Tight Lines June

Transcription

1 Tight Lines June San Luis Obispo, CA Greg & Mary Lugo, Editors PRESIDENT S LETTER Lew Leichter June 2016 John Gierach on the definition of success: Is a person who is too busy to go fishing a success? NEW MEMBERS: Let s welcome our newest members Anthony Bozzano, Dave Rose, Monique Snow, Karen Wood, Nancy Nelsen and Nicole Nelsen. Nice to see more women getting involved in our sport. We look forward to getting to know you better and spending time on the water with you. Speaking of new comers and beginners, we have scheduled a special KERN RIVER OUTING the weekend of October 29 th. Saturday, the outing will consist of Guy Jeans half day class Fishing the Kern offered in two sessions, morning or afternoon. Class cost is $75 per person. Participants will spend the remainder of the time fishing with a club mentor. This is a great event for new comers. There are a maximum of 6 people per session. We have 8 people signed up so far - if you want to be included let me know ASAP. Details on lodging and transportation will be worked out at a later date. A great article by Dick Galland in the latest edition of CA Fly Fisher explains better than I ever could why Guy s class focusing on learning nymph fishing is important to your success in our sport. There is no more effective way to catch a trout than with a nymph imitation. Nothing will increase your catch rate faster than mastering the basics of nymph fishing DONATION SUGGESTIONS: As I mentioned last month we are in the process of considering requests for donations. If you have suggestions, please contact a board member. JUNE MEETING and PROGRAM: Our June program will feature Debbie Sharpton. We know Debbie as the Conservation VP of the Southwest Council of the IFFF. Her program will be about Grazing and the California Golden Trout. This should be a good one, hope you can attend (see below for more info). (1

2 Meeting Raffle: We are going to change how we do the meeting raffle. Instead of putting your tickets in a cup for a specific item, all tickets will go into one cup. The first ticket drawn will have first choice of all the raffle items, second ticket second choice, etc. We ll see how you like this change. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A CLOSE OUT SALE ON ABOUT A DOZEN MOSTLY NEW CLUB FLY LINES AT $10 EACH. Annual Club Picnic: This year s picnic will be on Saturday July 23 rd from 11am to 2pm at CUESTA PARK and will be FREE to all members and your spouse or significant other (see below for lots more info). SAVE THE DATES June 2 nd Fly tying 6:30pm Odd Fellows Hall (see below) June 9 th NO BOARD MEETING General meeting 6:30pm with Debbie Sharpton, Conservation VP of the SWCIFFF, on Grazing and the CA Golden Trout (see below) June 20 th -25 th Manzanita Lake outing contact Bernard Pieters (see below) June 26 th July 1 st Almanor Lake outing (see below). If planning to attend, let Madeline and George Protsman know. They will be co-ordinating activities and hosting their annual BBQ. July 9 th Halibut Outing in Port San Luis. Contact Bernard Pieters (see below) July 23 rd Club picnic (see below) Oct 14 th 16 th - SWCIFFF Faire in Bishop (see poster - more info to follow) Support IFFF and your local Fishing Outfitters (2

