Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers - August 2019 Irideus

THE IRIDEUS The Newsletter of the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Based in Kensington, Serving the East Bay & Environs since 1982

SOLVING THE HEX HATCH PUZZLE Discovering the mysteries of the Hexagenia Limbata By: Kirston Koths

GONE FISHING • • • • •

Boys on Battle Creek Battle Creek Revisited Summer So Far She’s Fished Everywhere Roger’s Secret Montana

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‘19

GPFF.ORG

CLUB MEETINGS 52 Arlington Ave, Kensington, CA Every second tuesday of every month No meeting in July Social Hour - 6:30pm Business Meeting - 7:00pm

THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019

FEATURES

Departments

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03 The President’s Message

Solving the hex hatch puzzle

03 BOARD 04 CALENDAR 05 CONSERVATION 06 NEWS, NOTES & RANDOM CASTS 09 ad throwbacks 14

GONE FISHING

Stuart Fork River outside of Trinity Alps Resort, August 2019

THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019

The President’s

By Brad Gee Message

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ere it is mid-summer and some of California’s streams, rivers, and creeks are raging. The West Walker, for example, between the Highway 108 –U.S. Route 395 intersection and Walker looks like an open fire hydrant. Even Leavitt Creek, where summers traditionally saw children splashing while collecting rocks and bugs, is too dangerous for adults to enter. These challenges did not stop our members from enjoying the angling life. See the “Gone Fishing” section of this newsletter for particulars.

Despite these conditions the outlook is bright for more successful fishing trips in the near future. The club has scheduled outings to the Eastern High Sierras and to Oregon’s Willamette River and surrounding waters. In addition, several pickup trips are in the works. Check out our website for announcements.

We are also gearing up to support the East Bay Regional Parks at the August 31 Crab Cove Fishing Festival in Alameda. Like Trout in the Classroom and our work with the Richmond Police Activities League, the Festival is an excellent opportunity to introduce young people to the natural world and to fishing. Email Julie Ruth Haselden (jhaselden@ comcast.net ) for details and to volunteer to help.

Our big event is the Solano Stroll coming up Sept. 8.

It is our BEST opportunity to show the public what we are all about and to recruit new members! IF there is only ONE event you can support throughout the year, this is the one!

Contact Mark Likos ( mlikos@comcast.net) for details and to volunteer to help.

In other club business, we have accumulated an impressively large collection of books, DVDs and other material. There is really too much for us to manage at our current level of effort. Expect to see an online survey where I will be asking you how we should deal with this bounty.

Sell everything? Partner with a library? Hire a library science student to make the holdings easily available to our members? Continue to limp along with our “put it in a big shoebox” strategy? If you have suggestions please send them to Doug Hale (drhale@gmail.com ).

In any event I trust that all of you have been enjoying great California summer weather and have found time to fish and enjoy being out in nature. Don’t forget that the next club meeting is Tuesday, August 13.

See you there!

Executive Board OFFICERS

Brad Gee Eric Larson Secretary

President

Todd Pond

Bob Marshak

Treasurer

Asst. Treasurer

PROGRAM CHAIRS & BOARD MEMBERS

Josh Genser

Julie Haselden

Mark Likos

Vacant

Program Chair

Conservation Chair

Education Chair

Membership Chair

Dave Garfin

Linda Friedman

Trout in the Classroom

Outings Chair

Douglas Hale Newsletter

NON-BOARD CHAIRS

Lee Hahn Webmaster

Vacant

Librarian

THE IRIDEUS

Douglas Hale Editor-In-Chief

Zachary Wong Asst. Editor

PHOTO CONTRUBITORS THIS MONTH Cover............................................................ Roger Wachtler Table of Contents........................................... Zachary Wong Calendar......................................................... Doug Williams Solving the Hex Hatch Puzzle......................... Kirston Koths Boys Fishing on Battle Creek............................. Josh Genser Battle Creek II (Revisited)................................. Josh Genser She’s Fished Everywhere......................................Doug Hale Fishing on the Lufupa River.................. Julie Ruth Haseldon Roger’s Secret Creek.................................... Roger Wachtler Back Cover..................................................... Zachary Wong We are always looking for photos! Submit your photos to Zachary Wong at craigwong810@gmail.com Your photo could be featured on next month’s cover, table of contents, Calendar or our Back Page

