Date: January 6th
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Zoom
Posted onSit back relax and enjoy the annual slide show. During the COVID-19 shutdown, fly fishing was one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and social distance way.
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Raise your hand if you like photos of your fish, either to share with friends or to provide your own fond memories. Raise your hand if you are hesitant to use your cell phone for such photo out of fear of damaging or losing said cell phone. My hand is raised on both counts along with just replacing my third cell phone due to loss or water damage. Believe me when I say that a root canal is almost (note “almost”) preferred to replacing a cell phone.
How about a really nice waterproof digital camera from FujiFilm?I Perfect for the float tube, Pyramid Lake ladder, or just stuck away in a pocket in your vest. This XP140 is shockproof, dust proof, and waterproof to 82 feet. Attach it to a float, no worries. It features Bluetooth/WiFi to transfer both videos and stills without the need for cables.
There is an old adage that states “the best camera is the one you have in your hand” , this camera will be that one.
To buy your raffle tickets click on https://www.santacruzflyfishing.org/raffle
The tickets are a dollar each, 25 for 20 bucks. The raffle drawing will be held at the January 6th. Zoom meeting. No need to be present to win.
Posted on December 19th, 2020
Date: Jan, 13 (Wed.)
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Zoom class
Posted on
I designed this fly for chasing after saltwater varieties in Hawaii, namely: bonefish, trevally , and barracuda. This fly also does well in Bahamas, Belize, and Christmas Island. It’s derived from the famous “Bunny Gotcha” and almost resembles a shrimp.
Upon recommendation from my friend Robert Eberle, I’ve discovered that this pattern also works well for surf perch on local beaches.
Please call to sign up, and let me know if you need thread (flat waxed nylon-white) and/or vise and tools. This fly will be a little more challenging for beginners but never let that stop you from learning tying techniques. Your material and directions will be at my door after you sign up. Larry Yien – (831)325-4589
The Zoom link for the fly tying class is on the menu of the website, just below the link for the general meeting.
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Let’s dream about warm Hawaii in chilly January by tying Hula Shrimp flies and drinking Mai Tais. As many of you know, the Mai Tai was created by Victor Bergeron (Trader Vic’s) in Oakland. A decade later, the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach was the first to serve the drink and it quickly became synonymous with Hawaii instead of Oakland.
The Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai*:
Ingredients
1 ounce dark rum
1 ounce light rum
1 ounce orange curacao
2 ounces orange juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
Dash orgeat
Dash simple syrup (bar syrup)
Preparation
Combine all of the ingredients in the order listed in an old fashioned style glass over shaved ice. Stir with a swizzle stick. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cherry.
Note: There are many downsides to virtual fly tying, however staying at home provides a benefit that adult beverages can be consumed during the class.
* From Hawaiimagazine.com July 31, 2017
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Happy New Year!
At this writing, I’m pretty happy cause I hooked a steelhead with the Spey Rod and a red/black woolly bugger in the San Lorenzo under the train trestles today.
Considering I’m still learning how to control line on this big stick, I was totally stoked. Third cast this morning. Course I didn’t land it and it was likely a young first year fish cause it was not more than fourteen inches (and I’m being as realistic as I can be) but bright and silvery. It was what we’d call an LDR – long distance release! Considering my casting, I was quite happy about it. My hands were frozen. It said 28 degrees in Ben Lomond when I left, for the river.
For the next three hours I continued, by myself. Seriously strange if you know the history of the San Lorenzo River. If the tide was high in the Estuary, and it was a fishable day, before Christmas, you’d see at least 10 people fishing. Over the years, three or four. But yesterday and today? One. Me. It was awesome, practicing my casting with no concern about some other angler laughing his arse off watching me pummel the water learning. And it was beautiful. Oh – I had an audience alright. Donned in my Santa hat to keep my ears and cranium warm. It is the “season” after all. They knew very little about how good I was, but I was, the Fly Fisherman. While I paid no attention, focusing on my casting, pretending I didn’t hear their marvelous accolades, praises and adorations, it was nice to be raising awareness that yes, there are fish in this river.
It was not likely I was going to catch another fish, as my casting was not near enough as good as it was yesterday. I called it, ‘beating the water to death for the next three hours’. I suppose I was suffering from YouTube Spey Casting overload. Too much information. I was likely trying too hard, mixing up my Perry Poke with the Snap-T, or is it Iced-T? When that wasn’t working and the breeze was blowing counter to my downstream shoulder, I must’ve needed to change to my Double Spey. Yeah – that was it! Nope. Maybe I was casting with the wrong hand – switched hands. That didn’t do it either. Oh no, please don’t tell me it’s the Snake Roll. No way I got that one yet. Was clearly my overhand pushing and not my underhand. Arrggg.
