Below is our club calendar of upcoming events. This calendar changes often so check back frequently.
Should you want to add an event to the calendar, please submit your request on the Event Request Submission Form found here.
DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF ANGLERS LODGE DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS, BEGINNING IN APRIL, 2020, AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, ALL GGACC BOARD MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ONLINE AS VIRTUAL MEETINGS (via Zoom). These virtual meetings will start at 9:00AM on the scheduled date (usually 2nd Saturday of the month).
This is the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors for the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club, for which the meeting room in the Anglers Lodge is reserved from 8-9am. If you have new business to present to the Board, please contact us at ggaccdirectors@gmail.com
GGACC members are welcome to attend.
DUE TO COVID-19 HEALTH RESTRICTIONS ON CONGREGATING AND HOLDING GROUP EVENTS IN THE PARK, THE MAY 13TH, MAY 27TH, AND POSSIBLY SUBSEQUENT SCHEDULED DATES FOR THIS EVENT ARE CANCELLED PENDING THE FUTURE NOTICE OF THE LIFTING OF THESE SAFETY RESTRICTIONS.
Note: This (mostly alternating) Wednesday evening casting event is FREE and open to the public. No prior registration required. Just show up each night with your own fly rod and yarn fly (no club rods will be issued for this, but George may be able to provide a loaner rod if arranged in advance-- see contact info below). The May 13th and June 24th evenings this year are Fly Fishing Crash Courses, which nights will basically be Cliff Notes for fly fishing. Knots, rigging, casting, reading water, and fly fishing techniques will be taught at three different stations.
"In Search of the Perfect Cast" is an after-work casting session dedicated to teaching fly anglers how to improve their casting technique through deliberate practice and drills. It all began when a few casting nerds started to get together at the casting ponds to discuss the subtleties of the fly cast. In keeping with tradition, you will find good people, great advice, and camaraderie as you practice your casting skills with like-minded anglers.
Our class is designed to accommodate fly casters at all skill levels in advancing their fishing abilities. We focus on teaching foundational techniques and concepts that you can further explore on your own time, in future classes and on the stream. We will explore techniques ranging from the fundamentals of loop shape, timing, and trajectory to the finer points of single hand spey casting techniques. You will have the opportunity to play with equipment ranging from the modern graphite fly rod to the traditions of bamboo and fiberglass.
Your lead instructor, George Revel, is a FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor, Past President of Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club, California Trout Ambassador, National Casting Champion, and owner of Lost Coast Outfitters - The San Francisco Fly Shop. (george@lostcoastoutfitters.com)
CLASS STARTS AT 6:45PM AT THE GOLDEN GATE ANGLING AND CASTING CLUB ON THE FOLLOWING (mostly alternating UON) WEDNESDAY EVENINGS:
May
May 13, 2020 (Fly Fishing Crash Course) May 27, 2020
June
June 10, 2020
June 24, 2020 (Fly Fishing Crash Course)
July
July 8, 2020 July 22, 2020
August
August 19, 2020 (skipped 2 prev. wks. due to music festival)
September
September 2. 2020
September 16, 2020 (the last class)
Rondy: 20 Lakes Basin Backpack
Dates: August 16-21, 2020 (although dates could change due to snowpack)
Leader: Brad Bradford mailto:bradford@realpropserv.com
Number of anglers (including leader): 6
Description: This Eastern Sierra Rondy is a 5-night backpacking trip to fly fish a small watershed located on the North East border of Yosemite. This Rondy is limited to 5 experienced backpackers (6 including the leader). We will fish mostly lakes along with the flows between the lakes. The loop trail is about 10 miles with several lakes along the route. The fishing will be mostly casting from the lake shores with some “wet” wading.
The plan is to meet at the permit station or at Saddlebag Lake on 8/16 and walk to the first lake and camp. We will likely camp at a couple lakes for 2 nights each and a 3rd lake for one night. 8/21 we will hike out. The elevation is about 10,000’ the whole way with small areas of elevation gain and loss. Acclimating to the elevation will be the biggest challenge. Pack light!
You will need all the normal backpacking gear to take care of yourself on the trail. We may share some gear such as stoves, water filters, etc. Bring your favorite fly rod for fishing deep-shored lakes and small rushing creeks. There will be opportunities to fish with dries, nymphs, and streamers.
You must also be an experienced backpacker and have the ability to hike with your pack up to 4 miles a day on rough trails. The leader is an experienced backpacker. However, the expectation is that all participants in this Rondy will be self-sufficient. There will be a pre-meeting to discuss logistics, gear, shared food, etc. The date for this pre-meeting is tbd.
Suggested Gear: 2-5 wt single handed fly rods, with floating lines.
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $25
Other expenses will include your transportation, permits, food/supplies.
Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds. In the event that a member is, for any reason, unable to attend, he may resell his slot (rod) to another GGACC member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists). It is the sole responsibility of the member to manage this transaction. This is not the responsibility of the leader or club.
