looking at the pictures and captions on the club’s website: www.santacruzflyfishing.org . Viewing is best done on a full screen computer and when you click on the picture, you get a larger image and the full description. Images are sorted chronologically and hitting the ‘Load More’ button at the bottom of the page will show pictures from earlier in the year. Also, please share your pictures with others by sending them to Jerry at metropolitantrout@gmail.com.
The week before Christmas, I attended Alex Ferber’s Spey casting class. Quite a few members attended including, Mike DiCiano, Barry Burt, Mike White, Scott Anderson, Bob Garbarino, Fred Farias, Greg Finney, Ricardo Cortes, and others. What I learned at the class was that the basics are more important than learning a new fangled cast. Spey casts are used on larger rivers where the fly line is directly below you in the river and you want to roll cast about 60 degrees upstream without smacking yourself in the head. Therefore the “basics’ is to be able to roll cast and with some instruction and practice, I was able to extend my roll cast with little effort in the cast. Still working on the Spey cast, but the basic roll cast is where I am spending my time.
Post-class, I went to lunch with Alex, Bob, Fred and Tom Hogye and the discussion shifted to the plans for the upcoming 2024 casting classes. Surprisingly, despite the influx of new members, the monthly single-hand casting clinics wasn’t highly attended . Reflecting on my own sporadic participation in 2023, I recognized the missed opportunities for improving my skills. As fishing scenarios from the past year replayed in my mind, the potential for greater enjoyment became obvious:
Stream dry fly fishing would improve by tightening my loop and improved mending to make a drag free presentation.
In the surf or sitting in a float tube, a well-executed double haul ensures a faster sink, maximizing the time spent in the strike zone.
And casting the euro/mono rig? Ugh, a situation where all my bad habits get magnified and motivates me to do more than simply lob the rig into the water.
Fortunately, we have monthly clinics with fellow club members offering support and guidance for anglers at all levels. I am going to make an effort to attend them and hope to see others out there.
Another basic for 2024:
This one is hard to admit. Another goal in 2024 is to eliminate lost rigs due to pigtails. Retrieving rigs and seeing the telltale curls is really frustrating. So I am practicing my clinch knots and loop knots using a forcep. There are lots of videos on Youtube that show how to tie knots faster with a forcep and I like using the handle to cinch down on the knot to make sure it is secure.
I hope you take a few minutes and think about your fishing goals for 2024 and what you can do during the winter to help achieve them.
ANNUAL. FUND RAISER COORDINATOR: DAVID SOUTH (831)713-5866 (831)234-0196
DINNER TICKETS: Are $40 and have already sold out..
VOLUNTEERS: Many long-term club members say that the best part of our event is the time volunteering, and working with others to put the whole event together. Contact Elaine Cook at (831)231-6515 or (831)-251-4741, or coookin@gmail.com (no text please) to find out how you can best help.
DONATIONS: Our club would be grateful for donations to be used as raffle prizes at our annual fundraiser. Examples: flies you have tied, other handcrafted items, business services, personal services such as fly-tying lessons, casting lessons, etc. If you have such a contribution, please contact our annual raffle coordinator Rick Chace, at (831)234-9200.
RAFFLE TICKETS: Can be purchased online when buying your dinner ticket (which will be issued at the door),or at our event. Two door prizes of 50 raffle tickets will be awarded, which should increase your chances of winning. There will be silent auction items as well.
ABOUT THE ROD AND GUN CLUB: it’s located in a rural setting overlooking Kelley lake. The parking lot is gravel so not a problem if it’s raining. Their insurance doesn’t permit us to bring alcohol. However, there is a cash bar where drinks and sodas can be purchased.
SO ALL IN ALL, COME SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, AND DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN.
