Covid strikes again. We had an instructor line up to do the Aug. class, but he unfortunately doesn’t have a computer to do a Zoom class and I will be out of state, fishing of course. A great Zoom class is planned for Sept. I will be instructing a San Luis Smelt. This has been THE fly for the past few years at the Forbay. Lee Haskins, a guru with this fly and fishing that area, has move away, but his fly lives on. Getting the materials is a bit of a challenge. The long fiber craft fur, Foxxfur, is no longer made. The Portland Fly Shop bought up all the remaining supply and sells it cheap. Not all the colors remain available. I’ll be showing, in the class, how to compensate for that. To acquire the Foxxfur yourself: web site: shop.theportlandflyshop.com/craft-fur-sale.html. To place an order: (503)265-8060.
If you are new to fly tying and don’t want to invest a lot of money to get started, there are a lot of inexpensive substitutes for tools. I’ll list a few below but, having a vise that has a pedestal instead of a clamp , and a good pair of scissors made by Dr. Slick, are important. Twizzers for pick ups, Straight pin, sewing pin or hat pin for bodkin, straw or ball point pen for half hitch tool, are just a few substitutions.
There are a lot of fly shops and web sites for materials and equipment. A couple suggestions: The Caddis Fly Shop in Eugene Oregon (good service, no tax and free shipping if over $25 I believe), The Fly Shop in Redding Ca. (Good service, cheaper excellent quality hooks under brand TFS and same numbers as TMC hooks, right off I-5), J. Stockard (877)359-8946 (inexpensive).
Books I recommend: “Fly Patterns of Umpqua Feather Merchants” by Randall Kaufmann for extensive list of fly patterns and materials to tie each. “The complete Book of Western Hatches” by Dave Hughes for detailed information about aquatic insects and flies to immatate them. “The Hook Book” by Dick Stewart for hooks drawn by actual size, description, equivalents in other brands.
Email or call to sign up for the September Fly tying class. Leave your number please.
Even during this unusual time the membership has maintained at 150+including 10 new online members who we able to join on the new website online direct payment with Visa/square to our account.
Nametags have been ordered for these new members and will be mailed. Should you need a name tag, please email me robert6367@aol.com and I will mail one.
Have twice recently had the need for some work to be done on my float tube cover. I used the Santa Cruz Outdoor Gear Repair business. Good service, good work, reasonable, very Covid safe with no need to enter his building. He works on all kinds of stuff. Does not however repair waders or leaks. Located in downtown Santa Cruz in Old Sash Mill . 303 Potrero St. Bldg. 45 Suite 101 (831)824-4176. Open Wed.-Sat. His name is Peter and is a fly fisherman.
Well – so much for the “restart”. I think I’ll go fishing.
Wow. Didn’t really see this coming, but now planning for more essential long-term opportunities. Isn’t it nice to know that fishing is a good way to get out these days? RV sales, Campers, hiking and cycling related sales are at record highs. So are the hardware stores and pizza shops!
Just a 2-3-4 or 5 hours drive from Santa Cruz – are some great trout fishing opportunities. The very best in the west. I am headed to the Merced in a couple days for an overnight camping trip and some summer wet wading and dry-fly fishing. If you’re into it – you can go to www.recreation.gov – put in the name of a National Forest near you, the camping area you want to go to, and your’e in.
Last month, we talked about the surf, which for some of us is between 10 and 20 minutes away. And that fishing is still very good- surf perch, striper, halibut…
Many of you missed George Revel’s Zoom presentation on fly-fishing the surf in the Bay Area. I know this because Zoom is a really cool way to see all of you. If you haven’t loaded this onto your computer – do. It’s super awesome. We had a very engaging 2 hours and it was really fun hanging out with George and our members till 8:30 chatting away about everything surf and fly-fishing related.
August was going to be our annual BBQ/Slop n Swap meet, but due to the Covid conundrum, we are instead going to be having a nice raffle -with online ticket sales, and a fantastic presentation on fly-fishing for bass and bluegill – which you can also do in a 1-2-3 hour drive from Santa Cruz. The club meeting will start via Zoom at 6:30. See the club meeting section for the link – click on it, and zoom – you’re in! Easier than a campsite!
If you are a new member, we’re going to be doing fly-tying again – via Zoom, a Happy Hour, knot tying and Steve Rudzinski and a few other board members are going to be hosting some beginning fly casting tutoring. The first at Jade Street Park in Capitola and maybe some additional work at another park – TBD- maybe at DeLaveaga. Keep up with the newsletter and the SCFF email list. If you’re not getting either of them – reach out to me – and we’ll make certain you are informed.
