Guide Profile: Travis Babin

Guide with AC Fly Fishing
Years Guiding: 3

Travis was born and raised in Southern California, grew up fishing in the Eastern Sierra, and developed a passion for fishing at an early age. He guides on the Upper and Lower Sacramento River, Lake Shasta, Hat Creek, the McCloud, Pit, Fall, Trinity, Klamath, and Rogue Rivers.  He focuses on trout, steelhead, and bass and loves to take clients on Lake Shasta to catch bass on the fly. 

CAFF: How and why did you decide to become a guide?

TB: I’ve always had a passion for fishing and the outdoors, so when the opportunity came up to guide full-time, I jumped at it. Before guiding, I was a college baseball coach and teacher for 10 years. That was a tough job, and there were many rough days. As a fishing guide, I always say, “There are no bad days out here.”

CAFF: How do you balance guiding with family/personal life?

TB: I have a very supportive wife and two amazing kiddos, so coming home at the end of each day and being present with them is important. Fortunately, my family loves the water just as much as I do, so we spend a lot of our family time out on the water. We love Lake Shasta.

CAFF: Are there specific conservation concerns in your area that you wish to draw attention to?

TB: The salmon runs in our stretch of the Sacramento River in Redding seem to be struggling. Especially this past year where local rivers saw a decent return, the Sacramento in Redding had a poor return. 

CAFF: How do you deal with difficult clients/landowners?

TB: In my experience, almost everyone has a good attitude and is there for more than just catching fish. Lots of people are just happy to be outside and experiencing something real. In today’s media/technology-driven society, I feel it’s quite a relief for people when they’re fishing, whether in the boat or walking in the stream. When you’re fishing, you’re in the elements; you can smell the trees, hear the water, and see the vibrant colors associated with all the different riparian zones. It’s a tangible experience, and people can walk away with something, whether hooking a big fish or seeing a bald eagle. It’s a “living in the moment” experience that isn’t always easy to come by today. 

On the occasion I do get a client who is a little fussy, I have a motto on my boat that usually keeps people in check: “Relax, it’s just fishing.” I’m a former athlete, so I have some quirks I’ve acquired over the years, and I write RIJF in all my hats to remind myself to “relax, it’s just fishing.”

CAFF: Is mojo a thing? (some clients who are not great anglers seem to catch fish while good/great anglers struggle)

TB: Some people just know how to send good vibes through the line. Fishing is just like anything, though. It’s all about confidence. If you believe in your flies and you believe in your drift, you’re more likely to pay attention and get more opportunities. 

CAFF: What changes, for better or worse, have you noticed since you started guiding?

TB: I can see a changing of the guard as a younger crowd makes its way to the water. Whether it be guides or anglers, the crowd is getting younger, which is a good thing on many levels. Especially from a conservation standpoint, you need engagement from the younger generation, who has a vested interest in the future of our waterways and fisheries. 

CAFF: What is your most memorable catch and why?

TB: Fortunately, I’ve had a lot of great memories on the water over the years as an angler and, more recently, as a guide. That’s what life is all about—making memories. But there is one that stands out above the rest. On my second season guiding the Trinity, one of my clients hooked and landed a legit 30-inch steelhead. It was an epic battle that lasted 15 minutes and took us 1,000 yards downriver with several jumps and explosive runs along the way. My tape measure only goes to 28 inches on my boat, and this fish was bursting over. In all reality, it was probably bigger than 30 inches, but I don’t like to tell fish tales (wink wink). This was the first 30 inch fish I had landed on this river, and it made me realize that any given day on the Trinity could produce a fish of a lifetime.

CAFF: Describe your ideal client.

TB: Anyone who entrusts me to take them fishing for the day is my ideal client—lol. However, there is something to be said about taking a beginner fly fisher fishing for the first time. To go from never holding a fly rod to landing their first fish in one day is a pretty neat experience on all levels. 

CAFF: What is your favorite trick or tip you like to teach people?

TB: Mending. Mending the line is such an integral part of what we do, especially when side drifting from a boat. I always take time to coach people on their mends. Mending is a relatively easy skill to master, making a big difference in catch rates when you do it right. 

CAFF: What’s the #1 thing you wish every client knew or would do?

TB: It’s okay to sit down, get comfortable, and look around. People get so amped up and just want to watch their indicators all day that they don’t get to relax. As I said earlier, I think these guided fishing trips for most people are more about the experience than just catching fish. I try and remind people to sit down and relax every so often. Especially when we are back rowing a good run, take a few minutes to look around and enjoy the surroundings. 

CAFF: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen on the Trinity since you first started guiding?

TB: One of the biggest changes I’ve seen has been the movement of gravel, whether from storms or gravel restoration work down in Junction City. The Trinity seems alive and healthy, especially with all its tributaries recharging the main stem with gravel each winter. I know some of the other tail waters I fish don’t get that kind of gravel recharge from year to year. There were also a lot more salmon in the Trinity last year compared to the 2022-2023 season. It was significant, same with the Klamath. I’m sure it is partly due to the closure of the salmon harvest. Hopefully, the return keeps building since the steelhead numbers seem to go hand in hand with the salmon numbers.

CAFF: How do you think the Klamath shutdown will affect the Trinity this season? Moving forward?

TB: I am sure there will be a few spillover effects. There will likely be increased pressure on the Trinity from guides and recreational anglers. It will be interesting to see if we see any difference with the run of fish. If the Klamath is too dirty and silted up, will the fish decide to go up the Trinity instead? That would be nice, but only time will tell. Either way, I think the Klamath Dam removal is a good thing, and if we have some spillover effects over the next few years, I’m ok with that. 

CAFF: One piece of gear/equipment you can’t live without?

TB: I’ve had the same Plano tackle box since I was a kid. It goes everywhere with me, and there’s a little bit of magic that lives within that tackle box.

CAFF: Favorite gear under $100?

TB: Scientific Anglers’ “extreme indicator line.” It’s my go-to fly line for side drifting indicators. It’s 1½ times the normal grain weight, so it helps turn over bigger nymph rigs and makes casting and mending easier.