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This Month:

Speaker: Summer Nastich - Creator of "A Bush in the Woods" YouTube Series

Presentation Will Be in Person

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

The Camellia Room at Heather Farm Community Center

1540 Marchbanks Drive, Walnut Creek

Free Casting Instruction 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Starts at 7:30 p.m.

Invites to the Online Session to be Sent to Members via Email

Inside This Issue

Fishing Reports:

Luk Lake Bass & Trout

Surf, Sand, and Stripers: A Morning at Crissy Field

Conservation Corner:

Leave no trash behind!

Steelhead on My Mind…

Heritage and Wild Trout

Get Them Outside

Call for Memorable Catches

NEXT BOARD MEETING

June 9, 2026, 7 p.m.

Meeting to take place online.

Members welcome.

President's Update

Chris Clayton, President

President’s Update

Chris Clayton, President

It’s May, and things are really heating up around the DVFF! More on that in a moment but May also comes with amazing fishing. May brings the amazing confluence of runoff, warming water and insect hatches. This time of year has it all, where an eager angler can nymph in the morning, swing soft hackles as caddis start their emergence, and cap the day with an evening of dry fly action. Whether you’re teasing trout on a crisp mountain stream or baiting bass on a stillwater venue…whatever your fancy, get out there!

Speaking of “getting out there,” I can’t help but be amazed by all that’s going on in the DVFF. A few of many highlights put on by an amazing cadre of volunteers for whom I have such profound gratitude – all of this since the last Windknots edition:

• New Member Orientation: We hosted a fun, informative, and engaging evening before our April general club meeting. (Thank you to all program and event leaders, directors and officers!)
• Outings Galore: Lights out action at Luk Lake (thank you, Al Peterson!), halibut and stripers at Crissy Field (amazing time, John Guerra!), beautiful Butte Meadows (Temma Roby, thank you!), and a bold crew embarked on an incredible trip to Western Montana (gracias, Jeffrey Wolk!).
• Intermediate Fly Tying: A session on dry fly patterns (merci, Pat McCabe and CrossWaterCreek!).
• Tight Line/Euro Nymphing Seminars: From our Fly Fishing Proficiency program, we had two evenings of introductory insights, tools and tactics via Zoom to lower the barrier to entry into these fishing approaches (mahalo, Russ Meyer!).
• Entomology Seminar: Also hatched from Fly Fishing Proficiency, we bugged out on the key spring and summer insects (danke, Alan Christian and Lance Connelly!).
• Ah-Di-Na Campground Restoration & River Access Enhancement: A truly massive accomplishment by an incredible group of folks in a stunning place. I’m proud to be part of an organization that prioritizes conservation and profoundly honored to have taken part in this event (can’t thank you enough, Scott Harrison and D’Arcy Richardson!).

And here are some events to look forward to:

• General Club Meeting (May 19th): We want to see everyone in person, or at least via Zoom! Come early for free casting instruction (5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and to mix with others as doors open (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Whether you’re a regular, haven’t been in a while, or have never been, join us!
• Outings!: We have openings on several of our outings in May and June – check them out and sign-up!: Lake Almanor Midging, Pitt River, Scott’s Flat Reservoir, Women’s Group at Deer Creek, Lower McCloud River at Ah-Di-Na Campground, Manzanita Lake and the Upper Sac for any and all Fly Fishing Fundamentals graduates.
• Spring Auction for Conservation & Scholarship (May 16th-25th): Simply put, we need YOUR help to make this a successful event. We’re proud to donate 100% of the net proceeds to conservation, scholarship and other charitable causes, but that requires a lot of generous donations (check), a lot of work by our committed volunteers (check), and a lot of willing bidders (help, please). Check the goods here!
• Summer BBQ (Aug. 18th): This event is not to be missed. We skip our normal General Club Meeting (except the pre-meeting casting instruction – that’s still very much on) and gather to wine, dine, and celebrate. Block that afternoon and evening on your calendars, save the date, and bring the whole family – register now!

A small sampling of the AMAZING year of programming. Don’t miss out!

Action Required: Updated Member Joining Agreement (aka Liability Waiver)

Chris Clayton, President

As announced at the March General Club Meeting, DVFF completed its periodic review of the Member Joining Agreement, with the key changes outlined below. This agreement is required of all club members and is a condition of participation in DVFF activities, including outings. Since the March meeting, members were presented with the updated agreement upon logging into the website; however, a bug with our website platform created issues with the agreement logging. That has now been fixed and tested. Accordingly, all club members must take the following quick and easy actions immediately:

1. Log into the website and
2. Review and agree to the updated agreement. You may review the agreement in advance here; key changes are as follows:

• removed date references for easier ongoing administration
• addressed secondary members
• updated legal citation

We appreciate your understanding and compliance.

Welcome Our New & Returning Members!

Norm Cassin

Lyn Little

Dennis Rosario

Phillip Beck

Alan Agrawal

Berenice Souza

Summer Nastich - Creator of

"A Bush in the Woods" YouTube Series

Summer is very likely the most educated speaker DVFF has ever hosted. She has 3 science degrees from Humboldt State, a JD (cum laude) from Boston University and a master’s degree from UC Berkeley in Environmental Engineering. She’s been practicing law for 20 years and her solo practice, Nastich Law, is now over a decade old. Among her areas of expertise offered are Environmental Law, Land Use and Arbitration. If you get an administrative citation in Yolo or Solano counties, you may meet Summer. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for six years running starting in 2020. Quoting Summer, she ‘speaks Legalese, Geek, Science, Construction and Normal Person’. Wicked Smart would be the Bostonian description, and I suspect her kids don’t get away with as much as they think they do. 

