SAN JOSE FLYCASTERS 4 50th ANNIVERSARY 1965 – 2015 Welcome to the San Jose Flycasters 50th Anniversary Publication by Frank Eldredge

and lots of practice to reach some level of competence at the vise.

I consider myself a proficient caster, but I reached a plateau during a busy career where I would get away for fly an average of only one or two weeks each year. I never properly learned the double-haul cast and decided to take the intermediate class to learn this cast, but the added benefit was getting expert advice on refining my overall casting technique and eliminating some bad habits developed over the years. I look forward to taking the advanced casting class, and also to learning more about spey casting. I know that there are able and willing people in the club to I can truly claim to be an objective person help me reach my casting goals. to assemble and edit the 50th anniversary publication for the San Jose Flycasters in Another major theme that you will find that I have been a member for all of 2 years in this publication is the value of getting of the club’s half century of existence. In the involved in club activities and volunteering process of collecting and putting together your time. Within a few months of this tribute to our wonderful club, I have joining the club, I found a bunch of like- reflected on the common themes in this minded people who are passionate about collection of articles and reminiscences conservation and was invited to become a written by experienced members and member of the Conservation Committee. realized how much their observations Through my involvement in this committee about the benefits of our club resonate with I’ve helped the club raise money to donate a relative newcomer like me. to conservation organizations, informed club members about important issues One of the common themes is the vast and facing our fish and their watersheds, diverse array of skills and experience of and deepened my own understanding of club members, and how willing people are conservation issues by interacting with to share their expertise. I came to the club others on the committee. as a very experienced fly , having Another way in which I got involved in club graduated from bait and lure fishing at the activities was to volunteer to lead a fishout. tender age of 14. I didn’t necessarily expect Although the fishout is a few weeks off as to add much to my skill set by joining the of this writing, I’ve learned firsthand how club, but I quickly discovered areas where much upfront work our fishout leaders put I could grow as a fly fisherman by taking into making these events successful. advantage of classes and seminars. Fly tying? I had always put that off as something to do What will it take to keep our club strong after I retired, and now that I was indeed and vital for another 25 or 50 years? As no longer working for a living I signed up you read this tribute to our club, you for the introduction to fly tying class and will discover the many ways we can all made a feeble attempt at learning one of the contribute something of value. A new core parts of our sport. I quickly learned member can sign up for classes and fishouts, that I will most definitely need more classes and perhaps someday he or she will help newer members improve their skills or a driving force throughout the process in make connections in the club. There are defining the goals, identifying potential many opportunities to teach, lead trips, authors, soliciting articles, collecting raise money, write for the newsletter, and... photos, and much more. I would also like well, the list is too long to enumerate here. to thank the authors who took the time Our club is a great resource for all of us to to write about their area of expertise or use and support. share a reminiscence. And, this publication would never have been produced without I hope you enjoy this anniversary the financial support of the Board of publication. I want to thank Ken Imatani Directors. Finally, I would like to thank for his strong partnership in producing Mike Weir and CalTrout for their this tribute to our club. It was Ken’s idea contribution of some of the photos used in to create this publication, and he has been this publication.

Club Overview and Tribute by Bob Meacham

In 1965 a small group of people gathered an automatic retrieve reel. I used an in San Jose, driven by a common desire inexpensive cane rod, which had more to form a club dedicated to the sport they weight in the metal ferrules than in the rod love. Because some aspects of itself, and paired it with an old Pfluger reel. are unique to just this sport, they felt it We fished mostly moving waters in the warranted a club unto its own rather than area such as the North and South Forks of being a subset of another fishing club. the Shoshone River, the waters in Sunlight Basin, and the Bighorn Mountains. We They concentrated on building a club fished with only a few basic flies such as that teaches the basics of , Fuzzy Brown nymphs, Royal Coachmen, line construction (fly line to tippet), fly and an dry fly. We caught a lot of tying, Entomology, reading waters, and fish. conservation of fly fishing waters. Even though the Club struggled in the early I joined Flycasters about 25 years ago to years, it was built on a solid foundation meet and fish with others who had the same and is now a robust resource for fly passion for the sport, and to learn more fishers and others interested in learning about fishing in California. After joining the sport. The aspect of conservation has the club I have attended almost every taken on a greater role in recent years due seminar, clinic, and class that it offered in to the increased pressures on watersheds the various topics within fly fishing. The and from habitat degradation, Club does a very good job on topics like droughts, and other challenges. The club knots, entomology, fly tying, casting and also took a greater role in teaching young other general subjects. In recent years it students about fish species, watersheds, has tried to keep pace with some of the and conservation through its Education newer trends with fly tying materials and Foundation by bringing aquariums and fry techniques, rods and casting techniques, into the classrooms of teachers who have and equipment. been trained to make this part of their However, keep in mind that most of these science curriculum. “new and exciting” changes in our sport These are exciting times for the sport of fly have occurred above the water line. That is, once the fly hits the water, you are still fishing. Over the past 20 to 25 years we have fishing to the same fish species as I did when seen the sport expand in many directions. I was a kid. And, since things below the We have seen the equipment evolve from water line where the fish live are very slow the standard 9-foot, 5-weight fly rod in changing and adapting, it is important to include everything from lightweight if you want to become a good fly fisher Tenkara to heavy two-handed Spey rods. that you learn the basics that change little Reels have gone from traditional to ultra- over time. Learn the basics of entomology, lightweight, spanning the spectrum from casting, knots and fly tying, and the new large arbors and complex gearing systems trends will build on that foundation, not to rigs with no reels at all (with Tenkara). replace it. New hook styles and new tying materials have helped change the field of fly tying. Just as I am sure I could go back to those We are also seeing the pursuit of more waters of my youth and catch fish with new species in more types of waters (fresh and rods, lines and flies, I could also catch them salt) with fly fishing equipment. Every day with the older equipment. And, probably it seems the sport is changing. catch them in about the same numbers.

I grew up in northern Wyoming and as So, if you are asked why you should a youth I used to fly fish with my father. join or get involved in Flycasters, it is to He preferred a steel, collapsing rod with not only to stay abreast of the new and exciting changes in our sport, but also to new developments above the water line, learn the basics that the sport is built upon but keep the perspective of knowing that and will be used for generations of fly very little changes in how fish behave and fishermen to come. Get excited about the survive.