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Upcoming Events August 14-18

High Sierras - Little Lakes Valley Backpacking Rock Creek Basin

August 26-30 Western Central Oregon - Willamette River

September 8 Solano Stroll

September 10 September Club Meeting - Open House

October 8

October Club Meeting - Mike Moran from EBRPD

October 24-27

McCloud River - October Caddis Outing

Past Events July 8 Oregon - Owahee River

June 27 Upper Sacramento River

June 7

McCloud Pick-Up Trip

June 7

Battle Creek Cabin Weekend

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Conservation Conversation

Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen scathing critiques of Pebble’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Across the board, federal and state agencies have called the DEIS flawed, inadequate, and have accused the Army Corps and Pebble of underestimating the risks to Bristol Bay’s fisheries.

One reason the DEIS is so fatally flawed is because it’s based on a fictional mine scenario.

Pebble’s permit applications are based on 20 years of mining. But the reality is that mining for 20 years leaves the most valuable minerals in the ground.

With Julie Ruth Haselden

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ccording to the Bristol Bay Fisheries Report, “the total run in the bay has now surpassed the projected totals from both ADF&G and UW forecasts. Plus, the Naknek-Kvichak and Egegik are still going strong.”

But as you know, this world-class fishery is threatened by the proposed Pebble Mine.

The Pebble Partnership has been doing everything they can with their lawyers and lobbyists to get this terrible mine permitted as quickly as they can.

News Flash!!! Pebble has every intention of expanding this project and going after every dollar in the ground.

Watch this Video and listen to Pebble CEO Tom Collier admit to the future growth of Pebble.

Tell Senator Murkowski to hold Pebble truly accountable

Seals on Beach in Bristol Bay - Photo Courtesy of Eco Bear Biohazard Cleaning Company ecobear.co

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News, Notes & Random Casts REGISTER NOW! The Club’s August trips to streams in the Rock Creek Basin area of the Eastern High Sierras (https:// www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/lakes-riverscreeks/rock-creek ), August 14-18, and to the Willamette River and surrounding waters, August 26-30, are just around the corner. Go to https:// grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/calendar for details and to register.

CLAY HASH, August 13 GPFF Club Meeting, Kensington, CA At our August meeting Clay Hash will take us on a virtual guided tour of the lower Yuba. This should be particularly informative since Clay has guided on the Yuba for years (see https://www. flyfishingtraditions.com ) and he is Vice President of the Northern California Council of Fly Fishers International.

SOLANO STROLL, September 8 Solano Ave, Albany/Berkeley, CA It’s that time of the year again for our BIGGEST opportunity to recruit new members! Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers has participated in the Solano Stroll for many years. We don’t get that many chances to show our club before the community. IF there is only ONE event you can choose to support throughout the year, this is the one!

Our booth will be at the same location as in

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the past-the corner of Carmel and Solano. It will prominently display the Club’s Banner and our message of Conservation (TIC information and our participation in creek/stream restoration), Education (information on learning to fly fish, ty flies, knot tying and more) and Fellowship (through fly fishing outing, conservation activities and meeting new friends through our educational programs).

We stage this event just ahead of our Open House where we put our best foot forward to show all the great benefits of joining our club.

It’s an all-day event (10am to 4pm) September 8th, 2019. Please send Mark Likos an email (mlikos@comcast.net ) to sign up, or sign up at our next club meeting. We need club members to give out information and answer questions in the area of Conservation, Fly tiers, Fly Fishers and discuss club outings. PLEASE signup, both men and women are needed to reflect what our club has to offer!

PRODUCT DEMO DAY, August 24 9AM-3PM Golden Gate Casting Ponds RIO Lines: Discover which fly line is right for you and your rods at the fifth annual RIO Line Demo Day at the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club ponds in San Francisco. RIO Products experts along with local RIO pros will be on-hand with an assortment of RIO single-hand and Spey lines for you to demo on your own rods or on Sage and

THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019 Redington rods that will be provided for the event. perpendicular to the current. Shelves and lips You are welcome to use the ponds to cast Spey lines, are extremely dangerous to wade because the so bring your waders and boots. water depth changes quickly. To identify them,

Sage and Redington Rods: Back for their look for water color changes; the water appears second year as part of this product demo event, two much darker around shelves or lips. Personally, I of the leading manufacturers of fly rods, Sage and love fishing shelves and lips. Fish like to hang out Redington will be on hand with all of their singleon them, because they provide shelter from the hand and two-handed fly rods for you to try out. currents, protection from predators, and a decent

Simms Waders: For the third straight amount of food. If you are nymphing or streamer year, Simms will be joining the product demo fishing, try to get your fly deep and run it right down day activities and will feature their complete line along the shelf. of waders, boots, and performance clothing in essentially all sizes for both men and women.

