meeting venue....
Unless otherwise indicated, all monthly club meetings are held at Holmes Junior High School, 1220 Drexel Dr. in east Davis on the last Tuesday of each month.
next event: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 7:30PM . . .
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FFD Outings and 101 Programs
Throughout the year, the Fly Fishers of Davis (FFD) club offers a series of outings designed to provide choices of interest to as many members as possible. In conjunction with the general outing offerings, FFD has a course referred to as FFD-101. This adjunct program involves two aspects:
The following is a month-by-month summary of 2012 trips scheduled as of November 2011. Presumably during the year new trips will be added, and some currently scheduled will be cancelled. Note that there is an attempt to describe each trip briefly and the suggested related equipment. Where appropriate, a note on the offering of a special FFD-101 clinic is provided. This discussion will be updated annually, and if you're interested in signing up for a trip, or if further information is desired, please contact the "Fishmeister" directly at the number (or email) provided in the outings calendar.
- First, whenever sufficient beginner fly-fishermen and women are interested, a "basics" course is offered. This course, for young and old, covers the basics of stream trout fishing in California and, as interest suggests, there may be further classes focused on items such as 'stillwaters'.
- The second (and highly popular aspect) of FFD-101 is the outings. This course entails trips to local streams and rivers - in effect, an on-site learning clinic with hands-on instruction from club members. These trips are designed for easy wading in beautiful waters, and all aspects of fly fishing are covered.
The following is a month-by-month summary of 2012 trips scheduled as of November 2011. Presumably during the year new trips will be added, and some currently scheduled will be cancelled. Note that there is an attempt to describe each trip briefly and the suggested related equipment. Where appropriate, a note on the offering of a special FFD-101 clinic is provided. This discussion will be updated annually, and if you're interested in signing up for a trip, or if further information is desired, please contact the "Fishmeister" directly at the number (or email) provided in the outings calendar.
January - steelhead
The Club offers a winter steelhead trip with guides to the Trinity River. Numbers are limited, and returning members are given preference. There are, however, typically several openings per year. The cost currently is $340 for the two days - plus tip, lodging and food. The weather can be miserable, cold, or even gorgeous, but the chances for fish weighing up to 12 pounds make this a very popular trip.
- Equipment: 6-7 weight rods
- Typical method: nymphing with indicators
February - trout
This month has 2 new offerings for 2012, both for trout. One is a float on the Yuba River and the other represents a move of the traditional Amador outing from December to February. Both require floating capability, the Yuba obviously in moving water.
- Equipment: 4-5 weight rods
- Typical method: indicating with nymphs and stripping buggers at Amador
March - trout
The one scheduled trip is to Baum Lake and requires some form of floating object in this spring creek. The fish here are generally in the foot long range but can reach over 6 pounds. The chance for numerous fish in a day is good. This is a camping trip with plentiful motels for those who prefer more luxurious accommodations given the potential for snow and other wintry conditions. The evening meal get togethers are always great fun.
- Equipment: 9 foot and longer rods, 4-6 weight, typically small nymphs, including midges, and small buggers and dries
- Typical method: indicators, stripping and dries
April - cutthroat and rainbows
In this month as activity heightens two trips are currently scheduled. The first one is to Pyramid where the Lahontan cutthroat trout run from 18 inches to 8 pounds and potentially more. Pyramid is an acquired taste where most fishing is done from ladders in a hog line using both stripping with sinking heads and indicators with large midges. The second is the first Redding Fly Shop trip where members can fish one or two days with guides for the very strong Sacramento bows to 20 inches, although more typically in the 12 inch range. The 2012 guide fee: $170/day + tip.
- Equipment: 5-7 weight rods at least 9 feet long with both floating and sinking lines, depending on preference, for Pyramid; 4-6 weight rods on Sacramento with floaters
- Typical method: indicating and stripping at Pyramid; indicating on Sacramento with nymphs and sucker spawn
May - trout, bass, shad
Not surprisingly May finds more activity offered with four get togethers, three for trout and one for shad. The initial trout trip is to the UCD field station on the Yuba, where members wade and cast for rainbows up to 20 inches. Next is Hat Creek, a 101 outing. The third trout venture is to the McCloud where there are both rainbows and browns available and spectacular meals organized by fishmeister Gene Gantt. Note that the wading here requires good wading skills. The shad trip typically hits whatever stretch of the Sacramento seems to be producing well, although the potential exists for diverting to the Feather. Typically this is a boat trip. In 2010 this trip had an optional overnight component which may be organized again depending on interest.
- Equipment: Hat 4-5 weight rods and dries; McCloud and Yuba: 4-6 weight 9 foot rods with floaters and sinkers if wish to pull streamers; Shad: 6-8 weight rods and at least Hi-speed Hi-d heads
- Typical method: Hat and McCloud: dries, indicating with nymphs and streamers; Yuba indicating with nymphs; Shad: usual shad flies in chartreuse and pink etc.