With the Covid crisis in an uncertain state, more than ever, we are going to continue to do more to keep you engaged. We are also collaborating with other clubs such as the Delta Fly Fishers -who are enabling us to join in some of their fish-outs where there is room. I’d encourage you to participate and join in some of these activities where possible. They are a super enthusiastic group. We’re all in this together.
I do miss all of you, but I am grateful we are doing well as a club and as a membership. I am happy no one has been sick. You have been fishing. You have been helping, encouraging and being responsible to each other and your families and friends. We are going to come out of this better and all of the really awesome fun, on-line things we are doing because of this, are only going to make us stronger and more engaging, fun,…
All for now – trying to keep this short. If you want to participate on the board, help the club, have some ideas to share -write to me or call. I’d love to hear from you.
I attached a letter from the Wild Salmon Center thanking me (Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen members) for our donation to help save the fishery at Bristol Bay AK and to stop the Pebble Mine plan to create the worlds largest open pit copper and gold mine, destroying the last source of the only truly wild river producing 2/3 of the world wild salmon to market.
We had scheduled John Squires to speak again at the club in October 2018 and while guiding clients on the American Creek in Alaska in August, his pontoon boat struck a fallen tree and all were in the water, the clients lived a harrowing day and night on the opposite banks before getting help but John was never found. We donated his speaking stipend to the TU Alaska fund to saving Bristol Bay as he told me to do prior to booking him for our meeting.
Two nights ago on June 25th, while float tubing and fishing the famous ‘Hex Hatch’ at lake Almanor with an armada of other fly fishermen, there were 2 guys in a boat, the only boat in our area and I was chatting a little with them every time I kicked by. The last time the older of the two asked me if I knew the Santa Cruz fly fishermen and Steve Rudzinski? I never saw them before and said that I was he and had no idea that it was about. Apparently their mother was the widow of John Squires and she said they should try to find me and thank me for honoring their father.
Now sometimes things happen in very mysterious ways as they had no idea what week we would be there and I almost fished another spot and changed my mind at the last minute, almost like being directed by an unknown source. Dan and Joe offered me a beer which I accepted and we toasted their father who must have been present in some way as we told a few stories out there bobbing in the waves.
As far as conservation issues, I am finding that most agencies and programs and even the courts are on hold from making any decisions while the Covis-19 shutdown is still in force. I did not see many masks in northern CA and in Chester and the surrounding area, only 2 cases reported up in the county according to the management at North Shore Camping where I camped for five nights with 2 other club members. The fishermen I met all thought this was a poor week to fish for the majority and me included by landing only one very nice brown trout and a few big bass. The Mayfly hatch was much less than in previous years I recall and the surface temp was 73/74 degrees all week and getting warmer. We did not see much surface action although the bats showed up after dark, the ospreys got a few fish and the western grebes were mating and in large flocks following schools of pond smelt. One lone loon calling in the darkness it’s lonely shrill sound.
Till next month, be safe and be kind to each other, it’s tough for us all living in fear and uncertainty or at least confusion as to ‘what’s next’?
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” (I have no idea why it is called that), but it is at the end of Beach Drive. Parking is outside due to the early hour before the paid parking gate opens. We have an ebb tide with a +0.9 low at 08:08 am.
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.
This section has produced for me: Barred Perch, Walleye Perch, California Rays, Leopard Shark, Bat Ray, Sculpin, sand worms, mole crabs, almost legal Dungeness crabs, Stripers, Jack Smelt. And right next to me I have seen Guitar fish and Halibut taken on the fly rod.
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.
I will have spare flies for anyone who would like and 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!
If you wish to attend, call right away. Due to Covid, all those who have signed up, will be contacted to discuss the situation. All money’s will be returned if the person wishes to cancel or if the Fishout is canceled.
This fishout will take place over two consecutive week periods. You may sign up for either one or both.
LOCATION: Mammoth Lakes is on the eastern side of the Sierras, 6 to 7 hours drive from Santa Cruz. There are many lakes and streams in the area to fish. We will be staying in condominiums in the town of Mammoth Lakes. There are two people per bedroom. A private room is also possible , but at increase cost.
COST: The cost includes: (room — 3 meals a day — linen — hot tub ) $310/week $660 for 2 weeks $590/ week for private room. Money is not refundable UNLESS the fishout is canceled (Covid-19). If there are any funds received and not used, they will be used for prizes for our annual fund raiser.
