Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers upcoming events

April - Annual Auction - GPFF Club Meeting (08 Apr 2026)

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:30:00 GMT

April GPFF Club Meeting

Annual Auction

Live, In-Person

WEDNESDAY, April 8

Live Auction is at the Kensington Community Center as our regular monthly meeting time. Note that there is no hybrid Zoom option for the Live Auction.

Schedule:

6:00pm: Meet & Socialize

7:00pm: Auction

Refreshments: Pizza, beer, wine, soft drinks provided by the club

It’s Auction Time!

Our annual fund-raising auction returns with a live, in-person auction at our regular club meeting night in April. It is a fun, lively event that helps fund the club’s activities for the year. Come and enjoy the bidding, catch up with friends, and pick up some new gear while helping support the club!

If you have items to donate, please contact ericlarson87@gmail.com

2026 GPFF SPRING Foundational Fly Fishing Seminar (09 Apr 2026)

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 01:00:00 GMT

GPFF SPRING Foundational Fly Fishing Seminar

Zoom & Live Edition,

1st Session April 9th 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (Zoom), 2026

2nd Session April 10thth 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM(Zoom) 2026

Final Session Casting & Knots April 11th LIVE, 9:00 AM to Noon (or as needed)

Kensington Library Grass

Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers is dedicated to the ongoing education in the art, science, and sport of fly fishing. One of our cornerstone programs is the GPFF Foundational Fly Fishing Seminar. Historically, offered in the spring & fall as interest dictates. The seminar provides entry through intermediate level anglers everything they need to know about the sport, including: Essential Equipment needed, Knots & Leaders, Casting, Stream water reading, Entomology, Fish Identification & Fly use, Landing and Releasing Fish and more.

This is NOT a ‘survey’ course, it is a full, comprehensive course that will give you the confidence and preparedness to move forward productively in the sport.

What you get: A 'Link' to a 50+ page, full-color course text, with plenty of lined pages for taking notes you can print out. Starter Kit: Practice Knot tying materials, Practice Casting Leader with False Fly. Additionally, you will be assigned a ‘mentor’ that you can contact at any time for help and advice. First session, a Zoom course, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (or more as needed). Second session, another Zoom session 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (or more as needed) and the third LIVE session will be Saturday at the Kensington Community Center upper grass area 9:00 AM to Noon for casting instruction, then down to the 'Hut" classroom for Knots & course summary.

What to bring to casting session: #5, #6 or #7 weight Fly Rod, reel & matching fly line. (Let Mark know IF you need a club loaner for casting instruction). Sunglasses (or some sort of protective glasses) for eye protection safety, a hat is recommended. I'll have a 7,5' tapered practice leader with yarn fly for casting.

Our coaches have decades of experience and will be working with you at your current level to help you develop the foundations you need to move forward in the sport productively.

Seminar Fee: Members $75, Non-members $115 (includes a year’s membership). REGISTER NOW as the class is limited to 12 students with registration closing April 1st, 2026.

Registration/Payment: Zoom Class are limited to 12 participants. Payment can be made through the GPFF’s calendar on our website via PayPal. Checks are also accepted. Make checks payable to GPFF and send them to PO Box 153 El Cerrito, Ca 94530. Include your name, address, best contact number & email address with your check. Please contact Mark Likos, email address below, after registering, to get the 'Tools' provided & the link to print your book.

Sycamore Ranch (Lower Yuba) Beginner Outing (18 Apr 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Sycamore Ranch (Lower Yuba) Beginner Outing

Date: Saturday, April 18^th, 2026, 9am to 2pm

Location: 5390 CA-20, Browns Valley, CA 95918

Fishmaster: Mark Likos

Fishmaster contact info available to GPFF members at https://www.grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/directory

Although this outing is open to all club members, priority placement will be given to first time participants & novice club members. Coaches will be present to work with the same. ^[1]

Needed Gear:

Rod, Reel & matched fly line,
Boots,
Waders with belt,
Wading Staff with lanyard,
Safety glasses with lanyard,
Current Fishing License & Steelhead Card,
Gear Vest (or Option),
Assorted Leaders: (mono-tapered Dry Fly (#3, 4 or 5) & Nymph type #3, 4 or 5)
Assorted seasonal Flies in a couple of different sizes,
Hat,
Assorted split shot,
Assorted strike indicators,
Assorted Tippet line (#4, 5, & 6),
Safety Whistle,
First Aid Kit, and Water Bottle. Suggested Landing net, Fly Floatant & PFD
This is the recommended list of essential gear for most ALL stream-side outings.

NOTE: You won’t be allowed to participate without the red-colored safety items.

The section of this central California tail-water is big-river fly fishing. Wide, faster water conditions typically with deep water crossing. We chose this site as it has entry level to difficult wading exposures that an angler can experience all in the same area. The river substrate is mostly medium to large round river-rock, somewhat difficult/tiring to wade over time (hard on the ankles).

This is a good river to see and experience most wading conditions. You will use your wading staff to practice the 3-leg walk that you will use frequently in northern California streams. Your coach can help you. It will take practice to get better at wading.