Ticket purchasers : (as of Jan 25, 1:00 pm)
R. Arola (2)
G. Badger (2)
Y. Bernabe (1)
S. Bishop (2) *
J. Bohn (1)
R. Bruce (1)
B. Burt (1)
T. Carson (1)
R. Chace (2)
B. Ciapponi (1)
M. Converse (2)
E. Cook (1)
J. Cook (2)
S . Coplan (2)
G. Cumming (1) *
M. de Guzman (1)
M. Diciano (4)
J. Doe (2) *
M. Duckworth (2)
D. Eaton (2) *
J. Eichhorn (1)
K. Escobar (2)
R. Ethington (2) *
F. Farias (2)
G. Foy (2)
A. Frankl (1)
R. Garbarino (1)
J. Goyert (1)
L. Hardesty (2)
M. Hermansky (1) *
Cody Hill (3)
Mason Hill (1)
T. Hogye (2)
R. Holombo (2)
W. Hopkins (2)
J. Hopkins (2)
R. Hughett (2)
J. Ice (1)
M. Imlay (8)
D. Kamradt (2)
B. Kemp (1) *
M. Kemp (1)
S. Kitayama (2)
G. Lee (1)
T. Loomis (1)
M. Lovejoy (2)
D. Marks (1)
K. McClish (2)
M. Mcgibben (1)
Jerry Mckeon (1)
C. McVeight (1)
J. Mello III (2)
K. Morrison (2) *
G. Muir (5)
K. Murdock (5) *
W. Murphy (1) *
A. Muzzio (3)
A. Pavot (2)
T. Pelikan (2)
B. Peterson (1)
H. Petrakis (4)
M. Phinn (2)
P. Purtscher (1)
K. Powers (3)
A. Presser (2)
R. Ransdall (1) *
R. Reed (2)
J. Register (2)
P. Reis (2)
J. Rosendale (1)
B. Scott (1)
B. Seaman (1)
C. Severs (2)
M. Sherwood (2)
P Shields (2)
D. South (2)
C. Stipes (1)
P. Swarzenski (1)
W. Taguinod (3)
R. Thompson (5)
M. Twisselman (2)
J. Tolonen (1)
M. Traugott (1)
T. Umstead (1)
M. White (1)
D. Witmer (2)
L Yien (1)
Asterisk means that the person paid by cash or check. Did not purchase through website.
Loading Map....
Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club 557-1/2 Lakeview Rd - Watsonville Events
36.9411-121.730367
Pajaro Valley Rod & Gun club is located 14 miles south of the Aptos Grange.
What is the best way to win your own Christmas present? Buy a bunch of raffle tickets for the drawing at the meeting on Wednesday, December 6th!
Naughty or nice, Santa doesn’t care. Buy a raffle ticket and be a winner!
We just got in a bunch of really nice V-Access rods; 9 ft. 4 piece with hard chrome guides, AA cork handles, and K-carbon tube aluminum reel seats. They each include a hard protective zippered tube case. Each rod is paired with either an AG or Anatono matching reel.
TWO! rod/reel packages will be given away by winners choice. Pick between a 5 wt, 6wt,7wt, or 8wt. rod. There will be 4 different rods to choose from, a total of 2 two rod/reels will be awarded.
Wintertime fishing means Steelhead fishing which also means river wading.
When river wading for Steelhead or other creek and stream inhabitants it is always a good idea to make use of a quality wading staff. From Orvis we have an American-made collapsing wading staff which includes a heavy duty Orvis zinger tether and neoprene belt sheath. A great aid in keeping safe and stable on the water.
Speaking of wintertime fishing or even on a ladder in April at Pyramid, take a look at this quilted Primaloft insulated Gortex Veil Camo hat from Simms. Warm and waterproof with secure earflaps, this headgear will keep you on the fish during the worst weather out there. As is said,”Don’t change your plans, change your clothes “.
Don’t miss out on these great raffle prizes. Tickets are a dollar each, $20 bucks gets you 25. Click on the following link to purchase your lucky raffle tickets:
The online ticket sales office will close at noon on Wednesday the day of the Fly Club meeting. The drawing will take place at the monthly meeting (12/6/23) held at the Aptos Grange. Club membership is not required to participate, need not be present to win.
Participation in the monthly raffle helps support your Fly Club and is greatly appreciated.
I have been told that the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing club has been doing an Annual Dinner and Fundraiser since way back in 1992. Last year’s lunch event was fun, but lacked the opportunity to have a sit down dinner with a lot of members of the club. Your board has been busy preparing for the February 3rd event and I just wanted to share with you some of what we are doing to make it happen and what you can do to help.
Wild Salmon Dinner
Securing a wild-caught salmon dinner has become more challenging due to the closure of the California fishery last year. However, for our upcoming dinner, dedicated members flew to a remote part of Alaska to obtain our salmon.. Below is Sam catching our dinner.
