Tight Lines June, 2014

Transcription

1 Tight Lines June, San Luis Obispo, CA Greg & Mary Lugo, Editors PRESIDENT S LETTER June 2014 John Gierach: I enjoy fishing too much to risk my life at it. Death can really cut into your fishing time. YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Let's all take a moment to thank our board for all their efforts in making good things happen for our club. The big one is the annual banquet. Thanks to the commitment and support from the same team that has been doing it the last couple years we had another successful event. Raising money for the club beyond our dues is a lot of work, but it is needed if we are to continue to have the meetings, speakers and programs we all seem to want. As an alternative, we could double the dues for everyone to $60 per year and then we could eliminate all fund raising. This would also eliminate the support we give to local conservation and educational programs. by Lew Leichter Let s remember this and all do what we can to continue to support SLFF BANQUET: After spending quite a bit of time looking at several alternative venues and taking some straw polls of the members, the consensus is to stay at Madonna Inn. The date will be March 7, We've listened to you and will be considering menu alternatives. As I mentioned previously, WE ALSO NEED TO LINE UP A SPEAKER. IF YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION, SOMEONE WHO HAS A PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE OF SOME INTEREST TO ALL ATTENDEES, PLEASE CONTACT ME. THESE FOLKS GET BOOKED UP FAST AND WE NEED TO CO-ORDINATE WITH THEM ON THE DATE. FLY FISHING THE SURF WITH TROUT GEAR: In the June issue of California Fly Fisher there is an interesting article by Robert Ketley. I mention this because it looks like there will be fewer and fewer places to fish this summer so let's take advantage of what we have. Usually we fish the surf with an 8 weight rod and a high density shooting head line. This can be an issue because not all of us have or want this outfit. In the article Ketley suggests fishing the surf with your 5 or 6 weight trout rod, a floating line, a 6 to 8 foot straight mono leader, and an indicator with a size 4 weighted fly. Basically you're indicator nymphing in the surf, letting your fly drift with the current through troughs. Just remember to rinse your gear with fresh water ASAP. I want to try this and we'll be looking to have some outings down south where we can fish in the morning with 2 to 3 foot waves the 2 hours before the high tide. Stay tuned. (1

2 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STEELHEAD STORY: Sylvia & I attended the grand opening of this cool new exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. We joined with our fellow steelhead enthusiasts (several from the SWCFFF and other clubs). While it's a long difficult process it is encouraging to see the organizations and resources at all levels, from NOAA to Santa Lucia Fly Fishers, coming together to address the recovery of this fantastic species. JUNE MEETING: I'm really looking forward to this one as Christmas Island is on my bucket list. Ken Lindsay, the owner of the Fisherman's Spot in Van Nuys will be our guest speaker. Check out their website at SAVE THE DATES: June 5th: Fly tying (see below). June 12th: 5:30 Board meeting, 6:30 General meeting at Margie's with Ken Lindsay. June 18th-23rd: Manzanita Lake outing. Contact Bernard Pieters. June 25th-28th: Lake Almanor outing. Contact George Protsman. SEPT 19th-21st: 3RD ANNUAL SWCFFF FAIRE AT MAMMOTH (2

3 Thursday, June 12, 2014 at 6:30pm Margie s Diner, 1575 Calle Joaquin, SLO Guest Speaker: Ken Lindsay Christmas Island: Paradise in the Pacific Join us as we explore this great fly fishing destination through the camera lens. Travel along to this epic fly fishing destination of a lifetime. Learn about the people, the community and the fantastic fly fishing on tap on this remote island. I was born in Dunmurry, N. Ireland about 100 yards from the Glen River, a delightful little trout stream, and I learned much about how trout feed from observing them in this stream as a small child. At 18 I came to California seeking fame and fortune. I first walked into Fishermen s Spot in the fall of 1970 and met Steve Ellis and we have been friends ever since. In the mid 70s I went to work for Dave Inks and Andre Puyans at Creative Sports in Pacheco, California. Under the tutelage of these fine gentlemen I gained a vast amount of knowledge about fly tying materials, fly-casting, knots & rigging, fly tying, and entomology. I became a manufacturer s representative in 1979 and continued in this field for the next 15 years representing several fine manufacturers including Cortland, Mustad, Simms, Lamson, Fisher, Thomas & Thomas, Umpqua, Pflueger and J W Outfitters. This gave me the opportunity to travel and fish all over the West. When Steve offered me the chance to own a piece of The Spot 9 years ago, I thought about all the things I had learned about the retail fly fishing business and bought in anyway. Fly fishing has taken me to many beautiful locations, including Alaska, Canada, Western U. S., Christmas Island, the British Isles and Chile. I have a long list of other places that I want to fish and many species that I have yet to catch. That s the fun of fly fishing. You are never finished learning and growing in this sport. (3

