Thursday, February 28, 2013

2013 NEVADA COUNTY LARGE MIDDLE SCHOOL BRACKETS - 7TH GRADE







2013 Large Schools-7th Grade




























Sat 3/2


Fri 3/1
Thursday 2/28 Fri 3/1
Sat 3/2






























#1 Magnolia













Bye


#1 Magnolia








Consolation Championship









Championship











Bye

















@ NU ALI














#4 FLC 5:50pm
































4pm @ FLC
















#5 Weimar











11:15am @ West Gym






3pm @ Ali












#3 Gilmore

































@ Gilmore 4pm
















#6 Pleasant Valley

















@NU Ali












@ West Gym
#2 7Hills 7:00pm












4:40pm


















4:00pm @ 7Hills
















#7 Union Hill



















3rd Place Champ. 10:00am @ Ali














































































































* Thursday games played at top seed school
















All Friday and Saturday Games are played at Nevada Union High School

































MAGNOLIA 8TH GRADE HOOPS RESULTS - READY FOR TOURNAMENT


The Magnolia 8th grade boys basketball team blew-out Pleasant Valley 41-13 in their final season game on Tuesday. Contributing to the win were Tyrese Donaldson logged 6 rebounds, multiple steals along with 2 points.  Soloman Branch challenged the Vikings with 10 steals while Nico Benson delivered great defensive moves and dominated in shots as well as contributing 8 points.

The annual end of season tournament begins today (Feb. 28th) with a Rattler home game in the Magnolia small gym at 4:00 (tentatively).  The remainder of the tournament will be played on Friday and Saturday at Nevada Union High School's Ali Gymnasium.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NAGGIAR VINEYARDS AND WINERY - BLENDING WORKSHOP


The award winning Naggiar Vinyards and Winery which is located in Southern Nevada county is offering a Wine Blending Workshop with their winemaker Derek Irwin on Saturday March 9, 1-3 pm. 

The owners of the winery are offering this work shop to the first 20 people as space is limited. This past years event was a huge success so if you would like to attend please call 530-268-9059 to make a reservation.

Irwin will discuss the wines used for blending. He will also share how the properties of varietals change and how to blend these wines. This is a hands-on opportunity to learn and try blending for yourself! 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

MAGNOLIA 7TH GRADE BASKETBALL RESULTS - GILMORE AND FOREST LAKE


Magnolia's 7th grade Basketball team sweeps double header on Friday by defeating both Lyman Gilmore 38-23 and Forest Lake Christian 46-31.

In the first contest the Rattlers dropped Gilmore with Kaden Ahlberg leading all scorers with 12 points including knocking down three 3 pointers in the first half.

Zach Rubey had an had a big afternoon in the middle contributing 14 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Sam Nichols added 6 points to go along with his 6 rebounds.

In the second game, Magnolia traveled to Forest Lake where Clay Corripo lead the Rattlers in scoring with 14 points, along with 6 rebounds and 3 steals. Ahlberg added 11 points, Stephen Taylor added 10 points and 5 rebounds. 

The 7th grade Rattlers improved their league record to 10-1 and 18-3 overall.

The League Tournament is set for Friday (3-1) and Saturday (3-2) at Nevada Union High School. Please check back for the full schedule.

Monday, February 25, 2013

RATTLERS OVER BEARCATS - 7TH GRADE HOOPS


Magnolia's 7th grade basketball team took down Union Hill 38-22 on Thursday afternoon by deploying a full court press led by Wyatt Bosworth, Jordan Elliott, and Nate Whittle. Point guard Zach Terra led the team in assists while Stephen Rich and Sam Nichols maintained dominance in the paint and led the Magnolia in rebounding.


BEAR RIVER - COLFAX GIRLS HOOPS - TOKAY PREVIEW


Bear River and their Co-Pioneer Valley League Champion will tip off at Tokay High School on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. respectively in Lodi California. What is at stake in a chance to play at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento (home of the Kings) to play for a Sac-Joaquin section title.

Play the video while you read the story.

