“President’s Message” ( da last addition) by Tracy “Decoy” da Silva
2014 Board
Members
Tracy da Silva 229-9568
President
Rod Sanchez 809-7499
Vice President
Richard Wilson 758-5313
Treasure
Scott Naylor 214-3870
Secretary
Roger Caton 633-4659
Board Member
Mike Gilroy-(425)418-8164
Board Member
Chuck Humphreys
951-3454
———————————————
Rick McCombs (209)
267-8088
Newsletter Editor
Jay Jefferson– 809-0290
Mascot
FFLYLY TTIMESIMES
SALINAS VALLEY FLY FISHERS January 2015
President’s message 1
Fly of the Month 2
Monthly Program 3
Sponsors 3
Outing Schedule 3
Articles 4
Maps 5
Events 6
Inside this issue:
Annual Dinner Saturday, January 17th @ Balesteri’s restaurant. You got to be there!
Fine wine, great food. Fantastic prizes and wonderful people who all love fly fishing or love a person who does. It’s not too late!
Howdy Folks, and welcome
to the New Year!
I hope that 2015 has lots of
fun and fishing in store for all of us,
January is usually a bit of a lull in
the fishing world. With the warm
water species slowing down and go-
ing deep, it doesn’t make for par-
ticularly hot fishing, Although hav-
ing said that, I have to acknowledge
that some of those slow methodical
approaches can be successful this
time of year, Heavier flies and
weighted lines might just coax a bite
from one of those lunkers who are
hunkered down deep. The general
trout season is closed and with it the
majority of rivers and high moun-
tain lakes, but don’t forget that
California has many year round op-
tions,, including the steelhead and
salmon streams and many other
trout stream like the Merced that
have been opened to year round
fishing in the last few years. Just
watch the flow rates and play it safe.
2014 was a lot of fun for me
as your President, but it couldn’t
have been done without the rest of
the board helping me along. So,
thanks to you guys. We have a lot
of great things happening now on
the board and I hope that the mo-
mentum stays strong into 2015.
We have been working on creating
an annual budget to help us be-
come more aware of how the
club’s money comes and goes. We
are also reviewing the club by-
laws and looking to revamp and
update them to more accurately
represent the club’s current activi-
ties and responsibilities, etc. I am
very pleased to see three new faces
coming on the board next year, as
well. Mike recently e-mailed eve-
ryone a link to a survey that will
help us see what the club mem-
ber’s like, and dislike about our
meeting, speaker, raffles, etc. I
hope everyone was able to take the
surveys. Your feedback will help
us make the club more enjoyable
for everyone.
Finally, Don’t forget the
Annual Dinner! This Saturday,
January 17th At Balesteri’s.
See you all there - Tracy
Page 2 Fly Times
What’s going on in the world of fly fishing and tying?
Fly tying Jan 21st. Kings River Caddis
Wayne "Buz" Buszek created this fly in the 1950's while fishing the Kings River and trying to match the caddis fly
hatch that was taking place below Pine Flat Reservoir. Buz tied turkey wing by its tip to the front shank of the body
since the wing was more resistant to splitting in this manner. The hackle was undersized to enable the fly to sit low in
the water and keep the wing parallel to the surface. The success of the fly became well known during the 1960's when
Orvis included it in their catalog and many flyfishing books began to mention it. Buz maintained a flyfishing store in
Visalia, CA. The Federation of Fly Fishers honored Buz by creating the Buz Buszek Memorial Award in 1970 which is
awarded annually to an outstanding fly tyer demonstrating skill, innovation, and the sharing of knowledge in the art of
fly tying.
The Kings River Caddis works best on slow moving waters. It represents the spotted sedges, Hydropsyche, that Buz had
spotted on the Kings River below Pine Flat Reservoir.The pattern is also the basis of other Quill-Wing Caddis varia-
tions, sometimes referred to as "Tent Caddis" patterns. The Gray Quill-Wing Caddis is used for small grannoms and
brachycentridae. The Olive Quill-Wing Caddis represent gray sedges, Rhyacophila. A popular version, Tent Caddis, is
one that is commercially tied with the hackle clipped on top and the wing mounted over the hackle.