Sam catching dinner in AlaskaLakeside Organic at my family’s farm
Along with the salmon, we will be serving salad courtesy of California Grill/Lakeside Organic Gardens. The Peixoto run the largest family-owned organic farm in the US and grow most of their vegetables around Watsonville including decades at my family’s farm. Along with the fish and Salmon, Dave South has been busy sourcing the rest of the dinner from local, organic vendors around the county. And Elaine Cook is organizing a team to prepare delightful appetizers for everyone to enjoy while perusing the prizes, purchasing additional raffle tickets, and mingling with fellow attendees.
Raffle Prizes
Oh do we miss John Steele. For many, many years, John, would shop sales, fix equipment and create wonderful art work for the Annual Dinner. John had big shoes to fill, so we so we got a big man, Rick Chace, to step into the role. We are still acquiring prizes, but from what I have seen, there is going to be some nice stuff and a lot of it: at least 16 rods, 4 float tubes, tons of fly tying material, and boxes full of flies. We are hoping to get more non-fishing prizes for the raffle and welcome any donations from the membership. Maybe a gift certificate for a product or service? A piece of art? Bottle of wine? If you have any donation, please contact Rick Chace (rchase@got.net) or (831) 234-9200.
Unlike our monthly raffles, you must be present to win, ensuring that you’re only competing against others in the room. Our goal is for everyone to leave with something.
New Location
For years, the dinner has taken place at a church in Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, post-Covid, that location is no longer practical. After exploring various alternatives, we found a fantastic venue with ample space, full bar service, and a large BBQ pit for cooking the salmon. The only downside is its location at the south end of Santa Cruz county, near the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds (the location and map are available in the article about the dinner).
For those traveling from a distance, consider staying overnight nearby. The new Hampton Inn off Riverside is a suggestion. Other viable options in Watsonville include the Holiday Inn Express on Main St and the Comfort Inn near the Airport. Sunset Beach and KOA offer campsites for RVs or fancy vans. Alternatively, you could collaborate with other members to rent an Airbnb at Pajaro Dunes and enjoy some beach or Salinas River fishing the next day.
Volunteers, Volunteers, Volunteers
“Many hands make light work,” or, in the case of the fundraiser, we need many hands to make it work at all. Elaine Cook has already put in a lot of hours coordinating this event and needs volunteers. She’ll be passing around a sign-up sheet at the December and January meetings. You can also make her task easier by calling Elaine at (831) 234-6515 or email at coookin@gmail.com on how you can help at the fundraiser.
Ticket Sales and Purchase
If you want an easy way to support the fundraiser, consider purchasing your dinner and raffle tickets before the end of the year. Old-timers tell me that half of the tickets are sold a week before the event, meaning we waste time worrying about filling the room or cutting costs. Let us handle the logistics while you focus on making the event as fun and successful as possible! Dinner tickets are $40 and raffle tickets are $1.00 each. You can buy tickets at the December and January general meetings on line at https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/product-category/annual-fundraiser/
Rods/Reels: We will be giving away TWO! Rod/reel packages to our lucky ticket holders. Both packages are V-Access SK carbon 9 ft 4 section rods, choice of either 7wt or 5wt.
Net: Take a look at this long handle, long oval laminated wooden landing net. Nearly 3 feet in length, this net, with a clear fish friendly vinyl basket.
Fish Whistle: The Fish Whistle is the perfect addition to any trip that succeeds greater than all expectations or for that occasional adventure that does not turn out quite so well.
Raffle tickets are a dollar each, $20 bucks gets you 25. Click on the following link to purchase your lucky tickets.
The online ticket sales office will close at noon on Wednesday the day of the meeting. The drawing will take place at the monthly meeting (11/1/23) held at the Aptos Grange. Club membership not required to participate, need not be present to win.
ANNUAL. FUND RAISER COORDINATOR: DAVID SOUTH (831)713-5866 (831)234-0196
DINNER TICKETS: Are $40 and have already sold out..
VOLUNTEERS: Many long-term club members say that the best part of our event is the time volunteering, and working with others to put the whole event together. Contact Elaine Cook at (831)231-6515 or (831)-251-4741, or coookin@gmail.com (no text please) to find out how you can best help.
DONATIONS: Our club would be grateful for donations to be used as raffle prizes at our annual fundraiser. Examples: flies you have tied, other handcrafted items, business services, personal services such as fly-tying lessons, casting lessons, etc. If you have such a contribution, please contact our annual raffle coordinator Rick Chace, at (831)234-9200.
