Learn To Fly Fish Program

The GGACC's Learn to Fly Fish Program (LTFF) is offered to GGACC Club members who have already learned to make basic casts with a fly rod and want to put their new casting ability to good use on the water. The goal of the LTFF program is to teach fly fishing knowledge and skills to beginners so they can better enjoy our great sport.

Through a combination of classroom teaching, in-the-pond casting instruction, and mentored or guided fishing outings (called "fish-outs"), the comprehensive 3 year LTFF program helps its students learn both how to fly fish and where to go in Northern California and beyond. It is one of the most popular programs offered by the GGACC.

NOTE: The LTFF program and its fish-outs are not intended for the club's more experienced fly fishers, or other members in general. The Club's Rendezvous (Rondy) Program is designed for membership at large. "Rondies" are not mentored and are therefore generally designed for experienced fly fishers.

The LTFF's mentored program is three years long for most of its students. The first two years (Level 1 and Level 2) are focused on teaching fly fishing fundamentals and target trout as the primary species. The third year (Level 3) explores trout as well as other species, including shad, bass, stripers, surf perch, and steelhead.

LTFF students can expect to make many new friends and hopefully some life-long fishing buddies. A key element of the program is the opportunity to engage with other students and club members in all activities.

The LTFF program is open only to GGACC members who have paid club dues for each year of their participation in the program. You can join the club and pay annual club dues online at the Club's website: www.ggacc.org. Dues paid in December cover the following calendar year for new or current members.

You must be 18 years or older to participate in the GGACC Learn To Fly Fish program.

The LTFF program runs on an annual basis. Prospective students for each year's classes must sign-up, beginning in December of the prior year, for the first posted February Class Day for the Level 1 or Level 2 classes on the club Events calendar at ggacc.org. Enrollment is on a "first to register" basis. Students from the previous year's Level 1 or Level 2 classes will have registration priority, and will receive an advance email alert for signing up for the coming year's Level 2 or Level 3 classes.

Entering participants in the LTFF program should be able to make both a roll cast and an overhead cast with a single-hand fly rod to a distance of 25-40 feet. All students should be able to demonstrate these minimum casting skills prior to formal entry into the program. We have learned through experience that it is important to require this level of casting proficiency for entry into the program. Fish-outs can cost the student several hundred dollars, and it's not only frustrating, but a poor return on investment to be struggling with casting fundamentals on the river or lake, when you can hone your casting skills for free at our fabulous GGACC casting ponds.

The casting qualifier skills can be found at the end of this program description. All new registrants will be asked to successfully demonstrate per this qualifier at one of two events scheduled in January.

Students should have (or will purchase after the classroom sessions) their own fly rod (preferably a 9' long 5 weight) with fly reel and a matching floating fly line (i.e., a WF5F line); breathable chest waders; wading boots; and a wading staff. Outfitted with this minimum equipment, they receive specialized casting instruction in the ponds during Level 1 and 2 classes (when club rods are also available) and can participate in the LTFF program's fish-outs offered for their class.

Those coming into the program with previous fly fishing experience may petition the Program Director (see contact info below) for written approval to skip the Level 1 class and register for the Level 2 class instead. This approval will be based on a verbal or written explanation of the applicant's prior experience, which at a minimum should include the ability to successfully fish small streams on their own, including the ability to select their own flies, tie up their own two-fly nymphing and dry-dropper rigs, and wade safely. Having fly fished only with guides is not considered sufficient experience to qualify for Level 2.

LTFF students are strongly encouraged to attend the Club's monthly Free Casting Lessons at the GGACC's ponds, and the Skills Building Program lectures (also free). These lessons and lectures are usually offered on the 2nd Saturday of every month.

Level 1 and 2 students must be enrolled in their respective "class day" events before signing up for any of that class's scheduled fish-outs. A release form must be signed to participate in fish-outs. Not all students can be guaranteed a spot in each fish-out since the number of openings is limited. An online wait list option is offered whenever the event limit is reached. The Program maintains a strict "no refund" policy, however if a registrant finds they need to cancel they can work with the Program Leader to find potential replacements from the waitlist on a best-effort basis.

The fees charged for the classes and fish-outs are the minimum necessary to cover the LTFF program's costs. The Program is managed with volunteers, including the Program Leader

The annual LTFF fee due at registration into the Program is as follows:

Level 1 $100/year

Level 2 $125/year

Level 3 $125/year

Pending weather, water conditions, availability, and participation, the generally planned fish-out destinations for each level in the Program are shown below. These may change year-to-year and Level 1 and some destinations will be open to two, or all three levels.