GGACC Women's Program Event:
Thursday, August 20th at 7 pm PT
Virtual Fly Fishing Clinic - Fishing the Surf of the Bay Area
Join the GGACC Women's Program for an evening with Sarah Landstrom from Lost Coast Outfitters learning to fish our local waters for Stripers, Perch, Halibut, and beyond! Sarah will share fly fishing tactics, species to target, fly selection, and safety. We'll leave plenty of time for discussion and Q&A.
This event is open to the Women of GGACC. We will follow up with registration details and Zoom information to join the event. Hope to see you there!
Fun and friendly casting competition held in conjunction with the Oakland Casting Club and San Jose Flycasters, but open to any registered person who would like to participate to test their skill against others or to just take part in the training to be offered as part of these casting games this year -- all are welcome, including beginning casters!
The casting games at the GGACC casting ponds have been scheduled to be typically held on the third or fourth Sunday of each month from 9:30am to about 2pm. But be sure to check the calendar each month for the actual date for this event. These events will have priority use of the Lodge locker room and the center and east casting ponds during these hours.
There is a $1 entry fee required for each casting event that you choose to compete in -- to be paid to the event host. Registration is by appointment via the contact person below.
All GGACC Casting Games will be conducted under ACA rules and will be ACA "registered" events (UON).
To REGISTER, or for further information or rules explanation, please contact: Alice Gillibert alicegillibert@comcast.net or Chris Korich ckorich@gmail.com
Rondy: Lyell Fork Backpack in Yosemite National Park
Dates: September 9-13, 2020
Leader: Steve Hegedus mailto:steveheggie@gmail.com
Number of anglers (including leader): 4
Description: This Yosemite high country Rondy is a three night backpacking trip to fly fish (walk & wade) The Lyell Fork of The Tuolumne River over approximately 18 miles round trip. This Rondy is limited to 3 experienced backpackers (4 including the leader). On the first day we will backpack from the trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows and up Lyell Canyon to establish our first night of camping about 8-9 miles from the trailhead. The Lyell Fork meanders through Lyell Canyon across open meadows and forested areas. On the remaining days. we will work our way back down the canyon and relocate our campsite at least one other night, depending on conditions. On the final day, we will pack out at least 4 miles while still allowing time to fish along the way; the park service does not allow any camping in the first 4 miles of the trail. The Lyell Fork has wild rainbow, brown and brook trout.
While this is a three night Rondy, anticipate being away from home for at least four nights. The plan is to spend the night of September 8th in nearby Lee Vining (about 20 miles from the trailhead) to allow for some acclimation to the elevation, then begin the hike the morning of the 9th in Tuolumne Meadows. The hike starts at an elevation of 8,600' with a net elevation gain of about 400' over the 8-9 mile first day hike. While the trail is relatively level, with some rolling up and down sections, all participants should be in requisite physical condition to backpack at elevation.
You must also be an experienced backpacker and have the ability to hike with your pack and gear. The leader is an experienced backpacker, however, the expectation is that all participants in this Rondy will be self-sufficient. There will be a pre-meeting to discuss logistics, gear, shared food, etc. The date for this pre-meeting is TBD.
You will need all the normal backpacking gear to take care of yourself on the trail. We can share some gear such as stoves, water filters, etc. In September, expect lower flows with spring creek-like fishing conditions using long leaders and dry flies. Deeper pools and undercut banks can offer nymph and streamer tactics. Greg Vinci's 'Flyfisher's Guide to California' has a chapter on the Lyell Fork and is a good resource to prepare yourself.
Lastly, the application date for the wilderness permit lottery is at the end of March 2020 and the date for this Rondy will be confirmed around that time. If we do not get a permit for a Sept 9th start date, I will apply for an alternate three nights in the window between September 9th - 26th. At times, the Park Service may restrict the number of backpackers on a permit and should that occur, those who registered for this Rondy first will have priority.
Suggested Gear: 3-5 wt single handed fly rods, with floating line.
Cost: The registration fee for this Rondy is $25.
In addition, at the time of the trip, we will split the costs of the Yosemite National Park $30/vehicle entrance fee and the $25 wilderness permit fee.
Other expenses will include your transportation, food/supplies, gear and the lodging in Lee Vining before the trip.
FURTHER REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DISABLED UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT WE CAN AGAIN PROCEED WITH MONTHLY FREE CASTING LESSONS ON A RESTRICTED BASIS WITH APPROVAL OF SAN FRANCISCO REC & PARKS DEPT.
WHEN APPROVED, SUCH RESTRICTIONS WILL BE DESCRIBED LATER IN THIS CALENDAR POSTING TO REPLACE THE TYPICAL DESCRIPTION BELOW.
The Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club's (GGACC's) Monthly Free Fly Casting Lessons are open to both Club members and the General Public. These free fly casting lessons are generally held on the 2nd Saturday of each month year-round from 9:30 AM - 12 Noon at the Golden Gate casting ponds. These lessons are followed by a free small lunch courtesy of GGACC. Free loaner equipment is also available on a first come, first served basis, but please try to arrive by 8:45 AM to take advantage of this limited free equipment.
