As I sat drinking my delicious coffee on our third morning at Kennedy Meadows, I had all my Trout fly boxes out to look at what I had left that I’d want to throw at the fish the next couple of days. Everything tastes and feels better when you’re in the mountains, especially the coffee. As we fished hard the last few days, the rewards were great, but the sacrifices many. For me it as a few wear marks on my feet from wet wading in sandals, and the loss of flies I’d been doing so very well with.
I love the mornings up here, especially early before anyone else is awake. The only technology to behold was the lantern, the coffee pot and my fly boxes. No rushing to respond to anything. Just the contemplation of what will work next.
This trip was even nicer with the addition of some of our club members and good friends. Scott, Bob, Cecilia, Sophia, and Kathryn. The opportunity to fish together, laugh, eat, and chill by the campfire or coffee together in the morning. We are nominating Kathryn for both the Otter and Alligator award at our Annual Dinner in January. This gal out-fished all of us and carried the battle scars to prove it, first day getting a black eye, from a fall. The next day attempting to cause yours truly to pass out with a hook deep in her finger and that barb she thought was pinched, wasn’t completely, scaring all the bears in the forest as Cecilia tried to help with that pull it out quick with some leader looped around it trick. Then, after landing yet another sizeable fish in a challenging piece of water, decided to go for an early morning swim after nearly donating her rod and reel to the Stanislaus in homage to the fish she caught. The most beautiful spirit and super fun person, who would have stayed the duration if not for the untimely, but perhaps timely, passing of her father who would have wanted her to be fishing and to keep fishing when he departed – which she did, but then headed home as anyone would have done. I am so looking forward to next year already. What a blast we had.
Cecilia using a dry fly
Bob, Scott, Tom
Kathryn Y
A fly box can tell you a lot about yourself, or someone else. It’s not just a box that holds your flies. It could possibly be a reflection of you. At least that’s my observation as I stare into these somewhat organized but deliberate assortments within. Then there’s those other folks. You know; you’ve seen those meticulously organized boxes with dry flies, hoppers, nymphs, perfectly arranged by type, size, weight. Maybe six or more of the same flies all in a row, color coordinated, labeled on the outside, some even stacked in their own fly box holders, ready to be selectively stuffed into a vest depending upon what body of water is being fished. Hundreds of them. And I’m just talking trout boxes. If you’re like me, and you see these fly boxes in a raffle, scoop them up, and after a few years, they never look that way ever again!
My fly boxes are somewhat organized but are a scattered collection no less. Nymphs, attractors, dry fly, wet fly, fly flies and un-fly flies, all together. And while I may have originally had six or more all neat in a row, I’ve fished them, lost them, and usually replaced the empty spaces with different flies. And I don’t have just one box like this. They’re all that way. Probably because if I only had one box, I’d want it to cover top, sub-surface and dredging. Some are even flies I’ve acquired, but never used. Or flies I’ve used and purposely tried not to lose, an attempt to keep at least one of them in the box so I know to either tie some up on a cold rainy winter night or buy some at the next fly shop I visit. Some I’ve used just for teaching because they really look like the bugs they are imitating, or a frog, a mouse. Kid’s love to see that when you open the box and a fly is tied like a mouse – I guess it isn’t a “fly”, is it?!
I know all the flies in the boxes, which ones I’ve used where, and even remember fish they’ve caught. In the latest instance, I had these quite favorable BWO’s (Blue Wing Olive’s) with a trailing shuck for a tail. They were terrifically effective, and I felt they could catch a thousand fish. But I lost my last one on a fish this week, and I couldn’t tell you where in any of my fly boxes there was a space for one, let alone six of them in anymore but one size or two.
Your fly box is also a memory holder. When you open each one, a flood of memories embraces you – hopefully most of them good memories. If you’ve had that fly box for as long as you’ve been fly fishing, the box alone is a memory. You remember when you got it, why, from whom, and with all those flies, you remember the fish, the day, the experience casting that fly, the take, the play, landing that beautiful specimen, and its safe release back into the wild. The high-five you had with the friend with you, or the extraordinary gratitude you had for the gift, the peace and tranquility as you look at all the beauty around you.
No doubt the next time I see a Blue Winged Olive in my fly box, I’m going to remember this trip and especially those who were with us who made it most enjoyable.
See you Wednesday at the Barbeque and Swap Meet – Sherriff’s Posse Hall, Ocean Street Extension.
IMPORTANT: This class will be taught at the Aptos Grange. Masks will be OPTIONAL if you are vaccinated. NO ZOOM access.
The Fluke Fly is a smaller adaptation of a deceiver. It is tied with deceiver hackle and synthetic materials, on a light jig hook for snag resistance, a slow fall and easy castability. Fished on a floating line near shore or structure, it will sink near the bottom of a lake or pond (where the fish are?) and rise and fall as it is stripped back. The target is black bass and sunfish.
Contact Greg Foy to attend the class. greg@foyconstruction.com
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
There are many and patterns, most of which are hard to see on the surface of the water. Here is one with a nice white post. Ants are most effective mid summer on and are more available to fish on windy days. Add floatant and fish with drag free presentation. They are good on lakes as well.
HOOK: TMC 100 Sizes 12 to 16.
THREAD: Black 8/0. Attach mid shank OVER BODY: White Antron yarn
Attach Antron to back half of shank and extending to the rear of hook. Note: Antron pieces need to be long enough to go over rear back body and then up as post. REAR BODY: Black super fine dubbing and black permanent marking pen.
Dub a bulbous rear body up to mid shank, no further. Pull Antron snuggly over rear body and tie down. And attach Antron to top of shank with touching wraps forming a narrow mid body, about 1/4 of shank. Note: if tying a size 12 hook, additional touching thread wraps back to rear body then forward again. POST: Continuation of white Antron
Hold Antron upright. Make 4 to 5 thread wraps upward around Antron. Then make 4 to 5 wraps down to base.Make a couple of wraps in front of post to hold upright. HACKLE: grizzly barbs equal to 1 1/2 to 2 times hook gap
Prepare hackle by cutting off fuzzy end then cutting 4 to 5 barbs short at base of stem (crew cut).
Identify shiny dark side of hackle. Position on your side of hook, shiny side facing you, tip to rear, and crew cut at base of post. Tie in place in front and behind post. FORWARD BODY: Black super find dubbing. And some ants have a red forward body, so thread can be changed to red and red superfine dubbing used for this section.
Wrap a small bulbous forward body from eye back to midsection. HACKLE: same feather from above
Wrap thread behind post, then forward, then in front of post, then allow to hang on your side. Using hackle pliers, wrap hackle around base of post about four times , then allow to hang on your side. Bring thread up in front of hanging hackle till parallel to table. Wrap around post and under parachuted hackle about three times. Several half hitches behind hook eye. Cut thread. Cut excess hackle. Cut Antron so that it equals hook shank length. Push up on heckle from beneath hook to be sure it is parallel to table. Trim any barbs that hang below.
There is a dam on the Truckee River just upstream of Pyramid Lake near the town of Nixon. Numana Dam was built in 1971 to divert water from the river to be used by the Paiute Tribe for irrigation on their reservation. However, this dam was not originally constructed to allow the cui-ui fish to migrate up the Truckee toward Lake Tahoe to spawn. The cui-ui is an endangered fish only found in Pyramid Lake and the Truckee River.
In April the Interior Department approved $8.3 million to support Lahontan cutthroat and cui-ui recovery. The project will include installation of screens to allow the fish to move down to Pyramid and an underwater ramp to migrate up past the dam. For more information on this and how climate change is having a negative impact on fish populations in our rivers, go to the web page.
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
Do you want to spend a day celebrating fly fishing, our great California rivers, and spend time with friends and fellow advocates for our fisheries? This will be what YubaFest is all about. The Northern California Council, Fly Fishers International and our partners are organizing fun days of family focused education, learning, good food and music, and bringing our fishing community together to enjoy this wonderful River.
The event is Dedicated to the late Jon Baiocchi, our friend, fishing guide, and Yuba River advocate. Please come to celebrate Jon’s life and what he stood for. It will be a day of joy, music and fun.
