PRESIDENT'S POST
SANTA BARBARA FLYFISHERS - DECEMBER 2025
AND JUST LIKE THAT . . .
We made it through another year of fly fishing, friendship, education and conservation.
Here are some of the things we accomplished in 2025 . . .
- We celebrated our 30th anniversary.
- Added over 75 new members.
- Organized 10 club fly‑fishing outings.
- Hosted and produced a full‑day community event at the Lobero last March, including a used‑gear sale, an art collaboration with the Grace Fisher Foundation, the Save Santa Barbara Steelhead Town Hall panel, a VIP reception and live auction, and the Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025.
- Held ten (10) club meetings with expert speakers, mini‑classes, and pizza for all.
- Led the Second Salt Saturday’s surf‑fishing at Rincon Beach.
- Taught fly casting at Third Saturday Casting Clinics.
- For the second year, held the "Beginner Fly Fishing and Rod‑Building" classes.
- Our Annual BBQ brought over 85 members together for food and fun.
- Made progress in our conservation mission to restore Southern California Steelhead to our local watershed.
- Migrated and upgraded the club's website to "Club Express" making it easier for members to join, pay dues, register for events and outings, learn, and stay current on club happenings.
- Developed a strategic plan for the next several years of club growth, direction, and leadership.
- Taught basic fly fishing to ninth graders at Santa Barbara Middle School.
SBF COMMUNITY EVENT MARCH 2026!
We’re already well into planning for next year, including general meetings, fishing outings and our third annual community event at the Lobero Theater on March 31, 2026.
Holiday Party Tuesday December 9
If you haven’t already done so, please plan to attend and register for the party. Learn more and register at our website www.sbflyfishers.org. Just log in, find the link in the Calendar on December 9. We’ll hold auctions for some great items donated by generous members. Bring your favorite beverage and a potluck dish to share. While you’re visiting the site, please take a few minutes to explore the menu including the photo gallery and our guide recommendations.
Last cast…
Check out the photos from members in this issue. The Wyatt brothers headed south to the Jurassic Lake Lodge in Patagonia. Chiaki hammering steelhead on the Trinity River and Steve netted some nice ones on the Lower O. I was fortunate to spend several days in New Orleans and landed a PB Bull Red. I do love spending time int the Louisiana marsh. The food and, people and culture in NOLA are a bonus. Let me know if you’re interested in bull redfish in the fall with Captain Scott Stanko of www.tailingredanglers.com (a supporter of our annual community event). This is one of the great things about fly fishing. One cannot only do what they love in the river, on the lake or sea, but they can embrace and learn about the local area and what it has including people and nature. Here’s wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Holidays and New Year!
MONTHLY EVENTS
Deadline to enter - December 3rd at 11:59pm
Hello Friend of Casting for Recovery, SoCal/Central Valley,
Have you heard about our Alaska Anvik Lodge Sweepstakes? From now until Nov 3 there is a mini sweepstakes within our larger Sweepstakes! You can win a trip for two to Alaska’s Anvik River Lodge (valued at $18,000), plus be entered to win an NRS Slipstream 3-Person Raft (valued at $6,500)!
Our own local SoCal/Central Valley, CfR gets to keep 70% of monies from all entries that use our special promo code SOCAL. So far, we have raised ALMOST enough to send 1 breast cancer thriver on our local retreats. Please join us in raising funds to support our local retreats.
CONSERVATION REPORT december 2025
NEXT CONSERVATION ZOOM MEETING: Thursday, December 11, 2025 Time: 6:30 p.m. - Via Zoom
Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season. I hope you and your families enjoy this special time of year — it’s my favorite.
Mission Creek Focus Lou Ternullo and I have been busy working on local Southern Steelhead issues and potential projects. We’ve decided to focus on **Mission Creek**, which has a long history of steelhead presence. The City has completed significant work on the lower, city-area channel, improving fish passage during high flows and allowing access to the upper watershed. Unfortunately, several barriers still block upstream migration and prevent fish from reaching suitable summer and dry‑period habitat.