A few points to consider –
Classes target four different skill levels (the classes are held concurrently):
Please pre-register for these casting lessons in order to help determine the number of needed instructors and for lunch planning purposes. To register, simply click on the large "Register" button to the left of this event description (or above it if using your smartphone).
Finally, if you are interested in joining the casting instructor group or training for Fly Fishers International (FFI) "Casting Instructor" (CI) certification, please contact Willy George.
THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON EVENT AT THE CASTING PONDS AND ANGLERS LODGE FOR THIS EVENT, as directed by the Board on August 8, 2020.
REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DISABLED UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT WE KNOW THAT WE CAN PROCEED WITH THIS PROGRAM ON A RESTRICTED BASIS WITH APPROVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO REC & PARKS DEPT.
WHEN APPROVED, SUCH RESTRICTIONS WILL BE DESCRIBED LATER IN THIS CALENDAR POSTING TO POSSIBLY REPLACE THE DESCRIPTION BELOW.
GGACC's Program Information Day & Members' Free BBQ will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the GGACC Angler's Lodge. Since this date is also our monthly Free Casting Lessons from 9:30am to 12 noon, plan to join us for casting in the morning and a great social / information event and free BBQ in the afternoon.
This is not only a Club social event, but also an event where the current GGACC Board members and Program Chairs will be on hand to discuss the various GGACC programs that they are individually leading. Programs such as the Learn to Fly Fish program, the Rondy Outings program, Rod Building, Fly Tying, Skills Building, Spey Education, Tournament Casting, Spey-O-Rama, Membership, Bay Area Youth Fly Fishing (BAYFF) Program, Casting Instructor Certification Program, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Program.....and the list goes on.
The Members’ BBQ this year will feature BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, and Cornbread. While this food and an accompanying beverage will be free to all current members, the event may also be BYOB - "Bring Your Own Beverage."
Please REGISTER for this free event (click on the large Register button) to help us get a good headcount for how many to expect so that we don't run out of the delicious BBQ meal with all the trimmings.
If you are able to help us put on this event (and we definitely need volunteers to make this event happen), please contact Xav Carbonnet xcarbonnet@yahoo.com
We hope to see all you current and prospective members on September 12th.
Rondy: Putah Creek Clinic #2
Dates: September 13, 2020
Leader: Patrick McDermott mailto:patmacster.fishing@gmail.com
Number of anglers (including leader): 13
Description: This Rondy will be structured as a "clinic", where Patrick will share what he knows about his favorite local river. This is not a fishing trip (although you will have time to fish it on your own after the clinic). The plan is to meet at the river where Patrick will share techniques, tackle choices, and the various access points. After the talk, you will have time to fish on your own. We'll also meet for a BYOB lunch midday.
About Putah Creek: Putah is a catch and release tailwater fishery located about 1-1/2 hours from San Francisco. It is the closest wild trout fishery to the Bay Area and has some of the largest wild Rainbow trout in California, where 30+ inch fish are caught every year. The following are helpful links:
https://putahcreektrout.org/fishing/
http://www.yolocounty.org/general-government/general-government-departments/parks/parks-information/putah-creek-fishing-access
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=11454000&agency_cd=USGS
Suggested Gear: After the presentation, should you want to fish on your own, you will need: 5 or 6 wt, 9' or 9-1/2' fly rods with floating fly lines. 3, 4 & 5x tippet, split shot, indicators, wading staff (mandatory as some of the wading is difficult), sturdy waders, wading boots (felt soles with studs are recommended), rain jacket, plenty of water, and your lunch. Patrick recommends the following flies: Two-Bit Hooker size 16-18, Bead head Pheasant Tail Nymph 16-18, Zebra Midge 20-22, and any Soft Hackles 16-18.
Additional costs will be your lunch and parking fees
Rondy: Alaska
Dates: September 17-19, 2020
Leader: Michael Souter mailto:mks@luminae-souter.com
Number of anglers (including leader): 10
Description: This Rondy is a 3-day guided float fly-fishing adventure on the scenic and famous Kenai River in Alaska where we will fly-fish for big Alaska size Rainbow and Dolly Varden Trout. Guides will drift through miles of scenic water in custom built power drift boats where we will nymph flesh and egg patterns or swing flies for Trout and Dollies. Swinging opportunities will depend on water levels but bring your Spey rod if interested. Boots with felt soles are not allowed in Alaska and studs are not allowed in boats so rubber soles are required. There will be 2 anglers per boat/guide which is a real treat here (every other guide on the Kenai has 3-4 anglers per boat!). Guides will provide top-quality fly-fishing gear and flies but not Spey rods. Snacks, water and a hot lunch will also be provided each day.
We can meet and carpool from Anchorage airport to the Kenai River, which is about 100 miles south of Anchorage (2 hours) or just meet there depending on preference. Lodging options will be discussed in the future. Our guides will meet us each morning then shuttle to launch site for an exciting day of fishing.
As we get closer, we will have a meeting to discuss more details including equipment, lodging, car pools, accommodations, etc. In the meantime, you can get more details and check out the fish photos on the Silent Run website at http://silentrunak.com/
Here are some things not included that you should budget for in addition to the rondy fee:
Suggested Gear: 7-8 wt single handed fly rods, with floating lines. 7-8 wt two hand rods.
