HAPPY NEW [email protected] (Sebastopol) • Paul Matzen, (707) 795707) -8885 or (480-1057 (Rohnert Park) • Don Shaw, (707) 664-8573 (Petaluma) Please be sure to include the

Headwaters…

The clinking of champagne glasses has subsided, leaving our intended resolutions fading with the revelry of our celebrations. So far, the Northern California winter rains have come early and our rivers now approach (or already offer) fly fishable conditions. The new low-flow regulations are (already) limiting access to our coastal haunts and it appears that our local opportunities for Steelhead have been seriously curtailed. Before you venture out, be sure to call the DFW Hotline to make sure that your intended destination is open for fishing.

It has been cold, a product of clear, starry nights and a weather pattern reminiscent of last year. Our December Steelhead Clinic was well attended, even though it was moved to the Casting Pond as the Russian River remained too big and muddy. Thank you to Ed Phelan, Ken Magoon and Joe Craig for assisting me with

the instruction. As always, it was an informative morning and presented the cumulative information of those in attendance. As Big Pierre noted, "The combined experiences of all of us are a tremendous resource to have at our disposal".

There are a few events coming up that you may wish to keep on your radar. Our annual RRFF Cioppino Dinner takes place on February 28th. We need your help with dinner set-up and raffle donations. Remember that this event will be our February General Meeting. Also, the RRFF Trout Season Opener will move to Lake Siskiyou on April 30 - May 3rd. This venue will provide access to numerous fly fishing opportunities and we hope that the later date will offer less crowds and perhaps more hatch activity.

May all of you find the fulfillment of oceans, rivers, lakes and streams in this New Year, and experience the healing powers of water and the replenishing life therein. ~ Steve Tubbs

Sonoma County California Volume 42 Number 1 January 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR Since June 1977 Visit our website at

www.rrflyfisher.tripod.com

Russian River Fly Fishers -January 2015

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Notes on 2015 RRFF Winter/Spring Outings

~ January 15 to 18 American River Steelhead

We cancelled last year’s outing to the American River because of low flows. This year we will probably have good water levels and hopefully some steelhead hook-ups. We wade-fish at a few easily accessed parks along the River. Fishing is mostly swinging flies over large water, so spey rods or shooting heads are in order. Full length lines with indicators will also work in deeper runs and channels.

I recommend staying at the Motel 6 Central, 7850 College Avenue, Sacramento (916-383-8110) off Highway 50 at the Howe Avenue exit which is close to the River access points. There are also several restaurants near-by.

Our next meeting is January 14, so if you are thinking of going you could make a reservation at the Motel 6 and/or contact any of the following who are signed up to go: Alan Cason, Bill Laurie, Joe Banovich, Larry Henzerling, Doug Mackay, Don Shaw, Ken Magoon and Arienne Prange.

~ Gualala River, February 19 to 22 There should be good water and good numbers of steelhead in our coastal rivers this February if the recent storms continue in a pre-drought pattern through the rest of the winter

The Gualala River has a few miles of wadeable fishing water between Highway 1 and the North Fork Bridge. The Gualala is often a very crowded river in good years and for this reason, we recommend RRFF participants in this outing be confident in their casting skills and have a good knowledge of steelhead fishing etiquette.

We stayed at the Surf Motel 707-884-3571 in 2013 which is one of the best values in town and includes a complimentary breakfast. Google Gualala Surf Motel for ads and rates. The sign-up sheet will available at the January 14 meeting.

~ March 2015 Outings The two March outing sign-up sheets have filled up. While there’s no room for more participants on the March 7 trip to the Yuba River, members may be added to the March 26 to 29 Pyramid Lake outing, because there are usually

cancellations. Contact me or sign-up at future meetings.

~ The Opener in Early May We are moving the RRFF Trout Season Opener to Lake Siskiyou, on April 30th to May 3rd. There’s trout and bass fishing on the lake, plus wading the Upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers. More information will be forthcoming from Steve Tubbs.

~ Memorial Weekend Sacramento River Shad, May 21 to 24

We camp at Verona, located at the confluence of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers. The area is grass covered with showers. Boats with motors are recommended as the current is swift. Contact Lee Soares ( 707-974-2651) for more information.

~ Digger Creek Ranch, June 6 This is a “pay to fish” for big trout on 3 private lakes and a couple of miles of Digger Creek. The Ranch is located in the Sierra foothills about 50 miles East of Redding near the town of Manton. We will get a group rate of $100 a person with 10 to 14 attending. Lincoln Gray promises to include a BBQ lunch. I will have handouts and a sign-up sheet at upcoming meetings.

