SANTA BARBARA FLYFISHERS

PRESIDENT'S POST

SANTA BARBARA FLYFISHERS - APRIL 2026

WE DID IT AGAIN!

We hosted our third annual film event at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. It was a huge success with a nearly sold out theater. There was an impressive panel discussion and even some celebrity sightings. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the community, club members, donors and our sponsors. California Fly Fisher (https://www.calflyfisher.com) is a magazine and digital platform that informs, inspires, educates and connects anglers across the Golden State and beyond. Prior to the theater opening, our VIP guests were able to meet and greet panelists on the Lobero’s Courtyard while enjoying lite bites and beverages, including Eislynn Wines (https://www.eislynnwines.com/store) by our club member Emily Meyers. The Esplanade of the Lobero was busy with a Santa Barbara Flyfishers table sharing information about our club including membership, outings, Save Santa Barbara Steelhead and SB Women on the Fly.

If you needed to buy a raffle ticket we were ready for you. Once again we were generously supported by local businesses and individuals that donated prizes. The raffle drawing was held at Hook Line and Sinker on April 1. Other tables included Elizabeth Burns and the Southern Steelhead Coalition (https://southernsteelhead.org/) and Costa sunglasses (https://costadelmar.com). Once the audience was seated, event chair John Grace took to the stage to welcome everyone. I’m so grateful to Jack and Mercedes and Geof and Clifford. Your confidence in us and your generosity made this event very special.  We were honored to have: Are Airstream Ventura (https://www.weareairstreamventrua.com) return for the third year in a row! Their participation gives attendees the chance to tour one of the latest models of Airstream coaches. American Rivers (https://www.americanrivers.org/) works for a future when every river is clean and healthy for people and wildlife. Alta Orthopedics (https://www.altaortho.com) is dedicated to getting patients back to active, healthy lifestyles and a better quality of life. Then Chris Wood, president and CEO of Trout Unlimited (https://www.tu.org), guided the panelists through a discussion about the film and its impact on rivers and conservation. Afterward all settled in and watched A River Runs Through It with cheers and tears and to, once again, watch an iconic film in an iconic setting.

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LIvE AUCTION - tuesday, APRIL 7TH

7:00 pm

The Live Auction will be held at our April 7th general meeting at 7pm. This year’s auction will include terrific prizes for adventurers.

Get together with friends, family and other club members to organize bids.

Proceeds from this auction will support club activities including operations, outings, events, speakers, Save Santa Barbara Steelhead, Trout In The Classroom, Santa Barbara Women on the Fly, education and support to other non-profits.

We’ll fire up the coals and grill burgers and hotdogs at 5:00PM. Come early to get some!

Come try out some fly rods at our fly casting mini-class.  Then Guy Jeans will speak about the Kern River. He’s and expert on this water and the proprietor of the Kern River Fly Shop in Kernville. The Kern River is one of the closest to us. When I’m asked where we go to fish for trout, I answer the Eastern Sierra and Kern River. But this river is not only a trout fishery! Come see what Guy has to say about one of our closest river fishery.

OVERVIEW OF PRIZES & PACKAGES:

• On the banks of the Missouri River with Refined Elegance-Craig, MT
• Wild & Scenic Fly Fishing House on East Fork of the Bitterroot, Montana
• “A River Runs Through It” Fishing Gear from the 1930’s
• Signed First Edition of Norman Maclean’ book including “A River Runs Through It”
• Fish Expedition on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River
• More to come!

On the banks of the Missouri River with Refined Elegance-Craig, Montana | Rivenrock Lodge

Unforgettable stay at RIVENROCK Lodge, a boutique luxury sporting lodge on the Missouri River. Refined elegance. Many activities to reserve - fishing, riding, kayaking, shooting.

Package includes 2 rooms for 4 nights "Hemingway the Hunter” cocktail hour All food and beverage. Activities additional. Must be used in 2026.

East Fork of the Bitterroot, Montana Hidden gem in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, right on the East Fork.

You can almost catch fish from the hot tub!

• 5-bedroom cabin
• Sleeps 8 comfortably.
• All amenities.
• Book 5 nights between August 1-8 . . . or other dates if available.

This cabin has five bedrooms and three baths with enough sleeping for 8. Fly fish right off the back deck. After a day of fishing, hiking or exploring, get back to the jacuzzi and a complete kitchen.

“A River Runs Through It” Authentic Vintage Gear from the 1930’s

Russ Redmond, Mike Pugh and Sam Soga have assembled an "A River Runs Through It" retrospective gear kit.

