Monthly Meeting Schedule
Workshop – General – Casting – Board

Workshop

Where:  Highlands Community Club, 1665 Fernside, Redwood City.  Map 
When:  First Thursday of each month; doors open at 7:00PM, activities start at 7:30PM, activities end at 9:30PM.
Who:  Harold Patterson for fly tying and general information. Doug Weber for rod building.

These workshops are designed to help members improve some aspect of flyfishing. Some workshops are ongoing, while others are set up for a specific goal, such as an special knots for an upcoming saltwater fishout. Currently we have ongoing courses in fly tying and rod building.

The workshop meeting is a good opportunity to just hang out. You can meet your friends and make new ones, trade fishing stories, find a fishing partner for next weekend. It's a relaxing, informal get-together.

Fly Tying

Tying your own flies is thought by many to be a maturation step to becoming an accomplished flyfisher. PFF can help you take that step.

Some club tiers drop in at the workshop and sit together, each tying his or her own choice of flies. Others join the tying class to get a good start in fly tying or to improve on their basic skill. There are quite a few excellent tiers in our club who generously share their expertise. For some time now, Harold Patterson has been teaching the beginning class. Whenever there are interested students, introductory and/or intermediate classes will be offered.

Introductory Fly Tying Course

This course focuses on the fundamentals of fly tying. It covers the basic patterns: dry fly, nymph, streamer, and terrestrial. The neophyte is introduced to the materials and tools of the craft. Techniques covered include wrapping hackle, palmering, dubbing, body proportions, wings, and whip finishing. Because the club furnishes all the necessary tools and materials, anyone can try their hand at fly tying for only a small fee.

PDF of Beginning Course Syllabus

Intermediate Fly Tying Course

The flies tied in this course are smaller and more difficult than those in the beginners' course. The intermediate tier is challenged with soft hackles, parachutes, bead heads, emergers, and spinners. The necessary materials for each lesson's pattern are provided. A small fee is charged to cover their cost. Students who wish to be instructed at this level should inform the workshop chairman, ,

Rod Building

The rod building workshop is conducted by Doug Weber. Prior to building a rod, participants will get help from Doug in selecting and purchasing rod blanks and materials suitable for the rod's intended use and the caster's personal preferences. At the workshop, club members build their rods alongside the instructor, who teaches on a demo rod. Topics covered include:

General Meeting

Where:  Highlands Community Club, 1665 Fernside, Redwood City.  Map 
When:  Third Thursday of each month; doors open at 7:00PM, activities start at 7:30PM, activities end at 9:30PM.
Who: The club president, , can answer your questions about the speaker program.

Stephen Haggard lectures on the charms of small stream fishing.

General meetings begin with informal socializing. After the call to order, there are announcements, some fishing stories, some committee reports, and display of raffle items. A brief recess and then the raffle. The featured event of the evening is a presentaion by a guest speaker who is a noted authority on some aspect of flyfishing.

Visitors and members' guests are always welcome.

The July and December meetings are banquets (no fly fishing speaker). To attend, you must be a member and you must make advance reservations and payment.

Casting

Where:  Erckenbrack Park, Foster City.  Map 
When:  The Saturday following the general meeting. 10AM until Noon. A convivial lunch often follows.
Who:  Casting chairman Rich Catanzero can answer your questions about the casting clinic.

Our casting workshop has something for everyone. The proficient caster can practice to keep skills honed. The learning caster, from first-timer through intermediate can get instruction from several qualified members. Instructors tailor their lessons to the personal needs of the students. Digital video provides quick feedback to speed your progress to expert level.

For the safety of all participants, it is required that hats and glasses be worn.

Beginning Fly Casting

Beginner fly casting courses are taught by Rich Catanzaro. No prior experience is required for this course. Beginners' instructions start with stance, rod grip, and body posture. As they advance, participants learn the basic stroke, the single haul, and the roll cast. Prevention of wind knots and tailing loops is discussed.The proper form to develop a good power stroke is emphasized. All instruction at this level is performed on the grass.

For beginners who have no equipment, the club has some training setups that can be used during instruction. It's best to call ahead to arrange to have the equipment on hand.

Intermediate Fly Casting

Intermediate fly casting is taught by Wayne Taylor and Bob Shadle . The prerequisite for intermediate fly casting is to be able to cast 30 ft and have good loop control. This course teaches good line handling techniques which allows the student to reach longer distances. The caster is taught how to do the single and double hauls, the water haul, and how to throw shooting heads.

Other Casting Opportunities

Several of the local flyshops offer casting seminars from time to time. They can steer you to certified casting instructors, as well. Go to our "Sponsors" page to find the names and locations of the local fly shops.

Another valuable resource for the caster is located in San Francisco: the Golden Gate Park casting ponds. These ponds and the charming club house were built by the WPA. The club house, the Angler's Lodge, is the home of our friends in the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club. The ponds are open to the public. On Saturdays in particular, you will find many casters about, some of whom are always happy to analyze your cast and give tips.

Tournament Casting

We live among the champions. You might see them working out if you visit the Golden Gate Park casting ponds, or the casting ponds in Oakland. Tournament casting is a sport in its own right, but oh my what it can do for your fishing.

Wayne Taylor has written three articles that explain the three events of most interest to we fly fishers.

 

Board

Where:  CalTrans Building, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, 4th Floor, San Carlos.  Map 
When:  The Wednesday following the general meeting. Call to order at 7:30PM.
Who:  President , sets the agenda.

Management of the club is the responsibility of the board. Its meetings are open, and the board welcomes the participation of all members. Bring your point of view, your solutions to problems, your ideas for club events.

A list of club officers, directors, committee chairpersons.