Pro Tips: How to Catch American River Shad

Each spring, the lower American River near Sacramento becomes host to one of the most prolific runs of American shad on the West Coast. While these anadromous fish may lack the prestige of fellow ocean-going species such as salmon or steelhead, . . .

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Trout Bum of the Week: Sara Serrata


Spring fishing on Nevada’s Pyramid Lake produced this big Lahontan cutthroat.
Photos courtesy Sara Serrata

Sara Serrata is a passionate fly fisher, mother, and preschool teacher. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but she now lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Northern California. Sara is an ambassador for Brown Folks . . .

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Photos and Story: Into the Yosemite High Country

Written by: Matty Wong


Wild brook trout in crystal-clear water made for some exciting fishing in the backcountry lakes of Yosemite National Park.
Photos by Matty Wong

The weekend had finally arrived, and a few of buddies and I had permits to camp at the summit of Twin Lakes in Yosemite National Park. It was a seven-mile hike in with a 50-pound pack, but we were determined. Once we got to the first lake, . . .

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Story: Struggle, Hope, and a Return to the River

Written by: Pauly Larkin


Pauly Larkin appreciates his time on the water all the more for his struggles.
Photos courtesy Pauly Larkin

Earlier this summer, I stood in the McCloud River, breathing in the fresh air, listening to the fresh snowmelt clashing against the rocks. I had made it home, to a place I feared I would never . . . .

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Classic Pro Tips: How to Fly Fish California Beaches

Written by: Nathan Cook, Fishing Manager of Orvis San Jose


Barred Surf Perch are the dominant species on the coast.
All photos by Nathan Cook

Living and working in Silicon Valley means two things: enjoying the sun for 300 days per year and longing to get to the mountains on my favorite trout streams, about 3-hours away. While those. . .

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