Away from work, you might find Summer fly fishing, emersed in wilderness survival, carrying heavy stuff, pranking her kids or just catting around. Having discovered fly fishing just 10 years ago, Summer has visited 10 countries with her fly rod, posted over 110 YouTube videos and attracted more than 2000 followers, several of which are club members. This will be Summer’s first club presentation; however, rest assured it won’t be the first time she’s taken the floor to speak.

Unlike many of our speakers who are acclaimed (or self-proclaimed) experts, Summer comes as one of us just wandering through the woods angling for a bite. She’ll offer an inside look at her channel…how it got started and how it’s maintained including footage from her drone and GoPro cameras. We’ll move on to a quick mention of Putah. And then we’ll follow along as Summer hunts the rarest trout in the world for the CA Heritage Trout Challenge with footage that has never been posted. Hang on as we see some of the coolest stuff she’s seen that’s never been posted. This presentation will be many first glimpses of a regular fly fisher and her journey into unknown territory.

For a teaser, take 90 seconds on YouTube to view

 A Bush in the Woods Into Redux

“A Bush in the Woods is anyone trying anything new or learning from failure in anything, though here the focus is often on outdoor adventure like fly fishing and hunting. 

This channel seeks to demystify, encourage, educate, inspire, and entertain, but not necessarily in that order and not necessarily in equal measures. I fail publicly to encourage you to fail privately.”

2026 Outings

Please do not contact outing leaders to reserve a spot.

If a link is not available, online registration is not open for that outing.

Registration will open once the outing is added to the online calendar.

New Outings are highlighted in yellow. Indicated expenses are those beyond expected personal expenses, such as food, lodging and transportation. Outings that still have openings at the time this list is published are highlighted in green. Outings not highlighted are full.

May 14-17, 2026 – Pitt River (Trout), Russ Meyer, (925) 818-4174.

May 14-17, 2026 – Lake Almanor Midging Outing (Trout), Alan Christian, (925) 451-9314

May 16, 2026 – Lake Almanor Midging Seminar (Trout) Alan Christian,

(925) 451-9314.

May 17-19, 2026 – Scott's Flat Reservoir (Bass), Barry Zacharias,

(925) 577-5611.

May 21-24, 2026 – Fowler’s Campground - Shasta Trinity Forest (Trout), John Guerra, (925) 895-4199.

May 23, 2026 – Trout Spey Outing on Yuba River (Trout), Leo Munneke, (925) 864-6747.

May 28, 2026 – Shad FishOut '26 - Yuba River - Option 2 (Shad), Paris Tabor, (925) 360-8259.

May 29, 2026 – Shad FishOut '26 - American River - Option 1 (Shad), Paris Tabor, (925) 360-8259.

May 30, 2026 – Shad FishOut '26 - American River - Option 2 (Shad), Paris Tabor, (925) 360-8259.

June 4-7, 2026 – Women's Group-Deer Creek Outing (Trout), Sue Wilburn, (925) 785-3318.

June, 4-7, 2026 – Truckee Area Waters (Trout), Rich Garbarino,

(925) 723-2376.

June 5-7, 2026 – Lower McCloud River (Trout), Phil Billecci,

(925)323-5453.

June 11-14, 2026 – Manzanita Lake (Trout), Ivan Lee, (925) 680-0139.

June 12-14, 2026 – Fly Fishing Fundamentals Outing (Trout), Lance Connelly, (925) 640-6803.

June 18-21, 2026 – North Yuba River (Trout), Russ Meyer, (925) 818-4174.

June 23-26, 2026 – Lake Almanor Small Creeks and Hex Hatch (Trout), Alan Christian, (925) 451-9314.

July 1-2, 2026 – Fall River at Circle 7 Ranch White House (Trout), Alan Christian, (925) 451-9314.

July 10-18, 2026 – Montana - Madison River and Yellowstone (Trout), Mike Grubman, (925) 876-1709.

July 17-19, 2026 – East Carson and Nearby Rivers (Trout), Jim Crocker, (925) 577-6159.

Aug. 6-9, 2026 – South Fork Kings River (Trout), Russ Meyer,

(925) 818-4174.

Sept. 3-6, 2026 – Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River (Trout), Russ Meyer, (925) 818-4174.

Sept. 10-13, 2026 – East Walker (Trout), John Guerra, (925) 895-4199.

Sept 10-13, 2026 – Heenan Lake (Trout), Brent Shaffer, (925) 963-7153.

Sept 18-20, 2026 – King's River with the Fresno Fly Fishers for Conservation (Trout), Jim Crocker, (925) 577-6159.

Sept. 22-25, 2026 – Eastern Sierra High Country Creeks (Trout), Alan Christian, (925) 451-9314.

Oct 2-4, 2026 – Upper Sac Seminar (Trout), Rich Garbarino,

(925) 723-2376.

Oct 4-7, 2026 – Rogue River Steelhead Trip–Oregon–Helfrich Rogue River Trips (Steelhead), Al Peterson, (510) 612-1689.

Oct. 8-11, 2026 – Truckee River (Trout), Russ Meyer, (925) 818-4174.

Oct. 23-26 2006 – Fall River+Baum Lake+Hat Creek (Trout), Alan Christian, (925) 451-9314.

Nov. 4-6, 2026 – Bollibokka Club #1 (Trout), Steve Garnick, 
(510) 599-4983.

Nov. 7-9, 2026 – Bollibokka Club #2 (Trout), Steve Garnick, (510) 599-4983.

Nov. 14, 2026 – Float Trip Lower Feather River (Trout), Barry Zacharias, (925) 577-5611.

November 21, 2026 – Lower Sac DYI Tour with Lance Gray (Trout), Barry Zacharias, (925) 577-5611.

