PRESIDENT'S POST
OCTOBER 2025
PRESIDENT'S POST
WE'RE FISHING!
ROCK CREEK FISHING FUN!
Our third annual outing to Rock Creek was a huge success. Check out Larry’s report and all of the photos in this issue. It may have been the most attended outing in the history of the club. I’m sure we’ll be returning next year.
SHOOTIN' FOR THE DESCHUTES
A group of our members are heading to the Deschutes River in central Oregon the middle of this month. We’ll be floating, fishing and camping with Griff Marshall. Griff spoke to the club last year about the fishing around Bend. His presentation was so compelling we booked this trip. We’ll target Red Band Rainbows and Steelhead. Look for a report in next months’ newsletter.
LET'S FISH THE MIGHTY KERN!
Next up for the club is the Kern River outing October 9-12, in conjunction with the California Fly Fishing Open on October 9 and hosted by the Southern Sierra Fly Fishers. This is much more than a fun fishing team competition, there’s a Poker Night on Friday and BBQ party on Saturday. This event will raise funds for good causes including a Kids Academy. You don’t have to join our Team to enjoy this outing. Some members will be camping at Headquarters Campground and some will stay in lodging in Kernville. See the link for more info and to register.
LEARNING THE BASICS
Larry will host a two part Basic Fly Fishing class beginning October 25. This will provide a good foundation for skills development and knowledge to get you started in the right direction. You’ll learn about rods, reels, lines, leaders and tippets, fly tying, casting, river etiquette and more. Experienced members will be there to share their knowledge.
MORE FISHING IN THE E. SIERRA!
At the end of this class, you will be ready to get on the river, and we’ve arranged for a day on the Lower Owens River for class graduates with guides on November 8. Please register for the class and the Lower Owens trip November 6-9 in Bishop through the Calendar at our website.
Last cast…
Our next general meeting on October 7 with speaker Michele White, will have another different mini-class.
MINI-CLASS > ROD TESTING
Mini-classes are from 5:30-6:30pm-ish
This time we’ll have multiple fly rods of various qualities available to try. Fly rods are a very personal thing, and sometimes, but not always, the more expensive the rod, the better. It’s really a personal preference. So come early, enjoy a slice of pizza and try out some fly rods. We hope that it will help you when considering buying your first or adding another rod to your collection.
I hope to see you on October 7.
club monthly events:
SEPTEMBER REPORT 2025 - SB Flyfishers Board Meeting Highlights
* Member, please log-in to the website and then click the button below to view.
Larry Basham / SBF Secretary & Membership Director / DrBuzz2@aol.com
CONSERVATION REPORT OCTOBER 2025
NEXT ONLINE MEETING DATE | to be determined.
The artwork, below, is from our Creek Week meeting at the Santa Barbara Creeks Dept.
Thanks to Nate Irwin of Santa Barbara Channel Keeper for his new paint job of one of 10 Steelhead moldings done to celebrate Santa Barbara's steelhead back in 2005-06. They were placed along state street.
As has been discussed in previous conservation reports the leadership of the Conservation Committee have been evaluating what streams to focus on for restoration efforts to help Southern Steelhead gain easier access to their spawning and rearing habitats. | Read More
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)
"MINI-CLASSES
at the MONTHLY MEETINGS!
MINI CLASS: FLY-ROD TESTING
Try casting rods of different lengths, weights, materials, actions and expense. See which rod feels best to you.
A fast action graphite rod or a slower action bamboo rod? A $1000 rod or a $150 rod?
Come early, test & compare!
For mini-class information, please email Larry Basham at: drbuzz2@aol.com
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 Larry Basham at: DrBuzz2@aol.com
WEBSITE QUICK LINKS:
LEARN TO FLY FISH / BASIC FLY-FISHING CLASSES
LEARN TO BUILD A CUSTOM FLY-FISHING ROD
THE SESPE FLY FISHERS is hosting the
International Fly Fishing Film Festival
"IF4™" 2025
- Ventura College Auditorium | October 4, 2025
- Doors open at 3:00 pm
- Panel Discussion 3:00-4:00 pm
- Film begins at 4:00 pm
- Post-film activities* at 6:00 pm
PANEL DISCUSSION SPEAKERS/PRESENTATIONS:
- Debbie Sharpton on the Malibu Creek Restoration
- Bernard Yin and Rebbecca Ramirez for Piru Creek
- Martin Schenk of Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
- Candice Meneghin of Friends of the Santa Clara River
- CCA on White Sea Bass
- Others dealing with Estuary Improvements at Ventura River.