The Lady Bruins as well as the Lady Falcons will have a tough go as each team will be required to drive 81 while Bear River's opponent will only have to drive from Jackson a 35 miles and Colfax's will have a very short commute of 25 miles. The girls will be up and ready for the game but the shorter the drive the more fans who will attend the game. The gym should be loud but the two teams from the PVL may have to play without a sixth man where their counterpart will most-likely have an advantage here. At this time of the season it is about the little things and a supportive and loud crowd does fit in to this category.
How did Bear River the #1 seed earn this opportunity? In the first round they ripped apart a Hilmar team 63-31 and in their second contest they rallied back from a 16-5 defect to win handily over a physical Dixon team 57-44. The Lady Bruins are coming off two easy wins but the third round match up does not look as if it will be story. The Lady Mustangs will enter the gym at Tokay on Wednesday with a perfect record of 29-0 this season while Bear River enters with only 3 losses.

Argonaut has scored 1,587 points in their 29 games while giving up 907. This means on average they have scored 54 points per game only while allowing 31. Bear River on the other hand has scored 1633 in 28 games and has given up 937 which means they have averaged 58 ppg and allowed 33. These are two very evenly matched teams and it very well could come down to the sixth man.

Now that we have looked at the 4:00 game let's take a look at what Colfax (20-9) has before them in the 5:30 game. Bradshaw Christian holds a record of 25-2. There losses came by way of St. Mary's and San Clamente of Southern California both of which occurred prior to the Holiday break. The Lady Pride have 4 players who average more than 10 points per game including 5-foot-7 sophomore Erika Bean who delivers over 15 ppg, mostly from the perimeter. The real test may be slowing down the 6-foot sophomore Jordyn Bell who averages 10 ppg along with 8 rebounds. Bell had her best game of the season as she led her team to a 55-53 win over Modesto Christian where she scored 18 points and ripped 17 rebounds. This is a young team so once they step on the big stage their inexperience could show.

Wins this time of year do not come easy and they are usually determined at the foul line. If both teams can grind out a win the two PVL teams would square off on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Sleep Train.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

HANK PATERSON - TIES THE PERFECT FLY





Prepare to unlearn everything you know about the art of tying flies. Hank Patterson takes his guiding skills to the vise in this episode of The Reel Adventures of Hank Patterson - Your Fly Fishing Guide. Enjoy. Snap It! -Hank

Saturday, February 23, 2013

CLOCK RUNNING OUT - COACH


As I walked off the basketball court today in Auburn I became very emotional. While my boys have learned so much about the game over the course of past five seasons it is the connection to the young men that I will miss most.

 The boys and I have only two more games where I will stand on the sideline as their coach and cheer with encouragement. My run as a basketball coach is in its final quarter after 9 seasons. The clock running out. We only have 80 minutes of playing time until my final horn. These boys, many of which I have coached since 2nd grade will be moving on to play middle school ball next winter so my services as coach will not be required.

This group of ballers have taught me a lot about myself such as creating a vocabulary that a group of elementary school kids would understand.  I have had a great time showing the boys how to run set plays and press in the full court. I know I have pushed them beyond where they may have thought possible including playing much older, bigger, stronger and faster players. They work very hard and have often found themselves on the short-end on the scoreboard but the proof of their tireless tenacity will be on display when they play other area schools next season. I would like the boys to know they will always be on my team regardless of what color the uniform or the outcome of the game.

I will always remember the time we have shared.


NEVADA COUNTY INTERMEDIATE LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM - EYES ON LIVERMORE


Little League International in launching a new product which is for 11 to 13 year old baseball players. This offering is named Intermediate league which is trying to fill a gap between the smaller Major's field to the larger Junior's field. Little League's market share has had some difficulties competing with Travel baseball during this transition age so they have design this product with hopes of retaining kids.

13 Nevada county Little League baseball players and 3 coaches from 3 area leagues will be participating in the Intermediate division in its first season of play. The local leagues which have players on the roster are Penn Valley, Nevada City as well as Bear River as are the coaches.

Click here if you would like to know more about this division.

The game is played where the pitching rubber is 50 feet away from the plate and the base paths are 70 feet long. The pitchers will learn how to throw out of the stretch when a runner is on base due to the runner may lead off. This is a full rules baseball league just like juniors but on a slightly smaller field.

