THE IRIDEUS The Newsletter of the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Based in Kensington, Serving the East Bay & Environs since 1982
Yuba River Outing By Roger Wachtler
Fishing Manzanita Lake By Bob Fabini
APR
‘21 GPFF.ORG
CLUB MEETINGS Online Zoom Meetings Every second Wednesday Due to COVID-19 Concerns, Meetings will be conducted online in Zoom Business Meeting - 6:30pm
THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
FEATURES
Departments
09 Yuba River Outing 13 Fishing Manzanita Lake
03 The President’s Message 03 BOARD 04 CALENDAR 05 Conservation Conversation 06 news, notes & random casts 07 Fishing Throwbacks 17 Classifieds & Notices
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the President’s message By Josh Genser
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pring has sprung, I’m halfway vaccinated, and Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Club outings are happening! I know the drought is bad news, but it’s difficult not to enjoy the spectacular sunny weather that has replaced the rain we’re not getting. I hope you’re all getting vaccinated and that you’re all getting out to go fishing. Let’s get more outings on the Club calendar! How? Just do it. If there’s a place you like to fish, share that place with your friends and fellow Club members by being a fishmaster for an outing to that place. Being a “fishmaster” does not mean you have to be a master of anything. You don’t need to be an expert fly fisher, you don’t need to know all about the local entomology, you don’t need to be tour guide. All you need is to know of a place to park from which good fishing is accessible. So, please, lead an outing. Contact our outings chair, Todd Pond, at toddpond@ymail.com, and let him know. He’ll help you put the dates on the Club’s calendar and send out an announcement to the Club’s membership. He’ll also coach you through the creation of your Fish-Out Sheet, which ideally contains directions, recommended flies and equipment (recommendations obtainable from the local fly shop or from Fish First), and maybe suggested accommodations and restaurants. Let’s go fishing!
Josh Genser
Executive Board OFFICERS
Josh Genser President
Eric Larson Secretary
Mike Lippman Treasurer
PROGRAM CHAIRS & BOARD MEMBERS
Mark Likos
Julie Haselden
Mark Likos
Peter Burrows
Dave Garfin
Zachary Karinen
Bob Fabini
Mike Leong
Program Chair
Education Chair Trout in the Classroom
Conservation Chair Newsletter Newsletter
Membership
Membership
NON-BOARD CHAIRS
Lee Hahn Webmaster
Bob Marshak
Todd Pond
Librarian
Outings Coordinator THE IRIDEUS
Peter Burrows Content Editor
Zachary Karinen Design Editor
PHOTO CONTRUBITORS THIS MONTH
Cover.......................................................... Jeff Breidenbach Table of Contents......................................... Roger Wachtler Calendar..................................................... Zachary Karinen Fishing Throwbacks............................................ Archive.org Yuba River Outing......................................................Various Fishing Manzanita Lake....................................... Bob Fabini
We are always looking for photos! Submit your photos to Zachary Wong at craigwong810@gmail.com or Peter Burrows at peterlburrows@gmail.com
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Upcoming Events April 14
April Club Meeting - Putah Creek Restoration & Fishing Tips A presentation by Steve Karr, Chairman of Putah Creek Trout
April 16
Kistler Bass Ranch Outing
April 16
Spey O Rama
May 12
May Club Meeting - Bob Fabini on the Physics of Nymphing
Past Events March 20-21
Lower Yuba on the UC Property. Joint event w/ JMTU Fishmaster: Roger Wachtler
March 10 March Club Meeting - Maurrie Sussman of Sisters on the Fly
February 21
Eagle Canyon Trout Lakes
THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
C
onservation onversation
With Julie Ruth Haselden
SHORELINE CLEANUP – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Help make a difference in our wetlands and Bay! Fish and wildlife deserve a healthier habitat! This is a great opportunity for GPFF members and their families to contribute to the wellbeing of our environment. Kids are welcome! Children benefit by learning the satisfaction of volunteering their efforts. Sunday, June 13, 2021 10am – noon Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline, Oakland – Meet at Garretson Point Staging Area (off the north end of Edgewater Drive) I will provide snacks, litter sticks and hand sanitizer. Please bring your own water and gloves. (You may want to bring a plastic 5-gallon bucket with handle. They are great for picking up trash and then filling trash bags.) RSVP to Julie Haselden – jhaselden17@ comcast.net Conservation News from: Dr. Mark Rockwell, D.C.