WHO KNEW?

Participants will be eligible for hourly raffle Rainbow Trout Species Identified prize drawings (must be present to win!). Free pig roast luncheon featuring pulled pork sandwiches “The naming of the Rainbow Trout species was will be provided. based on fish taken from San Leandro Creek

Participants will receive special discount drainage in 1855. Dr. W. P. Gibbons, founder of the coupons for RIO fly lines and Simms waders California Academy of Sciences, was given three redeemable at participating fly shops. specimens obtained from the creek. He described Questions? Contact GGACC President, Willy and assigned them the scientific name ‘SALMO George busygeorges@aol.com IRIDIA’. Rainbow trout are now worldwide in distribution and are highly prized game fish.

CRAB COVE FISH FESTIVAL, August 31,

California Registered Historical Landmark Crown Beach, Alameda.

No. 970. Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with East Bay Join us for a day of fish fun with first-come, firstRegional Park District, April 29, 1987.” served fishing lessons, fishy games and activities.

This plaque is placed by the fish ladder, No registration; drop-in. For information, call (510) Redwood Regional Park, Oakland, California.

544-3187. 10am-4pm: Mobile Fish Exhibit - drop by to see the fish of the East Bay! 11am & 1pm: Behindthe-Scenes Aquarium Tour at 11am and 1pm, meet at Mobile Visitor Center. 10am-noon & 1- 4pm: Fishing: 1-hour fishing lessons (gear provided). Sign up at the Fishing Trailer. Space is LIMITED. Each participant must be present at time of registration.

3-3:30pm: Fish Feeding - Find out what’s on the menu for the residents of the visitor center aquariums. Free!

When: Saturday, August 31st, 2019 Time:10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Where: Crown Memorial State Beach Todd’s Tips: #8.

Put your fly on a shelf. A shelf is where the water changes depth very quickly. Shelves (also called lips) usually run with the current, but can run

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THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019

Advertising Throwbacks

From the May 1930 Field & Stream - The MSI Air Vest, The stylish precursor to the automatic PFD

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SOLVING THE HEX HATCH PUZZLE AT LAKE ALMANOR

By Kirston Koths

A newly emerged hex rests in a cove on the West side of Lake Almanor at sunset, having made it to the shoreline without becoming a two-inch dinner for a cruising rainbow trout.

Photo by Kirston Koths

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THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019 he largest mayfly, Hexagenia limbata, stages of fishing this remarkable hatch. For those known as Hex for short, is as enigmatic as who have not fished the Hex hatch, I recommend it is impressive. It only emerges for a few enrolling in Lance’s seminar/outing. At its thickest weeks in certain lakes and slow-moving point, the emerging adults on Lake Almanor can rivers for perhaps 30-40 minutes on calm nights, cover the entire surface of some coves with flies just as darkness falls. But, for some fly fishers, the spaced just a foot apart. Cruising trout are easily feeding frenzy that this two-inch-long insect elicits spotted picking off the adult Hexes. The challenge is worth the 5-hour drive from the Bay Area to is to guess which way the feeding trout is headed, Lake Almanor or Fall River. While the Hex hatch is then place your fly in its predicted path, and give it prolific and common near the Great Lakes, in the a one-inch twitch. Hold on to your rod, because the Northwest it occurs in significant concentrations fish in Lake Almanor are strong fighters. I saw one in primarily a few lakes (Almanor and Butt Valley) young fisherman lose a rod overboard this year. and rivers (the Fall and the Williamson). See Mark Likos’s recent email report on the Upper Williamson Prior to the emergence of the Hex adults, the Hex Hex hatch. nymphs slowly make their way from the muddy lake bottom to the surface. Nymphal patterns can For many years, I have timed at least one trip north be deadly both before and during the appearance to try to hit this hatch, which occurs at sunset in late of the adults. In previous years, I have taken June, often peaking around the 4th of July. In recent multiple smallmouth bass in the three-pound years, guide Lance Grey has offered a June seminar/ range by fishing the Hex nymph on a sinking line. dinner/fishout at Lake Almanor that covers the Largemouth bass, catfish, and even a few salmon

