Upcoming Fishing Outings

March Surf Fishout
Fishmaster: Sam Bishop - 476-6451

We'll have a joint surf fish-out MARCH 6 with the Peninsula Fly Fishers Club. So I hope we'll have a great turnout to meet and get acquainted our fellow fly fishers from the north. There is lots of room at PALM BEACH and historically it has produced some pretty nice numbers and sizes of fish. Let's make it 06:30 AM (sunrise) on Saturday, March 6. This is at the end of West Beach Street in Watsonville. The moon is last quarter and low tide is at 06:21 AM (+0.2). This low tide, while not a negative one, still should give everyone the opportunity to see the beach structure, rips, etc. There's just a sliver of moon that night, so unless the swells are too big, the conditions should be perfect for a March morning. For those who plan on going to Pyramid in March, just bring the same setup. (Except the ladder!)
I'll have spare stripping baskets. More info to prepare is on our website, just look for it.

This fishout is booked up, and if you haven't yet booked your lodging and still intend to come, you must make your own arrangements either by bringing your own RV (Crosby's 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 Crosby's lodge to inquire about last minute cancellations as well (775) 476-0400. There is also a stand-by list to fill last minute club cancellations or gaps in the week. Call Harry to get your name placed on the list.
First come first served, unless you snore then you will have to pass a decibel test. If your trailer has gaps or cancellations, call Harry so he can find you members to fill the empty beds. 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.
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 www.santacruzflyfishermen.org, or call Harry Petrakis at 831-419-4245.

NOTE: Just a reminder; if you are interested in fishing Pyramid lake in 2011: Pyramid Lake 2011 dates are Sunday, March 13th to Saturday, March 19th. Crosby's Lodge(775 476-0400) is now or will soon be taking reservations for 2011 so give them a call to get the details and to book your spot for 2011.

Pyramid Lake is a unique trout fishery with its own traditions and rules of etiquette. Some of these "rules" are common sense and are seen in other fisheries; however, some are unique to Pyramid Lake. Should you break these laws of etiquette you will find yourself being nicely educated by one of the veterans of Pyramid Lake. Should you ignore this instruction and continue to violate etiquette, you will attract the ire of fishermen around you and create ill will. Should you fish friendly and respect others, you will find people helpful in sharing new techniques and maybe even a secret fly.

Ladders are used for shore fishing and they rule the day. These ladders are placed in about 3 feet of water and are used as platforms to cast. They also designate a particular location as that individual's spot. Ladders are usually spaced in a line parallel to the bank about 25 feet apart. A ladder's fishing area will extend out into the lake just beyond casting distance. If a person is spin casting, this distance will be further than a person who is flyfishing.
* It is considered a breach of etiquette to squeeze your ladder between two ladders that are already properly spaced. People get up early to get their chosen spot and do not appreciate late-comers squeezing in.
* Placing your ladder farther out than the rest of the line is frowned upon. The entire line will decide to move in or out as conditions dictate. Placing a ladder farther out will generally tend to push the fish farther out. These fish are traveling parallel to the bank and when they see a ladder, person or float tube they will veer to deeper water.
* A float tuber may need to go between two ladders in order to get out into the lake to fish. This is okay if not abused. A float tuber may go out and come back between ladders in order to go out fishing and come back when finished. It is not okay to go back and forth between ladders while fishing their area, even if the ladder fishermen are taking a break on shore. It is also not appreciated when a float tuber stations themselves at the end of line and farther out than the ladder line. This is essentially just like putting your ladder farther out then everyone else's, except you are doing it with a float tube and not a ladder. It still impacts the movement of the fish which will have a negative effect of the fishing success of those fishing near you.
* A float tuber should also not fish a ladders area when the ladder person is on shore taking a break, no more than another person would place their ladder two feet from another ladder just because that person is taking a break.
* A float tuber should fish out beyond the casting range of those on the ladders. One of the worst breaches of etiquette is for a float tuber to troll parallel to the ladders inside their casting range. The ladder person may say "I can cast that far", throw a tennis ball, cast across your line, cast at you or just give you a solemn stare down with a hint of "stink eye". These are all indications that you are in serious violation.
* A float tuber should also refrain from casting into the area within the casting range of a ladder.
* If you put a ladder out into the water then fish from it. Do not drive away or start fishing from your float tube. Short breaks on shore are fine; everyone does this.
* When a trophy fish is hooked, a 10 plus-pounder, that person gets special consideration. Others will bring in their lines so as to not interfere with the lucky person's ability to bring in the fish of a lifetime. Watching a 10 pound trout being successfully landed and released is one of the best aspects of fishing at Pyramid Lake.

