We will NOT have a general meeting in July and won’t have another until September 4th. Until then, there are plenty of activities for you:
Have a great summer!
Posted on June 17th, 2024
Just spent a few minutes looking at old emails when I became the SCFF Newsletter editor back in April 2020. Covid19 was closing the world down and the SCFF board was trying to figure out if we would have an April meeting. The club had recently started working with a tech consultant, Vicki Winters, who was creating a new website for SCFF and we were wondering if our club members would be able to read the newsletter online and use something new called Google Groups.
It is amazing where we have all come in less than three years. Our newsletter is only available online, Google Groups lets us share information with each other all year, and the website has beautiful pictures due to your submissions to Jerry McKeon for our Instagram account.
As of now, the Newsletter Editor position is unfilled and Vicki Winters is stepping in as a consultant to make sure that we do not miss a month. In February, I will become the new President for SCFF and am excited to see how we can work together to improve our fishing club no matter what the future brings.
Happy New Year to us all! – Scott Kitayama
Posted on December 28th, 2022
mobile scrollable table
| EVENT NAME | EVENT DATE | SPECIES | FISH MASTER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Meadows / Sonora Pass – Fish-Out 2024 | Jul 21 - Jul 25 | Trout | Tom Hogye - Fishmaster (831) 214 7578 |
| Rio Del Mar State Beach Surf Fishout | Aug 03 | ||
| Manresa Beach | Sep 07 | Surf Perch, Stripers | Tommy Polito, Scott Kitayama |
| Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 21-Oct.5 | Sep 21 - Oct 05 | Trout | John Cook fishmaster-- (831)688-1561 or (831)234-6515 |
| O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout (Final Date TBD) | Oct 01 - Oct 04 | ||
| Last Surf Fishout of 2024! | Oct 05 |
Kennedy Meadows Resort & Pack Station / Baker & Deadman campground.
http://www.kennedymeadows.com. If you want to stay in a cabin, you should try to get a reservation now. 
The cabins generally roll over annually with returning guests from the previous year. The Hogye’s will be in Cabin 11. Rates range from $115 – 260 per night depending upon the size and number of rooms/beds. These are rustic cabins but have bathroom, shower, kitchen/kitchenettes depending on how big/small the cabin is. Team up!
Campgrounds immediately south of KM (1/2 a mile and 1 mile) are Deadman and Baker. They are recommended for anyone wanting to join us. Usually about $30.00 per site/per night. Some have a “golden pass” which is a sizable discount if you have that. The campgrounds are very nice and are pretty much right on the river. Mona and I have camped here for some 30 years! Yikes.
Beside fishing, the hiking and horse pack trips are available up to the reservoir which is a couple miles and 2,500 feet of elevation gain. KM sits at 6,300 feet in elevation. No internet, no cell signal. Be prepared to “disconnect” and reconnect with nature and peace of mind, completely. The lodge has a great comfort food restaurant, store, and yes, there is a bonified Saloon.
The Upper Meadow at KM is stunning. If you like to hike – the trails up to the Emigrant wilderness junction the PCT when you get ot 10,000 feet and Relief Reservoir is a great fishery at 8,800 feet.
The Middle-Fork of the Stanislaus River flows along highway 108 It is primarily a planted fishery with some “wild” fish. Excellent dry fly and wet fly fishing. Planted fish average10-12 inches, wild fish generally smaller, but pretty. Planted fish range from 12-21 inches.
Weather is generally excellent, chilly Sierra mornings great for coffee and a book, with wet wading afternoons in the 80’s.
We will have meals together, fish together or alone, hang out by the campfire. I just LOVE this place.
Reach Tom Hogye for any questions.
Santa Cruz Fly Fishing
831 / 214-7578 C
http://www.santacruzflyfishing.org
‘If we don’t save the planet – who’s gonna?’