We’ll come ready for both dry fly and nymphing setups, targeting the 12 to 14-inch trout known for the area (24-inchers are occasionally seen) but our focus will be getting the newer fly fishers acclimated to typical stream fishing conditions and how to address those issues safely. (Practicing the 3 foundational knots & casts are the keys to success in my opinion)

The limit to this outing is 12 for this event. Another novice outing will be added as demand dictates. Register NOW if interested.

Directions: Head to Marysville, (follow google) from there to the Ranch. Drive to the end of the lot, bring a lunch. Schedule 2 ¼ hours from the Bay. Be ON TIME, we will leave promptly at 9am

^[1] ALL participants are expected to have learned and have confidence in the 3 foundational knots as taught by Grizzly Peak Education (Perfection Loop, Davy Knot & Surgeons Knot) and be able to competently complete an Overhead, Roll & Water haul cast. Practice ahead of time as needed.

Lake Manzanita in Lassen Park and nearby areas (27 Apr 2026)

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Lake Manzanita (Monday-Thursday)

Fishmaster - Bob Fabini

Fishmaster contact info available to GPFF members at: https://www.grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/directory

Manzanita Lake is located near the junction of Hwy 89 and Hwy 44, just inside Lassen Park. Manzanita is a 26 acre stillwater that is perfect for float tubes, pontoon boats, and small un-powered watercraft. It can be fished from shore, but this will severely limit you. If you haven’t fished a Stillwater for trout, this is a great starting point. The rainbows and browns are wild and spunky. The nymphing and dry fly action can be great. The Manzanita Lake Campground won't yet be open, so we will stay in nearby Forest Service Camps--TBD. The lake is an hour south of Burney, so it combines well with trips to other waters. No special gear is required for trout fisherman; however, long rods are helpful to keep fish up and out of the prolific weeds.

I am terminating the official outing Wednesday afternoon so that interested members can join me heading to the work party at Ah-Di-Nah Campground on the McCloud River that is taking place Friday and Saturday, May 1st and 2nd. There is still important work to be done.

Scott Hosting a McCloud River work party (01 May 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

From Scott: For May 1 and 2nd with six open slots. It is a Ah Di Na work party outing and FISHING come early or stay late. We will be doing trail maintenance and installing bar boxes Friday and Saturday May 1 and 2nd.

It will be a shared outing with Diablo Valley Fly fishers.

If you or anyone else has questions, feel free to contact me via email or directly 510 704-0402

Deer Creek (14 May 2026)

Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Deer Creek (Fri - Sun-- some folks arrive earlier as well)

Fishmaster - David Miller and Liz Halimah

Fishmaster contact info available to GPFF members at: https://www.grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/directory

We will fish Deer Creek and possibly Mill Creek. Relatively near the Bay Area. Beautiful country and often hungry fish. For beginners, this trip provides an excellent introduction to stream fishing and sometimes great dry fly opportunities.

Note that you need a Steelhead Card if you want to fish below the Upper Falls since a Rainbow trout 16" or longer in anadromous waters is a Steelhead. You can order your fishing license online at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales, but keep in mind that the Steelhead Card is delivered only by snail mail, so if time is short, get it from a retail agent.

We will try to stay at the Potato Patch Campground. No reservations are permitted, so one of us will go up Thursday afternoon and try to occupy 1 or 2 campsites. If that doesn't work, we will go to one of the nearby unofficial camping areas. Look for a notice on the Potato Patch bulletin board adjacent to the pay station, either confirming a Potato Patch site number or giving alternate instructions.

Here is the Fishout Sheet.

GPFF strongly encourages carpooling. Email Brad to coordinate rides or if you have questions.

Burney Falls Area (03 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Burney Falls Area

June 3 - 7, 2026 (Wed - Sun)

Fishmasters: Lauren Richmond and Eric Larson

The Burney Falls area is one of the regular highlights of the GPFF calendar. Camping will be paid by GPFF.

Campsites are #104, #105, #107 (all together).

Fishing for all skill levels - includes excellent novice water. See beautiful Burney Falls. Fish Burney Creek, right at the campground, Hat Creek, Pit River, Fall River, Lost Creek, Rock Creek, Lake Britton and Baum Lake.

Here is the Burney_Fishout May - June 2026.pdf

GPFF strongly encourages carpooling. Email Lauren and Eric to coordinate rides or if you have questions. grizzlypeakflyfishers@gmail.com

McCloud River (October Caddis) (22 Oct 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Updated 8/27/2024

McCloud River Outing (Thurs-Sun)

Fishmaster: Bob Fabini and D'Arcy Richardson

Our annual October Caddis outing. Skill level - Intermediate to advanced(difficult terrain). Ah-Di-Nah Campground.

The McCloud River is absolutely beautiful this time of year. And the fish love the big caddis flies that should be hatching, especially the migrating (big!) browns. Just cast near a the edges and watch your fly explode!

NOTE: This outing is located far from medical services, in a remote canyon where wading is difficult and injuries are not uncommon. This outing is a fun trip that will test (and hopefully improve) your angling skills, but it is not recommended for beginning anglers, those with limited wading skills, or people with health and fitness issues.

Here is the Fishout Sheet.

GPFF strongly encourages car pooling. Email Bob Fabini - bobflyguy@gmail.com - to coordinate rides or if you have questions.