Information on new members, board update (i.e. treasurer’s update)
Posted on November 28th, 2022
Just an update for Dues renewal for next year. Dues can be renewed online @ santacruzflyfishing.org/membership. 125 members paid online last year.
Posted on October 24th, 2022
We are looking for six people who want to share their 2022 fishing story with the club at the January 2023 meeting. Here are some details:
With the success of the club’s Instagram account, we get a chance to see lots and lots of fish pictures during the year. So we are changing the traditional slideshow to a show-and-tell type format. This will be a fun way for us to get to hear some great stories and learn more about a place visited by a fellow member in ‘22. If you know of a member who has a great story, please encourage them to sign up and share it with the rest of the club.
To sign up, send an email to scottkitayama@gmail.com.
Posted on October 26th, 2022
Last Saturday of the month 1:30-3:30 – Jade Street Park
Well, it’s getting that time of year again – we hope. Rain and Steelhead.
I will be bringing my spey rod and single hand rods so you can work on some cool stuff for swingin flies for Steelhead or simply swinging flies in big water.
We’ll also show you some super easy and fun techniques for doing the same with a single handed rod on some of our local waters – the San Lorenzo, Soquel, Pescadero and others.
Come practice, learn something new – I guarantee it, and enjoy a couple hours away from the norm. Let me know if I can help you with anything specific – bring a friend. We’ll have plenty of tools!
Fish on. Tom 831-214-7578 / thomashogye@yahoo.com
Posted on October 26th, 2022
I have been enjoying the banter on Santa Cruz fly Fishing’s Google Groups especially when new members ask questions. So I was surprised when I heard a member say that there are too many Google Groups emails or the subject line doesn’t make sense. I’m guessing this person’s emails all go to a single inbox and is messy, so this is a tip to manage your inbox.
Think of your inbox like a fly box, if you only have a few flies, they can all go into one box. After a while, you have dry flies, wet flies, streamers, poppers and your one fly box turns into a big ol’ mess. Just like having separate boxes for different flies, you can have separate email folders for different subjects.
Gmail :
For me, Google Groups emails go into a separate tab called Forums so I don’t have to look at them until I am ready. Here is a link to a video on how to set up Forums: https://youtu.be/dRCOX-4nE7c
Other email viewers like Apple Mail, Yahoo, Outlook, AOL:
Since I haven’t used any other email reader in over a decade, I am not brave enough to provide instructions. I suggest you search google to find info on “moving new emails to folders using filters”.
Another solution:
Send an email to Bob Peterson robert6367@gmail.com or Scott Kitayama scottkitayama@gmail.com and request changing the way you are receiving the Google Groups emails:
Hope this helps someone.
Posted on October 26th, 2022
This month membership is over 200 dues paying members largely with new online members averaging 2 new members a month. Another milestone is that Jerry Mckeon has over 500 followers on Instagram which has increased significantly since Jerry has been aggressively marketing the activity. He reminds members, including new members to submit photos to him thru his email metropolitantrout@gmail.com. Thank you to those who have contributed photos.
Posted on August 22nd, 2022
FLY FISH THE SURF!!
Take West Beach out of Watsonville to the west until you hit the sand dune, then back up and park. No RSVP required, just show up with a smile on your face. Guests are welcome, so bring friends.
Let’s meet at 0620, the days are getting shorter with sunrise at 0640, so we can meet later than before. High tide will have been at 05:20.
Parking is just outside the State Park. I tend to pick State Park beaches among other things, because there is a shower there to wash the sand off and do a first rinse of your salt laden rods and reels.
If you haven’t been out in a long time or are new to the game, you might want to review the surf fishing article on our website www.santacruzflyfishing.org. It is under the “knowledge” drop down menu.
I will have extra flies and stripping baskets. We are almost out of the baskets I make, there are maybe 5 left.
Everyone is welcome, so bring guests. See you Saturday, September 3 at 0620.
And BTW, yes we catch bigger fish than the one in the picture that Tom Bradley caught one day, but this perch was almost smaller than the fly he hit. Dreams of grandeur I suppose.
