Information on new members, board update (i.e. treasurer’s update)
Its just about that time when my loved ones say, “I don’t know what to get him, he buys all the fishing stuff he wants when he wants.”
Maybe a hint would be for to look at the items from the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Store. For your holiday shopping, we are going to set up pickup in Aptos for the items. After you purchase, you will coordinate a pick up place and time with Kevin Murdock.
Or maybe if you can’t wait until Christmas, just buy some stuff yourself.
Posted on October 29th, 2021
Here are my notes with some of the fishing photography tips that pro photographer Brian O’Keefe shared at our June 2, 2021 SCFF meeting
He recommends the iPhone 11 or 12 to meet all of our fish pic needs. Specific notes regarding the use of those cameras are at the end of this piece.
CAMERA TIPS
REGARDING iPHONES:
Posted on September 16th, 2021
Saturday, October 2, Palm Beach – 0630 am
The Forebay fish-out Stosh organized is the second weekend of October, so I have moved our surf fish-out to the first Saturday in October (2nd) so everyone can participate in both.
Sunrise is at 07:04 and we will meet at 0640. High tide (+4.2’) is at 09:17, so we will fish a flood tide. Some people believe this is the best tide as the fish will be coming in to feed on critters untouched in the sand for several hours. I can’t personally say one way or the other, as I have caught fish in the surf at all stages of tide. It seems to be more a case of whether or not they see what I am offering and are they biting it?
I will have flies (free), stripping baskets ($20 to the Club) and brand new wading belts ($10 to repay my cost) available.
Getting there: Take West Beach out of Watsonville all the way towards the ocean until you are mired in the sand. You went just a bit too far, so back up your 4WD about 100 feet and park on the right under the Eucalyptus trees that drip and stain your vehicle when they are wet. (Hint: Wash it off right away when you get home.)
BTW, I like the State Beaches, because when you are done, there is a shower nearby to wash the sand off your waders and salt off your gear before heading home.
This is our last “organized” surf fish-out for 2021. Last month most everyone caught fish or had hook-ups. Let’s do it again!
Posted on September 21st, 2021
Last reminder for our annual FishOut at Medeiros Campground, O’Neill ForeBay. (we camp just west of the power lines in a group site with 4 or 5 separate campsites near each other. Look for our club banner and lots of float tubes on the shore or out fishing. Bring all float tube stuff, #7 or #8 wt rods with fast sinking line. Tie a short 6′ leader of 14-17 lb. test fluorocarbon which sinks better than Monofilament lines and has no stretch which makes better hook sets. We hope to have more flies for sale or bring your own clauser minnows with hook sizes #1, 1-0 and 2-0 and pinch the barbs for safety.
This is a remote style camping spot, we have 1 vault style toilet that is kept clean and there is no water available. Campers be sure to bring all the gear you need. There is a store about a mile away to get ice, beer etc. If this is your first time and need more info, call me at 831 462 4532 or email me at ssrudzinski@gmail.com. Anyone wanting to order flies, do this ASAP so I can get an order in, they will be $5. each.
Hope to see you there and lets hope for good weather and especially, good fishing.
Stosh
Posted on September 21st, 2021
Last year was the first time I ever caught a Striper on a fly and the first time I ever fished the O’Neill Forebay. I didn’t know many people in the club, tried fishing the Forebay on my own and wasn’t very successful. One reason I joined the club’s board was to selfishly meet people who would teach me how to fish the Forebay and other places. It worked. Now I would like to help other club members who would like to Striper fish this fall.
Over 30 new members have joined in the past year and if a new member (or old member) wants to try and fish the O’Neill Forebay during October 7-10 or November 4-7 fishout, send an email at scottkitayama@gmail.com. For those busy with family and work, a half-day will still be a good experience. Send me a note even if you don’t have a float tube or heavy rod and I’ll try and help you find equipment and someone experienced to fish with you.
Oh and by the way, you can always learn to fish by calling Tom to join the board, that works too. 😉
Posted on August 26th, 2021
Just a reminder that 2021 membership Rosters are still available. Just send me an email @ Robert6367@aol.com and I will put one in the mail. (Editors note: They are really nice!)
Posted on August 23rd, 2021
2021 Rosters will be available at the August 4th
BBQ…..Should you not be able to attend, email me @ robert6367@aol.com and I will mail one out to you.
Annual dinner volunteer needed to help set up online silent auction thru square and zoom. Can send me an email if you can provide technical assistance.