3 Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 6:30pm Margie s Diner, 1575 Calle Joaquin, SLO Debbie Sharpton Grazing and the California Golden Trout Debbie Sharpton currently holds the positions of Conservation VP of the Southwest Council International Federation of Flyfishers (SWC-IFFF), Conservation Chair for Sierra Pacific Flyfishers (Van Nuys), and Executive Director of Mountains Restoration Trust, a public benefit land trust in the Santa Monica Mountains. Her work is conservation and fly fishing is her passion. A southern California native, Debbie s career began in the late 1970 s in the real estate development industry working with property owners and development firms on large scale development projects. This work took her to beautiful canyons and creeks that became the impetus to change her focus from development to preservation. Today she is responsible for habitat restoration for and recovery of threatened species, such as the endangered southern steelhead and Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. During the summers of , Debbie assisted Kathleen Matthews, researcher for the US Forest Service, looking at the impact of climate change and cattle grazing on the golden trout in the subalpine streams of Mulkey, Big Whitney and Ramshaw meadows, in the Golden Trout Wilderness, Inyo National Forest. Debbie became interested in the topic of grazing and resource management on public lands, particularly the impacts to aquatic systems and their inhabitants. The original Inyo National Forest was a small area on the floor of the Owens Valley, created by President Teddy Roosevelt on May 25, He later combined it with over a million acres of the Sierra National Forest on July 1, The Inyo Forest now comprises over 2.1 million acres. The Golden Trout Wilderness (GTW) lies within the Inyo National Forest. Designated by Congress in 1978, The GTW encompasses 304,000 acres on the Kern Plateau, at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is named after California s brightly colored state fish, which is native only to the waters of the Golden Trout Wilderness. Use of the mountain meadows of the Kern Plateau by livestock has occurred for over 130 years, initially by cattle and sheep in the late 1800s and then exclusively by cattle by the early 1900s (USFS, INF files). By the early 1930s the Forest Service recognized degradation in watershed conditions and began taking action, including reducing the season of use and numbers of cattle, and implementing active watershed restoration projects. Current grazing use is substantially less than historical levels. (3

4 In February 2001, Ms. Luci McKee, District Ranger, Mt. Whitney and White Mt. Ranger Districts, signed a Decision Notice that implemented a period of rest on the Templeton and Whitney grazing allotments to allow for the most rapid recovery toward the desired watershed and aquatic habitat conditions. That Decision Notice included the provision that in approximately 10 years, an analysis will be initiated to determine if a proposal should be considered to resume grazing, continue the rest, or permanently eliminate the grazing allotments. The period of rest on these allotments was implemented beginning with the summer of Debbie will be discussing golden trout recovery efforts, recent monitoring and scientific research as well as the current status of the resource agencies environmental reviews and grazing permits. (4

5 SLFF Tying Group - Jim Snodgrass BPS Spent Caddis The next fly tying session will be held at the Odd Fellows Hall in San Luis Obispo on Thursday, June 2 at 6:30. Tom Nickelson will demonstrate how to tie the BPS Spent Caddis Fly, designed by Dennis Komatsu. According to the MidCurrent web site, this particular Spent Caddis pattern floats low in the water and is a great choice when trout shun high-riding flies. Commercial Tied Fly The man behind the BPS Spent Caddis, Dennis Komatsu, passed away in He seems to have been a fairly private man who stayed out of the spotlight. However, he was well known for his trout patterns, which California anglers have long prized. The BPS Spent Caddis is not only productive in attracting trout, it is easy to tie. Tom says this is a good fly for beginners. Beginners and experienced fly tyers are invited to join Tom in tying this great fly. Materials: Thread - Black 6/0 Hook - Size 14 Dry Fly Hook Wings - Short Fine Deer Hair Thorax - Peacock Hurl Website Videos on Tying the BPS Spent Caddis: The tying instructions for the BPS Spent Caddis Fly are available and will be ed to the fly tying group and other interested parties. Give Jim Snodgrass a call ( ) if you are not a part of the fly tying group but would like to have the instructions. All materials will be supplied, but be sure and bring your own thread and a stacker for the deer hair. Tom recommends black 6/0 thread. The next fly tying session will be held at the Odd Fellows Hall in San Luis Obispo on Thursday, June 2nd at 6:30pm. (5