Luk Lake Bass & Trout

April 22-24, 2026 | Al Peterson, Outing Leader

Our group caught big bass and trout on this private lake. We reserved it for just us! The DVFF’rs included Sue Wilburn, Barry Zacharias, David Lipscomb, John Kreiter, Larry Blazer, Perry Tabor, Mike Grubman and me. We caught several bass and trout and rented the rustic Luk Lake Lodge. Staying in the Lodge allowed us to fish early and late with meals and rest, close by at the lodge, when we chose. We were able to leave our boats at the lake boat ramp.

Luk Lake from Sue Wilburn’s kayak.

Luk Lake is a private lake, managed by The Fly Shop, and located 2 miles West of the Rolling Hills Casino in Corning. The lake is about 2½ hours north of Walnut Creek. Luk Lake has a nice combination of largemouth bass and big triploid trout. Fishing is catch and release with barbless hooks. Access is through pay-to-play arrangements with The Fly Shop for full or half days. The lake covers 65-plus acres, has heavy weed growth around it that precludes bank fishing or wading but promotes a large bass population. The lake depth ranges from 4 to 8 feet to 12 to 18 feet. 

We had fishing tips from the group of DVFF’rs who fished the lake earlier in April. The organizers of that trip and I teamed to be winning bidders of the Luk Lake four-rods-for-a-day item on last year’s DVFF Conservation and Scholarship Auction. Two more anglers and another day were added with an additional payment to The Fly Shop. With six anglers the entire lake can be rented exclusively. (NOTE: Luk Lake fishing will, again, be on the 2026 auction starting this month.) The most helpful tip was use of balanced leeches suspended 2 to 3 feet below an indicator and above the weed mass with best spots being at the deeper end of the lake. 

We rented the Luk Lake Lodge which is close to the lake, reasonable in price ($300 per night for 12 beds), and has adequate living and kitchen facilities. The Luk Lake Lodge is reserved through The Fly Shop but can be difficult to reserve, especially in April. There are several other lodging options including the Rolling Hills Casino, the Rolling Hills RV Park, and several motels in Corning. 

Map of Luk Lake showing vegetation areas, open water, and depths.

DVFF’rs enjoying dessert and stories included (front) Mike Grubman, left to right Larry Blazer, Barry Zacharias, Perry Tabor, Sue Wilburn, John Kreiter, David Lipscomb and (empty chair) me.

We arrived after two days of rain that lowered the lake temperature and further affected the bass fishing. Our last day and a half featured sunny weather. Most of us found the bass fishing in the lily pad areas to be slow and moved to the deeper end of the lake where we found good trout fishing using balanced leeches. Our fishing fleet included two kayaks, two float tubes, two pontoon boats (one frameless), and use of one of the available rental rowboats. Impressive! Most of us were fishing with 5-, 6- or 7-wt. fly rods. Sue used her Tenkara rod. We used diving frogs and poppers, balanced leeches, streamers, and dry flies. Most of us caught both bass and trout.

The group caught bass in several areas of the lake and with a number of techniques. Our leading bass angler, Barry Zacharias, caught several bass in and near the lily pads using Umpqua Frogs, black frogs, and poppers. They were also caught using a green and purple Zac Attack Damsel to the right of the launch ramp. In addition, bass were caught while using balanced leeches under an indicator for trout down near the dam. One bass was caught with a balanced leech using a white popper as an indicator.  

Due to thick lily pads, weed guards and precise casting into open areas were required. Weed guards allowed over-casted frogs and poppers to be pulled into openings in the lily pads. The earlier DVFF group found “dapping” into open lily pad holes to be effective. 

Sue Wilburn generated bass action with a light tan mayfly pattern after seeing a may fly on the water and fish rising. On another day, she switched from balanced leech to a cripple dry fly and had good success. 

BIG bass caught by Sue Wilburn using her Tenkara rod.

MONSTER (6 pounds) bass caught by Perry Tabor.

Several BIG triploid trout were caught in deeper areas of the lake where the weeds were lower down. Almost all of these areas were down near the dam or to the right of it. These trout were all BIG fish. All measured 19 to 21 inches, fought hard, and were fun to catch. 

Most of these trout were caught using a black balanced leech, 2 to 3 feet below an indicator, and above the large weed masses. The normal afternoon wind assisted in the use of balanced leeches. The wind created small waves so that the fish saw leech movement and were comfortable coming up to get the balanced leach. Anchoring was needed to stay in the best deep areas. When it was dead calm in the morning, balanced leech fishing was very slow. 

A balanced leech technique that helped our most productive trout angler, John Kreiter, was to cast his indicator and leech, let it sit for about one minute, then start very short strips, just enough to slightly move the indicator. This seemed to incite strikes and offset lack of wind-induced waves.

On Thursday afternoon of the outing, Perry and Mike invited David to join them in their rental rowboat. David hooked a nice trout that broke off. Soon after, Perry hooked the same trout with David’s fly and leader still with the fish! Amazing! John is now conflicted regarding the intelligence of the trout in Luk Lake. He feels they are either really dumb, because the fish Perry caught already had David’s fly in its mouth, or perhaps these fish are really smart enough to know that the next successful angler will remove both flies and let him go. The mysteries of nature!

One of John Kreiter’s many BIG trout.

WOWZA trout caught by Mike Grubman.

David Lipscomb with a BIG trout.

Luk Lake Lodge worked out well as a location. The lodge is very rustic but functional with dining and living room areas. There are five bedrooms and two bathrooms with a total of 12 beds. The kitchen is fully equipped and there is a BBQ outside.

Luk Lake Lodge

We ate well! We made good use of the BBQ with Al’s ribs and David’s Santa Maria style tri tip. Appetizers, salads, desserts and wine completed the menu. Barry’s egg casserole and Sue’s egg frittata were combined with fresh sausage, fruit, and coffee brought by others. YUM! Lunches were brought by each DVFF’r.

It was a good group, fishing and food. Those BIG fish are still there!