~ Bass Fishing on the San Joaquin Delta July 17 to 19

Camping and fishing in the Delta for stripers and black bass. This outing requires a boat or inflatable. Sign up at upcoming meetings or contact me by phone (707) 527-8376 or emailing [email protected].

~ Ken Magoon VP and Outings Co-chairman

RRFF Cioppino Dinner February 28, 2015

Work for our annual Russian River Fly Fishers Cioppino dinner is underway again in the capable hands of Art Carney.

The dinner will be held Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the spacious Veteran's Building in Santa Rosa. Doors open at 5:00 P.M. and dinner will be served at 7:00 P.M.. We need to set the price at $45 per person ($15.00 for children 12 and under) due to rising costs.

Russian River Fly Fishers -January 2015

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Please send your check along with your menu selection of cioppino, steak, or chicken to:

Russian River Fly Fishers c/o Steve Tubbs 511 "I" Street Petaluma, CA 94952

Please reserve as soon as possible so we can order the proper amount of food.

Donations are needed for the Cioppino Dinner raffle and all of the following contributions are desirable:

- Fly fishing rods, reels, lines, nets, vests, flies and all types of fishing accessories and clothing. (Other types of fishing gear will also be appreciated) - Fly tying vises, tools and materials. - Prams, pontoons, float tubes and fins. (Preferably in very good and safe condition) - All types of camping, outdoor and recreational equipment. - Fishing, conservation, and nature related art work and books. - Guided fishing trips or one day access to private fishing water. - Weekend stays on a lake or river location. - Products and services from your or a friend’s business. - Spa sessions or cosmetology services. - Food items or wine. - Tickets to sporting events. - Dinners or stays at Bed and Breakfasts. - Any one day family or group outing in a fun and unique location.

Bring your donated items to the January 14, 2015 RRFF meeting or contact one of the following Board members to drop off donations:

• Ken Magoon, (707) 527-8376 or [email protected] (Santa Rosa)

• Greg Jacobs, (707) 823-7341 or [email protected] (Sebastopol)

• Paul Matzen, (707) 795-8885 or (707) 480-1057 (Rohnert Park)

• Don Shaw, (707) 664-8573 (Petaluma)

Please be sure to include the donor’s name and description of the item donated. This will be a “can raffle” with participants putting tickets towards only those items they want to win.

Thank you for your contributions. ~ Ken Magoon VP and Outings Co-chairman

GUEST SPEAKERS - 2015 NEW LAWS and REGULATIONS

Our speakers scheduled for our January General Meeting will be Bob Coey, Eric J. Larson, and Joshua Fuller. These three knowledgeable gentlemen will discuss the new laws and regulations regarding the Russian River, Coastal Rivers, and Lakes and will answer any questions you may have. Their combined affiliation with NOAA, Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and US Department of Commerce will provide a well connected panel to answer and discuss critical issues. Please join me in welcoming our guest speakers at the Wednesday, January 14th General Meeting. ~ Joe Banovich RRFF Program and Speaker Chairman

RRFF Library ~ Our Resource Center

I will be at the January 14 General Meeting at 6:00 P.M. with approximately 50 fly fishing books and a limited number of VHS cassette tapes that will be retired from our club library for a nominal donation. Books will be available from $2.00 to $5.00 and VHS cassettes for $2.00. The proceeds will be used to purchase additional DVDs for our library inventory.

If you still have VHS tapes checked out, please return them so we can put them back into circulation. Additionally, majority of the DVDs have been checked-out and never returned - some for a number of years! We know who has them on loan and request they be brought back and placed in the return box.

We need to have our original inventory back and catalogued before we can add new DVDs to our inventory and build our collection.

Material and monetary donations will also be appreciated. ~ Don Shaw Library Master

Russian River Fly Fishers -January 2015

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FINAL FRUSTRATIONS!

MONDAY I had promised Susan a trip to the Smith River for her birthday, which is in December. Finally her "croupe" cleared as did the rivers, and we left Monday morning, December 29. The South Fork Eel River looked like fabulous fly water from Legget to about Benbow. The Van Duzen was also in fine shape, but the rest of the system gradually deteriorated to bait water as we proceeded north. Nightfall greeted us at Susan's mom's in Eureka. TUESDAY Found us trying to find breakfast in Smith River, California after discovering that the historic Hiouchi Cafe is closed Tuesdays, and any other day, depending on seasonal demand. After getting that job done, we proceeded to scout out the river and visit Rowdy Creek Fish Hatchery for our visit with Steve McCown to glean his recent and local knowledge . . . but he is ALSO off on Tuesday and Wednesday! Well, an inspection of the boat launch ramps inclined us to think "slow fishing" was in order and some well placed "BS" with the locals affirmed that assumption. We only witnessed one fish lost at the highway 199 bridge. Around 2 P.M. we decided to launch and pester the hole at Jedediah Smith State Park . . . no bites, no rolls, no wakes, no fish. Do you see the frustration starting? :-) WEDNESDAY Morning found us watching a pair of fish resting up away from the seals in the submerged grass (6 foot plus tide) next to the boat launch ramp at the Ship Ashore Resort. A few small pods came through as we continued to watch. Good enough for us! In went the boat, and six or so strokes of the wooden motors put us at a good anchoring spot. It wasn't too long before more small pods were observed meandering by with great intent and a bit of speed. Did I mention the seals? As we were busy "pestering" we noticed fish moving just below the Ship Ashore "honeymoon suites". Another few strokes of the sticks put us in the right spot for tossing and it was observed that this seemed to be a "collection" spot . . . at least for this tide. Pods of 15 - 25 fish were