The Nevada county team does not have a name as of yet but they do have a field in Penn Valley. The team holds practice on Sundays for a few hours where the coaches must bring the players up to speed on the rules of the Intermediate division.

The newly-created Little League Intermediate 50/70 Baseball Division World Series will play its inaugural tournament in Livermore, Calif., July 30-to-Aug. 5, at Max Baer Park, home of Granada Little League.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

LADY BRUINS DELIVER A BLOW - COLFAX WINS

There were many hard fouls a few offensive fouls and a head that hit the floor. When all the banging stopped the Lady Bruins were the team left standing. Tonight's basketball game was like a prize fight.


Bear River played the final 4 minutes of their 57-44 second round slug-fest victory without their senior leader Sarah Hagar who's head hit the floor coming down with one of her many rebounds. She has been the I'll do anything girl for the Bruins all season.

The game began with Dixon jumping out to an 11~6 lead as the Bruins looked surprised by the Visitors speed. Hagar proceeded to knock down a long range 2 and then picked up a steal which led to two foul shots by Maddie Dunn to move the score to 11~10. Katelyn Reina followed up with knocking down back to back shots to take the lead at 14~11. Dixon's coach called a timeout with 1:20 to play in first attempting to slowdown the surging Lady Bruins. The first quarter ended with the score 16~13.


Bear River sent Dixon into the bonus with 3:31 to play in the half but the visiting team failed to convert their foul shots going 1-for-9. Savanah Welz hit a 3 at the 2:13 mark to move the score to 25~15. Dixon looked out of sync as Bear River was the much more aggressive team as they dove on the floor for many loose balls. Reina was to much operating out of the post while Hagar was to much on the outside as the first half closed with a score of 30~16. The Lady Bruins held Dixon to 3 points in the second quarter.

After the intermission Dixon deployed a  2~2~1 which sped up the game and at times looked like a rugby game. Teryn Rath picked up her 4th foul at 334 and Reina was called for her 3rd with 4 min to play in the 3rd. While the Lady Bruin's bigs where in foul trouble Bear River went to Hagar who carried the load to end of third stanza at 40~28.


Early in the fourth quarter Hagar hit her head on the floor and went to the sidelines with the score 48~33 in the fourth with 5 min to play and did not return to action. The game was a little sloppy as Dixon attempted to speed up the game. The gym got very loud when Dixon cut the lead to 50~38. Reina did pick up her 4th foul on a and one which cut the Bear River lead to 10. Dixon got a turnover and proceeded cut it to 8. But Dixon was forced to foul Bear River who made enough foul shots down the stretch to pull out the win and move to the third round.

COLFAX defeated Liberty Ranch by a score of 63-53 led by Lady Falcon senior Kaila Tremeureux who dropped 18 points in the win.

A Bear River versus Colfax in the final sure would be fun. Great job to both teams.

LADY BRUINS ROUND TWO PREVIEW - DIXON


The Bear River Lady Bruins are coming off a first round thrashing of Hilmar but tonight's opponent,  Dixon likes to chuck the 3-ball so anything is possible. Dixon defeated Sonora at Sonora on Tuesday 60-43.

The Lady Rams come into tonight's game which tips at 7 pm at Bear River High School shooting 552 three-pointers while shooting 928 from the floor. Dixon (19-8, 7-3) will live and die by the three so if they get hot from behind the ark the Lady Bruins could be in for a heck of a shootout.

Madison Dwelley is the sharp shooter for the team. She stands 5-feet-10 and has taken 118 three point shots while only taking 110 shots from the floor. Dixon also has Gina Garcia who will also fire from anywhere on the court who has taken 146 long range shots and 79 from the floor. As a team they have shot 27% on the 3-ball and 34% from the field.

Also they do not have a real scoring leader as no one on the team has averaged double figures but they do have 7 of their 13-girl roster who averages 5 or more per game.

On December 2, the Lady Rams dropped Colfax 45-27 at Colfax where they shot 21 threes and 29 from the field making 8 and 9 respectively.

This is a perimeter team who does not take the ball to the basket so Bear River's hard-nosed man-to-man should slow this team down but if Dixon is left alone to often this game could be a high scoring affair.


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

MAGNOLIA OVER SEVEN HILLS - BOYS HOOPS


Magnolia's Boys basketball teams pulled off a clean sweep while playing Seven Hills.