Location: Rio Del Mar State Beach
Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers
Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety),
Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket
(If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online)
Single, double & triple fly rigs
Clousers to sand crabs
Directions: Take RDM Blvd all the way down to the flats (bottom), circle the round-about to the left and exit back along Beach Drive, drive half mile to the State Beach (aka Platform). DO NOT stop up by the round-about, be sure to continue on Beach Drive. Early in the morning the parking lot is closed, but there is plenty of parking outside.
| SURF FISHOUTS 2024 | Meeting Time (AM) | State Beach | Sunrise | Low tide | High tide | Moon | Tide flow | Fishmaster | |||
| MAY | 4th | Saturday | 5:55 | Rio Del Mar | 6:10 | LO 02:14 +1.1 | HI 07:58 AM +4.0 | New Jun 7 | Hi Flood to High Slack | Lance B | |
| JUNE* | 1st | Saturday | 5:35 | Beercan* | 5:50 | LO 01:12 +1.3 | HI 06:39 +3.4 | New Jun 6 | High Slack to Ebb | Sam | |
| JULY | 6th | Saturday | 5:40 | Palm | 5:56 | LO 06:03 -1.1 | HI 1:04 PM +3.7 | New Jul 5 | Low slack to Flood | Lance B | |
| AUGUST | 3rd | Saturday | 6:00 | Rio Del Mar | 6:15 | LO 05:05 -0.7 | HI 11:54 AM +3.8 | New Aug 4 | Low slack to Flood | Lance B | |
| SEPT | 7th | Saturday | 6:25 | Manresa | 6:44 | LO 07:04 +1.8 | HI 1:26 PM +4.6 | New Sep 2 | Low slack to low Flood | Sam | |
| OCT | 5th | Saturday | 6:50 | Palm | 7:06 | LO 05:50 + 2.1 | HI Noon +5.0 | New Oct 2 | Low Flood | Sam | |
| Notes:
Meet up times are scheduled 15 – 20 minutes before official sunrise. Locations/dates/times/Fishmasters might change, notifications on Google Groups. June 1st* Mike Lovejoy’s for breakfast after fishing: 115 Driftwood Ct., Aptos |
Contacts:
Sam Bishop sambishop@totlcom.com, 831-274-4024 Lance Boling <clboling@gmail.com> |
||||||||||
|
Locations |
Rio Del Mar State Beach – Google Map location for “Platform Beach” | ||||||||||
| Beercan Beach* – Enter 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos. Path & Stairs between Houses (See Notes) | |||||||||||
| Palm Beach – Pajaro Dunes, end of West Beach St. | |||||||||||
| Manresa State Beach – Google it, but parking may be on Ocean View Dr, 500 yards down the road | |||||||||||
Location: Manresa State Beach
Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers
Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety),
Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket
(If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online)
Single, double & triple fly rigs
Clousers to sand crabs
Directions: Take RDM Blvd all the way down to the flats (bottom), circle the round-about to the left and exit back along Beach Drive, drive half mile to the State Beach (aka Platform). DO NOT stop up by the round-about, be sure to continue on Beach Drive. Early in the morning the parking lot is closed, but there is plenty of parking outside.
