Upcoming Fishing Outings

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Owens River - Apr. 7th-14th
Fishmasters: John & Elaine Cook - 688-1561

Fishing Opportunities: Trout in tailwater river, stream and lake. Bass in ponds (limited and dependent on how warm this spring is). This year, for the first time at this time of year, Hot Creek and the Upper Owens River will be open.
Climate: Sunny and warm to snowy. Strong winds are commonly encountered.
Lodging: Camping at Pleasant Valley Campground. RV or trailer recommended due to the possibility of extended periods of cold and wind. Cost will be $12 per night. Reservations not needed. Motels in Bishop: Cost is $50 per night and up. Reservations are recommended.
General Plan: Fishmasters will stay at campground which is very basic, with picnic tables and outhouses. We intend to go to town for breakfast, groceries, newspapers, showers and fly shops, which are in Bishop, ten minutes' drive from the campground. Fishing is from mid-morning on. We will have a pot luck barbecue dinner each evening at the campground.
Bring: Box of wood for campfire, small bag of charcoal briquets for barbecues, food and beverages, camping chair, your own tableware (cups, dishes, flatware) and cooking gear. Camp stove, cutting board, basic cooking utensils, grill and dishpan will be provided. Bring a camera to take pictures to share at next year's slide show in January.
Fishing Gear: Rods: 2-6 weight.
Lines: floating and sinking, sink tip type IX
Flies: standard trout dry flies, including: blue winged olive, 16-18, Mr. Bill (Western Coachman), 14-16, elk hair caddis, 16-18, Griffith's Gnat, 14-18, standard trout sinking flies, including: tiger midge, 16-20, pheasant tail nymph 14-18, Hornberg or Loehberg, 12-14, Prince nymph, 16, Scintilla bubble nymph, 20, dark lord, 12-16, Bass and bluegill poppers, small and medium.
Waders: neoprene with fleece underlayers for float tubing, breathable waders over fleece for river and stream fishing.
Float tube and accessories. Personal: Gloves, warm cap to cover ears, hat, rain gear, warm coat, insect repellent, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, 2007 fishing license.
Driving Directions: Sierra passes will be closed. Southern route to Hwy 395 via Bakersfield is recommended. Allow 8-9 hours' driving time. Refer to map. Sign Ups: Not needed, but the fishmasters would like to know that you are coming, and approximately when you will arrive. Look for the club banner at the campground.

When: April 28th - launch time - 5:30 AM
Where: Los Padres Reservoir, Tularcitos Ridge, Carmel Valley, CA
Who: Six lucky SCFF members. I will have a sign-up sheet available at the April 4th meeting.
Directions: Highway One south to Carmel Valley Rd. Turn onto Carmel Valley Rd. and follow east (for about 15 minutes). to a right onto Cachagua Rd (there will be a sign for Los Padres Res). Cachagua Rd. is a climbing, twisting narrow road so drive carefully. It's still a few miles up to the reservoir so take your time. There is one final turn off onto Nason Rd. (a right with signs for the Res.) This turns into a dirt road and goes for about a hundred yards to the parking area. It's another 1/4 to 1/2 mile on foot to the reservoir. Lock your car and keep all valuables in your trunk or out of sight.
Water craft: Float tubes and other non motor crafts are allowed. There is a fairly good launch area free of the larger rocks that are on the water's edge. You can also stay on foot and follow the trail around to the west side of the reservoir. I have not walked this trail but it does take you all the way around the west side. Last year I used float tubes, rafts and pontoons. The wind picks up right before noon and can really blow. Float tubers be aware.
Fishing Technique: 5-6 weight rods and both floating and sinking lines. The water is loaded with Rainbows, steelhead and browns. Last year I used dry flies (elk hair Caddis size 16 plus). This year I am using a combination of drys and wooly buggers (for trolling). That means carrying floating and sinking lines. Treat this water like any other Crowley type body of water. I am even thinking of nymphing with an indicator.
Safety: Due to the large size and remoteness of this reservoir always:
1) Stay with a buddy.
2) Pack in your food and water.
3) Wear a floatation device (safety whistle)
4) Wear a brimmed hat and have plenty of waterproof sunscreen.

If you are considering a trip to Utah in May to join us on this fishout, it isn't too early to begin planning. This river is a tailwater of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir Dam, situated in the northeast corner of Utah. It carves its way through a spectacular red rock canyon, and is the home of a healthy number of large brown and rainbow trout. It is rare to catch one under 16 inches, and not uncommon to catch several over 20 inches.
The Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen group will be staying at Trout Creek Flies Lodge, which can house up to 16 people, with four people sharing each of their four rooms, but if you call later and cannot book a room with Trout Creek, there are other options in the area, such as Flaming Gorge Lodge, and Red Canyon Lodge. There are also several campgrounds in the area, if you are driving an RV and wish to camp.
If you are planning to fly to Salt Lake City and rent a vehicle, call Kathy Powers, at 728-4130. If you'd like to take the AmTrak train, call Elaine Cook at 688-1561. If you plan to drive, (it's a day and a half's drive) call John Steele, at 476-0648. Likewise, if you need more details, or want to sign up for this fishout, call John. A sign up sheet will be available at the April meeting.