Flycasters Conservation from 1990 to 2015 by Chuck Hammerstad

In the last 25 years, Flycasters has continued the tradition of being active in fisheries conservation. In the club’s first 25 years, under the leadership of Fred Houwink, Marty Seldon, John Robinson, Ken Heimbecker and others, several important restoration projects were accomplished including fish ladders on Stevens Creek and San Francisquito Creek, a bass habitat enhancement project in Coyote Reservoir, removal of fish passage impediments on Pescadero Creek, and two fish ladders in the Uvas Creek/Pajaro River watershed near Gilroy. With the passing of some of the most passionate Flycasters fisheries conservationists and the changes in the approach and funding for fisheries restoration and conservation, the Flycasters efforts changed from “hands-on” projects to fisheries conservation advocacy and fisheries protection through the financial support of other organizations. Under the chairmanship of Marty Seldon, the focus of the Flycasters conservation effort turned to working with the fisheries agencies and diversions, and a network of percolation other organizations such as the NCCFFF ponds, action was taken by a group of Conservation Committee. conservation organizations including the NCCFFF to develop an action plan and When Mondy Lariz became Conservation agreement with the SCVWD to restore the Committee Chairman, the club continued streams for steelhead. Thanks to Mondy’s to support work on our local streams such efforts, in a period of 12 years much work as Uvas Creek in Gilroy and Stevens Creek was done to remove impediments to fish in the Cupertino area. Mondy was actively passage and to improve spawning and involved with the Northern California rearing habitat below the Santa Clara Valley Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers dams. (NCCFFF) conservation work and was the NCCFFF representative to the Santa Clara Mondy also became Executive Director of Valley Water District (SCVWD) on the the Stevens-Permanente Creek Watershed implementation of the Fisheries Aquatic Council and was instrumental in getting Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE) several restoration projects completed on agreement. Stevens Creek. He also was chairman of the yearly Fall Santa Clara County Creeks Because of the decline in anadromous Coalition conference, which was a one-day steelhead in our local streams as a result of conference with presentations related to our the development of a complex of dams, water local watershed restoration work. When Mike Brinkley became Conservation the club celebrated its 50th anniversary Committee Chairman, there was a need and our guest speaker was Phil Greenlee, to modify the fish ladder on Uvas Creek President of the International Federation built by the Flycasters in 1987. After Mike of Fly Fishers, which was also celebrating obtained funding from a grant from Santa its own 50th anniversary. The banquet has Clara County, concrete curbs or baffles now become the largest social event for were built to divert most of the water to the club each year, which non-fly fishing the fish ladder during low flow periods to spouses look forward to as well as members assist adult steelhead returning through the and guests. The Conservation Committee fish ladder and juvenile steelhead migrating is proud of this accomplishment. out to the ocean. Mike was active on the NCCFFF Conservation Committee and With funds now available for much was Treasurer for the NCCFFF for several needed fisheries conservation work, years, and during his tenure he organized the committee has chosen to fund several fundraisers at the NCCFFF annual other organizations and projects such Fall conclave. There were other Flycasters, as the Coastal Habitat Education and like Matt Zawacki, who provided fisheries Environmental Restoration (CHEER). In conservation leadership for the club. 2009, when Chuck Hammerstad became Conservation Committee Chairman, Mike In 2009, Mike Brinkley retired and Brinkley introduced Chuck to Herman moved to Eugene, Oregon, and Chuck Garcia, President of CHEER, to learn Hammerstad took over the Conservation about the work of the newly formed Committee Chairmanship. With Marty CHEER organization. Herman and his Seldon as mentor to Chuck, the committee volunteer group located in Gilroy were began to grow as others joined the newly actively involved in restoring steelhead in expanded conservation committee. Mike the Uvas Creek/Pajaro River watershed. Jamison was one of the first Flycasters The Conservation Committee, recognizing to join as a new committee member. CHEER’s need for money and wanting Marty and Chuck wanted to expand the to take advantage of its local watershed committee’s efforts and needed more funds expertise, decided to partner with CHEER to accomplish some of those goals. The by providing some funds to support their Flycasters Board of Directors provided the efforts. committee with an opportunity to raise more funds by taking over the Annual Flycasters no longer needed to do projects Banquet fundraiser, with all proceeds going in the watershed--CHEER was now the to the Conservation Committee. primary group involved with restoration work. Initially, through our funding Marty Seldon took on the opportunity partnership, the Flycasters used fundraiser with vigor and, through Marty’s extensive proceeds to contribute to a number of donor solicitations and subsequent critical items for CHEER: the purchase of donations, the annual banquet grew to fish rescue nets and a winch for their rescue about 125 attendees the first year and the truck; funding for their elementary school fundraiser proceeds exceeded $12,500. environmental education program; and, Sadly, Marty passed away in December funds to support the cleaning of the fish of 2011 and was not present for the first ladder built by Flycasters on lower Uvas Flycasters conservation fundraiser in early Creek at the railroad trestle. 2012 that he had worked so hard to make happen. Over the first 10 years of CHEER’s history, the group has completed a large number Because of this tremendous initial success, of projects too numerous to list for this the committee (with the support of the article. Through their hard and sometimes Flycasters Board of Directors and the club physically demanding work, CHEER has membership) has continued to organize restored steelhead in the Uvas Creek/ the annual banquet and fundraiser and Pajaro River watershed after the complete managed to raise $50,000 over the past 5 extirpation of the steelhead runs before years. At the 2015 banquet and fundraiser, their work began. The Conservation Committee is proud to have developed this Alliance, Beyond Searsville Dam, the Sierra partnership with CHEER. Club “Stop Clearcutting Campaign,” the Nature Conservancy, Idaho Rivers CHEER is not the only organization United, and the International Federation supported with funds raised at our annual of Fly Fishers Conservation Fund. We also banquet. Another local group, South Bay support efforts to educate our youth to Clean Creeks Coalition (SBCCC, formerly learn fly fishing and to learn the importance Friends of Los Gatos Creek) was founded of protecting our environment for the in July 2013 by Steve Holmes. Flycasters benefit of our fisheries. has supported this group with funding and hands-on work for their Guadalupe River By 2015, the Conservation Committee watershed stream clean-ups. After many had grown from a core group of 2 or 3 to years of neglect and the accumulation a committee of 12. Committee members of tons of trash in streams and riparian include: Ray Chin, Mike Culcasi, Bob areas, the ongoing clean-ups have resulted Davis, Phil Davies, Frank Eldredge, in the removal of much of the debris and Chuck Hammerstad, Ken Imatani, Dennis junk left by the homeless and litterers. Jacobson, Gary Jahns, Mike Jamison, Through the efforts of the large volunteer Mary Ann Peters, Dan Romani and Jim base of SBCCC, the prospect of again Wholey. With the continued support of re-establishing and steelhead the Flycasters members, the committee will spawning runs in the watershed has been continue to perform its duties to the club. improved. Flycasters will continue to support the work of this group. Each year the Conservation Committee reviews the work of nonprofit organizations that are doing the most critical work around the state to protect and restore the fisheries where our members enjoy fly fishing. Some of the other organizations we have supported are: CalTrout, Unlimited, Fall River Conservancy, Tuolumne River Trust, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Russian River Wild Steelhead Society, Cast Hope, Western River Conservancy, Putah Creek Trout, California Sportfishing Protection

Flycasters 50th Anniversary Tribute by Bob Laskodi

I first joined Flycasters way back in the who helped me along the way. early 1980s, and my reasons for doing so were quite simple and selfish. I wanted to This is not going to be a history lesson of become a better fly angler and meet other the second 25 years of the club (truthfully, fly anglers to go fishing with. At that I’m a lousy historian and my recollection of time, I was not really interested in what historical facts is pretty shaky), but instead I could offer to the club, but rather what a tribute to a few specific individuals who they could they do for me. That probably helped me grow a great deal. I realize that sounds familiar! Over the course of many I will unintentionally neglect to mention years, my association with the Flycasters many important club members who has been the single largest influence in my contributed significantly during the second development into a competent fly angler, 25 years of the club’s existence, and I and I really need to thank those individuals apologize in advance to all of them. to the rescue again, with the rod building courses led by Harry D’Angelo. I learned that I could indeed build my own fly rods and save a ton of money in the process because in those days it was possible to build a name brand rod for a fraction of the price of an already built factory rod. At that time of my life, every fly rod I fished had been built by me. Sadly, the advent of the unconditional rod guarantee pretty much ended the practice of building my own rods, but the skills that I learned have stuck with me--for example, I can now do minor repairs such as wrapping guides.