Posted on August 26th, 2022
Posted on August 25th, 2022
Hopefully, the 2022 Roster is going to the printer this week and maybe be available WED August 3. The Roster is also available in a pdf file now for those that would like an electronic version for their iphone or computer. Please email me @ robert6367 if interested in a hard copy or the electronic pdf file. We are also planning to add the Roster to Google Drive and it will be available online thru our website . Membership continues to grow with 2 new members a month and is @ 195 current members
Posted on July 25th, 2022
Our future fishing depends on conservation of our watersheds and shoreline. Looking forward, SCFF has provided scholarships to deserving seniors who will be majoring in Environmental Science while attending college. This year SCFF provided $200 scholarships to a deserving student at each of our eight local high schools. The recipients are: San Lorenzo H.S.- William Bowers (Point Loma University) Harbor H.S.- Shea Egan (Western Washington University) Watsonville H.S.- Wendolyn Garcia Flores (Cabrillo College) Aptos H.S.-Marissa Camacho (Cabrillo College) Pajaro Valley H.S.-Melissa Roman Fernandez (UC Berkeley) Santa Cruz H.S.-Rell Haywood (Cal Poly SLO) Soquel H.S.-Matt Levie (Cabrillo College) Scotts Valley H.S.- Jessica Hill Roddick (Cal Poly Humboldt)
Special recognition to : Bob Peterson (logistics), Presenters- Kevin Murdock, Kathy Powers, Sam Bishop and Tom Hogye, and treasurer Jim Tolonen
Posted on June 21st, 2022
Hi all,
I recently joined the club, and missed the June meeting so I hopped on the Google group to say hello and next thing I knew I was at a board meeting raising my hand to serve as the new Secretary. I’m not sure exactly what happened but I’m definitely pointing fingers at Bob Peterson, Tom Hogye and Kathy Powers. 🙂 How can you say no to such a charming group? Kidding aside, I’m super excited to be a part of the club and looking forward to being involved.
I’m a bike industry nerd with a background in event marketing & project management. I grew up on the lower Westside of Santa Cruz and worked as a local bartender for a decade, so I’m pretty reliable for making a mean Bloody Mary too. I’m a lifelong lover of the outdoors but I’m brand, brand new to fly fishing – as green as you can get. I’m currently nose down in books, practicing casting and learning the basics, and having a great time making a fool of myself off the docks at Loch Lomond.
One of my long term goals is to learn surf casting as that’s such an accessible option in our area. I haven’t learned the double haul yet so I’ve got a long way to go.
Sadly I’ll be on a work trip during the August BBQ, but hope to meet many of you at the casting meet-ups and fly tying classes. I’ll be the overly enthusiastic one with the clear need for help.
All the best,
Emily Marriott
Editor’s Note: Don’t be shy, we would love to highlight you as a featured club member. If you are interested, take a look at Tom’s President’s note and send in a spotlight!
Posted on June 21st, 2022
Date: June 25, 2022
Time: 1:30 PM
Place: Jade Park, Capitola
Posted on
Where: Jade Park, Capitola
When: June 25th, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (beer thirty afterward?)
Bring your lawn chair, and fly rod to practice casting with other SCFF club members. Casual atmosphere with plenty of room for social distancing!
If you have any questions, please contact Tom Hogye. thomashogye@yahoo.com
Posted on April 22nd, 2022
Date: May 28, 2022
Time: 1:30 PM
Place: Jade Park, Capitola
Posted on
Where: Jade Park, Capitola
When: May 29th by, 2:00 – 3:30 pm (beer thirty afterward?)
Bring your lawn chair, and fly rod to practice casting with other SCFF club members. Casual atmosphere with plenty of room for social distancing!
Posted on April 22nd, 2022
Note from Stosh:
The lake was stingy with rewarding us after many hours on a ladder or chair or other this last week. Diligence and more time with the fly in the water always pays off with at least one fish a day instead of ‘skunkdom’. The fish you could see follow the fly and turn away, maybe flipping its tail at it or the fly hooking a side fin happened a lot (and counted as a fish landed) ?
