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MISSION STATEMENT

The organization is dedicated to educating the public about fly fishing, conservation, and the restoration of habitat. To further this mission, the organization provides classes on fly casting, fly fishing, fly tying, fly rod building, and entomology of streams, rivers, and lakes. The classes are open to members of the organization and to the community at large, and are conducted both in the classroom and on a stream or on the water. Students are instructed on fishing techniques, stream-side etiquette, and how to leave a location in the same or better condition than originally found.

SIERRA PACIFIC FLYFISHERS FOUNDATION

The Sierra Pacific FlyFishers Foundation was formed on August 3, 2002, in the State of California as a public benefit, non-profit organization and has been granted a 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service and non-profit status by the California Franchise Tax Board under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 23701. The organization is dedicated to educating the public about fly fishing, conservation, and restoration of habitat.

To further this mission the organization provides classes on fly casting, fly fishing, fly tying, fly rod building, and entomology of streams, rivers, and lakes. The classes are open to members of the organization and to the community at large and are conducted both in the classroom and on a stream or on water. Students are instructed on fishing techniques, stream side etiquette, and how to leave a location in the same or better condition than originally found.

SPFF CLUB HISTORY

The genesis of the Sierra Pacific FlyFishers occurred in 1971 when Steve and Jeff Ellis, owners of the Fisherman's Spot, a general fishing tackle store in Van Nuys, California, conceived the idea of the need for, and viability of, a fly fishing club in the San Fernando Valley.

Store customers, some of whom were members of other fly fishing clubs and thus familiar with issues that seem to confront all non-profit volunteer organizations including funding, board development, and committee structure were consulted. Customers included Jordan Lagman, whose input on the future club's purpose and goals was both timely and valuable and J. Stanley Lloyd, an ardent conservationist and long-time fly fisher who was active in other clubs as well as being an officer in the Federation of Fly Fishermen, later renamed Federation of Fly Fishers.

Two organizational meetings were hosted by the Ellis Brothers at the Fisherman's Spot in late January and February of 1971. Subsequently, the first general meeting was held at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center club room in March. At the time, Lagman was elected Founding President. Other officers included John Crisp, Ty Estridge, Mike Silverman, Fred Lawson, Bennett Mintz and Steve Ellis. The Fisherman's Spot volunteered to serve as the club's mailing address.

Almost immediately, the club began its community service and education with free fly-tying classes taught be Lagman, plus various clean-up and conservation projects, family picnics and activities. Club dinner meetings were held in a catering house in Sherman Oaks, Francois' in Encino, The Smoke House in Encino, later at the Sky Trails Restaurant in Van Nuys, Nob Hill in Panorama City, the Odyssey Restaurant in Mission Hills and today at the Monterey at Encino, adjacent to the Balboa Golf Course.

SPFF is noted for its tradition of monthly dinner meetings featuring quality speakers and programs. Early speakers included Ray Ovington, Doug Swisher, Dave Whitlock, Ned Grey, Walton Powell, Dave Inks, "Polly" Rosoborough, Sylvester Nemes, Andy Puyans, and Russ Peak. In more recent years, speakers have included Jim Teeny, the late Gary LaFontaine, Don Roberts, Lefty Kreh, Wendy and Terry Gunn, Jack Dennis, and Mike Lawson.

Over the years, SPFF has worked with the California State Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, California Trout, the Isaac Walton League, and the Southwest Council of Fly Fishers International helping to perform various fish counts, studies, and stream management tasks on Malibu Creek, Deep Creek, Piru Creek, and Hot Creek as well as raise project money. Currently, the club in its conservation and streamkeeper role has adopted Piru Creek as its home waters.

The club currently has nearly 300 members. On-going programs include an annual free four-week Introduction to Fly Fishing class; free Fly Tying and Rod Building Classes; on on-stream Nymphing Clinic; outings programs; monthly dinner meetings; and a proactive conservation presence in the fly-fishing community.

Sierra Pacific FlyFishers has been and continues to be an active member of the Fly Fishers International (FFI), Trout Unlimited, and CalTrout.