History of the Kings River Caddis
Hook: TMC 100 #12-18
Thread: Danville Brown 6/0
Body: Brown or Hare's Ear Raccoon. Most tiers now use rabbit.
Wing: Cinnamon Tip Turkey Wing segment
Hackle: Brown Hackle
Note: This month’s fly tying will feature one of the many
dry fly versions of the Caddis Fly. Bill Pside will be back
in the instructor’s seat to share his particular favorite. How
about you make a New Years resolutions to learn how to
tye flies this year. It’s a great hobby.
More Caddis Patterns
Elk Hair Caddis Partridge Caddis Emerger The Real Deal
Page 3
Salinas Valley Flyfishers**2014 Outing Schedule and Programs
Special thanks to Geoff Malloway for his ongoing support of the Salinas Valley Fly Fishers and for his many efforts on behalf of stream habitat and the preservation of the fish that we all seek to catch. Next time you’re out his way, stop by, wish him a happy New Year and buy a bunch of stuff. If Geoff
doesn’t have exactly what you’re looking for in stock he’ll be happy to order it.
Geoff Malloway
Central Coast Fly Fishing
7172 Carmel Valley Rd.
Carmel, CA (626-6586)
January 17th. Annual Dinner Balestarie’s Laguna Seca Golf
Ranch
Tracy da Silva 229-9568
January 21st. Fly Tying Salinas Airport
Board Room
Caddis Fly
patterns
Bill Pshide
January 28th. Board meeting Landing Zone
@ the airport
All members
welcome
Tracy da Silva 229-9568
January Club Outing To be
announced
Feb 11th. General meeting Landing Zone
@ the airport
Rod Sanchez 809-7499
For all the latest info. in what’s happening in the wide world of fishing, go to:
salinasvalleyflyfishers.org
Upcoming Events
Salinas Valley Fly Fishers
Annual Dinner
Saturday, January 17th.
@
Balesteri’s
At the Laguna Golf Ranch
10520 York Rd.
off Highway
It’s not too late
Outing for 2015
Incoming club President Rod Sanchez has been busy
working with the board to concur up a whole host of
great outing possibilities for the upcoming year.
Here’s just a few thoughts on the subject The Truckee
area and Davis Lake for the first of June, Lake Al-
manor, Manzanita, the Trinity, along with Lewiston
lake. Goodwin Lake is a possibility with good acco-
madations and modest price, There’s also the Ameri-
can River for Shad and Stripers (this could be a nice
float trip in the spring. The Yuba proved to be a player
worth a replay last year and of coarse there’s all the
old haunts, San Luis, the Merced, the Kings, the Sac.
and how about the surf. Let Rod what you’d like and
let’s make it happen. ed.
Winter Nymphing Tips
Page 4 Fly Times
Winter is among the toughest times of year to catch trout in streams. Water temperatures are cold and a trout’s metabolism is
slow. Even though a fish doesn’t need to feed as much in cold weather, they will eat if given a chance. Fly fishing in the winter is
different than spring, summer, and fall. Nymphing skills are more important now than any other time of year. Here is our best ad-
vice for catching trout on nymphs in the winter.
1.Fish the middle of the Day – Fishing is rarely very good before 9:00 AM in December, January, and February. In fact, fish may
not be moving around much until 11:00 AM or noon. Trout will move most after water temperatures have risen a few degrees.
Aquatic insects also move around a little more when things warm up a bit and this gives the fish the best reason to clock into
work. Fishing often slows down by 3:30 or 4:00 but can continue to be good right up until dark on unseasonably warm days.
2. Choose the Water you Fish Wisely – Any angler who is skilled at reading the water will always outfish another who isn’t as
discriminating. This becomes even more important when fishing in the winter. Shallow riffles and long stretches of pocket water
don’t give up trout as generously in the winter as other seasons. Skip swift water lies in favor of slower flows. Trout move to the
swifter water when food is more plentiful, but lie in slower water when insects aren’t very active. One of the best spots is the point
where a shallow riffle transitions to deeper, slower water. Cast the fly into the riffle so it has time to sink and falls naturally into
the deeper water. Also keep an eye out for slow pockets in stretches of pocket water. Not all pockets will be productive, but some
might give you the best opportunity of the day. Patches of dead water framed by swift water are prime. Watch for stretches of wa-
ter that receive plenty of sunlight. Direct sunlight provides a little extra warmth to get both bugs and fish moving. We often spend
winter days chasing sunny spots and will occasionally find a few rising trout.