Partnerships & Collaboration Lou and I have been meeting with key partners who know the upper watershed of Mission Creek and its main tributary, Rattlesnake Creek. These include: - Mission Canyon Association - Santa Barbara City Creeks - Environmental Defense Center - California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) - NOAA Fisheries - Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens - Additional local partners All of these groups are interested in improving steelhead access to the upper watershed, and some have been working on this for years. Our goal is to help organize and focus efforts so barriers can be removed as quickly as possible, giving the fish a real chance to survive and become self‑sustaining.
Restoration Contractors & Grant Pathways We’ve also been in discussions with two restoration contracting companies: Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) — who I work with on the Klamath Resources International (RI) — a smaller company referred by RES, very interested in guiding us forward RI is focused on helping with the grant process and project funding, while RES can assist with general contracting and barrier removal**.
In conversations with CDFW — especially Deena Hansen, the new Southern Steelhead manager — we were directed toward the **Fisheries Restoration Grants Program**, which includes funding for barrier removal. Increasing access to spawning and rearing habitat is essential for steelhead survival. We met with Deena and Resource International to discuss the process, and work is now moving forward to develop a plan to apply **early in 2026** for **30% design work** on one or more Mission Creek barriers.
Priority Barriers Here are the barriers we need to focus on: 1. Foothill Road bridge over Mission Creek 2. Mission Road over Mission Creek 3. Mission Canyon Road over Mission Creek 4. Los Canoas Road over Mission Creek 5. Mission Canyon Dam in the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
Next Steps Our next step is to bring the conservation committee together in December or January to organize our efforts and involve more members. Lou and I have worked to clarify the process, identify priority barriers, and build relationships that will help us coordinate both community and internal efforts. Look for a notice about our next meeting. If you’re interested in participating, please contact me: mrockwell1945@gmail.com or 530‑559‑5759
We — and the fish — need your help.
Why This Matters Southern Steelhead in Santa Barbara cannot save themselves. The City has already improved the lower part of Mission Creek and restored access as far as the Old Mission. Now we need to finish the job so fish can reach the habitat required to complete their lifecycle: - Accessing suitable spawning and rearing areas - Surviving summer and dry‑season conditions - Returning to the ocean If we deliver on our part, the fish will take care of the rest.
Author, Dr. Mark Rockwell, D.C.
- Dr. Mark Rockwell, D.C.
- Fly Fishers International Conservation
- Santa Barbara FF Conservation Chair
- mrockwell1945@gmail.com
- 530 559-5759 (cell)
annual holiday party Tuesday, december 9
5:30-9:00pm
Our annual Holiday Party will be held at the Palm Park Beach House from 5:30PM to 9:00PM. Please bring something to share and your favorite beverage. Parking available on Cabrillo or in the Garden Street city lot.
- Palm Park Beach House
- 236 E. Cabrillo
- Santa Barbara, CA 93103
OPEN INVITATION TO JOIN OUR CLUB!
Our invitation to join is “open” all year long. No need to know a member to be invited into the club. No membership drives. Just email, call or sign-up online and become a member today!
WE EDUCATE AND LOVE NEWBIES TO THE SPORT!
Learn almost everything you need for fly fishing - for just the cost of membership.
OUTINGS ALL YEAR LONG!
The outings have been one of the many "jewels in the crown" for this club. We continue education on the water and the comradery, food and friendship is what this club is built on!
GOT GEAR? . . . NO? — NO WORRIES!
We have gear for you to learn from. Just let the leaders know in advance whether you're coming to the 2nd Salt Saturday - or on a camping/fishing trip. AND when you're ready to purchase fly fishing gear we are here to help -- and/or check out our auctions or club garage sales! Lots of great gear to be had at amazing prices!
Any questions about membership? Email Randy Ward at: sbf.secretary@gmail.com
WEBSITE QUICK LINKS:
OUTING REPORT(S)
LOWER OWENS CLUB OUTING | PHOTO ALBUM!
Images submitted by Katrina Peeples
Fly Fishing Class on the Lower Owens River
Report by: Larry Basham, DDS
Youngest grad, Jackson Morin (below, right)
Graduates of our recently completed two-weekend Fly Fishing Fundamentals class headed for the Lower Owens on November 8th to put into practice their recently learned skills. Thanks to trip leaders Lori Lee Collins and Randy Ward. Guides Beryl Rea and Mark Rosen conducted a streamside entomology class with bugs freshly collected from the river. Students were able to see live “fish food,” which helped them choose flies for nymphing.