The 8th grade boys basketball team dropped Seven Hills in what was described as the most exciting game of the season that kept Rattler and Raider fans on the edge of their seats throughout the contest as Magnola pulled out the victory 50-49. The top scorers for the Rattlers were Grant Skowronski who dropped in 22 points along with Nico Benson who added 8.  Solomon Branch and Landen Clark delivered 6 and 5 points respectively.

The 7th grade boys basketball team won 31-28 in a come from behind victory in the 4th quarter to defeat Seven Hills which improved the Rattlers overall record to 15-3 and are now in first place in the league. Zach Rubey played a huge role in the win by scoring 8 of his game high 12 points in the fourth quarter. Rubey also lead the team on the glass with 8 rebounds. Stephen Taylor finished with 11 points along with 4 assists and 4 steals. Clay Corippo and Sam Nichols combined for nine rebounds.


BRAGGING RIGHTS - BASS FISHING


Caught on a reddish worm in 30 ft on Saguaro Lake (near Phoenix AZ) one of 7 or 8 today. 70 degrees & sunny but 39 at 7am. Fished until 3pm.

Why is it fathers always out fish their children? 

Nice catch dad!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

ALTA SIERRA SCHOOL - CASINO NIGHT - SATURDAY



Alta Sierra Elementary School’s first casino night is this Saturday, February 23 at Alta Sierra Country Club. The event, which includes a live and silent auction,evolved from recent years’ wine tasting fundraisers to appeal to larger crowds.“We really wanted to make this a community gathering, as well as a 
fundraiser,” Katrina Paz, Alta Sierra Elementary parent teacher 
committee president, said. “This should be an evening of parents, friends and 
neighbors coming together for a night of fun while raising important 
funds for our school.”

Tickets for the event cost $25 per person/$45 per couple and include 
appetizers, desserts, and $500 in chips. Prizes include tickets to 
Disneyland, artwork and photography, tickets to Sonoma Raceway, rounds of golf at 
the Resort at Squaw Creek, private catering, spa services, overnight 
stays at Atlantis Casino Resort, Truckee’s Cedar House Sport Hotel and the Grand 
Sierra Resort, the opportunity for a student to be a reporter for a day 
at The Union, one free year of after-school care, packages from Wolf Mountain 
Day Spa, fly-fishing lessons, and various gift certificates to local 
shops and restaurants. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. and childcare will be 
available with advance reservation.

Funds raised that evening will go towards upgrading the computer lab, as
well as field trips, assemblies, classroom equipment and supplies, art 
classes, library services, and music, sports, and recreational programs 
for more than 330 students.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 530-277-6288 or go to
www.pleasantridge.k12.ca.us/altasierra/index.html.

LADY BRUINS LOOK STRONG IN OPENER OVER HILMAR - COLFAX WINS


Bear River jumped out to a 20~3 first quarter lead in first round action of the Sac-Joaquin Section Div IV playoffs against a much lesser team from Hilmar on way to a 63-31 victory.

Hilmar struggled to execute at both ends of the floor all night. Bear River's coach Jeff Bickmore went to his bench early and often as his second unit had very little trouble with keeping pace with the visiting Yellow-jackets. For the on set of the game the Lady Bruins looked like the #1 seed as they went into the locker room at the half with a 37~13 lead.

 Someone in the student section said it best, "this game is bad, do you think we can get our money back."

Hilmar did knock down a few 3 point shots in the final 3 minutes of the 3rd which gave the visiting fans a little to cheer about as the quarter closed with the score 50~25.


The final quarter was a little sloppy as Bear River moves to the second round winning 63~31.

Colfax also won handily in their first round game on Tuesday.






BEAR RIVER LADY BRUINS VS HILMAR - FIRST ROUND


Hilmar High School's girls basketball team will take on the top seeded Bear River Lady Bruins tonight at Bear River High School with the tip-off at 7 p.m.

The Lady Yellow-jackets look to be an easy contest for Kaitlyn Reina and Company as the finished in fourth place in the Trans Valley League with a 5-7 win loss record but they did earn 18-8 regular season record. But not so fast!