Level 1 Beginner Fish-outs: Upper McCloud, North Fork Yuba River, Yosemite

Level 2 Fish-outs: Luk Lake (primarily for bass), Lower Sacramento River, Truckee River, NF Stanislaus River, Hat Creek

Level 3 Intermediate Fish-outs: Pyramid Lake (Nevada), Lower Sac (for shad), Pacifica Surf (for surf perch), Missouri River (Montana), SF Bay or O'Neil Forebay (for striped bass), Upper Sac & McCloud Rivers, and Trinity River (for steelhead)

Students will pay a fee when registering for each fish-out to cover expenses. These fees will vary from $100 to several hundred dollars based on the particular destination. Fees generally cover guide costs (if applicable), supplied flies, and lodging and food expenses. In some cases the students will arrange their own lodging and food at their own expense. Fish-outs are primarily held on weekends, usually including at least either Friday or Monday or both.

The GGACC Learn To Fly Fish program is very popular, and is usually over-subscribed. We have expanded enrollment in recent years, but seek to balance the quality of instruction and the experience with availability to as many as possible. As such, expectations are that if you are one of the fortunate to gain entry into the program, you will readily engage in all classroom and on-the-ponds instruction, as well as as many of the fish-outs as available. If a student finds that they are unable to participate as expected, we will ask that they step aside and allow a wait-listed student to replace them.

For any questions about the LTFF program, please contact the Program Director

Bruce Greenwood - ltff.ggacc@gmail.com

 

LTFF Casting Pre-Requisite Qualifier

  • General standards for every task:
    • 5 attempts allowed
    • Loops can be any size
    • Leader must land relatively straight
    • No limit on the number of false casts
    • Only a few "tailing loops" are allowed (i.e., end of fly line crossing bottom leg of loop)
    • Only a few "ticks" are allowed (tick = fly touching water before hitting target)
  • Station #1 - Accuracy
    • Hit target rings at 20', 30', and 40'
    • 5 attempts per target allowed
    • No need to strip in the fly after an attempt
  • Station #2 - Roll Cast
    • Make a roll cast with fly landing near a 35' target (this is not an accuracy task)
  • Station #3 - Change of Direction
    • Make a 30 degree change of direction cast with at least 1 false cast
    • Change direction once to the left and once to the right
    • Fly must land near a 30' target (this is not an accuracy task)
  • Station #4 - Line Management & Slipping Line
    • Demonstrate use of the line hand when slipping line from 30' to 40' while false casting several times
    • Fly must begin near the 30' target and land near the 40' target (this is not an accuracy task)

View a short demonstration of each of these tasks: LTFF Casting Qualifier Task Demonstration

You may also find this document helpful as you practice and train for the qualifier: LTFF Casting Qualifier Description and Tips

All of these skills are taught in the GGACC second Saturday free casting lessons. If you are interested in private coaching, the following instructors are FFI certified casting instructors.

All of these suggested instructors are Fly Fishers International (FFI) Certified Instructors, or are currently in the process of attaining certification. Certified instructors have demonstrated a high level of both casting skills AND instructional skills (they know how to teach you the required skills).

These are in no particular order or preference....

Chris Korich ckorich@gmail.com (970) 376-3201

George Revel Lost Coast Outfitters george@lostcoastoutfitters.com (415) 483-2278

Gary Turri gjturri@comcast.net (925) 786-5184

Steve Morikawa stevenmorikawa@msn.com (707 315-2020

Russ Carpenter catfishdawg@gmail.com (605) 670-1602

Erik Duisenberg erik.duisenberg@gmail.com (415) 722-2910

Ken Gotelli kjgotelli@gmail.com (415) 286-1194

John Anderson jca35otl@gmail.com (415) 990-0936

Jeff Hogan jbhogan@ucdavis.edu (530) 979-1743

You can contact them directly to discuss lessons, fees, etc.

Upcoming events

  • LTFF Level 1 Fish-out -- Yosemite High Country

    • 07 Aug 2024
    • 14 Aug 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Nat'l Park
    • 0
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    Yosemite High Country - LTFF Level 1 Fish-out

    Four Groups of 10 Anglers. 

    • Group 1 fishing Wednesday-Thursday August 7-8
    • Group 2 fishing Friday-Saturday August 9-10
    • Group 3 fishing Sunday- Monday August 11-12
    • Group 4 fishing Tuesday-Wednesday August 13-14


    This outing is exclusively intended for currently registered Level 1 students in the GGACC's "Learn to Fly Fish" (LTFF) program.   There will be four sessions of 10 openings for a total of 40 fishing spots.