President & VP Conservation, Northern Calif. Council, Fly Fishers International “Here’s a good report from a partner of ours on water issues in California. NRDC helped finance the report. Of note, 57 million salmon return to Bristol Bay each year. That is a big number. Let’s not forget that millions used to return to the Sacramento/San Joaquin system each year. We’ve proven these natural returns can be lost, and protecting against that in Bristol Bay is the best priority.” For more information click here. White Salmon River news: The White Salmon River is a 44-mile tributary of the Columbia River in the U.S. state of Washington. Originating on the slopes of Mount Adams, it flows into the Columbia Gorge near the community of Underwood. Parts of the river have been designated Wild and Scenic. “Condit dam removal on the White Salmon River in Washington state. It’s an analog to Copco on the Klamath River relative to size and storage, as well as structure. Watching this live is pretty amazing. Note: Copco will be drawn down before removal of the plug now in place, so much less outflow of water and sediment. Here’s a map of the White Salmon River. Amazing video of the Condit Dam removal! (Pardon the ad.) Link to Condit removal. “Klamath River Dam Removal: This is the best article to understand what it took to get to an agreement in late 2020 for the Klamath dams to be removed. Shows the importance of our Tribal partners, as well as others who helped along the way. It truly has been an ‘allhands-on-deck’ effort.”
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THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
News, Notes & Random Casts GPFF April Meeting Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 pm
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teve Karr will present an updated status report on the restoration projects both current and future that are being conducted within the Inter-dam Reach of Putah Creek. Additionally, Steve will provide information on how and where to fish the creek successfully. Steve has been a fly fisherman for over 50 years and has been fishing Putah Creek since the 1990’s during which time he witnessed many changes in the stream and the trout fishery. He joined Putah Creek Trout during its first year (2007) when it was still just a small group of concerned fishermen and women hoping to bring the Creek back to its Trophy Trout status. In 2009 the group achieved 501(c) 3 nonprofit status and Steve became Chairman of the Board in 2010. With an exceptionally talented and supportive Board, numerous volunteers, and funding from fly fishing clubs and others they have accomplished several milestones including special catch and release regulations, Wild Trophy Trout designation, and establishment of restoration programs designed to improve the creek ecosystem, expand the fishery, and provide better access for the many different recreational users of this valuable natural
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resource. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88325987431?p wd=aXRXSkFZSHlPTXNhRCtUWEpNYU9m UT09 Meeting ID: 883 2598 7431 Passcode: 668269 Find your local number: https://us02web. zoom.us/u/keDoroxRzz Kistler Bass Ranch Outing April 16, 8:30 am - 6 pm
K
istler Bass Ranch Outing. Friday, April 16. The ranch is located on Hwy 108 near
Fishmaster: Bob Woznicki Jamestown with 3 large ponds to fish for big bass as well as bluegill. The ponds can be fished from small water craft such as pontoon boats or float tubes, but walking and wading are also good as much of the fishing is very near shore. A 6-8wt rod is best to cast the large bass bugs,but wooly buggers, damsel and dragonfly nymphs work well, too. We’ll have a more detailed information
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sheet for everyone that Burney Falls area outing in May
FISHING THROWBACKS
Fishing the Burney Falls area is one of the regular highlights of the GPFF calendar. A trip has been posted on the GPFF calendar for May 31 – June 2, 2021. Fishing and being outdoors is a great way to get some recreation while maintaining personal safety and distance. See the GPFF web site for information on the trip to Burney Falls. Important COVID protocols and guidelines are available. Fishmaster - Eric Larson. ericlarson87@gmail.com
email contact:
Fishing for all skill levels - includes excellent novice water. See beautiful Burney Falls. Fish Burney Creek, right at the campground, Hat Creek, Pit River, Fall River, Lost Creek, Rock Creek, and Baum Lake. Link to calendar in GPFF site: https:// grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/event-4241859
This month’s fishing throwback is on former President Herbert Hoover. While his legacy may be stained by his handling of the Great Depression, he may be better remembered as one of more prolific fly fishing presidents even publishing a book “Fishing for Fun and to Wash Your Soul”.