| SURF FISHOUTS 2024 | Meeting Time (AM) | State Beach | Sunrise | Low tide | High tide | Moon | Tide flow | Fishmaster | |||
| MAY | 4th | Saturday | 5:55 | Rio Del Mar | 6:10 | LO 02:14 +1.1 | HI 07:58 AM +4.0 | New Jun 7 | Hi Flood to High Slack | Lance B | |
| JUNE* | 1st | Saturday | 5:35 | Beercan* | 5:50 | LO 01:12 +1.3 | HI 06:39 +3.4 | New Jun 6 | High Slack to Ebb | Sam | |
| JULY | 6th | Saturday | 5:40 | Palm | 5:56 | LO 06:03 -1.1 | HI 1:04 PM +3.7 | New Jul 5 | Low slack to Flood | Lance B | |
| AUGUST | 3rd | Saturday | 6:00 | Rio Del Mar | 6:15 | LO 05:05 -0.7 | HI 11:54 AM +3.8 | New Aug 4 | Low slack to Flood | Sam | |
| SEPT | 7th | Saturday | 6:25 | Manresa | 6:44 | LO 07:04 +1.8 | HI 1:26 PM +4.6 | New Sep 2 | Low slack to low Flood | Sam | |
| OCT | 5th | Saturday | 6:50 | Palm | 7:06 | LO 05:50 + 2.1 | HI Noon +5.0 | New Oct 2 | Low Flood | Sam | |
| Notes:
Meet up times are scheduled 15 – 20 minutes before official sunrise. Locations/dates/times/Fishmasters might change, notifications on Google Groups. June 1st* Mike Lovejoy’s for breakfast after fishing: 115 Driftwood Ct., Aptos |
Contacts:
Sam Bishop sambishop@totlcom.com, 831-274-4024 Lance Boling <clboling@gmail.com> |
||||||||||
|
Locations |
Rio Del Mar State Beach – Google Map location for “Platform Beach” | ||||||||||
| Beercan Beach* – Enter 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos. Path & Stairs between Houses (See Notes) | |||||||||||
| Palm Beach – Pajaro Dunes, end of West Beach St. | |||||||||||
| Manresa State Beach – Google it, but parking may be on Ocean View Dr, 500 yards down the road | |||||||||||
UPDATED – 4/24/2024 – Three spots open first week, second week is full.
Sign Ups: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout. Half of the spots have been filled.
Call John Cook letting him know which week, both or private room. Payment is required to secure our spot we need people to sign up as soon as possible. Should you need to cancel, you can find someone to take your place and get your money back.
Contact Ph # (831) 234-6515
Fishmasters: John & Elaine Cook
Dates: This Fishout will take place over two consecutive one-week periods. You may sign up for one or both weeks. Week 1: Sept 21 – Sept 28 . Week 2: Sept 28 – Oct 5.
Location: The town of Mammoth Lakes is located on the eastern side of the Sierra, 6 or 7 hours drive from Santa Cruz. There are many lakes and streams in the area to fish.
General: We will be staying in condominiums in the town of Mammoth Lakes. Condo has a lovely hot tub, so bring your suit. Two people per bedroom. Most people bring a sleeping bag to share queen size bed or a pad and sleeping bag to sleep on floor. A private room option is possible at an increased fee.
Cost: Shared single: $450/wk, $900/2 wks, Private room: $800/wk, $1,600/2 wks. Dinner guests: $20/meal
Food Preparation: Breakfast and lunch items will be purchased by the Fishmaster ahead of time. Each person will be assigned a Kitchen Day. On that day, tasks will include setting out breakfast and lunch items, store unused food, and preparing the evening meal and clean up afterwards. Each person will be assigned a dinner that you will need to purchase and prepare. You will then be reimbursed for the cost for the dinner.
Event: O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout
Date: Date to be updated as we get closer to October
(I will be looking for a weekend with a ‘skinny’ moon, less night feeding for the fish)
Target Gamefish: Striped Bass
Location: Medeiros Campground located on the Southern Shoreline of the O’Neill Forebay, access off of Santa Nella Blvd. (Highway 33)
Hosts: Kevin Murdock troutdock89@gmail.com
These are primitive campsites so bring your own water. There are tables, sun pavilions, and chemical toilets, or outhouses and fire rings. No open fires are allowed outside of the rings.
Typically we will be camping as close to site 29 as we can get. This is a first come, first serve campground, so no reservations are accepted. Float tubes can be launched near the campsites, but boats must be first inspected, then launched from the
San Luis Creek Boat launch. Boats may not be left on the lake overnight. Boaters would be wise to exit prior to the closing of the entry kiosk. The ranger can place a seal on your trailer, allowing you to bypass the inspection process the next morning.
The rangers at the kiosk by the Medeiros entrance may insist that your float tubes need inspection. make sure they’re clean & dry.
