The Santa Cruz Fly Fishermen began as a small group of fly fishers, mainly steelhead fishers and one or two salt water fishers, gathering together on the banks of the San Lorenzo River, sharing tips, tales, and other fishing lore, and had its formal roots at Ernie's Casting Pond, which was a local fly shop. It was originally located in Santa Cruz and later moved to Soquel.

The club has grown to over 200 members, and has ongoing classes in fly tying, fly casting, and rod building. They meet on the first Wednesday of every month, at 7:00 PM, at the Aptos Grange Hall, 2555 Mar Vista Dr., Aptos, CA 95003 and feature speakers and programs from all over the state, presenting slides and speaking on a wide range of subjects relating to fly fishing, such as entomology, conservation, hot fishing spots, techniques, all to broaden the fly fishing experience.