Back to basics – roll cast, watch my D-Loop, keep it up,…, Single Spey. Ahhhhhh. You know you have it right when all the line runs out, tugs on your reel and you realize it’s pretty far away all nice and straight and you hardly heard anything hit the water. Try to remember how you did that and do it again, and again, and again? More practice.
When I learned to cast the single hand rod, I would practice for hours and hours. It’s a little harder to do with a Spey Rod. Taking a 13’6” 8 weight to the park is a good bit different than a 9’ 5 weight. So I like these days when I am okay with casting away in the estuary when the tide is up. I’m not worried about hindering a larger fish that might be moving up to spawn, when the flows are again, tragically low.
One good year does not a Steelhead river make. The San Lorenzo is suffering again with little less than 22% of “average” rainfall again. The flows for the last several years, but one, have been 50-60% of the 82 year average flows.
If you fish the river, be careful. Make sure you are single-barbless, no-bait, no scents, and are careful where you walk.
Some have asked why fish when the river is in peril. To raise awareness. If the fishermen go, who will speak for the Steelhead, Tide water goby, the Stickleback, Lamprey Eel? The San Lorenzo will turn into the LA River – just a water supply for the city and the majority of population who will never know why the Steelhead, Coho (and all the other wildlife), are so important and necessary to thrive.
In the last 50 years, our biodiversity in wildlife which was 65% of the entire plant, is today just 35%. The San Lorenzo, and our adjoining rivers, Scott, Waddell, Pescadero, Soquel, Aptos, Pajaro…, are in peril. They need water. Pretty much it. Water. More than these rivers are being allotted today. And I don’t mean just from a Water Department perspective, but a development, stewardship, awareness, do something about it stance.
Some of the water departments would have you “Conserve” with a belief it’s good for the environment, but the water you are conserving is not going to the fish. It’s going to developers who don’t even live in these watersheds.
Whoa! Where did that come from? Wasn’t I just hooking a young steelhead in the estuary with my Spey Rod? Yeah. Let’s get back to that.
2020 is now behind us – we can look for a lot of new things in 2021. Even when Covid is gone, we’re hopefully realizing that gardens are good, less is better, working from home is doable, and we don’t need to be flying around the country to have fun.
The club will take a lot of what we were forced to do in 2020 and use it to your advantage for 2021 and beyond. You have a great club and it is great because of you. Love your input, even if it’s constructive. Keep it coming. Jump on a committee or a board position- have fun with us.
Happy New Year. Hogye
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Covid 19 is making it hard to encourage club members to sponsor much desired fishouts. Outings in the out of doors where people can social distance, such as The O’Neil Forbay and the surf are the safest and have worked well in 2020. Gatherings at campgrounds are a great option, as well as spontaneous, short notice outings that you can announce on our Google Groups email site. Fishouts that involve housing are more challenging. Therefore the Green River and Mammoth fishouts will not happen this year. If you wish to schedule a fishout that involves housing , the vaccine role out , safety mandates , and participant comfort level , will be important considerations. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a fishout. Thanks, John. (831)688-1561
| DATE | LOCATION | SPECIES | FISHMASTER |
| APR 5-11 | Pyramid Lake | Lohanton Cutthroat | Mike White – 706-5556 |
| MAR TBA | Los Banos Reservoir | Bass & Trout | Dan Eaton – 336 2933 |
| Spring TBA | Clear Lake | Bass & Crappie | John & Elaine – 688-1561 |
| MAY 8, 2021 @ 5:50 am | Rio Del Mar Beach | Surf Perch / Stripers | Sam Bishop – 831 274 4024 |
| June 05, 2021 @ 5:35 am | Palm Beach | Surf Perch / Stripers | Sam Bishop – 831 274 4024 |
| July 10, 2021 @ 5:45 am | Manresa Beach | Surf Perch / Stripers | Mark Traugott – 831 252-3300 |
| August 07, 2021 @ 6:00 am | Rio Del Mar Beach | Surf Perch / Stripers | Sam Bishop – 831 274 4024 |
| September 04, 2021 @ 06:30 AM | Manresa Beach | Surf Perch / Stripers | Sam Bishop – 831 274 4024 |
| October 09, 2021 @ 7:00 am | Palm Beach | Surf Perch / Stripers | Mark Traugott – 831 252-3300 |
| OCT – NOV TBA | O’Neil Forebay | Stripers | Steve Rudzinski – 462-4532 |
Posted on December 24th, 2020
Fishmaster: Mike White – (831) 706-5556, lumberguy73@hotmail.com
We are planning on having a Pyramid Lake 2021 fish out. The dates are April 5th through the 11th. We have 4 mobile homes reserved so far, and currently they are all full. If you are interested in attending please contact Mike White immediately and he will help you find accommodations preferably at Pyramid Lake Lodge at (775) 476-0400. This has been an unusual time for all, and trying to arrange a fish out under these conditions has been challenging. However, at this point we have confirmation that everyone on the list of current attendees understand the risk, and are still committed to going on the trip. So, if you are in that camp contact Mike White.