Surf, Sand, and Stripers:

A Morning at Crissy Field

April 26, 2026 | John Guerra, Outing Leader

On a crisp San Francisco morning, members of the Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club (DVFF) made their way to Crissy Field for a hands-on Surf Fly Fishing Clinic hosted by Lost Coast Outfitters. With the iconic Golden Gate Bridge rising through the morning mist behind them, the group gathered in the beach parking lot to meet their instructors, Jose and Brett.

The session began with an overview of specialized surf gear. At the center of attention were two-handed switch rods designed specifically by Lost Coast Outfitters for coastal fly fishing. Participants were introduced to setups featuring either shooting heads or integrated sinking lines (3 inches per second), paired with running lines for distance and control. The fly of choice for the day: the ever-reliable Clouser Minnow. Instructors also emphasized practical details often overlooked, such as proper use and positioning of the stripping basket—an essential tool worn at the waist to manage line in the surf.

With the fundamentals covered, the group transitioned onto the sand. Jose and Brett demonstrated casting techniques tailored for surf conditions—long, controlled casts designed to cut through wind and reach feeding zones. Soon after, lines were in the water.

Action came quickly. Within the first hour, Tom Siedman and Steve Spiller each brought in halibut, setting an encouraging tone for the morning. A couple of hours later, Tom landed his second halibut, while Alan Christian added a striped bass to the tally. Though none of the fish were record-breaking in size, the thrill of hooking and landing these local saltwater species made for a rewarding experience.

By mid-morning, the group paused for a break and gathered for a deeper dive into surf strategy. The instructors discussed how to read tides and interpret wave patterns—skills critical for success both inside the bay and along the open coast at locations like Ocean Beach and Stinson Beach. Fly selection was also revisited, with insights into when to use clousers, deceivers, and sand crab patterns depending on conditions and target species.

Refreshed and re-energized, the group returned to the water. However, as the morning wore on, Crissy Field became increasingly busy with joggers and dog walkers. Casting required patience and timing, with frequent pauses to ensure safety and courtesy. The added congestion made fishing more challenging, and the second session proved less productive.

Even so, the clinic was a success. Participants walked away with new skills, greater confidence, and a deeper appreciation for surf fly fishing in the Bay Area. The combination of expert instruction, scenic surroundings, and early success on the water made for a memorable outing.

Participants included Chris Clayton, Alan Christian, Felix Karim, Tom Seidman, Steve Spiller, and Zack Zalesky.  

For those who missed it—or are eager for another round—there’s good news. A second clinic is already in the works for Fall 2026.

DVFF surf clinic group photo.

LCO coaches providing instruction.

Steve Spiller and Felix Karim.

Tom Seidman with a halibut.

Alan Christian with a striper.

Lightning Safety

Sue Wilburn, Safety Committee

Although no place outside is safe during a thunderstorm, you can minimize your risk by assessing the lightning threat early and taking appropriate actions. To avoid a lightning strike here are some outdoor safety tips that can help you. 

First off, check the weather forecast before you leave on your trip. If the forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip. 

Pay attention to developing storms and learn to read the weather. Watch for the development of large, well-defined rising cumulus clouds. Cumulus clouds have flat bases and dome or cauliflower shapes and can develop into thunderstorms. As clouds become darker and more anvil-shaped, the storm is already in progress. Watch for distant lightning and listen for distant thunder. You might hear thunder before you see lightning on a bright day. If you hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter away from the water.

Remember the phrase, "When thunder roars, go indoors." Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Even if you see blue sky, you could still be in danger. Don't resume outdoor activities for at least 30 minutes after the storm. The beginning and the end of a storm are the most dangerous times. 

If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to find shelter. The most important action is to remove yourself from danger. If you notice your hair rising, and your skin is tingling, this indicates that a lightning strike is imminent. Crouching or getting low to the ground can reduce your chances of being struck, but it does not remove you from danger. If you are outside with no safe shelter nearby, immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks. Crouch down in a ball-like position on the balls of your feet with your heels touching and your head tucked with your hands over your ears. This will reduce the number of injuries if lightning strikes the ground. If you are in a group during a thunderstorm, separate from each other. Avoid sheltering under an isolated tree. You should shelter near lower trees. Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter. Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water. Avoid open structures such as porches, tents, picnic shelters, these structures won’t protect you from lightning.

Of outdoor water activities, fishing holds the highest incidence of lightning fatalities per year. A study released in April 2025 show that 44 fishing fatalities were noted from the year 2006 to 2025. 

If you are out in the open water and a storm rolls in, return to shore immediately and seek shelter. Once on land, get at least 100 yards away from shore. If you are caught in a storm in a small boat with no cabin, drop anchor and get as low as possible and have your PFD on.

Don't carry any metal objects, such as fishing rods, or backpacks with metal frames. Move away from objects that conduct electricity (such as barbed wire fences and power lines). Although metal doesn't attract electricity, it is a good conductor. Your chances of a direct hit are higher when you are carrying a conductor above shoulder level, and you are more likely to be burned if you are in contact with metal when you are struck by lightning.

Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. Don’t touch electronics, however it is safe to use a cellphone during a thunderstorm.

First Aid

Giving first aid to a person who has been struck by lightning while waiting for professional medical attention can save their life. It is safe to touch people who have been struck by lightning; they do not carry an electrical charge. After a person is struck by lightning: 

1. Call 911 immediately! It is safe to use a cell phone or cordless phone during a storm. 
2. Give your location and information about the person(s). How many people, where were they struck and is the storm continuing? Now access the situation, and safety is a priority since you may still be in danger.
3. If you are in a high-risk area (i.e. near an isolated tree or in an open field), move to a safer location.
4. If it's safe to do so, move the victim to reduce the risk of further exposure to lightning. Do not move victims who are bleeding or appear to have broken bones. This is unusual after a lightning strike unless the person suffered a fall or was thrown a long distance due to the strike. 