6 Manzanita Lake Outing June 20 th to June 25th The Manzanita Lake outing has become a tradition for our club. This majestic place with its snow covered alpine peaks and natural beauty, wild trout and quality fishing brings us back year after year. For the new and less experienced members, here is a fair and honest assessment of what to you can expect during your stay. In spite of the overall good fishing the lake is known for, it can also be challenging. You have to think out of the box. As an example, using differing leader setups depending on what insect you are imitating, what depth you are fishing and what time of day you are fishing. The average trout we catch is 12 to 16'', with a few topping the scale at 18 to 19''. Manzanita Lake is not a numbers game. The most common question of newcomers to the lake is, What will the catch be for me? As everyone is somewhat different, one thing is for sure; every trout you catch will make you happy and count for three. During difficult days 4-6 hours fishing 0 to 3 fish, good days 3 to 5 fish, and very good days 5 to 7 fish. The evening fishing 8:00pm to 9:15pm can be totally different from normal clear daylight hours. Fishing is primarily done in 4 to 8 ft of water depth over submerged weed beds. This aquatic underworld provides an enormous amount of food for the fish. At the same time, the weeds give shelter and protection to the trout. Most of us will agree there is a definite learning curve to fishing Manzanita Lake successfully. Once you figure it out, it can pay off BIG TIME. We plan to have a daily fishing report - get together around 5pm in camp site C 1. We will talk about the results on the water, what was working and what was not working, and come up with an adjusted fishing approach to boost fishing results. This daily get together has proven to be very helpful for all of us, especially for the new and less experienced. In general the fishing is slow between 3:30pm and 7:30pm, this gives you ample time to have dinner and be ready for the evening fishing. If the fishing gods are not on your side during the day you will still have a good shot at great fishing in the evening. Most of the time, the lake comes back to life around 7:30 pm; the fish are much less picky and easier to fool on a dry fly or wooly bugger. Stripping a dark m size wooly bugger can be very productive. The browns love this and react to it with very explosive strikes. What was almost impossible to achieve during the day light hours is now working out great. We plan to have a dinner get together in camp site C1 Thursday or Friday 6 to 6:45 pm. Fourteen people have signed up for the Manzanita outing so far. PFD s are required to fish Manzanita Lake WHERE: Manzanita Lake - Lassen NP (north entrance). Take highway 44 east out of Redding. WHEN: Monday June 20th to Saturday 25th. ACCOMMODATIONS: Camping near the lake (no hook ups). Motels are in Shingletown about 14 miles towards Redding on highway 44. FEES: Entrance fee $10, camping fee $18, CA Fishing license required. TACKLE: Rods 4-6 wt with fl line and clear come interm line or hover line. Small indicators for chironomids. LEADERS: For dry flies long leaders 12 to 16 ft tippet included (5-6 x Fluor) For nymphs 10 to 14 ft tippet Included (4-5 x Fluor) Evening Fishing, W buggers, 9 ft (2-3 x mono or Fluor) DRY FLIES: P Adams / Female Adams /Callibaetis, cripple, dunns, emergers / all in size 14 /16 / 18 NYMPHS: Pheasant tail (no bead) Gold Ribbed Haire's ear and flashback /Callibaetis /Birds Nest all in size 14 to 18. Damsels olive size 12 to 14 /Zebra midge (dark) and chironomids in red size 16 to 18 STREMERS: Small w bugger (olive) size 8 to 10 during the day Mid size w bugger / or zonker (all dark) size 6 to 8) late evening FLOATING DEVICE: A Pontoon is the best way to go however there are good spots around the lake that can be fished from shore. RESERVATIONS: Phone Loop A and C are for reservations only, loop D and E are first come first serve. Most members are camping together in loop C. Christine and I are in C 1. CONTACT: For any help, call or Bernard Pieters at or bpieters84@gmail.com (6

7 Lake Almanor Outing June 26 th to July 2 nd We returned from our house opening trip to Lake Almanor April 20 th and the lake is already full, and the streams are running strong. Mt. Lassen has a full blanket of snow ready to add more good water to the basin with spring melt. This is the best water condition I have seen in the past 12 years. I would expect prime conditions for all the known fishing areas plus some new hidden areas like A frame, Big Springs, Power House, Fish Bridge, and Lost Lew Creek. We will meet again at 9:00am at Lake Almanor Fly Fishing Shop and owner Tom Maumoynier will update us on the best locations to fish that day. Give Tom a call at if you want more information and be sure to thank him for the great rod he built and donated to the club this year. The Protsman's will host the SLFF Club BBQ Friday, July 1 st 5:30pm 929 Lassen View Drive We look forward to a great fly fishing experience with old and new SLFFC members. George Protsman (7

