Neal Taylor (1932-2011), founder of the Cachuma Lake Nature Center (later named the Neal Taylor Nature Center after his passing), was much more than a passionate naturalist—he was a storyteller, author, educator, master fisherman, and a local legend. His deep knowledge of flyfishing and the Santa Ynez Valley’s history and ecology created a lasting impact on all who met him. Neal’s life was a testament to his love for nature and his desire to share that knowledge with the next generation.
He taught hundreds of anglers his expert tips on casting and catching fish throughout over 20 years of teaching at UCLA and other University of California and Cal State schools. He even taught four U.S. presidents how to fish. He was a master at crafting rods and flies, narrowing down the arrangement of feathers to an exact science, making his beautiful flies resemble insects to a tee. As much a showman as he was an angler, he could cast into a crowd and flick the ash off a cigarette from 30 yards away, or land his line perfectly in an unsuspecting coffee drinker’s cup.
Neal attracted crowds with his countless educational programs, including the popular Eagle Cruise, during his time as a Cachuma Lake Naturalist from 1983-2001. He founded the Cachuma Lake Nature Center in 1988, at which time it was an old empty ranch house that the park was not using. After his passing in 2011, the nonprofit was renamed The Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake in his honor.
Neal is missed dearly by his family and by countless people in the community; his impacts and legacy are remembered through the many marvelous stories about him, and his lasting educational programs and offerings at Cachuma Lake.
Enjoy these stories about Neal, told by people who knew him and were impacted by his youthful spirit, friendly demeanor, and generosity of knowledge.
“Neal became friends with Jose Lopez, a Chumash Indian, who at 7 years old, escaped during the raid at Mission La Purisima. Jose worked on a ranchero, creating his own shelter as a lean-to on the ranchero, observing years of history. He lived in the Lake Cachuma area when Neal met him, relating much info about the Chumash Indians to Neal as well as historical events.
One such event was the death of Poncho Villa, who was known to have been killed in Mexico. Yet Jose stated that Poncho Villa died in his cabin near Nojoqui Falls in the Cachuma area. Jose provided evidence of Poncho Villa’s cabin with his treasure still intact. After the citing was produced by Jose, Neal stated the whole cabin and contents were moved to the Smithsonian storage to be researched in the years to come.
Neal Taylor made sure we were aware of mugwort as an antidote to poison oak. He pointed out both plants along the hike to Nojoqui Falls. He said that in nature there’s always an antidote close by. He said you should be able to find mugwort within 100 feet of poison oak. Neal said not to try to wash off the oils of poison oak if you find yourself exposed to it; but rather, find mugwort and use the leaves to brush and wipe your clothes and skin to prevent a rash.
Our Homeschool group met Neal Taylor at Nojoqui Falls area in the early 1990’s. He spoke to us how the Chumash Indians would forecast rain: he pointed to the oak trees overhead and said the leaves would all turn upside down 24 hours prior to the rain falling. While we were standing with him, we heard a major rustling of the leaves. Neal said, ‘Look up!’ We did and could see that the oak leaves had turned upside down. I marked the time as 2:40 pm, wanting to check the validity of Neal’s statement. Twenty-four hours later it started raining back at home in Orcutt! What an amazing discovery the Chumash Indians had made!”
– Deb Harman
“I met Neal a long time ago when he worked at Dunall’s store on Hollister in Goleta. I bought a pair of khakis and wrote a check. Neal noticed that we both spelled our name the same way and, Neal being Neal, started talking about things.
I learned that he was, among many other attributes, a fly fisherman and knew a great deal about insect ecology to help him in his fly-tying. Since I taught Biology and Ecology at Santa Barbara High, I asked him if he would talk to my class insect ecology. This started a relationship with Neal coming to talk to my classes.
Not only did he have a great slide presentation but he also gave a fly casting demo which wowed the students. He was a World Champion Fly Caster for several years running. He had a basket of trick to show including putting a fly in a paper cup from across the room, cutting a small strip of paper held by a student between two hands and taking a ciggarette sized roll of paper held in a student’s teeth. He was a real showman with a wealth of knowledge of the outdoors.
When we would come to Cachuma to go to the Nature Center or take one of his boat tours, he would regale us with stories of the development of the lake and some of the famous people, including some outlaws like Joaquin Murrieta and maybe even Zorro.
He would tell about his childhood and visiting the area of the river before there was Cachuma Lake. He and his brother would roam around by the river and acquire knowledge he would use later in his life. He told of the numerous populations of Steelhead Trout in the river, so many that farmers were able to pitchfork them into their wagons to be used as fertilizers on their fields.
He told us of going with his father to the Sea of Cortez to fish with Zane Grey for Marlin. This included fly fishing.
Neal Taylor was a great man who loved the outdoors and sharing it, and his knowledge of it, with all people, especially children.”
-Neal Abello
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone capture – and keep – an audience the way he could; senior citizens, a class of 4th graders, a flyfishing class or a seminar group ranging from 10 to 80 years of age. The topics? Eagles, loons, deer, mountain lions, Native American culture, boating safety, astronomy, and fish.
When I first saw him cast at Earl Warren Showgrounds, I thought it was a fake. Trick casting tickled his mammoth sense of humor. He could knock the ash off a mouth-held cigarette at 50 feet. While demonstrating at a Fred Hall Show, Neal said to me: “Watch this, Mike.” There was a high school athlete standing about 40 feet away with his back turned, proudly wearing his letterman’s jacket. Neal did his underhanded flip and fired a rubber plug directly into the pocket of the jacket. As Neal tugged, the kid broke up laughing. Neal went over and gave him a hug and a new lure.
Neal’s prowess oftentimes clouded that which made him so strikingly different: friendliness, caring, volunteerism, love of kids, family, and enviable energy—all his own gifts from nature…”
– Mike Moropoulos, read more on Santa Barbara Independent
If you have any stories about Neal that you would like to share, please email us at info@clnaturecenter.org or call +1 805-693-0691
Learn more about Neal Taylor:
Neal Taylor Obituary – Santa Maria Times
Neal Taylor Obituary – LA Times
Neal Taylor Obituary – Santa Barbara Independent
Flyfishing Taught by Neal Taylor – Neal’s Book
