JUNE 2014 VOL. 48 – NO. 6 http://www.flycasters.org FLYLINES FLYCASTERS, INC. SAN JOSE – SINCE 1965 had two empty rows for more flies! I’d watch the fly President’s Message drift through rocks, riffles and runs and the world would drop away. And, icing on the cake, I began to By Bill Zuravleff catch brown trout for the first time in my life. The special regulations encouraged keeping brook trout, and with a less-than-gourmet freeze-dried alternative, It’s Summer, Let’s Fish! I was only too happy to comply. Ah, summer is here, finally. A note to beginners: Yes, you can do it all with a single 5 or 6 weight flyrod and floating line! Well OK, not all all, but you can bring this rig to 17 out of 20 If you’ve lived for any length of time in California, you fishouts, have the right equipment, *and* catch fish. probably have a set of “personal” favorite fishing holes. For Instead of asking what else do I need to buy, you me, the Rim Fire wiped out a handful of my favorite spots, or might use club members as a great resource for at least made them off-limits until further notice. And, yes, giving advice on what *not* to buy. we are in the midst of a historically severe drought, which will undoubtedly affect fish populations for years to come. To new and not-so-new club members: The best way But with every crisis comes opportunity - in this case, an to get integrated into the club is to go on a fishout. opportunity to try out some new spots, an opportunity to fish The second best way is to volunteer. Or you can early season in the high country, and late in the season, an combine the two to get a way way better than the best opportunity to wade into spots you’ve never waded into way! If you’ve got questions about the club, or before. concerns, or just want some advice on how to get the most out of club activities, I invite you to contact me Club member Jyrki Hoisko has already fished Lyle Canyon, high in Yosemite this season. Having essentially six miles of personally at [email protected]. river to himself, he caught the biggest brook trout of his life. (GPS coordinates available!) My next column will have to be submitted from the road. I’m taking a grand road trip this month from Paradoxically, Flycaster activities seem to wane in the Manzanita Lake, to Medicine Lake, to Lava Lake, summer because everyone is out fishing. It just seems that Oregon. Ah, summer.In this Hopefully, issue… I will see you out way. OK, our club meeting attendance wanes; seminar there. activity, casting classes, fly tying classes are on hiatus, but President’s Message, page 1 fishing activities reach a fever pitch. I’m happy to say we Calendar & Club “Code of Ethics”, page 2 have more fishouts than ever this summer, and with such a June Program – Andrew Harris, page 3 great variety – lakes, rivers, high-altitude streams, salt Upcoming Program Schedule, page 3 water, out-of-state, and out-of-country trips! – You are sure to find something you like. High Sierra Fishouts, pages 4 - 5 COWABUNGA Dude, pages 6 - 7 The club has certainly expanded the methods of fly fishing Video Library, page 8 I’ve tried and the types of water I’ve fished. And you Truckee River fishout, page 9 definitely learn more when you challenge yourself. Still, I am Gear for sale, page 9 most excited about our upcoming High Sierra trips. Allow me to wax nostalgic about my first trips with a fly rod... Volunteerism, pages 10 - 11 I didn’t have the problem of “which subset of my fishing Tier’s Corner, pages 12 – 13 equipment should I bring with me?” I simply brought it all. California Fly Shop Rewards, page 14 And my entire gear ensemble weighed less than a pound! Club Officers and Chairs, page 16 I remember being particularly pleased with myself because I Advertisers, pages 2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 had dry flies, nymphs *and* streamers in my fly box and still Page 2 FLYLINES JUNE 2014 FLYLINES is published monthly and FLYCASTERS Calendar distributed free to members of the San Jose FLYCASTERS. June Contributions (articles, letters, event 5 – Board Meeting – 7:00pm notices, etc.) are encouraged and welcome. 7 - Breakfast Gathering – 8:00am, Holder’s Country Inn, Cupertino. 7 – Casting Ponds cleanup – 8:00am – Los Gatos Creek Park Deadline for contributions is the 20th 9 - Club meeting – Doors open 6:20pm, meeting starts at 7:15pm. of the month preceding the Andrew Harris – The NEW Pit River publication month 13 – 15 Fishout – East Walker River – Maryann Peters, Dan Romani (i.e. Feb. 20th for the March issue.) 