8 Halibut Outing Port San Luis July 9 th We will fish Port San Luis. It is protected from the ocean swells and big waves. This southerly facing fishing bay also produces higher ocean water themperatures than other nearby beaches (which the halibut like). We will be able to fish from shore or with a pontoon close to the beach. A pontoon, kick-boat or kayak will improve your fishing chances and extend your fishing time (tide). Note: We normally launch our pontoons from the rocks in front of the pier parking lot. This works at low tide, but be very careful when you come back to beach your pontoon! The winter storms have moved a lot of sand closer to the rocks where we land. The sand creates big returning waves that can place you in danger 1 ½ hour before and 1 ½ hour after high tide. FOR YOUR SAFETY avoid landing your boat during this time. WHEN WHERE Low Tide High Tide GEAR UP FISHING Saturday, July 9 th Port San Luis parking lot north of the pier 8:23am (0.30 ft) 3:28pm (4.47 ft) around 8:30am around 9:00am WHAT TO BRING GEAR Rod 6 8 wt Lines floating, or floating plus 10ft of intermediate, or full intermediate line, (NO full sink lines) LEADERS 9 ft to 10 ft of 8-10 lb tippet included FLIES Clousers white and chartreuse, sizes 4-6 halibut, sizes 8-10 smelt Waders, Jacket, Safety Belt, Sunglasses, Sunblock, Boots or Sandals Note: PFD is required for boating If you have questions contact: Bernard Pieters or bpieters84@gmail.com (8

9 SLFF Annual Picnic Cuesta Park Toyon Picnic Area Saturday, July 23 rd 11am to 2pm Sponsored by Santa Lucia Fly Fishers Club Catered Santa Maria Style BBQ including chicken, tri-tip, beans, salad, bread, salsa and water/soft drinks. Members bring: Last name starts with A-M Appetizer Last name starts with N-Z Dessert Free to all members and spouse or significant other. Young children eat free older children and additional guests $10 each. Please indicate who will be attending when you RSVP. You must RSVP to Sheri Bryant by July 15 th or Sponsoring the picnic is a big change this year. We plan to have a special raffle where you can show your support by being generous in your raffle ticket purchases. Thank You and we hope to see you there (9

10 SAN JUAN RIVER & SOARING EAGLE LODGE TRIP REPORT Lew Leichter Plan to join us next year on the 3rd annual club outing. Dates, including one day of travel at each end, are Sunday April 23rd - Friday April 28th for 5 nights and 4 days of guided fishing. The cost is about $1,700 for lodging, meals and guides. Add in guide tips and travel costs so plan on a total of $2,500. Other options include camping and having some of your meals at the lodge and/or not being guided every day. If you're interested contact me and I'll put you on the list as space is limited. Registration and deposits will be due in January Size 20 & 22 flies & 6x tippit for big trout The 2nd annual club outing was a great success and a lot of fun. Madeline and George Protsman, Judy and Rich Chubon, Rich's brother Dave, Jennifer and Pierre Labracque, Art Chapman, Jim Snodgrass, Ron Bryant, Alan Henderson, Steve Soenke and I enjoyed really good fishing both drifting as well as walk and wade fishing in the Juan. Some of us spent a day fishing for small mouth bass on Navajo Lake. The guides were all good. First time attendees as well as those new to fly fishing learned a lot and caught a lot of fish. IF YOU ARE NEW TO OUR SPORT AND WANT TO SPEED UP YOUR LEARNING CURVE I REALLY SUGGEST YOU CONSIDER JOINING US ON THIS OUTING NEXT YEAR. Accommodations at the Soaring Eagle were first rate and there was PLENTY of good food. We had the Conference/Rec room all to ourselves for our pre dinner review of the day's activities, made guide assignments for the next day and enjoyed libations and hors devours provided by George and Madeline. (10

