TO BE CONFIRMED | NEXT MEETING | MAY 12, 2020
MEETING & PRESENTATION | 6:30-8:30pm
THE ELKS LODGE OF THOUSAND OAKS
2330 Los Feliz Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
More info | click here
PRESIDENT'S FLY BOX / CHARLEY BEALS
What to do while waiting it out
I choose to use a flyrod, not because it’s effective – although it can be. Rather because it’s therapeutic. The process, more fishing than catching helps me to sort out the daily and seemingly constant chatter erupting from my phone and computer. When I cannot be in the water I tinker in my gear.
We do have time these days, while the world is on pause to hone our angling.
Grab your rod, put on a tapered leader and tie on a small piece of yarn, tiny like a #12 Adams. Get down to the park and set out some rags at 20 and 30 feet. Stand back and cast to those targets.
The truth will be in your rear loop – are the legs parallel? That’s what you want. Is the tip of your rod sending a mini wave through your cast? Remember it’s an acceleration to a sudden stop. There are lots of videos on-line to help you – Orvis is a good start.
Experiment with leader length and see how that effects your casting stroke. You will find some answers there. Cast with the wind at different angles and adjust your plane to compensate – it’s an interesting exercise.
How about knots? I mostly use these three: 1. Non slip mono loop knot. 2. Improved Clinch knot. 3. Double surgeon. Get some old mono from your saltwater gear – 8 lb. test is about the easiest to work with.
Practice those knots because this stay at home will not last forever. Knots and tangles are the problems I am most often called on to sort out.
We will get through this – that’s what American do, we overcome obstacles.
Take care, my very best, Charley Beals
President Conejo Valley Fly Fishers
speakers & presentation DATES
AT THIS POINT AND TIME - ALL MEETINGS ARE ON HOLD
Tuesday, May 12 - Jimmy Carruesco - "Fishing the Pit, McCloud, and Lower Sacramento"
Tuesday, June 9 - Jimmy Cheers - "Big Browns on the South Holston"
Tuesday, July 7 - Annual Picnic, BBQ & Fly Fishing - Location TBA
August 2020 – No meeting - “Go Fish!”
Tuesday, Sept 8 - Casey Cloud Corbina on the Fly
Tuesday, November 10 – Eric Kramer “Jurassic Lake”
December – Annual All Member Holiday Party - TBA
- o u t i n g s * 2 0 2 0 -
AT THIS POINT IN TIME - ALL OUTINGS ARE "ON HOLD"
TBD by C19 Restrictions | April 17-20: Kings River Tailwater | more info
May 15-18: Mammoth Lakes Area | more info
June 18-21: Yosemite High Country | more info
July 9-13: Reds Meadow Backpack/Tent Camping | more info
August 14-18: Kern Flat Pack | more info
September 3-8: Owyhee River | more info
September 11-13: San Joaquin River | more info
October 2-4: Lake Crowley | more info
MEMBERS ARTICLES | Scott Olson
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT
Although I do get to fish more than most people I know, and in fact probably more than the average fly fishermen, it doesn’t mean that I don’t look forward to the beginning of the season with any less relish.
Our trio of anglers meet early every January and schedule our “season”, having learned in the past that if you don’t schedule it then it likely won’t happen. We try to do nine four day trips per year with at least two of them being out of California.
This is not to say that changes don’t get made along the way. Life has a way of inserting itself in to any well-laid plan. Reminds one of the old saying, “man plans and God laughs”.
You just can’t anticipate everything, like your third cousin once removed who you haven’t talked to in years surprising you with an invite to their wedding. And of course there is always the sad eventualities of death and funerals to muddy up the water so to speak.
Already this year, due to the Wuhan coronavirus (is anyone as tired as I am of hearing about this?), we have had to cancel our yearly sojourn to Pyramid Lake in Nevada (no big cutties this year) and are probably looking down the barrel of a cancelled Opening Weekend in the Sierra. It’s not an auspicious start to the season.
So I’ll deal with my disappointment by tying way more flies than I’ll need and maybe finishing up building that second fly rod that I bought months ago. In a pinch there is always surf fishing, so if anyone spots any corbina……..well, you know how to contact me.
Tight lines and fighting fish to all!
- Scott Olson
MIKE WEIGAND FISHING REPORT FOR march 2020 | Mammoth & bishop areas
Practicing "Fisherman Distancing" with Gary Scott & Jim Kottra
On Hot Creek on Friday and Saturday I used a size 18 parachute BWO along with small nymph droppers. Bead head Pheasant Tails, green caddis larva, Serendipity, etc. All caught fish. Also used a small green bodied Elk Hair Caddis and had takes.
On Friday, as we were getting ready to leave the stream because we were getting cold, fish were working the surface; some flies emerging, but most rises seemed to be just under the surface.
Friday afternoon we drove to Bishop and looked at the Lower Owens just below Pleasant Valley Reservoir. Gary tried fishing for 15 or 20 minutes, but no takes. Because of the brush on the banks a fisherman would need to wade up the river to get to places to fish.
PHOTO BELOW: Mike Weigand on the hunt for Hot Creek's resident trout. Snow on the mountains in the background made for a breathtaking view!