    Cost: $250 / person

    Overview

    This trip offers fly fishing for several trout species in two pristine high alpine settings. Each day includes up to 2-4 miles of day-hiking at 9,000 - 10,000 feet. Please contact the fishout leader, Charles Marsh, if you have questions or concerns about your physical ability and this trip.   (senor.charles@gmail.com).

    This year we have a guide, Steve Slater from Lost Coast Outfitters, to lead both the mentors and students on to certain stretches of the following small alpine streams or possibly other streams in the area that he knows well.  We have a great group of LTFF alumni and club members with experience on this watershed to help you and show you strategies and skills for this water. Between the the club mentors and Steve there will be a wealth of Yosemite knowledge at your disposal.

    Those wanting to fish on days where they are not scheduled with mentors are encouraged to stay in a neighboring campground on other days, but are asked to not fish the same locations that the mentored students will fish. In the pre-fishout meeting, we will suggest alternative local fishing spots.

    A daily meeting point and time will be set before the fish-out to meet-up with the guide and mentors.

    Tuolumne's Lyell Fork

    At 9,000 feet, this stream starts at Lyell Glacier and only drops 500 feet in 10 miles. This provides a gentle stream that meanders through meadows and granite pools for a truly unique experience. 

    To get there from Tuolumne Meadows, we'll hike along the Dana Fork for about 1.5 miles until we arrive at the Lyell Fork. Here the meadow stream is waist deep and wide, offering dry fly fishing along the banks to Brown Trout. Traveling farther upstream, you move into Brookie and Rainbow territory, arriving at several large and shallow granite pools the size of small ponds. It's a great place to spot fish in clear water and practice gentle overhead casting. Traveling slightly further upstream, you pass through endless granite channels and pools mixed in with more meadows, with each section both memorable and unique.

    Most of these wild trout are in the 6-9 inch range, but a handful of fish are caught each year in the 18 inch range. Larger fish require more stealth and finesse, while the less spooky smaller trout will attack dry flies readily, often with acrobatic displays.

    Students will use overhead casts in meadow sections and practice roll casts in areas with trees. We'll use mostly small dry fly patterns with thin mono tippet (5x - 6x), but you may want to nymph the deeper holes. Come prepared for both dry fly fishing and indicator nymphing.

    Tuolumne's Dana Fork

    Similar to the Lyell Fork, the Dana Fork is a small mountain stream that meanders through meadows at 9,500 ft. elevation. This stream follows along Hwy 120, meaning slightly less hiking and easier access. There are many fish to be caught on a fly along this 2-mile long stream since each hole seems to have an endless supply of wild trout.

    Students will primarily use overhead and roll casts. Again, we'll mostly use attractor dry fly patterns with thin tippet (5x-6x), but we may resort to indicator nymph fishing if the dries aren't working.  

    Registration fee includes:

    • Guide fee

    • Sack lunches each mentored day

    • 1-2 dozen selected flies

    Other Student costs:

    • Yosemite National Park entrance fee of $30, good for 7 days. Annual pass is $80. Carpooling helps save on this cost.

    • Guide gratuity

    • Possible additional campground fees, depending on whether we are successful in finding an open campsite in any of the nearby campgrounds.  (NOTE:  In general, campsites in the Tuolumne Meadows / Yosemite area CANNOT be reserved in advance.)

    • Lodging costs for motels, condos, or other vacation rentals available in the area.  Students are encouraged to look into the many rental options in the Mammoth Lakes / Mammoth Mountain Ski Area about 1 hour south of Tuolumne Meadows.   

    Accommodations:

    We will be camping at a campground to be determined, most likely the Aspen campground. There are a number of campgrounds near Lee Vining that are not reservable, so we will have an advance party head up a day earlier to secure the campground and send out a note for the location.

    There are hotels and RV parks, but they are reserved very early.

    Carpooling

    There is extremely limited parking available at the campground. This impacts not only "where" (or if you can) park, but also limits the ability to sleep in your car.  Students will be required to carpool and tent camp (or stay elsewhere on your own) to ensure we are not over our limit. Please plan accordingly


    Gear Needed:  (not a complete packing list):

    • Don't forget your CA 2024 fishing license

    • Bring (or plan to buy) your own breakfast, dinner, coffee, and snacks for each day.

    • Camping equipment (e.g., tent, sleeping bag and pad, cooking equipment, etc) if you plan to look for an available campsite in any of the nearby campgrounds

    • Headlamp and extra batteries, especially useful at night in camp

    • Small backpack, large sling pack, or vest with a large back pocket to carry lunch, water, packable rain jacket, etc.