RAFFLE TICKETS: Can be purchased online when buying your dinner ticket (which will be issued at the door),or at our event. Two door prizes of 50 raffle tickets will be awarded, which should increase your chances of winning. There will be silent auction items as well.
ABOUT THE ROD AND GUN CLUB: it’s located in a rural setting overlooking Kelley lake. The parking lot is gravel so not a problem if it’s raining. Their insurance doesn’t permit us to bring alcohol. However, there is a cash bar where drinks and sodas can be purchased.
SO ALL IN ALL, COME SUPPORT YOUR CLUB, AND DON’T MISS OUT ON THE FUN.
Ticket purchasers : (as of Jan 25, 1:00 pm)
R. Arola (2)
G. Badger (2)
Y. Bernabe (1)
S. Bishop (2) *
J. Bohn (1)
R. Bruce (1)
B. Burt (1)
T. Carson (1)
R. Chace (2)
B. Ciapponi (1)
M. Converse (2)
E. Cook (1)
J. Cook (2)
S . Coplan (2)
G. Cumming (1) *
M. de Guzman (1)
M. Diciano (4)
J. Doe (2) *
M. Duckworth (2)
D. Eaton (2) *
J. Eichhorn (1)
K. Escobar (2)
R. Ethington (2) *
F. Farias (2)
G. Foy (2)
A. Frankl (1)
R. Garbarino (1)
J. Goyert (1)
L. Hardesty (2)
M. Hermansky (1) *
Cody Hill (3)
Mason Hill (1)
T. Hogye (2)
R. Holombo (2)
W. Hopkins (2)
J. Hopkins (2)
R. Hughett (2)
J. Ice (1)
M. Imlay (8)
D. Kamradt (2)
B. Kemp (1) *
M. Kemp (1)
S. Kitayama (2)
G. Lee (1)
T. Loomis (1)
M. Lovejoy (2)
D. Marks (1)
K. McClish (2)
M. Mcgibben (1)
Jerry Mckeon (1)
C. McVeight (1)
J. Mello III (2)
K. Morrison (2) *
G. Muir (5)
K. Murdock (5) *
W. Murphy (1) *
A. Muzzio (3)
A. Pavot (2)
T. Pelikan (2)
B. Peterson (1)
H. Petrakis (4)
M. Phinn (2)
P. Purtscher (1)
K. Powers (3)
A. Presser (2)
R. Ransdall (1) *
R. Reed (2)
J. Register (2)
P. Reis (2)
J. Rosendale (1)
B. Scott (1)
B. Seaman (1)
C. Severs (2)
M. Sherwood (2)
P Shields (2)
D. South (2)
C. Stipes (1)
P. Swarzenski (1)
W. Taguinod (3)
R. Thompson (5)
M. Twisselman (2)
J. Tolonen (1)
M. Traugott (1)
T. Umstead (1)
M. White (1)
D. Witmer (2)
L Yien (1)
Asterisk means that the person paid by cash or check. Did not purchase through website.
Loading Map....
Pajaro Valley Rod and Gun Club 557-1/2 Lakeview Rd - Watsonville Events
36.9411-121.730367
Pajaro Valley Rod & Gun club is located 14 miles south of the Aptos Grange.
It was a lot cooler at 6 am this morning than it is now on Saturday afternoon 10/7. But the catching wasn’t so hot (that’s why no perch pictures), except for Josh Wilkens arrived earliest and who caught that impressive Bat Ray that is already pictured on our website.
We had Will Murphy, Jerry McKeon, Matt Bohn, and Tommy Polito in addition to Josh out there and it was followed by a GREAT breakfast at Mike Lovejoy’s home, where we were also joined by our President, Scott. In the future, don’t miss “Breakfast at Lovejoy’s”.
What a great club we have. Today there are members fishing up at Mammoth, fishing today at the beach and spey cast lessons going on!
If you want to have a fun and enjoyable trout fishing experience, signup for the next Mammoth Fishout. John and Elaine Cook host this wonderful experience. They have been fishing this area for many years and know all the places to go, flies to use etc. etc. This was my second year in this gorgeous area in the fall of the eastern Sierras. I am an avid float tuber and my buddy Mike Lovejoy and I enjoyed some wonderful days on the beautiful mountain lakes catching rainbows up to 20″. What fun! The food and conversation over cocktails in the evening just add to the great fishing during the day.