Now that I had grown into a somewhat proficient fly angler, it was time to start giving back to the club that had taught me so much. So I started helping out with the club’s conservation activities led at that time by Fred Houwink. My favorite recollections were volunteering my labor When I first joined the Flycasters I was not to help with the various steelhead related a very good fly fisher, especially in the art of projects in the Uvas Creek drainage such casting (even though I had been fly fishing as the Little Arthur Creek fish ladder since I was a kid). So, my first priority in project and the bamboo eradication and joining the club was to take their fantastic rehabilitation efforts in the drainage. It casting classes, led at that time by Bob Von was hard work to be sure, but I hope the Raesfeld. I took all the classes offered: contributions of the club helped preserve beginner, intermediate, and advanced, and that threatened species so that someday through these classes I became a much I will actually catch an adult steelhead in better caster. Eventually, I took Tony Yap’s those waters. shooting head class that rounded out my casting skills. If there is only one reason to While I only mentioned Bob, Tony, “Doc”, join the club (and there are certainly many Harry, and Fred by name, in the course more!), the casting classes should be one of of those activities there were many club the top priorities! members who helped out during those activities that I did not name. There were After improving my casting skills, my next many who helped me, but sadly the passage priority was to become proficient at tying of time has erased those names from my flies. Of course, Flycasters came to the memory banks. So I also give a hearty rescue again, with the fly tying courses led thank you to those unnamed individuals. by Dick “Doc” Nelson. I took the beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses, and One thing that has remained constant over eventually became proficient at tying my the past 50 years of the club is that there own flies. With practice and time, my tying are many individuals who have helped the skills improved to the point where I now sport grow. I only listed a few names, but rarely fish a fly that I have not tied myself. there have been many over time. Their I also frequently create my own patterns. tireless efforts are what makes this club a fantastic organization to participate in, So now I could cast a fly, tie my own flies, and I am ever so thankful for their efforts and the next step was to start building my that have helped me out over the years. own fly rods. Of course, Flycasters came Thanks to all of you! Club Fishouts by Lee Dorius

Club fishouts provide many opportunities for members to meet and learn from each other, and to make new friends and fishing buddies. It’s also a great way to learn how to fly fish in general or about how to fish a particular location by getting help from experienced members. Some fishouts provide newer members with seminars and other instruction by local guides at group rates including a new member-only fishout.

Our fishout schedule tries to provide a wide range of fly fishing opportunities of interest to all members and to offer the diversity available in California and nearby states. Our fishouts target rivers, lakes, and the ocean surf, and the species pursued include steelhead, trout, bass, shad, and surf perch. such as Roostercomb or Kelsey Bass ranch It all starts each year with the Fishout and also a very popular shad fishout on the Planning meeting in January when lower Sacramento river. fishmasters meet to plan the year ahead. We have several popular fishouts that we do In the Summer, we typically have 2 to 3 every year and make sure a fishmaster has backpacking fishouts to the High Sierra been assigned to run it. We try a few new for golden trout including one trip with fishouts each year to experiment with new a spot packer to carry our gear that places, and sometimes we skip a fishout for started recently. Destinations include a year or so depending on circumstances. the John Muir Wilderness and Yosemite backcountry. Fishout timing selection is very important, and thus we try to go in a month that offers For the last 3 years, we’ve had a joint the best odds for good fly fishing. Because fishout with the Southern Oregon Fly fishouts are planned months in advance, Fishers club to Lava Lakes, Oregon, which we select places that are predictable in provides our members an opportunity to terms of water conditions, bug hatches, learn and fish with experienced Oregon fly and feeding fish. fishers.

Winter is our slowest time of year for We also have summer fishouts to Yamsi fishouts, but we typically have one or two Ranch and the Williamson River in fishouts during the February to March Oregon, Medicine Lake and Antelope Lake timeframe to the Lower Yuba and Upper in northern California, and Virginia lakes Kings rivers. in the Eastern Sierra. In the past, we’ve In the Spring, our most popular fishout is to had fishouts to the Truckee River and the Pyramid lake, Nevada, home to the native Bridgeport area. Lahontan cutthroat trout unique to that In the Fall, there are fishouts to Davis Lake basin. It’s the largest cutthroat species and and to the Eastern Sierra to the Carson and can grow to enormous size where catching Walker rivers. There is also a fishout for one over 10 pounds is very possible. stripers at O’Neil Forebay. Two steelhead Also in the Spring, we typically have a fishouts, to the Klamath and Trinity rivers, largemouth bass fishout at a nearby lake also occur during the Fall season. Fishouts vary from providing all lodging and food to others that are do-it-yourself for everything. The lodging options on fishouts cover a wide gamut and include motels, private cabins, tent camping in public campgrounds, and backpacking into the wilderness where you carry everything yourself. Trip durations also vary widely from single day trips to multi-day trips of 4 to 6 nights. The club also has a lot of fishout gear available for use on fishouts. It’s stored in a public storage locker and includes cooking gear, stoves, ice chests, shade canopies, storage bins, and many other items. Club fishouts have a zero profit goal, so the fishmaster’s goal is to break even on fishouts. The fishmasters are all volunteers who want to help the club go to a place that they themselves love to fly fish. The club is always looking for new fishout ideas and members interested in helping to make it happen.

Chasing Big Fish Around the World

Our club members have fished in over 30 countries spanning the Americas, Australia, Asia Pacific, Europe, and parts of Africa (see the map of locations below). The most popular destinations include Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Many different types of fish have been targeted including tarpon, permit, peacock bass, tuna, snook, trevally, sea run brown trout, and all varieties of salmon. The red dots on the world map show where members have travelled around the globe in their pursuit of great fishing.

Flycaster’s Fly Casting Classes – The Quest for the Perfect Cast by Raymond Chin

When a flycast is beautifully made it is art in motion. The rod gradually loading to shoot the line backward in a tight loop and rolling out and then being propelled forward with an even tighter arc and loop in the line. The line sails forward, the top and bottom of the line move in unison in a flying wedge until the top portion finally turns over the fly and the fly gently floats to the water.

Such a cast is not an easy feat, especially at distances over 60 feet. It takes repeated practice over and over again to not only handle the basics, but to execute all the nuanced movement of the hand that drives rod and fly line interactions. Once a practitioner of the art learns the basic cast, it opens up an entire world of casting that leads into double hauls, roll casting, shooting heads, curved casts, Spey casts, and other elements of the fly casting art form. Reaching the level of expertise takes dedication. Having guidance in the way of coaches and teachers who can accelerate One of the Basic classes, which was the pace of learning, but more importantly advertised in the newspaper, resulted in over drive the passion to cast perfectly is critical 70 people signing up. With the popularity to becoming a proficient caster and as a of the classes, the need for assistants to result a better fly fisher. help teach the basic classes was necessary. Whitey Jackson, John Brezzo, Harry The San Jose Flycasters have been extremely fortunate to have some of the D’Angelo, Clyde Ritchie and Dave Turner best flycasters in the USA as its members. stepped up to a five year commitment to The Flycasters have been offering casting teach classes for the Flycasters. lessons for close to 50 years. By offering With the success of the Basic Flycasting lessons at a reasonable price, the club has classes, this led to the demand for the helped to promote the art of fly casting to Intermediate Class, which included those in the general public who have taken learning the double haul and better loop an interest in learning to fly fish. control, and the Advanced Class, which The San Jose Flycasters casting program included curve casts, change of direction, started formally with Bob Von Raesfeld steeple casts and other advanced casts to leading the first classes in the 1970s. Bob, deal with challenging fly fishing situations. who was a experienced caster, has taught This also led to classes on using Shooting people worldwide from New Zealand to Heads and also Distance Casting. Canada to Florida, and was an ideal person to lead the first very successful classes. He The Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced eventually earned both his Basic FFF and classes were subsequently taken over by Master FFF Fly Caster certifications (which Jo Hood. Most recently the program was at that time only 19 people in the US held). taken over by Luke Sing in 2016. As is evident, the Flycasters casting classes continue to be popular. It has accelerated the learning curve for many of the Flycaster’s members. Furthermore, the classes have become one of the best recruiting tools for new members for the club.

