Granite Bay Flycasters was founded in 1986 in Granite Bay, California. Many of the founding members are still active in the club today. An early project of GBF was the construction of the Activity Center in the woods of Folsom Lake Park near the Granite Bay boat ramps, where we still meet on the second Thursday of every month.
Over the years, GBF has grown from a nucleus of less than 20 members to approximately 230 members today, counting both single and family memberships. Some members’ children are now grown up and continue to be active in GBF’s many activities, which include education, conservation, and recreational programs and projects such as casting classes, stream rehabilitation, and fishouts to many local and remote streams, lakes, the Delta, and the ocean.
It has been a tradition at GBF for veteran members to help new members who are just learning about flyfishing and the wonderful outdoor Sierra environment at our doorstep. All levels of proficiency, from uninitiated beginners to experienced flyfishers, are among GBF’s membership.
GBF has contributed significantly to the local community and numerous state-wide California wildlife and watershed resources, preserving these precious assets for future generations to enjoy. GBF annually contributes both hands-on volunteer labor and financial resources from our members and generous sponsors. Our contributions typically exceed $10,000 per year. Many local and national organizations are supported, including the Federation of Fly Fishers, the Nature Conservancy, Placer Legacy, CalTrout, Trout Unlimited, and the California Sport Fishing Alliance. In addition, GBF funds an annual scholarship of $2,000 for a deserving Humboldt State University graduate student involved in fishery research.
We invite you to explore our website, gbflycasters.org, to learn more about Granite Bay Flycasters’ mission. You are also welcome to visit our monthly meetings, meet our members, and learn more about how you can participate and become a member.
The Mission: The Granite Bay Flycasters (GBF) is a nonprofit, family-oriented club organized to promote fisheries conservation, catch and release fly fishing, and educate members on the related crafts and skills.
Founded in 1986, we are proudly celebrating close to 40 years of service to the community. Our web site is designed to be a resource for club members who want to enhance their fly fishing experience through participation in various club activities. Check often for information on club fishouts, conservation projects, classes & clinics, and other activities that support our mission.
The following classes are offered each year to help members perfect their fly-fishing skills.
- Basic fly fishing 101
- Knot tying
- Net building
- Rod Building
- Casting, single handed and spey
- Tenkara at all levels
- Intro to fly tying
- Intro to float tubing lakes
Throughout the year, club members host fishouts to local creeks, rivers, and still waters. These fish-outs are hosted by a member who is familiar with the water being fished and the techniques used to fish it effectively. Members unfamiliar with the location or fishing techniques will be paired with someone familiar whenever possible. Our fishouts are typically free, except for overnight trips where the member bears the cost of his/her personal food, lodging, and travel. If a guide is enlisted, the cost is divided among participants and usually at a discount. Fishouts are an excellent way to meet other members and to get involved with the club, not to mention hone your fly-fishing skills.
Each quarter, the club holds a conservation meeting at the Round Table Pizza on Sierra College Blvd., in Roseville. There’s typically a guest speaker who provides information regarding a conservation issue affecting the waters we rely upon to pursue our passion. Opportunities occur throughout the year to volunteer and participate in various conservation projects put on by organizations such as Trout Unlimited and CalTrout.
The club issues a monthly newsletter, The Leader, to all members via email, which is also posted on the club website home page, along with archived back issues. The Leader begins with a message from the club president and includes information on upcoming events, informational articles, stories, and the Fly of the Month. All members are encouraged to contribute articles or stories to The Leader. The entries must be sent to the editor by the fifteenth of each month for submission in the following month.
The club has an extensive library located at the back of the meeting hall. Members can check out books and DVDs, as well as loaner fly rods equipped with line and reel, and even fly-tying kits.
Each year in early December, the club holds an annual Swap Meet and Chili Cook-off where members can find great deals on used equipment or sell their unwanted items to other members, all while sampling world-class chili. Also, each year in June, the club members get together for the annual picnic. This is an opportunity to meet other members in a family-oriented environment while swapping fish stories, eating good food, and joining in on fun activities.
Our biggest event of the year is our Annual Dinner held in March. This is a fantastic event featuring great food, raffle prizes, awesome auction items, and incomparable club camaraderie. The club receives the bulk of our annual funds from this dinner, funds that we, as a 501-c3 nonprofit, in turn donate to various Northern California conservation-oriented organizations.
Words from the President, Robert Farley-
I have been with the Granite Bay Flycasters for about 2 years. I was the VP of Conservation and got the program presenters
for our meeting.
I learned more about the club when I attended the Sportmans Expo at Cal Expo. I spoke to about 5-6 people that were at a
long table tying Flies. Jim was with Granite Bay Group and I thought what he told me was what I was looking for in a Fly Fishing club.
I am very glad I joined them.
I have been fishing since I was 6 years old. My grandparents had a 20,000 acre ranch with 5 bass and trout ponds. Best place to start learning. Since then I've fished in various countries and states. Her are some Turkey, Japan, Germany, Guam, Hawaii, Montana, Utah , New York and etc.
I was in the Air Force for 23 years as a Contracting Officer Procurement.
This club offers a lot of programs to improve your Fly Fishing. All the programs we offer are free to members. We have fly casting
instruction. This is with 3-4 certified instructors. Fly fishing 101, Fly Tying every month (just one, you supply your materials).
Our fishouts are fantastic, every one of them has a guide from our membership who knows the waterways very well. NO COST
One of our main objectives is to be able to do our Conservation Program. We donate funds to 6-7 groups per year. We have Various fundraising activities during the year.
I could go on and on about our club,
Robert Farley
Granite Bay Flycasters President
For More about the club visit :
https://gbflycasters.org/
Stay Tuned for Next Months Interview with Santa Cruz Fly Fishing Club
By Penelope Gadd-Coster