4 SLFF Tying Group by Jim Crescenzi The next Santa Lucia Fly Fisher's fly tying session will be Thursday, June 6th, at the Odd Fellow's Hall in San Luis Obispo (starting at 6:30 PM). This month the session will involve tying the "Bird's Nest" nymph, led by Paul Crafts. This fly has become very popular in recent years, earning a "must have" rank near that of the goldribbed hare's ear or pheasant tail (amongst the most common nymph patterns). The following pattern description was provided by Paul Crafts, and is attributed to the Steven Ojai web site (plus additional comments). The Bird's Nest is a nymph pattern designed by the late Cal Bird in Cal was a master fly tier, who owned a small fly shop in San Francisco in the 40's and 50's. Cal developed this fly for the Truckee River. According to Ralph Cutter in his fine book, "Fish Food" (2005), Cal claimed that he gave the fly its distinctive name due to an entanglement with a bird's nest while on the Truckee and that the name should be spelled with a lowercase 'b'. The Bird's Nest is generally considered an attractor pattern that can be fished on a dead drift, either weighted or un-weighted. Sierra guide, Ralph Cutter, prefers to use this pattern for hatches of the Swimming Nymphs, Siphlonuridae, which include the Gray Drakes, Black Drakes, and Ameletus. He will use short strips, which gives the Bird's Nest a lively action with the hairs of the body pulsating to the action of the Woodduck hackle. The Bird's Nest is often tied with beads of copper, gold, or black. Variations on the Bird's Nest include Ken Morrish's Dirty Bird. Ken's fly is usually tied in Rust, Olive, and Natural Hare's Ear. It is a popular Steelhead fly in larger sizes of 6 and 8 but can be a good trout fly in the smaller sizes. Greg Vinci added an additional Tungsten bead and a tungsten wire underbody (Tungsten wire is popular in Europe but very difficult to find in the U.S.). He calls his variation, Depth Charge Bird's Nest. Tied in sizes #14-16, the Depth Charge represents Caddis Pupae. In slightly larger sizes #10-14, the pattern is more of an attractor pattern. Greg will also tie this pattern in sizes # 6-10 using Ginger or Golden Stone Goose Biots for the tails and antennae to represent a stonefly nymph pattern. Sierra Drifter Guide, Tom Loe, came up with the version he ties in a light and dark variation. He named this variation, Assassin. The tail material is tips of Blood Marabou which give a graceful action in still water situations and can mimic small baitfish such as Perch Fry or Damsel Nymphs. Tyers will also be interested in the on-line video: Birds Nest - tied by Hans Weilenmann. It s very helpful, but Paul doesn't recommend the split thread method, preferring instead the simpler dubbing loop for the thorax. Paul will demonstrate various aspects of tying the pattern successfully at the June 6th session. (4

5 UPCOMING OUTINGS and EVENTS for 2014 JUNE MANZANITA LAKE Bernard Pieters JUNE LAKE ALMANOR George Prostman JULY 12th HALIBUT OUTING - Bernard Pieters JULY 26 th ANNUAL BBQ & HALIBUT OUTING Bernard Pieters SEPTEMBER MAMMOUTH LAKE FFF FLY FISHING FAIRE Rich Chubon SEPTEMBER - 22nd CROWLEY LAKE - Lew Leichter OCTOBER KERN RIVER OUTING Art Chapman NOVEMBER - 1- ONEIL FOREBAY STRIPERS Mark Shelton ALL OUTING DATES ARE TENATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON WEATHER, WATER AND FISHING CONDITIO MANZANITA LAKE OUTING by Bernard Pieters JUNE 18th - 23th This outing has become a tradition in our club, and some of the info is well know to many of us. This majestic place with its alpine natural beauty, and quality fishing is bringing us fishermen and women back year after year. In spite of the overall good fishing, the lake can also be challenging. Most of us will agree, "there is a definite learning curve to fishing this lake successfully". Keep in mind, the trout in this lake are "catch and release", wild and highly educated (at times). Many of us have encountered situations when we individually tried to figure out what was going on with this trout, was it the weather or simple trial and error? But when you do figure it out, it can pay of big time! Last year was a blast, most of us were greatly rewarded for our efforts. Motivated by last years results, 11 members have already signed on for the outing. A floating device is the best way to go, however there are many good spots around the lake which can be fished productively from shore. In general the fishing is slow from 4-7 PM, this will give you ample time to have dinner, and be ready for the evening fishing. There is a fishing briefing (report) planned on a regular basis (around 5 PM) in site #1. A get together can be arranged for one of the early evenings. Lake Almanor is reasonably close by, it would be a great idea to combine Manzanita with the Almanor outing on June 25 th. CONTACT: Bernard P for any help planning your trip (before June 10 th ) bpieters@aol.com See the May 2014 newsletter for the complete Manzanita Lake trip planning details. (5