June - bass and trout
June offers a shot at smallmouth bass at "Payne-in-the-Ranch", which involves hiking thru the coast range hills to a series of ponds. Most fish are small-ish but some go to 20+ inches.
Several vastly different trout options are available this month. The first is the Spring trip to Lake Davis where hopefully the damsel hatch is in full swing. Then the Club has an Almanor trip to fish the hex hatch in an attempt to hook trout to 6 pounds and an occasional smallie to 5. Next is a new trip seeking California's Heritage trout in either the Alturas area or near Kernville in the southern Sierras. This trip will involve about 6 hours of driving, car camping or motels at the member's option and some hiking in an attempt to land trout in the 6-10 inch range qualifying for the Heritage Program recognition. The final trip this month (July if a heavy winter) is to Fuller Lake, a put and take fishery just this side of the Sierra crest. Davis, Almanor and Fuller require some form of floating craft.
Several vastly different trout options are available this month. The first is the Spring trip to Lake Davis where hopefully the damsel hatch is in full swing. Then the Club has an Almanor trip to fish the hex hatch in an attempt to hook trout to 6 pounds and an occasional smallie to 5. Next is a new trip seeking California's Heritage trout in either the Alturas area or near Kernville in the southern Sierras. This trip will involve about 6 hours of driving, car camping or motels at the member's option and some hiking in an attempt to land trout in the 6-10 inch range qualifying for the Heritage Program recognition. The final trip this month (July if a heavy winter) is to Fuller Lake, a put and take fishery just this side of the Sierra crest. Davis, Almanor and Fuller require some form of floating craft.
- Equipment: Payne Ranch a 6 weight appropriate for flinging poppers and buggers from the bank; 4-5 weight 9 foot rods at Davis and Fuller, 6 weight at Almanor with floaters and sinking lines depending on preferred method; very light rods (1-4) for the Heritage trip with shore or wading as an option
- Typical method: Payne - stripping wooly buggers; Davis: stripping damsels and indicating with damsels and blood midges, also wind drifting with buggers; Almanor: stripping hex nymphs and midges and dry hex patterns; Fuller: midges and pts under indicators, dries and buggers; small conventional dries like parachute Adams or elk hair caddis for the Heritage trout
July - trout
The upper Trinity basin is the focus of two of July's get togethers. The first is to Lewiston where we fish the fly only stretch and the lake. The second, which is a 101 trip, is a car camping outing above and to the tributaries into Trinity Lake. Also at some time to be selected dependent on runoffs, the Club will host a trip seeking California's Heritage Trout in the Alturas area. This trip will involve about 6 hours of driving, car camping or motels at the member's option and some hiking in an attempt to land trout in the 6-10 inch range qualifying for the 'Heritage Program' recognition.
- Equipment: 4-6 weight rods for first Trinity trip and 3-4 weight rods for latter; 1-4 weight rods for Heritage trout with shore fishing or wading options
- Typical method: for Lewiston area indicators with small pts and midges and wooley buggers (any color as long as olive); for car camping and Heritage trips typical small stream fare including small dries and nymphs
August - trout
This month there are several mountain ventures. One is a backpacking trips offering numerous small fish with the Old Fogies and a relatively short hike in. The other, to Kennedy Meadows, is another 101 trip with easy wading and nice fishing opportunities.
- Equipment: both involve typical small stream equipment
- Typical method: dries and small nymphs
September - trout
As Yogi Berra might say: "De ja vu all over again" with the Fall version of Lake Davis. Davis offers a real chance for a 20 fish day with most 12-14 inches and an occasional 20 incher.
- Equipment: see June
- Typical method: generally same except that blood midges are the go-to-fly
October - bass and trout
Another three repeats to Payne Ranch, with the Fly Shop guides in the Redding area (the 2012 guide fee: $170/day + tip) and to the McCloud. Note the fall trip to the Sac offers a good shot at a steelie or two and the McCloud a shot at large spawning browns.
- Equipment: see April, May and June
- Typical method: see March, May and June but note also yarn eggs and pegged beads vs sucker spawn for steelies in Sac and streamers for larger browns
November - stripers, cutthroat and steelhead
The striper trip is to the Delta where members with boats mentor those without. The fish are typically schoolies with an occasional adult. The cutthroats, again, involve a trip to Pyramid. The steelhead trip may be to either or both the Trinity or Klamath depending on the runs. Note that the Putah Creek cleanup is also held this month. Trashmeister John Reynolds has a separate piece on this one.
- Equipment: Stripers: 7-9 weight rods of 9 feet or more and shooting heads or intermediate lines; Steelies: 5-7 weight rods of 9-10 feet; Cutts: see April
- Typical method: Stripers: cast and BIG strips and drops with clousers etc.; Steelies: indicators and combination of nymphs and egg patterns
December - trout
The Club's last trip of the year is to Luk Lake in Corning, a pay-to-play venue operated by The Fly Shop. The pond is stocked with trout to 6 pounds and has a good population of largemouth bass in the 2-3 pound range.