MEAL PREPARATION: Each person will be assigned to a group kitchen day. The group will set out breakfast and lunch foods, store unused food, prepare evening meal and clean up, on the assigned day.
SIGN UP: Call to sign up. Sign ups are available until all spaces filled. Your spot will be reserved when I receive your check. Mail check made out to John Cook, P.O. Box 2822, Aptos, Ca., 95001-2822. I will maintain a waiting list.
We are going to do a little online raffle this month for a great Echo rod and reel package. Click here to purchase your tickets in blocks of $5, $10, $15, or $20. NOTE: purchase of a $20 block gets you 5 extra free bonus tickets!!!
The prize package this month is a beautiful Echo Carbon XL 9 foot 4 piece rod with a carbon fiber reel seat. This is matched up with an Echo Ion lightweight cast machined aluminum reel. The large arbor design makes for faster retrieves, consistent drag performance, and minimal line memory. The drag system is a smooth Rulon/stainless steel disk, the reel can be easily changed from left to right hand retrieve.
The best news is that the the lucky winner get to choose between a 4wt. or 5wt. Rod!
This is my number one “go to” dry fly for trout in either still or moving water. Very important to follow these directions carefully when it comes to proportions, thread wraps and handling and positioning materials. Some helpful hints (tips) will be included that can be applied for tying other flys.
Hook: TMC or TFS 100, or equivalent standard dry fly hook. Sizes 12-16
Thread: black 8/0, 12/0 for size 16 hooks if you wish.
Tail: golden phesant tippet (5-6 barbs) (Tip: Names of the parts of a feather: stem- projection from skin, Barb- projection from stem, barbule- projection from Barb which are difficult to see in most feathers.)
Body: peacock herl with long, easy to see barbules (2-3) (Tip: Herl is fragile , test by gently pulling on tip. If it breaks further than one inch down, discard. Whole feathers are usually better than packaged. Have found whole feathers at the farmers market in Aptos.).
Wing: white calf tail (crinkly, not straight hairs)
Hackle: brown saddle. Tip: Saddle hackle feathers are long, have soft stems, and barb lengths are the same. Best used for dry flies, popper necks, and some buggers. Neck hackle feathers are short, have stiff stems, barbs become shorter near tip. Best used for streamers, popper legs and tails, some buggers, barbs of side feathers for tails on dry flies.
Glue: Zap-A-Gap, Supper Glue, or similar
1. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread mid shank, leave hanging NO further forward.
3. Tie tail to top of shank, extending shank length beyond shank. Cut any butt ends at MID shank.Position thread at rear of shank.
4. Attach herl tips. Using dubbing hook, form loop with herl, advance thread to MID shank, twist tomake chenille, wrap forward to MID shank. Tie off, cut excess.
5. Wing will be made with 2 small clumps of hairs. Holding tips, cut one clump from tail. (Tip: always cut hair VERY close to hide.) Clean out all under fur. Using large stacker, stack TIPS. Remove any more underfur or short hairs. Position on top of shank, tips above mid tail, make one thread wrap around hair only. Then one around both hair and shank, 2 more snug wraps- each one BEHIND the last. Cut butt ends at an angle, tie down butts. Apply sm. amt. glue, using tip of bodkin, to thread wraps and tied down hair. ( Tip: A moderate amount of glue placed in a plastic lid will not set up for quite awhile. This makes application of sm. amts. glue with bodkin easy.) Position thread right in front of wing. Repeat above with 2nd clump of hair. Position thread right infront of wing.
6. Splay barbs at butt end of hackle. Cut 4-5 short on both sides of stem forming a crew cut. Tie in crew cut. Position thread right in front of wing. Make 3-5 close hackle wraps forward forcing thread forward. Tie off, cut excess. Trim any whiskers. Wrap thread head if not already formed while tying in materials. Tie off. Sm. amt. glue to head.
This jack smelt (?) went for a variant of Sam’s perch fly.
Nine intrepid surf casters, tired of home confinement, dragged themselves out of bed early to meet at Palm Beach in Watsonville. The roster included Adam Althoff, Ralph Berman, Sam Bishop, Elaine Cook, Gary Cramton, Jeff Gose, Scott Kitayama, Jeff Slaboden, and Mark Traugott. We started under a solid bank of fog and even a few drops of precipitation, but soon we were fanning out along the beach. The surf was moderate, and the fish were not overly cooperative. Of the folks I heard from, Adam, who drove all the way from Castro Valley, was rewarded with a couple of perch, while Scott landed a personal-best 13-incher (see photo). My only fish was a jack smelt (at least I think that’s what Elaine is holding in the attached photo – let me know if I am wrong.) By the time we quit, around 9 AM, the sun was out, and we were happy enough to return to our social isolation after a pleasant morning of playing in the surf.
