March 22 Open fly tying, Nature Center, Oak Grove Park, Afternoons last longer and fly tying is a great way to get ready for your next fly fishing trip.  This Wednesday evening (March 22) is our next monthly Open Fly Tying Session at the Nature Center from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Oak Grove Regional Park, Eight-Mile Road, Stockton.   Join other DFF members as they meet every fourth Wednesday evening for a no-host fly tying session.

Worried about missing dinner?  Host Bob Fujimura has been providing snacks and drinks to help participants keep hunger away or to top off a previous meal!  It will be a monthly opportunity to tie with your fellow members, share the latest fishing stories, and hang out with new and old friends. This is a free event and open to all club members.  Contact Bob Fujimura at deltaflyfishers@gmail.com for more information on this event and how to enter the Park after closing hours.

Beginners should not hesitate to attend. Bob has been honing his skills to teach members who are new to fly tying and offers this month to tie the infamous San Juan Worm to first time tiers.  Please contact Bob at least 48 hrs ahead of time if you wish to learn to tie this easy pattern.
 

Tuesday March 28 – Thursday 30 – Pyramid Lake Outing: Catch the largest cutthroat trout of your lifetime at this world class fly fishing destination. Seriously, even beginners can catch fish up to 10-15 lbs on their first visit! Host Jerry Neuburger has changed the 2023 outing to weekdays to make it easier to find suitable fishing locations and allowing participants more flexibility to choose their own lodging and meals. Severe weather cancels.

April 12, Membership meeting, John R. Williams School

April 19, BOD meeting, Nature Center, Oak Grove Park

APRIL 22nd- Fly Casting Spring Event- CHANGE OF VENUE!!!!! NOW AT PANELLA PARK IN STOCKTON

Arnold Rue Community Center at Panella Park
5758  Lorraine Ave.
Stockton,  Ca 95210

• Wulffie's Women's Welcome: We are hosting a women’s fly casting morning  on our fly casting day on April 22nd. The morning will be a Women’s Welcome with the hours of 9:30 to noon being dedicated to women supporting women in the development of their fly casting skills. We will be joined by Certified Casting Instructor, Sarah Trenschel who will lead a morning of casting development for casters of all skill levels. If you or someone you know has never touched a fly rod before, there will be Foundational activities to introduce you to moving a fly rod and line. If you have some experience with fly casting, there will be instruction and refinement of casting mechanics through small group instruction. The women’s-only classes will begin with morning pastries and beverages including hot coffee and tea and end by joining the club in lunch with the afternoon’s fly casting skills development activities. Any women’s participant who wants to go through the fly casting skills development activities will be encouraged to do so. There will be great raffle prizes with tickets earned for every casting task participants complete. No charge for the get together- all you have to do to participate is sign the club’s waiver.

• Casting Fun Open to All Participants!!!! April 22nd, starting with lunch and casting at 11:45 at  April 22nd- at Arnold Rue Community Center at Panella Park- 5758  Lorraine Ave.,  Stockton,  Ca 95210
  Delta Fly Fishers is hosting FFI’s Fly Casting Skills Development Program (FCSD) at our Fly Casting Spring Event. FCSD has been developed by FFI’s casting leadership to provide a way to measure, practice and develop casting skills. It involves 3 levels (bronze, silver and gold), with the levels representing increasingly complex casting skills. The bronze level involves fundamental casting skills that represent basic on-the-water fishing casts. Silver level tasks represent casts that allow the angler to adjust for wind, current and changes in placement and distance. Gold represents the highest level of casting skill and the caster must demonstrate not only specialty casts at this level, but also demonstrate loop control with all tasks being demonstrated with a four foot or narrower loop. 

This casting day will include a lunch available for DFF members (Donations will be appreciated to offset the cost of lunch). There is no charge for the casting day and the activities are open to members and non-members so bring your interested family, friends and fishing buddies. All participants will be required to wear eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, protective glasses will be available to borrow) and a signed liability waiver is required for all participants. There will be a raffle with great casting and fishing prizes including filled fly boxes, a 9 foot 5 weight rod setup, practice casting setups, casting practice rods and more! Raffle tickets will be earned for attempting casting tasks.

It is sure to be a fun filled day with community, casting and fun. Let the gate know you are with Delta Fly Fishers and follow the signs to the fly casting area. There will be rods available to use. If you feel like gold level casting is in your future, please feel free to bring your own 6 or 7 weight rod for that level. This is an amazing opportunity for our club and community to spend time with some amazing certified casting instructors so put it on your calendars, come on out and have a great time casting! If you have any questions, call or text 209-329-4801. 

Location: Kistler Ranch Camp; 11400 CA-108, Jamestown, CA 95327.  Approximately, one hour drive from the Stockton area.  Located 14 east of Oakdale on State Highway 108.