This list of dos and don'ts is being published as a reminder to those who fish Pyramid Lake, because our club has a good reputation with the locals and we'd like to keep it that way, so on future fishouts, we will be welcome there. If you have any questions, you can call the fishmaster Harry Petrakis, at 419-4245, he will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Location:	Quail Hollow Ranch
Date:	Saturday, March 20th
Time:	10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

This is an annual Fly Club tradition. The event is hosted in conjunction with the Santa Cruz County Parks, Education and Conservation Program. Our club and the sport of fly fishing are recognized for taking care of our environment and passing on a conservation legacy. Quail Hollow Ranch is a beautiful mountain park acquired by the county in the mid '80's. It features a 300-acre preserve that was once the home to Ohlone Indians, Spanish ranchers, even the headquarters for Sunset Magazine. Now it is home to a few horses, a natural history center and a spring-fed "untouchable" bass and bluegill pond. Don't forget the binoculars, as this is a major stop on the birdwatchers circuit. The Ranch is located above Felton, about a mile up Zayante Rd., a left turn just past the old Trout Farm Inn.

The day is geared toward introducing and educating people as to why the members of our club are so hooked on fly fishing. Fly Fishing 101 will be taught by Tim Loomis in the morning, followed by casting lessons by Walt Robinson mid-morning and in the afternoon. Our Mistress of Fly Tying, Elaine Cook, will be hosting classes all day. More fun events are planned: open casting for fun and laughs, blindfolded fly tying contests, roll casting pond, and spey casting.
What about those kids and grandkids? Just bring them along! They are future of both fly fishing and conservation, so it's important to expose them to the sport. This event is all going to happen rain or shine. Everything is provided, rods and reels for casting, fly tying materials, vises, lights and tools. Feel free to bring your own equipment. This will be a great club event, with a special invitation to all members to come out and have some fun and talk over the barbecue, which starts at noon. Members who attend should be sporting some club attire, like one of our baseball caps, a T-shirt, or a casting shirt with our logo on it, and your name tag, so guests can tell who we are.
Directions: Graham Hill Road to East Zayante Road, and travel about a mile, pass the Trout Farm Inn, take a left at the Quail Hollow Ranch Road bridge. Follow the road about a 1/2 mile and you will see the entrance on your right. For more info, contact Chris Walters at peasbugs@yahoo.com, or call 588-1066.

Fishing Opportunities: Fish for trout in tailwater river, several streams and a reservoir. Also bass in ponds (limited and dependent on how warm this spring is). For this year, Hot Creek and the Upper Owens will also be open. A big winter can affect access.
Climate: Sunny and warm to snowy. Strong winds are commonly encountered.
Lodging: Camping at Pleasant Valley Campground, elevation 4000 ft. RV or trailer recommended due to the possibility of extended periods of cold and wind. Camping fee about $12 - $15 per night. Reservations not needed. Motels in Bishop: Cost is $60 per night and up. Reservations are recommended.

General Plan: Fishmasters will stay at campground which is very basic, with picnic tables, fire pits and outhouses. We intend to go to town for breakfast, groceries, newspapers, showers and fly shops, which are in Bishop, a ten minute drive from the campground. Fishing is from mid-morning on; the fish don't wake up till then at this time of year. We will have a potluck 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). 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 picture 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: Gloves, warm cap to cover ears, hat, rain gear, warm coat, insect repellent (rarely needed), sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, 2010 fishing license.
Driving Directions: Sierra passes will be closed. Southern route to Hwy 395 via Bakersfield is recommended. I-80 to Reno then south on 395 is another option, but check weather and road conditions. 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.

I am excited to announce there will be three Roostercomb Ranch fishouts this spring: RC-1 April 16-18, RC-2 April 30 - May 2, and RC-3 May 14-16, Fridays through Sundays.
The Roostercomb Ranch is located in Morgan Hill, 22 miles off Hwy 152 near Casa de Fruta Restaurant. The ranch experience always offers everyone a fun-filled weekend with its 9 bass ponds, hiking, birding, and photography on nearly 6,000 acres of wild country. The ponds are primarily fished by float tube or from the bank using poppers and woolly buggers.
Breakfasts and evening barbecues are coordinated by teams. Accommodations are the ranch house, the bunk house, or if you prefer, your own tent or vehicle. Due to high rainfall this season, water levels in the streams are high, and the dirt roads are currently in poor condition. We can only hope those conditions will improve prior to our treks in to the ranch. Therefore, all vehicles must be 4-WD! The cost is $155 per adult fisher and non-fisher per fishout, no charge for children under 16 yrs. Non-fishers are always welcome. Please call to sign up and be certain to specify the weekend or weekends you would like to attend: RC-1, RC-2, or RC-3. Call in date: Thursday, March 11, 7:00 p.m. Each fishout is limited to 16 fishers and 6 non-fishers, total 22.
NOTE: You are only able to call in for yourself and your partner, and/ or children. - Cecilia Stipes - (831) 335-5727 - 328 Capelli Drive, Felton 95018

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 ConFab and next club meeting.

The fishout will be over two one-week periods, September 25th through October 2nd, and October 2nd through October 9th. 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. We will be staying in condominiums in the town of Mammoth Lakes.
Cost: $270 per person per week. This covers seven nights' lodging with three meals per day. Sign up for either week, for $270, or both weeks for $540.
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, April 15th, 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 May 5th 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 fishmaster will maintain a waiting list for each week. If space for you is available by August 15th, you will be notified by telephone.
Unused Funds: Any funds received but not spent on the fishout will be used for prizes for our annual fundraiser.

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