Hilmar has been led by Oliviah Gemperle who has averaged 14 points per game including five contest where she has dropped 20+ as well as recording 13 double-doubles. The Yellow-jackets fell in 8 games this season and there opponent held Gemperle under 10 in six of those losses.

If that wasn't enough to worry about you have another Gemperle to keep an eye on. Savannah is also a scorer as well as play maker who has delivered almost 10 points per game.

The Yellow-jackets also find fire-power from guards Kinsey Pettigrew (9 ppg) and Dominique Miranda (8 ppg).

Tonight's contest will be a battle in the paint. Reina and Teryn Rath will have there hands full with the Gemperle sisters who have chemistry.

BEAR RIVER REC AND PARKS BASKETBALL SKILLS - SPRING 2013



BEAR RIVER RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT
SPRING BASKETBALL SKILLS
__________________________________________________________________________

Bear River Recreation & Park District and the Sierra Nevada Basketball Association are offering a Basketball Skills Clinic for boys and girls from 3rd grade through 8th grade. The Skills Clinic is designed to quickly increase a player’s fundamental skills by spending a significant amount of time on each skill. The skills included are ball handling, dribbling, defense, passing, screening and shooting. They are covered in 45-60 minute blocks, on a rotating basis each week. Note that the Skills Clinic is focused on developing fundamentals and, as such, does not include any scrimmages or games. Players MUST have the capacity to stay focused on intensive drills for an extended period of time without becoming distracted or being a distraction to other players. The Skills Clinic is a great way for players to prepare for Jr. High school team tryouts or to augment what they learned during the recreational season, in preparation for next year. Coach Dave Pistone. $50.00 for each session. Please wear non-scuff shoes. Attendance is limited.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Registration Form
Session 1:
  • Thursdays: April 4,11,18, 25; 5:45 - 7:15 p.m., $50.00 Session 2:
  • Fridays: April 5, 12, 19, 26; 5:45 - 7:15p.m., $50.00
Session 3:
  • Thursdays: May 2, 9, 16, 23; 5:45-7:15 p.m., $50.00
Session 4:
  • Fridays: May 3,10,17, 24;
5:45-7:15 p.m., $50.00


Name: _______________________________________________________________

Parents' Name: _______________________________________________________

Grade: _______________Age____________________ Girl/Boy (Circle)

Address: ______________________________________________________________

Phone:(_____)______________EmergencyPhone:(______)_____________________

Email:________________________________________________________________

Session: __________________________ Session: _____________________________
Amount Enclosed: __________ (Checks Payable to BRRPD)



Mail: BRRPD, 10042 Wolf Road, Ste. B, PMB#11, Grass Valley, CA 95949

Call: (530) 268-7275; www.brrpd.org; email: brrpd.org

Spring and Summer Activity Guide coming soon. Volleyball, Flag Football, Lifeguarding & more!





Bear River Recreation & Park District Agreement,
2013 Waiver and Release

In consideration for being permitted by Bear River Recreation and Park District (BRRPD) to participate in the above activity, I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and all claims for damages for personal injury, death or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of participation in said activity. This release is intended to discharge in advance the BRRPD and SNBA (their officers, employees, volunteers, and agents) from any participation in said activity, even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities mentioned above. It is understood that this activity involves an element of risk and danger of accidents and knowing those risks I hereby assume those risks. It is further agreed that this waiver, release and assumption of risks is to be binding on my heirs and assigns. I agree to indemnify and hold the above person or entities free and harmless from any loss, liability, damage, cost or expense which may incur as the result of my death or any injury or property damage that I may sustain while participating in said activity.

PARENTAL CONSENT: (to be completed and signed by parent/guardian if applicant is under 18 years of age). I hereby consent that my son/daughter______________________, participate in the above activity, and I hereby execute the above Agreement, Waiver, and Release on his/her behalf. I state that said minor is physically able to participate in said activity. I hereby agree to indemnify and hold the persons and entities mentioned above free and harmless from any loss, liability, damage, cost, or expense which they may incur as a result of death or any injury or property damage that said minor may sustain while participating in said activity.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS.  I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT BETWEEN MYSELF AND BRRPD AND I SIGN IT OF MY FREE WILL.