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $1,075
Other expenses will be lodging, transportation, guide gratuities, etc as listed above.
Rondy: Sugar Creek Ranch Stillwater
Dates: September 18-21, 2020
Leader: Dick Yerian mailto:ryerian@gmail.com
Description: New for 2020. We're going back to an old friend - Sugar Creek Ranch. From the website https://www.theflyshop.com/adventures/sugarcreek.html :
"Those who have experienced Sugar Creek Ranch at its best over the last 20 years will recall the property’s unique 114 acre landscape with its tailing piles of river rock dug up from the adjacent Scott River during the gold mining days. When the gold miners broke through the water table, these eight picturesque ponds – mostly hidden from view as small jewels in a rocky desert – started bubbling up from newly exposed cold-water springs. This cold, gin-clear water provides ideal habitat for the large rainbow trout that call these lakes home. Sugar Creek itself winds through the property and each lake, further infusing cool, oxygen rich water into the ponds, as well as spawning habitat for the resident rainbows. Set at 3,000 feet, the ranch remains relatively cool in the summer, the lakes remain ice-free and fishable all winter, and the climate and fishing is simply majestic during the spring and fall season."
We will arrive at the property after 3:00 PM and can fish the first night. Then full day of fishing Saturday and Sunday. Then fish Monday morning as long we are off the property by 2:30 PM. So a full 2.5 days of fishing. There are no guides. We will fish it ourselves. And our leader has been there many times.
Accommodations will be on the property in the main lodge/house. 2 anglers per room. We will have the whole house, which has a full kitchen and 2 bathrooms. We will all need to bring our own food and beverages, although as things get closer we can organize around some meals. It is a bit remote but there are a few restaurants and a grocery about 10 miles away in Etna.
Suggested Gear: 4-5 wt single hand rods. Floating and intermediate lines. Flies: We will get the guide intel before the trip, but fish will take dries, nymphs and streamers depending on conditions.
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $450.00. (We must have 6 anglers to get this price. If for some reason we don't get 6 the cost will increase modestly)
Other expenses will be transportation and food/beverage.
Rondy: Klamath River Steelhead Walk & Wade
Dates: September 25-27, 2020
Leader: Tony Tredway mailto:tonytredway@yahoo.com
Description: This is a Rondy to the beautiful Klamath river where will be fishing either single hand or two hand rods for Steelhead. Details are still being ironed out but we hope to return to the Klamath River Lodge http://www.klamathriverlodge.com/ which is where we stayed last year.
There will be a pre-meeting (TBD) this summer to discuss plans including logistics, lodging, gear, etc.
Suggested Gear: This is a cast, swing, mend, and hang-on Rondy! Long casts are a plus, but you'll find fish within 50 feet. Either 6-8 wt single hand rods, or 4-7wt spey rods, with floating lines, are recommended. Waders, boots with felt or studded soles, and wading staffs are a must! It's slippery. Don't forget to get a 2020 Steelhead card in addition to your California fishing license.
Other expenses will be transportation, lodging and food. More details to come.
Rondy: Upper Sacramento River Walk & Wade #2
Dates: October 3-4, 2020
Leader: Dick Swanson mailto:grsa@comcast.net
Number of anglers (including leader): 9
Description: The Upper "Sac" is everything a freestone trout stream should be: It has riffles, pocket water, long runs, and deep pools. It is a wonderful "walk and wade" river that flows 37 miles from Lake Siskiyou to Shasta Lake. Rondy leader Dick Swanson will lead 8 club anglers to show them good places to enter and fish the river. We will meet the first day at 7:00AM at the Ted Fay Fly Shop, located in downtown Dunsmuir. We will make a short drive to the river.
Suggested Gear: 4-5 wt single handed fly rods, with floating lines for dry flies and nymphing, 4X-6X leaders, 5X-7X tippet (Mono or Flourocarbon), split-shot, indicators, and flies. Full wading attire and staff. Weather is always changeable - Be prepared.
Other expenses will include travel, lodging (there are several motels and campgrounds in the area - more information will be forthcoming), meals, and perhaps, the purchase of a few flies while in the fly shop (to help support the grateful owner Bob who personally ties most of his flies).
Rondy: East Walker River Walk & Wade
Dates: October 8-11, 2020
Leader: Paul Kromhout mailto:pkromhout@comcast.net
Description: Walk & Wade the East Walker River below the Bridgeport Reservoir dam and across the Nevada border. We'll fish the section immediately below the dam and downstream to the Rosachi section on the Nevada side. Streamers, nymphs and dries will all be on the menu. We'll be looking for Rainbows and big Browns. The East Walker is a year-round stream and produces some very large fish. This Rondy is unguided. Paul will take you to a few different places on the river and demonstrate various rigs for pursuing these well-schooled trout. This Autumn trip is intended to avoid the heat of Summer and miss the high flows of the early snowmelt months. While more moderate flows mean potentially easier wading and, hopefully, more active fish, participants should be in robust condition for wading as the river bottom can be rocky and slippery. Dates may change depending on stream flows.