Desperate to go on a summer trip, which we have done for decades , we decided we could possibly make it happen safely. Our plan included stocking our camper van with enough food, water, clothing, supplies and fishing gear for both trout and bass fishing to sustain us for 14 days. We would only go to forest service campgrounds that widely space campsites, where outhouses are only one use at a time, enter no buildings, no gas station bath rooms, no grocery stores, no fly shops, all to keep us in the out of doors. We packed a pot-a-pottie (never needed to use), had a pee jar, stayed in one private campground where you had to be self contained, which meant people didn’t use the bathroom, went to gas stations that had outside ice available and paid the person pumping our gas for the ice and had them place it by the car. Note: Oregon always pumps your gas. We open the window 2 inches to pay them. Also there is no potable water available in Oregon campgrounds this year. We packed lots of alcohol disinfectant in a pump jar which we used liberally. And of course lots of masks. Reservations were made ahead of time so no contact with camp hosts and the one private RV place tapes paper work to their door if you arrive after 5pm. All in all, things worked well. As it turns out, we had enough for 3 weeks. The fishing was not great but we learned a lot about the area. Davis Lake and Hosmer Lake have BIG fish and we challenged ourselves by only using dry flies to catch them. It was a great deal of fun and John is really getting into this float tube thing. A storm came in and dropped the high daily temp 30 degrees. See photo. The wind howled and affected the fishing for about 3 days. If you are interested in more information, don’t hesitate to call us.
The annual visit to Lake Almanor is always memorable when you are finally out on the water after a long hot day waiting for the sun to set and believing the fish is there and you are fully ready to rock and roll when you get that Grab.
Grab’s were few and far in between hours of nothing or that stray Bump or tail slap of the line or the nymph. I noticed not only fewer trout but fewer bass and other species like brown bullhead and pike minnow. I saw fish landed at Geritol cove and at least 20 tubes were vying for the hot spot back in the inside pocket of the cove. Other guides were bringing clients out deep in 50′ of water looking for the trophy size brown.
I got my only trout within the first half hour on my first evening and the largest one I ever landed there (no camera) at Almanor it filled up my stripping basket around 23″, when released flipped enough water in my face and down my wader to get me well splashed. (German Brown colors). I remember the lost fish and the last night a super fish bent open the hook on a rush towards the tube and diving under me, tight line was too tight and may have started the bend earlier on a hook up with a log I recalled later. Sometimes we get lazy or forget to check the hook, esp for sharpness on the fingernail test.
I was fortunate to find the last space in the only campground on the lake at North Shore Camping where we got rash and bug bites from the brackish water and goose bacteria. We did not wear our waders one hot day and got bit up pretty good. The camping was decent but the lake was too shallow to wade or fish and they pack the campers in tightly there. Others from the club either stayed at Quail Lodge near the dam or camped off a back road somewhere. We did a little trip to the fly shop in Hamilton Branch where we met the young worm mongers counting night crawlers and putting them into individual tubs to sell. Brought me back to my youth of catching them at night with a flashlight and a big coffee can to fill.
The days got hotter, 92 at Chester is hot and the fishing was ice cold, I had fun in the shallows looking for smallmouth bass and landed a good one but the monster got away again. Camping with Don and Dan this time was our first one together and we did okay, it was my turn to buy a bear claw ice cream and I forgot..sorry boys, next trip. I hope Rocky Point campground is open next year and the world comes to its senses by then. Peace.
This is our first Zoom fly tying class. We’ll hope for the best, for this technology is very foreign to me and I thank Tom Hoyge immensely for his help. Tap on the link listed above.
Our fly tonight is a Striper fly which is large and fairly easy to tie. The Forbay is now open for day use and fishing has been good. So be sure to have a few of these in you box.
The usual method for teaching the class will be altered as follows:
1. You must have your own vise and tools or borrow them. The club equipment will not be available.
2. Sign ups are mandatory in order to get materials and tying directions. Call me to sign up or email Coookin@gmail.com. If I’m not home, leave a message that includes your name, phone #, your need for thread (see below), and skill level. NOTE: I’ll be out of town from June 20th to July 3rd. Gone fishing!
