CHICO AREA FLYFISHERS

Transcription

1 CHICO AREA FLYFISHERS Short Casts February 2014 This month s CAF General meeting will be Thursday Feb 545 Vallombrosa Avenue, Chico, CA at 6:30 fly tying and 7:30 meeting. V. President By Pat Sleeper This month s CAF General meeting will be Thursday Feb 545 Vallombrosa Avenue, Chico, CA at 6:30 fly tying and 7:30 meeting. Our Meeting in March will be back to the 2nd Wed of the month... Thank you for your patience. Please see the chart, in the news letter, for a year full of wonderful speakers. At this time...lincoln Gray will be our speaker: Speaking on the Lower Sacramento River. We d like to see your fish pictures show up on the BIG SCREEN at the crab dinner. Therefore send them to psleeper@sbcglobal.net. We also have some new items for our raffle prizes this year! And, we look forward to a sell-out..this is the first time on a Saturday, March 1st, 2014! Get your reservations in early! Thanks, Pat Secretary s Minutes By Lincoln Gray Date: 1/8/14 Meeting Location: Don & Pat Sleeper Starting Time: 6:00pm Attendance: Steve, Larry, Terry, Dana, David, Lionel, Eric, Don, Pat and Lincoln Secretary Minutes: Terry Motions, Dana Seconds. Carried. Treasure Report: Don Sleeper Non profit status update papers should be completed this week. VP Report: 1. January 14th Change of date of general meeting (Tuesday) Club Meeting Share Night 2. February 13th Change of date of general meeting (Thursday) Lincoln Gray 3. April 9th Andrew Harris 4. May 14th Craig Nielson 5. June 11th David Mckinney Fishouts: Baum Lake January 18th Possibly Lewiston Lake February Digger Creek Ranch Hat Creek Opener Eric See Youth: Boys Scouts Youth Protection CD. Online and instruction training Old Business: 5X10 - $ X10 - $50-70 Storage Unit For a 10X10 Unit. Motion: David, Terry Second Month To Month Dinner Committee: Buy Tickets NOW Or You Might Not be in! Master Of Ceremonies: Spiteri CAF is paying the crab and shrimp fees directly to the store. More Rods & More Reels Pontoon Boat Grand Prize 264 Max attendance President s Line By Larry Willis With the beautiful weather and the walk in lakes, it would be tempting to spend all your time fishing. However, this club does not provide the fishouts, support Hooked on Fishing, the Nature Conservancy, salmon in schools and all those things by accident. Coming up March 1, 2014, is our annual dinner and fundraiser. This is what supports all of our activities throughout the year and we need help. The dinner goes much more smoothly if we have lots of help running prizes, and keeping this going. The committee can always use more help too. All those prizes don t show up by accident either. If you know someone in the food industry, sporting industry, particularly fishing, talk to them about making a donation. Offer to help with the committee. All you have to do is contact Pat Sleeper or me and we will put you on the list for announcing the meetings. Contact any of the board members regarding volunteering. Particularly if you are coming without a partner, jump in and help. You also get to eat first.

2 Craig Nielsen is the owner and operator of Shasta Trout. A Northern California native, he has been chasing trout with a fly rod for over 50 years and guiding professionally since Having fished all across the west, B.C. and Alaska he especially appreciates the angling diversity Mt. Shasta offers. From presenting tiny dries to selective Fall River Rainbows, swinging streamers with switch & spey rods for the Klamath s fabled steelhead, dry fly fishing on the McCloud, or nymphing the Upper and Lower Sac for trophy bows, Craig enjoys it all. Everyone appreciates his patience, angling versatility and local knowledge. A certified casting instructor, he has taught at Mel Krieger s school and was one of the first authors on switchrods. Craig has been a featured guide for Flywater Travel, The Ashland Flyshop, Leland, Ted Fay, Fish First, The Clearwater House and The Flyshop. He holds a Teaching Credential and a Master s degree from Chico State where he worked as an Instructor, Administrator and Counselor prior to following his passion to guide full time. CAF helps Sponsor: Hooked on Fishing Salmon in the classroom Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve RAD - Recreation & Dreams Almanor Fisheries Trinity Fisheries McCloud Fisheries Butte Creek Fisheries DINNER RESERVATION FORM NAME: NUMBER COST TOTAL Family Membership & One Dinner $75.00 $ ADDRESS: Each Additional Dinner $40.00 $ CITY: Raffle ticket packets $500. $200. $ Raffle ticket packets $100. $50. $ ZIP: PHONE: Table reservations for 8 people $500. $ TOTAL. $ Visa # ADDITIONAL NAMES: M/C# Signature: Exp. Date & back # PURCHASE YOUR RESERVATIONS BEFORE Jan 15th MAIL RESERVATION FORMS AND PAYMENT TO: TO BE ENTERED INTO THE EARLY BIRD RAFFLE CAF 1010 Lori Dr, CA Questions:

3 CAF Dinner Awards: The Chico Area Flyfishers Club presents awards to members who have distinguished themselves, during the year, at the annual dinner. The five awards presented are: The Hall of Fame Award: This award is presented to the member who has distinguished him or herself through significant accomplishments in promoting the sport of fly fishing. Past winners: 1990 Walton Powell & Gene Mercer; 1991 Denton Hill; 1992 Earline Powell; 1993 Tom Peppas; 1994 Chuck DeJournette; 1995 Dr. Charles Beach; 1996 Ray Narbaitz; 1997 Press Powell; 1998 Jim Gaumer; 1999 Herm Sterm; 2000 Milt Jensen; 2001 Wayne Syn; 2002 Mark Adams; 2003 Ed Bruno; 2004 Randy McKean no/award 2007 Dick Murrell; 2008 Ed Bruno; 2009 Eric See; Lincoln Gray 2010; Pat Sleeper 2011; Larry Willis 2012; Redge Hawkley The Saber Tooth Award: This award is presented to the member who has worked over the years to promote our sport through participation in club activities. Past winners: 1993 Rex Thompson; 1995 Lee Dickey; 1995 Randy McKean; 1995 Jan Lang; 1996 Bob Smith; 1997 Bert Robinson; 1998 Ron Leger; 1999 Roger Bevers; 2000 Denny Toddhunter; 2001 Marv Turner; 2002 Lionel Valley; 2003 Paul Hendricks; 2004 Mark Adams; 2005 none; 2006 Dana Miller; 2007 Val Bowlby; 2008 Don Sleeper; 2009 Dennis Boyd; 2010 Pat Sleeper; 2011 Terry Mich; 2012 Eric See; 2013 Larry Willis. The Youth Hall of Fame Award: The Youth Hall of Fame was a direct response to the many hours of dedication and interest that Denton Hill gave to the Youth Group, which was stated in Denton donated time, fly tying experience and rod building skills to the classes at the meetings for the children. Recipients of the award can be club members, for support of the youth group, or youth group members themselves who have contributed to their fellow youth member s. Past winners: 1998 Denton Hill; 1999 Roger Bevers; 2000 Tom Peppas; 2009 Joe Garza; Christopher Hubbard The Press Powell Lifetime Achievement Award: The newest award to be given out by Chico Area Flyfishers beginning in This award is a local community award given out based on the person having a major effect and contribution to fly fishing as example by Press. Press is the ideal standard for this award, since he has given so much of himself in the form of education, technology, development of equipment distribution and promotion of his love for the sport. Past winners: 2006 Ray Narbaitz; 2007 Ron Lewis; 2008 Randy McKean; 2009 Jim Clarkson; 2010 Lance Gray; 2011 Tim Fox; 2012 Allen Clemons; 2013 Lincoln Gray. Walt Kobler Memorial Award aka The Golden Zipper Award: This is the oldest award! Traditionally it was given to the person who screwed up the most on the opening day fishout. As the story goes Walt Powell fell in Hat Creek on opening day. That night while sitting around the campfire having some liquid refreshments he laid his wet Levi s near the fire to dry out. The next morning all that was left of the Levi s was the zipper. Hence, the name! The award is presented to the lucky member by the previous year s recipient. He/she forms a team of three to search out the deserving individual. Past winners: 1985 Charlie Beach; 1986 Ron Leger; 1987 Bert Robinson; 1988 Dick Murrill; 1989 Rex Thompson; 1990 Mike & Scott McEnepsy; 1991 Ray Narbaitz; 1992 Jere Lang; 1993 Al Coulon; 1994 Dave Raven; 1995 Bob Smith; 1996 Pat Corbett; 1999 Mark Adams; 2000 Paul Hendricks; 2001 Redge Hawkley; 2002 Ed Bruno; 2003 Steve Bohnemeyer; 2004 Dick Murrill; none; 2008 Joe Garza; 2009 Frank Spitari; 2010 Don Sleeper; 2011 Scott Hood; 2012 Scott Joyce; 2013 Joe Kelley. Standing Award Committee: Terry Mich Lincoln Gray Pat Sleeper Larry Willis Dave McKinney The committee reviews all nominations entered by the members of the Chico Area Fly Fishers Club; and, selects the recipients for the awards and reveal the winners at the Annual Dinner. We d like to see your fish pictures show up on the BIG SCREEN! at the crab dinner. Therefore send them to psleeper@sbcglobal.net. We also have some new items for our raffle prizes this year! And, we look forward to a sell-out..this is the first time on a Saturday, March 1st, 2014! Get your reservations in early! Thanks, Pat

