Fly Fishing News
Gear Review: Skwala Thermo 350 Hoody
Merino Wool is a game changer! One of my best memories of Christmas was back when I was 13 and my mum and dad gave me a drab green, 100% wool British military surplus Wooly Pully sweater. It was far and away my favorite insulating layer in a duck blind or on the water fishing. (more…)
The Fly Shop News
Gear Review: Fishpond Stormshadow Rolling Carry-On
Gear Review: Stormshadow Rolling Carry-On By Jordan Taylor Why the Stormshadow Rolling Carry-On is My New Favorite Travel Companion: As a fly fisherman and self-proclaimed gear junkie, I’m always on the hunt for tools, gadgets, and equipment that will make my fly fishing easier, more enjoyable, and my trips smoother. There’s something about being prepared (more…)
Gear Review: Skwala Thermo 350 Hoody
Merino Wool is a game changer! One of my best memories of Christmas was back when I was 13 and my mum and dad gave me a drab green, 100% wool British military surplus Wooly Pully sweater. It was far and away my favorite insulating layer in a duck blind or on the water fishing. (more…)
Winston Bamboo – The History
Winston Bamboo The History of Winston and Bamboo by Terry Jepsen I’ve worked at The Fly Shop®, or at least been a part of it since I was 14 years old…I’m 51 now. When I started, the majority of fly rods were made of fiberglass. Graphite fly rods, which were just coming out, were only (more…)
NCCFFI Hall of Fame Event
NCCFFI Hall of Fame Event – The History & Story David Draheim, then a member of Mount Diablo Fly Fishers conceived the idea of the Hall of Fame Event to honor Fly Fishers who had given so much to the sport of fly fishing & helping our fisheries, and a way to generate funding for (more…)
Gear Review: Winston Pure 2 Fly Rods
The Winston Pure Series is known as an accurate and delicate presentation style rod with a wide range of lengths and weights to accommodate any small stream or lake. This series of rods is well known for being the perfect dry fly and small nymph rod. The PURE 2 has taken the previous model and (more…)
Staff Bio – Joel Crandall
I’m 19 years old (2024), soon to be a sophomore in college! I’m currently studying financing and marketing. I was born in the gloomy city of Youngstown, Ohio (my parents say it was the best thing that happened to them when they lived there). I’ve lived in Redding for 13 going on 14 years, and (more…)
Staff Bio – Eric Fields
I started fly fishing in 1998, and I was lucky enough to have friends who guide, and they were willing to take me out fishing, so I learned from the best. After trying most of the various techniques in fly fishing I feel that I’m most suited for Spey fishing for steelhead. I hope one (more…)
Travel News
Lava Creek Lodge Availability 2025
High Volume Alaska Silver Salmon Action! Explosive Silver Salmon Fishing in Remote Alaska! Coho season in Alaska is one of the Last Frontier’s most iconic experiences, and Lava Creek Lodge offers some of the best silver fishing on the planet. There are no other freshwater species in the Northern Hemisphere that you can catch in (more…)
Colorado Travel Chronicle – 2024
Erik Argotti’s Colorado Travel Chronicle – 2024 North Fork Ranch (September 21-24) Taylor River Lodge (September 24-27) Black Canyon Hosted Trip (September 27-October 1) September 21: I got a ride to the Redding airport around 9:45 am for a 10:50 flight to SFO. That is a nice time to catch a flight on a Saturday. (more…)
Start Your Trout Season on the “Horn”
After a winter of chasing steelhead here in NorCal nothing gets me more excited than the thought of stringing up a 5 or 6 weight and the start of trout season. As fly fishermen, most of us get our start with and return to trout. I have trips on the books for Chinook Salmon, Bonefish, (more…)
Gear Review: Fishpond Wind River Roll-Top Dry Backpack
Fishpond Wind River Roll-Top Dry Backpack By Patrick Pendergast I am not a gear hound, I like to keep my kit simple – form follows function for me. I appreciate well designed and constructed gear that is not overloaded with a bunch of eye candy to make it look cool. When my waterproof backpack of (more…)
Rio Mataveni Trip Report
2024 Rio Mataveni Hosted Trip Report – March 12 – 25, 2024 by Erik Argotti There were 10 of us on this trip. All the guys were seasoned travelers and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to hang out with for the week. They were an older crew. I was by (more…)
Lava Creek Lodge Availability 2024
Last Openings at Lava Creek Lodge for the 2024 Season! Fantastic fishing at Lava Creek Lodge in one of the most remote and unfished corners of Alaska is only six months away, and the lodge still has some fantastic availability in a handful of weeks. Find below the specific weeks that have space open, and (more…)
2023 Tanzania Trip Report
2023 Tanzania Trip Report – November 1 – 13, 2023 by Erik Argotti November 1: I arrived at the Redding airport around 5 am for a 6 am flight to SFO. Took off on time and arrived in SFO around 7. Smooth and easy. According to the board, the Turkish Air counter was supposed to (more…)
Outfitters News