We intend to camp at Bighorn Campground in Nevada. There will be a nominal $15 per car fee/per day for camping. The East Walker is in the Eastern Sierra at about 6000 ft. In late October, it will likely be cold at night and may be cold in the daytime, as well. Participants should be prepared for cold and perhaps, wet, weather.
Suggested Gear: 5wt or 6wt 9ft fly rod. A 10ft nymphing rod rigged for straight line indicator fishing is especially effective. Either floating or DT line for nymphs and dries and a sink-tip line for streamers. Waders, boots, wading staff, hat and glasses are a must. Camping gear as required. Our camping may take place on roads requiring reasonably high ground clearance. Please plan to coordinate your drive with someone owning an appropriate vehicle. If the weather is wet, 4wd will be your friend.
Supplies: While we will certainly attempt to coordinate efforts, participants should plan to bring an independent supply of water, food and personal items. The town of Bridgeport has a few stores, restaurants and motels and is a short drive from our fishing area. Bridgeport is a 5 hour drive from San Francisco, depending on traffic and route. Ken's Sporting Goods in Bridgeport is a go-to spot for everything, including Nevada fishing licenses ($19 for 1-day, approx. $7 each extra day; $81 for 365-day non-resident).
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $25.00.
Other expenses expenses will include transportation, camping fees, meals/food, fishing licenses.
FURTHER REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DISABLED UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT WE CAN AGAIN PROCEED WITH MONTHLY SKILLS BUILDING PROGRAM ON A RESTRICTED BASIS WITH APPROVAL OF SAN FRANCISCO REC & PARKS DEPT.
Cost: free. This event is open to the public to register.
Unless there will be no program offered in a particular month, this event is typically held on the 2nd Saturday of each month following the free public casting lessons that month. Attendance may be limited to the maximum seating available for a particular program, so please register in advance of the event.
The program description will be posted here as soon as it has been set.
All participants are requested to register for this event beforehand (whether or not there is any limit shown on the registration for this event) in order to gauge the expected size of the audience.
For further info about this event, contact:
Steve Fuerstenau sfuerstenau@yahoo.com
Rondy: Lower Sacramento River Drift #3
Dates: October 16, 2020
Number of anglers (including leader): 8
Description: One day drift boat trip to the amazing trout factory of the lower Sacramento river. These are prime dates for the "egg drop" and fishing should be good with high numbers of football shaped rainbows. We will be 4 boats, with 2 anglers per boat. Our guides will be from AC Flyfishing https://www.acflyfishing.com/
Suggested Gear: 5-6 wt single handed fly rods, with floating lines.
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $300.
Other expenses will be guide gratuities.
The GGACC ponds are reserved on Friday, October 16, 2020 for Official Practice for the Northwestern Tournament on that weekend and for U.S. Team Training on this day.
For more information about the Northwestern Tournament on Sat. & Sun., Oct. 17 & 18 which is being held in San Francisco this year, please see those two day's events on the GGACC Events Calendar.
Northwestern Tournament in San Francisco is Sat. & Sun., Oct 17-18, 2020 (10 events). There is an Official Practice day and U.S. Team Training on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.
This regional casting tournament is sponsored by Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club in conjunction with the Oakland Casting Club. Open for free public viewing.
The event on this Saturday date will be held at the GGACC casting ponds. (This is the first day of competition in a two-day tournament.) Note change of date again this year to the 3rd weekend of October.
Saturday's events are: Trout Fly, Bass Bug, 1/4oz Plug, Open Plug, Anglers Fly, and 1/4oz Spin Distance
8:00 am -- Registration and payment of event fees.
8:30 am -- Competition begins
A lunch and dinner are planned for Saturday in the lodge (pay fee at the door), so the entire lodge will be needed for this event for most of the day and evening.
This is a Fly/spin/bait accuracy casting and fly and spin distance casting tournament. This tournament is divided into three competition divisions: "C" (Beginning), "B" (Intermediate), "A" (Advanced).
Participation is open to the public (but please register beforehand) and visitors are more than welcome to attend for free.
NOTE: Western Tournament Association rules will apply to this tournament.
Registration for competing is via appointment. Please contact Chris Korich by email at ckorich@gmail.com or Alice Gillibert by phone at 510-452-5181 or by email at alicegillibert@comcast.net. There is no registration fee.
Rondy: McCloud River Walk & Wade #2
Dates: October 17-18, 2020
Leader: Gavan Hennessy mailto:hennessygavan@gmail.com
Number of anglers (including leader): 5
Description: We will take 4 experienced anglers to the lower McCloud river at Ah-Di-Nah campground, to the Nature Conservancy, and Ash Camp. Because of their incredible vigor and resilience, the McCloud River rainbow trout have been transplanted and established themselves in many of the greatest fly fishing locations in the world. The famed October Caddis emergence may be underway then, and those who have witnessed clouds of these 1.5-inch-long flies laying eggs on the water in late afternoon will never forget it. For dry-fly aficionados, the McCloud can be surprisingly good. Both high-sticking and long line nymphing also work very well. Targeting big Brown trout migrating up from Lake Shasta with large streamers is a real treat.