3. Plan Your Fishing Around the Weather – Most anglers fish when they can and squeeze a day into a busy schedule when pos-
sible. Keep an eye on the extended forecast during the winter months and try to hit the water on a day that will optimize your
chances for success. A string of cold nights with temperatures in the teens and daytime temperatures that struggle to rise into the
mid 30’s are sure to provide slow fishing. Water temperatures in freestone mountain streams will often plunge right down to the
freezing mark. This is sure to produce a “lockjaw” pandemic among the trout population. Trout are only marginally active when
the water gets below 40 degrees. We see the biggest activity swing between 40 and 42 degrees. Fishing is pretty good at 42 but
noticeably slower at 40. Get down to 38 or 39 and fishing is extremely slow. One of the best weather features to watch for in the
winter is a period of rain when the overnight temperatures stay in the 40’s or barely dip into the 30’s. A rainy 45 degree day brings
relatively warm water into a stream and can get fish and bugs moving. This can jump start a stream after a long cold snap and
even keep a stream warm for the first day after temperatures have made a sudden dip.
4. Use Split Shot – No other piece of equipment is as maligned by fly fishers as split shot. This is in spite of the fact that we find
it more useful than almost anything else in the winter. A $5 – $10 investment in split shot will go much further toward catching
trout in cold weather than a much pricier investment in rods or reels. We typically use shot in sizes 4, 6, or 8 depending on the
depth and velocity of the water. Pinch it on your tippet 6″ – 8″ above the fly or in between two nymphs tied as a dropper. This will
ensure that your flies sink to depth quickly. A fly that sinks quickly is a f
5. Use the Best Strike Indicator For the Job – Expect subtle takes from the fish. This requires a strike indicator that can support
the weight of heavy nymphs. If you use a strike indicator that sinks under the surface on every other drift you’re very likely to
miss a soft strike when a trout does eat. You might even realize it was a fish, only too late to get a good hook set.Yarn can be a
good choice but be sure it’s a big piece. Foam footballs and other indicators made from high floating materials are the best choice.
Sticky pinch-on indicators don’t allow for depth adjustment and are sometimes too small to float a heavy rig.ly that is in the strike
zone sooner and stays there longer.
6. Try Fishing Without a Strike Indicator – Many fly fishers are surprised to hear us say that no strike indicator might be the
best way to go. This isn’t a technique we recommend for inexperienced anglers, but those who are already skilled at high stick
nymphing with a strike indicator may be surprised at how effective this can be. Strike indicators place a limit on just how deep
your nymphs can go and might place a limit on just how effective you can be.Start out by trying this technique in slow pockets
with short casts. Be sure your rod tip is downstream of your nymphs. Use only the minimum amount of line necessary. There
should be no extra line on the water. Move your rod tip downstream at the same speed your nymphs drift in the current. Most fly
fishers are shocked at how obvious the strike is. Your leader and the short amount of fly line you are using will twitch or even
jump upstream. Another benefit is that you can actually feel your nymph bouncing along the bottom. Just a little practice with this
technique will make any fly fisher more effective with nymphs. More to come!
Salinas Valley Fly Fishers
It’s not too late to Join in on the Annual Dinner This Saturday
P.O Box 1793
Salinas, CA 93912
Editor: Rick McCombs
Email: [email protected]
"All You Need to Know"
Mailing Address Line 1 Mailing Address Line 2
Mailing Address Line 3
Mailing Address Line 4 Mailing Address Line 5
Annual SVFF Dinner
Balesteri’s
January 17th.
Board of Directors Meeting
at the Landing Zone Jan 28th @ 6:00
Fly Tying \ Wednesday, Jan 21st.
(Caddis patterns)
Salinas Airport
Board Room