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Announcement: New GPFF covid protocols GPFF is starting up fishing outings for 2021. The Board has now adopted a new set of COVID-19 protocols. A new requirement to join in on these events, you will need to sign a copy of these protocols. These rules are in effect for any outings sponsored by the Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers Club From February 1, 2021 until further notice. STAY HOME if, on the day before or the day of the outing, you have: · Any one of the following symptoms: o Shortness of Breath (unusual shortness of breath if you are, say, asthmatic and shortness of breath is an ordinary condition). o New or worsening dry cough. o Fever. o Flu-like symptoms (e.g. lethargy, body aches; unusual lethargy or aches if you are, say, old, and lethargy or arthritis is an ordinary condition). o Vomiting. o Diarrhea. o Loss of sense of smell or taste. · Any two of the following symptoms: o Mild unusual lethargy or body aches. o Cough. o Rash. o Sore Throat. o Open Sore. STAY HOME if within the past ten days: · You have been in close contact with anyone who has Covid-19 or was suffering from typical Covid-19 symptoms. · You or anyone with whom you have been, within the past 10 days, in close contact has, within the 14 days prior to your close contact, been on a cruise ship, travelled internationally or visited an area with a known communicable disease outbreak. If you have previously registered for the outing, please notify the fishmaster that you will not be attending. Rules of the Outing: o The fishmaster is also the Covid safety officer. Please obey his or her instructions. o Travel to the outing in your own vehicle. Vehicles may be shared only by people within the same family or who live together. o Each person or family group must plan for, obtain, pay for, and stay in their own campsite or hotel room. The Club will not be responsible for accommodations. o There will be no communal meals nor shared food. Each person is responsible for supplying their own food and drink. o Always stay at least six feet away from others whenever possible. o Wear a mask when within ten feet of others, even if only briefly. Bandanas, buffs, and neck gaiters are not sufficient masks. Wear N95 or surgical masks or cloth masks with at least two layers of cloth. o Every person must carry hand sanitizer and use it after touching any surface also touched by others. Sanitize any shared restroom after you use it. o Do not share fishing gear or equipment. Bring your own rods and flies. If you need help with flies or other equipment, contact the fishmaster or go to Fish First in advance of the trip so that you may acquire what you need. o Any communal gatherings (campfires, briefings, fish stories) shall nevertheless be at least six feet apart from each other, with every person wearing a mask. No singing or wind instruments are permitted. o Bring your own chair and table so that you have a place to eat and conduct other affairs apart from others. o Every participant must promise, in writing, to comply with these rules and provide that written promise to the fishmaster.
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THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
Yuba Yuba River River Outing Outing By: By: Roger Roger Wachtler Wachtler
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THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
T
his years Yuba trip was a celebration on many levels. The Grizzly Peak Fly Fishers had not been on this outing since 2017. Before COVID ruined our plans last year, we were foiled by two consecutive years of very high water. To tell you the truth, I was worried that might happen again when it started raining the week before the trip. But the weather turned, setting the stage for another truly great trip. The club has been coming to this gorgeous stretch of river, which is owned by UC Davis, for many years. In fact, my first outing as a new member of GPFF was to this location. I can still recall meeting some anglers at the gate that morning, people who would make a
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Stonefly sunning itself on a warm rock - Photo by Roger Wachtler
big impression on me and have remained close friends to this day. This was also the first joint outing between John Muir TU and Grizzly Peak and one that I hope we soon repeat. But this year we had special cause for celebration, as this was the first trip since the pandemic began. It was great to get out again on a river with friends and imagine a post-Covid reality. For those of you who know the often-crowded stretch of public access to the Yuba around Rt. 20, the UC-Davis property is a ten- or fifteenminute drive to the northwest. Besides the obvious advantage of less competition for the fish, it’s a beautiful stretch of country and river, especially decked out as it was this time of year
THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
Above: John Affeldt and his son fishing - Photo by Roger Wachtler Right: Mary Tealdi with her catch. - Photo by Mary Tealdi
with wildflowers and greenery. It feels very different than the public section. I think the rains on Friday had the fish looking down early in the day on Saturday. The nymphing that morning was very good with hare’s ear, soft hackles, princes and Copper John’s. I focused on fishing a riffle up a couple hundred yards upstream of the parking lot. This riffle had a shelf and a sharp drop-off up top and fish were tucked up close under the shelf. As soon as the nymph dropped from the shelf they took it. I found several nice fighting fish here. Around noon, the soft white clouds gave way to glorious sunshine. Just as Bob Woznicki had
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THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
predicted in his talk the Tuesday before the trip, the hatches started up around noon, so I switched to dry flies and searched for rising fish in likely holding water. I had good luck, and I wasn’t alone. Just upstream from me, JMTU member Mary Tealdi hooked 5 nice rainbows on PMDs and a Missing Link. Others reported steady action on pinkies and parachute Adams, including a few 17-inch-plus fish. On Sunday, it was hard to concentrate on just the fishing. It was so beautiful and there was so much to see. The full sun lit up the green hills, and flowers were everywhere. To add more distraction, a few eagles were fishing right in front of us. Some anglers stopped fishing to go birding, or just soak it all in.
Above: A real beaut | Below: Netted! - Photos by Jeff Breidenbach
While there was some nymphing success early, many people moved quickly on to dries. Sunday had many more insects in the air, and pinkies and skwalas brought in many fish. You could tell all hell was about to break loose, when a swarm of swallows surrounded you. At one point I’d let my fly out just six feet in front of me when a nice fish took the pinkie and bolted upstream. It jumped twice and snapped off the fly! If anyone had any doubt of health of this fishery, there was a spawning redd just in front of the picnic area with fifty, eighteen inch rainbows to watch. All in all it was a fantastic trip. It was great to watch some master anglers at work. It was also really nice to see fathers and sons working the riffles and hiking the hills in search of trout. Thanks to Todd Pond for getting this outing on the books and Bob Woznicki for the awesome pre-trip zoom presentation. See you next time. Roger Wachtler
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THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
Fishing Manzanita Lake
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have been fishing Manzanita Lake every year for about the past decade, and I’d like share my experiences with you. Before I retired, I got very little fishing time in the Spring, so I have fished Manzanita from July through late October. I have a friend who fishes damsel nymphs in the Spring with great success. Recently the GPFF Board has discussed exploring more stillwater options, and Manzanita is a great place for someone to try if they are just starting stillwater trout fishing. The lake contains wild rainbows and browns that run typically from 12” up to about 18”, although I’ve caught a few fish over 20”.