Summary:  Join other DFF members fly fish for largemouth bass and bluegill in 3 stocked farm ponds in the foothills.  Bass range from 12” to up to +5 pounds.  These ponds can be fished either shore or from a float tube – however, the latter is the most productive.  Fly fishing is catch and release only.  If you are looking for easy access to a private farm pond, this is your opportunity.  This is a pay-to-fish outing, and we are charging $30 fee per angler to help cover the facility rental costs.  We will need at least 10 anglers to sign up before April 1 to hold this event.

Outing Agenda:  We will meet as a group at 7:30 am.  However, the ranch gate opens at 6:30 if you'd like to get the early morning bite. We must leave the ranch at dusk. Drive into the ranch on the main road, past the main house. The ponds are on the left, north of the house. We will meet at the pond on the right.  Depending on the interest of the participants, we are considering a group BBQ and/or potluck lunch.  Bring a folding chair to participate in the group lunch and to take breaks.  Restroom facilities are available near the farmhouse.

Technique:  Topwater presentations are most productive during the dawn and dusk periods.  Mostly subsurface presentations of nymphs or streamers are what most successful anglers use at these ponds.  Some bank fishers have been successful using float-n-fly techniques for bluegill or small bass in the past.
 

Recommended Equipment:

• Personal watercraft with personal floatation device (required) or waders with suitable wading footwear
• 4 to 6 wt rod and reel with floating and intermediate lines
• Subsurface flies: stillwater nymphs, wooly buggers, streamers
• Topwater flies: poppers, frog and mouse patterns, terrestrial flies
• Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, drinks

How to Sign Up:  This outing is open to DFF members and their guests.  All participants must pre-pay their angler fee and submit or have on file their 2022-2023 DFF liability waiver form with the DFF Secretary to be registered.  This outing is suitable for fly fishers of all levels of experience.  If you are registered for this outing, you will be provided more information on this event by email, a detailed map on the venue, and directions how to get there.   To sign up, please contact Bob Fujimura by email at deltaflyfishers@gmail.com or cell (209) 329-1692 for registration information.  If sign ups among the DFF membership are lacking, we may offer remaining openings to other local fly club members prior to the deadline.  Therefore, please sign up early to ensure your participation.
 

Location: White Pines Lake near Arnold, CA on Hwy 4; approximately a 90 minute drive from Stockton.

Summary:  Join other DFF members in a friendly fly fishing competition with the host club Calaveras Fly Fishers (CFF) on their home waters.  DFF members have often won both contest prizes for most fish caught, and for the largest fish landed during this annual fly fishing tournament.  Participants pay a modest entry fee that goes toward CFF’s scholarship fund for local high school students, a light breakfast, and a great tri-tip sandwich lunch.  More information to come when more details are available from the CFF organizers.

Introduction:   White Pine Lake is a small lake with a power boat ban, free public access, and has well maintained park facilities operated by local volunteers.  Typically, the lake is usually stocked with hatchery trout by the CDFW before the event.  But the lake has also a healthy population of wild trout and good numbers of bass and sunfish.  This event is a lot of fun and well attended by DFF members of various skill levels.   Fly fishers can fish from shore or wading the lake’s banks – however, the most competitive way of fishing White Pines Lakes is from a personal watercraft.   Fly fishers new to fishing lakes and other stillwater are encouraged to attend since it is a good opportunity to closely observe both clubs’ best fishers and learn their basic techniques.

Event Agenda:  The exact itinerary will be provided later in early 2023 when the CFF organizers provide their official contest rules.  However, the contest registration has started at 7 am but all competitors must wait until 9 am to start fishing.  Most DFF participants drive up that morning, set up their crafts and tackle, partake the coffee and donuts provided by SFF, and smack-talk with the other members until the start of the contest.  Participants can fish using a single fly until 1 pm and enjoy the all-you-can use buffet lunch and hear the awards presentation afterwards.

The Fish:   Usually, this contest coincides with the normal CDFW hatchery trout stocking schedule and a special plant arranged by CFF.  When this occurs, fly fishing can be easy and numbers of planted trout have been caught by fishers of all experience levels.  When hatchery trout are scarce as in the 2022 contest, the contest can be more challenging.  Resident wild rainbow or brown trout or holdover hatchery trout are usually available.  However, White Pines Lake has good populations of largemouth bass, black crappie, and other sunfish.

Techniques:  Most serious fishers are stripping or trolling streamers, wooly buggers, or medium to small size nymphs from an intermediate or slow full sinking line.  This is probably the best technique to use for beginning stillwater fishers.  Indicator nymphing or dry fly fishing is possible although generally less productive.  We can provide more specific suggestions when it gets closer to this event.  The recent stocking history, contest rules, and weather/water conditions often dictate the best methods for this contest.  Usually, any 4-6 wt single-handed rod and reel with the above line type should be suitable for this event.  A personal watercraft such as a float tube, oared pontoon boat, or pram should be well suited for fly fishing this small lake.  A personal floatation device is required for floating any lake and all participants must possess a valid CDFW fishing license.
How to Register:  Register and pay your contest fee on the day of the event.  However, CFF wants an accurate head count prior to this event so the organizers can ensure that they have enough food for the lunch.  If you are an DFF member who is interested in participating in this event, please notify Bob Fujimura by email at: deltaflyfishers@gmail.com or by cell (209) 329-1692 by no later than Saturday May 6th.  A 2022-2023 DFF liability waiver form is also a requirement for participating.