3. You will find packets of materials and directions at my front door with your name on them starting Sunday July 5th. The club can loan you thread if needed. It must be returned promptly. The thread needs to be very strong and white. Such as: flat waxed nylon, monocord, Danville 2/0, Gudbrod Gx2, or Ultra Thread 140 denier.
4. Read directions ahead of time so you will have all you need. Also arrange your computer or iPad, vise, tools, glue and directions.
5. The 1st 1/2 hour will be for everyone to figure out Zoom, get situated so I can see your fly as you tie, and discussion about how and where to use this fly.
6. At 7:00 I will demonstrate how to tie the fly. Following that I will tie again but one step at a time, waiting for everyone to complete before moving to the next. If you are an experienced tier, you may not need the 2nd demo.
7. If you don’t know how to use Zoom, I am NOT the person who can help. Going through the steps ahead of time is highly recommended. The young, business people, or computer geeks are your best source. Or try club member, Scott Kitayama. (650) 279-5871
8. Directions: Please check the email newsletter for directions or email me Coookin@gmail.com
I had the fortunate opportunity to fish for surf perch and Striper in our local waters from New Brighton to Manresa. Caught my first Striper on a Clouser at New Brighton. My first Barred Surf Perch with the legendary Jim Lazzarotti, in Rio Del Mar when he first taught me to fish with my fly-rod this way.
I admit I really enjoy New Brighton and Rio Del Mar the most. I’ve spent the last 38 years here and “grew up” in the Rio Del Mar, Seacliff area.
I moved to California when I was 20. I was deeply entrenched in horse sports. The short part of the longer story is that I had a dream to ride Dressage in the Olympics one day, but discovered vaulting- gymnastics on horses, and in California, and that was it. Yes – I was, and still am, in many ways, a horse person.
When I moved to California, for three years, I lived in the apartment right behind Café Rio. It’s still there and still the same blue/grey color it was in the 80’s. I paid ninety bucks a month to split a room with one of my teammates. I ran every inch of those beaches and the stairs around them. Swam more than a few times in those waters out near the cement ship.
But didn’t fish those waters until I became a fly fisherman, and then it took a few years to get me off trout and bass waters and into the salt. Shooting head? Sink Tip? Running Line? What was all that?
As with most of your fly-fishing terms, technology and lingo – you figure this out very quickly. Two or three times fishing in the surf and you’ll get it. DO NOT give up! Relax, enjoy those hours. They are undoubtedly early, so what else would you be doing? Sleeping? Working?! Get it? Enjoy.
Our club has arguably some of the very best surf casters and surf fly-fishers in the Bay Area. If you read California Fly Fisher Magazine, and you should, Robert Ketley is almost always writing up some practical article about fishing New Brighton. If the bowl isn’t full of salad – you’ll find Ketley there pretty much any time you’re there. Others like Robert Eberle, Kirk Mathew, Sam Bishop, Elaine Cook, Mark Traugott, have mastered their skills here. If you ever get to fish with any of them – watch them closely. Do what they do! Seriously! While I’m only 5’6” and Robert Eberle 6’ something, he has that bit of an advantage over the height of the breakers he can take over me, but his casting, retrieve, where and how he moves the fly in the surf rewards him with more than humbly. So, even with the height disadvantage, if I can get everything else, right – it works. And it does. You might even catch a halibut, or as in Elaine’s case once – a Leopard shark.
It’s not expensive! And, you don’t need 6X tippler and magnifying goggles to see the flies. ‘fact, you can fish 10 pound mono and rig a two or three fly leader easy. And you don’t want expensive anyhow, cause you want to make sure when you forget just once or twice to completely rinse out your gear, you’re not ruining something priceless.
Anyhow- we’ve had a lot of good discussion, fish-outs and speakers regarding this means of fly-fishing. Sure, it’s not your High Sierra, Montana, Wind River Cuttbow fishing experience, but it has its own beautiful charm right here. You have to be careful, just like you do anywhere else. Never turn your back on the ocean and know how to read what a “rip” or a hole looks like. Waves are very unpredictable and some sets will be small, but then boom – you’re caught off guard by a rogue wave, or the larger set. Rivers and lakes have their trials too. Just keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Those form fitting PFD’s – Personal Floatation Devices are a good idea. So is what you’re wading in. In the summer, the water isn’t really that cold. You could wet wade! Or just make sure you got your wading belts on snug and stay reasonable.
I never fished when I lived in Rio Del Mar or Seacliff. As a 20 year old kid, I ran, swam, sat on the beach – if I went to the beach at all. But I loved the peace there – especially in the morning and evening. For nine years I lived there and all I did besides work and school was ride horses. Now I live where I have horses, but all I think about is fishing! Or the garden!