Northern California Spring Fishing Forecast
We’ve had a few good shots of rain that swelled everything and blew out all of the rivers. Fortunately everything calmed down and dropped into good shape. As we are looking at another storm on the horizon, we wonder what this spring will bring. It can go either of two ways depending upon how cold (more…)
Klamath River Renewal
For over a century, the Klamath River’s anadromous fishes have been blocked from the upper reaches of their natal spawning and rearing waters. After decades of proposals, alliances, court battles and, finally, solidified plans, four dams have been removed from the upper Klamath River and the largest dam removal project in the U.S. is nearing (more…)
Private Waters Fly Fishing Options for the Summer
‘Sometimes you just want to be alone.’ This has been our concept for nearly a half century rooting out and vetting private ranches with angling opportunities here in the North State and we have some good options this summer for you to consider if you would like to get away from the crowds. Some are (more…)
Year of the Cicada
2024 is a special year when talking about cicadas. This year, in May, we are expecting a massive hatch of these critters that will produce billions, if not trillions of cicadas. WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT? Unlike the recent solar eclipse, you won’t need funky sunglasses or a welder’s helmet to witness this historic spectacle. (more…)
Essential Gear: Small Streams
Essential Gear: Small Streams by Bryan Quick Poking around on a little creek fooling smaller trout is one of my favorite pursuits in late spring through summer. I’m lucky we have plenty of trout waters here in NorCal to hike to and lose myself for a day or two. My fly fishing journey began on (more…)
Curing the Steelhead Blues
Curing the Steelhead Blues by Chris King Last winter in California was a tough year to be a steelheader. After spending the better part of 2 decades on the water I find myself now answering phones and booking local trips at The Fly Shop®. This has turned me into a weekend warrior. Last winter it (more…)
Taking Better Photos Using Your Phone
Taking Better Photos Using Your Phone by Chris King In our catch and release world of fly fishing, the pictures we take are all the proof we have of our epic adventures. It is important then to take a look at setting up the perfect representation of our time in the field. It is one (more…)
Fishing Reports
ESB Lodge Report 2025 – #1
Fishing Report #1 January 26 – February 02, 2025 We are off on running with the 2025 ESB Opener. Thank you for all your continued support over the years, you are all awesome! we have been hard at work making some significant improvements to the lodge. The lodge now runs 100% on solar powered electricity (more…)
ESB Lodge Report 2025 – #2
Fishing Report #2 February 02 – 09, 2025 Dear Friends, This week, the second of the 2025 season, we were honored to welcome back our dear friends from Michigan—our longtime guests, with the exception of Mike, who was visiting for the first time. Though new to our waters, he is an experienced saltwater angler. Having (more…)
Rio Marie’ Report 2024 #18
Fishing Report – Week #18 December 15 – 22, 2024 This week, Rio Marié once again proved why it’s the ultimate destination for those seeking the pinnacle of fly fishing. Despite the challenges brought by fluctuating water levels, our group of 12 anglers—comprising Brazilians and Americans—showed incredible determination and skill, landing some truly spectacular fish.The (more…)
Rio Marie’ Report 2024 #17
Fishing Report – Week #17 December 08 – 15, 2024 This week, we welcomed another diverse group of anglers hailing from different continents. Despite the challenging conditions created by rapidly rising waters, they persevered throughout the entire week, and still managed to find some impressive fish. We also had the pleasure of hosting renowned angler (more…)
Rio Marie’ Report 2024 #16
Fishing Report – Week #16 December 01 – 08, 2024 The Rio Marié once again proved why it remains the pinnacle of fly-fishing destinations. Known as the “River of Giants,” this remote Amazonian paradise is home to the largest peacock bass on Earth. This week, we had the pleasure of hosting a vibrant group of (more…)
Rio Marie’ Report 2024 #15
Fishing Report – Week #15 November 24 – December 01, 2024 This week welcomed eighth passionate Brazilian anglers, each drawn to the Rio Marié for its reputation as the ultimate destination for trophy peacock bass. For some, it was their inaugural journey into these legendary waters; for others, it was a triumphant return, fueled by (more…)
Rio Marie’ Report 2024 #14
Fishing Report – Week #14 November 17 – 24, 2024 Weather Conditions: The week brought mostly sunny days, setting the stage for another unforgettable experience on the waters of the Rio Marié. Water Temperature: 26–28°C (79–82°F) River Conditions: The water levels fluctuated early in the week but began dropping again by midweek, creating ideal conditions (more…)
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