The event will include:
Partner booths – NCCFFI, Cal Trout, TU, Gold Country Fly Fishers, and many other partners who advocate for fisheries & watersheds and enjoy fishing.
Learning opportunities –
Fly Fishing 101 – how to fly fish
How to fly cast – presenting the fly to fish
Participate in the FFI fly casting challenge – a skills test – bronze, silver levels
Entomology – what fish eat
How to create flies that catch fish – fly tying starter
Women in fly fishing (Women Connect)
Fishing the Yuba – how to catch the wild rainbows of the Yuba
Restoration work on the Yuba – SYRCL program to restore this great river
Water safety – rivers are dangerous – how to stay safe
Food & drinks available throughout the day, including a BBQ dinner on Saturday
Music – Afternoon fun music, and Karrie O’Neill, singer/song writer for the evening
Story teller to bring the history & glory of the region to a personal level
Special women’s programs for learning and taking fishing trips together
Sunday special on-the-water teaching and fishing opportunities with possible casting classes too
Raffle & auction of fly fishing “stuff” as well as other non-fishing items.
Times for the event are: Saturday 10 – 5:30 for learning and river activities, 6 – 9 for dinner, story telling, and music around the camp fire (if we can have it).
Location: Sycamore Ranch Park, 5390 State Hwy. 20, Browns Valley, CA. 95918,
Planning to travel and fish during Covid has been more challenging due to so many folks choosing an outdoor vacation experience. So we find timing of locations, and reservations a necessity. We so much prefer being nomads. Our first destination in Wyoming, a place we have been to many times, is a sweet lake that we have camped at and fished for many years. It always provides us with wonderful, powerful rainbow trout up to 22”. 2x tippet and 6 wt. rods are a necessity if you plan to land any. No reservations are available on BLM land so timing was imperative. RV and forest service reservation we made in route and arrival late on the 4th was perfect. A short wait and we hade the whole campground to ourselves. Few people fished the lake all week. What makes the lake even more special is that it’s catch and release and when we go a massive damsel hatch occurs. Adult damsel fly patterns are the ticket. The insects are crawling out and hatching all over your tube, and clothing as well on vegetation and the sandy shore. Adults are everywhere and in times in swarms where numerous males are in per suit of a few females. The pursuit is on, looking for backs and tails of sipping trout and getting a fly into their path and fooling them. Such fun! Now just to be different, John likes using big flies, so he wants the wind to come up which is when they will take something different. Well this year he decided to be ridiculous and use a mouse pattern. Oh my, it actually worked!!
The fish were mostly small, but the dozen fly fishers that came to Rio Del Mar on the Friday before the 4th of July holiday had a good time and most had hookups or fish. Afterwards a few of us had a social time at the Pixie Deli, known for its good breakfast burritos. Three members from the Salinas Club were happy to be with us too, including their President, Elizabeth McCarter (pictured). She and our own Emily Marriott were the damsels amongst us, trying the surf for the first time. Jeff Slaboden is moving to Florida, which is sad for us, because it is likely we won’t see him often for our local fishouts.
Elizabeth (Salinas Fly Fishers)Fred (Salinas Fly Fishers)
Tommy Polito and Scott Kitayama are leading up the August fish-out. Stay tuned for that one!
I think I missed a name or two, but here is the gang that went fishing: Peter Swarzenski, Gordon Cummings, Emily Marriott, Jeff Slaboden, Scott Kitayama, Josh Wilkens, Tommy Polito, Koney Eng, Sam Bishop and from the Salinas Club, Elizabeth McCarter, Wilson Taguinod and Fred Farias
Location: Upper Sacramento River with Potential McCloud River Side Trip Species: Trout Date / Duration: Tentatively March 14th – 16th, 3 Days
(Please contact the Fishmaster for further details as the Fishout is dependent on flows/conditions)
Cost: No Cost
Equipment:
Typical Trout Set Up 9′, 4-6wt Rods w/ Floating Lines Ideal
Euro Nymphing, and Trout Spey conditions availableNymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hairs Ear, Prince Nymph, Wooly Buggers, Perdigon, Copper Johns, Zebra Midge, Micro May, Golden Stones
Drys: Caddis Patterns 12-16, Upright wing vs. Emerges, Missing Link, Stone Flys, Parachute Adams, Comparaduns (various sizes 16-12)
Misc.: Soft Hackles, Streamers, Leaches
What To Expect:
This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring.
The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to. Come prepared with plenty of water to drink and expect to walk a fair amount. The river is made up of riffles, runs, pocket water, small holes, huge pools and undercuts.
Special Considerations:
In addition to this being a traditional Fishout, I propose that if there are any members of the club who are familiar with the Upper Sac. to volunteer as a mentor during the Fishout to those in the club with little to no experience. Groups of 2-3 novice anglers per mentor. This will help to add to the experience and allow others to get to know the river.
Food: DIY, with potential of potluck as details emerge
This is a private warm water lake in Watsonville. Surrounded by private residences and the Pajaro Rod & Gun Club. The club has gained access to the water thru the Rod and Gun Club. Bass and Crappie are the predominant species here.
Food:
Bring lunch
Fishmaster Contact info:
Scott Kitayama
650 279 5871
scottkitayama@gmail.com
Apr 18 : Rooster Comb Ranch
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Roostercomb Ranch
Private ranch pond fishing, located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, 22 miles off Hwy 152 from the entrance which is 5 miles from Casa de Fruta Restaurant in Hollister. It is a 3-day fun-filled weekend with fishing bass ponds
The ponds are primarily fished from float tubes or from the bank using woolly buggers and poppers. You can also bring conventional spin rods and gear.
Lodging and accommodation information will be updated (search Roostercomb in the top right search bar to learn about our past Fishouts here).
The terrain is rough, rocky and sometimes steep; therefore all vehicles MUST be 4-WD or AWD with good clearance to drive in and around the ranch! If you do not have a 4-WD vehicle, potential carpool arrangements with other members can be organized.
The Fishout has a 10 fisher minimum.
COST: $300 per person. 3 days and 2 nights at the ranch with accommodations (no single days)
Fishmaster: Cecilia Stipes – flyfishgal3@aol.com
Apr 26 : Green River – Utah
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Green River – Utah
Currently this trip is at maximum capacity.
For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster
It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club’s standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations.
Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee.
If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the rental. I’m counting on everyone on the list to send their payment and secure their place on the trip. If not all 14 people commit by payment, there will be a increased adjustment in the weekly fee for each angler since the rental cost is based on the number of people.
Matt Twissleman will be handling the food end of our trip. We discussed briefly a scenario of having three of the seven nights dinner meals be cooked and served as a group meal , and the other 4 nights you’ll be responsible for your own meals. So one of us or several of us will stop in Salt Lake City and stock up on provisions for these meals along with lunch makings. Breakfast will be up to the individual, whether they want to cook it or eat out. We will provide bagels and cream cheese as part of the group food. Matt’s email is included in the email list above. Please if you have any dietary restrictions advise him of specialty item possibly needed for your meals. The fee for food will be a separate fee calculated after our arrival at the fish out. If you intend to cook your own food, you’re welcome to use the kitchen, but keep in mind there are no grocery stores within 50 miles. So remember to stock up before you leave civilization! There are three different restaurants in the area.
There are many guide services available for the Green River float, along with raft rental. Over the next few weeks, we will provide a list of potential recommendations so you might want to book your float trips? There is plenty of access along this river for wading a 7 mile trail system along the A section of the river.
Elaine Cook has offered to hold a fly tying class especially for the Green and will provide patterns that will accommodate that time of year. There is a great fly shop Trout Creek Flyer https://troutcreekflies.com/
We will start an ongoing thread of emails to this group. I will start to suggest that you think about if you’re going to fly or drive. If you fly, you fly into Salt Lake City and you can rent a car and split the cost with another member or 2.. The drive time from Salt Lake is about 4 1/2 hours. Drive time from Santa Cruz is probably 14 1/2 or 15 hours.