The final hour will have a Raffle of Swag, food and beverages, and a "Meet and Greet" with about 5 fly fishing guides, mostly of the Eastern Sierra.
- Students: $15.00
- General Admission: $25.00
- VIP: $45.00
SSFF Club's 2025 california fly fishing open IN KERNVILLE, CA
October 11, 2025
The Southern Sierra Fly Fishers (SSFF) created the California Fly Fishing Open with the hope of building stronger ties with fishy fly-fishing folks while also giving back to such an amazing community.
Our club will host & cover the $50 per person fee for our members.
BONUS EVENT: "Poker night" on Friday, Oct 10th at 6:00PM
The CFFO weekend, of sorts, consists of a Friday evening “Poker Night” to raise funds for the “Kid’s Academy” where kids attend a 1-day “catch-all” fishing school, lead by the SSFF club members and friends! As participants start rolling into town, they can grab dinner then head on over to the Kernville Saloon for a great time for a good cause.
Then on Saturday morning, the jewel in the crown, the official “California Fly Fishing Open” tournament begins. Followed by the biggest outdoor party accompanied by any tournament at the Rivernook Campground with food, brews, live music, vendors, sponsors and an awards ceremony!
This year’s entry net proceeds will benefit Casting for Recovery SoCal and Kern Valley Search and Rescue.
There was a rainy start to the outing on Thursday and Friday, but it didn't stop our fearless club members from getting their lines and boots in the water and in some cases getting in the water with float tubes on Crowley Lake.
Vince Narez, Mike Pugh, Lou Ternullo, Lew Riffle, and Joseph Narkevitz tubed the lake, and Eric Kramer went out with guide Ernie Gulley in a boat. Zebra midges were the ticket to big fish as usual with Mike netting a large rainbow (see photo) which nearly slipped away - but that's another story.
Chris Hortinela and the "The FUN Bunch" gang (Chris, Brett Greenwood & Ryan Dewayne) tried their skills on various streams looking for the Nirvana of fly fishing including the East Walker, Rock Creek, Owen's River Gorge and Hot Creek. Congrats to Brett for catching his first Hot Creek trout, a nice Brownie!
Others trying their skills on the Eastern Sierra streams and enjoying the natural beauty of the area were Carl Cadenasso, Curtis & Katrina Peeples, Steve Wynne, new member Alan Pritchard and returning member Susanna Kyre. Russ Redmond and yours truly fished the pocket water of Convict, Rock and McGee Creeks and caught some nice rainbow and brown trout to show for it. (see photos)
As usual, the evening gatherings at "Camp Peeples" were the focal point for dinners and exchanging fishing information and late-night stories. It was the largest club outing in memory, and many laughs, good cheer and delicious food (and libations) were shared around the campfire.
If you missed it, there will be two more outings this year: Kern River October 9th-12th (camp or motel) and the Lower Owens/Bishop Nov. 6th-9th (camp or motel). Come along and join the Fellowship of Fly Fishing Fun (4Fs), share and learn skills and make new friends.
Rain or shine - the SBF Flyfishers get it done!
Double click on any image to see the image sized "large"
Images submitted by Larry Basham, DDS
LAKE CACHUMA
MONTHLY FISHING REPORT
Lew's School - on Cachuma!
MINI-REPORT -- Doc's got it! Scroll down to read his report!
Lew Riffle, past president
"The Doc's In"
SEPT 2025 - CACHUMA REPORT
We are coming to the end of summer fishing where early and late are the best times to fish.
As the sunshine on the water decreases in the fall, and the nights are colder, the bait and fish work their way up in the water collum.
The schools of bait tend to ball up. and the bass will force them to the surface. Casting to these boils, with a slow sinking line and white minnow pattern gets results.
The bite lasts longer in the fall, expect trout plants starting in Oct-Nov continuing to April.
Ted "Doc" Ceder - Casting Director & more!