6 Upcoming Outings and Events 2014 (continued) HALIBUT OUTING July 12, 2014 We will fish Port San Luis, it is protected from the big swells and waves that we often see at other beaches. This southerly facing bay also produces higher ocean water temperatures which the halibut likes. This gives us fly fishers a reasonable chance to catch them (if they are willing to bite) from the shore or with a pontoon boat fishing close to the beach. Besides fishing for halibut, most of the time there are smelt in the bay (in the summer), it is a lot of fun to catch them. For those new to ocean halibut fishing, we have a few important guide lines that can go a long way to giving this fish a serious try! This is a fish of 500 casts, you can have a strike on your first cast, or on your last cast, or in between. If you want to have a chance for a halibut strike in Port San Luis, you have to stay focused just on halibut. Don't try to fish for other species like smelt or you will reduce your chance for a strike by 50%! Fish with the proper line and leader set-up, dictated by the water conditions you are dealing with at the moment. There is only one prescheduled halibut outing in July. The annual SLFF BBQ in July also offers the option of some fishing. This open schedule makes it easier to select the best days to go fishing depending on conditions. I will do an blast with up-dates. When: Saturday July 12 Location: Port San Luis Where to meet: Parking lot north of the pier Tides low: 5:00 am (height min 1.2ft) Tides high: 11:26 am (height 4.4ft) Gear up time: around 7:15 am Fishing time: around 7:30 am to 1 pm Rods: 6-8 wt Lines: Floating or intermediate line (no full sink lines) Leaders: 9-10ft (include 8-10 pound tippet) Flies: Clousers size 4-6 (white and chartreuse) for halibut. Smaller flies for smelt size 6-8. Waders / Jacket / Safety belt / Booties or sandals: Don't wear fresh water wading boots, the salt will ruin them! Sunglasses / Sun block Pontoon / Kick-Boat / or Kayak can help improve your catching rate, and may add to a more enjoyable fishing experience. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me at or bpieters@aol.com See you at the ocean, Bernard Pieters (6

7 There is a nice interview with, and article by, Steve Bird in the new issue of California Fly Fisher. Steve, who winters over in Morro Bay and guides on the upper Columbia has visited our club several times. He and Peter spent a day on the salt recently. Here's Peter's note on the first pic. "I thought this nice 10 pound lingcod's head on a nice 6 inch fly with a nice SLFF logo would be of use in the next newsletter." Thanks Peter, I never would have guessed what it was. From Steve: "Santa Lucia Fly Fisher Peter Van Hest & I took my skiff to Montana de Oro yesterday. Fishing was slow with the full moon & a strong groundswell, but we managed a few lings & a handful of rockfish on the flies. Your club has a remarkable angler in Peter. My guiding business puts me in contact with a lot of talented anglers, & Peter holds his own with the best of them, in my estimation. And, accomplished as he is, he approaches every fishing day with the enthusiasm of a child going for the first time -- & that makes him a consummate angler." (7

8 SLFF MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION An individual regular membership is $35.00 per year For 12 months (January through December). Enrollment after 1 July 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 P.O. Box 166 Come wet a line with us! Thank you for supporting those who help support our chapter. (8

9 Officers Directors President Lew Leichter Ron Bryant, Rich Chubon Vice President Art Chapman Jim Crescenzi, Tom Nickelson Secretary Sheri Bryant Bernard Pieters, Mark Shelton Treasurer Judy Chubon Committees Conservation Ron Bryant, Doug Daniels (TiC) Education David Holmes Membership Mark Shelton Rod Building Mike Powers, Rich Chubon Newsletter Greg & Mary Lugo Casting Bernard Pieters, Eric Sherar Website Ted Pope, KC Lim Fly Tying Jim Crescenzi Programs Rich Chubon, Mark Shelton Banquet & BBQ Sheri & Ron Bryant Outings, Salt Water Andy Malovos, Lew Leichter Library Steve Soenke Outings, Fresh Water Art Chapman, Rich Chubon Fundraising David Holmes, Lew Leichter SWCFFF Coordinator Lew Leichter Rich Chubon, Trish Curtis. (9

10 P.O. Box 166 San Luis Obispo, CA (10