Be Reverend Maclean (Tom Skerritt) or Paul Maclean (Brad Pitt). Restored 1933 Granger bamboo rod and hand-crafted custom wood case, 1930’s Pflueger reel, wicker creel, and a copy of “A River Runs Through It”. Includes box of flies of the period including a Bunyan Bug, the massive mature stonefly Brad Pitt used to catch his trophy brown trout.

Signed First Edition of Norman Maclean’ book including “A River Runs Through It”

John Maclean, son of Norman Maclean, has donated a first edition (late printing) of “A River Runs Through It and Other Stories”. Pristine, new spine has not been cracked. Autographed by John Maclean and will include his short essay, “The Little Blue Book”, he wrote about the books publishing history.

Fish Expedition on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Idaho Float the Middle Fork and camp with Boundary Expeditions, rated one of the “Top Three River Trips” in the world by National Geographic. In the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. 

• 4-night/5-day trip for two anglers as part of a group of 16 adventurers.
• Fixed dates: Sept. 8-12

Boundary Expeditions delivers far more than a traditional fly-fishing trip. From side hikes and history, to natural hot springs and geology, the canyon itself delivers an unforgettable experience.

The professional Boundary team combines thoughtful hospitality with subtle touches throughout the journey to elevate the experience to a true trip of a lifetime.

APRIL MEETING / SPECIAL AUCTION / MORE TO COME!

These are just a few of the items that will be available, so come to the Tuesday, April 7th meeting, bring a friend and be ready to bid high and often!

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last cast

Let’s go fishing this month.

First on Saturday, April 4th let’s hit the surf at Rincon Beach at 8:00AM for a morning session. We’ll have gear to lend. Bring a lunch! Then on the morning of Saturday, April 25th we’ll float Cachuma. The bass are starting to eat and, with the annual trout derby the weekend before, there should be some big trout cruising the lake. Afterward we’ll hit Hook’d Bar and Grill in the marina for some food and drink. Lew Riffle is the trip leader for this one so contact him for more details which are also found at our website Outings page. Lastly, please follow @santabarbaraflyfishers on Facebook and Instagram. Please come to the Club meeting on April 7 and bring a friend.

UPCOMING LOCAL OUTINGS

MONTHLY EVENTS

• Monthly Meeting
• Second Salt Saturday
• Monthly Casting Clinic
• Board Meeting

sb women on the fly!

🎣 SB Women on the Fly — Event Details 🗓 Dates & Schedule Evening • May 29

• Meet-up at a local brewery (social kickoff gathering)

May 30

• Morning yoga
• Fly‑fishing classes
• Campfire gathering in the evening

May 31

• Hands‑on fishing at the Santa Ynez River
• BBQ lunch

🌟 Event Purpose A weekend designed specifically for women who:

• Want to learn the basics of fly fishing
• Want to refresh or improve their skills
• Want a supportive, women-led learning environment

🎓 Instruction & Activities

• Fly‑fishing classes taught by accomplished women fly fishers from Southern California
• A full “hands‑on” fishing day at the Santa Ynez River
• Opportunity to borrow, buy, or bring your own gear

🤝 Community & Experience

• Build new friendships
• Learn a new outdoor skill
• Enjoy a unique, women-centered fishing weekend
• Potential to spark a lifelong passion for fly fishing

Become a member and the $60 cost is included!

CONSERVATION REPORT

NEXT CONSERVATION ZOOM MEETING to be determined. Check your emails for day & time.

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)

MONTHLY MEETING april 7, 2026

5:30-9:00pm

MINI-CLASS: Casting Skills

April meeting: Hot Dogs, Anniversary Cake, SPECIAL AUCTION . . . and guest speaker . . .

guy jeans

Fly Fishing the Kern River

There are very few rivers left in California where you can stand in wild water, surrounded by steep canyon walls, and cast to native trout that have never seen a hatchery. The Kern River is one of those places.   The Upper Kern River is one of California's last truly wild trout rivers. Flowing nearly 70 miles out of the High Sierra, it winds through rugged canyon country and offers anglers the opportunity to pursue powerful native Kern River rainbow trout and wild brown trout in some of the most exciting pocket-water fly fishing in the state.   In this presentation, Guy Jeans will share what makes the Kern River such a remarkable fishery and why anglers return to it year after year. Drawing from decades of experience guiding and teaching on the river, Guy will explain how to fish the Kern successfully and the techniques he uses every day while guiding anglers on this incredible water.   Guy will also explore the diverse fly-fishing opportunities found throughout the Kern River watershed, including the 65 miles of the Lower Kern River, known for outstanding bass fly fishing, as well as the Stillwater opportunities at Lake Isabella.   Topics will include effective techniques, recommended flies, gear and equipment, seasonal strategies, and key locations to help anglers better understand and successfully fish the Kern River system.   Rivers like the Kern are becoming increasingly rare, and protecting wild places like this ensures that future generations of anglers will still have the chance to experience truly wild trout.