A BUCKT LIST Fly Fishing Trip | Green River-Part 1
Pyramid Lake (Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Fishmaster: Mike White
Greetings fellow Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club Members
I have been leading the Pyramid Lake fishing trip for the past ten years. It has always been a remarkable fish out, and one of the best attended too. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome.
That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a long time guide on Pyramid. He went on the trip in early to mid June of 2024. They fished from float tubes, and with fly gear that was not the typical set up that we are accustomed to using to catch these big trout . Well he did extremely well and when he told me about his experience, it peaked my curiosity.
Jeff was kind enough to put me in touch with Rob Anderson. I had a good conversation with him and I think it is worth exploring a fish out with Rob in June of 2025. He can take out a max of 12 people on float tubes. It is $350 for two and a half days ($175.00 Deposit). The first day people arrive at a beach along the lake where Rob sets up a camp. This first day is really a prep day where the guides provide training on how to fish from your float tube for these big trout. You would be responsible for your own lodging whether you camp on the beach or go back to a hotel or stay at Pyramid Lodge. Rob provides breakfast and lunch for your $350 fee. We are currently planning on June 2, 3 and 4th. Also, each club member would be responsible for making their own reservation by contacting Rob and paying a deposit to him directly.
Contact Rob Anderson at 775 7421754 to make reservation.
Note: this fishout requires float tubes/kick boats. NOT provided by Rob Anderson. They, along with fins, waders, and PFDs, are the responsibility of each individual participant.
We are currently looking to book Rob to do a virtual presentation at either our January or February monthly meeting.
So this is a whole new deal. The old fish out would be replaced by this one. And it would be a different experience.
If you have any interest please contact me Mike White at 831 706-5556 or email at lumberguy73@hotmail.com
Ps. Jeff Goyertte and a few other club members went on Rob Anderson’s float tube trip to Pyramid in early October. They did not have good success on that trip. The conditions were not ideal with water temperatures higher than usual. That probably contributed to the lack of catching fish that weekend.
General Lake / Shore Fishing Information:
Equipment: 6-9 weight rods with hi-speed, hi-D shooting heads or fast sink integrated lines to fish the bottom in 6 to 9 feet of water, and a floating line for indicator fishing. You should bring a stripping basket and a ladder that will accommodate it. A ladder helps to get you up out of the cold water and enables you to cast out to where the fish are. You can still catch fish without one but not with nearly as much consistency.
Flies: Woolly buggers in black, white, purple, olive, midge, caddis and mayfly nymphs to name a few. Flies may also available from club member Jim Hall who ties some very good flies specific to Pyramid cutthroat as well as other species at reason-able cost. His number is (831) 713-6835. There is a general store with provisions as well as tackle and an assortment of flies.
How to get there: Take US 80 to Reno-Sparks, take the Pyramid Blvd. off ramp and go north about 35 miles. Crosby Lodge is at Sutcliff, near the Ranger Station.If you have any questions about equipment or how to get there, check the “Gearing up” columns in the March 2007-2009 archives on our great club website, or call Mike White at (831) 706-5556.If you are considering going to Pyramid again this year with the club and you have not already done so, please contact the person who is booking the trailer you stayed in last year. Trailer-masters, if your trailer has gaps or cancellations, you can call Mike so he can pass the names of members who don’t have lodging to fill the empty spots.
Fishing, Camping, and New Ladder Regulation: Fishing and camping permits can be purchased online prior to the fish-out. We would highly recommend doing this. Go to www.plpt.nsn.us to obtain your licenses. There is also an RV Park available at (775) 476-1155.Pyramid Lake Fishout, March 15th-21st, 2020
As with any great fishery there are always a long list of rules and regulations. We would recommend you review them on the website above. Suffice to say those of us who have been go-ing to Pyramid Lake for many years are a good source of infor-mation as well. We will help inform and guide all newcomers.
15.6 USE OF LADDERS, ETC.Any ladders, milk crates, boxes or other objects used in the water as a fishing aid must be occupied or closely attended (i.e. remain in the area) by fishermen at all times. Any person who leaves such objects unoccupied in the water for more than one hour will be deemed guilty of littering. 15.6.1 Fishing aids described above must have a permanent tag affixed that has the name, address, and phone number of the owner of the fishing aid. If the permitted angler using the fishing aid is not the owner, the owner will be the responsible party for any infractions by the permitted angler.
Last year I observed people parked closer than 100 feet to the lake. I asked several of them about it, and the response was the Rangers weren’t enforcing it. This prompted me to contact the lead Ranger by phone. He said, “We are most definitely going to enforce the 100-foot ordinance!” So, when parking your vehicle, you must be a minimum of 100 feet from the lake’s water line. Also, you need a permanent tag affixed to your ladder with your name, address, and phone number on it. Most of us who use fiberglass ladders use a heavy black magic marker to write the necessary information directly on the ladder. There are also tags which can be purchased from local fly shops, for a fee.
Pyramid Lake Lodge at (775) 476-0400
NOTE: Due to insurance regulations, all attendees must be paid up members of Santa Cruz Fly fishermen, so get your member-ship paid up if you haven’t done so yet.
Jun 20 : Burney and Around
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned
Fishmaster:
Alex Ferber
Location:
Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area
Species:
Trout
Duration:
3 Days
Cost:
No Cost
Meet Up:
Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions
Hat Creek Park off Hy 299 (See the map below). The park is approximately 10 minutes from the highway 299/80 junction. The park is on the left hand side going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up.
This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster Alex Ferber. Here he will be discussing the local fishery, access points, general information and answering any questions you might have about making this a successful outing.
Meeting time to be updated as we get closer
Equipment:
Typical Trout Set Up 9′, 4-6wt Rods w/ Floating Lines Ideal
Euro Nymphing, and Trout Spey conditions available
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hairs Ear, Prince Nymph, Wooly Buggers, Perdigon, Copper Johns, Zebra Midge, Micro May, Golden Stones
Drys: Caddis Patterns 12-16, Upright wing vs. Emerges, Missing Link, Stone Flys, Parachute Adams, Comparaduns (various sizes 16-12)
Misc.: Soft Hackles, Streamers, Leaches
What To Expect:
This Fishout is DIY Fishout with your Fishmaster acting as a resource person helping with any questions regarding where to fish, access, use of personal watercraft, fishery history, etc. Depending on interest there is potential of a pre Fishout presentation (TBD) and or tour of any one of the local areas with the most interest.
More information to be updated as interest develops. Please contact the Fishmaster if you are interested in attending.
Local Waters:
Hat Creek: Spring creek with plenty of easy access, walk and wading. There are 3 distict sections from the Power House Riffle, to The Lower Freestone Section. There are an abundence of hatches year round and daily from mayflies, caddis, and stone flies with the potential of a trico or green drake hatch.
Burney Creek: Spring creek with access around the McArthur Burney Falls State Park. The waterfall is a must see. This is great water for a dry/dropper set up as well as traditional dry and nymph fishing. Above the falls the creek is stocked and below the fish are wild.
Pit River: Classic tailwater freestone fishery. This river is known for its hard fighting wild rainbows. There is great walk and wade access but the terrain is difficult with large snot covered bowling balls covering the river bed. Those with strong wading skills and a stout wading stick only need apply. The river is broken up by multiple power houses each with their own characters. Primary a nymphing river either by indicator or tight line. Rubber legs and dark lords and lots of weight (bring lots of both).
BaumLake: Stocked and great for a small float tube or kayak. Excellent dry fly and streamer fishing.
Lake Britton: Primarily a motorized boat lake. Warm water fishery with small mouth bass, and potential for bull trout.
Ahjumawi / Big Lake Lava Springs State Park: Launch at “Rat Farm”
Fall River: Iconic spring creek with an abundance of large wild rainbows. No shore access. Non motorized boats can be launched at the Cal Trout public access or a kayak/motor boat at the “Rat Farm” (Big Lake/Ahjjumawi launch). Awesome dry fly, streamer and indicator fishing.
Lodging:
Camping – Too many to list, this is an outdoors paridise with options from unimproved to glamping. Plenty of places for RV hookups and KOA camping
Hotels & Motels: Various options available in the Burney area
Burney Sporting Goods – 37427 CA-299, Burney, CA 96013
Jul 07 : Loreto Fly Fishing Trip
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Loreto Mexico
Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed
The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about.