4 CAF General Meeting Speaker List 2014 CAF meets monthly and presents a variety of exciting flyfishing-related programs throughout the year. The meet ings also include monthly fly tying demonstrations, raffle prizes, refreshments, and the very best info and lies about Northern California Flyfishing. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month. Fly tying begins at 6:30pm - general meeting begins at 7:30pm. Location: CARD Center Vallombrosa Avenue - Chico, California, We look forward to see you at our next meeting! Date Speaker Program Feb 13th (Thurs) Lincoln Gray *March 1st (Sat) Annual Crab/shrimp dinner at Masonic Lodge April 9th (Wed) Andrew Harris Spring fishing in the Fall River area May 14 (Wed) Craig Nielsen TBA June 11 (Wed) Dave McKinney Movie on fly fishing- TBA Sep 10 (Wed) Jon Baiocchi TBA Chico Area Flyfisher s Fishout Schedule 2013 This is where you can locate future outings that Chico Area Flyfisher s provide to its Membership. These Club Fishouts are designed to give fly fishers the best opportunity to catch fish and enjoy the outdoors. Our Club has many accomplished anglers who are willing to share their skills with others and you are only limited by willingness to become involved. From selecting promising locations and times, to helping those members new to the sport or experienced, we try to make these trips fun, exciting and successful. We are always looking for additional fishout leaders. If you have one of those favorite spots that you don t mind sharing with others and would like to lead your fellow CAF members for a day of fun fishing, and fellowship, please contact Lincoln Gray or Don Sleeper This schedule may change depending on the fish bite and weather conditions. Date Location Fishout Leader Feb Open Open March 22 Lewiston Lake Open April 10 thru 15 Pyramid Lake Don Sleeper April 26 Trout Opener Open May 24 Crater Lake Don Sleeper June 1 Eagle Lake Open June 21 Lake Almanor Hex Hatch Lincoln Gray July Philbrook Reservoir Open August Open Open Sept 20 Lewiston or Davis Don Sleeper Oct 1st(Wed) Pyramid Lake OpenOct Almanor Open Nov 8 Eagle Lake Don Sleeper Nov Big Chico Creek Eric See Other ideas: Floating Indicator Clinic, Float Tube Clinic, Fly Casting Clinic, Yuba River, Fort Bragg area Surf Fly fishing--- 4

5 Fly of the Month for February, 2014 Early Spring Stone Since this is the February newsletter, it is not too early to start thinking about tying for the upcoming season. I know that it has pretty much been spring since the first of January, but let s pretend that this has been a somewhat more normal year. Let us also hope that what we have experienced to this point is not the new normal. I can do without anymore, Junuaries. As has been discussed in this space before, almost all of both our tail water and freestone streams have Stone Flies. We all get excited during that two or three week period that the Stone Fly (aka the Salmon Fly) hatch takes place. However, the nymphs are in the water year round. Since they have a two to three year life cycle, the nymphs can come in a variety of sizes. The largest are usually around just prior to the hatch, and then they average smaller after that. However, in some streams, fish will not turn down the big boys no matter what time of the year. I have fished fours and sixes on places like the Pit, Feather and McCloud, but, if you are going to be fishing the upper Pit, around Modoc County, you better have some no bigger than 12 s. In the June, 2011 Fly of the Month, I featured the Rubber Leg Stone that was taught to me by Dave Simmons. It is a very good pattern that has served me well for many years. However, it is a rather time consuming fly to tie. It took me 19 steps to explain the process. This month s fly is a little more suggestive rather than realistic in appearance, and has fewer steps. While it is called the Early Spring Stone, I see no reason why it wouldn t work just about any time of year. Hook: TMC 5262, 6 to 12 Thread: Black 6/0 Tail: Black Goose Biots, splayed Abdomen: Under body, black Poly Dubbing, Over body, black Larva Lace Wing Case: Turkey Thorax: Black Sparkle Dubbing Legs: Brown Saddle Hackle 1. Debarb and place the hook in the vise. 2. Start your thread, and take it to the back of the hook. 3. Tie in the Goose Biots with the curves splayed out from each other. Make the tail a little longer than the hook gap is wide. 4. Tie in the Larva Lace, tying it in the full length of the Abdomen. 5. Dub the body, giving the Abdomen a slight taper from back to front. Make the Abdomen about 2/3 the length of the hook shank. 6. Spiral wrap the Larva Lace up the Abdomen, tie it off, and trim off the excess. 7. Tie in the Turkey for the Wing Case, and let it hang back over the fly. 8. Dub in the Thorax. Make it a pretty good sized, round ball. Don t crowd the eye with the dubbing, to leave room for the Hackle. 9. Pull the Wing Case over the Thorax, tie it down, and trim off the excess. 10. Tie in the Hackle, and take one or two turns, tie it down, and trim off the excess. Push the Hackle back a bit with the thread so the Hackle lies back a little. 11. Make a neat head, whip finish, cut the thread, and use a little head cement. Notes: If you wanted the fly to have a little more weight, you could wrap some lead around where the Thorax will be. You could also use a Black Bead, or both If you changed the colors to golds or ambers or browns, it would make a good Golden Stone pattern For those of you who have read this column for very long, it will come as no surprise to you that I did not follow the pattern exactly. It s not that I thought I could improve upon the original it s that I didn t have the suggested materials readily available. And, since I believe that on patterns like this, close enough is close enough, I used what I had. For the dubbing on the Abdomen, I used Black Hairtron. For the wing Case, I used Thin Skin instead of Turkey. For the Over Body, I used Swanundaze, because I don t have any Larva Lace, and I have enough Swanundaze to supply half the population of China. And, on the Thorax, I used Peacock Black Ice Dub. 5