I’m not sure what the next few months have in store for us. Your board and I are trying to figure out what’s best for our membership, how to be responsible, compliant and still have fun. We have some new members who’d love to get out and learn from some of us – even some of our newest high-school scholarship recipients. I miss just being able to pick up the phone, plan to meet some place and have fun casting, fishing,… Of course, we are still doing all of this, but it’s just taking a little more planning and care.
Since my own mom and dad would surely have a very difficult time surviving this pandemic if they were to get sick, I’m super grateful for everyone who cares. I also feel the burden, anxiety, unrest and other emotions that come with the hardships, even if I don’t have them, entirely, myself. I know a lot of people who have lost their jobs, lost loved ones and have lost their businesses at a time when they were doing really well. They didn’t get sick, they didn’t hurt anyone, didn’t do anything wrong, but overnight, we had to change and it was very hard on them and still is. If you’re in that group, I appreciate you.
So, let’s remember the good, focus on good, appreciate that which has been good amidst all of which can seem really bad. Look out for each other, no matter the differences. Be Kind. Be good, and maybe take someone fishing, or go fishing with someone.
We are doing our best and you are helping us be our best. Thank you. See you soon. Have a good 4th of July. We’re still planning our August BBQ at the Grange – all things considered.
When I came across this startling list of Federal agencies either left unfunded or so seriously broken it cannot serve the people who set these laws and regulations in place to protect the land, sea and air. Sacred places like the headwaters of Bristol Bay salmon runs where the Pebble Mine Co. nears the long awaited access to dig the largest open pit gold and copper mine in the world. Agencies like the EPA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act are all quietly going away, no big news shows on TV announcing this outrage and we wonder why that some of the best conservation efforts are at best treading water and not making any headway against such heavy odds this current administration is creating daily.
It may only be a matter of time when local funding for NOAA and marine sanctuaries are a thing of the past. I think we can all agree that due to the overwhelming news on every station directs us where they wish, Every news show reads from the same script, we all have to inform ourselves and look to other sources thanks to the WWW which is still relatively free unless you are distracted by fly line ads and a better float tube fin bootie. Slim suggests writing a letter or an email to one of the congressmen or women working for us, or volunteer to do something you have a passion to learn or to teach others.
I’m getting packed to hit the O’Neill ForeBay tomorrow and then off to the Hex hatch at Lake Almanor on the 20th, my fathers day present to myself. Also a proud grandfather who saw his grandson graduate online from Stanford University on June 14th in a live feed.
Please drive safely this summer and don’t do anything stupid, see you all at the BBQ at the hall in August.
NOTE THAT BOTH THE DATE AND THE VENUE FOR THE JULY FISHOUT HAVE CHANGED!!!!
The July Surf Fishout will take place at Palm State Beach in Watsonville, on Saturday, July 11th. The sun will rise at 6:00 a.m., and the only low tide of the day will occur at 9:59 A.M. We will meet at 6:00 A.M. sharp near the entrance to the State Park at 2660 Beach Road. (See the detailed directions below.) For information regarding equipment and technique, see the excellent instructions on surf fishing that Sam Bishop has published on our club website. The basic equipment is a five- to 7-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.) Face masks are optional while actually fishing, but, as of this writing, we expect that social distancing measures will still be in force, so all participants should plan to stay 6’ apart while gearing up and for the walk in over the dunes.
Directions: From Santa Cruz, head south on Highway 1 past the first Watsonville exits and take the Riverside Drive (Highway 129) exit. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp, then right again onto Lee Road. At the traffic light, turn left onto West Beach Road. Drive 3 miles to where West Beach Road ends just past the entrance to the State Beach and just across from the entrance to Pajaro Dunes. Park on the right along the row of eucalyptus trees.
Unfortunatly, covid-19 will keep us from from having our annual Baja fishing excursion. At this point it is unknown as to when the hotel will even open. Stay tuned for next year. Please contact me if you have any questions: rlh@redshift.com
It’s been a while since we could have one of our good old fashion buy a raffle ticket, win a new fly rod events at on of our monthly meeting. This isn’t for a lack of goodies to raffle off. My back storage room is loaded great fly fishing gear, quite the opposite of the toilet paper aisle at Safeway.
So, what I am going to try to do is do an online/meeting raffle. Figure for the September Meeting I will lay out the loot with instructions as to how to purchase tickets. Somehow online with a credit card though our newsletter/website? I don’t know but we will try to figure it out.