The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person,double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. –
It does not include meals because there are some nice restaurants (A lot of fresh seafood!) in town or if you prefer, eat at the hotel, where they will also cook your catch to your preference. Interested?
Please contact Rich Hughett, 831-757-5709, for all the details. You will need to book airline flights* as soon as possible.
*No money will be collected in advance. Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines from San Jose to Los Angeles and Alaska Airlines to Loreto. Rich will help with your airline reservations.
Gear: The minimum size rod for Dorado is a 10 weight, with a corresponding size reel with plenty of backing. I suggest everyone take floating, intermediate and full sink lines, such as T-14. Most fish down there are not leader shy, so I use about a 5 foot leader with a 20 pound tippet. For Dorado, the main fly is a Sarmulmac. Clousers also work. In fact a variety of flies work for salt water fish, as long as they represent a smaller baitfish.
Notes: Further discussion of dates, gear and preparations to be had as interest develops
Sep 20 : Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4th
Mammoth Lakes (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: John Cook fishmaster-- (831)688-1561 or (831)234-6515
Sign Ups: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout.
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 20 – Sept 27 . Week 2: Sept 27 – Oct 4.
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.
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.
Oct 16 : O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 17-20th
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.
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!
Oct 31 : Trinity River Fishout
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned
NOTE: Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip. After knowing how many people are interested, it will be easier to plan logistics (camping? motel?). You can text Alex at (831) 419-0564 or alex.ferber74@gmail.com. If you want to go on this trip, it is highly recommended to attend the Spey Classes.
The fishery:
Basically, this is a Steelhead Trip. There are some resident trout, including some really nice brown trout. I walk wade or float my raft, depending on the river conditions. I personally use a Spey rod to swing flies. Many people use indicators. There are a lot of walk in spots to explore. The river can be floated with rafts or drift boats. There is a shuttle service available.
Tackle:
Single hand rods, 7-8 wt rods, using floating lines with indicator set up. Typical flies used are Egg patterns, Copper John’s, Stonefly imitations like Rubberlegs, Dark Perdigons. Sizes ranging from Size 8-14.
Spey or Switch rods, usually 5-6 wt in the Fall, I use a 7 wt in the winter. Skagit or Scandi heads, with floating to heavy sink tips, depending on the river conditions and season. Flies that work well include leeches, intruders, HoBo Spey, Traditionals, as well as dry fly patterns ( Skaters) in the early Fall.
The River:
The Trinity River is located approx. 1 hr west of Redding on Hwy 299. Its a beautiful tailwater fishery, with flows controlled from the Lewiston Dam. This is where the hatchery can be found. It has many different faces, including some big water as it runs west. It meets up with the Klamath River on its journey to the ocean. It has an excellent run of both wild and hatchery fish, ranging from 5-7 #, with some larger fish in the +10-12 # range. There are fish in the system year round, but typically a push of fish starts in late September and peaks in late November, with a second run usually in late December- March. The fishing remained really good thru the end of March last season. It is very flow dependent and can run quite low in the Fall, with occasional bumps in flows when there is precipitation. It can blow out on occasion, but clears pretty fast.
Amenities:
Weaverville is the closest town, where there are good restaurants, motels and a really nice Holiday Market. It’s kind of the hub. There is an RV park in Weaverville, but no campsites.
Camping is available in Douglas City area as well as Junction City and further west on 299. The town of Douglas city doesn’t have much, other than a small mini mart. Indian Creek Lodge is a few miles east of Douglas City. The town of Lewiston is just below the Lewiston dam. It offers some camping and motels. There is a really nice motel west of Junction City (I believe it is called Steelhead Lodge?). It’s an excellent place to stay if one wishes to fish below Junction City.
Happy Summer – I hope you are getting out to do some fishing, hiking, exploring, resting, and taking good care of yourself wherever you are these days.
I just returned from a brief respite in the Eastern Sierra and while it was a plan to fish as much as I could, I was just happy to be away from the hustle and bustle of life’s daily activities, in remote wilderness with my best friend, and adventurer wife, Mona. While Mona is a pretty good fly-angler and loves the water, she’s also really engaged in finding minerals, crystals, and semiprecious stones when we’re out and about. I’m always just looking for gold. And no – haven’t found any yet. But it sure does take us to some of the most beautiful places in California.
I want all of you to know that this Newsletter is for you. Part of what makes this club so fun and such a terrific resource is all of YOU!
If you look on the website, you’ll see the Newsletter “button” and under that button, you’ll see a place where YOU – yes – YOU – can Submit an article, a photo, a short snippet of something about you, about fly-fishing, maybe even searching for gold! AND, you can add really cool things like pictures, just like I get to do every month. You can too!! It’s easy and we want to hear from you. Who knows, you might just be the next Norman MaClean, Steinbeck, David James Duncan, … or you might just be the member another member would love to hear from.
It’s easy. Go to the Newsletter Button -> Article Submission -> Submit Page. Don’t be scared – It won’t bite!
There really aren’t that many rules, just your name, email address, month you might want this published. It’s not necessary to write a note to the Newsletter editor, but if you want to – go ahead! You cannot make a mistake.
You do have to pick an Article Category. But don’t worry, if you make a mistake, we’ll fix it – easy.
Article Title – Be Creative! Or just be simple!
Author Byline – It’s really just your name. Or if you go by another name as a writer, then feel free to express yourself. I sometimes go by Brad Pitt! Or Pauly!
Article Text – Now this is maybe a bit tricky. I always type my note in a Word Document. I save it then “Select All” – copy and paste in to the “Article Text” area. Now you don’t have to do that, but it bears mentioning that if you are writing some really good stuff and think you might win a Pulitzer Prize or think it will then get published in Gray’s Journal or Fly-Fishing Magazine – you should save it as a Word document. If you don’t and your just typing free text in the Article Text field, and PG&E decides it’s time for a PSBS (Power Safety Bull…) and the power goes out. Well, there goes yer Pulitzer Prize. Or it’s like havin a Rogue River Steelhead on your line for about 15 seconds, long enough to get excited thinkin the God’s have just answered yer prayers, only to see the thing jump in the air and send yer Hobo Spey into the Stratosphere. Trust me. Save your stuff in Word, copy, and paste into the body of the Article Text. Oh, and don’t worry about all the Bold, Italics, Font, bullet stuff at the top. I never use that. Just copy and paste or if yer gutsy, free text in that space and go for it!
Saving in Word will also help you with your editing especially if you have a newer Word version that alerts you to all the spelling errors yer makin – like these I leave here intentionamentally.
Article Summary – you don’t really need one of these, but it’s okay to put something there – in the event you’re creating the next best seller and need a “Foreward” maybe stated as said by someone the likes of Brad Pitt. But not necessary.
Source – It’s pretty self explanatory. I never use it. Mostly because I’m not plagiarizing anyone – at least not that I know of!
Featured Photo – Now this is where I get excited! Every month I get to post another picture of myself, loving where I am, who I am with, and just plain love looking at pictures of me with other people I like in places I like to be. Okay – you guessed it – I just like lookin at pictures of me!
Okay – seriously. The photos should be saved somewhere on your computer, and it should be simple. Click on the “Choose File” button. Go to the folder where that beautiful photo is and “Select” it. You can add a simple caption. Easy – but not necessary.
Additional Photos – You can also “drag and drop” up to 6 more photos, that our illustrious editor will carefully place within the article.
Then “Submit” – and be patient – wait for your computer to catch up and that’s it! You are now officially a published author and potentially the next Pulitzer Prize winner!
It is much simpler than I’ve written – a short – hey we went fishing here, I had a great time, love the club and think Tom Hogye is the best …., put a couple photos in there and presto you’re in.
So next month I’m hoping I see a wonderful selection of work from all of you. Because without YOU, we would not be!
Grateful for all of you. Hogye
P.S. You can’t submit a President’s Line – until yer President!! 🙂 But it sure is fun when you can!
