Finatical Flyfishing was created for women by women who have traveled and fished in Chile, Alaska, the Bahamas, Mexico, Cuba, the Seychelles, Belize, Christmas Island, Hawaii and throughout the continental United States. Our trips are built around knowledgeable, skilled, high quality guide operations and amazing locations; giving you the best trip for your precious days on the water
Most of us would probably agree that flyfishing adds a great deal to our lives. Travel and the communities flyfishing brings to us, strengthen our flyfishing skills and often other parts of our lives as well. Join us as we talk about the Henry’s Fork, international destinations and the trips offered by Finatical Flyfishing.
Bio
Stephanie Albano spent the bulk of her career at CARQUEST Auto Parts She held positions in national marketing, as Director of Distribution Center Operations and as a Financial Analyst. A mentor in Denver encouraged her to start Hatched Concepts which offers consulting and small business services. She launched Finatical Flyfishing in May of 2021.
Just when we thought things would be back to normal, the Covid crud creeps back into our lives. Kind of like when you spend an inordinate time painstakingly tying up the perfect indicator drift rig with multiple flies, split shot, and tippit only to have the whole mess tangled hopelessly fifteen feet off the ground on your first cast in the only tree within a quarter of you.
Anyway, we have the good news that we will have some great door prizes at the September Zoom meeting, everybody attending will get a free ticket!
We are in the process of revamping our regular monthly raffle to make it bigger and better when we start up our in person meetings. Stay tuned.
Instagram is going well and many thanks to those who have provided photos/videos. It’s been fun connecting in new ways and we have helped sign up 30 new members so far this year. Many of our new members listed “social media” as the way they found us. As you know, healthy membership sign ups bodes well for the club’s success so on behalf of SCFF, THANK YOU!
If you’re new to the club, welcome! You can find us on Instagram at SantaCruzFlyFishing or you can view that same content on our website SantaCruzFlyFishing.org.
With another season coming to an end, I’m asking for your help by sending me some of your favorite fishing photos/videos. For our next meeting on September 1st I’m going to raffle off a waterproof fly-box with a dozen trout flies.
How to get a raffle ticket:
Each fishing photo you e-mail or text me earns you a raffle ticket
Mona and I have been going to Kennedy Meadow’s fishing the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus for 30 years now. How I remember the old days! The Stan is where I saw my very first fly fishermen. Yep a couple of ole timers who were fishing the pocket water (I didn’t’ know it was called that back then) with some really tiny PT and Zug Bug nymphs. Mona and I were just kids, 27 and 25! We marveled at the peace these two fly anglers carried, casual, fulfilled. We wanted that.
As Mona and I started our annual trips there, it wasn’t just for the fishing. We met family there. We slowed down, and stopped all together. There was no such thing as a cell phone and we didn’t know words like – Wi-Fi, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or what an App was.
This last trip was our best fly-fishing experience in those thirty years. I suppose it’s because our 23- and 25-year-old children, who were practically born at Kennedy Meadows, are healthy, and because for the first time, Tommy hooked and landed at least 15 fish on dry flies and another 15 or more on nymph’s. And we were practically the only people on the water. Laughing. Taking it all in. Slowing down, stopping. Enjoying.
It isn’t and wasn’t always that way.
I remember the fires that nearly choked us out of our five days stay and the fire we missed altogether – thank God. I remember the thunderstorm that rolled in, flooded our tent and campsite in a matter of minutes, all while we ducked for cover from lighting that had shattered trees next to us. Or the seemingly perfect week, except for an ice dam break and filled the river with chalky white silt for that entire week. No fishing, no fish, not a one.
While we distinctly remember these days, we lose site of the many years where the fishing was good, or okay, but the trip itself with family and friends, the hiking and the beauty of the Sierra, left us with something far more beautiful to remember.
I’m remembering these days because I need to realize that even the worst days fishing, aren’t really that bad when we put things into perspective. When Covid disrupts our plans for a year, or maybe another 6 months, again, compared to thirty, ten or even five, it’s not that bad.
I was so looking forward to kicking off our September return to meeting together – like we’ve done for the last 43 plus years, without any consideration, except perhaps when the ’89 earth quake occurred. But Covid has dealt us another setback; so we won’t be meeting in person in September. At this point, I’m not even sure of October, but we will keep moving that direction and keep you informed.
We are going to have a super Zoom presentation, and I have some awesome speakers lined up for October, November and December– Spey Casting for Steelhead and a review of the Green River – for those of you planning 2022 outings. September is “fanatical fly-fishing” who is an adventure outdoors team specializing in some pretty fun fly-fishing destinations, techniques, tackle, and flies.
Thank you for all your help this year. Thank you for persevering with us throughout so much. Our mission and goals have remained – To Promote, Educate and Enjoy the Sport of Fly Fishing. And, as hard as it is to believe at this juncture, I’m optimistic about a good wet year ahead, the disappearance of Covid and a lot of fun to be had together, as we work hard return to normal!