seen meandering back and forth in about a 200 foot small indentation of the shoreline. Well, . . . big and small, bright and dark, fast and slow, high and low, were ALL tried. Results: one grab for Susan and one grab for Lee, and at tide change . . . fish gone . . . and all this could have been reached from our Ship Ashore balcony had there been room for a backcast! I believe no finer "frustration" is available. What a great way to exit 2014! THURSDAY The trip home showed us GREAT water conditions at Redwood Creek, Klamath, Little River, and the Mad River. Snooping the Mad for a couple P.M. hours seemed to evidence "like" conditions as the Smith . . . FEW fish in. Maybe December and November were always "start-up" runs . . . else we would be eating holiday steelhead instead of turkey and ham! Happy New Year ALL! ~Susan B. and Lee S.

Russian River Fly Fishers -January 2015

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Casting About... NEW MEMBER - Welcome to our newest RRFF Member Gabe Nelson!

Please feel free to contact any of the board members if you have questions (board member contact information can be found in our monthly newsletter, The Cast,).

The RRFF urges you to take advantage of the many programs that we offer - including our monthly General Meetings, fly casting instruction and monthly fly fishing outings.

WINTER FLY CASTING CLINICS - Our Winter Fly Casting Clinics are held on the first and third Saturday of each month at the RRFF Casting Pond in Dan Galvin Park. Clinics begin at noon (weather permitting) and run to around 2:30 pm. We do have some equipment available for your use if you do not have your own. These clinics are FREE and open to the public!

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK - Our RRFF Facebook page now has 512 members! To see what you've been missing, please join us at http://www.facebook.com/russianriverflyfishers

Women's and Day Fisher's Group Outings

The Women of RRFF and Day Fisher's Group will fish for steelhead on the Russian River this month, weather permitting. Meet at Pat's in Guerneville at 7 A.M. Friday, January 23 for the Women's Outing and 7 A.M. Saturday, January 24 for the Day Fisher's Group. Please be reminded a valid 2015 Steelhead Report & Restoration Card is required.

Fly tying an effective Russian River Steelhead pattern is the featured fly of the month for the fly tying session at Susan's home Friday, January 23 at 6:30 P.M..

Contact Susan Bostwick, [email protected] or (707) 815-5926 and Lee Soares (707) 974-2651 for more information.

Calendar of Events

Winter Fly Casting Clinics are held 12:00 noon until 2:30 pm (weather permitting) the first and third Saturday of each month.

January 2015

14 General Meeting - Vets Building 6:30 PM 15 - 18 RRFF Outing to American River; stay in a motel 23 Women's Outing - Russian River Steelhead. Meet at Pat's in Guerneville 7 AM (Steelhead Report & Restoration Card required) 23 Fly tying an effective Russian River Steelhead pattern. 6:30 PM at Susan's house 24 Day Fisher's Group - Russian River Steelhead. Meet at Pat's in Guerneville 7 AM (Steelhead Report & Restoration Card required)

February

19 - 22 RRFF Outing to Gualala River 28 RRFF Annual Cioppino Dinner

March

6 - 7 RRFF Outing to Yuba River 13 - 14 Santa Rosa Fishing Tackle, Duck Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show at Santa Rosa Vets Building 21 RRWSS Gathering of Great Steelheaders (at RRSC in Duncan's Mills) 26 - 29 RRFF Outing to Pyramid Lake

April

RRFF TROUT OPENER MOVED TO MAY AT LAKE SISKIYOU - APRIL 30th to MAY 3rd!!!

May

30 - 3 RRFF Trout Season Opener at Lake Siskiyou 21 - 24 RRFF Outing to Sacramento River at Verona

June

6 RRFF Outing to Digger Creek Ranch - $100 per angler. Maximum fourteen.

July

17 - 19 RRFF Outing to San Joaquin River Delta for Stripers and Bass

Russian River Fly Fishers -January 2015

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Saturday, February 28, 2015

To donate raffle items, please contact Ken Magoon @ 527-8376.For dinner information, please contact Art Carney @ 539-2545.