Equipment: 8wt rods with fast sinking lines. Some anglers will occasionally use a floating line with a ‘gurgler’ type fly
Flies: Lee Haskins San Luis smelt, ‘Deceiver’ type patterns in red, white, chartreuse, the aforementioned gurglers and poppers.
Float tubes (may require inspection for quagga mussels)
Fins, sunscreen, polarized glasses, life vest
Links:
https://mengsyn.com/ A fly-fishing addict who fishes San Luis Reservoir and the Forebay.
http://www.danblanton.com/ Long time local fishing guide.
https://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryDaily?s=Onf
There will be a signup sheet at our September meeting. We’ll also create a list for those hoping to participate in a pot luck in honor of Steve ‘Stosh’ Rudzinski.
Weather conditions can vary dramatically, so it would behoove members to check prior to departure. You could email me or just get conditions on-line. High winds can cause the lake to be closed to all vessels.
This is one of our nearest Fishouts, with the possible payoff of a double digit fish! Don’t miss out!
Location: Palm Beach
Target Species: Surf Perch and Stripers
Gear: 6-8wt. Rods with full sinking lines or shooting heads to match the rod. Polarized glasses (safety),
Mandatory Accessories: Wader Belt & Stripping Basket
(If a basket is needed, some maybe available to borrow or purchase. Please contact the Fishmaster ahead of time. Also there are many DIY Stripping Basket making tutorials online)
Single, double & triple fly rigs
Clousers to sand crabs
Directions: Take RDM Blvd all the way down to the flats (bottom), circle the round-about to the left and exit back along Beach Drive, drive half mile to the State Beach (aka Platform). DO NOT stop up by the round-about, be sure to continue on Beach Drive. Early in the morning the parking lot is closed, but there is plenty of parking outside.
| SURF FISHOUTS 2024 | Meeting Time (AM) | State Beach | Sunrise | Low tide | High tide | Moon | Tide flow | Fishmaster | |||
| MAY | 4th | Saturday | 5:55 | Rio Del Mar | 6:10 | LO 02:14 +1.1 | HI 07:58 AM +4.0 | New Jun 7 | Hi Flood to High Slack | Lance B | |
| JUNE* | 1st | Saturday | 5:35 | Beercan* | 5:50 | LO 01:12 +1.3 | HI 06:39 +3.4 | New Jun 6 | High Slack to Ebb | Sam | |
| JULY | 6th | Saturday | 5:40 | Palm | 5:56 | LO 06:03 -1.1 | HI 1:04 PM +3.7 | New Jul 5 | Low slack to Flood | Lance B | |
| AUGUST | 3rd | Saturday | 6:00 | Rio Del Mar | 6:15 | LO 05:05 -0.7 | HI 11:54 AM +3.8 | New Aug 4 | Low slack to Flood | Sam | |
| SEPT | 7th | Saturday | 6:25 | Manresa | 6:44 | LO 07:04 +1.8 | HI 1:26 PM +4.6 | New Sep 2 | Low slack to low Flood | Sam | |
| OCT | 5th | Saturday | 6:50 | Palm | 7:06 | LO 05:50 + 2.1 | HI Noon +5.0 | New Oct 2 | Low Flood | Sam | |
| Notes:
Meet up times are scheduled 15 – 20 minutes before official sunrise. Locations/dates/times/Fishmasters might change, notifications on Google Groups. June 1st* Mike Lovejoy’s for breakfast after fishing: 115 Driftwood Ct., Aptos |
Contacts:
Sam Bishop sambishop@totlcom.com, 831-274-4024 Lance Boling <clboling@gmail.com> |
||||||||||
|
Locations |
Rio Del Mar State Beach – Google Map location for “Platform Beach” | ||||||||||
| Beercan Beach* – Enter 1191 Via Palo Alto, Aptos. Path & Stairs between Houses (See Notes) | |||||||||||
| Palm Beach – Pajaro Dunes, end of West Beach St. | |||||||||||
| Manresa State Beach – Google it, but parking may be on Ocean View Dr, 500 yards down the road | |||||||||||
Posted on February 23rd, 2022
General Meeting……………………
April Vokey – Spey Casting for Steelhead
November Door Prize
President’s Line…………………….