Truly Rewarding by Wade Goertz

Hite, Rick Utermoehlen, Bob Eury, and Dean Lindberg. These were the members everyone knew and the people involved in nearly everything that happened at the club.

I didn’t participate much in the club in the early years. And I didn’t have anyone to fish with either. I barely knew the names of a dozen members. Once in a while I would go to the casting ponds and run into Tony Yap, who always managed to help improve my casting.

Things changed for me in December of 2007 when Bob Meacham retired as the Seminars Chair. Tim Swihart took over and asked me to be his Co-Chair. The very first person I met in Flycasters My first responsibility was to put on a was Jo Hood. We met at the casting classes New Member Seminar for 2008. I asked in the spring of 1997 – the year I joined the longtime member, former club president, club. As we started that lesson Bob Price, and fishmaster Dean Lindberg to be the the second person I met at Flycasters, featured speaker. I sweated out that first noticed that I didn’t have a leader or a seminar, but it was well attended and piece of yarn on the end of my line. Bob as a result I got to know about 30 more attached 9 feet of monofilament to the end members. of my fly line and tied on a bit of yarn. In September of 2008, Jim Knecht asked I began attending meetings almost if I wanted to serve on the Board of every month and reading the Flylines Directors in 2009. I agreed. Then Tim newsletter. That was the entire extent of asked if I would take over as Seminars my involvement with the club for the first Chair, and again I said yes. Being Seminars few years. Chair gave me the opportunity to schedule seminars that I personally wanted to take: I can recall a few of the names from those rod building (taught by Bob Davis); knot early years: Tony King, Marty Seldon, tying (Bob Price); casting clinics (Tony Jim Thatcher, Bob von Raesfeld, Dennis Yap, Luke Sing, John Luis, Glen Nagumo, Fred Pendergast, Svend Tang-Petersen); in 2011, I repeated Lee Dorius’s trip to the the annual New Member Seminar (Bob East Walker. I was the first to arrive, but Shoberg); a Seminar (Bob 15 minutes later brand new member Dave Meacham); and, an Entomology seminar Pellone pulled up and helped me set up. (Walt Robinson). I even took the Fly Tying Dave ended up being my right-hand man classes several times (Victor Inouye, Jim the rest of the weekend, and since that trip Cramer, Dick Nelson, Bill Nelson, Steve we have been co-fishmasters several times. Duckett, Dean Lindberg, Bob Bergthold). I attended every seminar I scheduled and I I challenged myself in 2011 to attend as always learned something valuable. many fishouts as I could. I participated in 5 fishouts, which was not only more fun than In 2010, Mike Matica had to vacate I would have dreamed of, but also enabled his position as Flylines Editor, and I me to expand my fly fishing experience and volunteered to take over. Even today, after knowledge. 5 years, I still look forward to putting together a new issue each month. For years One of the people I got to know while I was the first person to read Jim Cramer’s serving on the Board of Directors is Bob Tier’s Corner, one of the many advantages Laskodi. His exploits on the Olympic of being the club newsletter editor. Peninsula fly fishing for steelhead are legendary. I accepted his invitation to join In 2009, I went on my first fishout with the him in the OP in March of 2013. While club to Lake Manzanita. Bob Davis was I only caught one fish to his considerably fishmaster and I shared a campsite with greater count, it was the fish of a lifetime. Bill Finke. Getting out of my sleeping bag Had I not been on the Flycasters Board of at dawn and sharing a cup of coffee before Directors, it is unlikely Bob and I would setting out on the lake made the whole day have made that trip together. more enjoyable. Even though the fishing on the lake was solitary, eating dinner and Without question the best thing about my sharing stories around the campfire each twenty years in Flycasters is the people I night made the entire experience much have met and the friends I have made. more worthwhile. Until I started participating in the club, I Since then I have gone on quite a few didn’t have much to show for it. Once I said fishouts. I have even had the privilege “Yes”, I became more directly connected of being fishmaster a few times, which to the people in Flycasters... and that has involved trading a little bit of work for a been the greatest reward. lot of reward. My first time as fishmaster,

The Flycasters Educational Foundation By Don Chesarek

In June of 1965, fifty-two people responded to a small newspaper article about starting a fly fishing club. Thirty-two of us signed up to be founding members. As the club grew, members were discussing ways to give back to the community. In 1984, Ken Heimbecher made a proposal to the board to fund a Fisheries Biology student activity at Humboldt State University. The board approved and later that year Flycasters funded a $900 “scholarship”. The club sought individual contributions and held an annual raffle to raise the funds needed up to a $1,000 annual stipend to fund a for the scholarship. Prizes included fly Senior or Masters research project. The fishing equipment, discounted items, and award is a competitive award; the faculty bed and breakfast certificates. selects the winning proposal and sends us a recommendation to approve their A couple of club members knew Ed Rice, nominee. Students were not limited to who in 1975 had started the International doing research on steelhead or salmon. Sportsman’s Expos that included the one The endowment continues to fund the held at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. Ed annual award for research projects. Over allowed the club to purchase a prime booth the years, Flycasters has made additions near the entrance at a reduced rate, which to the endowment which stood just over meant that almost every attendee walked $43,000 in 2015. by the Flycasters booth. The club raised money by selling raffle tickets in addition The Monterey Bay Salmon to talking about the club. Club members and Trout Project who worked a shift got a free entry pass to the Expo for the day they worked. In 1976, the Monterey Bay Salmon and We had 6 to 8 members working 3 hour Trout Project (MBSTP) was organized shifts during the Expo hours. We quickly by Dr. Tom Thompson of the University discovered that this was a very labor of California to address the declining intensive process to raise money, but it was anadromous fish populations in the the only way we had to raise the money Monterey Bay area by working to restore needed for the scholarship. Something native salmon and steelhead populations. needed to be changed. Coho salmon became extinct in the San Lorenzo River in the late 1970s. The One of the difficulties we had recognized MBSTP’s first facilities were in the Salinas was the fact that donations were not tax industrial waste percolation ponds, but deductible. In 1989, Flycasters Inc. founded rearing facilities were later moved to a the Flycasters Educational Foundation. private pond in Salinas. On December 28, 1989, March Fong Eu, California Secretary of State approved In May 1982, MBSTP was able to relocate our request for 501(c)(3) status in a two- their operations to the Kingfisher Flat area page document. The document states that on Big Creek, north of Davenport, at a site the Flycasters Educational Foundation is on property owned by the Big Tree Timber to “operate a nonprofit organization to Company. The site had been used by the provide scholarships to students majoring California Department of Fish and Game in fisheries biology or similar studies, as a Coho hatchery from 1927 until 1940, to provide education programs to the and during that time shipped Coho all over public regarding fly fishing, preservation, the world. utilization and enhancements of fresh In 1984, permission was granted by Fish water and saltwater fisheries and fish and Game to trap adult steelhead in the San habitat”. And it sets clear rules on how Lorenzo River, and to trap adult steelhead assets may be spent, including dissolution and Coho on Big Creek. Fertilized eggs of the Foundation. were created, hatched, and raised until We then spent almost 2 years to finally smolt stage, and after the clipping of a obtain IRS recognition of 501(c)(3) status. fin the fish were released into a river or With 501(c)(3) status we were able to stream draining into the Monterey Bay shift fundraising from raffles to corporate (San Lorenzo, Aptos Creek, Uvas Creek, grants. etc.). Current regulations require that released fish must go into the waters from On December 17, 1989, Hugh Miller which the adults were captured. Today presented a $15,000 endowment check steelhead are captured and released into to Timothy Mulligan, Professor in the the San Lorenzo River. Coho are captured Fisheries Biology Department at Humboldt and released into Big Creek. Thanks to the State University. The endowment provided Santa Cruz fire department, the hatchery survived the Lockheed fire--they stopped eggs. Four hours are spent working in the fire 200 feet from the hatchery. a stream doing activities ranging from classifying insects they find under rocks in The Salmon and Trout Educational the stream to evaluating water quality by Program measuring turbidity and dissolved oxygen Barry Burt and Matt McCaslin created in the water. The next day they compare the Salmon and Trout Education Program the water quality based on the number (STEP) in the late 1980s. Their impetus and type of insects they found to the water for the development of this program was quality from their measurements. Quality their mutual love for their local watershed based on insect data is viewed as better than and its resources. Matt McCaslin measured data because it covers a longer was a member of the Santa Cruz Fire period of time and will show impacts due department. Barry was a teacher at Quail to singular events that take place when Hollow Elementary school located in Ben instrument data is not available. Lomond, which has Newell Creek running on the school property boundary. Newell Hugh Miller was a member of the Creek is a steelhead spawning water that Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout program flows into the San Lorenzo River, which and he formed the link between the STEP gave the Quail Hollow teachers the ability program and the Educational Foundation. to have their students in the creek on a Flycasters members provide a wide variety regular basis. The teachers used some of assistance to the STEP program. educational materials developed in Canada We raise funds; interview prospective as a starting point for their program. Barry teachers on the west side of the Santa and Matt were both members of MBSTP. Cruz mountains; provide administrative, Partnering with MBSTP, Barry and the manufacturing, and teaching support Quail Hollow teachers had the ideal before, during and after for the two-day environment to continuously develop the teacher training workshop; help set up STEP program over time. The original chillers and aquariums in classrooms; curriculum has undergone major revisions. distribute eggs to classrooms; and, provide The last version was done in 2005 thanks mentoring support for teachers who have to significant financial support from the classes working in a steelhead stream. Packard Foundation. The revision work It has been estimated that over 100,000 was done by teachers who had been using students have benefited from experiencing the curriculum in their classroom for many a STEP program in their classrooms. years and had taught hundreds of teachers how to use the earlier versions of the STEP Because of the conservation message that is curriculum. woven into the STEP curriculum, students take ownership of the creek they release STEP teachers are required to complete their fry into. “Don’t trash my fish’s home, a two-day workshop before receiving the it is coming back!” certification required to handle steelhead Club Tribute by Shiz and Judy Nakawatase