It’s Striper time! This clouser pattern was supper productive at the O’Niel Forbay last fall. The club fishouts to the Forbay will start next month but don’t wait till then to give this one a try. This is a large fly so will be easy via Zoom as well as for beginners. Sign up by calling me at (831)688-1561 at least a couple days ahead to allow time for packets of materials to be assembled and you to pick up at my door. Thread will be flat wax nylon white, Monocord, or other very strong equivalent. You can borrow some. Beginners can also borrow vise and tools. To join in, go to the bar at the top of our newsletter and tap Zoom, then fly tying class.
This pattern can be used for stripers, pike, salmon, steelhead or ocean fish depending on size. These directions are approite for stripers. Use a fast sinking line and rapid long strips. The overall length of this fly should be about 3 1/2 “. This fly will turn upside down when fished.
Hook: Mustad 34007 size 1 1.Crimp Barb.
Thread: White very strong, ie: flat waxed nylon or monocord 1.Attach behind eye. 2.Touching wraps to mid shank then forward to one and half eye lengths behind eye.
Eyes: Lg. bead chain, cut in sets of 2 1.Attach to top of shank with many figure eight and circular wraps. 2.Apply Zap-A-Gap or similar glue. 3.Thread wraps to mid shank.
Upper Body: Red Bucktail 1.Cut clump from hide about size of wooden matchstick. 2.Pull out long fibers from tips and line up with others. 3. Cut butt ends at an angle 3 1/8 ” from tips. 4.Attach to top of shank behind barbells wrapping back to mid shank. 5.Repeat with a second clump. 6.Apply glue.
Mid Body: Mega Baitfish Emulator-pearl 1.Cut about 1/8″ of binding. 2.Attach strands behind barbells to top of shank tips at rear of fly.
Lateral Line: Neck grizzly hackle 1.Select 2 feathers, barbs equal to hook gap. 2.Cut stem 3″ from tip. 3.Cut about 10 barbs short on each side of butt end of stem forming a “crew cut”. Tie one “crew cut” in on each side of shank behind barbells.
Lower Body: white Bucktail 1.Repeat like upper body but only use 1 clump.
Thorax: red chenille-lg. 1.Strip fuzz off exposing threads. 2.Tie in threads. 3.Advance thread to barbells. 4.Wrap chenille forward. 5.Tie off, cut excess.
Hackle: Very webby Grizzly hackle with very playable barbs. 1.Select feather, barbs equal to 1 1/2 hook gap. 2.Cut off fuzzy end and prepare “crew cut”. 3.With dark side up, tip to rear, tie in “crew cut between barbells on top of chenille. 4.Stroke barbs to rear while wrapping hackle 3 times behind barbells. 5.Tie off, cut excess. 6.Moisten fingers, hold barbs back, make a couple thread wraps to hold them toward rear.
Head: Tying Thread 1.Make a number figure 8 wraps around barbells. 2. Form a small tapered nose infront of eyes. 3. Whip finish, cut thread. 4.Apply glue to nose and thread between barbells.
This link is the best one I have read to date and brings me up to date on this ancient and historic ‘fish channel’. The present dilemma is the timing of dam removal and the amount of mud and sediment that will fill and choke the lower river where the tribal fishermen can take an X number of pounds yearly, what they got this year is 1/3 and the fish are trapped in low warming water. The water behind Iron Gate dam is shallow and warm and the surface is covered in green algae, all to be flushed downstream. A careful dismantling and timing with the winter rains to flush out the sediment as quickly as possible and then wait for the river to heal itself again. We carefully un-do what was a bad idea in the first place.
Last year was the first time I ever caught a Striper on a fly and the first time I ever fished the O’Neill Forebay. I didn’t know many people in the club, tried fishing the Forebay on my own and wasn’t very successful. One reason I joined the club’s board was to selfishly meet people who would teach me how to fish the Forebay and other places. It worked. Now I would like to help other club members who would like to Striper fish this fall.
Over 30 new members have joined in the past year and if a new member (or old member) wants to try and fish the O’Neill Forebay during October 7-10 or November 4-7 fishout, send an email at scottkitayama@gmail.com. For those busy with family and work, a half-day will still be a good experience. Send me a note even if you don’t have a float tube or heavy rod and I’ll try and help you find equipment and someone experienced to fish with you.
Oh and by the way, you can always learn to fish by calling Tom to join the board, that works too. 😉
Just a reminder that 2021 membership Rosters are still available. Just send me an email @ Robert6367@aol.com and I will put one in the mail. (Editors note: They are really nice!)
Fishing in Montana, after over a year and a half’s absence from any fly fishing, was restorative. We came home exhausted, yet refreshed.
We began our five day trip in Bozeman, and fished the Yellowstone River, which, because of summertime low water and high water temperatures, was observing so-called “Hoot Owl” hours, restricting fishing to between 6 AM and 2 PM, in order to not over-stress the fish. We enjoyed catching many healthy, robust rainbows and browns, taking care to snap photos quickly and return the fish to the water as fast as possible.
The second day we were in Bozeman, the guide took us to the Madison River. We were a bit reluctant to fish there, as it has been historically very crowded with other boats, and the water at this time of year is pretty darn skimpy. We were pleasantly surprised to find it not too terribly crowded, and the water higher than we expected. The fishing was likewise much better than it has been in the past few years we’ve been there.