CLUB MEMBER PHOTOS
FISHING, SCENIC, ACTION, RELAXING BY THE CAMPSITE - ETC!
* * *
OTTO'S CROWLEY LAKE OUTING
SBF - longtime member Otto Schleich with son & daughter on Crowley
Images sent in by guide & Crowley Lake specialist: Ernie Gulley | www.erniegulley.com
* * *
"tc ADVENTURES"
SBF - member Tim Carpenter
First ones are kayaking for rainbows at Crowley. The second ones are kayaking for Coho Salmon and Sea-run Cutthroat in Washington on the Puget Sound. I didn’t get any Coho but got over 20 Cutthroats. * Note: click on the images to see in full size mode! Worth it!
KAYAKING IN PUGET SOUND
* * *
shall we name this corbina "sandy"?
SBF member, Trey Pinner
"The ghost of the coast" was landed by Trey at Carpinteria Beach. Congrats!
* * *
yogi gets the win
SBF member ~ Tom Bolton
Quick on the draw, Tom Bolton snapped this local bear getting "take out" by Lake Mary in the Mammoth Lakes area!
* * *
SBF camping, lodging & fishin' crew get busy at the "rock creek" outing!
SBF member Chris Hortinela submitted the following photos!
* * *
BEAUTIFUL EASTERN SIERRA IMAGES
SBF member - Russ Redmond
Photos from our club trip to French Camp in high definition!
* * *
one fish, two fish, three fish . . .
SBF member ~ Eric Kramer
Eric Kramer had a great day on Crowley with 33 to the net! Great day and great time with my friend on the lake. - Ernie Gulley, Crowley Lake Guide Service
Eric returns to Crowley with Doug Roderick, Sierra Drifters Guide
WOMEN CONNECT EVENT -- DRIFTLESS RENDEZVOUS 2025
This event will be held in the heart of the Minnesota Driftless. This area is known for its expansive trout habitat and beautiful, deeply carved river valleys with pristine spring creeks. This is an event hosted by women, for women! Registration includes food & lodging; all other travel/transportation, licensing, and guide trips are at your own expense.
- Date: Monday Ocotber 6th through Sunday October 12th, 2025
- Location: Cedar Valley Resort, 905 Bench Street , Whalen, MN
WOMEN CONNECT MISSOURI RIVER RENDEZVOUS | Craig, Montana
Date: May 22-24, 2026
Come join us for a weekend of Fly Fishing fun at this FREE Do-It-Yourself event.
Join Women Connect for a weekend on the Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig, Montana! This event is open to all women anglers, regardless of skill and experience levels. It's a great opportunity to connect, learn, and gain confidence while enjoying fly fishing together in a social setting. The event operates in a Do-It-Yourself format, allowing you to explore the area on your own or with others each day. In the evenings, we will gather for social activities, including games, raffles, and sharing stories and adventures. Women Connect members will have the chance to enter special drawings! Hosts also plan to offer casting and fly-tying lessons during the event. You have the flexibility to choose your accommodations, whether you prefer camping, booking a cabin, staying at a ranch, a hotel, or a rental home. Since this event takes place at the beginning of the fishing season, we recommend booking your lodging early. Upon request, we can provide a general list of lodging options and guide services. Please remember to bring your own fishing equipment and purchase a Montana fishing license before you start fishing.
CALIFORNIA LUNAR CALENDAR & TIDE TABLES
club officers
- President: Vince Narez
- Secretary / Membership: Larry Basham
- Past President: Lew Riffle
- Treasurer: Mike Pugh
- Conservation: Dr. Mark Rockwell
board of DIRECTORS
- Brett Greenwood
- John Grace
- Chris Hortinela
- Lindsay McTavish
- Lou Ternullo
- Randy Ward
Credits:
Created with images by Uladzislau - "Torn paper with text BOARD OF DIRECTORS, business concept." • Mindaugas Dulinskas - "Isabella Lake in California. Beautiful Cloudy Sky and Mountain in Background. Bright Sunny Day. USA" • Sandra Cunningham - "Fly fishing equipment on deck with view of a lake and mountains" • sbthegreenman - "mayfly and ripple on still water" • Jeremy Bishop - "untitled image"