In the mean time, enjoy your 4th of July, see you at the August BBQ.
While the rest of the world slept (or sheltered in place), nine members of the Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen hit the beach (Manresa Beach, to be exact) at 05:30 am on Saturday, June 6, to chase the elusive sea creatures. We were so spread out, I couldn’t check with everyone before I left, but at least 15 perch had briefly come to hand before they were released. What a beautiful day it was too. So y’all come on out with us in July! (See Gearing Up for details.)
Pictured left to right, the early arrivals: Joe Clark, Peter Putt, Tom Hogye, Mark Traugott, Scott Kitayama, Judy Johnson.
Not pictured, Ralph Berman, Robert Eberle, Sam Bishop
Early June: the Forbay is open for day use and two trips to the Madeiros entrance and under the power lines afforded us fishermen some great fishing. For some, too many fish to count. And it’s noteworthy, John Cook caught his first fish ever striping and on top of it, a Stripper! Will there be 2 moons in the sky. To finish one of the days, John and I finished with a couple nice large mouths by the tules using poppers.
Posted on June 26th, 2020
Date: June 3, 2020
Time: 6:30
Place: Zoom Presentation (Link to Invite in the Newsletter email)
Interested in chasing fishing the local waterways in our local bays and surf? George Revel will give a high-level overview of fishing our coastlines for stripers and surf perch.
Topic: Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen Club Meeting – June 3
Time: Jun 3, 2020 06:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Really – I mean, respecting all concerns, requirements, regulations. But there are lots of opportunities for all of us to get out and go fishing. Immediately, the surf is in our back yard and is abundant with Surf Perch, Striper, Halibut and other species- like Great White Shark!! Wouldn’t that be a hoot! Yes, it’s best to have a sinking line, running line and stripping basket, but you’ll get the hang of it fast and you can often get in 3 hours of fun before the rest of the world gets up in the morning. A lot in your newsletter – thank you Sam Bishop and the rest for bringing us along.
You can get out to a number of bass lakes within a few hours and some trout fishing not too much farther. Many, if not most, of our local California guides are working and are very reasonable for a day or two of wade fishing our northern CA waters, or the Eastern side of the Sierra locations. I’m immediately thinking of a number of our guest speakers- Jon Baiocchi, Joe Contaldi, Chris King and many others who would happily help you navigate a successful, safe and fun trip. Look them up. Go fishing.
Club Meetings!
If you missed the May meeting via Zoom – it was a HUGE SUCCESS. We had 38 people attend and stay the entire meeting. Jeff Goyert pulled of an excellent door prize raffle as it was easy to capture everyone’s names via Zoom. AND – I didn’t have to ask anyone to be quiet – ever. I just put you on Mute!! ? It was so fun to see everyone’s faces and everyone had some input or another. It really was fun. Jim Cox, from Western Rivers Conservancy, was incredible. A beautiful presentation and a commanding expertise in his field, kept everyone interested. This month, June 3rd, we are doing to do it again! This time we’ll have George Revel from Lost Coast Outfitters. Join the meeting by 6:30! Don’t miss this fun way to meet. You’ll love it.
Fly-Tying Class – Zoom?
Elaine is even thinking of doing a Zoom Fly-tying class where you can sign up, pickup the fly-tying materials at a predetermined location and then do the class via Zoom!! How ‘bout that!? Stay tuned.
High-School Scholarships – Aptos, Harbor, Soquel, Santa Cruz, San Lorenzo, Pajaro Valley
This year, the SCFF members contributed directly to enable us to give twelve, one hundred dollar scholarships to students finishing high-school, heading into college studies that involve Science and/or Environmental Sciences/studies. Each of the twelve students will also receive a on year membership to the club. Thank you all for your generous donations to SCFF, enabling us to continue our mission “To Promote, Educate, and Enjoy, the Sport of Fly Fishing” and to call upon the youth of the world.
The Future! – Well, at least July, and August
I understand these days have been challenging for many, and downright disastrous in other ways. But there have also been many blessings. The wildlife and the planet are benefitting in ways we’d never have been successful at even with all the “world leaders” we have. Tragically, it took a deadly virus to clean up the air, water and noise pollution in one month, now two. For how much longer? And will we try to keep it that way?
We’ve come together in ways we’d never do normally. We’ve given, or stayed put, reached out in encouragement, volunteered, donated and changed to meet a need and do our best to enjoy what we can -even if it’s just being together or taking the dog for a walk every day.