6 Lincoln Gray has been fly fishing for 37 years. The passion for fly fishing began early, with his father and brother (Lance Gray) learning the sport on the well-known Rogue River in Southern Oregon. Lincoln continues that passion; with his Lincoln Gray s Fly Fishing Adventures business that includes schools and guided trips. Lincoln lives in Chico, Ca and has fished Lake Almanor for over 20 years and the Lower Sacramento River for over 25 years. Lincoln is the manager of Digger Creek Ranch and is also able to book all of The Fly Shop s private properties. Lincoln is a well-known instructor, guide, writer and fly tier. Many of his articles have been published in Cal Fly Fisher and Sierra Fishermen. Several of his Hex designs were featured in the summer 2008 issue of Fly Tyer Magazine. Lincoln also works as the sales manager for Sierra Stream & Mountain, a company that includes Sierra Stream Fly Shop, Tie-Fast Tools and Jay Fair Eagle Fly Fishing. Sierra Stream and Mountain also distributors a full range of products, included in these are SA and Ross Reels. Lincoln is a pro-staff member of Ross Reels, TFO Fly Rods, Rio, SA, Redington, Sage, Tie-Fast Tools, Jay Fair Eagle Fly Fishing and Peak Fly Fishing. On the Road Again, Baum Lake Fishout Report By Don Sleeper We couldn t have picked a better weekend for the fishout at Baum Lake. When we started fishing Saturday, January 18th at 10:00 AM, it had warmed up to 58 degrees just right! We had 13 folks attend the fishout and had a great tailgate lunch. We all fished from pontoons, and prams; and, the fishing was fantastic! Again, like last year it was all German Browns that ranged between 12 and 18 inches. I fished a brown size 14 wiggle tail with a small size 18 green midge tied off on the bend of the wiggle tail and it worked. I used an intermediate fly line on a four weight rod. Finding the pods of fish was the key to catching a lot of trout on any fly presented. The sun was out with a little wind, during the day, and the fish were biting! It couldn t have been better. I would like to see you there having fun with us as well. Thank you all for coming. Lunch time for the gang Bill Robinson with a nice fish Pat s nice Brown Tom Rosenow with a nice Brown Big Fish John Logan with a 32 17lb rainbow caught in Baum Lake Sat Jan 25, 2014! We ve all heard stories about these fish; but, to actually see and hold one? WOW! John usually fishes a seal bugger with an orange tail on intermediate lines and 6 lb test. John said: I didn t catch as many as we did a couple of weeks ago (31 between us), but there was quality... John. And now, the rest of the story: There really are large fish in Baum Lake! This picture taken Sat, Jan 25, 2014 at Baum Lake, CA Little Liam and his dad were pretty excited, we all were! John 6

7 Chico Fly Shop Fish First Chico, CA Chico, CA (530) (530) Sierra Stream & Mountain Chico, CA ( LOCAL GUIDES BOARD MEMBERS President: Larry Willis Vice President Pat Sleeper Secretary: Lincoln Gray Treasurer: Don Sleeper Board Members: Eric See Scott Joyce Dana Miller Lance Gray Dennis Boyd Dave Mckinney Past President: David McKinney Committee Chairpersons: Fish Master...Don Sleeper Conservation... David McKinney Web Master: Don Sleeper and Richard Wilkerson Fly Tying... Terry Mich Ron Leger Custom Fish Carvings Newsletter Editor Scott Sleeper Proofreader Ray Narbaitz CAF WEBPAGE FISHING REPORTS Change of address? Not receiving newsletter? Contact Don Sleeper