A lightning strike often causes a heart attack. Check to see if the person is breathing and has a heartbeat. If the person is breathing normally, look for other possible injuries. Lightning can cause burns, shock, and sometimes blunt trauma. Treat each of these injuries with basic first aid until help arrives. If the area is cold and wet, putting a protective layer, such as a jacket, blanket, or plastic sheet, between the person and the ground may help decrease hypothermia.

If the person is not breathing, and has a pulse immediately begin rescue breathing. If they do not have a pulse, start CPR. Continue resuscitation efforts until help arrives.

Information from the CDC

Free Monthly Casting Lessons

May-October, 2026 | Willy George

• 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. before monthly DVFF meetings (May–October)
• Bring a rod or use our loaners
• FFI Certified Casting Instructors
• FFI Fly Casting Skills Development – Bronze, Silver, & Gold skill levels
• Park near the club Meeting room & walk down thru the gardens to the Casting area

Casting Meetup - Let's Cast Together!

Second Saturday Each Month | John Guerra & the DVFF Board

DVFF members are invited to join fellow anglers for a relaxed, informal casting practice meetup at the Oakland Casting Club.

Whether you're fine-tuning your double haul, learning to control your loops, or just knocking the rust off, this is a great opportunity to:

• Practice your casting in a friendly, low-pressure setting
• Share tips and techniques with fellow members
• Get helpful feedback from experienced casters
• Build confidence before your next day on the water

Meetups will occur at the Oakland Casting Club on the second Saturday of every month with the first meetup occurring on March 14th from 10am - noon.

Unlike our casting lessons that run from the Spring to the Fall, this is an informal meetup — no structured program, no pressure — just DVFF members helping each other improve and casting together.

Bring your rod, reel, and a positive attitude!

We hope to see you on the casting ponds!

Tight lines!

Fly Fishing Fundamentals

Fall 2026 | Lance Connelly

Whether you are new to fly fishing, returning to it after a hiatus, or just looking to hone skills, I think you would enjoy DVFF’s Fly Fishing Fundamentals (FFF).

WHAT:

FFF is a combination of two virtual Zoom sessions and one hands-on, skills-in-the-park session. 

In this class you will learn and practice the basics of:

• Equipment
• Casting
• Knot tying
• Fly selection & fish food
• How to read a stream
• Fish fighting & handling
• Safety

During the skills-in-the-park session, you will be paired with a coach who will guide you through a series of stations covering casting, knot-tying, matching-that-hatch, and wading. 

WHEN & WHERE:

• To Be Determined

We are still confirming the dates, but the class will likely be in late September or early October, with a coached outing in October. Be on the lookout for announcements in Windknots, the website and club meetings.

If you are new to fly fishing and do not have equipment, do not worry. The club has rods that you can borrow. We also have the best deal on a starter pack of essential flies.

The cost of the class is $50.

If you have questions or are interested in taking the Fall class, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or at (925) 640-6803.

Leave no trash behind!

Perhaps you don’t want to buy a tippet collection product, no worries! Instead of tossing out all your used bread bags, newspaper bags, ziplock bags, etc., just stash a couple with your gear, and bring them out to the river and use as trash bags. Costs you nothing, the bags serve a higher purpose, and the rivers are cleaner because of you. 

Steelhead on My Mind…

Another great article from FishBio on steelhead lifecycle, resiliency, differences between steelhead and rainbows, and their challenges. 

And here is a way to see, in person, what is happening locally. Look for Contra Costa County Fish Migration Day at the Pinole Fish Passage. Did you know this existed?

Heritage and Wild Trout Program

An article worth your attention on this program and the conservation activities required to keep it (and the fish habitats) viable.

Get Them Outside

The California Conservation Corp is looking for a few young adults for their paid Watershed Stewards Program. This looks like a great opportunity – share this with someone who might be a good fit.

Any questions? 



Your conservation team is Jim Crocker, Steve Coiteux, Lance Connelly, or David Roche.

You can find past speaker presentations (and meetings) on the DVFF website. Below is a list of those available, with a link to the page where they can be found. Once you click on the link, you will have to login to view the page and videos. These recordings include the club meetings, so you will have to skip ahead to find the start of the presentation.

2026 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2026 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• April 2026 - The Best Topwater Bites in Fly Fishing, with Chris Hunt
• March 2026 - DVFF’s Conservation Program Uncovered, with Jim Crocker.
• February 2026 - Middle Fork (Salmon River): A Catalyst for Wilderness Protection, with Jake Baker
• January 2026 - Western Montana Blue Ribbon Trout Streams, with John McKinnie

2025 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2025 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• November 2025 – The Western Rivers Conservancy, with Director Josh Kling and Senior Donor Relations Officer Natalie Mottley
• October 2025 – Graced by Waters: Tales from a Relapsing Fishaholic, with John Deitsch, with Bryan Quick of The Fly Shop
• September 2025 – The Lower Sacramento River, with Bryan Quick of The Fly Shop
• August 2025 – No Presentation (Club Barbecue)
• July 2025 – Stalking the World’s Great Gamefish with a Fly Rod, with Don Muelrath
• June 2025 – Entomology for the Fly Fisher, with David Dempsey, Fly Fishing Instructor at Marin College
• May 2025 – Euro Nymphing & Competitive Favorites: Secrets to Success on the Water, with Tim Cammisa
• April 2025 – Fishing Lake Almanor in the Fall, with Lance Gray
• March 2025 – Sunol Valley Fish Passage Project, with Claire Buchanan of CalTrout
• February 2025 - Central Coast Carp, with Dagur Árni Guðmundsson
• January 2025 – Night Fishing, with Tim Flagler