This outing is not for anyone with serious medical conditions since the stream access and wading are difficult, and the location is far from medical services. There is no cell phone reception in the McCloud River canyon. At this time of year the weather usually is very cool and could be wet. Everyone will be staying at the Ah-Di-Nah campground.There will be a pre-meeting (date TBD).
Suggested Gear: 3-6 wt fly rods with the usual lines, leaders, etc., to fish dries, nymphs, and streamers. You'll also need a wading staff, sturdy waders, studded boots, warm clothing, and a rain jacket.
Other expenses will include travel, food, and a small campground fee.
Northwestern Tournament in San Francisco is Sat. & Sun., Oct 17-18, 2019 (10 events). There is an Official Practice day and U.S. Team Training on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020.
The event on this Sunday date will be held at the GGACC casting ponds. (This is the 2nd day of competition in a two-day tournament.) Note change of date again this year to the 3rd weekend of October.
Sunday's events are: Dry Fly, Wet Fly, 3/8oz and 5/8oz Plug, 5/8oz Plug Team Event.
A lunch is planned for Sunday in the lodge (pay fee at the door), so the entire lodge will be needed for this event for most of the day.
Rondy: Lower Sacramento Trout Spey
Dates: October 19, 2020
Leader: Jeff Hutchinson mailto:jeff.hutchinson@att.net
Description: Third year for this Rondy. One day jet boat trip to the lower sac for trout/micro spey. The guides from Confluence Outfitters will jet boat us to the best bars where we will swing for trout and the occasional Steelhead mixed in. We will be 2 boats, with 3 anglers per boat. Here is a link to their description http://www.confluenceoutfitters.com/lower-sac-spey.aspx
Suggested Gear: 3-5 wt two handed fly rods. Note that the guides will supply these micro spey rods if needed
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $300 (this is the price for 4 anglers with 2 anglers per boat, if we get 6 to sign up and go 3 anglers per boat, which I hope, you will be refunded $50)
GGACC's Spey Angler Program is unique, in that its primary goal is to teach anglers how to swing a fly with a two-handed rod for steelhead and other species. Preparing a student to fish from a boat with a two-handed rod using such tackle as strike indicators is NOT part of this program.
A “signature” of GGACC’s Spey training is that we train students to cast with both hands, from both sides of their body. Maximum class size is 6 in order to give each student lots of personal attention.
On Saturday we cover the fundamentals of Spey in a classroom setting, then quickly move to the ponds to learn the basic Spey casts. We meet Saturday @ 8:30AM in Anglers Lodge in our waders - leave spiked boots outside. We then move into the ponds from 9:30AM - 3PM with appropriate breaks.
On Sunday, river conditions permitting, we head to the American River in the Sacramento area and learn to fish the casts practiced on Saturday. Midday we add sink tips to replicate real world conditions. Also covered are rotation fishing, river etiquette, and fighting and landing steelhead as well as other species. On Sunday, we start at 8:30AM sharp ready to cast (rigged up, waders on, etc.) at one of several locations to be provided on Saturday. We finish at approximately 2PM.
You must be a current GGACC member to register, and there is a $150 registration fee for this class. The fee must be paid with credit card or PayPal when you register online. Failure to make this payment within 15 minutes of starting the registration process will cancel your registration.
Your FFI certified instructors are Bill Gallogly, Bob Pauli, Steve Morikawa and Willy George.
Please note the following! The most successful Spey students possess certain casting abilities! With a single hand rod, you should to be able to false cast a straight top leg of a loop @ 35’ (both forward and back cast) and have the final forward cast roll out the line, leader and fly above the water. One also needs to be able to roll cast a loop @ 35', having the fly line, leader and fly “turn over” while airborne. For best success, we strongly encourage prospective students to develop these single hand casting abilities before taking this Spey Angler class. If you are uncertain as to your readiness for this class, one of the four Spey Instructors or any FFI CCI (certified casting instructor) you approach will be able to watch you cast and quickly determine your readiness. FFI CCIs wear printed name tags at the monthly free casting lessons. If you don’t possess the above abilities, please attend the free Saturday classes and develop them.
The club has loaner Spey rods, reels, and lines available. Bring waders, boots, wading staff, eye protection, hat, and lunches for both days; and a folding chair for Sunday at the American River. Again, students are welcome to use the club's high end, superbly matched Spey rods and lines each day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to both the GGACC casting ponds and to the American River training site. Arranging on Saturday for carpools to get to the river on Sunday is encouraged since parking may be limited at the river, and often requires a small local park use fee.
Registration for this two-day class is accomplished online using the GGACC Event calendar on the Saturday event only. Registration requires GGACC membership and paying a $150 fee. When the class is full (maximum 6 students), you will have the option of joining a waitlist for that class (any cancellations may be filled from the waitlist, and those waitlisted may be advised first of new class dates). Registrants and any members on the waitlists will be emailed an attachment containing Bob Pauli’s Spey Casting Manual and encouraged to purchase Simon Gawesworth’s 3-DVD set on “Modern Spey Casting”. These two resources are the corner stones of our education program. As such, the instructors expect you to read the manual and watch the DVDs multiple times. Students who don’t prepare are often frustrated and can fall behind.
