Bob Gaines

Bob Gaines

Since he was a kid, Bob has been fishing up and down the Eastern Sierra. “From Bishop to Bridgeport, that’s my stomping ground,” he says. “Growing up in southern California, my first fish on fly was a Bluegill, and I also love fly fishing for carp and bass.” The pursuit of salmon led him to 20 trips to Alaska, and 13 IFGA fly fishing world records. He’s written over 40 feature articles for numerous publications, including American Fly Fishing. His article "Remembering Alpers Ranch" was awarded "Best Feature Article" for 2023 by the Outdoor Writers Association of California. Bob is an accomplished rock climber, with five ascents of Yosemite’s El Capitan to his credit. He has authored or coauthored 18 books on rock climbing. IG: @bgvertical
12 posts
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Lake Barrett

Southern California’s Lake Barrett offers some of the best fly fishing for largemouth bass in the entire state.…
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Lake Havasu

California’s Highway 62 heading east from the town of Twentynine Palms is the straightest section of desert highway…
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The Smith River

The documentary Rivers of a Lost Coast poignantly recounts the glory days of the Smith River, when every…
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The Lower Owens River

You have probably heard the famous saying, attributed to Mark Twain, “Whiskey is for drinking, water is for…
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Chasing Records

I’m a bit superstitious. I won’t pick up a penny unless it’s heads up — a lucky penny.…