A guide told me that they did not stock the lake the 2 years of C-19 and next year should be a lot better so there is always hope for the future fishing there. I caught all but one fish on a black midge with a white bead which was partially worn away and brassy and still catching fish, they only took the balanced leech on the lower hook one time. (more than fifteen).
Thanks to all who attended and let’s make it happen again next year. I only landed one fish stripping beetles and leeches. They call it ‘midging’ now.
Note from Scott:
This was my first time on the Pyramid trip and have a few thoughts to share for those who haven’t gone:
My suggestion is to get out of your comfort zone and throw yourself into the experience: Get up at 4:00 am and fish until 6:30 pm, Get on that ladder and howl back at the wind, Have a drink or five with your fellow club members. I think it is a wise life choice.
Posted on April 21st, 2022
Club needs a Monthly Newsletter Editor to replace Scott Kitayama who has volunteered to be Club President. Member should be interested in Club activities and web based communication. Scott will assist in training in the transition and it would be a great opportunity for any new member to be involved in all the club activities. Please contact me , or Scott at scottkitayama@gmail.com…650-279-5871
Membership is up to 180 dues paying members including 20 new members!
Posted on April 21st, 2022
If you enjoyed receiving items from Doug’s estate at the January and March club meetings, you will have the opportunity to do that again at both the April club meeting. His desire was that club members would have the opportunity to receive his fishing belongings . Some will be in raffles but those at the club meeting in April will be free for the taking. Donations will be welcomed if you so choose. The pictures show a lot of the items that will be up for grabs . The doors will open at 6 PM at the Grange and the meeting will start at 6:30. Don’t miss out come early to choose what you would like. The meeting will also be via zoom, so if you wish to come for some donated items and then go home to do a zoom meeting, that will be fine.
Posted on March 11th, 2022
Date: April 30, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: Jade Park, Capitola
Posted on
Where: Jade Park, Capitola
When: April 30th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm (beer thirty afterward?)
Bring your lawn chair, and fly rod to practice casting with other SCFF club members. Casual atmosphere with plenty of room for social distancing!
Posted on March 25th, 2022
After nearly 5 years of serving as President, Tom Hogye, will be stepping down at the end of 2022. I told the board that I would run for the President position in 2023 if we could find someone(s) to take over the newsletter. Please take a look and see if you or someone you know in the club is willing to help.
The Newsletter Editor is an SCFF Board Position that is responsible for acquiring, editing, and laying out the award-winning Santa Cruz Fly Fishing newsletter. The contents of the newsletter comes from other board members responsible for speakers, fly-tying, conservation, fish-outs, membership, as well as contribution from members at-large. The editing takes about 2-4 hours around around the 3rd weekend of the month. The Editor needs to be proficient with computers, email, and web-based word processors. Experience with WordPress is a plus.
The Online Content Publisher can also be a Board Position working closely with the Newsletter Editor to ensure the timely distribution of the monthly newsletter. The Publisher updates SCFF’s WordPress website to ensure the the monthly newsletter is available online. The publisher will also create and distribute the notification email to the membership with pertinent information such as speaker, raffle prizes and fly tying. Publishing is done around the 4th Wednesday of the month after completion of editing and takes 2-3 hours. The Publisher needs to be proficient as the Admin for WordPress or other website-building systems.
If you have any interest in helping, please contact Scott Kitayama at scottkitayama@gmail.com. BTW/ if you have a child or grandchild who is proficient with technologies, this might be a great activity to add to the resume.
Posted on March 26th, 2022
If you enjoyed receiving items from Doug’s estate at the January club meeting, you will have the opportunity to do that again at both the March and April club meetings. His desire was that club members would have the opportunity to receive his fishing belongings .More fishing items and fly tying materials will be available at the March and April club meetings.Some will be in raffles but those at the club meeting in March and April will be free for the taking. Donations will be welcomed if you so choose. The pictures show a lot of the items that will be up for grabs . The doors will open at 6 PM at the Grange and the meeting will start at 6:30. Don’t miss out come early to choose what you would like. The meeting will also be via zoom, so if you wish to come for some donated items and then go home to do a zoom meeting, that will be fine.
