Something for Everyone
While the main focus at LBCC is fly fishing, it’s not our only one. We also realize that friendships are important, as good fishing days are even better when shared; and not-so-good catching days aren’t so bad with friends. We’re also attuned to taking care of our planet and instilling others to do the same.
Ladies Welcome!
Even though the first detailed treatise on fly fishing was published in England by Dame Juliana Berners in 1496, fly fishing has been regarded as a male-dominated sport. That’s changing! Nearly one-third of new fly fishers are ladies. (Maybe it’s because they are innately better anglers than men). They seem to listen more carefully in our casting classes (and therefore learn faster), and they don’t depend on strength to “get the fly out there”. Women learn to let the rod do the work. Casting is a matter of timing, not power. At streamside, they show much more grace than the guys, and in fighting a large fish, they seem to know it’s all about patience. Much can also be said about a women’s dexterity in fly tying. The Club’s history includes female presidents, board members, trip leaders and certainly an abundant number of capable volunteers. LBCC has long appreciated and welcomed our women folk.
Venison Stag
Venison Stag. Once a year we kick off our wading boots and enjoy an impressive home-cooked prime rib dinner to celebrate the Christmas season. The event is called the Venison Stag (although we no longer serve venison and it is no longer stag). Prepared in our own kitchen and served in the classroom-turned banquet hall, it’s a great way to close out the year and start dreaming about next year’s fishing trips. The delicious meal is also a great outing for non-fishing spouses. Reservations are a must as we can accommodate only 80 people.
Nooner Lunches
Nooner lunches are a fairly new tradition that happen monthly except during the summer when many are fishing. The menus are simple – tacos, spaghetti, tamales, burgers, turkey, etc. Whatever is served is delicious and gives members a mid-week opportunity to come together, visit, catch up on the latest fishing news and connect for next week’s outing.
Awards and Installation
Awards and Installation Dinner takes place in April to recognize the good work of the outgoing Board of Directors, installation of new board members and presentation of awards for largest fish caught of different species, medals given for competitive casting scores and awards for members’ outstanding service. Simple dinner, great tributes and achievements.
Spey Casting
Spey Casting lessons are offered twice a year and are designed to help beginners get Spey Casting started as well as enhance the performance of practicing spey casters. Spey is used for fishing large rivers for salmon and large trout such as steelhead. The technique is also used in saltwater surf fishing where conditions require the angler to cast larger or weighted flies long distances. The two-handed Spey technique allows more powerful casts and avoids obstacles behind the angler by keeping most of the line in front of the angler. The classes are offered twice a year on Saturday mornings. They run for two hours each and are free to the public.
The Porch
The Porch is by far the favorite hang-out site at the Club. Overlooking the pond, lawns and trees, this happy place is where world problems are solved, fishing trips are reminisced and helpful tips are shared. Conversations there also confirm that the fastest growth segment of a fish’s life is the time between when it’s hooked and when it’s bragged about. Still, if you have a serious fishing question, there will always be an answer.
Tournaments
With our own casting pond, we can hold internal club events (which improves our skills), but even better, we can host tournaments that let us interact with other clubs to build relationships far beyond our daily horizon. The Southwest Tournament brings casters from several western states and periodic National Tournaments bring visitors from across the country. Our tournament calendar includes the Captain’s Handicap, (Sept); Southwest Tournament, (February) Northwestern, (Oakland, Oct). With the increasing interest in two-handed casting, we are now holding Spey tournaments as well. We also host Sunday morning and Tuesday night casts.
Monthly Events
Monthly Meetings
Monthly meetings usually feature a guide, industry professional or outstanding fly tyer as the speaker. Meetings are held the last Thursday of each month (except December and April) at the clubhouse, or on Zoom, at 7:00 pm, and are free to the public. You are invited.
Monthly Trips
Locations and dates vary, but we offer at least one trip a month. Destinations might include the Lower Owens River (Bishop); the Brookie Bash (Mammoth); Kelsey Bass Ranch (Merced); Green River, (Utah); Sierra on the Fly (backpacking); Yards and Inches (Huntington Beach); On-the-Bay (surf fishing). Other destinations are usually blue-ribbon fisheries in the western states.
If you like to fish, we offer lots of variety, both scheduled and impromptu, throughout the year. For salt water, there is local surf fishing and bay outings. The bays range from San Diego to Long Beach. One consistent event is the Yards & Inches in Huntington Harbour. These are half-day or one-day events, close to home that take advantage of the excellent fishery in our backyard. In addition, a lot of guys get together on the spur of the moment to fish where the chatter says it’s good, whether surf for corbina and perch, bays for sand and spotted bay bass or Long Beach breakwater for Calicos. Kayaks are the vessel of choice.
For fresh water, there are January, February and March trips to the Lower Owens for trout. April and May are warm water trips for largemouth bass. May also includes two trips to the Green River in Utah. Summers see specialized trips like tenkara, backpacking, or out-of-state events in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado or New Mexico. Closer to home, there is Lake Crowley and other Mammoth and Bridgeport area streams and lake fisheries. Fall brings on Northern California steelhead trips as well as trout trips on waters like the Missouri, Madison, Colorado and Big Horn rivers. Any fishing itch can be scratched for LBCC members.
Fresh Water Trips
Salt Water Trips
Community Outreach
Trout in Classroom
LBCC is a proud sponsor of Trout in the Classroom, partnering with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and teachers in the Long Beach Unified School District.
The program delivers aquariums to class rooms from kindergarten through high school where students can observe and monitor the trout life cycle as trout eggs hatch and grow to fingerlings before being released into local waters.
Club volunteers help in aquarium set up, delivery of eggs, ongoing care, trouble- shooting and a celebratory fish release.
Conservation
When a group such as ours regularly practices catch and release, you can be assured that conservation ranks high. We realize we need to care for our planet, that trout are a precious resource and that everyone can make a difference. In addition to supporting like-minded conservation groups such as Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited and Western Rivers Conservancy, we also administer our own hands-on conservation activity. Our conservation group regularly visits the West Fork of the San Gabriel River to cut brush, pick up trash, renew signage, paint and repair benches and tables, etc. In all fairness, it’s not all work and no play. After lunch, we usually wet a line for a while and appreciate the solitude of this wildlife oasis.
Boy Scouts
Helping scouts earn their fly-fishing merit badge is a common occurrence at LBCC.
On various occasions our volunteers have taught knot tying, fly casting and fly tying.
When schedules permit, we put the learning into practice with an outing to local waters.
With individual scout troops, we work with the scout master to supplement their own teaching strengths.
Social Events