Posted on July 26th, 2021
While summer is in full swing, now is the time to take note of the help you receive on your flyfishing journey. Freeze in your mind each act, and then nominate the perpetrator for this year’s John Steele Award. Our Annual B-B-Q at the Sherriff’s Possee House would be a great place to drop off a ballot. Or just e-mail me at troutdock89@gmail.com
Posted on July 26th, 2021
mobile scrollable table
| Casting Class | Date | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Pick-up and Lay-down’ Casting | August 25, 2021 | Mark Trougott – Casting Intructor |
| ‘Review and Advanced’ Casting | September 22, 2021 | Mark Trougott – Casting Intructor |
Fishmaster: Mark Trougott – Casting Intructor
We had a very successful first class on July 28. Four club members, all experienced casters, attended, and we spent the full two hours working on perfecting the mechanics of the roll cast. The riverside site can comfortably accommodate up to six casters. In order to prevent any chance of overcrowding, I will maintain a sign-up list for future classes. If you would like to participate, send me an email at traugott@ucsc.edu, or call and leave a message at (831) 338-6056. I will send an email message providing all necessary details to those who sign up.
The August casting class will focus on the Pick-up and Lay-down (PULD) cast. This is the foundation for all overhead fly casting. This lesson will be geared primarily to beginner and novice fly casters, so no prior casting experience is assumed (though the ability to do a basic roll cast would be helpful.) The class will take place in Boulder Creek at 10 AM on Wednesday, August 25. This month’s general lesson plan is to conduct a very brief review of the roll cast (for those who attended the July class) followed by a systematic examination of the steps involved in a simple PULD cast. Time permitting, we will also cover the off-side PULD and false casting. Participants should plan to bring the rod of their choice, a matching reel, and a floating line (or contact me to see if I can arrange for loaner equipment.)
Beginning in September, my intention is to continue to devote the first half of the two-hour session to touching up novice casters’ mastery of the roll cast and PULD; and to orient the second hour to more advanced techniques appropriate for SCFF members who are experienced casters. Examples of this last sort of topic might include presentation casts (reach mends and curve casts that present the fly without spooking the fish); slipping line and hauling (single and double); or loop control (how and why to throw wide and narrow loops). If you have a specific topic in mind, please let me know by mid-August so I can incorporate the most frequently requested techniques into a lesson plan for the second hour of the September session.
The riverside site can comfortably accommodate up to six casters. In order to prevent any chance of overcrowding, I will maintain a sign-up list for future classes. If you would like to participate, send me an email at traugott@ucsc.edu, or call and leave a message at (831) 338-6056. I will send an email message providing all necessary details to those who sign up.
Posted on July 31st, 2021
Membership Rosters are now available by email request, or can be picked up on August 4th at the Sherriff Posse BBQ first monthly meeting of the year @ 1227 Ocean St Ext. Should you not be able to attend, or would like an electronic version, please send me an email @ robert6367@aol.com.
I would also like to thank Carly Blanchard for her technical assistance in formatting the Roster for final printing by Community Printing.
Posted on June 26th, 2021
Gillian Healey is from Aptos High
Maya Gipson graduated from San Lorenzo High
Posted on June 26th, 2021
Image from https://riverbum.com/blog/intro-to-fly-fishing-casting-with-the-roll-cast/
Beginner and novice fly casters who are interested in instruction in the roll cast, one of two foundational techniques in fly casting, should plan on attending a lesson that will take place in Boulder Creek at 10 AM on Wednesday, July 28. If you would like to participate, please contact me at 831-338-6056 or via email at traugott@ucsc.edu so that I can sign you up, give you directions, and discuss any equipment issues. The plan for July is for one hour of systematic group instruction followed by an additional hour of general practice and socializing. I am presuming that most participants will have their own rod, reel, and floating line. (A loaner rod or two may be available for those who do not have their own.) If there is sufficient interest, we could follow up in August with a similar session devoted to the “Pick-up and Lay-down” or basic overhead cast. More specialized techniques for experienced casters could become the focus of future sessions. It all depends on the level of member interest, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and let me know if you would like to participate.
Posted on June 26th, 2021
A little backstory on what inspired this particular cartoon:
* August 2-6 – Missouri River – Pat and John Steele
John and I hadn’t made long range plans for this trip, but fellow SCFF member Bob Peterson raved so much about how well the Missouri was fishing that we jumped on a plane and went. Bob was right, the rainbows were fat, feisty and hungry. We didn’t have any top-water dry fly action, (fishing was all subsurface with a sow bug and some little purple thing called a “two-bit hooker”) but what we did have was epic. There was no trouble catching fish, the problem was in landing them on teeny tiny hooks. I had to learn to keep my paws off the reel and just let them jump, gator-roll, head-shake and do all their shenanigans until they tired out enough for me to land them without breaking them off. We did the first day on the lake at Holter dam, the so-called “Land of the Giants”, and Captain John Hall and his jet-propelled boat put us onto more big fish than we had ever caught in one day.