Posted on February 19th, 2022
Thoughts from Steve Rudzinski (Stosh)
Matt and I met at Pyramid Lake trailer #7 ‘the Animal House’. He shared a room with his good buddy Dougald Scott, (the Snoring chamber) would shake as a wall separating the bathroom was pretty thin. The mornings Matt liked making cheese on toasted bread in the oven, and the coffee pot was set to go off early before first light. Even at that time of day did not distract his natural smile and great humor.
We would fish nearby at Blockhouse beach waiting for that plastic ball to go under. Matt landed some fine fish and we all helped net them, I think of that place like the ‘senior citizens hole’. Good banter and when the fishing was hot…well it never got that hot.
Matt brought me eggs from his hens at home and his elk stews and venison dishes in years when the elk eluded him was always our group meal the first night after fishing. Wine and storytelling into the evening was fun and I enjoyed his sharp mind and humor and will miss him this year at the lake. See you on the other side of the veil, – Stosh
Thoughts from Dougald Scott
Our club lost a colorful member and good friend in February. Matt Murphy had been an SCFF member since 2008. He was easily recognized by his massive white mustache and jovial presence. At our annual dinners, he was known for buying massive numbers of raffle tickets with high hopes of a new float tube or fly rod, and then accepting his final winnings of a calendar or hat with good humor.
At Pyramid Lake fishouts, Matt was a fixture in Trailer 7, aka the “Animal House.” Cabin mates always looked forward to his wild-game dinners, especially his elk stew. He thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of all of the club members, especially at fishouts.
Matt had many stories to share from his rich life experiences. His early years were spent in Afghanistan, Hawaii, and Samoa. In Afghanistan, he expanded his love for the outdoors and spent most of his time hunting much needed wild game for the family’s table. For many years after high school in Davis, he was a white water guide on numerous rivers throughout the west. Later on he became a master craftsman and contractor building many fine houses.
Matt will be sorely missed, especially at the Pyramid Lake Fishouts.
Posted on February 19th, 2022
Club member Jim Black passed away recently. He was an adventurous fly fisherman, traveling the western US and the world . Jim had a strong affection for the club, assuming the presidency in 2017 due to the incumbent’s illness; however his tenure was short, as he faced his own medical problems. He was able to continue on the board as Programs Chair often coming up with great ideas and funding some himself. Unfortunately his illness interceded one again.
One year, I was meeting Jim, Tom Welle, his son-in-law, and a bunch of Tom’s brothers to fish Henderson Springs, a series of lakes east of Redding. Tom and Jim stopped at The Fly Shop to pick up some flies. Low and behold, Jim realized his rods and gear bag had been left behind.
Forgetting your fly rod; $500.
Remembering your reel and waders were in the bag; $300
Spending your son-in-laws 50th birthday with him and family; priceless.
We’ll miss you Jim.
Posted on February 23rd, 2022
Pat Murray, a dear club member of ours, passed away recently. She was introduced to the club in 2006 by long-term club member Gill Santos. You could find her at many club functions and fishouts ,and help at the annual fundraiser was much appreciated. On one particular memorable horse pack trip into Humphreys Basin in the High Sierra, she kept us entertained with her skills at playing bridge , which helped us deal with the cold rain and then corn snow which fell upon our tarps all day. The O’Neil Forbay was one of her frequent haunts. She really enjoyed catching those mighty Stripers. Thanks Gil for introducing us to Pat who was such a fun friend. – by Elaine Cook
Posted on February 17th, 2022
176 members have paid their 2022 dues as of the end of January. Although membership dues and donations are more than last year, they are less than the 2019 pre Covid level which included the annual fundraiser dinner. The Board will be reviewing the 2022 Budget on Feb 16th after all 2021 expenditures and revenues are finalized. 2022 Budget will be sent to members in March.