2024 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2024 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• December 2024 – No Presentation (Club Open House)
• November 2024 – Fly Fishing the Central Valley, with Capt. Mark Pinto (Not available at this time.)
• October 2024 – Yellowstone Fly Fishing Volunteer Program, with Alan Wyosnick (Not available at this time.)
• September 2024 – Fishing Pyramid Lake During the Warmer Shoulder Seasons, with Rob Anderson
• August 2024 – No Presentation (Club Barbecue)
• July 2024 – Life on the Fly, with Scott Harrison and D'Arcy Richardson
• June 2024 – The Wild & Scenic Trinity River, with Jim Roberts
• May 2024 – Taking Better Fish Photos, Ethically, with Eric Leslie
• April 2024 – Fishing Success with Emergers, with Tim Cammisa
• March 2024 – Not available due to technical difficulties.
• February 2024 – Not recorded at request of speaker Tim Flagler.
• January 2024 – Geology & Fisheries of Iowa's Driftless Coldwater Streams, with Matt Graesch

2023 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2023 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• January 2023 – Native Fish Coalition, with Bob Mallard
• February 2023 – Trout Spey, with Tim Flagler
• March 2023 – No Speaker Due to Weather
• April 2023 – An Argentine Doblé: Golden Dorados in the Jungle Wetlands and Sea-Run Brown Trout in Tierra del Fuego, with Kirston Koths and Bob Marshak
• May 2023 - Local Saltwater Opportunities, with George Revel of Lost Coast Outfitters (Not recorded at request of speaker.)
• June 2023 - Fly Fishing Warmwater: Bass, Pike, Carp & More!, with Jeff Currier (Not recorded at request of speaker.)
• July 2023 - Guide's Eye View of the Upper Klamath, with Brandon Worthington (Not recorded due to technical issues.)
• August 2023 - No Video / Club barbeque
• September 2023 - The Truckee River: A Guide's Perspective, with Matt Heron
• October 2023 - Fishing the Egg Drop, with Lance Gray
• November 2023 - Eastern Idaho, the Henry's Fork and Beyond, with Brian O'Keefe
• December 2023 - Fly Fishing Expeditions from Oregon to Mexico, Bahamas & Beyond: Pop-Up Fishing Lodges, with Joshua Schwartz of Travel Creel

2022 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2022 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• January 2022 – The Fly 'n Float Technique, with Ryan Williams (& North Valley Fly Fishing)
• February 2022 – Fishing the Eastern Sierra, with Doug Rodricks of Sierra Drifters Guide Service
• March 2022 – Safe Wading Practices, with Steve Morikawa (including Upper Sac Wading Incident presented by John Murphy, Mark Likos and Sue Wilburn) | Smolt Survival, presented by UC Davis PhD Candidate Leah Mellinger
• April 2022 – Breaking Down Big Water, with Guide Lance Gray | Beaver Dams vs. Salmon Survival, presented by UC Davis Masters candidate Brandi Goss
• June 2022 – Northern California's 5 Best Trout Streams, with Val Atkinson
• July 2022 – O'Neill Forebay Stripers & Tying Demo, with Lee Haskins
• August 2022 – Club BBQ
• September 2022 – Highway 395, California's Trout Highway, with Greg Vinci
• October 2022 – Advanced Dry Fly Fishing, with Nate Brumley
• November 2022 - Not recorded at request of speaker.
• December 2022 – Chasing the World's Fishes, with Steve Wozniak

2021 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2021 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• January 2021 – East Walker River, with DVFF Member Todd Pond
• February 2021 – Chironomids Top to Bottom, with Guide Ernie Gulley
• March 2021 – California's Heritage Trout Challenge, with Brett Anderson of CDFW Heritage & Wild Trout Program
• May 2021 – The Year of the Nomad Angler, with speaker Dax Messett
• July 2021 – Fly Fishing Prime Northern California Waters, with speaker Tim Fox
• August 2021 – CalTrout’s Bay Area Work, with CalTrout Bay Area Regional Director Patrick Samuel
• October 2021 – Napa River Stripers, Lake Berryessa and Nearby Stillwaters, with Captain Patrick MacKenzie
• November 2021 – Italy: Pesca nel cuore delle nostre montagne (Fishing in the Heart of Our Mountains), with Dana Hooper
• December 2021 – The Origin of the Golden Trout, with Steve Schalla

2020 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2020 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• March 2020 – Trout Unlimited California & The Truckee River, with Sam Sedill
• May 2020 – Stillwater Staples, with Phil Rowley
• June 2020 – Fly Fishing for Stripers on the Lower American River, with Andy Guibord
• July 2020 – Fly Fishing the Northern Sierra, with Jon Baiocchi
• August 2020 – Fishing Northern California's Valley Rivers, with Lance Gray
• September 2020 – Fall Steelhead Options, with Andrew Harris
• October 2020 – Making Dry Flies & Emergers Work, with Skip Morris
• November 2020 – The Ultimate Saltwater Season, with speaker Dylan Rose
• December 2020 – Fishing Central Wyoming, with Blake Jackson

You can find past speaker presentations (and meetings) on the DVFF website. Below is a list of those available, with a link to the page where they can be found. Once you click on the link, you will have to login to view the page and videos. These recordings include the club meetings, so you will have to skip ahead to find the start of the presentation.