The third day we picked up a car and drove to Helena, and fished the following two days on the Missouri River. The first day there, we fished in a drift boat. We passed by the railroad tracks where the thieving eagle had stolen John’s hooked fish two years ago. I guess he/she wasn’t on duty this time. The population of nice, robust rainbows seems to be as good if not better than it has been in the past years.
The last day was the cherry on the sundae, as we fished from a power boat on the “Land of the Giants” part of the river, right above Holter Dam. The fish here are phenomenal, you have to resist the temptation to clamp down on your reel, or tighten your drag, you must be patient and let them take out line, jump, try to get tangled on the boat, and be strategic about how you go about landing them. They don’t get big by being stupid or meek.
The terminal tackle used in both places was sub-surface stuff, crawdad/shrimp imitations, with a dropper called a “Friskett”. In deeper water, a split shot was added to get the flies down. Chucking this rig isn’t very visual and doesn’t require a whole lot of finesse, but it does get results.
Kudos go to our outfitter, Ed Lawrence, who has done several presentations to our club, and his able guides, Tim Schwartze and Captain John Hall. We also need to cite several handy apps for land transportation, Uber and Turo. Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental app, and we were very happy with it, the pick up place was within walking distance of the hotel, the car was immaculately clean, and the cost was a third of what a commercial rental car place would have been.
This having been our first fishing foray since the pandemic shutdown in March of 2020, we weren’t sure about how it would go, but we were reassured that there still is a world out there, and the fish still like us. Go forth and fish, stay safe, stay well!
Rio Del Mar had a low tide, low waves and a flat beach for the seven club members on the August 7 surf fish-out. Flat beaches with little “structure” are common later in the summer. That all changes when the winter storms come in.
Jeff Gose, Kirk Mathew, Justin Ice, Scott Councilman, Tommy Polito, John Davis joined me at 6 am. Some fish were caught, but it seemed like all the surf perch were born only a few weeks earlier! Then there were a couple of Sculpin in the mix too.
In the pictures, note Tommy and his hand made basket. Notice the close-up of the “Sharpie” pens he used to minimize tangling! Other pictures include Justin, Jeff, Kirk. I think I missed John and Scott.
New Member: Tommy Polito
New Member: Justin Ice
Newish Member: John Davis. Jeff Gose & Kirk Mathews in background
When last I wrote we had been fishing the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park in mid June. Many road miles and tested waters since then. Low warm waters, heat, “Hoot Owl” restrictions, and smoke have dominated. All of which has lead to poor fishing. There have been a handful of special days that we reflect back on as great memorable fishing. There was adult damsel fishing that produced many, many 16″ to 19″ Rainbows and Cutthroats in a lake east of Yellowstone. A small county park pond, full of small large mouth bass that readily responded to a popper. If we caught one we caught a 100. That was just outside the town of Sheridan Wy. A little further south, another bass water in a local reservoir. Numbers were not the result, but searching them out in a forest of reeds and getting explosive takes that produced really large big mouths was truly exciting. Went back a couple weeks later and we couldn’t produce the same results. To escape the heat we took a gravel/dirt road into the mountains. There had been rain a couple days before and the night we arrived. That made the river look like chocolate milk. Waiting patiently for 2 days payed off. So many large Cutthroats brought to net in the wilderness. Of course all on dry flies. And lastly, we forked up the bucks and hired guides to take us onto a beautiful priviate stream in ranch land at the base of the Big Horn mountains. Grass hoppers were everywhere and guess what the large, plentiful Cutthroats did with an artificial fly that resembled the insect! We are now road weary and will thankfully be home by the time you read this. Elaine and John and part of the time Kathy
As I write this I am listening to the State Water Resources Control Board August meeting. They are discussing the extreme drought we’re in, as well as planning for another year of dry conditions in 2022. The discussion is serious and covers many streams were emergency drought stream flows are either in place or are about to start.
Two of the most impacted streams are the Scott & Shasta Rivers, tributaries to the Klamath River. These streams are main spawning & rearing habitat for Chinook, Coho & steelhead. We have sent 2 letters to the State Board supporting emergency flow recommendations supported by CDFW. The letters can be read here: https://www.nccffi.org/conservation-efforts/. See Item #12 on the list.
Joining us on our advocacy for the Scott & Shasta is the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA). They have been very active and made technical recommendations with the State Water Board and support the implementation of emergency curtailment of diversions of water.
Over many years CSPA and NCCFFI have worked on many issues that negatively impact our fisheries and work together on FERC power dam relicensing to improve flows and habitat, as well as to work for improved flows in the S.F. Bay-Delta and its tributaries. It takes a team effort to be successful in keeping our fisheries healthy and available for sport fishers. https://calsport.org/news/
CSPA and NCCFFI have decided to join together more closely in the future, and to work together and share information with members. Bill Jennings of CSAP and Mark Rockwell of NCCFFI have discussed the relationship and agreed to due several actions: 1) Share information each organization is working on, and report to members; 2) Do monthly reports for our members and place these reports on our websites; 3) work together to create a conservation presentation to use of fly club visits to inform our members about conservation needs and work being done.