Jul 13 6:30 PM : Pat’s Tungston Bead Head Rubber Legs – JULY Fly tying
IMPORTANT: This class will be taught at the Aptos Grange. Masks will be OPTIONAL. NO ZOOM access.
The tungsten bead head Rubber Legs is a heavily weighted nymph pattern that makes a great point fly for a euro nymphing rig, and can also be used to sink an indicator rig deep into the water column. This fly imitates medium to large species of stoneflies—particularly skwalas, and can be tied in a variety of colors to imitate other species of stoneflies. Rubber Legs Patterns are generally used to target trout but can also be used to target black bass and other freshwater species. This is a particularly useful pattern for fishing the Yuba and Truckee rivers.
Contact Dar to attend the class. mendsandbends@gmail.com
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
This is a large fly that can target large brown trout or large mouth bass. These flies can be fished during the day but will prove most effective at night with both these types of fish. This fly can be tied in either brown or tan. The fly was designed by Brett Smith who you can find on YouTube. HOOK: Partridge D3ST size 4.
Crimp Barb. THREAD: Flad wax nylon. Brown or tan
Attach mid shank. Wrap back to above hook point. TAIL: Black rubber bracelet material that can be found at Walmart or hobby stores.
Using a 3 inch piece of material, tie in tip mid shank, while pulling a little on material, wrap back to above hook point. BODY: Brown or tan foam. 5 mm thick. Can be found in fly shops and hobby shops.
Cut a strip one half inch wide and 4-5 inches long. At one end cut a tapered, blunt point.
Apply Zap-A-Gap or similar glue to entire shank. Advance thread to two hook eye lengths behind eye. Position foam on top of shank, pointed end two eye lengths behind hook eye. Attach and spiral wrap, with only moderate tension (don’t compress), using about 6 spirals, back to tail. Hold foam upright to be sure it’s wrapped far enough back. There should be no thread wraps visible on tail. Spiral wrap thread forward in about six wraps up to two eye lengths behind eye.
LARGE KRYSTAL HACKLE – BROWN OR DUN
Return thread back to tail. Tie in hackle.. Advance thread up to two eye lengths behind eye. Wrap hackle forward using touching wraps and stroking fibers to the rear with each wrap. Tie off, cut access. Brush hackle to get out excess fibers. Stroke fibers out to each side so that they are in the same plane.
BODY continued:
Place glue on top rib of body. Pull on foam and bring it forward. Pinch it from side to side were thread hangs hold it for a minute. Make two snug thread wraps, then let glue set a little longer. Make several more thread wraps around neck. Brush hackle out to sides again.
ARTIC FOX: grey or tan.
Turn hook upside down. Cut hide side of arctic fox into peace 3/16 of an inch by 3/4 of an inch. Position hide against under side of body with one end at neck. Attach with several snug thread wraps. Apply glue to underside of body. Press hide down and hold until glue sets.
LEGS: Magnum Predator Legs -Grizzly Barred – Root Beer Colored or Dun.
turn hook right side up. Using two legs on each side, attached centers to neck area. Trim legs so that they extend a little beyond hook bend. Tie off behind Eye. Apply glue.
HEAD: Continuation of foam body.
Cut a blunted pointed head. See picture.
Finish by stroking hackle to rear.
This edition of Conservation Concerns is dedicated to Steve “Stosh” Rudzinski. A self-described “tree hugger” who contributed in so may ways to our club. He actively served the club in many roles including President, Conservation Chair, Fly Casting Master, Facilities Coordinator, Fishout Master—just to name a few. I had the pleasure of spending time with him caravanning up to Pyramid Lake at 4 AM, having a brew at Beer 30, shuttling buckets of steelhead fry on Bean Creek, sharing fish stories at over breakfast at the Cookhouse and sitting next to him at his favorite “spot” at Blockhouse. When you were at Blockhouse it was only right that you yield the “spot” to Stosh. Those of us who had an opportunity to fish with him came to appreciate his angling knowledge and curiosity in all things fishy. The guy could flat-out fish. Those of us who spent time with him got to experience his unique views on a wide range of subjects. But what I remember most about Stosh was his witty sense of humor and big heart. He always had time for people and liked to engage in conversation. And if you didn’t have a nickname, he would conjure up one! Thank you Stosh for all the good times. You are missed!
Your pal Bob Grababurrito.
NOTE:
SteveRudzinskiMemorial Celebration – July 6th / 12th Avenue Beach area – Santa Cruz- 5-7 P.M.
There will be a potluck on the beach coordinated by Steve’s daughter, Renee. If you are going, please let Tom Hogye (thomashogye@yahoo.com) know so that he can pass the information to Renee.
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
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!
We had a great turn out of ten fly fishermen on Saturday June 6. Almost everyone caught fish. This was way better than the month before when we were skunked! Here were the attendees, and it is always great to see those who show up so often. We were talking about getting up very early to go fishing and Greg Smith said “Once you get out here it is beautiful!”.
Greg Smith and Lance Boling from the Salinas Club, Mark Coor guest, Scott Kitayama, Jeff Zischke, Dennis Robbins “Newbie” to our club, Robert Eberle (the master catcher), Adam Altoff, Scott Councilman, Sam Bishop
Location: Upper Sacramento River with Potential McCloud River Side Trip Species: Trout Date / Duration: Tentatively March 14th – 16th, 3 Days
(Please contact the Fishmaster for further details as the Fishout is dependent on flows/conditions)
Cost: No Cost
Equipment:
Typical Trout Set Up 9′, 4-6wt Rods w/ Floating Lines Ideal
Euro Nymphing, and Trout Spey conditions availableNymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hairs Ear, Prince Nymph, Wooly Buggers, Perdigon, Copper Johns, Zebra Midge, Micro May, Golden Stones
Drys: Caddis Patterns 12-16, Upright wing vs. Emerges, Missing Link, Stone Flys, Parachute Adams, Comparaduns (various sizes 16-12)
Misc.: Soft Hackles, Streamers, Leaches
What To Expect:
This Fishout’s final date is still TBD and subject to river flows as we get closer to spring.
The upper Sac. has excellent access via. Hwy 5 and by walking the railway tracks. Euro/High Stick/Indicator Nymphing is the go to. Come prepared with plenty of water to drink and expect to walk a fair amount. The river is made up of riffles, runs, pocket water, small holes, huge pools and undercuts.
Special Considerations:
In addition to this being a traditional Fishout, I propose that if there are any members of the club who are familiar with the Upper Sac. to volunteer as a mentor during the Fishout to those in the club with little to no experience. Groups of 2-3 novice anglers per mentor. This will help to add to the experience and allow others to get to know the river.
Food: DIY, with potential of potluck as details emerge
This is a private warm water lake in Watsonville. Surrounded by private residences and the Pajaro Rod & Gun Club. The club has gained access to the water thru the Rod and Gun Club. Bass and Crappie are the predominant species here.
Food:
Bring lunch
Fishmaster Contact info:
Scott Kitayama
650 279 5871
scottkitayama@gmail.com
Apr 18 : Rooster Comb Ranch
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Roostercomb Ranch
Private ranch pond fishing, located adjacent to Henry Coe State Park, 22 miles off Hwy 152 from the entrance which is 5 miles from Casa de Fruta Restaurant in Hollister. It is a 3-day fun-filled weekend with fishing bass ponds
The ponds are primarily fished from float tubes or from the bank using woolly buggers and poppers. You can also bring conventional spin rods and gear.
Lodging and accommodation information will be updated (search Roostercomb in the top right search bar to learn about our past Fishouts here).
The terrain is rough, rocky and sometimes steep; therefore all vehicles MUST be 4-WD or AWD with good clearance to drive in and around the ranch! If you do not have a 4-WD vehicle, potential carpool arrangements with other members can be organized.
The Fishout has a 10 fisher minimum.
COST: $300 per person. 3 days and 2 nights at the ranch with accommodations (no single days)
Fishmaster: Cecilia Stipes – flyfishgal3@aol.com
Apr 26 : Green River – Utah
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Green River – Utah
Currently this trip is at maximum capacity.
For wait list options or updates, please contact the Fishmaster
It is necessary for us to pay upfront to reserve the accommodations. The club’s standard approach to this is for each angler to pay his individual portion of the rental fee for sleeping accommodations.