generous in sharing their knowledge, views and techniques. We also borrowed and viewed videos from the extensive library.

After we finished our classes and were functional fly casters, the next step was to figure out how to catch fish with a fly. Going on “Fishouts” was the answer. Like many new fly fishers, we started fishing for trout in California. We fished the Klamath River, the Upper Sac, Eagle Lake, King’s Canyon, and several other local destinations. Fishouts are a great way to gain fly fishing experience and confidence and to become “fishing buddies” with other club members.

In recent years, we have ventured beyond As the San Jose Flycasters celebrate the California with fellow club members to second 25 years of their 50th anniversary, Alaska, Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. Judy and I have enjoyed being active members for most of the past 25 years and Our best friends are also fly fishers who want to share some thoughts on how we share our passion and values like catch benefited greatly from what the club offers. and release, saving our rivers, helping the environment, fly tying, fishing together Over the years, we have heard a few and helping others with the great sport we members state they were not getting enjoy. anything out of the club. We are not sure Because we both enjoy fly fishing, most what they expected, but in our view our of our vacations are fly fishing trips. By club offers everything the fly fisher needs. taking classes and practicing, we became We don’t really remember why we capable single and two-handed casters originally joined the club, but it probably who like to travel to fish for large fish. involved wanting to learn about all aspects We enjoyed reading fly fishing articles, of fly fishing. Judy was a total novice, and watching videos, talking about fly fishing Shiz had minimal experience. with other fly casters, tying flies, practicing casting, planning trips, traveling to many Once we joined the Flycasters, we took wonderful fly fishing destinations to advantage of the various classes the club achieve our goal, and helping others enjoy offered. We took the beginner casting class the sport. with Jo Hood, the intermediate casting class twice with Bob von Raesfeld, entomology The reason our club is celebrating its 50th with Walt Robinson, and fly tying with Doc anniversary is voluntarism, which is the Nelson and Victor Inouye. Judy also took lifeblood of our club. Without volunteers, the knots class with Bob Price, advanced we don’t exist. So step forward and select casting with Bob von Raesfeld, and spey something you can help with. We have casting from Luke’s spey bunch. enjoyed helping with delivering steelhead eggs to schools for the STEP program, We asked questions and picked the brains including helping with the required of our more experienced members about fly paperwork and field release of the fry. We tying, casting, and fishing destinations (to also helped introduce fly fishing to Boy name a few topics). Members were always Scouts and assisted veterans with fly casting and fishing for trout. We participated with river cleanups, helped at the annual fundraising dinner, and manned booths at fly fishing shows. We co-chair the video library and make new video purchases for the library. Anyone can do these things, so we encourage you to volunteer your services so that the Flycasters of San Jose can exist another 50 years.

Don’t hesitate to take advantage of the many classes and expertise of your fellow them, even if it takes years to achieve. It club members. There is a vast amount of fly fishing knowledge and talent in our took Judy about 20 years to catch her first club, so ask questions and give back by fish over 20 pounds--but she hung in there helping other newcomers as you become and achieved her goal in 2015. Now it’s on more knowledgeable. Set goals and pursue to a 30-pounder on a fly.