Rain! Steelhead! April on November 2nd. December and January BBQ Slide Show
Fly Tying……………………
Bug Eye Nymph – Instructor: Dan Eaton
Kilowatt Fly
Conservation Concerns……………
Fish Handling–Best Practices
November River Cleanup Days
Membership Notes…………………
2022 Membership Renewal Oct/Nov/Online
A gift suggestion
Fishout Schedule…………………
Gone Fishing……………………….…
ForeBay FishOut results
Reel News……………………….…
Smith River now has a fisher Monitoring Program
Cartoon…………………………..…
Posted on October 29th, 2021
April Vokey will be talking about the British Columbia waters where she grew up chasing the salmon and steelhead migration that frequented BC’s coastal waters. She began her guiding career on the Fraser and Harrison rivers for sturgeon and salmon, but left after several season to found her own guiding operation, Fly Gal Ventures, in 2007 at age 24. The company was built on the basis of the promotion of education and encouragement to those who looked to chase their dreams. She has since established herself as a respected authority in the sport and has traveled the globe in pursuit of gamefish on a fly rod.
Her writing has appeared in numerous industry leading publications including Fly Fisherman, Fly Rod & Reel, and Fly Fusion magazines. In July 2012, April became the first fly angler to be featured in Outside magazine for their “XX-Factor” segment. She is in the process of authoring her first book.
Also a popular TV personality, April has been featured on the Outdoor Channel’s Buccaneers and Bones series, 60 Minutes Sports, The Steve Harvey show, Discovery Channel’s Refined, Discovery’s/OLN’s Close Up Kings, and WFN’s Fly Nation TV.
Most recently, Vokey proudly wrote and hosted her own exclusive series, ShoreLines with April Vokey, as shown on the World Fishing Network. The series focuses on fly-fishing’s rich history and the people it consists of. Feeling limited by airtime, she has since branched out with her podcast, Anchored with April Vokey, an uncensored series dedicated to archiving the stories and personalities from some of fly-fishing’s most influential people. The show is one of the only fishing podcasts solely recorded in a face to face environment where April ensures to ask questions apart from the norm. It evolved into Anchored Outdoors in January, 2020.
In 2013, April chose to pursue her passion for saltwater species (and a blue-eyed Aussie bloke), and therefore surrendered her Canadian winters for Australia’s & New Zealand’s summers. She now resides in Canada for six months of the year, and in Australia for the other six. Her dog, Colby, travels with her between countries, keeping her safe from grizzlies and kangaroos alike.
She is a FFF certified casting instructor, a fly-tying instructor, traveling speaker and an eternal student of life, love, and conservation. Please contact info@aprilvokey.com to enquire about bookings.
Future Speakers. Dates and speakers may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
| Monthly Speaker | Date | Excerpt |
|---|---|---|
| Gordon Tharrett – fishing the Green river in Utah | Dec 01 6:30 PM | Gordon Tharrett will be sharing with us the remarkable fly-fishing around Utah and the Green River, where what some of the members call “The 20/20 club” – a size 20″ trout on a size 20 fly” |
| Annual Slideshow | Jan 05 7:00 PM | 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. Submit your photos today to Tommy Polito thomaspolito12@gmail.com then come join us the first week of January – in person!!! |
Posted on October 28th, 2021
Posted on October 28th, 2021
This fly is my number one choice for bass subsurface. I normally use an intermediate sink line and trail this fly 24”-48” behind a green or black Woolybugger. I’ve also caught trout and Stripers using the same system. Use a slow retrieve . Don’t be without this fly!