Each angler will be responsible for the weekly rate of $300. This is a nonrefundable fee.
If an angler decides not to attend, they are responsible to sell their portion to another angler or forfeit their portion of the rental. I’m counting on everyone on the list to send their payment and secure their place on the trip. If not all 14 people commit by payment, there will be a increased adjustment in the weekly fee for each angler since the rental cost is based on the number of people.
Matt Twissleman will be handling the food end of our trip. We discussed briefly a scenario of having three of the seven nights dinner meals be cooked and served as a group meal , and the other 4 nights you’ll be responsible for your own meals. So one of us or several of us will stop in Salt Lake City and stock up on provisions for these meals along with lunch makings. Breakfast will be up to the individual, whether they want to cook it or eat out. We will provide bagels and cream cheese as part of the group food. Matt’s email is included in the email list above. Please if you have any dietary restrictions advise him of specialty item possibly needed for your meals. The fee for food will be a separate fee calculated after our arrival at the fish out. If you intend to cook your own food, you’re welcome to use the kitchen, but keep in mind there are no grocery stores within 50 miles. So remember to stock up before you leave civilization! There are three different restaurants in the area.
There are many guide services available for the Green River float, along with raft rental. Over the next few weeks, we will provide a list of potential recommendations so you might want to book your float trips? There is plenty of access along this river for wading a 7 mile trail system along the A section of the river.
Elaine Cook has offered to hold a fly tying class especially for the Green and will provide patterns that will accommodate that time of year. There is a great fly shop Trout Creek Flyer https://troutcreekflies.com/
We will start an ongoing thread of emails to this group. I will start to suggest that you think about if you’re going to fly or drive. If you fly, you fly into Salt Lake City and you can rent a car and split the cost with another member or 2.. The drive time from Salt Lake is about 4 1/2 hours. Drive time from Santa Cruz is probably 14 1/2 or 15 hours.
A BUCKT LIST Fly Fishing Trip | Green River-Part 1
Pyramid Lake (Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Fishmaster: Mike White
Greetings fellow Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club Members
I have been leading the Pyramid Lake fishing trip for the past ten years. It has always been a remarkable fish out, and one of the best attended too. However the past three years have been very challenging and we have not caught very many fish and people have come away disappointed with the outcome.
That leads me to a new discovery about how to fish Pyramid Lake. Jeff Goyertte, a club member and our raffle coordinator took a trip to the lake and fished with Rob Anderson, a long time guide on Pyramid. He went on the trip in early to mid June of 2024. They fished from float tubes, and with fly gear that was not the typical set up that we are accustomed to using to catch these big trout . Well he did extremely well and when he told me about his experience, it peaked my curiosity.
Jeff was kind enough to put me in touch with Rob Anderson. I had a good conversation with him and I think it is worth exploring a fish out with Rob in June of 2025. He can take out a max of 12 people on float tubes. It is $350 for two and a half days ($175.00 Deposit). The first day people arrive at a beach along the lake where Rob sets up a camp. This first day is really a prep day where the guides provide training on how to fish from your float tube for these big trout. You would be responsible for your own lodging whether you camp on the beach or go back to a hotel or stay at Pyramid Lodge. Rob provides breakfast and lunch for your $350 fee. We are currently planning on June 2, 3 and 4th. Also, each club member would be responsible for making their own reservation by contacting Rob and paying a deposit to him directly.
Contact Rob Anderson at 775 7421754 to make reservation.
Note: this fishout requires float tubes/kick boats. NOT provided by Rob Anderson. They, along with fins, waders, and PFDs, are the responsibility of each individual participant.
We are currently looking to book Rob to do a virtual presentation at either our January or February monthly meeting.
So this is a whole new deal. The old fish out would be replaced by this one. And it would be a different experience.
If you have any interest please contact me Mike White at 831 706-5556 or email at lumberguy73@hotmail.com
Ps. Jeff Goyertte and a few other club members went on Rob Anderson’s float tube trip to Pyramid in early October. They did not have good success on that trip. The conditions were not ideal with water temperatures higher than usual. That probably contributed to the lack of catching fish that weekend.
General Lake / Shore Fishing Information:
Equipment: 6-9 weight rods with hi-speed, hi-D shooting heads or fast sink integrated lines to fish the bottom in 6 to 9 feet of water, and a floating line for indicator fishing. You should bring a stripping basket and a ladder that will accommodate it. A ladder helps to get you up out of the cold water and enables you to cast out to where the fish are. You can still catch fish without one but not with nearly as much consistency.
Flies: Woolly buggers in black, white, purple, olive, midge, caddis and mayfly nymphs to name a few. Flies may also available from club member Jim Hall who ties some very good flies specific to Pyramid cutthroat as well as other species at reason-able cost. His number is (831) 713-6835. There is a general store with provisions as well as tackle and an assortment of flies.
How to get there: Take US 80 to Reno-Sparks, take the Pyramid Blvd. off ramp and go north about 35 miles. Crosby Lodge is at Sutcliff, near the Ranger Station.If you have any questions about equipment or how to get there, check the “Gearing up” columns in the March 2007-2009 archives on our great club website, or call Mike White at (831) 706-5556.If you are considering going to Pyramid again this year with the club and you have not already done so, please contact the person who is booking the trailer you stayed in last year. Trailer-masters, if your trailer has gaps or cancellations, you can call Mike so he can pass the names of members who don’t have lodging to fill the empty spots.
Fishing, Camping, and New Ladder Regulation: Fishing and camping permits can be purchased online prior to the fish-out. We would highly recommend doing this. Go to www.plpt.nsn.us to obtain your licenses. There is also an RV Park available at (775) 476-1155.Pyramid Lake Fishout, March 15th-21st, 2020
As with any great fishery there are always a long list of rules and regulations. We would recommend you review them on the website above. Suffice to say those of us who have been go-ing to Pyramid Lake for many years are a good source of infor-mation as well. We will help inform and guide all newcomers.
15.6 USE OF LADDERS, ETC.Any ladders, milk crates, boxes or other objects used in the water as a fishing aid must be occupied or closely attended (i.e. remain in the area) by fishermen at all times. Any person who leaves such objects unoccupied in the water for more than one hour will be deemed guilty of littering. 15.6.1 Fishing aids described above must have a permanent tag affixed that has the name, address, and phone number of the owner of the fishing aid. If the permitted angler using the fishing aid is not the owner, the owner will be the responsible party for any infractions by the permitted angler.
Last year I observed people parked closer than 100 feet to the lake. I asked several of them about it, and the response was the Rangers weren’t enforcing it. This prompted me to contact the lead Ranger by phone. He said, “We are most definitely going to enforce the 100-foot ordinance!” So, when parking your vehicle, you must be a minimum of 100 feet from the lake’s water line. Also, you need a permanent tag affixed to your ladder with your name, address, and phone number on it. Most of us who use fiberglass ladders use a heavy black magic marker to write the necessary information directly on the ladder. There are also tags which can be purchased from local fly shops, for a fee.
Pyramid Lake Lodge at (775) 476-0400
NOTE: Due to insurance regulations, all attendees must be paid up members of Santa Cruz Fly fishermen, so get your member-ship paid up if you haven’t done so yet.
Jun 20 : Burney and Around
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned
Fishmaster:
Alex Ferber
Location:
Lakes, rivers and streams of the Burney area
Species:
Trout
Duration:
3 Days
Cost:
No Cost
Meet Up:
Date of Fishout TBD and subject to change due seasonal conditions
Hat Creek Park off Hy 299 (See the map below). The park is approximately 10 minutes from the highway 299/80 junction. The park is on the left hand side going east on 299. If you google Hat Creek Park, it should show up.
This meet up will be a general discussion with your Fishmaster Alex Ferber. Here he will be discussing the local fishery, access points, general information and answering any questions you might have about making this a successful outing.