History of the Casting Ponds by Robert Davis

After ten years of working with local professional, state-of-the-art casting ponds. agencies, in 1994 Flycasters obtained a Ron not only made the plans, but was $148,000 appropriation from the County also involved with Project Chairman Jim of Santa Clara to build two modern Thatcher and our legal advisor Bob Von casting ponds in Los Gatos Creek Park. Raesfeld through years of presentations Two American Casting Society approved and meetings with all levels of Santa Clara ponds, one 80 and the other 100 square County government. Supervisors Rod feet, were completed in 1995. The ponds Diridon (Flycasters Life Member) and are ideal for casting: the casting areas are Mike Honda were particularly helpful in low concrete casting platforms along two making it all happen. sides, with a three-foot fence that keeps people from interfering with backcasts. The ponds are between 18 and 36 inches deep and were initially constructed with Advisor and world champion caster, Chris earthen bottoms because they were part of Korich, and club architect Ron Saiki, the Park’s percolation system that helped were responsible for the design of these recharge the water table. They are kept full by continual water flow from one pond to The club established two committees to the other that comes from the Los Gatos keep the ponds in good shape. The first was Creek percolation pond system. From time the hard working Pond Operations Group to time small bluegill and largemouth bass (POG), under Guy Furlo’s management, have been introduced to the ponds from which took care of the hundreds of tasks our water source, the adjacent percolation necessary to improve, maintain, and clean ponds, primarily in the form of eggs, some the ponds. The second was the Pond of which incubate. Utilization Group (PUG), which was chaired by Project Leader Jim Thatcher During the summer of 1996 the ponds until his untimely death in 2002. Jim was experienced a serious algae infestation. the liaison with the County and other The club solicited the Internet fly fishing agencies that worked with us. bulletin boards in the US and Europe for possible solutions. Over 40 email The casting ponds benefited from the responses from all over the world were donation of a massive 3,700 pound received. The possibility of using “barley limestone rock from Rick Santee, the straw” to initiate an enzyme reaction that owner of Central Home Supply in Santa would destroy algae was first suggested by Cruz, which was located next to the old a few experts in the UK and Canada. There tannery on the banks of the San Lorenzo was no source of barley straw in this area, River. When the tannery was constructed so instead the club used readily available many years ago, large amounts of rock alfalfa straw. To test the process, four were quarried from the old riverbed. bales of alfalfa straw were placed around Excess limestone including “our” rock the main pond inlet. Sixteen days after wound up in a mountainous pile in the the ponds were refilled, both ponds still river. Flycasters has a long history of remained clear of any new algae growth. steelhead fishing in the San Lorenzo River, The enzyme action of the alfalfa not only which was almost a place of pilgrimage prevented new algae growth in the large for many of our early members. The pond, but inhibited the growth of the limestone rock we now have in place at remaining algae in the smaller pond. the intersection of the ponds was once part of the bed of the San Lorenzo River that After some study, we understood how had steelhead and the now almost extinct the process worked: the straw releases Coho salmon finning their way over it for proteins with moving water, and these the last twelve million years. Some club proteins throw off a compound known as members considered having a ceremony at “lignin”, which further breaks down and the rock every winter, to allow the “aura” diffuses “quinones” throughout the water. of the “rock” to produce good “karma” Quinones are toxic to many forms of algae for our annual hunt for the wily steelhead. and are the active elements that keep the ponds clear. Members of Flycasters contributed labor and funding to add gravel areas and trees During that period Bob went to Santa around the ponds. The names of donors Rosa to see how the Santa Rosa Fly were to be put on a plaque that was to Fishing Club’s 16 inch deep ponds were be attached to the mighty San Lorenzo constructed. The ponds in Santa Rosa also Steelhead rock to tell its story, but the use fresh water to fill and top off their County had rules that did not allow names ponds. Our maintenance agreement for on structures in parks. Flycasters helped the ponds was modeled after the Santa purchase 20 trees that were planted around Rosa agreement. When the ponds were the ponds; however, the water table was originally installed by County Park and found to be so high that most of them died. Recreation department, the maintenance Redwood trees have been planted outside agreement was signed with Flycasters, Inc. the fence on the eastern side and other for 5 years with a 5 year renewal option small trees have being planted along the for the upkeep and repair of the ponds. entrance path. Jim Thatcher and Bob met several times The Committee also completed construction with the County Park and Recreation of a gazebo that is used as a small sun department to discuss the pond bottoms shelter, and added rod racks inside the and the possible installation of the fenced area. An octagonal bench was built concrete bottoms. However, Department around the large tree. The Santa Clara Parks representatives would not commit to and Recreation Department completed any action unless the Flycasters could installation of a sprinkler system and grass fund the concrete work. Through several lawn just inside the main gate, with the negotiations with County Park and club contributing 25 yards of top soil and Recreation Department, it was agreed that nitrogen-sawdust mulch to the effort. The Flycasters would make donations in-kind area around the ponds is divided between to the County. Flycaster’s Vice President, grass and decomposed granite. In 2002, the and subsequently President, Bob Davis, county built a pavilion including a barbecue took on the job of working with the County and table area outside the fence for group and soliciting cash, materials, and in-kind events. labor donations to raise the club’s portion of the costs. Several in-kind donations Pond bottom cleanings continued during were made by Flycasters, including base 1998-2002. The alfalfa straw has continued rock and gravel, rebar, concrete, and to do its job. With the algae problem now general building materials. The County under control, the difficulties with the Parks and Recreation then budgeted for Sargo Pond Weed growing up from the the full installation of the pond bottoms. clay bottoms of the ponds was addressed. Concrete work started late in October Jim Thatcher and Guy Furlo’s committees 2002 and was completed by the second donated hundreds of hours of labor week of November. The contractors did a and heavy equipment to do all the work quality job and the club waited anxiously necessary to operate this facility. Jim until the first rains of the season refilled the Thatcher and his team determined that ponds. the best long-term solution for keeping the ponds pristine was to install concrete on the Although we still fight the “battle of the bottoms. Cleaning would still be necessary Quinones,” cleaning is now a much easier once or twice a year. process. When Jim Thatcher passed away, Glen Furlo took on the POG Committee Jim started the long process of working with Chairmanship and has done an outstanding the County to convince them of the need job using mechanized equipment and our lay concrete on the bottoms. During one volunteers to maintain the ponds. meeting Jim Thatcher stood up and asked if anyone had experience with large concrete Tony Yap took over from Dave Denman, pours. It turned out that Bob Davis, who the first club Tournament Casting worked in Intel’s Construction Division, Chairman and built a small casting team had been the project lead of several large that has done exceptionally well up against jobs with pours averaging 200 to 500 yards. more experienced casters in American Nagumo, one of Tony’s faithful, has taken on tournament team coordination for the club.

Flycasters has held other events at the ponds, including a 2002 fly fishing fair and formal six-weekend casting courses held each spring that are open to the public. Instruction is given for beginners, intermediate, and shooting head levels to groups of 50-90 individuals. Casting Association tournaments and in the USA and in Europe. Members are being Flycasters has done quite well in bringing encouraged to join the team and learn to professional tournament casting and an be better casters. Once a month during the outstanding casting facility to the South summer season, Tony Yap and his team Bay, and is continuing its efforts to keep the have offered free public casting lessons and ponds in the best possible condition. One mentoring at the ponds, but club members future goal is to realize the dream of building are usually there almost every day to help a clubhouse on the site, as was done in San anglers improve their skills. Recently, Glen Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Club Tribute by Victor and Judy Inouye

and more about fly fishing. After my feeble attempts at casting on Stevens Creek, I knew there had to be a better way to cast this silly stick.

An Internet search (a slow dial-up connection at the time) led me to the San Jose Flycasters and a lifetime of learning and friendship. Learning to cast was fun, but the fly tying bug bit hard: I took Doc Nelson’s Intro class 3 times! The last time things clicked enough that I was actually able to help other students and not just pester Doc with off-the-wall questions. Jan Kurahara and Benson Kanemoto showed me that not all flies were wooly buggers!

Flycasters is about education and giving back, and that hit home after Doc had his stroke and I became his hands for Flycasters 50th anniversary, what a demonstrating tying in the Introduction to milestone for the club! 50 years of Fly Tying classes. This led to many years education, conservation, and friendship. of teaching all levels fly tying at the club I’m so grateful to have been a part of it and meeting a great number of new friends and to give back to the club. along the way, including my wife and fly My beginning at Flycasters came about fishing partner Judy. when I found an old fiberglass fly rod in Best wishes to the Flycasters and another the garage, which got me thinking more 50 years! Don’t be an Incomplete Fly Angler by Jim Cramer

In 2003 I moved from Bodega Bay to San Jose and quickly became a member of the San Jose Flycasters. Having learned long ago that you only receive from an organization what you are willing to put into it, I quickly found an important void to fill in the club’s newsletter and started writing The Tier’s corner. The December 2015 issue marked my 132nd, consecutive column (eleven years worth) in the Flylines. With that benchmark I decided to take a break, perhaps due to writer’s burnout. I will continue to write the column but not on a regular basis.