2025 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2025 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• February 2026 - Middle Fork (Salmon River): A Catalyst for Wilderness Protection, with Jake Baker
• January 2026 - Western Montana Blue Ribbon Trout Streams, with John McKinnie
• November 2025 – The Western Rivers Conservancy, with Director Josh Kling and Senior Donor Relations Officer Natalie Mottley
• October 2025 – Graced by Waters: Tales from a Relapsing Fishaholic, with John Deitsch, with Bryan Quick of The Fly Shop
• September 2025 – The Lower Sacramento River, with Bryan Quick of The Fly Shop
• August 2025 – No Presentation (Club Barbecue)
• July 2025 – Stalking the World’s Great Gamefish with a Fly Rod, with Don Muelrath
• June 2025 – Entomology for the Fly Fisher, with David Dempsey, Fly Fishing Instructor at Marin College
• May 2025 – Euro Nymphing & Competitive Favorites: Secrets to Success on the Water, with Tim Cammisa
• April 2025 – Fishing Lake Almanor in the Fall, with Lance Gray
• March 2025 – Sunol Valley Fish Passage Project, with Claire Buchanan of CalTrout
• February 2025 - Central Coast Carp, with Dagur Árni Guðmundsson
• January 2025 – Night Fishing, with Tim Flagler

2024 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2024 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• December 2024 – No Presentation (Club Open House)
• November 2024 – Fly Fishing the Central Valley, with Capt. Mark Pinto (Not available at this time.)
• October 2024 – Yellowstone Fly Fishing Volunteer Program, with Alan Wyosnick (Not available at this time.)
• September 2024 – Fishing Pyramid Lake During the Warmer Shoulder Seasons, with Rob Anderson
• August 2024 – No Presentation (Club Barbecue)
• July 2024 – Life on the Fly, with Scott Harrison and D'Arcy Richardson
• June 2024 – The Wild & Scenic Trinity River, with Jim Roberts
• May 2024 – Taking Better Fish Photos, Ethically, with Eric Leslie
• April 2024 – Fishing Success with Emergers, with Tim Cammisa
• March 2024 – Not available due to technical difficulties.
• February 2024 – Not recorded at request of speaker Tim Flagler.
• January 2024 – Geology & Fisheries of Iowa's Driftless Coldwater Streams, with Matt Graesch

2023 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2023 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• January 2023 – Native Fish Coalition, with Bob Mallard
• February 2023 – Trout Spey, with Tim Flagler
• March 2023 – No Speaker Due to Weather
• April 2023 – An Argentine Doblé: Golden Dorados in the Jungle Wetlands and Sea-Run Brown Trout in Tierra del Fuego, with Kirston Koths and Bob Marshak
• May 2023 - Local Saltwater Opportunities, with George Revel of Lost Coast Outfitters (Not recorded at request of speaker.)
• June 2023 - Fly Fishing Warmwater: Bass, Pike, Carp & More!, with Jeff Currier (Not recorded at request of speaker.)
• July 2023 - Guide's Eye View of the Upper Klamath, with Brandon Worthington (Not recorded due to technical issues.)
• August 2023 - No Video / Club barbeque
• September 2023 - The Truckee River: A Guide's Perspective, with Matt Heron
• October 2023 - Fishing the Egg Drop, with Lance Gray
• November 2023 - Eastern Idaho, the Henry's Fork and Beyond, with Brian O'Keefe
• December 2023 - Fly Fishing Expeditions from Oregon to Mexico, Bahamas & Beyond: Pop-Up Fishing Lodges, with Joshua Schwartz of Travel Creel

2022 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2022 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• January 2022 – The Fly 'n Float Technique, with Ryan Williams (& North Valley Fly Fishing)
• February 2022 – Fishing the Eastern Sierra, with Doug Rodricks of Sierra Drifters Guide Service
• March 2022 – Safe Wading Practices, with Steve Morikawa (including Upper Sac Wading Incident presented by John Murphy, Mark Likos and Sue Wilburn) | Smolt Survival, presented by UC Davis PhD Candidate Leah Mellinger
• April 2022 – Breaking Down Big Water, with Guide Lance Gray | Beaver Dams vs. Salmon Survival, presented by UC Davis Masters candidate Brandi Goss
• June 2022 – Northern California's 5 Best Trout Streams, with Val Atkinson
• July 2022 – O'Neill Forebay Stripers & Tying Demo, with Lee Haskins
• August 2022 – Club BBQ
• September 2022 – Highway 395, California's Trout Highway, with Greg Vinci
• October 2022 – Advanced Dry Fly Fishing, with Nate Brumley
• November 2022 - Not recorded at request of speaker.
• December 2022 – Chasing the World's Fishes, with Steve Wozniak

2021 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2021 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• January 2021 – East Walker River, with DVFF Member Todd Pond
• February 2021 – Chironomids Top to Bottom, with Guide Ernie Gulley
• March 2021 – California's Heritage Trout Challenge, with Brett Anderson of CDFW Heritage & Wild Trout Program
• May 2021 – The Year of the Nomad Angler, with speaker Dax Messett
• July 2021 – Fly Fishing Prime Northern California Waters, with speaker Tim Fox
• August 2021 – CalTrout’s Bay Area Work, with CalTrout Bay Area Regional Director Patrick Samuel
• October 2021 – Napa River Stripers, Lake Berryessa and Nearby Stillwaters, with Captain Patrick MacKenzie
• November 2021 – Italy: Pesca nel cuore delle nostre montagne (Fishing in the Heart of Our Mountains), with Dana Hooper
• December 2021 – The Origin of the Golden Trout, with Steve Schalla

2020 Speakers/Presentations

Click this link to go to the 2020 video page, then scroll to find the month.

• March 2020 – Trout Unlimited California & The Truckee River, with Sam Sedill
• May 2020 – Stillwater Staples, with Phil Rowley
• June 2020 – Fly Fishing for Stripers on the Lower American River, with Andy Guibord
• July 2020 – Fly Fishing the Northern Sierra, with Jon Baiocchi
• August 2020 – Fishing Northern California's Valley Rivers, with Lance Gray
• September 2020 – Fall Steelhead Options, with Andrew Harris
• October 2020 – Making Dry Flies & Emergers Work, with Skip Morris
• November 2020 – The Ultimate Saltwater Season, with speaker Dylan Rose
• December 2020 – Fishing Central Wyoming, with Blake Jackson

FOR SALE

• Simms G3 waders used Large/Short stocking foot (Chest, 43-44”, Inseam, 31-32”, Shoe size 9-11”) Retail $700, selling for $295

• Redington waders used large stocking foot (Chest, 43-45”, Waist, 35-38”, Inseam, 32-34”, Shoe size, 9-11). Retail $250, Selling for $95.