Meeting time to be updated as we get closer
Equipment:
Typical Trout Set Up 9′, 4-6wt Rods w/ Floating Lines Ideal
Euro Nymphing, and Trout Spey conditions available
Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hairs Ear, Prince Nymph, Wooly Buggers, Perdigon, Copper Johns, Zebra Midge, Micro May, Golden Stones
Drys: Caddis Patterns 12-16, Upright wing vs. Emerges, Missing Link, Stone Flys, Parachute Adams, Comparaduns (various sizes 16-12)
Misc.: Soft Hackles, Streamers, Leaches
What To Expect:
This Fishout is DIY Fishout with your Fishmaster acting as a resource person helping with any questions regarding where to fish, access, use of personal watercraft, fishery history, etc. Depending on interest there is potential of a pre Fishout presentation (TBD) and or tour of any one of the local areas with the most interest.
More information to be updated as interest develops. Please contact the Fishmaster if you are interested in attending.
Local Waters:
Hat Creek: Spring creek with plenty of easy access, walk and wading. There are 3 distict sections from the Power House Riffle, to The Lower Freestone Section. There are an abundence of hatches year round and daily from mayflies, caddis, and stone flies with the potential of a trico or green drake hatch.
Burney Creek: Spring creek with access around the McArthur Burney Falls State Park. The waterfall is a must see. This is great water for a dry/dropper set up as well as traditional dry and nymph fishing. Above the falls the creek is stocked and below the fish are wild.
Pit River: Classic tailwater freestone fishery. This river is known for its hard fighting wild rainbows. There is great walk and wade access but the terrain is difficult with large snot covered bowling balls covering the river bed. Those with strong wading skills and a stout wading stick only need apply. The river is broken up by multiple power houses each with their own characters. Primary a nymphing river either by indicator or tight line. Rubber legs and dark lords and lots of weight (bring lots of both).
BaumLake: Stocked and great for a small float tube or kayak. Excellent dry fly and streamer fishing.
Lake Britton: Primarily a motorized boat lake. Warm water fishery with small mouth bass, and potential for bull trout.
Ahjumawi / Big Lake Lava Springs State Park: Launch at “Rat Farm”
Fall River: Iconic spring creek with an abundance of large wild rainbows. No shore access. Non motorized boats can be launched at the Cal Trout public access or a kayak/motor boat at the “Rat Farm” (Big Lake/Ahjjumawi launch). Awesome dry fly, streamer and indicator fishing.
Lodging:
Camping – Too many to list, this is an outdoors paridise with options from unimproved to glamping. Plenty of places for RV hookups and KOA camping
Hotels & Motels: Various options available in the Burney area
Burney Sporting Goods – 37427 CA-299, Burney, CA 96013
Jul 07 : Loreto Fly Fishing Trip
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Loreto Mexico
Details to be finalized and date to be confirmed
The fishing day starts around 6:00 a.m. and we usually get back to the harbor between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Spend the rest of the afternoon fishing from the beach, having a cool drink in the pool, exploring Loreto, or just sitting around telling some tall fish stories. And, you will have many exciting moments on the Sea of Cortez to talk about.
The approximate cost for everything but meals and airfare is: *$995.00 per person,double occupancy; around $460.00 for a non-fishing guest. –
It does not include meals because there are some nice restaurants (A lot of fresh seafood!) in town or if you prefer, eat at the hotel, where they will also cook your catch to your preference. Interested?
Please contact Rich Hughett, 831-757-5709, for all the details. You will need to book airline flights* as soon as possible.
*No money will be collected in advance. Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines from San Jose to Los Angeles and Alaska Airlines to Loreto. Rich will help with your airline reservations.
Gear: The minimum size rod for Dorado is a 10 weight, with a corresponding size reel with plenty of backing. I suggest everyone take floating, intermediate and full sink lines, such as T-14. Most fish down there are not leader shy, so I use about a 5 foot leader with a 20 pound tippet. For Dorado, the main fly is a Sarmulmac. Clousers also work. In fact a variety of flies work for salt water fish, as long as they represent a smaller baitfish.
Notes: Further discussion of dates, gear and preparations to be had as interest develops
Sep 20 : Mammoth Fishout -Sept. 20-Oct. 4th
Mammoth Lakes (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: John Cook fishmaster-- (831)688-1561 or (831)234-6515
Sign Ups: As a reminder, it is important to sign up early or this Fishout.
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 20 – Sept 27 . Week 2: Sept 27 – Oct 4.
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.
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.
Oct 16 : O’Neill Forebay ‘Stosh’ Memorial Fishout October 17-20th
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.
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!
Oct 31 : Trinity River Fishout
(Click for address and map) Fishmaster:
Date and description subject to change due to seasonal conditions Please Stay Tuned
NOTE: Contact Alex Ferber if you are interested in going on the trip. After knowing how many people are interested, it will be easier to plan logistics (camping? motel?). You can text Alex at (831) 419-0564 or alex.ferber74@gmail.com. If you want to go on this trip, it is highly recommended to attend the Spey Classes.
The fishery:
Basically, this is a Steelhead Trip. There are some resident trout, including some really nice brown trout. I walk wade or float my raft, depending on the river conditions. I personally use a Spey rod to swing flies. Many people use indicators. There are a lot of walk in spots to explore. The river can be floated with rafts or drift boats. There is a shuttle service available.
Tackle:
Single hand rods, 7-8 wt rods, using floating lines with indicator set up. Typical flies used are Egg patterns, Copper John’s, Stonefly imitations like Rubberlegs, Dark Perdigons. Sizes ranging from Size 8-14.
Spey or Switch rods, usually 5-6 wt in the Fall, I use a 7 wt in the winter. Skagit or Scandi heads, with floating to heavy sink tips, depending on the river conditions and season. Flies that work well include leeches, intruders, HoBo Spey, Traditionals, as well as dry fly patterns ( Skaters) in the early Fall.
The River:
The Trinity River is located approx. 1 hr west of Redding on Hwy 299. Its a beautiful tailwater fishery, with flows controlled from the Lewiston Dam. This is where the hatchery can be found. It has many different faces, including some big water as it runs west. It meets up with the Klamath River on its journey to the ocean. It has an excellent run of both wild and hatchery fish, ranging from 5-7 #, with some larger fish in the +10-12 # range. There are fish in the system year round, but typically a push of fish starts in late September and peaks in late November, with a second run usually in late December- March. The fishing remained really good thru the end of March last season. It is very flow dependent and can run quite low in the Fall, with occasional bumps in flows when there is precipitation. It can blow out on occasion, but clears pretty fast.
Amenities:
Weaverville is the closest town, where there are good restaurants, motels and a really nice Holiday Market. It’s kind of the hub. There is an RV park in Weaverville, but no campsites.
Camping is available in Douglas City area as well as Junction City and further west on 299. The town of Douglas city doesn’t have much, other than a small mini mart. Indian Creek Lodge is a few miles east of Douglas City. The town of Lewiston is just below the Lewiston dam. It offers some camping and motels. There is a really nice motel west of Junction City (I believe it is called Steelhead Lodge?). It’s an excellent place to stay if one wishes to fish below Junction City.
Jun 01 6:30 PM : Striper Fishing on the Lower Sac with Hogan Brown
Growing up on the Lower Yuba River as an only child who had a bug collection and really liked catching fish with imitations of those bugs didn’t make Hogan the coolest kid growing up. Good thing he got over it and persevered. Deciding to start rowing a drift boat and guiding the lower Yuba instead of living in the woods bitter and resentful. Living in Chico, CA now Hogan guides for anything that swims, from trout to striped bass and carp to steelhead, he is at home in a drift boat or poling a mud flat for carp. Guiding the Lower Yuba River, Feather River, and Lower Sacramento River for stripers, trout, steelhead, shad, carp, and bass has made him one of the most versatile and experienced guides in Northern California. His trout, bass, carp, and striper flies have become staples in his home state of Northern California and throughout the West, and his patterns are currently sold through Rio Products and numerous fly shops. Hogan is a Scott Fly Rods, Lamson – Waterworks Reels, Stealth Craft Boats, Air Flo Fly Lines, and Echo Rods Pro along with being a Simms, and Costa Del Mar Sunglasses Ambassador. Hogan is also co-founder of the California Bass Union dedicated to Developing, Sharing, and Growing Fly Fishing for bass in his home state of California as well as the host for the Barbless fishing podcast. Hogan is also a connoisseur of fine ales and fermented grains, a home gardener, die-hard San Francisco Giants baseball and Notre Dame Football fan, along with being a husband and father to two young boys.