11 SLFF Members Thank the Soaring Eagle Fishing God for a Great Time (11

12 A Successful Casting Clinic for New Members (12

13 PRIVATE CASTING LESSONS AVAILABLE While our six IFFF certified casting instructors generously put on a series of free casting clinics for our club members each spring we wanted you to know they are available for private casting lessons throughout the year. If interested please contact them directly for additional information. Bernard Pieters Arroyo Grande bpieters84@gmail.com Eric Sherar Atascadero esherar1@gmail.com Bob Hurd Arroyo Grande rbrthurd@gmail.com Todd Tose Grover Beach trtflyfisher@charter.net Chad McPartland Paso Robles chadmcpartland@gmail.com Sally Stoner Halcyon fishsal44@gmail.com Do you want the SLFF Club logo embroidered on any garment? Contact R & T Embroidery current cost $7.75 each. SLFF MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION An individual regular membership is $35.00 per year For 12 months (January through December). Enrollment after July 1 st is $20.00 for the remainder of the year. To join, please download the Membership Form from our Website: Send completed form with a check for dues to: Santa Lucia Fly Fishers c/o Secretary (13

14 2016 CLUB OUTINGS AND EVENT SCHEDULE JUNE JUNE 26-JULY 2 JULY 4-7 JULY 9 JULY 23 SEPTEMBER TBD OCTOBER OCT/NOV TBD NOVEMBER TBD NOVEMBER TBD NOV/DEC TBD MANZANITA LAKE Bernard Pieters LAKE ALMANOR George Protsman STEWART S LODGE BRITISH COLUMBIA George Protsman HALIBUT OUTING Bernard Pieters CLUB PICNIC / CUESTA PARK - Sheri Bryant SEA JAY SALT WATER TRIP Andy Malovos FFF FLY FISHING FAIR BISHOP, CA Rich Chubon FRENCHMANS LAKE / PYRAMID LAKE O'NEILL FOREBAY STRIPERS - Mark Shelton SWC INTER-CLUB TOURNAMENT KERN RIVER STEELHEAD UPPER KLAMATH RIVER OTHER POSSIBILITIES & COMMENTS TBD = DATES TO BE DETERMINED PYRAMID LAKE - FRENCHMEN LAKE DATES TO BE DETERMINED BY FISHING REPORTS LATE OCTOBER OR MID-NOVEMBER EASTERN SIERRA OUTING EAST WALKER, HOT CREEK, OWENS - BOCCA & STAMPEDE RESERVOIR HUME LAKE AND SEQUOIA CREEK - MAY OR JUNE (14

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18 OFFICERS President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Directors Bernard Pieters Rich Chubon Jim Snodgrass Lew Leichter Art Chapman Sheri Bryant Judy Chubon Ron Bryant Mark Shelton Tom Nickelson Committees Conservation Tom Nickelson Website Art Chapman Ron Bryant Robert Benassi Doug Daniels (TIC) Newsletter Greg and Mary Lugo Education David Holmes Programs Rich Chubon Casting Bernard Pieters Mark Shelton Eric Sherar Membership Mark Shelton Fly Tying Jim Snodgrass SECFFF Coordinator Lew Leichter Rod Building Mike Powers Rich Chubon Fresh Water Outings Art Chapman Rich Chubon Library Steve Soenke Salt Water Outings Andy Malovos Banquet & BBQ Sheri and Ron Bryant Lew Leichter Nominating Rich Chubon Fundraising Bob Bayer Lew Leichter Lew Leichter Bernard Pieters Rich Chubon George Protsman (18

19 P.O. Box 166 San Luis Obispo, CA Come wet a line with us! Thank you for supporting those who help support our chapter. (19