SCOTT OLSON'S FISHING REPORT FOR THE LOWER OWENS | Late FEbruary 2020
Photos by Joe Callewaert
We had a blast on the lower “O” above the campground road bridge and the dam. I would suggest parking in the first camp area you come to (there is a sign marked “Long Walk Trail to Rest Room) and fish the river from there. The fish were hanging not only in the riffles, but in the slack water along the banks as well.
The productive flies were: green rock worms, hairs ears, pheasant tails and prince nymphs in sizes 16 & 18. Use 5x tippet and if the flows stay around 150 CFS you should be fine fishing around double the water depth under your indicator.
The fish are hanging on the bottom so make sure you use enough weight to get down to them. I like drop shotting those fast riffles. Also, there is a small BWO hatch around noon so be sure to have some small imitations (20 & 22’s) along with the emergers to use as trailers. We averaged 20+ each per day.
CLUB MEMBER PHOTOS | fly fishing, travel & scenic photos
ALL PHOTOS SHOWN BEFORE WERE TAKEN BEFORE THE COVID-19 ISOLATION AND RESTRICTIONS WERE IN PLACE.
MORE MEMBER PHOTOS . . .Keep scrolling!
WHAT DOES A FLY FISHERMAN DO WHEN HE'S ABIDING BY SOCIAL DISTANCING? TIE FLIES AND BUILD RODS!
Check out Chiaki's latest creations that he seems to just be cranking out one after another! Gorgeous custom rods with big name blanks to boot! Wonder if the guy ever sleeps? : D
Gotta love Kerry Murphree's sense of humor in the next few photos . . .
Please submit photos to: media@conejovalleyflyfishers.com
CROWLEY LAKE NEWS
FULL ARTICLE: CLICK HERE
I hope you all are well and safe. While many of us have important looming concerns, we still can’t help but wonder the fate of our precious Opener! I was hoping at this time to have some clear answers, but I do not. I have reached out to anyone and everyone I can to gather information and see how discussions of the issue are progressing. It is certainly on the minds of CA Fish and Wildlife, the Fish and Game Commission, as well as those of Mono & Inyo County Health and Government Officials. As you know, Trout Opener is a big deal, for all of our customers (who desperately want a break right now) but also to our local economy and work force. The discussions being had by the powers that be are not taken lightly.
Let me tell you what I do know. Both Mono and Inyo County have cases of Covid-19. Like most of the country, we have very limited (i.e. not enough) medical facilities and supplies to combat what is seen as inevitable spread within our communities. This past week, efforts have been to increase those supplies and facilities in order to respond and treat patients requiring hospitalization. For these reasons, our Officials are doing what they can to keep Mono County at a base population and this means for now, not encouraging visitation. READ MORE
Abbie Thomason, Crowley Lake Fish Camp
Matthew Norris of CDFW's Senior Hatchery Adviser
Dated: Thursday, March 26th, 10:40am
Question was if they were going to stock the Sierra District, Inyo and Mono Counties, for the April 25th regular season opener.
His response was, they'll be cancelling any fish plants that require two staff members,namely those which require nets to be ran from stocking truck to the stream, creek or lake.
The current plan is to stock all accessible waters which can be done by a single staff member. This would include all lakes, streams and rivers with bridges where staff can back up and simply discharge fish from the side of the truck. As conditions change and they get further direction from leadership in Sacramento, they will alter their operations accordingly.
So there you have it folks, the fish will be there when this crisis is over. Here's hoping everyone will follow the current health guidelines and before too long, we'll be netting some large healthy trout.
CDFW is temporarily closing its high public use areas, including visitor centers and license counters, to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Before heading to a CDFW facility, contact the regional headquarters office to determine if that facility is open. Information on purchasing licenses, permits, tags and other entitlements, can be found on CDFW’s Online License Site. | CDFW WEBSITE LINK
Euro Nymphing: Floating the Sighter
Video by: James Garrettson in Colorado on the Frying Pan
Floating the sighter is one of my favorite ways to present lightly weighted or unweighted nymphs and dries on a euro nymphing leader. It's a great technique to keep you bugs riding high column.
I love to use this when fishing shallower water fisheries or when the fish are suspended mid column. Its also a great way to fish slower moving water on rivers and creeks.
EASTERN SIERRA FISHING ALL YEAR LONG
- MAIL CHECKS TO:
- Conejo Valley Fly Fishers, 2970 Diana Court, Newbury Park, CA 91320-3115
CLUB FLY TYING & Social Hang @ Steve Anderson's Man Cave
Email or call to confirm > 3rd Tuesday of the month - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
COURTESY LISTINGS worth the mention
CONTINUE THE ADVENTURE . . .
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- President: Charley Beals
- Vice President: Gary Scott
- Secretary: Bob Kieling
- Treasurer / Membership: Kit Korf
- Trout in the Classroom: Rich & Judy Bollinger
- Club Outings: Videographer & Marketing: Rick Ferrante
- Fundraising Chairman: Peter Sumner
- Newsletter/ Website / Facebook / Program Coordinator: Cece Rubin
- info@conejovalleyflyfishers.com
Opening newsletter photo: "Trout Pattern"
Credits:
Created with images by Luca Bravo - "untitled image" • Atharva Dharmadhikari - "untitled image" • Taylor Grote - "Fly Fisherman" • Dan Roizer - "Virgin forests around a river" • kazuend - "Rushing Stream" • Jeremy Bishop - "untitled image"