Fly fishing, as everyone knows, is a broad and complex sport with many out-fish salmon eggs! The thrill of that opportunities and niches in which an angler moment, with all the surrounding details, may choose to specialize or study to their became etched in my memory forever. At heart’s content. The areas of specialization include Entomology, tournament casting, that moment I became a fly tier for life. rod building, fly tying, and other domains. Unbeknownst to me, I had just experienced a life changing experience. With the possible exception of improving one’s casting skills, in my opinion none Fly tying adds such an enormous dimension of these tangent areas can bring more to the sport that I find it amazing that more satisfaction and sense of accomplishment fly anglers do not engage in the craft. You than tying and fishing one’s own flies. Let may be a very good fly fisher, but unless you me tell you a true story of a life changing are tying and fishing your own flies you are experience. an incomplete fly angler, depriving yourself of much of the thrill and satisfaction that In the summer of 1949 the gin clear water the sport offers. flowed smoothly into a gravel edged pool of northern New Mexico’s Chama River. Fortunately, as a member of the best fly By most standards the Chama River would fishing club in northern California, the San be considered a medium small stream. Jose Flycasters, you have the opportunity On one side, half way down the pool, a to tap into a wealth of knowledge. huge rock outcropping interrupted the The cumulative knowledge of the club gravel edge and plunged into the pool. I members represents several hundred years had high hopes as I stood on the rock and of experience. Each year our club offers fly let my salmon egg and fly combination tying courses taught by some of the club’s sink and drift into the pool’s depths. finest tiers and structured for all skill levels. Almost immediately I felt the strike and These classes are well attended by our club quickly landed a 10 inch rainbow--surely a members and their very nominal cost is a hatchery fish, but did I know or care? bargain by any measure.

The thrill was not the fish, but the fact that But for the adventurous fly tier, and all fly it had chosen my own hand tied fly, a size tiers are adventurous, the club offers much 12 “Rio Grand King,” in preference to the more than their annual fly tying classes. salmon egg. I had previously taken many A few tiers show up each month at club fish on flies, but this was my first fish on meetings with their new creations or new a fly that I had tied. Flies, my flies, could ideas to show off and have them critiqued by other tiers. This interchange of ideas, made in the development of new techniques; suggestions, and mutual problem solving after all there are only so many ways to tie with other tiers in the club is invaluable material on to a hook. On the other hand, for all involved. Nowhere else, except for most of the new patterns promote the use large fishing shows, do fly tiers have such of new and different materials. It seems that unlimited access to such a wide collection today’s tiers are following in the footsteps of knowledge. Willing members are always of yesteryear’s classic Atlantic salmon fly available to discuss mutual problems and tiers. Those gents strived to see who could offer suggestions. add the greatest number of exotic feathers and materials to their patterns. Granted their creations were things of beauty and required true skill to produce, but to what purpose? All of which leads me to question the direction in which fly tying is now moving: more and more complex patterns with multiple materials. However, many of these new patterns have little resemblance to fish food. Remember that most of what fish eat is one-half inch long and comes in shades of brown, black, or olive. I have always believed that the purpose of tying flies was to catch fish, so it is with some skepticism that I view these new and unproven patterns. Now let me shift the topic slightly to discuss the current trends in fly tying and I believe that fly tying will remain as we what the future may hold. know it today for many generations: that is, the hand assembly of various materials Today fly tying is evolving at a faster rate on to a hook. But, knowing how creative than any time in my lifetime. The tying anglers are the world over, I expect that it craft is growing both in numbers and in is just a matter of time before technology popularity. This growth can be attributed begins to impact and change this ancient primarily to the Internet and to the wide craft. At some point a dedicated and abundance of exciting new materials. enterprising fly angler, working in a highly The Internet provides instant access to technical but unrelated field, will adapt that multiple sites where tiers young and old technology to his or her fly tying. I have show off their talents via YouTube videos. no idea what technical field might morph Add to this all the new materials that are itself into the craft of fly tying. Perhaps continuously offered and hyped on the someone will learn to 3-D print their flies, market, and it is no surprise that new or use Nano-technology to produce lighter patterns propagate faster than flies in the weight hooks or artificial hackle. summer. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself with this play-on-words). To say the least, it is Imagine the day when a fly tier sits down a very exciting time for fly tiers who are in at his or her computer to “tie up” a dozen the creative frame of mind. flies for tomorrow’s trip. Because the San Jose Flycasters is located in the center of I mentioned that fly tying is evolving, but I Silicon Valley, it could well be that one of question the direction that the evolution is your fellow club members might be that taking us. Very little true progress has been high-tech fly tier. Flycasters Knot Tying and Rigging Classes by Bob Price

I was asked to write this article for number of tools and Flycasters 50-year Anniversary because I testing techniques am the most recent knot tying instructor. that he used to do I have always been interested in learning his own testing. Bill how to do my own knot tying and rigging. documented his knot It started when I was younger and did tests and rigging mountain climbing and sailing. When I techniques in a self- was mountain or rock climbing and my published book titled life depended on the safety rope, I wanted Flycasting Systems, to make sure I knew how to tie the correct which first came out knots. If I tie the knot, then if something in 1996. The sixth breaks I don’t have anyone to blame but and last edition was myself. published in 2007, the year before he died. I started fly fishing and joined Flycasters in the late 1970s. At that time Flycasters With each revision of did not have classes dedicated to knot his book, Bill continued tying and rigging. It was taught as part of to refine and improve on the knots and other seminars on specific types of fishing rigging techniques he described. In the first such as steelhead or saltwater. I attended versions of his book, his breaking strength many of these seminars and learned to tie tests were done on monofilament. When knots like the Bimini Twist. When we had fluorocarbon was introduced, he retested a seminar on shark fishing in Monterey everything with fluorocarbon. He observed Bay, I learned how tie the Albright Knot to and documented in later revisions of his make leaders with wire shock tippets for book that many of the knots that worked sharks and other fish with extremely sharp well in monofilament do not work well in teeth. In 1991, Lefty Kreh gave a two-day fluorocarbon. Some of the current knot seminar for Flycasters in which he taught testing articles I read still only test on us how to tie the Non-Slip Mono Loop, monofilament. also called the Kreh Loop. As far as I know Bill was the first person Ken Eugene, a past prominent member to teach knot tying and rigging as a unique of Flycasters created the Eugene Bend class for Flycasters. He taught many Knot, which is an excellent knot for tying classes from the late 1990s to 2005 or so. a tippet to the fly. I use the Eugene Bend Bill shared his extensive knowledge on when I want a knot that is tight to the the subject with the many Flycasters who eye of the hook. Flycasters still gives the attended his classes. Besides just teaching Ken Eugene Award, in his honor, “for a the knots, he demonstrated the testing member who has performed a singular (or techniques he used to validate the strength many) service(s) for the betterment of the of the knots he taught. club”. In 2009, after Bill’s death, Wade Goertz It is not possible to talk about knot tying asked me to take over the knot classes. and rigging without talking about Bill I taught knot classes in 2009, 2010, and Nash. Unfortunately, we lost Bill in 2008. 2011. I took a break for a few years and Bill made major contributions to the Wade Goertz taught a basic knots class subject of knot tying and rigging for fishing in 2013. This January, 2016, after a five- situations. He was an excellent angler and year hiatus, I taught a one-night class on was very generous in sharing his time basic fishing knots. Over the years I have and knowledge with others. He was the made a number of revisions in how I teach consummate engineer and did not blindly the class. The first class in 2009 was a accept much of the common thinking on multi-night class where I tried to cover knot tying and rigging. He developed a everything from basic knots to complex knots and rigging techniques used for big class on more advanced topics in the future game fishing. I learned that this was way if there is enough interest. too much material and everyone did not have as much interest as I did in the more Technology has changed the way we learn advanced topics. They just wanted a few things. Many of the knots and rigging basic knots so they could fish. I broke the techniques that Bill Nash and I taught multi-night class into three separate classes. in the past can now be found on the The basic knot class was well attended, internet. Everything from text descriptions but interest dropped significantly for the to animated videos to live videos intermediate and advanced classes. demonstrating a variety of knot tying and rigging techniques are available online. The last class I did in January 2016 covered I think a hands-on class is still useful to only basic knots that will allow Flycasters introduce people to the subject, but the to have the knowledge they need for most videos are a great resource for reviewing fishing situations. I may consider adding a and learning new techniques.