The Photo of a 24” rainbow worth a glass of Scotch - Photo by Kirston Koths

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THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019 are also caught this way in Almanor. On my July 11th foray to the lake this year, I fished with a fellow from Chico who caught 12 rainbows to 25 inches long in three hours! His largest fish was a stunning, torpedo-like specimen. Fishing in my pontoon, I caught four rainbows to 18 inches, but added the grand prize to my tally — a 24-inch, hook-jawed male brown trout (see photo). Generally, only one or two large browns are caught on the lake each night during the Hex hatch.

Large fish that are hooked in the cool, deep waters of Lake Almanor must be fought and netted efficiently, revived briefly, and released quickly, or they will not survive. The water at the lake surface (which this year was 72F) is so oxygen poor that many fish succumb if taken out of the water for even a quick photo. The football-shaped brown that inhaled my Hex nymph likely weighed over six pounds, and was successfully released to challenge other anglers who are willing to tackle the Hex hatch puzzle at Lake Almanor.

Pour me a glass of good Scotch, and I’ll tell you how it’s done. ;-D The Home Stretch, Lake Almanor - Photo reuse courtesy of Scott Miller

Early Morning at Lake Almanor with Mount Lassen in the distance - Photo Reuse courtesy of Frank Schulenberg

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THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019

GONE FISHIN’ Reports From the Field Richmond Police Activities League: Boys Fishing on Battle Creek

by Josh Genser

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or the fifth year, six boys from the Richmond Police Activities League had the opportunity to enjoy a weekend of fishing and other outdoor activities at Josh and Elaina’s property on Battle Creek.

Special thanks to: • Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Club, whose members come along to coach and supervise the fishing, • Dragontail Rods, who donated Tenkara rods the kids use to fish, and who replace the broken tips every year, • Streamside Leaders, who donated Tenkara lines, • Big Y Fly Company, who donated flies, • Cabela’s, who gave a discount on other fishing gear, and • The Richmond Rotary Club, who donated money to buy the Cabela’s gear.

• Special thanks to Mark Likos and Doug Hale, members of the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Club, who have now accompanied us on this trip two years in a row.

The first thing we do on arrival is to let the kids play in the swimming hole. Few of them have ever had the opportunity before to swim and splash in a river, and to explore with their eyes and the soles of their feet the different textures of the river.

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After that, we gear up and get ready to go fishing.

Before fishing, though, we have to get to the other side of the river and hike to where the best fishing holes are.

THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019

Now we’re fishing! And untangling, and replacing flies, and...

A fish is caught! We fail the “Keel ‘em wet” lesson, though...

The young men kept at it, hour after hour.

Until another big one is caught in a great action sequence.

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Action Shots on the river, landed perfectly with a little help

Battle Creek II (Revisited) By: Josh Genser

In addition to mastery of fishing techniques, the masters displayed advanced techniques that take decades to perfect.

Editor’s Note: Shortly after this trip for the young men, Joshua hosted a group of seasoned, sophisticated fly fishing experts from GPFF as part of a fund raiser for the club. Like the young people, the pros caught beautiful trout.

A typical Battle Creek Rainbow Falls for a Dark Lord Dropper in the “Ford Hole”

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For example: “The Snooze”

THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019 a couple of us fished the Nevada side of the river.

Speaking for myself, I met a couple of new club members and got to know all others a little better.

It was a great trip.

Mako Shoemaker and I decided to attempt the high water on the Truckee River in early May. The river levels were very high. We parked just off Highway 80 and fished for several hours.

Unfortunately, only one mountain white fish was caught. Although the fishing was slow, we had a wonderful time fishing, hiking and enjoying a day in nature.

In June, several club members trekked up to the McCloud for wonderful outing, my annual birthday trip. We fished the conservancy on Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, not all passes were used, due to a couple of last-minute cancelations. The fishing was fantastic. Everyone had a memorable time, and everyone caught beautiful fish. I am looking forward to spending more time on the McCloud this fall.

