Humble Heron Fly Fishing is a fly fishing outfit out of Grants Pass Oregon. Owners James and Kait (Bailey) Sampsel started their operations the fall of 2016 but have guided rivers all over the west and Central America collectively for the better part of 24 years.
Their focus is on the zen of the swung fly to illusive steelhead. They passionately guide guests on many of Southern Oregon’s premier rivers and consider the Rogue River their bread and butter.
The focus of the presentation will be on steelhead using swung fly presentations. Flies, lines, tips, tactics, experiences, and imagery. We will be covering the entire Rogue River from source to mouth including the trout fishery. And finally, images of James’ art from time spent with their guests on the water.
Spring steelhead fishing on Alaska’s outer coastal rivers is a unique challenge. Cameo and Brooks will go through the geography and ecology of river systems in the region, a little steelhead biology, flies and fishing techniques. We will share what we’ve picked up on our local rivers and fishing tips from us and our local fly fishing community.
Want to prep for the presentation with some fly tying? Here are two great steelhead flies and tutorials from the SE Alaska Fly Fishing Company:
Cameo Padilla and Brooks Areson own and operate the Equinox, a 53-foot charter yacht based out of Sitka, Alaska in the heart of the Tongass National Forest. Each year, they host small groups on custom 5-day expeditions to explore the outer coast and Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska guiding fresh and saltwater fishing excursions, as well as other outdoor pursuits. The rest of the year you can find them out on the water or in the mountains fishing, hiking, hunting, diving, skiing and generally exploring the wilds of Southeast Alaska.
Our February Wednesday 3rd Speaker will be Joe Contaldi, who guides on Lake Pyramid until May 1st. Then moves to Mammoth Lakes. His presentation will include the techniques and methods for successfully fishing at Pyramid. Corporate and Angling Club outings as well as current fishing success. Of interest for SCFF might be a Club Outing for 10 Anglers or more, Fly fishing for giant Cutthroat. Bring your group together and enjoy a day(s) on the lake. Contaldi can arrange customized trips for everyone, regardless of angling experience. From lessons, to classes, to half, full, and multiple day we can help make your group outing enjoyable, safe, and memorable. As you will see in his presentation, he offers Ladder Chairs for each Fisherman for comfort and to allow more fishing time. These are customized trips and we tailor each trip to your liking. *Rods, reels, lines, leaders, and custom tied flies are provided cold water and non-alcoholic beverages are provided *Catered lunches are provided on applicable trips *Outings are for up to 16 people – if your party has more than 16, please contact to discuss
In our upcoming Zoom meeting, Joe Contaldi will discuss different techniques and methods for catching Cutthroat Trout, including proper equipment, fly selection and the use of his Ladder Chair to provide some relief from the cold water and maximize your fishing time.
Additionally, he will provide a current fishing report.
Sit back relax and enjoy the annual slide show. During the COVID-19 shutdown, fly fishing was one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and social distance way.
Ryan Williams is going to join us again. This time he will be discussing Clear Lake and more about his Float and Fly technique.
After Ryan’s earlier presentation in August about Lake Oroville, Sam Bishop and his friend fished with Ryan after the presentation to the Club. Sam enjoyed fishing with Ryan and suggested we have him do another Zoom Presentation.
Ryan’s expertise covers major Rivers and Lakes, among which are the Lower Sac, Clear Lake, Lake Oroville, and most fish in which we will are interested: Smallmouth and Black Bass, Stripers, Trout, and Steelhead. He will be presenting Bass fishing Clear Lake, using his Float and Fly technique
I’ve included his web address above as before and suggest you visit his website. I did in August and found it informative, interesting and fun, all set to music! https://flyfishcnv.com/
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.
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.
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.
Ryan is a full time guide & fly tier, centered in Oroville. With 9 years of guiding experience, he now focuses on the Feather and Sac rivers for trout, steelhead, and stripers. Lake Oroville and Berryessa for Bass, and Clear Lake for both bass and crappie. Ryan is best known for his re-discovering of the Float n’ Fly with the fly rod, and it’s application for stillwater bass during the Winter. Ryan is also the first fly fishing guide to figure out Clear Lake. He’s also been a major proponent of top-water fly fishing on CA’s public reservoirs. Ryan is also the current Costa Bass n’ Fly Champion along with Brian Pultz.
Ryan now resides right next to Lake Oroville, allowing him to fish as much as he can possibly stand. He is about as passionate about fly fishing as they come, and truly enjoys sharing his information.
Interested in chasing fishing the local waterways in our local bays and surf? George Revel will give a high-level overview of fishing our coastlines for stripers and surf perch.
Topic: Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen Club Meeting – June 3
Time: Jun 3, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Our May 6 presentation will be from Jim Cox of Western Rivers Conservancy. Jim has more than 25 years experience working professionally in the nonprofit sector. Jim is a past steering committee co-chair of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, and is an active member of the Northwest Planned Giving Roundtable. In his free time, you can find him fly fishing and hiking along the outstanding rivers of the West. Western River’s commitment to protecting our great western streams is guided by a lifelong passion for rivers and the great outdoors. They have purchased and protected more than 100,000 acres along dozens of rivers throughout the West, including among others, the Klamath, John Day, Gunnison, Madison, Skagit and Salmon.
Watch the video for more info about the Western Rivers Conservancy.:
Hello my fellow big stick fly line, fly tying, fly flippin enthusiasts. For what is probably the first time in the 43 year history of the SCFF, we have had to cancel our April meeting due to the Coronavirus pandemic forcing us to shelter-in place and wait out the storm.
I found this beautiful adventure of two people heading across the country to spend a summer fly-fishing in Montana. The photos and video are spectacular and include fish, fur and feather. No this is not the typical adventure that John and Elaine Cook do every summer, but it could very well be, or be you – or me – next!! I invite you to turn on your TV, grab some popcorn and a refreshment – say “youtube” and settle into your most comfortable place and enjoy this nearly 1 hour escape.
You can also visit www.tightloopsfly.com
Wishing all of you good health and looking forward to gathering again soon.
Our speaker this month will be Montana outfitter, Ed Lawrence. If you have ever thought you would like to plan a fishing trip into Montana, Ed Lawrence, should be your go-to planner. He will help you with your choice of rivers if you wish.
A number of SCFF members have planned fishing trips with Ed. I and a long-time friend of mine traveled to Montana last year with a goal of fishing four or five rivers in five or six days. We wanted to fish the Yellowstone, The Madison, the Jefferson and the Missouri before discussing our choices with Ed. Our final plan with Ed’s suggestions, was to fish the Missouri twice in different places, including a third day fishing The Land of Giants, and along with the Madison and the Yellowstone.
It was a great organized, efficient trip. We met our guides in the morning, fished all day, drove to the next river that night, had dinners on our own after fishing, then spent our nights in Holiday Express Hotels, all arranged by Ed. We then met our guides the next morning at our front lobby door and went fish-ing. So, after that, we flew into Bozeman on Sunday, started fishing Monday on the Madison and were able to fish five days in a row. We returned back to Bozeman in the evening of the last day and flew home the next day, actually seven days all together, making it a very enjoyable trip, which I plan to do this year and next and next and next.
I would be happy to discuss our Montana with anyone who is interested, and Ed’s program will entice you even more to find out what the five best reasons are to fly fish Montana!