july MEETING: Wed, July 15 @ 6:30PM
We have a gracious inviation from the Sespe Fly Fisher’s to join us for their Zoom meeting featuring Chris Leonard - “The Magnificent Eastern Sierra". For the "Zoom" link and password email Earl Arnold at: president@sespeflyfishers.org
Any questions? Email me, Cece Rubin at: conejovalleyflyfishers@gmail.com
PRESIDENT'S FLY BOX / CHARLEY BEALS
JULY ARTICLE
" I caught the telltale olive copper back slowly cruising in the flat"
When my line went from white to orange I had a brief moment of panic. Then I realized that was my backing. Then I got more excited. I could see the Corbina in the face of the waves - this was a good fish.
I bought a dedicated "Surf" line because that's what everyone told me to do. Loaded on my rod, it felt like I was throwing a Zara Spook, so much effort and so little accuracy.
I used scissors to cut 30 inches off the end of that $100 sink tip - it just felt wrong. After my "Adjustment" the line and rod handled like a dream.
The Corbina had been feeding in a slot and casting between the dogs, the people and the dogs (lots of dogs) all I was doing was producing refusals. On my left, away from my picky friends I caught the telltale olive copper back slowly cruising in the flat.
My first cast was too short so I waited until the brute swam past. Second cast was perfect and I got tight. Five minutes later my hands smelled like fish, so did my phone and my pants - I had to wipe them on something, right?
If you are having accuracy issues don't be shy about making some changes - this should be fun.
Try to shorten the leader first. The more accurate and stealthy you can become the more fish you will eventually land.
Dan Millis told me "presentation catches fish" and I believe him. If you are struggling with accuracy or distance then ask for help - the majority of our membership has over twenty years of experience.
The water is warming up and there's a whole ocean of fish waiting for you - make a plan to spend the day with a flyrod in your hand. It'll be time well spent.
Charley Beals
President Conejo Valley Fly Fishers
story telling | kristen kile, arizona
"I was an angler, just like every other knuckle head with a fly rod on that beach."
I found something last week. No not that gorgeous leopard shark, I mean that too, but what I stumbled into was something far more valuable. If you care to use the buzzwords of the moment you might call it a tribe, a community, or family.
At the most basic level, all those terms simply mean understanding. The moment I set foot on the beach I wasn't just a tourist or passerby, I was an angler just like every other knuckle head with a fly rod on that beach.
It takes a village to raise a child and perhaps we all are just that on our fly fishing journeys. The village I walked into was the most amazing and supportive group of people I have had the chance to encounter in some time. I had only met one of them in person several years before but you would have never known that.
As I fought my catch of a lifetime everyone was so accommodating, moving when the fish made a run. Perhaps even more surprising was just how generally hyped they were for me and what I was experiencing.
The fish was hooked mouth adjacent but we did not know until it was finally landed, at which point it was revealed to be about 8" outside of the mouth. Many will say that is not a legit catch and I'm pretty close to that camp, but I know it was still an amazing experience.
Thank you to all that were there. You took something good and made it great, just by being yourselves.
STATS: 8wt rod, 10lb test, Crazy Charlie, 1.75 hour fight, Leopard Shark, Santa Monica Beach
YouTube Video | sAFE RELEASE
MORE PHOTOS OF THE FIGHT!
Proud to have a community of SoCal anglers willing to help each other out. - Kristen Kile, Arizona | https://www.instagram.com/finsomnia/
REDS MEADOWS FLAT-PACK OUTING | July 16-20, 2020
RED MEADOWS OUTING | Location is 10 mile hike from Reds Meadow. It is strenuous hike, but we walk the trail and mules carry gear other than a light daypack we want to walk with (just need water, snacks, first aid, etc. not much). Lodging in Mammoth before and after if desired. Start on the 16th at 6:30am. $250 per person for bringing in and out our gear. Extra if someone wants a horse to ride
Contact Rick Ferrante: rick@sierracrestmarketing.com
- o u t i n g s * 2 0 2 0 -
AT THIS TIME - All outings are "to be determined" or "on the fly" . . . literally!
WILL SEND OUT EMAILS FOR ANY "POP-UP", LAST MINUTE OUTINGS!
* If anyone wants to organize a last minute outing, please email me at: conejovalleyflyfishers@gmail.com
July 15-20: Reds Meadow Flat-pack/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
SCOTT'S MONTHLY MISSIVE | JULY 2020
ESCAPING THE DOLDRUMS
". . . how many re-runs of I Love Lucy can you binge watch . . .? "
Our national pre-occupation with the Wuhan virus and our government mandated home confinement has just about driven some of us around the bend.
Humans are predisposed to freedom of movement and being ordered to essentially lock oneself up in a box (no matter how big your house and TV sets are) is tantamount to a prison sentence for many. Really, how many re-runs of I Love Lucy can you binge watch without wanting to do yourself harm?
Thus it didn't surprise me when on my Father's Day Weekend trip to Mammoth that there was so much activity.
Usually Father's Day Weekend in the eastern Sierra is a quiet time, but not this year. I've attended many an Opening Weekend, however I've rarely seen Mammoth, Crowley and its environs as busy as it was. It seems the cure for cabin fever this year was a trip to the mountains.
Wanted to rent a boat to fish Crowley?Fuggadaboutit.
Wanted to fish Little Lakes Valley but didn't get to Mosquito Flats until 8:30, sorry but no parking spots left.
It was just a mass of people everywhere exercising their God given right to fresh air, sunshine and the freedom of just enjoying the great outdoors in all its glory.
The weather was phenomenal, the fishing was great and the company was enjoyable. Americans are resilient and we won't let anything keep us down and out for long.
Tight lines and fighting fish to all!
- Scott Olson
purple midge contest update
- SCOTT & MARILYN OLSON -
And the leader in the Clubhouse is Charley Beals with this 18” rainbow that he caught and released on the Lower Owens River below Pleasant Valley Dam. The bar has been set so let’s see if the rest of you anglers can best this catch. - Scott Olson
G O T - P H O T O S ?
Please submit photos to: conejovalleyflyfishers@gmail.com
JAMES GARRETTSON / YouTube
J A M E S G A R R E T T S O N | Guide Flies: The Milk Man
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
- Fly Tying Director: Gary Scott
- Fundraising Chairman: Peter Sumner & Scott Olson
- Contributing writers: Scott Olson, Mike Weigand, Charley Beals
- Newsletter/ Website / Facebook / Program Coordinator: Cece Rubin
- info@conejovalleyflyfishers.com
Opening newsletter photo: "Surf fishing California beaches" - Matt Rubin
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"