By Bob Fabini
Manzanita Lake is located in Lassen Park East of Shingletown just off Hwy 44. Burney is only about an hour away, so going to Manzanita puts you in the heart of great fishing country with lots of other options. The lake has extensive camping and services. There are 4 campgrounds, one for tents only, Loop D, which is where I stay. There is a store and shower facilities before the campgrounds. If you are camping there, you can walk to the lake, or drive down to the boat launch area. Only people-powered watercraft are allowed on the Lake and although it is possible to wade fish, some watercraft will put you over many more fish. I always fish from a float tube. You can rent kayaks at the launch area. Given the location, there are great options for the non-
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fishers in your family. It gets crowded in the summer, so I go during the week. I have never failed to find a campsite. In July, the callibaetis hatches are in full swing and will continue on into the fall. Early on, they are size 14-16 and as the season progresses, they drop down to 16-18. There are damsels and dragonflies galore and sometimes large trout will leap a couple of feet out of the water to take adults, although I haven’t caught any on adult patterns. I’ve had this happen within a rod’s length of my float tube—quite a surprise! Midges are always present, and frequently hatch throughout the day. In the fall, water boatmen are common. All imitations need to be barbless. I usually get on the water early, and start with nymphs. My go-to nymph pattern has been a 14-18 tunghead pheasant tail tied on a scud hook. I start fishing shoreline structure letting the nymph settle count-down style, and then begin an erratic handtwist retrieve. Sometimes I double up, adding a damsel pattern, or midge. This usually results in some fish before the hatch begins mid to late morning. Continuing to fish nymphs during the hatch will take fish, but I usually switch to dries. I carry two rods, one rigged for nymphs, one for dries. My goto dry fly is a light tannish-olive sparkle dun in 16-18. This is a tremendous fly pattern that is very easy to tie, floats well, and is very durable. Make sure you have some dry shake for the fly after landing a fish. Stillwater dry fly fishing is a whole different game from moving water. In moving water, fish stay on station while the river delivers food. In stillwater, trout must stay on the move to get fed; however, they often swim in repetitive patterns. I find that this pattern is easiest to identify if you observe rising fish carefully, especially along shoreline structure. Positioning yourself
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along structure is always a good idea, because it limits the options available to fish movement. Think about seeing a fish rise in the middle of a lake. The next rise of that fish could be in any direction from the first rise. The fish has 360 degrees to choose from. If you observe a rise next to shoreline structure, that fish has only 180 degrees to choose from. You just simplified your task considerably. Manzanita is the perfect place to put this plan into action. I’m convinced that this has been a large contributor to my consistent success here. Manzanita has many patches of willows that grow in the water, and these are great places to start fishing. You will frequently see fish rise inside the willows where you can’t reach them; however working the willow edges can be very productive. Some areas of the lake have downed timber in the water, and these are great spots also. Sometimes individual fish can be very picky about dry flies. If I get refusals on my sparkle dun, I usually step down one size. If that doesn’t work, I’ll try a parachute, hackle stacker, or a callibaetis cripple. Usually this eventually leads to success. I have sometimes worked over one fish for an hour with several fly changes. This requires careful casting so as not to spook your quarry. If you do, rest the fish, and they will often return to feeding within a few minutes. You can also use leeches, wooly buggers, and similar patterns with success. I sometimes troll one of these followed by a nymph when I’m kicking across the center of the lake. I find it’s best if I cast about 30 degrees to the side and let the line swing behind me. I let it stay behind my tube for a few kicks, and then cast the other direction and continue. In this way I can cover a good deal of water while moving from one spot to another.
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When fishing nymphs and dries I use 4x-6x tippet. I use the largest tippet possible to land fish quickly, and to deal with the weeds. Manzanita is weed-filled, and a hooked fish will immediately head deep and bore into them if you give them half a chance. I have taken to fishing 10 foot 3w and 4w rods. This allows me to get I quick high angle on the leader as soon as I hook up, and then I can get the fish’s head up at the beginning of the battle. This gives me some advantage, and I lose fewer fish in the weeds. You will need smaller tippet through the middle of the day, but can get by with larger sizes, especially at dusk Fishing usually slows down in the afternoon, so I kick in and fix a late lunch/early dinner before going back out. Evenings can be spectacular with seemingly every fish rising across the whole lake. Again, the sparkle dun usually works, and by the time you can’t see, and have to quit, the fish will likely still be feeding heavily. I have found that I have my greatest success working shorelines as I mentioned before.