Current Joint Efforts – Yuba River: Both CSPA and NCCFFI are working on relicensing on the Yuba system, and focused on Water Quality Certification. Both organizations are working with the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), and focused on funding by Yuba County Water Agency forhabitat improvement on the Lower Yuba & a pilot program to re-introduce salmon to the Upper Yuba. Stanislaus River – CSPA is working to block a proposed water transfer of up to 100,000 acre-feet to Westlands Water District. This transfer would greatly reduce water carry-over in New Melones Reservoir which is needed to protect Delta fish if the 2022 water year is dry.
Santa Clara Valley Watershed – NCCFFI is working with Cal Trout, TU, PCFFA and Flycasters of San Jose to improve salmon & steelhead streams in the Valley. Coyote Creek, Guadalupe River & Stevens Creek are the streams of focus. We are now working on a MOU with Valley Water to ensure future cooperative efforts to complete the Fish & Aquatic Habitat Cooperative Effort (FAHCE) for these streams, signed in 2003. We are also now reviewing the draft EIR for the Guadalupe & Stevens Creek. Work to be done includes: barrier removal, stream enhancements for rearing, improved spawning habitat & improved water flows. This will be a 10 year effort to recover and stabilize salmon & steelhead populations.
Smith River Fishery Monitoring Plan – We have been notified that monitoring will start for both Steelhead and Chinook Salmon in California’s last great anadromous river in the Fall of 2021. The Tribal partner – Tolowa Dee-Ni Nation – will be doing the monitoring and running DIDSON sonar monitoring equipment. This will be the first time we will have an annual monitoring program on this river, and it is hoped that it will take place over at least 3 generations of Chinook (9-12years) and Steelhead. This information will be useful for managing the river fishing regulations to ensure they are consistent with run size and population health.
Summary on Conservation & Fly Fishing
After several discussions with various club Presidents and members, it is clear that fishery conservation is an important benefit NCCFFI brings to clubs & members. It is also noted that conservation is not always a primary focus for some club members. The sport of fly fishing is focused on casting, tying and getting together to fish, and is focused on the social process that clubs provide. However, if we don’t have healthy fisheries and watersheds we have no real way to put our casting and tying skills into action. I think we all recognize that no fish means no sport.
So, my plea to everyone is to continue to support our Council’s conservation efforts, and our ability to join with other partners, like CSPA, Cal Trout & TU to keep our state’s valuable natural resources healthy and available. That takes work, effort and time. In our Council the conservation work never ends because the demands made on our natural resources is great, and all natural resources are in limited supply.
Fishery Conservation is important to all fly fishers. NCCFFI needs our clubs & members to recognize that conservation is one of our primary purposes and we do it to keep our sport alive and fly fishers able to catch fish.
Your support can come by: 1) joining us on our conservation network, 2) financial contributions by clubs to NCCFFI to allow us to do this work, 3) Taking an active part in local watershed conservation efforts and working to include NCCFFI in that effort. Grants are available through this Council.
Contacts for questions or to contribute:
Mark Rockwell, 530-559-5759, mrockwell1945@gmail.com
Send contributions to: NCCFFI c/o Tom Smith, Treasurer, P.O. Box 7231, Reno, NV 89510-7231 (all contributions are tax deductible)
The Redding Flyshop is hosting a Labor Day Luncheon 10am to 2pm Friday 9/3
celebrating 43 years in Redding. Product manufacturer reps will be present.
The Flyshop will donate a $50 Gift Certificate to our monthly Raffle and we hope you can make it.
We have found an incredible venue for our annual B-B-q/Swap Meet this year! The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Posse House is a beautiful property on the bank of the San Lorenzo River. There’s an outdoor picnic area, a pasture where we can demo or practice our casting, a beautiful indoor area with tables for our swap meet, a built-in grilling pit, and a horseshoe pit. (There’s also a fire pit but we will abstain for now). The club will supply burgers, dogs, sides, and soft drinks. We’ll have club swag for sale. You can bring your family & friends, but please RSVP in form below or email to troutdock89@gmail.com so we know how much food to provide. You may responsibly bring adult beverages, as well as any rods you might want to try out or tackle you want to swap or trade. No leaving unclaimed gear behind. Please, no pets.
The Address is 2127 Ocean Street Extension. To access, take the Ocean Street Extension past the cemetery, past the crematorium, about a quarter-mile down on the left. Use the second driveway entrance. Please drive slow and be respectful of the neighbors and this beautiful historic property.
5:00 pm: Casting practice, swap meet display
6:30 pm: BBQ Dinner
Cost: $0.00
The Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Posse Grounds
This will be our first opportunity in what seems like forever to meet and greet in person. Please, if you are un-vaxed, wear a mask for your own protection.
Hi everyone. I am back from a terrific fly-fishing and hiking week with family high in the Sierra, far away from the internet or a phone. The only technology in my hand was my 3wt, Sage LL with my beloved Abel reel. Okay, truth be told, I had my “camera” with me – that sometimes doubles as a phone! Hence the photos in this P-Message. Tommy and I fished a mile together for the entire day both landing about thirty fish each, Tommy catching more than 15 on dry flies. The beauty of a net and barbless flies is they often came out of the fish in the net, and made getting them back to their habitat all the better. It was awesome spending a whole day together doing that, laughing, and talking. The fish made it best of all and so much easier to do the rest.