    • Water bottle(s) or water bladder large enough to carry a full day of water (1.5 - 3 liters); or a filter system to replenish a smaller water bottle.

    • Fly fishing gear (3-5 wt rod, a couple 4X or 5X mono leaders, 5X - 6X mono tippet, nippers, forceps, fly box with additional flies, net optional).  No split shot or indicators will be needed.

    • Dry fly floatants - flies need to be floating high on the water surface all day. It's virtually imperative to have BOTH the liquid (gel) silicone and desiccant "dry shake" versions.

    • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, neck buff)

    • Wet wading shoes like Chacos or Tevas. Or wading boots with neoprene guard socks. Unless you just prefer to, there's very likely no need for wearing waders on this trip, which will be a little more difficult to hike in.

    • Mandatory items:  wading staff (or hiking sticks), polarized sunglasses. 

    Eating

    • We strongly encourage a group dinners for the evening following your guided days. Getting to know your fellow students and everyone on the trip is part of the experience. We will discuss this over email and in the pre-outing zoom call. Options could include making a taco salad at camp or a group visit to Lee Vining to eat there.

    • In Lee Vining options are available at Woah Nellie Deli (in the Mobil Gas Mart), right at the junction of Hwys.120 and 395, should you end up camping in the area and would rather not cook your own dinners. For a gas station mart, this is remarkably good food. The deli is open 7am - 9pm.

    • Other dining options are available in the Mono Lake area (Lee Vining) and further south in the Mammoth Lakes area; however they're sure to be more expensive.

    Registration fee of $250.00 is non-refundable. It does not cover your travel costs, motels (if you decide not to camp), food (except lunch), or other sundries. . 

    Cancellation Policy:  There are no refunds.  In the event that a student is, for any reason, unable to attend, he/she may resell his slot (rod) to another LTFF member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists).  It is the sole responsibility of the student to manage this transaction.

    For further information, contact:  Fish-out Leader:  Charles Marsh (senor.charles@gmail.com).




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  • LTFF Level 3 Float Tube Safety Clinic

    • 24 Aug 2024
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Golden Gate Park casting ponds (1232 JFK Dr., across from the Buffalo Paddock), San Francisco
    Register

    NOTE:  The West casting pond is reserved exclusively for the following event for the afternoon of August 24 from 2-5pm.  This clinic will be held in the afternoon of the GGACC "Demo Day".

    This Float Tube Clinic on Saturday afternoon, August 24th, from 2pm to 5:00pm is designed to prepare the Level 3 "Learn to Fly Fish" students to fly fish on still waters using a float tube.

    Fly angling on a mountain lake—or really any pond or lake—can be both relaxing and rewarding.  Comfortably sitting in a float tube keeps you cool on hot days and creates an intimacy with the environment that you just don’t usually get otherwise.

    Float tubes are light-weight, compact and easy-to-carry…  The lake that’s a short hike from the parking lot is easily accessible where that might not be the case without a boat launch.  Float tubes are relatively low cost (much less than a boat) and can easily be stored in a closet or your garage.  They are stable and comfortable, and provide a great platform for fishing lakes, and even trolling.

    Float tubes can also be dangerous and a bit challenging if you haven’t learned some basic clues and approaches to entering/exiting the water, as well as casting while sitting in a float tube.   That’s what you will get from this clinic from our great GGACC instructors.  The primary objective is to teach basic float tube use and safety. Instructors will provide float tubes, fins, and PFD's for participants to try-out in the west pond—including training and tips on casting from a float tube. 

    As a huge bonus, we will have the Outcast rep with us, in conjunction with the scheduled Far Bank Demo Day, to demonstrate and discuss float tube products.  If you decide to purchase your own, you will have all of the information you need to make a great choice with the right gear.

    THIS CLINIC IS OPEN TO CURRENTLY REGISTERED LEVEL 3  2024 LEARN TO FLY FISH STUDENTS ONLY.  GGACC MEMBERS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND THE PRESENTATION FROM THE OUTCAST REPRESENTATIVE AT 2pm.

    LTFF students will need to bring their own waders and boots (or other booties) to this clinic if they wish to try-out one or more float tubes.  They should also bring their 9 ft 5 wt fly rod and reel to practice casting to targets while in a float tube.

    Students will navigate a course in the far west pond that includes how to safely get in the tube, experience moving backwards, line management and casting.