- Equipment: 4-6 weight rods of at least 9 feet
- Typical method: trolling or casting buggers and indicating with 12-14 midges/pts
In order to participate in these outings, for legal reasons, you must be a member of the Fly Fishers of Davis, which is a bargain any way you slice it at $30 a year.
Dana Hooper
530-758-1991
e-mail:
Tom Burton w a late summer weener . . .
. . . same fish . . . different disposition . . .
. . . what's with the oversized hand . . . .
I have no idea who this is . . . .
Here's a John Hodgson monster . . . .
UGLY BRUTE!!!
'Big Fish Pond' early summer
. . . another Hodgson trophy . . .
'Turkey Pond' before repair work . . .
'Big Fish Pond' probably in May . . .
These ponds are genuine gems . . .
Tom Burton with victim ambushed at twilight (Turkey Pond)
Bob Brodberg with a BEAST!
When it rains it pours . . . .
. . . cold, wet and happy!!
Pete Baictal with a nice one . .
. . 'Big Fish Pond' early summer . . .
early summer . . . late afternoon . . .
. . Gene Gantt waving a digital "Hello . . "
Prince Kurt of Arens . . . .
. . . hairy AND weedy . . .
. . . 'Cattail Pond' . . .
. . . 'Brophy Pond' . . . .
. . . . 'Cattail Pond' . . .
. . . . Mark Tebbut and September hook-up . . . .
. . . . nice one, Mark . . .
. . . new clubster Jeremy Kidwell into a 'hottie' . . .
. . . this one looks BIG!!!
. . . . Oh YEAH!!!
. . . John Forsyth into a biggun'
. . . typical 'Payne Ranch' smallmouth . . .
. . . 'Big Fish Pond' spring outing . . .
. . . where is this place, anyway . . . .
. . . that's it, Brian, rub it in . . . .
. . . lecture at Road-Kill Cafe . . . .
. . . what kind of fish lure is THAT!
. . . Tom Burton shows us how it's done . . . .
. . . Bob Brodberg w October trophy . . . .
. . . one of Alexandra's many fish . . . .
Why would you NOT trudge into 'Payne Ranch' for smallmouth bass ???
2012 club outings . . . . .
|
destination (target) |
date | fishmeister | |
| McCloud River (trout) |
May/June | Gene Gantt 707-441-3262 |
 |
| Hat Creek (trout) |
May 18-20 | Dana Hooper 758-1991 |
 |
| monthly meeting | May 22 | Gene Gantt 707-441-3262 |
|
| Sacramento River (shad) |
May 25 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
 |
| Upper Sac (trout) |
June/July | Dana Hooper 916-343-9732 |
|
| Fuller Lake (trout) |
June/July | Lowell Ashbaugh 758-6722 |
 |
| Lake Almanor (trout) |
June | Chris Berardi 759-1968 |
 |
| 'Payne-in-the-Ranch' (smallmouth) |
June 2 | John Reynolds 753-2682 |
 |
| Lake Davis (rainbow trout) |
June 7-10 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| Yuba River (rainbow trout) |
June 30 | Sam Yee 916-505-7722 |
 |
| Heritage Trout (trout) |
July | Phil Reedy 530-902-2504 |
 |
| Coffee Creek (trout) |
July 19-22 | Paul Berliner 753-3886 |
 |
| Lewiston (trout) |
July 13-15 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| monthly meeting | July 31 | Gene Gantt 707-441-3262 |
|
| 'Old Farts' (trout) |
Aug. 9-12 | Bob Brodberg 756-9071 |
 |
| Kenai Penninsula | Aug. 11-15 | Dave Yarborough 707-252-8279 |
 |
| Ansel Adams Wilderness |
Aug. 11-15 | Jack Berger 758-6942 |
 |
| Kennedy Meadows (trout) |
Sep. 6-9 | Paul Berliner 753-3886 |
|
| Rock Creek (rainbow trout) |
Sep. 7/8-9 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| Lake Davis (rainbow trout) |
Sep. 20-23 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| 'Payne-in-the-Ranch' (smallmouth) |
Oct. 13 | John Reynolds 753-2682 |
|
| Lower Sac (trout) |
Oct. 19/20 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| McCloud River (trout) |
Oct/Nov | Gene Gantt 707-441-3262 |
|
| Pyramid Lake (Lahontan cutthroat) |
November | Jon Knapp 756-9056 |
 |
| 'Striperfest' | November | Donn Erickson 707-718-7724 |
 |
| Trinity/Klamath (steelhead) |
Nov. 8-9 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| Putah Creek (cleanup) |
Nov/Dec | John Reynolds 753-2682 |
|
| Luk Lake (rainbow trout) |
Nov. 11 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| Luk Lake (rainbow trout) |
Dec. 1 | Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|
| Trinity (steelhead) |
Jan. 3-4 2013 |
Cary Boyden 753-3826 |
|