Rod Building Classes by Bob Davis

Beginning in 2000, we had requests The class was repeated in 2007 and several to provide a seminar times over the next 8 years. During this through the club. We received several time we have had several switch rods donations to the club of materials built and a number of fiberglass rods. The and write-ups on rod building styles clubs is expanding to begin bamboo rod and methods. building. The number of experts in the club has grown to more than 8 with a couple In 2006, Flycasters began an annual branching out to provide rod repairs (for rod building class held in the early example, Walt McIntyre). winter. The first class was attended by 16 members with 4 teaching The club has 2 complete sets of rod assistants. The class produced 11 turning motors with supports. Several rod completed fly rods. (This was not wrapping stands have been constructed yet the year of the switch rod.) as a part of the class, and a set of plans We were careful to stick to the available for the rod wrapping stands is circulated commercial rod blanks, components, and at the beginning of each class. We provide finishes to ensure we were able to predict reference locations on the Internet for the outcome of the rods and finishes. guide spacing based on the length of the One of the critical areas of discussion rod. is always about the spine of the modern Bob Davis has written a description of fly rod. The methods of construction the spine of the fly rod that is provided to in the modern fly rod provide a highly each class attendee. We encourage all who consistent material and layup for the attend the class to check out the various blanks. The modern manufacturers have types of fly rods available at the local fly provided some of the best blank materials shops before beginning the rod building and the best engineered actions in the process. fly rods. The accessories for the modern fly rod have come a long way from the Over the past years, rod building has simple steel line guides and the older become a part of the club. Special thanks types of thread for binding them to the must go out to all who have supported the rod blank. The materials for the sealing rod building classes: Walt McIntyre, Wade of the threads have been upgraded to the Goertz, and all the others who have built current two-part epoxy compounds, and rods and shared their experiences. the sealing methods are not as susceptible to temperature and humidity differences as We hope to continue this class for many was seen in the past. years to come. Flycasters and the International Federation of Fly Fishers by Bob Shoberg

As a member club of the International award for their work with Federation of Fly Fishers (both founded in the Flycaster’s Education 1965), San Jose Flycasters has been a major Foundation. contributor to the IFFF and its regional arm, the Northern California Council Many members of Federation of Fly Fishers (NCCFFF). Many Flycasters have gained early club presidents like Dan Blanton, international recognition in Ray Hutcherson and others were council the Federation’s fly fishing directors. Past Club Presidents John Brezzo community: Flycasters like and Ken Chrisman became Northern Dan Blanton, Marty Seldon, California Council FFF Presidents. Dave Dick Nelson, Bob and Carol Pellone, the 2015 Flycaster’s president, is von Raesfeld, and many the 2016 NCCFFF president. others. Club fly tyers such as Benson Kanemoto, Edie Over the years Flycasters has contributed Mashico, Dan Blanton, Walt many officers and committee heads. Rudy Robinson, and many others Deluca and Ken Eugene co-chaired the are seen at regional and 1976 NCCFFF Conclave held in Palo international FFF events on a Alto that became the model for the ISE regular basis. shows. Dick Nelson was a Buz Buszek Award winner (the highest award in fly Flycasters has and continues tying), and Dan Blanton received both the to have broad participation IFFF Arnold Gingrich Life Member and in FFF regional council, the Silver Tarpon Awards. Fred Houwink national, and international received the IFFF Conservation Award, the fly fishing. The club has gained broad NCCFFF Award of Excellence, and served recognition and respect through these as NCCFFF Director, Secretary, and Vice activities. The Federation offers a broad President. Marty Seldon became NCC FFF range of services and benefits to members Conservation VP in 1973 and was on the including: Fly Fisher Magazine, the FFF FFF Executive Committee in the same role Casting Instructor Certification Program, from 1976-1986. Marty received many and club assistance. Clubs may apply FFF honors including President’s Pins, FFF for national conservation and education 2000 Ambassador Award, Man of the Year, grants. Flycasters received a $1,000 FFF and the coveted Lapis Lazuli Ring in 1992, grant as initial seed money for our Myron and in 2006 Marty was inducted into the Gregory Memorial Project on Carnedero NCCFFF Fly Fishing Hall of Fame. San Creek, and another $5,000 grant for the Jose Flycasters received the FFF Stanford project upgrade. Miller Club Conservation Award, and in 1982 we won the McKenzie Plaque as FFF For a number of years, Marty Seldon Club of the Year. In 1987 Ken Heimbecker was the club’s FFF Representative. Mike received the Lew Jewett Memorial Life Brinkley, Bob Shoberg, and Mondy Membership Award as did Dick Nelson Lariz were elected Northern California in 1997. Fred Houwink received the FFF Council FFF Directors. Mondy, the 2016 Ambassador Award in 1990 and in 1999 NCCFFF Webmaster, previously Council the FFF Charles E. Brooks Memorial Life VP of Development, was on the Council’s Membership Award. Upper Sacramento River and Steelhead Committees, and has also been NCCFFF And in 2014 Hugh Miller and Don Chesarek Secretary. He has stepped down as a formal were honored at the annual NCCFFF Hall NCCFFF Director in 2015 but is still doing of Fame dinner with a lifetime achievement the NCCFFF Web Site and also works on the FFF web site. And Wade Goertz Flycasters members have been committee publishes the NCC River mouth magazine. volunteers. Marty Seldon was the NCCFFF Fly Fishing Hall of Fame Inductee on The FFF has an excellent program for February 18, 2006. training and certifying casting instructors. Bob Von Raesfeld is a FFF certified Master A significant number of our club members Instructor. FFF Certified Instructors from are individual members of the IFFF and Flycasters include: Andy Benkert, Jo have attended regional and national Clark, Ron Kilgren, Kazu Kashimizu, Walt conclaves and events. To gain more Robinson, and Bob Sato. Others like Dan knowledge and to be where the action is, Blanton have also been certified. Club and Board members are encouraged to become individual IFFF members and be In 2000, at the 35th IFFF Conclave in part of our future. Joining the Federation Livingston, Montana, the Federation makes our voice that much stronger. honored Dick Nelson with a new Federation award, the Dick Nelson Our participation in the IFFF gives us Fly Tying Instruction Award. Benson national and international representation. Kanemoto received this award in 2003. It also has given us things such as the Ken Kondo was honored for his longtime IFFF professional teaching manual. The service as our Japanese translator. Matt Federation is the only organization that Zawacki initially lead the NCCFFF battle represents all fly fishers, national and against the San Luis Low Point export international, and all species of fish, in project and was active with the NCCFFF all waters. Check out the IFFF at: http:// Bay-Delta Committee. Mike Brinkley was www.fedflyfishers.org and the Northern NCCFFF Hall of Fame raffle and Auction California Council at: http://www.nccfff. Chairman for two years and a number of org