The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Just got back an hour or so ago. Had a great time. Last night I had the blind dumb luck to win the rod that Buzz built. Well, I took it out and gave it a whirl today. I had an epic day on one of the area lakes. The fish were really turned on to Damsels from about 10:00 to about 1:00 when I got tired of reeling in browns and rainbows and quit to take the long ride home. Got two fish about 19-20", one 18", and many in the 14-17 inch range. What a great way to spend Fathers Day! Interestingly, I fished a damsel (Rickards still water nymph, and a copper john dropper). They hammered the copper john.....go figure! I also fished a Callibaetis nymph for awhile and nary a strike, even though there were a few Callibaetis coming off.

Buzz, the rod was fantastic, and it definitely is no longer a virgin. I fished a floating WF 6 line on it. Casts great and handles fish wonderfully. Was a bit windy at times today and the rod really punched a WF line right through it.

Yesterday I ventured to a small unnamed creek in the Hat creek valley and had a good time. I caught about 10-12 mostly on a big Madam X parachute. There were a few golden stones about, and even a stray salmon fly. Fish ranged from 6-10 inches, and I think I'm probably exagerating on the upper size range. But nonetheless, a nice day.

Ventured back to Hereford Ranch about 5:00 for the festivities. Buzz organized the raffle to benefit Salman and Melissa. It was a success and raised some good funds. Greg won the camo thong and has promised a reappearance at a future Bash. Joey and Carpy somehow managed to rig the results and they walked away with most of the loot, aside from the previously mentioned Rod that Buzz built. The pot luck was its usual, way too much food, and yet we managed to eat most of it! I gave a slide show of my recent Patagonia trip, and then everyone settled in for the LMS. I was told Greg, Dawn and Ed K took honors at somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00 AM. Stretch was awarded LMS for Friday.

All in all a great Bash. Nice to finally buy a license and use it! Also great seeing everyone these past couple of days. Look forward to the next one!

Phil

Hey Phil,

Very nice report ! I was sorry to have missed my first bash since I started got hooked up with the NCFFB a number of years back. Congrats on winning the new rod, I was hoping one of my tickets might be the lucky one. Looking at Buzz's web site, those rods look mighty nice and it was good to hear from an old pro like yourself that they also fish really well.

I just returned from my "Bluegrass Bash . What a great time we all had up there in Grass Valley. They always have some of the best bands in the Country up there. Our entire band had a great time up there as well, picking some great music with many friends into the wee hours of the night. Now I ready to hit the sac so I can hopefully catch up on some much needed sleep. I do hope next years bash isn't going to be held on Fathers Day Weekend so I can join you all next year.

Best Wishes to all and I look forward to more bash reports!

Bill and Dana

Glad the rod met your needs, Phil. It was a great joy to be able to build and donate it with such a positive result for Mark & Melissa!

I too got out yesterday, but not really intentionally, as Cyndi and I drove up to Burney Falls for a little sight-seeing. The falls were spectacular (our fist visit), and once at the bottom we saw several fly-fishers having some success. I hiked back up to the van and grabbed my rod.

I started off with a brown Krystal Bugger, which produced only one short strike.
I switched to a Stimulator thinking salmonflies, but I watched in dismal humor as several trout rose up, took a sniff, then turned back to their stations.
I then switched to a #18 BWO, and caught three fiesty rainbows within about 5 minutes, the largest of which was ~11 inches. My curiosity satisfied (and my wife waiting patiently), I reeled up and headed back. We got an ice cream cone and high-tailed it back to camp for the potluck.

Had a great time for my first bash, and the response to the fund-raiser was very whelming.

Later,

Buzz

Hey Phil,
It was good to see you at the bash. That rod was very sweet and the pictures did not do it justice. Thanks for putting on the slide show it was very informative. I wish we could incorporate the siesta into American culture. Take care and hopefully we will see you on the water on of these days. I think we are set with shad flies for a while. We will get back to you on the DVD.

Reagrds,

joe

Hey Bill,
We missed you at the bash. It seems that there were no guitars at this bash and it left a big hole. Joey is taking guitar lessons and I hope he can get a pointer or two from you at the next bash. Take care and go get those Yak's wet!

Joe

Hey Buzz,
It was nice to meet you in person. Thanks for all your efforts to make the raffle happen. The rod you made was outstanding and I had it in my sites but it got away. I'm glad you were able to wet a line and feel a tug. I pretty much paddled while my son fished but I did get a smallie on a fly which was fun.

Tight Lines,

Jet

Hey Jet,

It was great finally meeting you and Joey as well. He's a great kid.
BTW, were you aware that Joey put HIS name on all of your tickets???


Buzz

Hi Bill,

We sure missed you and Dana, but it's great to hear that you all had a good time at the BG Festival (I knew you would!).

Cyndi and I listened to the new CD and it is really great. Sure love the Western Lights "style"!

Buzz

Hey Buzz,

Thanks for the kind words about our CD! Yes the festival was wonderful and Dana and I had a great time as always up there.

From the reports and great photos of Michelle, it seems you all had a grand time with great weather up at the bash as well. Of course having been to a number of them in recent years I knew you would as well

Now I am thinking I need to get out on a fishing trip before long.

Best Wishes!

Bill

Hey Joe,

We missed being there with you all as well. Hope to be back for the next one with fly rods, guitars and all .

I would love to be able to show Joey a few things on the guitar including showing him the Northern California Fly Fishing Blues so we could do that one together .

You are correct in that I need to get out and get those Yaks wet!

Best Wishes!

Bill