THE MACKENZIE CENTER

3111 State Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93105

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

Fly Fishing Class for Santa Barbara Middle School

Report by Larry Basham

Our club recently completed a six week beginning fly fishing class at Santa Barbara Middle School for the second straight year. Volunteer instructors taught 18 students the basics to prepare them for a field trip to the Lower Owens River during March for five days of camping and fly fishing.

The course covered conservation/fish habitat, entomology, fly tying, knots & rigging, safety, gear and of course casting. This was coupled with Trout in the Classroom so the students could see the development of trout.

Thanks to SBMS science instructor, Erica Singer, for taking her time to become certified for TIC and promoting the fly fishing class! It has become a very popular extra-curricular activity at the school. We look forward to having a student report to the club at a future meeting.

Special thanks to all the “instructors” who gave up Friday afternoons to teach this aspiring next generation of fly fishers: Vince Narez, Chris Hortinela, Jorge Fulco, Mark Rockwell, Sam Soga, Trey Penner, Lou Turnello, Lew Riffle, Jean Sedar, Brett Greenwood, George Zengel, Joseph Narkevitz, Mike Pugh and Larry Basham.

LAKE CACHUMA

MONTHLY FISHING REPORT

Lew's School - on Cachuma!

"Long spring at Lake Cachuma . . "

All I can say is that it is an extraordinary long spring at Cachuma. The lake is brim full and water temps after our hot spell are well into the mid 60's if not already 70 by now. The bass have been sporadically moving into shallower water for the spawn. It's just a matter of the right time and place to find bass willing to bite. It could all change in the coming weeks with the shad starting to show up in shallower water. The blue gill are getting active now as well. I'm sure things will start to get more predictable into later April as they usually do but Cachuma is known for not being usual every year.

Lew Riffle, past president

"The Doc's In"

Warmer water = better action on stripping flies . . .

Warmer days and nights will start the bass and crappies headed toward the shallow water for pre-spawn time. The last time I was out the water temperature was 60 degrees, and the fish were still deep. I expect once the heat cycle is over, the top water bass fishing will begin early and late in the day. Also warmer water increases the metabolism , generating a better action on stripping flies. This pattern will last for the next few months. 

Ted "Doc" Ceder - Casting Director & more!

SBF Member - Tom Mullen

This winter I needed a project to keep me busy and engaged with fly fishing. I had seen a picture of a home built line winder and decided I would build my own.

I needed a way to switch out lines from floating, intermediate, shooting head/overweighted lines to my reels and spools without making a trip to the fly shop each time. This has also allowed me to attach my own backing to fly reels with enough tension.

The pics should give you a pretty good road map. Keep in mind you would not need to use an actual reel seat (I am a home rod builder so had an extra lying around). You could probably use a wooden dowel and attach the reel foot using compression straps that you would screw tight to hold the reel in place. I did not keep real specific notes, but here is the basic work flow.

1. Attach a reel seat to a threaded rod/bolt (make sure you attach the reel seat prior to step two).  2. Drill holes to match the threaded rod diameter in vertical wood pieces and run the threaded rod/bolt with reel seat attached through and secure with washers and nuts. 3. Once you have step 2 complete you can add the L-brackets for support. 4. Using another L-Bracket attach an eye bolt. The eye bolt serves as a guide for the line. 5. Attach another threaded rod to an L-Bracket (this rod will serve as the place you would place your line spool). If you just have the flimsy cardboard holders that come with fly lines these days you can probably find an alternative at a craft store or hardware store.  6. I used an appropriate sized selection of bolts, washers, and wing nuts along with tension springs to help with the winding process. The tension springs are really only necessary if you are adding new or replacing backing. Fly line tension is really not critical. 

Final tip: I find it hard to stay organized as it relates to what weight and the taper of my spare fly lines. I know most of them are marked near the welded loop, but sometimes I cannot read it. I just use a black sharpie and will make hash marks for the weight rating of the line. For example, 5 hash marks for 5wt, 6 marks for 6wt, etc. I can usually remember by the color changes in the line if it is sinking, intermediate and so forth. I also keep all my fly line boxes for reference. 

"This is not perfect by any means, but it does allow me to switch things out fairly efficiently".