There is traditionally no July Club meeting. So I will wish you a truly homespun good ole-fashioned 4th of July with those you can be close to or with. Of course, you can still – Go Fishing!!
We are going ahead with our plans to meet at the Grange in Aptos, for our August meeting. It will be outdoors, mostly, and is our annual club Barbeque and Swap Meet. Yes -we will be taking every required precaution, and some maybe a bit more personal, to be as responsible as we should be. IF, something was to happen where we couldn’t have the BBQ, we’ll have a plan B. But I am hoping those of you who will be excited and able to come together, in August. We’ll have an All-American BBQ and swap meet.
Thanks to your board, all those who have reached out to help in so many ways. And thanks to some new members, Scott, Camille, Michael, who have offered and helped in a number of ways. That is what we are about.
Set Zoom up on your iPad, computer, and prepare for the June meeting. I look forward to seeing you. Until then? – Go -what? Go Fishing!
Unfortunately due to Covid-19, Cecilia is canceling the class which was going to be ” Vinci’s Depth Charge”. She plans to do it sometime in the future when conditions are different. Perhaps we will be able to do fly tying classes via Zoom sometime in the future if I can figure out the logistics. Stay tuned.
Even during this unusual time the membership has maintained at 150, including 4 new online members who we able to join on the new website online direct payment with Visa/square to our account.
Nametags have been ordered for these new members and will be mailed. Should you need a name tag, please email me @robert6367@aol.com and I will mail one.
Local news: Fish and Wildlife tanker truck was in town on May 13 and under the cover of darkness, dropped its load of 160,000 Chinook salmon smolts off the Santa Cruz wharf and a drop of about 30 feet did not bother these fish at all, in fact the mortalities were low, the gulls and cormorants already roosting for the night, the same with the sea lions and harbor seals said the crew who were there to watch. Because the stocking was so easy, there was no need for volunteers like in the past where we would transport large heavy sea pens to the harbor and assemble in place, the yearly event lasted 2 weeks, fish were fed in the sea pens and released after about 5 days on the outgoing tide. Problems arose when the fish returned to the harbor and caused an influx of sea lions and fishermen along the banks trying for a 30 lb. fish, some of the kids landed the fish of a lifetime while the boat owners worried about damage to boats and lines wrapped around props and docks.
The fish were delivered to Santa Cruz first and on May 20th the same amount was released in Monterey, the mission is to enhance the fishery more than to expect these fish will spawn locally and the biologists tell us that Santa Cruz is too far south in the range for successful spawning of this species, Coho salmon are this far south but success for their returning in numbers again seems doubtful as the weather and river water gets warmer and the flows diminish in drought years.
Opening salmon season I noticed the boats returning to G-3 Dock had an equal number of wild and hatchery fish missing that little Adopal fin clipped at the hatchery. Some fish may have a tiny wire in the head that can be scanned and reveal data for the biologists. Volunteers at the launch ramp would ask to remove heads from hatchery fish. (not the wardens).
The changes to the salmon release has removed the need for volunteers from the Fly club to meet with Salmon and Trout volunteers. This was a good way to combine energies for the greater good and health of the bay and salmon fishing in particular. also we had fun and lots of laughter. The public came to the sea pens and we would let the kids toss fish pellets to the school inside the pen. The education factor is lost but the savings of running that operation was a lot and now 2 people can put a pipe over a railing and turn the fish loose.
I included photos from previous years salmon delivery to the harbor pen and the dark drop off the wharf photo is thanks to Sam Bishop, former Club president and now treasurer for MBSTP (salmon and trout project).
Slim says: If you don’t like the news, go out and make some of your own. (smiley face) I sure hope the world opens up soon and we can resume our lives to some normalcy. Be good to yourselves and the earth. Slim
Some information regarding our fishouts that are being impacted by covid-19. Be sure to also refer to the Fishout schedule and article about each individual Fishout.
1. The Green River has been canceled.
2. For surf fishouts it is easy to maintain social distancing and wear a mask. ALSO: details about surf fishing can be found by going to the navy blue bar at the top, tap EDUCATION, then tap SURF FISHING INFORMATION.
3. The Loreto trip is still scheduled but, Rich will be making a decision around June 1st about the ability to continue with plans or cancel. Check with Rich Hewett (831)757-5709.
4. For Mammoth fishouts sign ups can still be made until accommodations are filled up until Sept. 1st. If it’s necessary to cancle, money will be refunded.
5. The Forbay fishouts should be another outing where social distancing and masks could be adhered to.