    1.    learn different kinds of tubes

    2.    how to safely use a float tube

    3.    how to navigate a float tube

    4.    how to cast from a float tube

    This clinic is limited to current LTFF Level 3 students ONLY, and is intended for both skills instruction and preparation for the LTFF Level 3 fish-out on Heenan Lake September 28th, 2024

    For more information contact:  Bruce Greenwood   ltff.ggacc@gmail.com


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  • LTFF Level 2 Fish-out - NF Stanislaus

    • 14 Sep 2024
    • 7:00 PM
    • 15 Sep 2024
    • 9:00 AM
    • Sourgrass Rec Area / Day Use, near Dorrington, CA
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This outing is exclusively intended for currently registered Level 2 and 3 students in the GGACC Learn To Fly Fish (LTFF) program.   

    Cost: $235/ person

    Overview

    The Stanislaus River is an excellent rainbow and brown trout fishery.  We will be fishing the North Fork of the Stanislaus River in the Sourgrass Rec Area just above the Big Tree State Park.  This Rec Area is located off State Hwy. 4 way down below the little town of Dorrington (north of Arnold, CA) in a picturesque canyon.

    There will be two days of fishing for 10 students. We will have Lost Coast Outfitter pro-staffer and independent guide Steve Slater leading the instruction on this fishout, along with several other experienced club member mentors.   Registrants will get two solid days of guided/mentored fishing on the North Fork Stanislaus. 

    We also have the option available to some participants to go on a side outing further up the Stan’ on one of the two days of the trip. This is about a 30 minute drive from camp plus a 1-2 hour rugged hike into a canyon led by John Anderson. The hiker is rewarded with some larger native trout and a bit more seclusion. This side outing is optional and will be discussed and planned further during the pre-fishout zoom meeting. It is based on a regularly-run rondy from John Anderson.

    Other logistics and recommended gear will be covered in a pre-fishout meeting to be held roughly two weeks before the fishout.  Registrants will be notified of this Zoom call meeting.  This will be an opportunity to ask questions, meet others in your group, arrange carpooling, decide on whether to tackle group dinners, etc. 

    As always, your registration fees are non-refundable.  If you realize you have to cancel, finding a replacement is not guaranteed, and will be done on a best-effort basis.

    Campground

    Most of us will be trying to camp at the Stanislaus National Forest Service Wakalu Hep Yo (Wild River) Campground.  This campground is super-convenient, but not reserveable in advance (available on a first-come basis only). As we have done successfully in the past, we hope that by scheduling this fish-out after Labor Day again that this allows us to find sufficient camp space upon our arrival.

    There is no group camp site in this campground, but the hope is that by possibly doubling up in campsites as needed, this arrangement should work to allow most of the students to camp together in adjacent campsites as much as possible rather than being spread out throughout the campground. This campground does have some showers and flush toilets!

    There may still be a camp host on site then to collect the campground fee per night. If not, there will be a drop box for this daily camp fee.   Camp fees are included in the registration fee for four sites. If you are bringing family or friends, you should plan to get your own site near the group, which should be easily done..

    Motels/Hotels

    There is the old Dorrington Hotel in Dorrington, CA about 4 miles above the campground, and a few motel or hotel options farther back down Highway 4 in Arnold and Murphys for those not into either tent camping or possibly sleeping in their vehicle. There is also the Bear Valley Lodge and the even more rustic Tamarack Lodge about 20 miles farther up Highway 4.  Finding alternate lodging is your responsibility, but be sure to book it early!  

    Meeting Place

    Everyone will need to meet at the campground at 7:00AM each fishing morning to pair up with mentors, make up your lunches, get your flies, instructions, etc. This early start is intended to get everyone on the water as soon as possible each morning — so please don’t be late. 

    Note: There is only very spotty to non-existent cell phone service in this area -- try texting up there instead, but this is also extremely hit-or-miss.

    Driving Directions

    Use Google Maps for Wakaluu Hepyoo Campground Amphitheater, or enter GPS coordinates Lat. 38.322063, Long. -120.218558 

    The shortest route from the Bay Area is to follow I-580 E to I-205 E, to I-5 N to connect to CA-99 S at Stockton, and exit onto CA-4 E.  Follow CA-4 (about 75 miles of winding 2-lane hwy.) to Boards Crossing Road in Dorrington, CA.  (This road, marked with a street sign, is on your right directly across from the Dorrington Hotel.)  Follow Boards Crossing Road taking only left forks to reach NF Road 05N02 (Beardsley Rd.) and follow that road down the canyon to the campground on the river (just before you cross the new concrete bridge on NF-05N02, and not the old Boards Crossing steel trestle bridge). The drive to this campground is at least a 3 hour total drive time without counting stops or traffic getting out of the Bay Area (plan for perhaps 4 hours).   

