Next Monthly Meeting:
Thursday, April 9, 2026 7:00PM
Our speaker this month will be Joe Garza, a Chico area guide whose home waters include the Feather River, Lake Almanor and Eagle Lake. In fact, Joe hooked up with a bunch of us from the club who were working on their Heritage Trout Challenge at Eagle Lake last October. It’s almost like cheatin’ when a guide’s involved…
Born and raised here in Northern California, Joe Garza learned the finer points of fly fishing right here in the North State. His passion for fishing was kindled in the creeks of Paradise, CA, where he spent his formative years honing his skills in the region’s lush foothills and diverse waterways. His early experiences, marked by ambitious explorations and a deep curiosity for the natural world, laid the foundation for his profound expertise in fly fishing.
Joe discovered fly fishing in 2001. This discovery was not just a new hobby, but a calling. He immersed himself completely, mastering not only the techniques but also gaining a deep understanding of aquatic entomology and freshwater ecosystems. His dedication to the sport is evident in his comprehensive knowledge and skill in fly fishing as well as fly tying.
In 2005, his talent for teaching and his passion for fly fishing converged when he became the youth coordinator for a local fly fishing club. For over five years, he dedicated himself to nurturing young anglers, guiding them through the intricacies of fly fishing and instilling in them a respect for aquatic environments. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in elevating the program to national acclaim.
As a guide, Joe is known for his patience, ability to teach, and his commitment to creating memorable experiences. His approach ensures that clients not only enjoy their time on the water but also leave with enhanced skills and a deeper appreciation for fly fishing. His dedication to his clients’ success and his joy in their independent achievements set him apart as a guide. Joe Garza is more than a skilled fisherman; he is a teacher and mentor, as well as a steward of the fish and environments we fish in.
Join us at the meeting and listen to Joe talk about Feather River steelhead, the hex hatch at Lake Almanor, Eagle Lake Rainbows and much, much more!
Leader’s Line
I want to thank everyone who attended the 2026 Annual Dinner, it was a big success in celebrating our 40th anniversary. I want to thank Ed Lloyd and his Annual Dinner committee for their time and commitment to a wonderful dinner event. If anyone who attended the dinner has anything they think may make it better, please email me with your ideas and I’ll see if we can make it happen.
The coming months will be offering some great weather for fishing. So, check out clinics and fishouts scheduled in the Leader and on the club website.
There are some great fishouts coming up in the next couple of months. Finnon Lake, Cameron Park, Spring upper Sac at Dunsmuir, Rancho Seco. Don’t forget Pyramid Lake in May.
Don’t forget to checkout the Classes & Workshops on the Website. Fly Tying Jam, Tenkara Workshop #1, Casting in the Park. Sign up and learn more about fly fishing, the more you learn the more fun you will have.
In June we will have our elections for the Board of Directors. There will be openings for both officers and directors. If you are interested in becoming more involved in serving your club, please email me at graywolf95742@yahoo.com
Robert Farley, President 
New on the GBF site:
- The GBF Traditions webpage was released https://gbflycasters.org/gbf-traditions/
- The 2026 fishouts and education classes/workshops schedules are mostly complete for the year. Click here and here.
- Check out the freshly updated Library page with reorganized list of all available books and DVD’s.
- See Lower Yuba hatch chart on the articles page, bottom RH side just above the Bill Carnazzo info.
- Launch of the updated Golden Trout Program was announced Nov 18, 2025
- A reminder that all historic FLY TYING JAM recipes back to May of 2017 are available here in a single location under the Fly Tying menu tab. New to fly tying? Check out the educational links at the top of that page.
- A list of GBF member achievers for the Fly Fishers International Fly Casting Skills Development Program is now available here.
- Collectors and aficionados of vintage rods and reels will now find contact info for long-time expert Jim Adams of Adams Angling on the GBF Links page under Vintage Fly Gear, Books and More. A good source to check the value of grand-dads vintage fly gear.
“Some days they take the fly greedily, and some days not all the art in the world, nor all the flies in the box can lure a rise.”
– “Rogue River Angling”, Medford Mail Tribune, October 26, 1911
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