Cancellation: If you cancel prior to 30 days from the class, your fee will be refunded. Cancellation inside the 30-day window which causes the class size to drop below 4 students (minimum class size) will result in fee forfeiture. Notify Bill Gallogly (Slazanger2@icloud.com) as soon as you know you need to cancel.
Please check the GGACC events calendar for Spey Angler classes. There will be at least two Spey Angler classes in the spring and two in the fall.
Bill Gallogly, Chairman, GGACC Spey Education Program, FFI certified THCI & CCI
Slazanger2@icloud.com
This 2nd session of the Spey Angler Program's class that began Saturday, October 17, 2020, will be held starting at 8:30AM on Sunday, October 18, 2020, EITHER in the GGACC's Center Casting Pond -- OR, if the river conditions permit, at a place on the American River in the Sacramento area to be announced in the previous day's class.
This 2nd session should wrap up around 1-2pm that Sunday afternoon.
Bring camp chair (to river) and lunch in addition to the gear required for the previous day's class.
This program has limited registration. See the previous day's event posting for more details and registering for any open spots or joining the waitlist.
Rondy: Delta Stripers #2
Dates: November 5, 2020
Leader: Steve Swett mailto:steve@libertypainting.biz
Description: The Delta is a wonderful fishery for both Black and Striped Bass. It is a truly amazing area, and just 1-1/2 hours from San Francisco. Striped Bass are "hot" fish meaning that they provide a very noteworthy strike and resulting fight. We will be 6 experienced anglers for a one-day guided boat trip. The guides we are using are great their website is http://www.offthehookflyfishing.com/
Suggested Gear: 8-9 wt single handed fly rods, with a variety of lines. Note: The guides will supply the gear if needed, which typically includes 9 ft. long 8 or 9 wt fly rods with a variety of lines including floating, intermediate, and T-14 sinking lines. They will also supply the terminal tackle and flies. Lunch and water is provided by the guides.
Cost: The fee for this Rondy is $300
Rondy: Trinity River Steelhead Walk & Wade
Dates: November 11-12, 2020
Leader: Bill Corkery mailto:billcorkery@att.net
Description: This rondy is an excellent opportunity for Walk-and Wade fly fishing for Steelhead on the Trinity River near Junction City, CA. Bill Corkery, a GGACC Member, knows the area well and can take up to 4 anglers on this two-day fishing trip. The opportunity exists to catch both adult and smaller (i.e. "1/2 pound") steelhead.
There are several options for how to fly fishing for steelhead on this wading trip: 1) Indicator nymph fishing with a 5-7wt single hand rod with floating line and Fluoro tippet (1X-4X) and split-shot below an indicator; 2) Swinging steelhead flies with a 6-8wt single hand rod and floating or intermediate head line and sink tips with short 8-12# mono tippet; or 3) Swinging flies with a 5-7wt Spey rod with floating or intermediate fly line & sink tips with short 8-12# mono tippet.
Suggested Gear: 5-7 wt single handed fly rods for nymhing; 6-8 wt single handed rods for swinging; 5-7 wt Spey rods for swinging. Note that the weather can be very cold, bring multi-layers and good rain gear.
Other expenses will include travel, food, lodging (motels in Weaverville).
Rondy: Trinity River Steelhead Drift #1
Dates: November 13, 2019
Leader: Joe Waterman mailto:josephwaterman@yahoo.com
Description: There are three (3) one-day Steelhead guided float trip Rondies for the Trinity River this year. We have moved the dates back from prior years for better water. This one will be on Friday, November 13, 2020.
The Trinity is a gorgeous river in the Fall! And has a dependable run of wild and hatchery Steelhead. There are several techniques used for fishing for Steelhead in the fall: 1) Indicator nymph fishing using a 6-8 wt. single hand fly rod with floating line and Fluorocarbon tippet (from 1X-4X); 2) Swinging steelhead flies with a 6-8 wt single hand rod with a floating or intermediate head or sink tip and short 9-12# mono tippet; and 3) Swinging steelhead flies with a 5-7 wt Spey rod with a floating or intermediate fly line or sink tip, and again using a short 9-12# mono tippet. We will do our best to match boat partners and guides to their preferred technique.
The guides we use are great. They are:
(3 boats) Confluence Outfitters http://www.confluenceoutfitters.com/
(1 boat) Aaron Gabriel http://www.thenortherncaliforniaguide.com/
Suggested Gear: 6-8 wt single handed fly rods for nymphing and swinging; 5-7 wt Spey rods for swinging. Note that the weather can be very cold, bring multi-layers and good rain gear.
Other expenses will be guide gratuities, transportation, lodging. We also do an optional no-host dinner on Saturday night at the restaurant in Indian Creek Lodge for anyone who would like to attend.
Rondy: Trinity River Steelhead Drift #2
Dates: November 14, 2019
Description: There are three (3) one-day Steelhead guided float trip Rondies for the Trinity River this year. We have moved the dates back from prior years for better water. This one will be on Saturday, November 14, 2020.