    Camping Equipment

    Unless you have a vehicle that you plan to sleep in, it is suggested that you have your own tent (with tent stakes, footprint/plastic tarp, and rainfly) or have an agreement to share a tent with someone. 

    Also be sure to bring:  sleeping bag; sleeping pad (or air mattress and/or cot); a headlamp or flashlight with good batteries (wise to bring spares too); cooking stove; water container; cooking pots/cooking utensils; camp dishes / eating utensils; wash basin; biodegradable soap; butane lighter or matches; paper or cloth towels; garbage bags; and a cooler with ice for perishables.  All food and dry goods should be stored in the campground-supplied camp boxes to keep away from rodents and jays, and the potential bear.  Optional equipment could include:  lantern; camp chair; firewood; hand axe; coffee pot; small folding table; table cloth for picnic table; etc.

    Meals

    There will be one dinner for everyone Saturday night at the campground. We will plan this on the zoom call.  Other nights you will either make your own meal or small group dinners for anyone on this fish-out.  You can cook dinners in camp (either together as a group if those in the group choose to organize this themselves, or individually), or there are other possible options such as a small burger joint in Dorrington (next to the hotel) or a few casual restaurants back in Arnold that smaller groups may decide to try.  

    It is recommended that students work together on a simple meal for Saturday evening—taco salad is an easy idea—enjoy being together and sharing your experiences of the day.

    We will be providing groceries for making your own sandwiches for sack lunches on days you are fishing Saturday and Sunday.

    NOTE:  Other than the two DIY lunches provided by your fish-out leader on your fishing days, you are on your own to bring (and prepare) your own food for all breakfasts, other lunches, and all dinners (or for group dinners), or buy your own meals out.

    Fishing Gear

    Fishing License. Don’t leave home without this.

    We recommend bringing a 3-5wt fly rod with floating line. For dry flies, bring 9’ tapered leaders to 4X or 5X, with mono tippet spools in 4X-6X.  Also be sure that you bring both a liquid (or gel) dry fly floatant and a dry shake floatant (dessicant-type) for treating your dry flies. For indicator nymphing, bring indicators, split shot, one spool of say 0X to 3X mono tippet material, and spools of both 4X and 5X  fluoro tippet for connections to nymphs. 

    Bring foam hoppers or Chubby Chernobyl pattern flies for hopper (dry) / dropper rigging if you prefer this rather than indicator nymphing), or you might try tight-line nymphing instead (although the Stan has more pools than actual pocket water where tight-lining works best).  We will have opportunities for multiple styles of fly fishing, some come prepared.

    Flies

    We will be providing a dozen flies to each student: 2 each of some dry fly and nymph patterns, as recommended by Steve Slater.  These flies will be supplied and packaged by LCO and distributed to you at the meeting place, so you will need to put them in your own fly box along with your other flies -- and be sure to pinch the barbs!  We will not be doing this for you.

    Also, bring your own flies, especially any that you have picked up for (or tied for) this particular trip.

    If you still need more of your own flies, or forgot some other gear after you leave town, there is a small fly shop (if open) as well as the Ebbet’s Pass Sporting Goods in Arnold as you pass through that town (both are on the south side of the hwy.) or you can divert your trip up on I-205 for a few miles to reach the Bass Pro store in Manteca. 

    Other Stuff

    In addition to forceps, nippers, vest or pack for fly boxes and other gear, sunhat, sunscreen, bug repellent, waders, boots, belts, water bottle (or other means to carry, or filter, drinking water), don’t forget your wading staff!  A small net is always optional for trout, but it really helps in landing them with minimal stress and keeping them in the water while unhooking—both of which are extremely important for the fish’s survival. Camping gear should include headlamps or flashlights —the former is especially good for tying on flies during late evening fishing or cooking / setting up camp in the dark.  Bring spare batteries too. 

    Wading

    As a tailwater, the Stan can still be pretty cold this high up, but you may decide when you get there and test the water that you might prefer to wet-wade (not me!) instead of wearing waders.  If so, just be sure that you have sturdy closed-toe wading sandals or, better yet, use neoprene guard socks (or other neoprene socks) plus wool or polypo liner socks to fill-out your wading boots.  Lightweight (i.e., nylon) long pants are recommended for wet-wading over wearing shorts to better protect your shins from scrapes on rocks, scratchy brush, poison oak, etc.

    Registration Fee

    The registration fee is $235 per student (which includes paying Steve’s super discounted fee), flies, camp fees, and groceries for lunches.  Not included in the registration fee is guide tips, the cost of travel, lodging other than the camp site, and meals other than the provided lunches.