Future Speakers. Dates and speakers may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
As they say “June is busting out all over” and we say it’s time to get serious about fly fishing! To that end we have some great raffle prizes up for grabs.
How about a little change up in your game with your choice between two speciality rods.
How about a Spey rod to spice things up a bit? Think swinging flies on big Steelhead waters! This SalmonFly rod is 13ft 7in and rated as a 9/10 weight.
Or
Plan B, an Intouch competition 10ft 6in euro-nymph rod in 3 weight. Perfect for our Sierra trout streams
The winning ticket holder gets their pick.
Everybody needs an extra reel loaded with maybe an intermediate line or maybe a full sink line or some other specialty line that is needed to save the day. This Sougayilang machined aluminium reel in 5/6 weight will fill the bill. It is light weight with a large arbor and can be set up with either right or left hand retrieve.
Like the old TV commercial used to say”don’t go out without it”, don’t go wading on any of our trout streams without a sturdy wading staff. This ‘third leg’ not only helps keep you upright in the slippery rock streams, it also makes it easier to scramble down the bank to get to the stream. This collapsible staff comes with both a quiet rubber tip as well as a soft bottom basket tip along with a carabiner clip and neoprene belt sheath.
The fine print:
Raffle tickets are available for sale online up until noon on the day of the meeting June 1st. Click on this link to purchase tickets:
Tickets cost one dollar each, 20 bucks get you 25 tickets. The raffle will be held at the June 1st meeting at the Grange Hall in Aptos. Club membership not required, need not be present to win.
The absolute most difficult part of being President of this Club, especially after so many years getting to know so many of you, calling you family, friends, is when we lose someone to an untimely passing. This isn’t supposed to happen in a fly-fishing club – is it?
As many of you know already and by the extraordinary outpouring of your hearts on the club mail account is the untimely passing of our beloved Steve Rudzinski. So many of you described Steve and his character in the most beautiful of ways. A staple at the Pyramid Lake fish-out always rallying everyone together. A consistent O’Neil Forebay Fish-out master who would do everything to set up a successful adventure for everyone and especially newcomers, before he began catching is first fish – which he did very well. And the Casting classes he came up with on his own, that turned into one of the most successful monthly events and fun gatherings on the lawns at Jade Street Park. If there was an activity, an event, a gathering, at SCFF, or MBSTP, Steve was one of the first to volunteer. As many of you heard me say – we will never see a vapor trail ever the same way again, and I guess in a cool way, they will always remind me of Steve. And the UFO’s. How wonderful to be so transparent and so genuine. I really wanted to go bowling with him.
The ole saying is better to have loved and lost than never loved at all.
And so it goes. Until we meet again Steve, thank you for your heart and soul my friend.
June is upon us.
The fishing will be good, the summer hot, and plenty of comradery to be had with all at SCFF. I hope you have all you need to be fishing from the surf to the Sierra and beyond. Mona and I will be heading east to dabble in the Sierra rivers this weekend and I’m looking forward to that solace one finds out on the water, in the environ as natural, untouched, and far away as possible. If that’s possible.
These next couple of weeks, we’re handing out scholarships to the high-school students as part of our commitment to the future of the environment, fly-fishing and the club. Hopefully, these long-term investments will pay dividends for the benefit of our environment, even if it’s long after we’re gone, but hopefully sooner.
I saw a sign the other day that stated, “The planet was far better without us”. True. I hope as the future becomes more diverse, more aware of what we’ve done in the name of progress, those youth of today will shape tomorrow a bit better for the fish. If the fish can thrive, anything can. I’ve often said the fish are today’s canary in the coal mine. Sure, they aren’t all warm and cuddly like a puppy, cat or stuffed bear, but not much on the planet can survive if the fish aren’t here. Steve had his vapor trails and UFO’s; I have my beef with development and water. Oh well – Lani Waller once told me, we each have our fights and to keep fighting the good ones.
Our June meeting will be at the Grange and on Zoom. Yay! So much fun being back together and at the same time giving those who can’t make it to the grange, an opportunity to hang out with us, even if we’re still ironing out the bumps of making it all happen together. Come to the June meeting with a chance to see each other. As many of you know, we don’t have a July meeting because of the 4th of July week, and August will be our annual club BBQ, Swap Meet and Raffle again at the Sherriff’s Posse Hall.
Elaine is having fly-tying classes in person at the Grange, which is great, so check in and learn all you need to know about the foundation for tying flies at the vice, or vices for fly tiers! Materials are provided, check in with Elaine for any other particulars by class.
If you would like to be more involved with the club, come to a Board meeting. We have fun, don’t bite, and could use your help. Plenty of good opportunities to make a difference in the world, lead, be part of change, fun activities, and the opportunity to Promote, Educate and Enjoy the sport of fly fishing. If you’re interested, reach out to me, or any of our esteemed board members, we’d love to have you.
Lots of fishing opportunities in the Fish-Out schedule, but if you still don’t see what you’re looking for, be sure to use the Club Google group email and put out a few feelers where you might want to fish, what you want to fish for. You will get a wealth of information from your fellow members. Where to fish, what to fish with, when, … You might even find yourself with a few companions go to with you.
Get out there -have Fun. Make a new friend. Life is too short.
IMPORTANT: This class will be taught at the Aptos Grange. Masks will be OPTIONAL for this session. NO ZOOM access.
The Dali Lama is our go to fly on the Tsiu for silver salmon. It would work for steelhead or large trout. We will be tying 2 sizes one for salmon and a size 2 fo streamer fishing for trout. The salmon one uses a cut off hook in front with a stinger hook in back.
Contact John Steele to let him know that you will be attending: owlspad@icloud.com
Future tying classes. Dates and subject may change, please go to URL to see the current information.
CDC stands for cul-de-canard which is the butt feather of a duck. It has some interesting properties that will help the fly float without gel floatant. In fact gel floatant actually mashes down the barbs making the fly not float. Instead dress with a dry powdered floatsnt like Frog Fanny. When it becomes waterlogged, squeeze dry on clothing or a chamois. Then brush more Frog Fanny into the fibers. Don’t be concerned with the white fluffy appearance for it doesn’t seem to deter the fish at all.
HOOK: TMC 200 size 24-20. crimp Barb. Note: length of CDC feather will determine size of hook. See shuck below.
THREAD: 8/0 Color to match CDC NOTE: mayflies come in many colors. Some of the more common are gray, olive, tan, brown and cream. Attach thread behind eye. Wrap to above hook point with touching wraps.
SHUCK; CDC feather. Measure length of feather along stem were barbs protrude. Select a feather that is at least as long as the following as in the following chart. Longer is even better.
One and 3/4” for 14 hooks.
One and 1/2” for 16 hooks
One and 1/4” for 18 hooks
One inch for 20 hooks.
Stroke barbs toward tip of feather. Tie in on top of shank, tips hook length beyond thread, with three wraps. Carefully pull feather forward until shuck equals shank length. Lift butt and, wrapped thread to eye.
BODY: continuing with the same feather as above. Spiral wrap feather forward covering shank. Tie off with 2 wraps between barbs.
WING: using same feather as above, hold stem upright, stroke barbs backward. Make a loop with stem that extends to shuck. Tie off securely add eye. Cut excess. NOTE; loop will probably lean. Wrap thread head. Whip finish, cut thread. Do not use head cement or any glue. Stroke barbs backward. Cut them short at end of shuck.
Teams from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have begun relocating endangered winter-run Chinook salmon to upper Battle Creek and threatened spring-run Chinook salmon to Clear Creek. The last time this relocation took place was 110 years ago. The fish are being moved from the Sacramento River below Shasta and Keswick Dams. The hope is that the colder water in the new environment will support spawning conditions and increased egg survival. The lasting drought, higher water temperatures, thiamine deficiency, predators and other stressors have devastated the Chinook over the last two years in this region. For additional details, go to the website below.
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