Bill King, (925) 837-8799

FOR SALE - Minn Kota Bow Electric Motor (Retractable)

• 24 volt. ( 2 battery) 
• 80 lb thrust. (Suitable for 16’ outboard runabout)
• 52” inch shaft

This model has I-pilot ( stays on a straight line) and uses a foot controller (no remote fob, no built in transducer). Has under 100 hours use on unit. I upgraded to one with anchor lock. Best offer.

Mark Sturgess, (415) 595-6368.

Officers & Directors

Officers

President

Treasurer

Secretary

Chris Clayton

John Kreiter

Dennis Bell

(805) 478-2209

(925) 945-7515

(925) 575-0803

Board of Directors

2024-2027

2025-2026

2026-2027

2026

2024-2026

2025-2026

2025-2026

2025-2026

2026-2027

Phil Billecci

Jim Crocker

John Magee

John Murphy

Mark Held

Rich Garbarino

Russ Meyer

Sue Wilburn

John Guerra

(925) 323-5453

(925) 577-6159

(650) 796-4918

(925) 289-8808

(651) 357-7828

(925) 723-2376

(925) 818-4174

(925) 785-3318

(925) 895-4199

Leads & Liaisons

Finance

Director of Finance, John Kreiter, (925) 945-7515

Auctions

Raffles

John Kreiter

Steve Spiller

(925) 945-7515

(925) 947-4914

Communication & Media

Director of Communication & Media: Mark Held, (651) 357-7828

Meeting Coordinator

Speaker Coordinator

Fishing Census &

Memorable Catches

Newsletter Editor

Newsletter Assistant

Editor

Webmaster

Webmaster Assistant

Social Media

Social Media

Pleasanton Fly

Fishing Show

Norm Takemori

Alan Christian

Alan Christian

Patrick Konoske

Lance Connelly

Patrick Konoske

Michael Ellery

Rich Garbarino

Mark Held

Phil Billecci

(707) 999-8567

(925) 943-7444

(925) 943-7444

(707) 334-6849

(925) 640-6803

(707) 334-6849

(925) 320-7567

(925) 723-2376

(651) 357-7828

(925) 323-5453

Membership

Director of Membership: John Guerra, (925) 895-4199

Membership Chair

Outings

Casting Outings

Summer BBQ

Winter Banquet

Merchandise

Wayne Hofer

Barry Zacharias

John Guerra

Bob Johnston

John Guerra

John Guerra

(925) 937-0739

(925) 577-5611

(925) 895-4199

(925) 285-4630

(925) 895-4199

(925) 895-4199

Director of Membership: Sue Wilburn, (925) 785-3318

Intermediate Fly-Tying

Group

Mentorship

Mentorship

Mentorship

Social Committee

Co-Chair

Social Committee

Co-Chair

Open House

Swap Meet

Women’s Group

Happy Hours

Steve Spiller

Chris Clayton

Mark Held

Sue Wilburn

Sue Wilburn

John Guerra

Sue Wilburn

Sue Wilburn

Sue Wilburn

Sue Wilburn

Sue Wilburn

(925) 947-4914

(805) 478-2209

(651) 357-7828

(925) 785-3318

(925) 895-4199

(925) 785-3318

(925) 785-3318

(925) 785-3318

(925) 785-3318

(925) 785-3318

Education

Director of Education: Phil Billecci, (925) 323-5453

Education Committee

Chair

Fly Fishing Proficiency

Casting Instruction

Roundtable Discussions

Safety Committee Chair

Alan Christian

Alan Christian

Willy George

Phil Billecci

Sue Wilburn

(925) 943-7444

(925) 943-7444

(925) 683-9364

(925) 323-5453

(925) 785-3318

Director of Education: Rich Garbarino, (925) 723-2376

Fly Fishing

Fundamentals

Fly Fishing

Fundamentals

Fly Fishing

Fundamentals

Fly Fishing

Fundamentals

Fly-Tying Instruction

Rod-Building Instruction

Golden Trout Award

Lance Connelly

John Murphy

Mark Held

Vladislav Zamakhovsky

Steve Spiller

Wayne Hofer

John Magee

(925) 640-6803

(925) 289-8808

(651) 357-7828

(925) 899-5714

(925) 947-4914

(925) 937-0739

(650) 796-4918

External Relations

Director of External Relations: Chris Clayton, (805) 478-2209

NCCFFI

Project Health Waters

Conservation

Frank Harris Youth

Scholarship

Scouting America

Trout in the Classroom

CrossWaterCreek

Outfitters

Chris Clayton

Brian Miller

Jim Crocker

Steve Spiller

Russ Meyer

Lance Connelly

Dennis Bell

(805) 478-2209

(925) 518-5252

(925) 577-6159

(925) 947-4914

(925) 818-4174

(925) 640-6803

(925) 575-0803

Diablo Valley Fly Fishing Club

info@diablovalleyflyfish.org

http://diablovalleyflyfish.org

Windknots Publishing Guidelines

The deadline for submission of content is generally 12 days prior to the monthly meeting, which takes place the third Tuesday of the month. The publishing of articles and information in Windknots is at the discretion of the newsletter editor and team, based on their judgement as to producing and delivering Windknots in a timely manner. All images must be submitted in JPG or PNG format and labeled as to indicate the content, e.g. location, people's names, etc. Text must be submitted in an MS Word format. Note: All images and copy may be edited for clarity and style. If you wish to submit content, send it to DVFFWindknots@gmail.com.