ACTIVITIES

SPEAKER PROGRAMS
SPFF is noted for its tradition of monthly dinner meetings featuring interesting and informative speakers and programs. Early speakers included Ray Ovington, Doug Swisher, Dave Whitlock, Ned Grey, Walton Powell, Dave Inks, Andy Puyans, and Russ Peak. In past years speakers included Jim Teeny, Gary LaFontaine, Lefty Kreh, E. H. "Polly" Rosborough, Sylvester Nemes, and Jack Dennis. More recently, we have enjoyed Yvonne Chouinard, Mel Krieger, Charles Jardine, Tim Rajeff, Jason Berger, George Daniel, Charles Jardine, and Landon Meyer.

CLUB ACTIVITIES
Our club is active in outings, conservation, and offers free fly casting, fly tying, and rod building classes. We especially enjoy fishing the lakes and streams of the Eastern Sierra and we take pride in our conservation efforts..

CONSERVATION
Everyone who fly fishes needs to be concerned with maintaining our lakes, streams and rivers. Conservation is the only way that we can continue to pursue our hobby, our passion, our way of life, whatever you consider fly fishing to be. Over the years, SPFF has helped the California State Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, CalTrout, the Isaac Walton League, and the Southwest Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers perform various fish counts, has participated in Trout in the Classroom, in studies and stream management tasks on Malibu Creek, Deep Creek, Piru Creek and Hot Creek. We have been and continue to be an active member of the International Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited, and CalTrout. Every year, SPFF raises thousands of dollars to donate to various conservation-minded organizations.
SPFF Library - The SPFF Library maintains an extensive listing of books, CD's, DVD's and videos which are available to club members free of charge.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The SPFF Foundation, a 501(C)(3) organization, initiated a scholarship program in 2006. We provide scholarship funding to a deserving high school senior enrolled in a two or four-year college or university in a program focusing on fisheries, natural resources, environmental sciences, forest resources, oceanography, or a related field. in 2008, this was named the William L. Harry Scholarship in recognition and appreciation of Bill's many years of generous support of education for the youth of our community.

NEWSLETTER | The Fly Paper
Our Newsletter, the Fly Paper, features many articles and pictures, most of which are contributed by club members. It is published monthly in color on our web site (the preferred method of distribution), and black and white copies are mailed to those members without Internet access. We're taken on virtual trips each month as we read about fishing (and other) escapades, club outings, and the varied educational and conservation oriented pursuits of our club. The newsletter keeps members informed of all the club's current and upcoming activities, and it's one of the important links that helps us communicate with one another.

WEBSITE
The SPFF website at SPFF.ORG provides a wealth of information about the club and it's current activities and events. You can access the monthly newsletter by using the download link in the box immediately under the main menu on the left side of the screen. Be sure to check out the Calendar of Events for schedules and descriptions of our activities.

CLUB OUTINGS
Our outings Program plans and sponsors fly fishing trips for our club members. Although our favorite and most popular outings center on fishing for trout in the Easter Sierra, other trips range from a half-day outing on a local stream to extended trips to the likes of Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Mexico, and Alaska. Some of our members trek to locations all around the world in search of exotic species. In a word, our Outings Program has something to offer for every member, and within most any budget. Participating in these trips is a great way to get to know your fellow club members.

ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
At our annual Fundraiser you'll find great bargains in top-notch equipment, trips, clothing, and many special items. Every year SPFF puts on this spectacular event benefiting Conservation and Education. Prior to 2019 this auction had been held in-person. Since 2019 it continues to be held annually on-line.

EDUCATION
SPFF has a tradition and history of providing outstanding Education programs. Whether it is casting, fly tying, rod building, or fly fishing instruction, the club is blessed with a wealth of experienced and dedicated members who volunteer their time to promote and enhance the fly fishing experience and skills for our club members.

FLY FISHING SCHOOL | ANNUAL
SPFF annually sponsors multiple educational programs including a school to promote the sport of fly fishing:
Introduction to Fly Fishing (ITFF) -This is an entry level introduction to fly fishing that concentrates on fly casting. The school is open to the public. It's held at a local facility and consists of both classroom instruction and "on the water" casting instruction. We wind up the class with a graduation outing to fish for trout in an Eastern Sierra stream. For detailed information on our upcoming class please click here: https://spff.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=746952&module_id=245934