If members are not receiving the monthly newsletter, it may be included in their spam file, or members are using an alternate email to review the newsletter, or dues have not been paid for 2022. Please email me if there is a problem with the newsletter or googlegroups. Robert6367@aol.com
Posted on January 25th, 2022
We’ve received another donation to share with our club members. Ed Sacks is the person we thank for his thoughtfulness and generosity. He was a club member some years ago and remembers well shopping at Ernie’s. He no longer ties flies so offers us what he had. That includes a fly tying table with vise, light and magnifier. Watch for these on the free giveaway table at an upcoming, in person club meetings.
Posted on January 25th, 2022
We are on schedule to meet our membership dues budget and are hoping for additional donations in order to offset the loss from our annual fundraiser dinner. At the end of December 150 members have renewed their 2022 dues membership. In addition donations of $2,000 have exceeded the prior year by 50% and continues to grow with members support.
In February, we will have final 2021 revenue and expense figures and update our 2022 Budget. We still have 25 members who have not renewed and we will accept renewals at the January BBQ and for the balance of January. Email reminders will be sent in early January.
For those that have already renewed and donated online, THANK YOU
Posted on December 22nd, 2021
The club has had a great variety of Fishouts over the years. It’s planning time for 2022 and I’m encouraging you to think about planning one. It can be very simple or involved. And as fishmaster chairman, I’m here to help you with the decision to do one, choosing a plan, and guide you on how to organize the outing.
If you are hesitant, I would encourage something very simple. For example: making an announcement in the newsletter that includes, place, date and time, your name and contact info as fishmaster, type of fishing and equipment needed. Make it so sign ups are not needed, everyone is on their own for food and any fees required.
There is no need for you to be an expert in fishing that area and it is understood that you are not guaranteeing how good the fishing will be. It’s important to acquire basic information ahead of time, such as, how to get there, approximate driving time, any entrance fees, equipment inspections, PDF requirements, etc.
Please consider stepping up this year and help provide the opportunity for us to get together, have fun, find out about a new place to fish and the fishery, and learn from others. I’m waiting for your phone call. Please do call.
John Cook — fishmaster chairman. (831)688-1561. (831)234-6515
Posted on December 22nd, 2021
90 members have renewed 2021 dues for a total of $4,500 including $1,200 in donations averaging $50/member.
100 membership renewal letters have been mailed out to those members who have not yet responded. Deadline to be included in the 2022 roster is Dec 31st. Member names who have not responded will be deleted from the roster and Googlegroups.
We are on schedule to meet our membership dues budget and are hoping for additional donations in order to offset the $4,500 loss from our annual fundraiser dinner not being held for 2 years. With additional member contributions we could double our High School scholarships from $200 to $400/student, maintain our conservation project funding, and pay to restore the County Steelhead plaque on the San Lorenzo River damaged by vandalism with matching funds.
For those that have already renewed and donated online, THANK YOU
Posted on November 21st, 2021
In January, we’re going to be back at the Sherriff’s Posse Hall for another BBQ and our annual Club Members Photo Slide Show! Just a reminder for anyone that wants to include a photo(s) in the club’s annual slide show, please send the photos directly to me Thomaspolito12@gmail.com. Thanks!
Posted on November 24th, 2021
Just in time for Christmas, we are discounting some SCFF logo wear. This offer is only good if you are willing to pick up the items in the Aptos area. Take a look int the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Store.. After you purchase, you will coordinate a pick up place and time with Kevin Murdock.
 | SCCF Logo Tumbler | |
 | Trout Logo T-Shirt | |
 | Trout Logo Embroidered Hats |
Posted on November 24th, 2021
To date we have 170 members on the roster including 40 new online members since 2021 , which is almost 25% of the membership. For Oct and November we would like to encourage members to renew online at santacruzflyfishing.org/membership which has proven to be more efficient, accurate, and cost effective offsetting postage and printing costs. Members can still renew by check mailed to PO Box 2008, Santa Cruz, Calif 95023. In December, a renewal packet will be sent to those members who have not renewed online…last year over 50% of members renewed online. For those new members after July 1, 2021, will not need to renew for 2022.
Please contact me if you have questions or membership concerns….Robert6367@aol.com
Posted on October 21st, 2021