    Cancellation Policy

    There are no refunds.  In the event that a student is, for any reason, unable to attend, he/she may resell his slot (rod) to another LTFF member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists).  It is the sole responsibility of the student to manage this transaction.

    For further information, contact:  Fish-out Leader, Charles Marsh (senor.charles@gmail.com), 415-902-0489.



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  • Learn To Fly Fish Truckee River Fishout

    • 21 Sep 2024
    • 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
    • Truckee, CA
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This LTFF Truckee River Fish-out on SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 21st, 2024 is offered to ONLY registered  2024 Learn to Fly Fish (LTFF) students. This fish-out will be limited to a total of 8 students.

    Description:  This fish-out will be led by Matt Heron who has a very successful Fly Fishing School in the Truckee area.  You will have a day-long guided session with Matt’s team, with a 2:1 student to guide ratio.   You will fish either the Little Truckee or the Truckee depending on the best fishing conditions that day.   Your guide will help you understand this popular fly fishing destination, including access points along the river, as well as various fishing techniques most effective for these waters.  

    Cost:  The registration fee will be $350 per person for the full day to cover guide fees and costs for supplied flies, and lunch.  See below for the plan for accommodations.

    Required Gear:  Your standard 5 wt, floating line setup , along with boots/waders, wading staff, sunscreen, hat, water, and sunglasses will work fine.  Studded boots help if you prefer.

    Specifically:

    4-6 wt rod/reel, and floating line.   9 ft rods are fine, 9 ½ ft and longer help on these waters

    Bring a selection of 9 ft leaders across 3x , 4x and 5x

    Tippet:  3x-6x….flouro helps

    Flies will be supplied and selected based on recent success on the river by your guides.

    Meeting Time & Place: We will meet at 7:30 AM (time subject to change earlier, or later based on conditions) at the Truckee River RV Park.  The day will end in mid-afternoon…around 3:30pm.

    Accommodations: We will plan to camp at a nearby campground for the weekend.  If you prefer not to camp, you should make plans at your choice of lodging in the Truckee area (motel, Air BnB, etc.).

    Registration Fee:  The registration fee is $350 per student.  This fee will cover the cost of the guide/clinic fees, groceries for lunches, our group campsite reservation, and supplied flies.

    It does not include the cost of transportation, lodging (non-camping), meals (other than lunch), guide tip, or any other expenses. 

    Cancellation Policy:  There are no refunds.  In the event that a student is, for any reason, unable to attend, he/she may resell his slot (rod) to another LTFF member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists).  It is the sole responsibility of the student to manage this transaction. 

    For more info: Mike Nelson micnel@protonmail.com


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  • LTFF Level 3 Lahontans at Heenan Lake!

    • 28 Sep 2024
    • 7:00 AM
    • 29 Sep 2024
    • 6:30 PM
    • San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area off CA-152
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This 2024 LTFF Level 3 fishout for Lahontan Cutthroat on Heenan Lake is scheduled for 12 Noon, September 28th to 12 Noon on September 29th, 2024 .   Heenan Lake is located off of Highway 89, 8 miles east of the town of Markleeville, California.

    The limited spots in this fish-out date on September 28-29 are reserved for 2024 registered "Learn to Fly Fish" (LTFF) Level 3 Students ONLY -- unless specifically announced otherwise.    

    Registration will be limited to 6 students.   Registered students should also attend the Float Tube Safety Clinic by Jeff Hogan on August 24th at the GGACC ponds.  Please register for these LTFF-only events on the GGACC events calendar.   Ideally, you will have also attended the shooting head clinic led by Willy George earlier in 2024.

    LTFF Level 3 students should consider these clinics as skills building classes for their class curriculum.

    Students must bring their own (or rented or borrowed) personal watercraft for this fish-out.  A float tube is the recommended water craft for this fishout.  There are not any local rental shops that we know of in the Heenan Lake area.

    Located in the Sierra south of Lake Tahoe, is 220 miles east of San Francisco.  Depending on traffic patterns leaving the Bay Area, you should plan for a 4 to 5 hour drive minimum each way.

