Mammoth Middle School Fly Fishing Association (MMSFFA) -- April-June 2008
Fly Fishing Director Chris Leonard
School Phone: 934-8541 ext. 425
Cell phone: (818) 288-3271
E-mail address:

It's that time of year again... time to get out the flies and the fly rod!!! MMSFFA is back again for a season of learning to tie flies, as well as fishing in our local waters. The club is open to anglers of all ability levels, from beginners to experienced anglers. We are blessed to live around some of the greatest trout-fishing waters in the State of California; and one or two days a week after school, we can take advantage and learn from these waters. We will also have two lake trips on a weekend day! The calendar is listed below.

Middle school fly fishing outings:

Wednesday, May 14; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Friday, May 16; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Saturday, May 17; 8am - 1/2pm - local lake excursion
Tuesday, May 20; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Thursday, May 22; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Thursday, May 29; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Monday, June 2; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Thursday, June 5; 2:35pm - 6/7pm
Sunday, June 8; 8am - 1/2pm - local lake excursion
Tuesday, June 10; 2:35pm - 6/7pm

• Likely one or two excursion for the week of April 28
• Likely one or two excursions for the week of May 5 (STAR testing)

After school excursions are 2:35 - 6/7PM. Excursions include trips to local waters or places of scientific interest. High schoolers generally have different excursion dates and only attend casting and fly-tying clinics with the middle school, with the possible exception of occasional outings of combined sites. Members can expect to travel to the Upper Owens River, Hot Creek, Mammoth/ Sherwin Creeks, Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Crowley Lake, any of the lakes in the Mammoth Basin, or other waters in the region.

Fly fishing is as much a science as it is a sport. MMSFFA is engaged in the understanding of hydraulics, entomology, fish (species, behavior, habitat, eating habits, etc.), and of obvious importance, how to cast into a stream, creek, river, pond, or lake with the correct fly (dry, wet, or nymph) to successfully capture a fish. The club will be fishing the local, spectacular waters of Mono County. The club is free of charge (except for the cost of a fishing license for anglers 16 and older) though local outfitters offer discounts to club members if members want their own gear. Mr. Leonard works and guides part-time during the school year and during summers out of Performance Anglers.

Participants 16-years of age or older will need to have a valid California fishing license and all anglers need a current and free copy of fishing regulations in California. All anglers must wear sunglasses/ vision glasses while fishing to prevent the hook from taking out an eye. Recommended equipment/ gear includes: a fly rod, waders (hip or chest) - with the knowledge of how to use them safely, a few flies, a net, and a recommended copy of The Curtis Creek Manifesto to study from between sessions on the river. The school library has a great selection of books on angling thanks to one of our many generous supporters. I have equipment for members that don't have any. As the director, I would like to make this club as much of a learning experience as possible. We will be going so far as to pick up rocks on the river beds to analyze what hatches and bugs can be found. Hopefully, at the conclusion of the club, participants will be on the road of self-discovery in knowing how to better approach the waters of Mono County. The club is free-of-charge though there is a minimal cost for a club tee-shirt, if a member would like one.

Safety will be the guiding factor of the club! We will be out on the river in the wild. The club will be composed of no more than fifteen students per site, Mr. Leonard, and likely an additional adult participant. Groups of anglers are expected to form on the waters, for example, of the fifteen people on the rivers/ lakes, three groups of five will be composed for each trip. The concept is that within one group, all five members need to be within eyesight of each other. The other two groups are never expected to go further than 100 - 150 yards from Mr. Leonard. It is imperative to the safety of everyone that these rules are strictly obeyed. Fishing a river may require members to spread out to other parts of the river to successfully stalk fish without spooking them; however, every angler must always be in the view of other anglers. The safety rules will be enforced without question or doubt. An angler will be kicked off the club if safety is compromised. Every member must know how to swim, or wear a life vest while on a boat. The three most important aspects of the fishing club, in this hierarchal order are: SAFETY, FUN, and LEARNING! (And, maybe catching a trout or two.) All anglers must obviously be aware of and respect the DFG laws that regulate fishing.

To participate with MMSFFA, students must return this form signed by the member and parent before the participant's first excursion. The first fifteen signed forms returned to Mr. Leonard determine who is in the club this season. Club membership closes at fifteen students per site. Students must also return a signed copy of "Authorization for student participation." This form is attached.

Please read and complete the attached two pages and return it to Mr. Leonard if you agree to the terms outlined in this letter and on the form.

Please return this form with the transportation form to Mr. Leonard prior to your first excursion. After fifteen completed forms have been accepted with transportation forms, club membership closes.

Parents may contact me with any questions or concerns.

I, ________________________, plan on participating with MMSFFA as outlined in this letter. I will not hold Mammoth Middle School or Mammoth High School, Mammoth Unified School District, Mr. Christopher Leonard, guides, or adult volunteers liable in the event of loss and/or damage/injury of life and/or equipment.

Contact Information: