FLY FISHERS CLUB OF ORANGE COUNTY
RICHARD FANNING MARINE STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarship Background
The Fly Fishers Club of Orange County was founded in 1966 to further the sport of Fly Fishing. In addition to being a way to meet others who enjoy the sport, there were three goals in mind when the club was founded:
• Educating the public,
• Conserving the fisheries, and
• Contributing resources to make fly fishing enjoyable and available to all who are interested.
The club has been working hard to meet its goals by sponsoring clinics and workshops, hosting noteworthy speakers, participating in conservation projects, and contributing its resources to various conservation organizations such as the Federation of Fly Fishers and (FFF), Trout Unlimited (TU), Cal Trout, and the Nature Conservancy. In addition, the club contributes to numerous other conservation activities directly beneficial to fly fishing.
Since 2013 the club has made annual scholarships available to CSU students who are studying marine sciences. In 2023, this scholarship was renamed to honor the memory of Richard Fanning, a long time FFCOC member and leader, an advocate for educational opportunity, an avid flyfisher and our good friend, whose companionship, advice, and leadership, both on and off the stream, will long be remembered.
Through 2025, the scholarship had been well administered for the club through the Cal State University Foundation. However, it was determined that Cal State Humboldt, which has a robust fisheries department and is the only Fisheries Biology program west of the Rockies, does not participate in the Cal State Foundation scholarship program. Therefore, beginning with the 2025/26 academic year, the scholarship is being administered through the Cal State Humboldt Foundation. This change was recognized by all parties as a better alignment of specific interests in fisheries biology. We have a four year commitment to provide one $3,000 scholarship per year, with expectations that the numbers and/or sizes of scholarships may evolve over time.
Selection Criteria:
- Recipient must be a Fisheries Biology Major
- Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate or a full-time or part-time equivalent graduate student
- Recipient must be in good-standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Recipient must have financial need
- It is preferred that the Recipient have hands-on experience in the fisheries biology field
The initial Humboldt State (2025/26) award goes to Will Bebee, an outstanding Master’s Degree candidate whose work focuses on the Klamath River and the rejuvenation of its salmonid habitat there.
Following is a nice endorsement of our efforts with Humboldt State and a heartwarming letter of thanks from Mr. Bebee.
"Thank you so much for selecting me to receive the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Fisheries Biology Scholarship. It is truly heartwarming and inspiring to know that organizations such as yours support fisheries graduate students in our efforts to advance science, public knowledge, and the conservation of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.I greatly admire your club’s commitment to fly fishing, education, and conservation, and I am honored that my work aligns with these values. My graduate research focuses on the Klamath River, where I am updating the Stream Salmonid Simulator (S3) habitat sub-model by estimating suitable cover for juvenile salmonids. This project aims to predict how the availability and distribution of cover habitat changes with flow, which will help quantify juvenile habitat capacity following dam removal.
With your generous support, I will be able to travel to field sites, map cover with side-scan sonar, conduct ground surveys in tandem with LiDAR-derived data, and dedicate the time needed to refine this model and complete my coursework. I hope that my work contributes to the responsible management of the Klamath and other rivers so that future generations can enjoy fishing, and particularly fly fishing, just as we do today.
I would be glad to share the results of my study with you once completed and hope to see you at a presentation or perhaps even my thesis defense in the future.
Thank you again for your generous support and for the important work your club does to promote fly fishing and conservation!”
Will Bebee
RECENT AWARDS
The final CSU Foundation award (academic year 2024/25) went to Chelsea Brown, a summa cum laude Master’s degree candidate at CSU San Diego. A well qualified candidate whose goals after graduation include publishing her work in a scientific journal, followed by a commercial diving program, in preparation for intensive fieldwork such as artificial reef construction. Chelsea intends to make meaningful contributions to marine ecology and conservation efforts.
Her letter of appreciation follows:
Dear Fly Fishers Club of Orange County,
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for being chosen as a recipient of the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Richard Fanning Marine Studies Scholarship. Your generous support is a beacon of encouragement that has touched my heart, and I want to convey my sincere appreciation.
As a third-year master's student pursuing a degree in marine ecology, this scholarship holds immense significance in my academic journey. Juggling the demands of an intensive program while working three jobs to support myself has been a challenging experience. Your financial support not only alleviates the burden of tuition and living expenses but also allows me to dedicate more time and energy to my studies, research, and fishing!
The Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Richard Fanning Marine Studies Scholarship comes at a pivotal moment, enabling me to focus on my academic goals and contribute meaningfully to the field of marine ecology. Your belief in my potential and commitment to supporting students like me with a passion for fishing and marine life is truly inspiring. Being selected for this scholarship is not only an acknowledgment of my dedication but also a motivation to excel further in my chosen field. Your investment in my education serves as a catalyst for my growth and reinforces my determination to make meaningful contributions to marine and fisheries science.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunities this scholarship provides and the impact it will have on my life and educational journey. Your generosity has not only lightened my financial load but has also further empowered me to pursue my passion for marine ecology and fishing-centric research with renewed vigor.
Once again, thank you for believing in me and supporting my academic endeavors.
I am honored to be a recipient of the Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Richard Fanning Marine Studies Scholarship and am excited about the positive influence it will have on my academic and professional pursuits.
Sincerely,
Chelsea Brown