Guided Trips
I only consider licensed, insured and bonded guides in the state of California. The shop partners with one freshwater and one saltwater guide in addition to myself.
Northern California and Western Sierra trips are led by Mat Squillante (Fish Tramp), a Clearwater Guide School graduate, with 34 years of fly fishing experience and 20 on the state's creeks and rivers. Local, saltwater trips are led by me and Richard Gilliam, who has over 30 years experience fishing coastal waters.
The following list covers most of the fishing found across California. If you don't see the trip you want, ask me and I'm happy to help you find what you're looking for.
Northern California and Western Sierras
Lower Feather River (Steelhead)
The lower Feather River supports a fall and spring run of wild and hatchery steelhead. Fish average 20"-24" but larger specimens, up to 8 lbs, are mixed in with each run.
Seasons: October to December and March to May
Price: $500 full day / $375 half day (up to 2 anglers)
Provided: Lunch, drinks, all gear and flies
Method: Drift Boat or Walk + Wade
Lower Sacramento River
The lower Sacramento River is renown for offering up good numbers of football sized, hard fighting, wild rainbow trout. Connecting with a 24" or better slab is always a possibility.
Season: All year
Price: $500 full day / $375 half day (up to 2 anglers)
Provided: Lunch, drinks, all gear and flies
Method: Drift Boat or Walk + Wade
Upper Sacramento River
The Upper Sacramento River is beautiful, quiet and receives little pressure in comparison to its neighbors. The fish are hard fighting, wild footballs.
Season: April to November
Price: $500 full day / $375 half day (up to 2 anglers)
Provided: Lunch, drinks, all gear and flies
Method: Walk + Wade
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Merced River
It lacks the reputation but the Merced delivers excellent fishing, for quality wild trout without the crowds. Most fish are rainbows but a few big browns are always lurking.
Season: April to November
Price: $500 full day / $375 half day (up to 2 anglers)
Provided: Lunch, drinks, all gear and flies
Method: Walk + Wade
Putah Creek
This is a technical and challenging fishery. If you enjoy a tightline, small water challenge, Putah won't disappoint. Fish average 10-14" but it holds some 26"+ monsters.
Seasons: March to April and September to November 15
Price: $500 full day / $375 half day (1 angler)
Provided: Lunch, drinks, all gear and flies
Method: Walk + Wade
Saltwater
Monterey Pennisula
The beaches of Monterey offer saltwater fishing in unspoiled, scenic surroundings you won't find in the bay area. We target stripers, surfperch and halibut. Surf fishing isn't easy, as it requires good casting (shooting line and double-hauling) and line management skills. If you've never fished the surf before, we strongly recommend you take our Fly Fishing the Surf class or an advanced casting clinic.
Season: All year
Price: $400 half day (4 hours)
Provided: All gear and flies (lunch is not provided)
Method: Walk + Wade