Getting away from technology is one of the best things we can do today. But admittedly, there is technology that enables us to enjoy that getting away even more.
As Mona and I traveled Sonora Pass in our air-conditioned comfy Ford F150, enjoying our cabin with electricity, a shower and a refrigerator, we took turns reading about the history of Sonora Pass, it’s first discovery, how treacherous it was to build and how people “camped” there in the weekends traveling there in Model T Fords with an ice box, no electricity, no showers and no “facilities”. No fly boxes filled with hundreds of flies purchased with ease, if necessary, from the comfort of your home delivered to you next day.
Sonora Pass has some terrific history – ironically, if it weren’t for the Depression in the 30’s and WWII, it would likely not be the treasure it is today. In the 20’s, plans were to take full advantage of that area building communities for getting away from the city. Clark’s Fork, if you’ve ever been there, ends at Iceberg Meadow’s, abandoned plans for another highway that would have continued north and east, connecting with Highway 4. Leland Meadows, a place I haven’t been, is reportedly the one place that was last developed beyond Pinecrest, but most halted because of the depression and the war.
While no one likes a pandemic, a depression, a war, these things have benefited the earth and all the creatures, and people, that were here long before us. Even on this trip, while a year later, it seemed more beautiful, quieter and abundant. I never realized that if it weren’t for the depression and WWII, where we’ve been going – for almost 30% of it’s entire 100 year+ existence, would not be what it is today. Pretty cool.
I hope to see you at the BBQ Wednesday. Look at the newsletter and send Scott an article under the Newsletter submission page. Someplace where you fished with family and or friends. We love hearing from you – our members.
As we work hard to navigate the waters of living today, please know your board is actively and constantly talking about how we do our best to continue our mission to promote, educate and enjoy the sport of Fly-Fishing solely for the purpose of our members having fun, being engaged and being contributors to the same. Thank you all for your encouragement, your membership and for participating like you do. It is in fact how all of us came to this club, joined and took interest. It is a lot of fun and such beautiful work.
As the year winds down, we are looking ahead at how we can continue growing. I’m excited about the opportunities to be together, have fund-raisers, education days, new fish-outs, fly-tying, casting and other activities we will do thoughtfully with you, our members, in mind. Do keep the ideas coming and thank you for being the most important part of the Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club.
Oh – Follow us on Instagram: santacruzflyfishing – and follow me: tomhogye !
At first glance this fly looks like your typical wooly bugger but it’s not. It’s tied in a way that allows it to hang in the water column in a horizontal plane or balanced. Hung under an indicator in choppy water the fly pulses and swims the way a baitfish or leech does. Professional fly anglers like Phil Rowley and Brian Chan are big advocates for this pattern on still waters for trout and I’ll vouch for it as a great bass pond fly.
The body of this fly is created using a dubbing loop so some kind of dubbing whirl tool is needed. Dubbing looped bodies are also very effective for nymphs and other streamers so this is a good technique to know. If you need more info, check out this video with options for dubbing whirls:
Class is 8/11/21 @6:30PM on Zoom.
Please email metropolitantrout@gmail.com by 7/29 and include your address so I can mail you the materials. The days leading up to the class I will be out of town and unavailable to reach which is why I’m asking for the early RSVP.
To fish this fly, use a sinking line, twitch or strip to elicite a strike from a trout. Woolybuggers typically are not tied with bead chain eyes. They give an entirely different profile. This pattern also varies in that dry fly hackle is used and barbs are kept short.
Hook: TMC 5263 , sizes 8-14
Thread: color to match tail or body
Eyes: bead chain , size proportional
Tail: Marabou, color to match hackle or body.
Hackle: Neck or saddle. Color to match body or tail, or dun.
Body: Chenille: black, brown, olive, cinnamon, or those colors variegated.
1. Crimp Barb.
2. Attach thread behind eye. Touching wraps 1/4 back on shank then forward to one hook eye behind eye.
3. Cut bead chain with wire cutters into sets of 2.
4. Attach bead chain eyes to top of shank, one ball on each side, using multiple figure eight wraps and around base of eyes on top of shank. Wrap thread to mid shank. Apply drop of glue.
5. Pull clump of marabou off stem of feather. Note: moisten marabou for easy handling. Cut off butt ends. Lay butts on top of shank behind eyes. Tie to top of shank back to end of shank. Break (do not cut) tips to desired length.
6. Select hackle with barbs equal to 1 1/2 hook gap. Holding tip, stroke barbs against grain. Position tip on top of shank, butt end to rear. Tie in place.
7. Pull fibers off about 1/4″ of chenille exposing core threads. Attach threads to rear of shank. Advance thread to behind bead chain.
8. Wrap body forward with touching wraps. Tie off, cut excess.
9. Spiral hackle forward in 6 evenly spaced wraps. Tie off, cut excess. A couple more thread wraps to secure.
10. Make several figure 8 wraps around bead chain eyes. Wrap thread head. Whip finish. Cut thread. Apply glue to head.
Farmer Tracey Liskey believes his efforts to save the endangered sucker fish will help end a conflict over water on the California-Oregon border.(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
BY ANITA CHABRIA, HAILEY BRANSON-POTTS
JULY 22, 2021 5 AM PT
TULELAKE, Calif. — It’s a strange place to find fish, deep in the high desert, where drought-baked earth butts against scrubby mountains.
But water spews from the hot springs on Ron Barnes’ land near the California-Oregon border, pure and perfect for rearing c’waam and koptu, two kinds of endangered suckerfish sacred to Native American tribes.
Barnes, who holds an advanced degree in aquaculture from UC Davis, has dug dozens of ponds on his property and filled them with thousands of young suckerfish. He hopes raising and releasing them into the wild will end the region’s epic water wars — or at least get federal regulators out of the mix before his neighbors descend into violence.
“We have to take a pragmatic view of this thing,” said Barnes, standing near his black-bottomed lagoons under an intense morning sun. “The single most effective way to get the government off our backs is to restore the fish population.”
The suckerfish, which are on the endangered species list, are at the heart of a rancorous water controversy. They typically spawn in nearby Upper Klamath Lake, an agricultural reservoir that is growing increasingly dry and toxic. To ward off their extinction, federal regulators have cut off every drop that normally flows from the lake to the Klamath Reclamation Project, a federally built web of irrigation canals that once held the promise of almost limitless water for nearby farms. …
In the California budget for 2021-2022, $1.3 million is allocated to pay each commercial fishermen $110,000 in exchange for turning in their gill net. Gill nets are huge nets (up to one mile) suspended in the water column that ensnare any fish or mammal that gets entangled in the net. Sea turtles, whales, sea lions and dolphins are some of the sea creatures that have been trapped in the nets. California state law mandates that all gill nets be phased out by 2024.Deep set buoy gear is the new method that is suggested to replace gill net fishing.As expected, some commercial fishermen are resisting the change, claiming that gill nets are not as harmful as claimed by the NOAA and Oceana.The fishermen also say that alternate fishing techniques are not commercially viable.
Our club’s financial support has helped this campaign and one of our former ‘in person’ presenters at the Aptos Grange Hall, who lost his life on a sweeper tree on the American Creek AK, was our incentive to act for the noble causes to save the last non-dammed rivers in the North West and especially the greatest fisheries for commercial and sport salmon fishing in the world. PebbleMine is the big challenge and we must keep opposing them.
Dear Bristol Bay supporters,
We have exciting news to share with you! Yesterday, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reported that the Bristol Bay’s 2021 sockeye run reached the largest on record with 63.2 million fish returning to the bay. The 2021 run broke the 2018 standing record at 62.9 million fish returning to the region.
Thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship and 100+ years of sustainable commercial fishery management made this year’s record-breaking sockeye run in Bristol Bay possible. Science has shown that clean water and healthy fish habitat will continue to support this world-class fishery that produces roughly 50% of all sockeye salmon on the planet.
Even though the fishery’s biggest threat- the proposed Pebblemine– was denied the key federal permit last year, Bristol Bay isn’t safe yet. The region still needs durable and permanent protections to ensure that Pebble, or another mining company, won’t come back in the future.Join us in asking decision-makers to advance permanent protections for Bristol Bay today.
Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Congress have the opportunity to establish safeguards that, together, would protect the fish, people, and fish-based industries in Bristol Bay. They need to hear from people in Bristol Bay and beyond that this is a national treasure that requires permanent protection. Take action here.
The 2021 run record is just one reason why Bristol Bay needs greater protection for the years to come. It’s another reason we say “No PebbleMine– Not Here, Not Ever.” And it’s why our work doesn’t stop until we can fully assure that we will never have to fight this irresponsible mine plan again. Help us continue our work in Bristol Bay by making a donation today.
2021 Rosters will be available at the August 4th
BBQ…..Should you not be able to attend, email me @ robert6367@aol.com and I will mail one out to you.
Annual dinner volunteer needed to help set up online silent auction thru square and zoom. Can send me an email if you can provide technical assistance.
While summer is in full swing, now is the time to take note of the help you receive on your flyfishing journey. Freeze in your mind each act, and then nominate the perpetrator for this year’s John Steele Award. Our Annual B-B-Q at the Sherriff’s Possee House would be a great place to drop off a ballot. Or just e-mail me at troutdock89@gmail.com
We had a very successful first class on July 28. Four club members, all experienced casters, attended, and we spent the full two hours working on perfecting the mechanics of the roll cast. The riverside site can comfortably accommodate up to six casters. In order to prevent any chance of overcrowding, I will maintain a sign-up list for future classes. If you would like to participate, send me an email at traugott@ucsc.edu, or call and leave a message at (831) 338-6056. I will send an email message providing all necessary details to those who sign up.
The August casting class will focus on the Pick-up and Lay-down (PULD) cast. This is the foundation for all overhead fly casting. This lesson will be geared primarily to beginner and novice fly casters, so no prior casting experience is assumed (though the ability to do a basic roll cast would be helpful.) The class will take place in Boulder Creek at 10 AM on Wednesday, August 25. This month’s general lesson plan is to conduct a very brief review of the roll cast (for those who attended the July class) followed by a systematic examination of the steps involved in a simple PULD cast. Time permitting, we will also cover the off-side PULD and false casting. Participants should plan to bring the rod of their choice, a matching reel, and a floating line (or contact me to see if I can arrange for loaner equipment.)
Sep 22 10:00 AM : ‘Review and Advanced’ Casting
Fishmaster: Mark Trougott – Casting Intructor
Beginning in September, my intention is to continue to devote the first half of the two-hour session to touching up novice casters’ mastery of the roll cast and PULD; and to orient the second hour to more advanced techniques appropriate for SCFF members who are experienced casters. Examples of this last sort of topic might include presentation casts (reach mends and curve casts that present the fly without spooking the fish); slipping line and hauling (single and double); or loop control (how and why to throw wide and narrow loops). If you have a specific topic in mind, please let me know by mid-August so I can incorporate the most frequently requested techniques into a lesson plan for the second hour of the September session.
The riverside site can comfortably accommodate up to six casters. In order to prevent any chance of overcrowding, I will maintain a sign-up list for future classes. If you would like to participate, send me an email at traugott@ucsc.edu, or call and leave a message at (831) 338-6056. I will send an email message providing all necessary details to those who sign up.
John Cook fishmaster– (831)688-1561 or (831)234-6515
O’Neill Forebay – Oct 7 – 10 2021
October 07, 2021 – October 10, 2021
Striped Bass
Steve Rudzinski ssrudzinski@gmail.com
Palm Beach
October 09, 2021
Surf Perch and other species
Sam Bishop (831) 476-6451
O’Neill Forebay – Nov 4 – 7 2021
November 04, 2021 – November 07, 2021
Striped Bass
Steve Rudzinski ssrudzinski@gmail.com
Aug 07 6:00 AM : Rio Del Mar Beach
Rio Del Mar Beach (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: Jeff Gose – (831) 227-0722 jrgose@icloud.com
Back to Rio Del Mar State Beach for the August Surf Fish-Out where we started this year. Meet up at 6 am at “the Platform” at the end of Beach Drive. Parking is outside due to the early hour before the paid parking gate opens. We have an Low to Mid Flood tide.
Take Rio Del Mar Blvd all the way to the flats, do the round-about to the left and go ½ mile down Beach drive.
Everyone is welcome, but I highly encourage you to learn to cast before you come to the beach. Check in with our Castmaster Mark Traugott, or his assistant (me) and work on the haul and the double haul. For surf equipment, clothing and general information, go to our website under EDUCATION and read the section on surf fishing.
Stripping baskets for free loan or purchase $20 to the Club. If you need a stripping basket, please be there early, before we hit the beach to fish. Best to have your rod strung up already and your waders on already doesn’t hurt!
Roy Gunter writes: I am offering to sponsor a fishout to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska leaving on September 4, 2021 and returning on September 12, 2021. Limited to 4 participants including Roy. We will stay in the Riverside Cabin at the Eagle Landing Resort in Cooper Landing, AK (go to eaglelandingresort.com to check out Resort and Cabin). Trip will be fishing the Kenai River, Russian River and nearby creeks, targeting rainbows and dolly varden, but catching many salmon along the way. Trip includes 2 guided trips on the Kenai River, including at least one boat trip down the Kenai River Canyon to the delta of Skilak Lake. You will have to provide your own airfare to Anchorage and return, which can be arrange for virtually no charge if you obtain an Alaska Airlines Credit Card. Alaska Airlines now flies out of Monterey. However, a rental car is included in the trip. Food and beverages are included and obtained from Costco and Carrs Supermarket for preparation at the cabin. Since I am cooking for the most part, meals are gourmet including wine and/or other beverages. Since I am an Alaska Air card holder, over the last 20 years I have never exceeded $2,000 for the entire trip, including the cost of a motel before flying out, and once paid only $770. Couples are welcome, but there is only one queen bed in a separate bedroom. Other Club Members who have accompanied me include: Bob Monaco, Steve Rawson, Milana Rawson, Daneen Gunter, Don Foskett, Gary Hazelton, Harry Petrakis, Mark Traugott and Gil Santos. Requirements: $1,000 deposit subject to forfeit unless you find a substitute fisherman to accept your spot and you must have recieved all of your covid vaccinations at least 14 days prior to departure. Prior participants have priority. If interested please contact Roy Gunter at 831-809-0316 or email at rgunteriii@yahoo.com.
Sam Bishops adds some insight on the Alaska Airlines Credit Card opportunity: “Buy a new Alaska Airline card and get 50,000 miles if you spend $2,000 in 2 or 3 months. $75 for the card, but you get a free bag. Without it the first bag is $40. I just got a new card for about the fourth time. I let the old one expire and get a new one for the mileage. I paid the house insurance on the new one and bingo I am covered.”