Webber Creek Ranch is a new fishing venue for most of us. It is a "pay to play" private lake of about 500 acres, 20 miles north of the town of Truckee, at the headwaters of the Little Truckee River. Trout from 2 to 6 pounds are regularly planted in the lake. Ernie and Diane Kinzli fished it last June and recommended it with enthusiasm. The Ranch also offers 1/2 mile of stream above and below the lake. It is a membership lake, but the owners have agreed to let our club fish the property for two days at a cost of $75 per day per fisherman. This cost also includes camping charges and use of the lake facilities-camping and picnic area (that include tables and firepits with grills) and an indoor eating /cooking area in case of bad weather or mosquitoes. Only those willing to stay and camp at the lake for both days will be considered. We can take in a group of 12 people. We will go in as a group on a Wednesday afternoon (the 6th) at 3pm and leave on Friday afternoon (the 8th) by 2pm. Cost for both days will be $150 per fisherman. Money is due to the fishmaster by May 15th. There will be a call-in for sign ups on Wednesday, April 25th, beginning at 7:00 PM.
On Friday afternoon, you can either drive home or continue on up the road about 5 miles to Jackson Meadow Reservoir where we will camp at Pass Creek Campground. Campsites (which can be share d and accommodate two vehicles) cost about $16-18 per night. From here, Milton Lake is about 3-5 miles away. This is a very small little gem of a lake that holds some very large, but selective fish, which we will fish Friday night and Saturday and Sunday.
If anyone is interested in continuing on beyond Sunday, the fishmaster plans to head up to Davis Lake, about 1 1/2 hour away, for a day or two (if reports are encouraging).
Gear:
* Float tube, pram, or pontoon boat
* 5 or 6 wt rod
* Floating line (with indicator set up) and a sinking line: either a full intermediate or a sink tip. Don't think anything heavier will be needed, but bring it if you have it.
* Flies: Wooly buggers in olive, black, and brown; Rickards still water nymphs; sheep creek nymphs; damsel and leech patterns and such like would be good. Also, scuds, midges and basic mayfly and callibaetis nymphs like Pt's, hare's ears and copper johns. Don't forget to bring some mayfly and caddis dry flies, in case there is an evening hatch.
* A PFD
* Camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, lantern, etc. etc.).
* All your own eating/cooking utensils, plates, mugs, etc.
* A folding chair.
* A mosquito head net and/or insect repellant (mosquitoes could be bad)
* Rain jacket, just in case
Food:
Bring your own everything for breakfast and lunch--you are on your own. However, dinner on Thursday and Saturday nights will be pot luck. Bring something to throw on the BBQ and something to share. Dinner on Wednesday and Friday will be not be organized.
Items the group needs:
* A Coleman Stove or two and a coffee pot
* Wood for the fire
* A few large black plastic bags for garbage and recycling
* Charcoal
* BBQing implements
Directions to Webber Lake:
Hwy 80 to Truckee. North on Hwy 89 about 17-20 miles. The exact route from here (about 10 miles) will b e provided to those signed up to go. But anticipate about a 5 Ð 51/2 hour total drive time.

The fishout will be over two one-week periods, September 15th through the 22nd, and September 22nd through the 29th. You may sign up for one of these two periods, or both.
Location: Mammoth Lakes is on the eastern side of the Sierras, six to seven hours' drive from Santa Cruz. There are many lakes and streams in the area for us to fish. Where we are staying this year is yet to be determined, but we will arrange lodging in condominiums in the town of Mammoth Lakes.
Cost: $225-$275 per person per week. This covers seven nights' lodging with three meals per day. Sign up for either week, for $225 to $275, or both weeks for $450 to $550. The cost will be more definite when the arrangements for the condos is firmed up.
Meal Preparation: Each person will be assigned to a group for a Kitchen Day. The group will set out breakfast and lunch foods, store unused food, prepare the evening meal, and clean up on the day designated.
Sign Up: John Cook will take calls at 688-1561, starting at 7:00 PM, May 3rd, and not before. Please leave your name, phone number, and which week you like to reserve, or if you wish to reserve both weeks. You may call in for yourself and one other person.
There is room for only 16 persons per week, and these 16 places will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To hold your place, we must receive your money before the June 6th club meeting. Mail your check, made out to John Cook, to P.O. Box 2822, Aptos, CA 95001-2822. This payment is non-refundable.
The fishmasters will maintain a waiting list for each week. If space for you is available by June 6th, you will be notified at the club meeting that day, or by telephone. The cost must be paid on or before July 1st, the final close-off date.
Unused Funds: Any funds received but not spent on the fishout will be turned over to the Club Treasurer as club income.

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