Rondy: Trinity River Steelhead Drift #3
Dates: November 15, 2019
Description: There are three (3) one-day Steelhead guided float trip Rondies for the Trinity River this year. We have moved the dates back from prior years for better water. This one will be on Sunday, November 15, 2020.
NOTE: THIS MONTH'S EVENT IS ON THE 3rd SUNDAY OF NOVEMBER. There will be a prize this month for each event winner.
The casting games at the GGACC casting ponds have been rescheduled this year to be typically held on the third or fourth Sunday of each month from 9:30am to about 2pm. But be sure to check the calendar each month for the actual date for this event. These events will have priority use of the Lodge locker room and the center and east casting ponds during these hours.
This 2nd session of the Spey Angler Program's class that began Saturday, November 21, 2020, will be held starting at 8:30AM on Sunday, November 22, 2020, EITHER in the GGACC's Center Casting Pond -- OR, if the river conditions permit, at a place on the American River in the Sacramento area to be announced in the previous day's class.
The club's usual end-of-year Swap Meet will be held this year on Saturday, December 5, 2020, from 10:00am to 12:30pm (preceding the Holiday Party).
Members are asked to bring any fly fishing gear or related literature, photos, etc., that you may wish to sell to or swap with others. Also be sure to bring your wallet or checkbook to pay for items you might wish to buy.
Tables will be set up in front of Angler's Lodge to facilitate this event, but watching over your own gear, pricing it, and all transactions will be your own private responsibility.
For questions about this swap, contact Libby Wolfensperger (elwolfensperger@me.com)
The club's traditional end-of-year Holiday Party will be held this year on Saturday, December 5, 2020, from 1:00 to 5:00pm (except food service will end this year by 3:00pm, so don't arrive later than this if you hope to eat).
There is no fee for this holiday meal for the membership.
[Note that there is a Swap Meet on this same day from 10:00am to 12:30pm. See separate calendar item for this event.]
Members attending the party are asked to bring an appetizer and/or dessert to share with others and to bring their own beverages of choice.
Please be sure to REGISTER yourself (and any guest) in advance for this event to give us a good headcount of how many to expect.
Volunteers are needed for set-up, serving, and clean-up crews, so please email Xavier Carbonnet if you can possibly help us out.
Contact: Xavier Carbonnet (xcarbonnet@yahoo.com)
Spey Improver Program
The GGACC's Spey Improver Program's next class, likely on the American River, is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2020, starting at 8:30 AM. Registration fee is $50.
This is a one-day class directed at those GGACC members who have previously taken the GGACC Spey Angler program, or who have experience swinging a fly with a two-handed rod. This is a more advanced class than Spey Angler (which is meant for beginners). It is important to understand that students are expected to be able to safely and productively perform (with a two-hand rod) dead-line roll casts, overhead casts, double Spey, and snap casts. Additionally, you should be able to shoot one rod length of line performing these casts. If you have any concerns about your readiness for the Spey Improver class, please contact one of the GGACC Spey Instructors. Their contact info is on the GGACC website. When you are enrolled in a class you will be sent Bob Pauli’s manual and a recommendation for Simon Gawesworth’s DVD set for your study. They are the cornerstones of our teaching.
Items covered will include Single Spey, Snake Roll, Perry Poke, and reset casts. We will use both Skagit and Scandi set-ups. Expect to focus on non-dominate hand casting.
Spey Improver classes will be held on the American River (conditions permitting). Students will be notified of the access point several days before the class. Students should have Skagit and Scandi heads, tips (floating, intermediate, and fast sinking) as well as a 15’ tapered steelhead/salmon leader (Scandi set up). Use yarn flies only. Students should bring waders, boots, wading staff and belt, eye protection, sunscreen, hat, raingear, lunch, and a folding chair. Be ready to start (rigged up, in the water) at 8:30AM. The class will end between 2 and 3 o’clock. Students are responsible for their own transportation (carpooling is encouraged).
Registration is accomplished on the GGACC website Events calendar. Registration requires GGACC membership and paying a $50 fee, which must be paid online by credit card or PayPal within 15 minutes of starting the registration process. If the class is already full, you will have the option of joining the waitlist. We strongly advise signing up for the waitlist, if only to be potentially advised first of the next scheduled class. Any cancellations made inside a 30-day window may result in fee loss.
Two Spey Improver classes are planned each year (Spring and Fall). Depending on instructor availability, an additional class may be offered when a waitlist contains 6 or more members.
Bill Gallogly
GGACC Spey Education Chairman, FFI certified THCI & CCI
slazanger2@icloud.com
NOTE: THIS MONTH'S EVENT IS ON THE 3rd SUNDAY OF DECEMBER. There will be a prize this month for "All Around Champion" -- must be a GGACC member.
This is a calendar placeholder for the 2021 Spey-O-Rama Spey Casting Tournament to be likely held from Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18, 2021. More information will be posted, including the competitor sign-up event, in the fall of 2020. For questions or more info about this event, contact Libby Wolfensperger at elwolfensperger@me.com