__________________________________________________________ ____________________________
Parents' Signature Date


___________________________________________________________
Parents' Name Printed


I give my permission to Bear River Recreation & Park District to photograph me or said minor or otherwise use my likeness or that of said minor for use in Bear River Recreation & Park District's publicity material or publications, and I will not seek compensation of any type or amount for such use.


Parent's Signature_________________________________________Date_________________________


Parent's Name Printed __________________________________________________________________


NEVADA COUNTY SKILLS AND DRILLS BASKETBALL CAMPS - AAU


For many of us we find ourselves transitioning from basketball games to baseball but for those of you who are not then here is something for you.

This years AAU team will participate in a few camps as well as a few tournaments. The schedule is as follows.

Skills and Drills Camps, March-April-May (5-7pm) 

NOTE- Though the press release did not mention it, this might be for girls only.




Tournaments
Surf City Slam (Santa Cruz)
Pacific AAU Championships, (Reno, NV)
Hardwood Palace (2-day tournaments): April 27-28, May 4-5, May 18-19 

These events are sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union of the U. S., Inc. All participants must have a current AAU membership ($14.00) AAU membership fee is not included as part of the GV Magic fee AAU membership must be obtained before player’s can participate. 

Participants are encouraged to visit the AAU web site www.aausports.org to obtain their membership prior to participating. For more info please contact: 

Coach Simpton, rexanne22@aol.com Coach Looney: richard.looney@ncsd.k12.ca.us

Monday, February 18, 2013

FINNERTY AND DAVIDSON - BEAR RIVER OVER COLFAX - GIRLS BASKETBALL


Mike Finnerty of Sure West Sports along with Joe Davidson of the Sacramento Bee played pick the winners of the Sac-Joaquin Section boys and girls basketball brackets on Sunday.

They both played it very safe by picking the top seeded teams in many divisions including the Lady Bruins of Bear River over the Lady Falcons in the Division IV final at . Both men as well picked the Colfax boys to win the Division IV championship.

Nevada Union was mentioned in their video segment, but neither Sacramento area's top sports junkies picked the Lady Miners to make it into the late rounds.

Click here for the 2013 basketball playoffs predictions by Finnerty and Davidson from the ESPN radio studio.

Click here if you have interest in attending the Championship games as tickets are currently on sale now.


Sunday, February 17, 2013

FLIES ONLY, WHAT DOES IT MEAN



Have you ever wondered what “Flies Only” means? Before we can answer that very restrictive question we must first answer question the bigger question, “What is a Fly?”

I was hanging with some avid fly fishing buddies over the weekend and I posed this very same question to each of them. “What is a Fly?” The answers varied widely but the most common were; “artificial“, “handmade“, “used on a fly rod“, and “made of natural fibers“.

I would like to address each one of the answers individually. First let’s look at artificial. I have used many grass hopper patterns that have neoprene bodies and legs that are attached to a single hook. They float very well and can be seen from longer distances because they sit much higher in the water, without using Float-ant. The hopper pattern definitely is artificial, it is sometimes handmade, and can be fished on a fly rod but it does not have any natural fibers. Is this a fly that can be used in a flies only section of water?

The Egg patterns was another area that brought much heat to the discussion. How can a plastic bead on a hook be a fly? Well it is artificial, it is made by a machine, it can be fished on a fly rod. It has to be a fly?



How about a nymph pattern? It is most commonly constructed with a metal bead head along with hair and or feathers. This must be a fly. It is artificial, it is handmade (well not all of it), can be used on a fly rod and has some natural fibers. This has to be a fly.
How about a jig with a lead head, feathers and a rubber egg sucking leach. Is this a fly?
I have taken my kids to “Flies Only waters” where they have used spinning equipment with a bobber (strike indicator) a split shot and a bead headed nymph. Is this proper etiquette?
Over the past year I have fished the “Flies Only” sections of the Truckee, the Yuba, as well as Taylor Creek near Crested Butte, Colorado. I have seen all of the aforementioned being slung around the sky by some of the most astute fly fisherman the sport has to offer. Are they working within the law?