From Fish Master, John Cook:
Elaine and I have been doing this for many many years, more like decades, and each year we find it entirely different than the last. The variables include personalities, the weather, fishing conditions, water levels, Crowley conditions, hatches etc. etc. etc. Even after all this time we love it and look forward to the next. And the best thing is, we always make some new friends. Hope you will be one of the anticipatory fishermen in 2024.
From Club Member, Scott Kitayama
Third year of going on the Mammoth fishing trip. My first two trips were primarily fishing lakes since the fishing was good, and the streams didn’t have much water. This year was exactly the opposite, the lakes were unfishable or I didn’t have much luck in them. However, the stream such as San Joaquin, Owens, Hot creek, McGee were all in good shape, and I had the chance to fish them with dry flies with John/Elaine Cook and Bob Garbarino . The weather was beautiful, Mammoth scenery is gorgeous, and small fish were willing to come up for flies. All in all it was a good trip and helped me learn how to be a better dry, fly fisherman.
When I think of fly fishing, my mind often conjures up the iconic image from “A River Runs Through It”: the elegant overhead casting of a dry fly in the middle of a picturesque river. However, upon joining the Santa Cruz club about five years ago, I was surprised to discover that river fishouts had become a rarity. I was told that these outings used to be more common, but as time passed, the interest dwindled, and the club aged. Recently, we’ve experienced an influx of new members, and with their arrival, several new river fishouts have been organized. I’ve just returned from one on the upper Sac, and I’m reminded of the beauty and serenity of wading in a river.
Wading is good for your soul if you have good soles
Imagine my shock when I found the rocks in the upper Sac to be exceptionally slippery. For the past three years, I’ve relied on Vibram-sole wading boots for my angling adventures on rivers like the Stanislaus, Truckee, Putah, Firehole, and San Lorenzo with little trouble. However, during our upper Sac fishout, seven club members, all wearing Vibram-soled boots, took unexpected dips into the river. The following day, I replaced my Vibram soles with felt, and the difference in traction was remarkable. I was taken aback by the discrepancy, especially since fishing gear advertisements and videos often promote rubber soles as the modern choice, portraying felt soles as outdated. While there are places that ban felt soles due to environmental concerns, California isn’t one of them, and we frequently encounter slippery algae and granite here. I strongly urge you to prioritize the best traction boots available when wading. Below is a chart I sourced from Korkers’ website, illustrating the types of soles and their effectiveness on various surfaces.
Remember, traction matters, as does balance
My earliest fly fishing experiences were on streams where I could quickly move along the banks of small mountain creeks. However, the upper Sac fishout was a stark reminder that stream fishing can be more challenging than I recall. It’s not merely a lapse in memory; walking on streams becomes increasingly challenging with age. I’ve attached a graph depicting a simple balance test and its correlation with “perceived age.” As you can see, there’s a notable decline after reaching 40 years of age.
Now, I’m no expert in wade fishing, so if you require detailed information about equipment, you can seek advice from the club via Google Groups or visit a fly fishing shop for proper gear setup. However, here are some safety items I personally use: a wading belt, a wading staff, a whistle, a walkie-talkie, a cell phone, and a fishing partner.
My ultimate advice: don’t wait
This is counsel I’m personally taking to heart. My plan is to embark on more river fishing trips and maintain my physical fitness. Hopefully, I’ll continue to enjoy fishing from a boat or float tube when wading becomes more challenging. And for our younger club members, I encourage you to seize your “River Runs Through It” experience as soon as possible.
Wishing you great fishing adventures this October,
Scott Kitayama President, Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club
The fishout on the upper Sac was from Sept 8th – 10th. Members stayed at the Sims Flat campground and in Dunsmuir. The days were warm, but in the early morning, you could feel fall in the air and the stream water temperature had cooled down. According to fish master, Alex Ferber, the upper Sac can be a fickle stream and the fishing was tough. Fish were mainly caught nymphing though there were dry fly opportunities in the evening.
Rob H, Scott A, Greg F, Bob G, Alex F
Greg F, Scott K, Bob G
Greg nymphing
Sims Flat
New members that took advantage of the fishout included: Alex F, Scott A, Robert H, Clark C. Other members included: Scott C, Greg F, Bob G and Scott K.