Whenever you are fishing, land your fish quickly, use a net, don’t handle them if possible, and release them quickly. Frequently I find that I can release the fish without touching them at all. This is a wild, healthy fishery, and we need to do everything we can to keep it that way. Three other issues should be mentioned. These are wild fish, and they spawn in the inlet creek to the right (north) of the boat launch. You are not allowed to fish near the inlet at any time of the year. There are markers to indicate the area to avoid. Last year, the lake was closed to swimming, wading, and soft-sided boats due to a swimmer being attacked by a mother river otter defending her pups. Check before going to be sure you can fish. Lastly, in the summer water temperatures can get pretty high, and that’s unhealthy for fish. When it approaches 70 degrees, I pack up and fish other waters.
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Steve Karr Chairman of the Board of Putah Creek Trout
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teve Karr will present an updated status report on the restoration projects both current and future that are being conducted within the Inter-dam Reach of Putah Creek. Additionally, Steve will provide information on how and where to fish the creek successfully. Steve has been a fly fisherman for over 50 years and has been fishing Putah Creek since the 1990’s during which time he witnessed many changes in the stream and the trout fishery. He joined Putah Creek Trout during its first year (2007) when it was still just a small group of concerned fishermen and women hoping to bring the Creek back to its Trophy Trout status. In 2009 the group achieved 501(c) 3 nonprofit status and Steve became Chairman of the Board
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in 2010. With an exceptionally talented and supportive Board, numerous volunteers, and funding from fly fishing clubs and others they have accomplished several milestones including special catch and release regulations, Wild Trophy Trout designation, and establishment of restoration programs designed to improve the creek ecosystem, expand the fishery, and provide better access for the many different recreational users of this valuable natural resource.
THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021
Classifieds and Notices Grizzly Peak Related All inclusive ‘On-Line’ Fly Tying Seminar Includes a full color course book and all materials for the 13 Foundational Flies taught. Vise & Tools available upon request. Go to https:// grizzlypeakflyfishers.org/page-1533004 ... $90.
Fly Tying Desk (almost new)
McCloud River Photo
almost new, measures 20” x 11-3/4” x 4-3/4”, For $20.00
Beautiful, framed Photograph of the McCloud River, near the Nature Conservancy site. The frame measures 21.5” x 17.5” . For $10.00
Contact Juan Ordonez if interested ordonez.juandaniel@hotmail.com
Contact Juan Ordonez if interested ordonez.juandaniel@hotmail.com
Learn at your own pace! 24/7 Contact Mark Likos mlikos@comcast.net with any questions
Fly Fishing Related Gear ‘Fishing Backpack’ - Abu Garcia brand, REVO (Brand new) Comes with 4 storage organizers, detachable sunglasses case, (2) Side rod holders, Lots of fishing tool pockets/ holders. NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM GARCIA. Asking $75 Contact Mark Likos if interested mlikos@comcast.net
New! To post classifieds in next month’s Irideus please submit a photo, and description of the item in 150 words or less to Zach Wong (craigwong810@gmail.com Subject: Classified Ad Request)
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THE IRIDEUS - APRIL 2021 Other Sports
Snow Skis - Rossignol Cut - 170cm skis. Excellent condition, sharp edges, used only once! Start of the art quick release adjustable bindings, with poles. Asking $70 Contact Mark Likos if interested mlikos@comcast.net
Golf Clubs for Sale - Mixed Bag. Lynx woods, Wilson Staff & McGregor Irons, used but still good for a starter or spare loaner set. Driver & (2) fairway woods, putter, pitching wedge and mixed irons with bag. Asking $40 Contact Mark Likos if interested mlikos@comcast.net
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Wanted & In Search Of