After countless hours of heated debates with some fly fishing purists, who fish the Yuba and Truckee often, I still don’t have a clue. If we are the very people who fish these Blue Ribbon waters and we don’t have a clear understanding of what the law is, then we must look to the California Department of Fish and Game to define it for us. I have spent hours looking the California Department of Fish and Game’s web site and I’m still looking into murky water.
My quest for this knowledge started two years ago, when I started fishing swim baits (an artificial lure attached to a single barbless hook). Is this a fly? I will take the stance that, “Yes, in California, it is a fly! “

But after speaking to Reggie Hammond, Game Warden in the state of Maine, who also owns Kennebago River Kamps which consist of four cabins that sit on the Kennebago River a short distance from Kennebago Lake. Kennebago Lake is the largest fly fishing only lake east of the Mississippi and is approximately 1700 acres in size.

“I’m a traditionalist, I’m a fur and feathers kid of guy,” Hammond said. “As long as they catch them and handle them properly, if they want to use synthetic flies that is ok with me.”
Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife regulates fishermen through methods, size restrictions and bag limits, and seasons. As technology has changed, the laws have not. So the state of Maine is addressing these changes by further defining its laws on “what is a fly?”

About ten years ago Maine changed the rule that would allow fisherman to a fix split shot to a fly fisherman's leader. In the prior years the weight had to be attached to the structure of the fly.
The states current open water (non-ice fishing) fishing regulations and definitions were written in the 1950’s and this spring Maine will be addressing its out of date terms and definitions and then will implement the changes in 2012.

“The rules were written prior to the technological advancements in fishing,” Hammond said. “We (the State of Maine) had been getting inundated with questions regarding flies and the materials they are made out of, legality of certain gear, and fishing methods.  Fisherman were asking if it is legal to use synthetic flies. What we are striving to do is provide fishermen with the black and white answers to their questions and also have consistent enforcement by wardens throughout the entire state. change of sentence So we knew we needed to define a few terms.”

Getting back to the bottom line of what a fly is, Maine’s current position is that a single pointed hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, or any similar material, no hook, spinner, spoon or similar device maybe added. “A fisherman who is fishing in flies only waters can not use two hooks on a single fly but two flies are ok,” Hammond said. “Our laws are so old that we don’t have any mention of strike indicators or any man-made materials. The term we have had problems with is ‘similar materials.’ This leaves room for interpretation. What we are striving to do is to provide consistent laws so a warden in the southern part of the state is enforcing the same laws as the warden in the north.”


Maine not only defines what a fly is, they have taken it one step further. They defined what fly fishing is and explain it this way. A fly fisherman can cast upon “Flies Only” water and  in a matter which the weight of the fly line propels the fly. No more than 3 non-baited artificial flies individually attached to a line maybe used. It is unlawful to troll a fly in waters restricted to fly fishing only.

“No spinning rods in fly fishing only waters,” Hammond said. “Your line has to propel the fly.”
My swim bait theory with a spinning rod is against the law in Maine, but not yet in California.
Hammond says, “for the most part, fly fisherman abide by the rules.”
“We mostly have problems with people sneaking into Fly Fishing Only waters and fishing with bait,” Hammond said. “One aspect to look at is the mortality rates of fish using bait. Studies have shown fish have a significantly higher mortality when caught using bait. If you look at the mortality rates of a fly fisherman versus a single-hook artificial lure only fishermen, you could see similar mortality rates. single hook being key .”

Hammond explained what he has seen on the San Juan River in New Mexico, which is artificial only and you can only use a single barb-less hook. He also stated that fly fisherman sometimes use too light of tippet and play the fish out too long, and then they proceed take the fish out of water.
“You try to run marathon and then stick your head under water and see how long you will live,” Hammond said. “This is what happens to a fish when it gets played out on light line and then taken out of the water for a bunch of photos. I have seen fish that will swim away from shore after such a battle, only to die later.”

When fishing “Flies Only” waters please follow the law. The way a fisherman plays and handles a fish seems far more important than what type of artificial fly or lure is used. Please keep the fish in the water. But the law is the law and as technologies change, so must our laws. Maine is addressing the advancements, maybe California should too, after all California is the tech capitol of the world.   
So to conclude, As long as you are respectful to the fish and follow your state’s laws then your fishing karma will be positive, therefore you will catch more fish.