Activities Overview

The club organizes a number of fishing trips each year, which may range from informal day trips to professionally guided trips. Some of the destinations include surf perch outings on local beaches, still water outings on local lakes, multi-day outings to the Western & Eastern Sierras, Northern California trips to Manzanita Lake & Lake Almanor and steelhead trips to the Trinity & Klamath rivers. We also have some outings to places like Pyramid lake NV &  the Soaring Eagle Lodge on the San Juan River NM. Occasionally other trips to other destinations will be organized. Members have access to trip details, invaluable planning and participating in an outing. 

The club conducts a number of educational events throughout the year. The monthly fly tying get together, led by a different member each month, introduces the art of tying flies to beginners as well as new patterns to experienced tiers. The annual series of casting clinics, put on each Spring by our five certified casting instructors, is tailored to all skill levels, and by itself is worth way more than the annual dues. Periodically additional seminars, clinics and demonstrations are given in “fly fishing 101”, still water fly fishing, rod building, knot tying, etc.

Meetings of SLFF are on the second Thursday of each month, except for the March fund raiser and the September picnic at local winery. The first portion of our meetings include: selling tickets for our raffle which can include  some cool fly fishing items, introduction of new members & guests, members sharing their recent good fishing experiences and general announcements of upcoming events and activities. The meeting then continues with a program given by a guest expert or club member on a topic related to fly fishing. Speakers include fishing guides, authors, conservationists and club members.

Our meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings are usually held at the Milking Parlor at the Octagon Barn (4400 Octagon Way, SLO) at 6:30 on the second Thursday of the month, you may also access the meetings live via Zoom. Check the Events page for more details, a google map and directions. The March meeting is our annual fund raising luncheon auction and raffle held at another location.

The club provides a wealth of information to members through “Tight Lines”  our monthly newsletter. The newsletter presents articles on outings, programs, fly tying and conservation, as well as a calendar of events. These articles are written by members, other local fly fishing groups and nationally known experts.

Members have access to the members-only sections of the website. Here’s where to go to ask questions of your fellow members and gets lots of useful information posted by members. 

The club has long supported many of the regulatory and legislative changes which protect wild and native trout, steelhead and salmon in California. We have also worked on local streams and rivers to improve the habitat and to restore spoiled waterways. We believe that one of the best ways to promote conservation of our natural resources is to introduce others to the value, beauty and enjoyment of these resources. We also believe that there is nothing more therapeutic than spending some time on the water with a fly rod whether or not the fish cooperate. We offer members a variety of chances to contribute their time and resources to deserving causes.

Each year, in partnership with the Delphinus School of Natural History, we put on a camp for 10 youths ages 10 to 14. Classes include Intro to Fly Fishing, Knots, Fly Tying, Casting, Fish Life Cycles, Entomology and a day at a private pond catching bass and pan fish.