The weather was a perfect 72 degrees, and the river was slow and low, making for easy wading. Nearly everyone landed at least one trout.
Many class members camped at Pleasant Valley Campground and joined other SBF members for a Saturday night campfire and dinner. This was our second annual weekend class and guided trip on the Lower Owens and proved to be very successful and an excellent introduction to fly fishing for beginners. We expect to do it again next year. — Larry Basham, DDS
Rod Building Class | November 2025
Check out all the images on our YouTube channel!
Six lucky club members gathered for a two-day rod building class with expert builder and club member, Chiaki Harami on Nov. 15-16
Each had previously chosen rods of the length and weight they desired with a specific type of fishing in mind. Four were first-time rod builders and with Chiaki’s instructions, turned out beautiful rods.
New members Michelle Boroski and Debbie (Deb) Lux built rods for a Baja saltwater excursion. Steve Wynn built a 7 footer 3 wt. for those Eastern Sierra creeks while Brett Greenwood built a 9 ft. 6 wt. for the East Walker and other large rivers. Tim Smith built a 10 ft. surf rod for wife, Heather, who stopped by with their daughter, Jacqueline, and brought freshly baked Toll House cookies which were delicious. I also built a 10 ft. surf rod. Along with the new rods, we took home the rod thread winding device and other tools for our next rod.
It was a great class, especially on a rainy day and I encourage you to watch for the next class coming in 2026.
Thanks, Chiaki, for spending the weekend with us! ~~ Report by: Larry Basham, DDS
LAKE CACHUMA
MONTHLY FISHING REPORT
Lew's School - on Cachuma!
We’re starting to see winter trends as the water temps dip below 60 and the lake slowly gives up its summer heat in the short days ahead. It’s been a good fall, with bass hanging on and harassing shad in the shallows as the temperatures drop and they bulk up for winter. The lake didn’t cool down as quickly as in recent years, so the bass kept feeding later than usual. Over the last few weeks, however, things have slowed down. There’s still been some limited topwater action before the sun hits the water, but figuring out exactly where the bass are—or where they’ve moved to—is always a challenge this time of year. In other words, winter slow is upon us. There has been a trout plant, though not much has happened since they quietly dropped in 4,000 lbs sometime last month. The trollers don’t seem too active. As things continue to cool into winter, action should pick up, and there will most likely be another shot of rainbows from Lassen before the end of the year. Trolling your fly can still be productive, and covering water to check likely bass spots can fill a day on the lake. And of course, the klooping carp are always there to drive you crazy. The lake is full and stable. The grass has laid down a green carpet, and the critters along the shoreline are a delight. Water levels are also allowing for some shore fishing, especially for those willing to hike a bit.
Lew Riffle, past president
"The Doc's In"
Lake Cachuma report
Lake Cachuma fishing continues to be slow, with cooling temps. The bass are gather around the bait schools, and if you can find a bait busting on the surface minnow patterns with slow sinking lines will work. Trout have been stocked, but are scattered around the lake. Mostly they are caught trolling. If you go, consider it a nice day on the lake, with maybe a couple of fish for the day.
Ted "Doc" Ceder - Casting Director & more!
CLUB MEMBER PHOTOS
FISHING, SCENIC, ACTION, RELAXING BY THE CAMPSITE - ETC!
*** CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE THEM IN "FULL SIZE" MODE
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steelhead sleuth on the trinity
SBF Member - Chiaki Harami
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ITEMS FOR SALE BY CLUB MEMBERS
CALIFORNIA LUNAR CALENDAR & TIDE TABLES
Credits:
Created with images by Lolili - "Santa claus driving red convertible car with christmas presents on backseat" • Sandra Cunningham - "Fly fishing equipment on deck with view of a lake and mountains" • Tan Kian Khoon - "classified ads" • sbthegreenman - "mayfly and ripple on still water" • Jeremy Bishop - "untitled image"