The Pyramid Lake trip is one of the best-attended fishouts the club has, and for a good reason. Lahontan Cutthroat Trout cruise parallel to the shore in easy casting distance from shore. Cost for the week including meals and lodging and is around $300+ per person depending on the number in attendance. You need not fish all six days as there may be openings (usually later in the week.) Contact Mike for more details (831) 706-5556, to check on openings, or be put on a waiting list. First come first served.
You can also make your own arrangements either by bringing your own RV (Pyramid Lake Lodge has hook-ups and sells permits to park on the any of the beaches along the lake) or staying in Reno. Reno is 45 minutes away. Call Pyramid Lake Lodge to inquire about last minute cancellations in their cabins as well (775) 476-0400 and check out their website to see what the cabins look like at www.pyramidlakelodge.com. The General Store in Sutcliff offers meals on selected nights only to those who call in before 2:00 PM. Check at the General Store for details.
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 enable you to cast out to where the fish are. You can still catch fish without one but not with near as much consistency.
Flies: Woolly buggers in black, white, purple, olive, midge, caddis and mayfly nymphs to name a few. If as in years past the Confab in February is offering the opportunity to see how some of the best Pyramid patterns are made plan to attend and bring a vise and tie some yourself. 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 reasonable 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.
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 going to Pyramid Lake for many years are a good source of information 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.
NOTE: Due to insurance regulations, all attendees must be paid up members of Santa Cruz Fly fishermen, so get your membership paid up if you haven’t done so yet.
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Hatchery Report for the Swanton Road facility: As of 12/18 I just got the letter from Ben Harris as to the status since the fire damaged most of the outdoor tanks and infrastructure. Currently they are working with county OES/environmental health department to arrange clean up of the site under Phase 2 (public option) to save money on labor, public contractors will take care of hauling away the tanks and debris. Two bridges need to be built over the creek and permits needed to be approved still. Work is expected to begin before Jan 1.
Volunteers are always treasured and deeply appreciated and January is a busy month where the Warm Springs facility expect the spawning will be in full swing the second and third week of January. Permits are in place to capture fish at the Felton dam fish trap. They are going to have Gordon explain how the trap works as you work 8 hour shifts during the prime time when fish are moving upstream, day and all night. This is hard work and not for everyone, die hard fishermen usually love this stuff. You will need to sign a waiver and get training and have a fishing license to register.
Fish and Wildlife say they plan to release Chinook salmon smolts again in Santa Cruz and Monterey in 2021-22 releasing 120,000 at each site. Last spring was the first time fish had been dropped off the wharf and bypassing the small craft harbor for the first time. I would try fishing off the wharf for salmon in a couple more years as they return to the source of their entry to the sea. The sea lions will be on the scene but we caught some big salmon mooching off the wharf, sea lions get their share. Ben Harris director says he is asking for more releases but the fires and funding has affected operations at the Mokelumne Hatchery. Low flows and numbers of native fish has greatly reduced production of smolts this year. Fish are released from Fort Baker to other locations south to Monterey. This project has been my passion over 10 years when we received fish at the Harbor launch ramp and tended a sea pen to feed and fatten fish to be released after 5 days in the pen. It was a ton of work assembling and storing the sea pen and now they just drop them 40 feet off the wharf and they do fine. (we hope)
Since our club does not have our own conservation projects it is interesting and fun to help out other local groups like MBSTP or Coastal Watershed Council as a representative of SCFF. The Hatchery staff have asked us for help many times and we always send a few who make the difference in a successful effort like fin clipping parties at the Felton Hatchery to taking water samples at the annual ‘First Flush’ storm sewer analysis where it meets rivers or shoreline.
Contact: www.mbstp.org for information or call or write me.
PS. Thanks to all who attended the casting clinic at Jade St Park in Dec. I think at least 25 came throughout the afternoon, this will happen again in 2021 or when the current stay at home for 100 days is over. I am asking for help in posting conservation articles for 2021, Thanks to Bob Garbarino for his help this month.