19 – 22 Fishout – Manzanita Lake – Wade Goertz/Dave Pellone Submit contributions to 19 - Veterans First Fly Tying Event – 10:30am – 12:00pm, 80 Great Oaks Blvd., FLYLINES editor, San Jose Wade Goertz via e-mail at 19 – Orvis Seminar – “Carp Techniques” – Orvis Santana Row – 6:00pm [email protected] 26 – 29 Fishout – Lava Lakes, Oregon with SOFF – Bob Meacham Advertising: Contact Dave Pellone July 312 San Mateo Dr. Menlo Park, CA 94025 3 – Board meeting – 7:00pm 650-353-0668 [email protected] 5 – Breakfast Gathering - 8:00am, Holder’s Country Inn, Cupertino. 9 – Club Meeting – Annual Flycasters SWAP MEET – Doors open – 6:30p Advertisers may list non-sale events 10 – 14 Fishout - High Sierra Backpack Trip – Bill Zuravleff / Raphael Reza at no charge. Any opinion expressed 11 – 13 Scout trip to Medicine Lake – contact Bill Mahan for details in FLYLINES is that of the author and 17 – 20 Fishout – Truckee River – Dave Pellone / Wade Goertz does not necessarily represent the view of FLYCASTERS, Inc., its 17 - Veterans First Fly Tying Event – 10:30am – 12:00pm, 80 Great Oaks Blvd., members, officers, directors or the San Jose FLYLINES editor. 17 – Orvis free seminar – 6pm, “Coastal Surf Fishing”, Orvis San Jose, 377 Santana Row, Suite 1040, San Jose 24 – 27 Fishout – Dinkey Lakes backpack trip – Todd Osborn FLYCASTERS Code of Ethics As a member of Flycasters, I will do all in my power to conduct myself in a manner befitting the traditions of our sport of flyfishing. 1. I will follow the fish and game laws ORVIS wherever I fish. 2. I will support conservation practices in order to preserve our natural resources for this and Sporting Traditions Since 1856 future generations. 3. I will encourage the practice of “Catch and Release” in all but “put ORVIS SAN JOSE and take” waters. 4. I will encourage other fishers, 377 Santana Row Suite 1040 whether they fish with flies or other means to abide by the same San Jose CA 95128 (408) 961-6450 standards as expressed in this Code of Ethics, and I pledge to report any violations I observe to the appropriate authorities. San Jose Flycasters get 10% OFF 5. I will always remember that my conduct afield is a reflection on On ALL Regularly Priced Items our Club, its’ members, and our & Free Dacron Backing on New & Used Reels sport, and I will endeavor to conduct myself accordingly. www.orvis.com/sanjose Page 3 FLYLINES JUNE 2014 JUNE PROGRAM ANDREW HARRIS THE “NEW” PIT RIVER Andrew Harris will take you on a tour of the Pit River watershed in northern California. His presentation covers the Pit River from its source in the South Warner Mountains all the way to Shasta Lake. Andrew will discuss the various numbered reaches of the Pit between the hydroelectric dams and powerhouses, technique and flies for the Pit, and wading safety. Minimum flow requirements have more than doubled in the past few years, so Andrew will discuss how the Pit River fishes differently now with the new flow regime. Andrew began his guiding career at Clearwater House on Hat Creek in 1997, guiding clients on the rivers surrounding Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen. Andrew has also guided extensively on the Feather, Yuba, Lower Sac, and Trinity Rivers. Andrew has fly fished in the Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, New Zealand, Chile and Tasmania. Andrew is the author of “Plumas National Forest Trout Fishing Guide” and is a frequent contributor to California Fly Fisher magazine. Andrew lives in Red Bluff, California. Upcoming Program Schedule July ---------------------------------------------------- Club Swap Meet August ----------- Jack Trout ---------- Argentina and Chile September ---------- Craig Nielsen --------- Magical McCloud Page 4 FLYLINES JUNE 2014 High Sierra Fishouts This summer you will undoubtedly be basking in the nice weather and thinking, gee, wouldn’t it be great to be fishing in the beautiful California Sierras, up in the mountains, away from it all, I mean, *really* away from it all? Tons of sunshine, cooperative fish, nobody around, what’s not to like? When you call around, you’ll discover that you can’t exactly be guaranteed a slot on the river/trail you’d like. You can probably get some wilderness permit, but to get to the best fishing you would have had to make a reservation six months ago … which is exactly what we did for you. The Flycasters have permits and plans for fishouts to three amazing Sierra destinations this summer, all carefully selected to be potentially fantastic fishing, awesome scenery, and yet, be accessible to backpackers and fishermen of all ability levels. The first is the San Joaquin above Lake Florence July 10, then the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness July 24, and finally, Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin, September 11.