Upcoming Fishing Outings
March Surf Fishout
Fishmaster: Sam Bishop
March Surf Fishout
Fishmaster: Sam Bishop
Palm Beach, aka "Pajaro Dunes" on Saturday, March 7, at 06:30 AM, is our next surf fishout. We will arrive at high (5' 7") slack tide and be fishing a receding tide. Many of you heard a great talk at the Confab about the creatures of the surf you can catch. So join us and see if you can nail some Perch, Striper, Halibut, Leopard Shark, Jack Smelt, California Sting Ray, Sculpin, or maybe just a sand crab. (I've caught them all except the Halibut). It's all fun.
Palm Beach is at the end of Beach Street in Watsonville; I will have spare flies and stripping baskets. More info on the Club website, left side, the link is in green.
Owens River - April 11th - 19th
Fishmasters: Elaine and John Cook - 688-1561
This annual spring trip is informal. The Fishmasters would like to know if you are coming. All the necessary information is in the print February newsletter or here on the website, in the archived February issue. Feel free to call the Fishmasters anytime.
Roostercomb Ranch Fishout May 1 - 3, 2009
Fishmaster: Cecilia Stipes (831) 335-5727; flyfishgal3@aol.com
Cost: $165 per person over 16 yrs.
Spirits are high and full of anticipation as another fun-filled weekend at the Roostercomb Ranch is upon us. This year I will only put together one trip to the ranch due to the current status of this year's drought which will have an affect on the ponds sustainability into the late Spring and summer. Also this year, I have decided to plan for the first weekend in May hoping that warmer waters will stimulate greater bass activity in the deeper ponds. This is a great fishout for anyone who wants to experience a true ranching and wilderness adventure. Seven ponds on the ranch plus two ponds nearby in Henry Coe State Park and another great pond on an adjacent ranch offer some of the best bass fishing available to us. Fishing from the bank or from your float tube, hiking, bird watching, A.T.V riding and the like offer diversity to young and old. The ranch and bunk houses provide our sleeping, kitchen, and bathing facilities. Breakfast and dinner meals are coordinated and shared by members.
CRUCIAL: Every vehicle traveling in to the ranch must be 4-wheel drive. Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition and with good tires. If you don't have 4-wheel drive, there is always someone with whom a ride can be shared. The trip begins Friday morning caravanning at 8:00 AM from Casa de Fruta Restaurant on Hwy 152 and through the back country for 20 miles to the ranch. Our return homeward on Sunday from the ranch house will start around 3:30 PM.
IMPORTANT: Sign-Up is by calling me on Wednesday, March 25 @ 7:00 PM. ...and not before! Please feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions before then.
The Green River - May 9th-15th
Fishmaster: John Steele - 476-0648
If you are considering a trip to Utah in May to join us on this fishout, you really need to begin planning for it now. 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. You can walk a well-maintained trail along the river and bank fish, and/or book a guide to drift the river. The Trout Creek Flies guides are all very competent, excellent teachers, and provide all your terminal tackle, plus a delicious riverside lunch.
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, (435) 889-3773, and Red Canyon Lodge, (435) 889-3759. There are also several campgrounds in the area, if you are driving an RV and wish to camp.
If you are planning 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. If you are going to fly from San Jose to Salt Lake City, then rent a vehicle, you should shop online for the best deal, as soon as possible, or consult your travel agent. 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 next club meeting.