‘Be the Bug’. Stosh aka (Con-Slim)
Posted on December 30th, 2020
A team of university, state and federal researchers from Washington and California together with Canadian scientists have identified a compound that is formed when a component in tires reacts with ozone is washed into creeks and streams during storm runoffs. They concluded that the toxic compound is deadly to the endangered Coho. The research was conducted in streams in the Puget Sound vicinity.
The culprit turned out to be related to a chemical called 6PPD, which is essentially a preservative to keep car tires from breaking down too quickly in the presence of ozone. When 6PPD hits the road and reacts with ozone gas, the chemical transforms into multiple new chemicals, including a compound known as 6PPD-quinone.
Hopefully the outcome of this research will result in changes in the chemistry of tire design that will eliminate this Coho killer. Undoubtedly, this could be a long uphill battle against the tire industry. My thanks goes out to those committed to science and conservation of our wildlife!
Posted on December 30th, 2020
This is your last chance to nominate your candidate for our annual John Steele award.
You can submit your nomination by texting your V/P (Kevin Murdock) at
(831) 238-3037 or emailing to troutdock89@gmail.com
John has forever been a mainstay of our club, offering whatever help was needed to whoever needed it for the last 30 years. In that spirit, this award is presented to whoever has aided you on your fly fishing journey. You can vote as often as you need, to capture the spirit of your fishing gurus.Call or text me and let me know how they’ve helped you. You can nominate a member for each individual kind act.
Thanks
Kevin
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Purchase your SCFF swag on our new store. To access it, look for the menu item STORE on the top menu of www.santacruzflyfishing.org.
Posted on December 19th, 2020
As of the week before Christmas, we have 135 memberships, including 21 new members for 2021..We are hopeful to have 15 more renewals by the end of the year…Majority of the renewals have been online and 90% of new members were online….To date we have received over $2,500 for conservation and scholarships and a thank you to those members for their thoughtful donations.
Posted on December 24th, 2020
Posted on December 30th, 2020
This pattern was orininated by Jeff Henkemyer and simulates the emerging stage of a midge. Midges are a very important food source for trout in the winter. They are imparative to have in your fly box when fishing tailwaters and spring creeks throughout the year. Apply floatent and use a floating line with 4x, 5x or 6x tippet, depending on size of fish? If unable to see when fishing, trail a foot or 18 inches behind a fly more visible. A simple fly to tie, with few materials. Magnification for this very small fly is most important to get the details of the fly accurate. With small flies, every wrap of thread counts. Don’t bulk up the fly.
Hook: TMC 2487 Sizes 18-22
Thread: black 8/0
Tail (shuck): grizzly hen hackle tip
Body: black thread
Hackle: grizzly
1. Crimp barb.
2. Attach thread 1/3 back on hook shank. Touching wraps to beyond barb, then touching wraps to above barb.
3. Select a very small hen neck feather. Position on top of shank so it extends hook length to rear. With touching wraps forward, tie in up to hook point. Cut excess.
4. Moisten fibers at end of Zelon, pull to straighten a little. Make cut straight across. Pinch fibers, then tie to top of shank with touching wraps to one eye length behind eye. Cut excess. Tie down butt ends. Cut off any stray fibers. Tilt hook back in vise a little.
5. Select hackle with barbs 1 and 1/2 hook gap. At butt end, cut about 4 barbs short on each side of the stem “crew cut”. With dull side facing you, tie in “crew cut”with touching wraps back to wing. Using touching hackle turns forward, forcing thread forward with each turn, end up one eye length behind eye. Tie off cut excess.
6. While holding hackle back out of the way, wrap small thread head. Whip finish, cut thread. Cut off any whiskers.
Posted on December 30th, 2020
I’m frequently asked how to tie various knots. I demonstrate when I can. Covid has precluded that. Certain knots that I infrequently tie require some refreshing for me as well. I’ve had an invaluable book for years that I highly recommend if you can find it. I think it’s out of print. Practical Fishing Knots II by Mark Sosin and Lefty Kreg. There’s a new book out that looks good. Guide To Fly Fishing Knots by Larry Notley. It’s small and inexpensive.
Posted on December 30th, 2020
Just made available. SCFF Trout Logo on cotton hoodie with a full zipper. Small logo on front pocket only in sizes Small, Medium Large and Extra Large. Price is $59 which includes shipping. We are only going to inventory a few per size, so please buy and we will get it to you as soon as we can.
Posted on November 24th, 2020
