California’s Gold Standard
I’m going to make a bold statement here: California is one of the top fly-fishing states in the…
Ryan Johnston has been a fly-fishing guide in CA, ID, and MT for 22 years. Through Ryan's passion for guiding and chasing fish, he felt a greater calling to give the gift of fly fishing to underserved kids. In 2010, he founded a fly-fishing nonprofit called Cast Hope. 700 kids a year are learning to fly fish, catch their first fish, and are being introduced to the outdoors in a new, healthy way. In Ryan's free time he enjoys writing and has published two books of short guide stories that will make you smile, laugh, and reflect on your own time on the water. You can find his books, A Reel Job and Reelly, online via Amazon.
10 posts
Chasing Unicorns
An Excerpt from REELLY: Unbelievable Fly Fishing Guide Stories Do you believe in unicorns? I know my young…
Feather River Steelhead
I have been a fly-fishing guide in Northern California for twenty years, and of all the streams I…
Summer Fishing in the Sacramento Valley
Summer in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California can be hot. I mean really hot — temperatures over…
Tips for Success on the Lower Sacramento
The lower Sacramento River, or the lower Sac, as most people call it, is arguably California’s best trout…
Tips for Success on the Lower Yuba River
The lower Yuba River, near Marysville, is a trout and steelhead fishery easily accessible for those who live…
Steelheading: Foundations for an Addiction
One word describes fly fishing for steelhead: “addiction.” I have watched friends lose girlfriends and wives over this…
Landing Big Fish
Losing big fish sucks. There is not a worse “coulda, shoulda, woulda” moment after the first few seconds…
Common Mistakes When Fishing Indicators on Large Rivers
Year after year, I see anglers making the same mistakes when they use indicators while nymphing large rivers…
Being Analytical
“How can I catch more fish?” “Is there one trick that can help me become a better angler?”…