Nor Cal Fly Guides
Waters We Fish
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Northern California Fly Fishing Destinations
At Nor Cal Fly Guides, we specialize in guided fly fishing and conventional gear trips across Northern California’s most iconic tailwaters, freestones, lakes and coastal river systems. From powerful steelhead rivers to technical trout streams and local backyard stripers, we operate on waters that consistently produce incredible fishing and unforgettable experiences. Our guides spend countless days on the water throughout the year, following seasonal migrations, hatches, and flows to ensure you are fishing the right water at the right time no matter the time of year.
The Yuba River
The Lower Yuba River is one of Northern California’s most challenging and rewarding trout rivers. Known for its wild/native rainbow trout and steelhead, gin-clear water, and technical presentations, the Yuba fishes like a spring creek with powerful fish that demand precision.
This is a premier river for both float trips and specialized walk-and-wade fly fishing, allowing anglers to slow down, read water carefully, and fine-tune presentations with direct instruction from their guide. Whether it be dry fly fishing, euro nymphing, fishing under an indicator, hopper/dry dropper or the ever elusive trout spey, the Yuba River giveth to all.
The Feather River
The Feather River is one of California’s most iconic steelhead, salmon and striper rivers and one that we spend a good amount of days on. With long runs, deep pools, epic riffles and juicy tailouts, this river is perfectly suited for both swing trips and traditional nymphing techniques. During steelhead season, the Feather becomes a prime destination for two-handed spey casting and swung flies, offering classic West Coast steelhead water close to home.
The Trinity River
The Trinity River is legendary for its steelhead fishing and is one of our top destinations for dedicated swing trips. This powerful river features long, glassy traditional runs with perfect steelhead structure that was made for skating dries and swinging traditional intruder-style flies. Trinity trips are ideal for anglers looking to sharpen their spey skills and experience aggressive, hard-fighting steelhead on the swing. Despite it being a top destination for swinging flies, fishing under an indicator is just as rewarding with even more action and excitement.
The Lower Sacramento River
The Lower Sacramento River is a world-class tailwater trout fishery known for large, fast-growing rainbow trout. This river is best fished via our drift boat trips, covering miles of productive nymphing, dry fly, and streamer water in a single day.
While primarily a float fishery, select sections still offer excellent walk-and-wade opportunities based on flows and conditions.
Why spend thousands of dollars flying off to Idaho, Montana or Colorado for great trout fishing when we have the best trout factory west of the Rockies in Northern California and only 3hrs north of Sacramento Ca. This means more fishing days and less traveling days. Its a win win win.
Besides its large populations of rainbow trout, the Lower Sac also plays host to stripers, steelhead, shad, bass and salmon.
The American River
Flowing through the heart of the Sacramento region, the American River offers exciting seasonal steelhead fishing with a mix of swing water and nymphing runs. This river also provides great opportunities for walk-and-wade steelhead trips, especially for anglers looking for accessible, close-to-home fishing. Besides the steelhead fishing, the American is also home to some great striper, shad and even salmon fishing.
Northern California Coastal Rivers
We guide select coastal rivers when conditions align for aggressive fish and exciting walk-and-wade fly fishing. These systems feature dynamic water, changing tides, and powerful anadromous fish that reward patience and precise presentation.
Coastal rivers are ideal for anglers who enjoy mobility, exploration, and reading changing water throughout the day.
Additional & Special-Access Waters
Beyond our core fisheries, Nor Cal Fly Guides also operates on lesser-known rivers, lakes, and seasonal waters that offer lighter pressure and unique opportunities. Some of these locations are part of our “top-secret” waters—reserved for adventurous anglers and repeat clients seeking truly special experiences. If you want to “Learn More” you know what to do. Click that button below.
Specialized Fly Fishing Trips We Offer
We proudly offer specialized fly fishing trips tailored to anglers who want to focus on specific techniques and styles:
Walk & Wade Fly Fishing Trips
Perfect for anglers who enjoy reading water, working runs methodically, and making precise presentations. These trips allow for hands-on instruction and intimate engagement with the river.
Dedicated Swing Trips (Single & Two-Handed Rods)
Designed for steelhead, trout and shad anglers who want to focus exclusively on swinging flies but more importantly demysitifing the “SPEY CAST”
Let the “Spey Mechanic”, aka Capt Brian Clemens, lead you in the discussion of where, what, when and why, while he uses his tools in his arsenal to turn you into a caster of the spey.
All-Inclusive Fly Fishing
Our all-inclusive fly fishing trips are designed to let you focus entirely on the experience. Rods, reels, flies, terminal tackle, boats, lodging, food and transportation are all provided, along with expert instruction and local knowledge from seasoned guides. Whether you’re new to fly fishing or a highly experienced angler, we tailor each trip to your goals, skill level, and the water we’re fishing—so you can simply show up, fish hard, and enjoy the day.
Nor Cal Fly Guides
Let’s Fish Northern California
From legendary trout rivers to powerful steelhead systems and scenic coastal waters, Nor Cal Fly Guides offers some of the best fly fishing in California.