If you are new to fly fishing trophy trout tailwaters or a veteran fly fisher, we encourage you to join this fun event. 

Location: Elko County Nevada; approximately 500 to 600 miles or 9 to 11 hour drive from the Stockton area
Summary:  Want to fish some of the most productive trout reservoirs in the West?  Join a 2 ½ day fly fishing clinic with guides led by guide Rob Anderson of Pyramid Lake Fly Fishers.  Participants will have plenty of opportunities to fly fish well stocked reservoirs and use various techniques under the guidance of experienced guides.  The outing costs $295 per person and includes two full days of guided fly fishing and lunches and dinners.
Introduction:  For years, guide Rob Anderson has invited his long time clients to little known but well stocked reservoirs as a change of pace from the intense guiding schedule at Pyramid Lake.  Despite the long distance from Reno and CA, his clients have enjoyed these spring outings with some of the most remarkable trout fishing of their fishing season.  Bob and Jean Fujimura have been regular fishers for this outing for several years and look forward to sharing their time with those DFF members who make this long trip.  This outing is designed for intermediate or advanced skilled fly fishers who are familiar with fishing lakes and reservoirs from a personal watercraft.
Event Agenda:  The exact locations have not been determined at this time since they pre-fish and select the best of several fine lakes in Elko County, NV.  However, participants who register will be given the tentative location at that time.  Typically, the itinerary includes an informal orientation, gear set up, and dinner on the afternoon of the first day.  Next day, fishers will have a full day of lake fishing with lunch provided at the fishing location and later dinner at the nearby campground.  The attendees will have another full day of fishing and lunch.  The guided session will end in the afternoon of the third day.  Given the distance, many attendees choose to extend their fishing trips either before and/or after this guided session independently.
The Fish:  Typically, Rob selects the best reservoir for his clients to catch numerous medium to large sized trout during his sessions.  Depending on the reservoir, rainbow, cutbow or tiger trout hybrids, cutthroat, and brown trout can be available.  Some of the area’s reservoirs also have fishable populations of various bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and wipers) and yellow perch.
Techniques: Rob Anderson and his guides are experts in stillwater indicator fishing, and these locations are selected for the best fishing using these techniques.  Terminal gear and flies are very similar to those used at Pyramid Lake.  Productive indicator flies include balance leeches, attractor nymphs, and chiromonid pupa patterns.  Nine to 10’ single handed rods in 5 to 7 weights with matching floating fly lines are suitable for fishing this technique.  For those who prefer stripping wet flies, angler can also fish streamers, leeches, and smaller stillwater nymph pattern using an intermediate or slow sinking line.  However, often the best presentation is technical and generally less productive than using indicator or ‘naked’ indicator techniques.  All participants should bring a personal watercraft such as a float tube, oared pontoon boat, or pram with suitable safety equipment such as an anchor system.   A personal floatation device is also required for floating any lake and all participants must have valid NV or tribal fishing license.
Accommodations:   The reservoirs in Elko County are often between 5,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation and the weather can quickly drop to winter temperatures with wet/icy and windy conditions.  Unless you are experienced with tent camping under extreme conditions, participants should either camp in hard-sided RVs or stay in cabins or motel lodgings in the area.  Contact the DFF outing host for information on the suitable campgrounds or motels in the area.   Outside of Elko, NV restaurants or cafes are quite limited so participants should be prepared to provide their own breakfasts (during the guided period) and all meals outside of the guided session.  DFF participants are also responsible for their travel, lodging, meals, license or permit costs.
To Register:  Contact Rob Anderson, [rob@bucklistflyfishing.com%20]rob@bucklistflyfishing.com or (775) 742-1754 to register/pay or obtain more information on his guided outing.  All registered DFF participants should 1) let Rob know that you are a DFF member and 2) notify Bob Fujimura that you are registered.  Bob will provide more details to those members who sign up and help coordinate any group side fishing or camping opportunities if needed.  Bob Fujimura’s contact information are email: deltaflyfishers@gmail.com or cell phone: (209) 329-1692.  A signed 2022-2023 DFF liability waiver form is a requirement for participation.

June 18-21 - Fly Fish the Hex Hatch at Lake Almanor: Fly fishing the amazing hatch of the

biggest mayflies in North American. Camp nearby and fly fish Lake Almanor in the evenings.

Costs $25 for the shore clinic on how to fly fishing the Hex hatch by resident guide Lance Gray.

Fish for trophy size brown and rainbow trout and observe this memorable natural event.

Participants should be familiar with safely fly fishing from a personal watercraft. Personal

floatation device, a valid CA fishing license, and a valid and signed 2023 DFF liability waiver form

are requirements for participation. Contact Bob Fujimura for more information on this outing.