These men lived through the Great Depression and most were involved in World War II.

They started fly fishing before or after World War II and pioneered fly fishing on the West Coast.

The 30 foot shooting head system was developed during their youth, after World War II, by Jimmy Green and friends.

The fishing in Northern California in the 1940s was "off the chart" with fewer people and bad roads.

In the 1960s they formed the "fly fishing only" fishing club "California Fly Fishermen Unlimited" in Sacramento, California.

In the 1970s us Baby Boomers joined the CFFU and met these local fly fishing legends.

They were like uncles to us, sharing their knowledge with us and taking us fishing to good places.


During their youth, a #7 weight was the trout-size fly rod in split cane and fiberglass.

During my youth, the popular size trout fly rod was a #6 weight and was mostly a fiberglass rod.

With the onset of graphite, the most popular size trout fly rod is a #5, in 9' and 4 pieces.


These wonderful men are all gone now and we Baby Boomers are the "Gezzer Patrol" or "the old dudes" now.