The second day, we launched from Craig and did a river trip. Along about 11 AM, John had hooked a nice big rainbow, was bringing it up to the surface, when we felt wings flap over our heads, from the stern of the boat, and to our absolute amazement, saw an eagle snatch the hooked fish, line and all, and fly off with it! The eagle broke the fish off, flew with it up onto some old, unused railroad tracks, proceeded to stomp and peck at it to subdue it, then flew up into the cliffs above, to share it with some eaglets that were nested up there. I was too stunned to take photos or video of the event. Later, when we met with our outfitter, Ed Lawrence, he told us that the eagle is a repeat offender, that other people fishing at that very spot, have experienced the same theft. There is even a video on YouTube featuring the thieving eagle. For a short, unplanned trip, this junket proved to be productive, enjoyable, and surprising!
P.S.-On August 5th, the Mann Gulch Fire, which happened in 1949, was commemorated at the lake. Thirteen smokejumpers lost their lives in it, and there is a memorial to them at the lake. The story is told in a book, “Young Men and Fire”, by Norman McClean, who also wrote “A River Runs Through It.” It is a riveting, tragic tale, and anyone who visits this area should read the book.
Pat
Posted on May 25th, 2021
Hello fellow anglers. I hope you are doing well and have some fishing trips on the calendar. I hope your lines are tight, and your net is heavy. Hopefully you will be inspired by our speaker, Bill OKeefe, and want to show the world your much-improved fish picture. Let us help you share it with the world by emailing it to me at Metropolitantrout@gmail.com or text it to 831-588-4759,
If you have lots of pictures, give me a call and I can explain how to easily upload a lot of pictures.
Thanks! Jerry McKeon
Posted on May 22nd, 2021
Date: May 8
Time: 2 pm
Posted on
Stosh (Steve Rudzinski) will hosting a social casting practice at Jade Park in Capitola on Saturday, May 8th. There is no agenda, just be at Jade Park at 2 pm and stay as long as you would like. There will be novice casters and experienced casters to assist as desired.
We will have plenty of Club 5 weight rods there for practice too.
See you May 8th, 2 pm
Posted on April 27th, 2021
Date: March 6
Time: 2 pm
Posted onStosh (Steve Rudzinski) has sponsored a monthly social casting practice at Jade Park in Capitola the first Saturday of the month. He will be up at Pyramid Lake on March 6, so he “volunteered” me to coordinate. I am most happy to do that. There is no agenda, just be at Jade Park at 2 pm and stay as long as you would like. There will be novice casters and experienced casters to assist as desired. I will personally be happy to assist with the double haul and shooting head relationship.
Jerry McKeon (Social Media Chairman) will bring a drone and making some promotional videos. If you are in a witness protection program, better wear a good disguise or let us know you prefer not to be included. Rumor has it that there will be an after-casting event at Beer 30 to continue the occasion and tell fish stories.
We will have plenty of Club 5 weight rods there for practice too.
See you March 6, 2 pm
Posted on February 23rd, 2021
The 2021 draft membership roster of 150 members will be sent out by SCFF googlegroups for members to review their information on the spreadsheet before we print the roster. If you do not see your name, or there are corrections please email me robert6367@aol.com. Members who did not pay their 2021 dues were deleted from the roster..We are hoping to print the roster by mid March. Any member who has experience converting xcell to word to a mail merge file please contact me
Posted on February 23rd, 2021
I am happy to announce that we have reached our goal of 150 members for 2021, including 22 new members. Also a first, is 70% of members signed up, or renewed online through the new webpage. In addition we received over $2,500 in member donations for conservation and scholarships. The 2021 roster will be printed in March.
Posted on January 26th, 2021
Did you know that Kevin Systrom, founder of Instagram designed his app so that he could share fishing photos with his friends? Of course you didn’t because that’s completely untrue but in fact Instagram is an excellent tool for fly fishers. The club’s website and Facebook Accounts have their place and aren’t going anywhere, but they are not as elegant as Instagram is for those of us who prefer our mobile devices. I like to wake up before my wife and kids and head down to my quiet kitchen. Cup of coffee in one hand, iPhone in the other, I take in some content that’s all mine. Within 5 minutes I’m caught up on the photo rich content of the people I follow. A baseball writer, a few fly-tiers, a comedian and some interesting friends. It’s how I kick start my day with wonderful photos, short videos and inspiration of the things I’m passionate about. In truth, I’m average at best with technology but Instagram solves for that by being incredibly user friendly. It’s fun, it’s fast and it’s easy which has made it incredibly popular with today’s youth. For those of us not so young, we also see the value in it.
“SantaCruzFlyFishing” now has it’s own Instagram page and I hope you get a chance to visit and follow us. The page is currently in its nymphal stage but I see a lot of potential for it to help the club share our stoke of everything fly fishing with each other and future members alike.
If you have input on this tool, I welcome the feedback! Looking forward to getting to know you all better especially on the water, Jerry McKeon
Posted on January 28th, 2021
This is your last chance to nominate your candidate for our annual John Steele award.
You can submit your nomination by texting your V/P (Kevin Murdock) at
(831) 238-3037 or emailing to troutdock89@gmail.com
John has forever been a mainstay of our club, offering whatever help was needed to whoever needed it for the last 30 years. In that spirit, this award is presented to whoever has aided you on your fly fishing journey. You can vote as often as you need, to capture the spirit of your fishing gurus.Call or text me and let me know how they’ve helped you. You can nominate a member for each individual kind act.
Thanks
Kevin
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Purchase your SCFF swag on our new store. To access it, look for the menu item STORE on the top menu of www.santacruzflyfishing.org.
Posted on December 19th, 2020
As of the week before Christmas, we have 135 memberships, including 21 new members for 2021..We are hopeful to have 15 more renewals by the end of the year…Majority of the renewals have been online and 90% of new members were online….To date we have received over $2,500 for conservation and scholarships and a thank you to those members for their thoughtful donations.
Posted on December 24th, 2020
It’s now time to prepare for our Annual Santa Cruz Slideshow (Zoom Meeting on January 6th, 2021) and look forward to sharing last years Fishing Experiences with our entire club. As he did last year, Rich Rubin has graciously agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies for Our Slide Show.
Please submit your photos to Rich Rueben to richr@cruzio.com
Pictures should be emailed directly to Rich so he can save them to his iPad. Please don’t use Dropbox or other cloud based applications.
Posted on November 24th, 2020
More than half of all current members have renewed 2021 membership online https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/join/membership.
The balance of renewals (45) have been mailed out to members to be paid by check or online. To date, over $2,200 has 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 November 23rd, 2020
Just made available. SCFF Trout Logo on cotton hoodie with a full zipper. Small logo on front pocket only in sizes Small, Medium Large and Extra Large. Price is $59 which includes shipping. We are only going to inventory a few per size, so please buy and we will get it to you as soon as we can.
Posted on November 24th, 2020
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
Posted on September 25th, 2020
Welcome to the 13 new members who have joinede online since April. See this month’s print newsletter for their names and contact information.
Posted on September 25th, 2020
Several folks have been asking about our financials since this “stay at home Pandemic” showed up. So I thought the easiest way to communicate to all was a short article in the newsletter.
Basically we are in very good shape. As a “Non-Profit” we generally do not set out to make money every year, but through decades of carefully managing our inflows and outflows we have built up a reserve of cash to tide us through lean periods. Our cash currently stands at approximately $29,000. We had just finished our fiscal year on February 1, just after our successful annual fund-raiser dinner and raffle; and had our push for renewal of memberships through March. All that completed before this pandemic struck. So we were at a high point in our finances for the year.
As a brief overview, we usually have three sources of funds; the annual dinner itself (which raises about $2,500 net of all costs) , the big raffle and silent auction (which raises about $5,000 net of costs), and memberships and donations, (which raise about $6,500). This gives a total inflow of about $14-$15 thousand per year. Our total expenses for the year typically run about $14-$15 as well, including $3,000 in Conservation donations and $1,000 in scholarships. The other large items are Speakers, Hall rental, Printing (including our roster, fund raiser and thank you letters), postage, liability insurance, events, etc.
So, if we brought in zero new dollars, our current cash should last about two years. But the reality is that membership has continued to flow in, and even if we cannot have our normal January fund-raiser, it is still likely we can have some type of fundraiser later in next year. Also, some of our expenses have decreased. Speakers are charging less for ZOOM meetings because they do not have to travel. We have already paid our grange rental for the year, and that is being held, and we are thankfully not being charged for now, as we cannot use the facility; so we are building a credit for future use. The bulk of the new web site consulting work has been completed. Our 11 scholarship recipients have already been paid.
I hope that is helpful and comforting.
Having been frugal in the better times is allowing us to weather these lean times. I read somewhere that is usually a good plan. I believe Ben Franklin recommended that in Poor Richards Almanac.
Looking very forward when the fires abate, and Covid is behind us, and we can all meet at the Grange, or on the water, or …….
In the mean time, stay safe and fish on!
Posted on August 27th, 2020
With Covid-19 still upon us, the club is brainstorming ideas for how we can continue to connect our community while respecting social distance recommendations. We’d love to get each of your feedback and invite you to share any ideas you may have as well.
Use this link to go to the survey.
Posted on August 27th, 2020
