Officers

I am married to a lovely wife and have 5 kids. I have lived all my life here in Sacramento, except for 23 years in the Air Force. I have been fishing since I was 6 years old. My grandparents had a 20,000 acre ranch with 5 trout and bass ponds. Best place to start learning. Since then, I’ve fished various states and countries. Turkey, Japan, Germany, Montana, Utah, etc. I’m looking forward to making friends and enjoying many fishouts. This club offers a lot and I hope all the members are utilizing every bit of it. I have worked with many non-profit organizations.

Married to Charlie O’Neill, GBF Treasurer,  and have 2 grown children.  I’ve been fly fishing since 2016, and fly tying since 2020.  I’ve enjoyed fly fishing trips to Belize, Montana, and the Eastern Sierra.  Not retired (YET), but I am doing my best to train for retirement – Tight lines!

I began fly fishing in 1989 where I got hooked on the sport on a trip to New Zealand. Today, I enjoy fishing Northern California, especially the Sierra Nevada. In the winter you will find me spey fishing for steelhead on our North Coast Rivers or standing on a ladder in Pyramid Lake, Nevada hunting giant Lahontan Cutthroat trout. I’m a life member of Trout Unlimited and current Trout Unlimited California State Council Chair. I recently joined the board of Granite Bay Flycasters as Vice President of Conservation. I also enjoy teaching our youth the art and science of fly fishing and the importance of preserving our cold water fisheries for future generations.

I grew up fishing for sunfish, bluegill and crappie at Diablo Lake, Contra Costa County, CA on the west flank of Mt. Diablo State Park. In my teens I actively fished High Sierra lakes and streams for rainbow, brook and occasional golden trout.  In adulthood I changed my game to spear fishing while SCUBA diving and snorkeling in both northern and southern California. In 2001, I moved to within walking distance of the Lower American River and began fly fishing for steelhead and shad and have been fortunate to have done several trips to the Caribbean where I have landed bone fish, permit and barracuda.

I began fly fishing in 1995. Warm waters like Hawaii, Mexico and Belize are favorites; but if I can’t be there my float tube is always handy. My favorite fly is the  woolly bugger and my casting, although improved, still suffers when using two flys vs one.

Directors

I was exposed to fishing (bait caster reel and salmon eggs)  as an 8 yr old in Colo.  Later I picked up fly fishing in 1976.  I quickly learned that bass and bluegill liked bigger flies than trout; since they were more abundant and easier than trout in Redding, I focused on warmwater.   I have worked in the BSA scouting program to introduce kids to fly fishing.  I have also fished the salt for rockfish, dorado and tuna.  Our club’s fishouts in March, April and May are great opportunities to get acquainted with bass and bluegill.

I have been member of GBF member for almost 25 years.  Currently retired from the Department of Water Resources as a Civil Engineer.  Have  30 years  of service.

Was also a treasurer to GBF under Art Hawkins.  Am currently conducting Rod Building lessons for members of GBF.  Have built about 2,500 rods of various types.  About 85% of the rods are fly rods, both 1-handed and 2 handed.

Also began rod building about 75 years ago at my grandfather’s farm in SE Colorado.  Materials were broken cottonwood stick, embroidery thread and a safety pin.  Used a small beetle from near a live stock watering trough, then put on beetle to catch a small catfish from the trough.  My grandmother took off the fish and put it into a bucket of water to keep alive.  My Grandfather then released the fish back into the livestock trough.  Catch and release!

I’ve been fishing for as long as I can remember, and for me, it’s always been more about the experience and camaraderie than the type of fish or the location. I first picked up a fly rod on a guided trip to Alaska in 2016, but it was the Granite Bay Flycasters who truly taught me how to fly fish. Since joining the club in early 2023, I’ve found not only a wealth of knowledge, but a great community. These days, I prefer fly fishing above all and love combining it with travel whenever I can. Locally, Fuller Lake is one of my favorite places to spend a quiet morning on the water. I’m still working full time, so you’ll usually find me on the water during weekends—unless I can sneak away for a planned trip or a few days off. Either way, I’m always up for a new adventure and a chance to fish.

I was introduced to fly fishing over 50 years ago, and throughout that time I would fish in the high Sierra streams while enjoying nature whenever I could. I didn’t realize how much I still had to learn until I joined GBF. Through clinics, guest speakers, and mentors I continue to increase my knowledge and improve my techniques. The camaraderie when on fishouts with GBF are my most memorable experiences in my journey to enjoy nature, preserve it, and catch a few fish while doing so. I am also a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited.

I was born to fish, which my wife didn’t discover until our honeymoon adventure when I fished and she rowed! I was born in 1954, married in 1980, and we have two lovely daughters. My dad introduced me to fishing at a young age, and so I later spent many decades bait and gear fishing, catching many types of fish, such as Bluegill, Bass, Trout, Stripers and Steelhead. Though I dabbled in fly fishing, my wife would remind me where the local Safeway fish department was so I didn’t come home empty handed.

After retirement from a career in horticulture and landscaping, a health set back struck, taking away 5 yrs of my life due to multiple chemo treatments and a stem cell transplant, but once God brought me out the other side I was determined to live life to the fullest. So, what did I do? I joined the Granite Bay Flycasters so I could learn to fly fish and catch fish! Since that time, I have been so amazed at how much I’ve learned just in a few years’ time. I enjoy river fishing; my favorite so far is the Upper Sac. Currently I am starting down the river of Spey fishing and look forward to chasing Steelhead. I love learning and growing, and so this club’s comradery and generosity in sharing fly fishing knowledge is second to none! I look forward to serving you all.

Fly Fishing has been my passion for the last 45 years.  I enjoy learning new techniques, styles and discovering new water.  The beauty of this sport is it takes you back into nature where you can feel like a child on an adventure for the first time.  I enjoy tropical fly fishing; but I am most at home doing River and High Alpine lakes. I often find relaxation in tying flies for my next trip.  Fully retired and ready to go fishing at the drop of the hat; give me a call.

Scott Vaughn – Director

My main interests are Stillwater fishing for warm water species. I prefer to fish from a float tube and enjoy being on the water and training others. My biggest joy is watching others catch fish.

I have a background in Geology and have always been drawn to the rock and water of High Sierra Lakes. In 2017 I started backpacking after a long hiatus. In 2018 my buddies brought me into an annual two-week flyfishing trip to the Madison River. I have also fished the Green River at Flaming Gorge and some rivers in Poland and Slovakia.

I joined the Granite Bay Flycasters to fish more and improve. The club offers a wide range of workshops and activities for members. I’m glad to serve on the board of this great organization.

Committee Chairs, Project Leads, and Volunteers

Any of the members below may be reached by email to gbf-webmaster@gbflycasters.org and it will be forwarded to the appropriate person.