Please call Dan Eaton at (831) 336-2933 to sign up and I’ll get your packet of material together for you at my front door. There is no charge for the class and all materials are provided except olive 8/0 and 6/0 thread. Or at least 8/0. If you need to borrow club thread, let me know. Beginners are welcome but you will have to contact Elaine Cook at (831)688-1561 well ahead of time to borrow vice , and tools.
If you would like to tune in to watch, that’s fine.
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
| Monthly Speaker | Date | Excerpt | |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Caddis | Dec 08 6:30 PM | – dry fly for trout – streams and lakes throughout the West – Olive 8/0 thread. | |
 | Red Bead Cone Head | Jan 12 6:30 PM | – large trout and bass – appropriate for Pyramid , Los Banos Creek Reservoir, Delta and like waters – black 6/0 thread |
Posted on October 28th, 2021
Posted on October 28th, 2021
Thank you for being a volunteer contributor to the award-winning Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Newsletter. Without effort and content from the membership, there would be no newsletter at all. Below is information to make it easy to get your article into the newsletter.
3rd Sunday of the month: Articles need to be submitted.
4th Wednesday of the month: Newsletter editor has reviewed all articles.
4th Friday of the month: Online and print newsletter is created.
Newsletter is sent out over the weekend.
Articles are submitted online at: https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/newsletter-submit/
There are specific fields in the form and below are explanations of what they are and what to do.
You can submit an article ahead of time and we will put it in the correct newsletter. If you do not indicate the month, we will put it in the next newsletter.
Please let us know if there is anything, we need to get your article to look correct on the online and print newsletter. For example, if you could not find a picture, you could describe what kind of picture you think would work best.
Helps us determine where to place the article. Take your best guess of where if it’s based on the categories below. (the editors reserve the right to move an article to another category).
Section | Description |
Monthly Meeting Program | Speaker info. |
Fly Tying Class | Information on the monthly fly-tying class. |
Fly of the Month | Instructions on how to tie a fly. |
President’s Line | Monthly musings from the club’s president. |
Reel News | Newsy items like upcoming fly shows, other organization fund raisers, lost and found, press releases of interest, reminders of getting fishing licenses at beginning of year, etc. |
Membership Notes | Information on new members, board update (i.e. treasurer’s update). |
Conservation Concerns | Information on conservation issues that affect fly fishing waters and fish stock. |
Gearing Up | Full description of the fish out and some information of what you need. |
Monthly Raffle | Items that will be raffled off at the next club meeting. |
Cartoon | Fishing funnies. |
Bait for Thought | Quotes. life lessons, and inspirational stories. |
Lifelines | Survival and safety tips. |
Recipe of the Month | Cooking recipe of interest to members. |
Fishy Tales | Letting the membership know about individual’s fishing trips. |
Gone Fishing | Reports from official club “fish out” trips. |
Cast of Thousands | items for sale, looking for items, free giveaways |
Catchy titles are best
Enter your name as you would like it to appear as the author byline in the newsletter. For example, “Conservation Director Jo Smith.”
This is where you paste in the story as simple text. Text bolding, underlining, font type and size will not be seen by the editors. If you want to have specific formatting, please let the editors know in the above field: “Notes to the editor”. Finally, please try and paste the article without a paragraph/carriage return at the end of the article.
We are trying to work around email length limitations imposed by Gmail. To allow all articles to appear in the email, we are limiting the email text of the article to the first 40 words OR a brief description of the article in less than 200 characters or about 40 words. This field is where you would put in your description. (Note: On Windows, I use a free text editor Notepad++ that counts characters as you type)
If the article submission is from another website, here is where you would enter the URL address.
Please try and include a photo/image for every article. The editors have been spending a lot of time trying to find an appropriate photo for the articles. I would be best if you could submit the article with an image. Here are some
More photos are great! May not use them all in the printed newsletter, but all of them in the online version. If the photo is supposed to be located next to specific paragraph, please let us know that in the field “Notes to the Editor”.
Again, thank you for making the SCFF newsletter a “must read” every month!
Posted on January 25th, 2021