Manresa State Beach (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: Mark Traugott, 831-338-6056
The September Surf Fishout will take place at Manresa State Beach, on Saturday, September 4th. The sun will rise at 7:10 a.m., and the tide will be high a Mid Flood. We will meet at 6:30 A.M. at the entrance to the State Park at 1445 San Andreas Road. Park outside and just past the park entrance where there is space for a half dozen cars. There are a couple more spaces on the opposite side of the street. If all the available spaces are full when you arrive, go a quarter mile further along San Andres Rd. and turn right onto Oceanview Drive. Park at the end of that street, along the fence on the right, and take the stairs down to the beach where you can eventually join the rest of the group. For details regarding equipment and technique, check the excellent instructions on surf fishing that Sam Bishop has published on our club website. The basic equipment is a five- to 8-weight rod with an intermediate to full-sinking line or sinking tip. Any type of Clouser pattern or anchovy fly will work for stripers, and small bonefish patterns (for example, Gotchas) will catch perch, especially if they have red or orange highlights. The only surf-specific piece of essential equipment is a stripping basket, which Sam makes and sells for $20 to benefit the club. Make contact with him in advance, or let me know if you would like to borrow or purchase a stripping basic on July 3.
Sep 18 12:00 AM : Mammoth Fishout
Mammoth Lakes (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: John Cook fishmaster– (831)688-1561 or (831)234-6515
Dates: This fishout will take place over two consecutive one-week periods. You may sign up for one or both weeks. Week 1: Sept 18 – 25. Week 2: Sept 26 – Oct 2.
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 king size bed or a pad and sleeping bag to sleep on floor. A private room option is possible at an increased fee.
Cost: Covers 7 night’s lodging and 3 meals per day. $320/week, $640/two weeks. $535/week for a private room. $ is not refundable unless someone takes your place. Any unused funds will be used for prizes at the annual fund raiser.
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.
SignUps: Call John Cook letting him know which week or both or private room. ASAP or up to May 1st. We will be leaving town mid May, so need to put things together and confirm reservation by then. Receiving your $ will reserve your spot. I will maintain a waiting list and, if space becomes available you will be notified by phone, even while we are on summer vacation. Deliver your $ by mail ( PO Box 2822, Aptos, Ca. 95001 ) or deliver in person. (215 Treasure Island Ave., Aptos , Ca. )
Covid Issues: All participants must have completed the vaccine regiment at least one month prior. Must be free of symptoms. If negative public health issues arrive, the fishout will be canceled and $ returned.
Oct 07 12:00 AM : O’Neill Forebay – Oct 7 – 10 2021
AND
Nov 04 12:00 AM : O’Neill Forebay – Nov 4 – 7 2021
Islands Oneill Forebay (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: Steve Rudzinski ssrudzinski@gmail.com
The annual O’Neill ForeBay Striped Bass FishOut has been scheduled for Oct 7-10 and Nov 4-7 (Thurs-Sunday). I made it during the dark phase of the moon this year.
We will camp at the same place again at Medeiros Campground site #23 I will try to get again, there are 4 sites there and more than one car per site is okay. New people should contact me personally for details. Bring everything to camp bare bones style, only a single vault style toilet which is not too bad compared to the other porta potties throughout the campground. Bring water, and food and cooking gear, there will be a camp stove or two to use or cook over the camp fire.
Gear to use: 7 or 8 wt rod, full sinking line like Rio Outbound Short or Tungsten T-11 shooting head with a good running line. 15 lb test fluorocarbon leader (6′ is long enough so the fly gets down deeper). Lee Haskins or Jim Hall has flies for sale. Both are listed in our club roster and you can make an order directly with them. Float tubes of course or small craft like flat bottom dingy’s and some kayaks work okay except when windy. (It can really BLOW you away there and we hope for good conditions but we have had big rainstorms in years past so prepare for the worst).
One thing we never have enough of is firewood for the evening rap sessions, the size of wood that comes in a box at the grocery store is perfect for our portable fire tubs.
The camp is only 70 miles from Santa Cruz and directions can be easily be found on your GPS system. Call or email me @ 831 462 4532 or ssrudzinski@gmail.com to be on the list so I have a good idea of how many will attend. We always have a good time at this event. See you there, Stosh
Oct 09 7:00 AM : Palm Beach
Palm State Beach (Click for address and map) Fishmaster: Sam Bishop (831) 476-6451
Seven of us rose before dawn to celebrate the arrival of the July 4 weekend. We found our way to Manresa State Beach despite the morning mist and heavy overcast. The only fireworks involved were in the fact that everyone caught fish, with honors for the largest going to Tommy Polito, as pictured above. The group included regulars Jeff Gose and Scott Kitayama as well as the club’s newest member, Matt Jockers. Dennis Rosario, James Davis, and myself rounded out the group. No one has been able to figure out where all the stripers have gone this year, but the perch have been very cooperative, and getting pushed round by the waves is a great way to start your day. Come join us for our monthly surf fishouts!
If you have never fished the Firehole, it’s fun to know that the stream has many geysers that drain into it which makes the water warm year round. Our annual trek brings us here to catch Browns and rainbows that average 9″ to 12″ and some up to 15″. This year found the water warmer than usual and only the 1st day produced fish. When the water reaches 70 degrees the fish turn off and fishing is highly discouraged. In the photo, you can see where we fished right across from a major outflow from one of the geysers and the fish readily came up for dry flies.
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