My last two trips were fantastic. I fished the Pit River. On one of the trips we had a total of 3 club members. We fished Saturday and Sunday. Also, we And the Creative “Cool Down” camped together at the campground on Pit River 4.

This is a nice campground and worth checking out.

Summer So Far We all had a great time, and everyone caught fish.

by Todd Pond

To get a sense of the place and its fishing potential, take a look at the following videos: ince spring, I have had the fortune to fish several

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rivers with different club members. Spring started with a club trip to the East Walker. Shortly after, Mako Shoemaker and I spent the day fishing the Truckee River. In June several, club members and I went to the McCloud for a 3-day trip. At the end of June, a friend talked me into going on a one-day trip to the Pit. And July, a total of 3 club members spent on 2 days on the Pit. All these trips were great fun.

The club trip to the East Walker was a great success. We had a total of seven anglers. The weather turned out great, although we did get a little snow Saturday morning. Several anglers were introduced to the river, and most caught fish.

A few teasers are at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Mv-8j2Z6HgI

We had a wonderful dinner just outside of Bridgeport, we all laughed and told stories. Sunday,

• • •

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qngRs3vjPCc https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=98mZsEG2V0k https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=XNY4ZmM3aRg&t=109s

The Pit River is a wonderful place and should not be missed. I will be spending more time there in the future.

Looking forward, I am planning on several trips. In early August, I will fish the East Carson and the East Walker River. In late August I will fish the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus. In September and October, I have several trips to the McCloud River. I am looking forward to all these trips.

It is important for me to enjoy life and to

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THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019 do the things that I love. Spending time in nature is something I enjoy. For me, hiking, wading in a river, and catching trout are some of my favorite activities. I am especially fond of rivers and flowing water. This is a way for me to escape the daily grind.

Check out the links (above) to some of my recent fishing trips. If you are interested in contacting me, email me at toddpond@ymail.com Until next time, be safe and enjoy!

She’s Fished Everywhere

by Doug Hale

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hile I am busy writing about fishing, Rebecca Blair is actually fishing, catching lots of fish, big ones. What a concept! Below is a brief, mainly visual review of her summer adventures starting with Baja.

Early this summer Rebecca and 11 other women out of La Ventana went to Baja with Gary Bulla Fly Fishing. Among her other catches Rebecca landed a twenty-kilo (44 pound) Rooster Fish.

This triumph was soon folowed by a ten-kilo Jack Crevalle.

Above: Rebecca & Her Rooster Fish, Upper Right: Rebecca and the Jack Crevalle, Lower Right: Rebecca and her striper on the Lower Sacramento River with Hogan Brown.

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Upon her return to the US, she hired Hogan Brown (https://www.hgbflyfishing.com) to pursue stripers in the Lower Sac. Needless to say, Rebecca succeeded in landing a huge Striper.

THE IRIDEUS - AUGUST 2019 darters (much like our cormorants) and crocodiles.

The locals here aren’t really catch and release folks, but in the spirit, we enjoyed a lovely fish dinner.

Boredom must have set in again because sooner than you could say fish on, she was soon off to Wyoming and the Bighorn. Once again the fishing gods smiled upon her.

Where is she now? Who Knows? But one thing is for certain: there will be fish.

Above: Pesky territorial Hippos, Below: Malachite Kingfisher

Fishing on the Lufupa River, Zambia

by Julie Ruth Haseldon

I had the great fortune to experience 3 weeks in southern Africa. Among my adventures, I was lured into spin fishing (using raw chicken for bait) for bream and catfish. Not fly fishing, not elegant, but fun never-the-less.

Roger’s Secret Creek Editor’s Note: Roger Wachtler, Past GPFF president, admits to having discovered a wonderful creek in Montana. It is a treasure by all accounts. But Roger is a little sketchy on details. Details like: where in Montana?

You’ll have to forgive Julie for baitcasting here...

This gorgeous river appeared calm, though it had a steady flow. We had to dodge through hippos, which are very territorial, a tad grumpy. I enjoyed seeing fish eagles, tiny malachite kingfishers,

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McCloud River in October Ah-Di-Nah Camp