Q: How do I join SJFF?

A: There are no membership fees or dues, no special requirements or lengthy forms to fill out... no strings attached. Simply contact your local chapter leader and give him the following info:

     1) Who are you

     2) Where are you located &  contact info (mailing address, phone number, email address)

     3) Other information about you that you'd like to share (ie: your home water, your home church, your favorite fishing spot, your favorite split cane fly rod builder, your wife's name, your children's names, your dogs name and breed, etc.).

Once we have your information, we will contact you and keep you informed about the various SJFF events via email... Our membership "creel" is always open to any of our fishing trips and events (casting clinics and fly tying nights).  Although our fly fishing group started in Southern California, we do have fly fishing club members (friends) who live as far away as Massachusetts and have joined us on past Sierra fly fishing trips that we affectionately call the "High Holy Days".

Q: Do I have to be a Christian to go on a SJFF trip?

A: No. If you are curious about the many works of Jesus Christ and how he utilizes fishermen (particularly dry fly fishermen) to become "fishers of men" - and you are already a qualified fly fisherman - then you have found the right group of guys to hang out with.  Don't fear, we are not a bunch of "bible thumpers" who intimidate others with any vast knowledge or religious fervor, rather we are a group of real Christian men, who are dedicated Christian's and fly fishermen.  And as such, we love to talk about our most common interest - namely fly fishing, fly tying, big trout and Jesus Christ.

Q: When and How did SJFF begin?

A: The roots of SJFF were planted in 1976 by Bart Smith who annually took business associates and friends to the Eastern Sierras to fly fish the various trout streams and lakes of that epic region. Ten years later in 1986, Bart had joined St. John's Lutheran Church in Orange California and he began to invite his fellow fly fishing brothers in Christ to go along on these fishing adventures. During this time it became a "church" event and was officially dubbed St. John's Fly Fishers. In recent years we have invited Christians and non-believers alike from all over the country to come and join us on our fly fishing outings. The two men who were instrumental in focusing the group into a fly-fishing group were Bart Smith and Rich Brumfield.  We are now expanding to set up various small group chapters all over the USA.

Q: How old do I have to be to go on a SJFF trip?

A: That is really up to you. Many father and son teams have come along on our fly fishing trips... it is a great chance for that special bonding, and a time for young minds to witness how Men of Christ live their lives and fellowship together. As a rough guideline the youngest age might be a mature 13 year old young man.  SJFF is a Christian men's group and as such is not a women's ministry (sorry to the ladies).

Q: I've never been fly-fishing before, but I'm looking for opportunities for Christian fellowship. Would I be welcome as a "rookie"?

A: You bet! On your first two trips, we'll pair you up with a "mentor" to guide you through all the questions you may have about getting started. This mentor will be with you every step of the way, making your journey from novice to master as easy as possible.  All we ask is that, when the time comes, you will do the same for another "rookie"!

Q: I don't have any equipment. Can I still come?

A: Sure! Most of us have extra tackle lying around the house and garage (much to our wives' dismay!) and can help get you equipped for your first fly fishing outing. If you're serious about learning the art of fly fishing, though, it won't be long before you'll want your own gear. (OK, we've officially warned you!)

Q: What is a typical outing like? What do you guys do on these fly fishing trips?

A: We've officially dubbed our California Sierra trips "High Holy Days".  "High" because we're usually in the mountains.  "Holy", both because we let nothing interfere with these dates once they're set and because we set aside time for prayer, devotions, and singing praise tunes together during the trip.  We try to travel together to the destination - - car time being some of the best fellowship known to man - - and make it as easy as possible to get there.  Accommodations are usually great, although more often than not we're sleeping several guys in one room (not one bed!). We try to cook most of our own meals, and always eat together.  We scatter to various fishing destinations during the day, and then reunite to share the evening meal (and some guys reportedly tell white lies about the size and quantity of their catch).  Early Sunday morning, we set aside time for worship, prayer, and praise songs.  In our Orange County group we are blessed to have a few brothers who play guitar which helps to bring the worship to a greater level.  We share all expenses and resources during the trip, returning home the way we came.