    The 135 acre Heenan Lake has been renowned for producing huge Lahonton Cutthroats up to 30" with the average being 16 to 20". The Department of Fish and Game have a station there that take some spawners from the lake for egg collections. These eggs are distributed to a number of other state hatcheries including the Hot Creek Hatchery and Nevada Dept of Wildlife. The hatchlings are restocked into Heenan and over 30 additional Eastern Sierra lakes. The Heenan Lake Lahontons are actually a hybridized strain of the original Lahonton Cutthroats that inhabited Lake Lahonton in prehistoric days. The regulations to Heenan Lake is a strict catch and release on barbless hooks on flies or artificial lures. The season opens on September 1st through November 30th. The tributaries to Heenan are also open to catch & release fishing at this time period. Heenan is ideal for float tubing but has received heavy fishing pressure recently due to its reputation for big trout. Trolling streamer patterns of Woolly Buggers, Leeches and Matukus in Black, Purple, or Olive from a float tube has been the favored method to fish Heenan. No gas-powered craft are allowed. It's shallow so an intermediate sinking line is sufficient. Dark colored nymphs in sizes 12-14 such as Pheasant Tails, Bird's Nests, and Prince Nymphs with an indicator also work well. Use a slow retrieve. Recently, using a chironomid pattern has become quite popular when used as a dropper below the nymph from 2 to 6 feet in depth. Allow the rig to sit with an occasional twitch. Generally, an intermediate sinking line is the best bet with a 7-8 foot leader. The Lahontans do not put up as rigorous fight as a similar-sized Rainbow so a leader of 4x to 5X should suffice.

    The Lahontans cruise throughout the lake but a popular area is the inlet of Heenan creek at the east end. This is fairly shallow with plentiful weeedbeds. Try casting a nymph pattern into the weedbeds and retrieve slowly. The southern end of the lake is also popular with weed beds usually present..

    Jeff Hogan will mentor this LTFF fish-out.  Jeff is one of our valued FFI certified GGACC casting instructors, and a frequent volunteer for LTFF events.  

    Meet location/time:  We will meet in the Heenan Lake parking lot (there’s only one).  Vaulted toilets or port-a-potties are available, but no running water.  Please arrive in the parking lot on Saturday morning by 11AM so all can be prepared and ready to fish by 12 noon.
    On Sunday morning the group should be in the parking lot by 7AM to get a solid fishing session in on Sunday before conclusion at 12 noon.

    Safety:  Use of your own personal watercraft will be required for this fish-out, and wearing a PFD will be mandatory. Personal watercraft can be float tubes or Watermasters (either of these work best), pontoon boats, or kayaks.  

    Gear required: There will be much more discussion on this during the Zoom meeting.

    Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, 2024 CA fishing license, water, snacks.

    Water craft:  Float tube, pontoon boat.    

    Chest waders with belt, wading boots or booties.  A PFD is required by GGACC policy at all times.

    Fins (with a tether system is highly recommended).

    Landing net is highly recommended.

    Fly rod tether or float system is highly recommended if using more than one rod.

    Medium size dry-bag is recommended for snacks, water, storage for jacket, etc.

    Rod:   A 9 1/2’ or 10’ rod that is moderate-fast action is ideal, but a 9' rod works extremely well.   6 wt is perfect for this trip.  Anything more than a 7 wt rod is not recommended.  If you only have a 5 wt and 8 wt, for example, bring the 8 wt., but landing one of these fish on a 5 wt in a float tube could be fun!  

    Line:  Weight forward floating and Intermediate sinking line (integrated) matched for the rod is a nice 2 rod set-up but just a floating line will work fine. 

    Leader:  5’ - 7' of 3X fluorocarbon (non-tapered) for stripping using the Intermediate line.  

    For the deep-water indicator technique you can use an indicator/nymphing leader or build your own leader: 10’ 2X Indicator leader with ~5’ 3X fluorocarbon tippet attached with triple surgeons knot and a #12-#16 barrel swivel at the fly end.  Attach 2’-3’ 4X fluorocarbon tippet to swivel.  You can add a dropper fly off the swivel if you like.  Add fly of choice to end of 4X tippet.  The goal is to present the bottom fly 2’ off the bottom or weeds.

    A Quick-Release indicator is required for this deep-water indicator setup and is attached to the butt section of the leader.

    Flies: Chironomid patterns. #10-18 of various color and sizes.  Larger sizes, #10-12, seem to be most promenade.  Dark colored nymphs in sizes 12-14 such as Pheasant Tails, Bird's Nests, and Prince Nymphs are also very good.  Stripping (slowly) black, purple, olive woolly buggers, #6-8 leeches, #8-10 and Matukas, #6-10 is very popular.

    Camping / Lodging:  There are lodging options in both Woodsford or Markleeville.

    It is highly recommended to make your reservations ASAP as we know of at least one other club planning an outing in this timeframe.

    The registration fee for this fish-out is $50.  This does not include meals, lodging or travel fee

    For more information, contact:

    Bruce Greenwood   650-387-5302   ltff.ggacc@gmail.com





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