Please join us for the

RRFF Newsletter Submissions

If you would like to contribute to the RRFF newsletter, submissions are due by the

fourth Monday of each month.

Please email submissions as an MSWord doc to our newsletter editor:

Lorrin Ngum - [email protected]

RRFF Board of Directors

President: Steve Tubbs 765-1787 [email protected]

Vice President and Outings Co-Chairman: Ken Magoon 527- 8376 [email protected]

Secretary: Greg Jacobs 823-7341 [email protected]

Treasurer: Mike Spurlock (415)-599-6138 [email protected]

Casting Instruction Chairman: Steve Tubbs 765-1787 [email protected]

Program Chairman: Joe Banovich 526-6015 [email protected]

Outings Co-Chairman: Bill Laurie 538-0399 [email protected]

Library Master: Don Shaw 664-8573 [email protected]

Membership Dues Billing: Ed Barich 539-4608 [email protected]

Special Events and City Liaison: Art Carney 539-2545 [email protected]

Member at Large: Mike Kast 538-9762 [email protected]

Member at Large: Tom Lynn 538-4366 [email protected]

Membership Chairman: Doug Mackay 575-5709 [email protected]

Member at Large: Paul Matzen 795-8885 [email protected]

Membership Database: Ken Young 539-9649 [email protected]

Coordinators

Day Fishers Coordinator: Lee Soares 974-2651 [email protected]

Newsletter Archives: Alan Campbell 527-8844 [email protected]

Webmaster: John Iding (541) 218-2177 [email protected]

Women’s Activities: Susan Bostwick 815-5926 [email protected]

Casting Pond Stewards: Doug & Sage Mackay 575-5709 [email protected]

Casting Pond Monitor: Binky Castleberry 527-9607 [email protected]

Support Our Local Fly Fishing Businesses!

(and take advantage of their discounts when available) Archuleta’s Reel Works Custom fishing reel repair, servicing, and manufacturing. 733 Detrick Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97527 (541) 956-1691 Bill Archuleta, owner www.archuletasreelworks.com King’s Sport and Tackle Clothing, flies, rods, supplies, gear, accessories, instruction, guide service, and canoe rental. 16258 Main Street, Guerneville, CA 95446 (707) 869-2156 www.kingsrussianriver.com

Outdoor Pro Shop, Inc. Fishing gear, supplies, fly fishing, flies, rods and accessories. 412 Houser Street, Cotati, CA 94931 (707) 588-8033 Fax (707) 588-8035 www.outdoorproshop.com Santa Rosa Fishing Tackle, Duck Decoy, Sporting Collectible Show Friday, March 13, 2015 Saturday, March 14, 2015 Show Hours - Fri. 9 am to 5 pm & Sat. 8 am to 3 pm. Santa Rosa Veterans Building 1351 Maple Avenue in Santa Rosa, off Hwy 12 across from the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds. For more information, call Red Johnson, 707-539-3662, cell: 707-888-7935 [email protected] - www.redsshow.com

Russian River Fly Fishers -January 2015

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Russian River Fly Fishers P.O. Box 2673 Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Russian River Fly Fishers Membership Application

I acknowledge in this agreement, and fully understand that it is a release of liability. I further acknowledge that I am waiving any right that I may have to bring legal action or to assert a claim against Russian River Fly Fishers (RRFF) for its negligence. Any member who invites a non-member (including member’s spouse and family) agrees that such guest is bound by the same conditions and agrees to so advise the guest. I have read this statement and agree to its terms as a condition of my membership in the Russian River Fly Fishers. This agreement is valid for all RRFF sanctioned events, (fishing outings, picnics, meetings). Name____________________________________________________________ Date__________________ Referred by____________________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone _ ______________________________ Work Phone _ _______________________________ E-mail Address* _________________________

How Can You Help the RRFF? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Occupation_______________________________________________________ Signature _ ___________________________________________________

* Required for e-mail newsletter Please mark one of the following categories:

I apply as a new member: ❍ Single membership – $50 annual dues

❍ Family membership – $55 annual dues

❍ Junior membership – $25 annual dues

Existing membership renewal: ❍ Single membership – $50 annual dues

❍ Family membership – $55 annual dues

❍ Junior membership – $25 annual dues

Dues paid by a new member joining the RRFF after March 30th of any year will cover the balance of that year and also the membership dues for the following fiscal year. The RRFF fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th

Please mail this application and your check payable to: Russian River Fly Fishers, P.O. Box 2673, Santa Rosa, CA 95405