Shasta Trout

Craig Nielsen is the owner and operator of Shasta Trout. A Northern California native, he has been chasing trout with a fly rod for over 45 years and guiding professionally since 1992. Having fished all across the west, B.C. and Alaska he especially appreciates the angling diversity Mt. Shasta offers. From presenting tiny dries to selective Fall River Rainbows, swinging streamers with switchrods for the Klamath’s fabled steelhead, dry fly fishing on the McCloud, or nymphing the Upper and Lower Sac for trophy ‘bows, Craig enjoys it all. Everyone appreciates his patience, angling versatility and local knowledge. A certified casting instructor, he has taught at Mel Krieger’s school and was one of the first authors on switchrods. Craig has been a featured guide for Fish First, Flywater Travel, The Ashland Flyshop, Leland, Ted Fay, The Clearwater House and The Flyshop. He holds a Teaching Credential and a Master’s degree from Chico State where he worked as an Instructor, Administrator and Counselor prior to following his passion to guide full time.

Jerri Nielsen is co owner and assists in the operation of Shasta Trout. She has been flyfishing since arriving in the northstate 25 years ago and teaches in our clinics and trips for women only. A graduate of the Clearwater Guide School, she was a featured guide in their women’s clinics. Jerri is a versatile angler and the undisputed stillwater expert in the family. She most enjoys chasing high country cruisers from her float tube. Her easy manner, attentiveness and good humor are appreciated by all. Jerri enjoys motherhood and operates her own Aesthetics business in Mt. Shasta. Her fresh baked cookies are famous with family & friends alike.

Alan Blankenship is affectionately known locally as the “Pit Pirate” for his love of the Pit River and it’s trophy rainbows. As a local, he spends as many days guiding and fishing each season on the Pit as anyone and his knowledge of its hatches and fish behavior is unsurpassed. He has been guiding since 1994 and is an enthusiastic, articulate and patient teacher with a sixth sense for locating fish. When not plying the Pit Alan chases trophy Rainbows on the Upper Sac and McCloud and has seen more than his share of outrageous McCloud Browns in his net. In fall and winter Alan specializes in steelhead on the Trinity and Klamath Rivers where he has developed a devoted following.

Rick Cox has lived and guided in the shadow of Shasta since he arrived in 1990. The headwaters of the McCloud are literally in his backyard. He has worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the flows of the McCloud for it’s precious trout. His guiding is focused on wading the historical McCloud River for Trophy Rainbows and Browns, along with eager Upper Sacramento River Rainbows. In winter his guiding features local steelhead. Rick has over thirty years of fly fishing experience which enables him to utilize classic techniques along with newer ones developed specifically for local rivers. He freely shares his local knowledge of hatches and fish behavior and offers savvy tips appreciated by novices and seasoned anglers alike. Rick’s relaxed patient manner and friendly teaching style makes for a fun and relaxing day.

Wayne Eng knows the nooks and crannies of the Upper Sac as well as anyone as he resides in Dunsmuir right on its banks.  His relaxed, observant, contemplative temperament and patience has made teaching beginners his specialty. He is a renowned fly designer having created the “Eng Theng” and “Licorice Fly” among others.  He is the consummate streamsmith, reading the water, approaching with stealth and presenting flies to catch trout by intent rather than pure luck.  A day on the river with Wayne leaves anglers confident in new skills and abilities often well beyond their expectations.

Fred Gordon is locally known as the dean of the Upper Sac.  He lives right next to the river in Dunsmuir and has been guiding full time for over 25 years.  He developed and taught fly fishing programs at Sierra College and CSU Sacramento.  He is an award winning artist whose sculptures and paintings have been exhibited throughout the western states for over 30 years.  His famed ceramic fish sculptures reflect his interest in riparian habitats and love of fly fishing.  He regularly snorkels the river and knows where the big ones live.  He is a trout hunter, a resourceful angler able to adjust his techniques and tactics in the pursuit of his prey.

Gabe Duran is one of our most traveled local guides.  Growing up on the banks of the Lower Sac he developed fishing as a passion early in life. Attending college in Montana, Gabe fished and guided in the Rocky Mountains and Alaska before returning home to establish himself as a top guide on the Lower Sac, Fall River and Trinity.  There is no substitute for his intimate local knowledge on these fisheries. Gabe is the consummate pro whose fish savvy, sociable personality and enthusiasm make a day in his drift boat both fun and exceptionally productive.  His most recent travels include fishing and guiding in Chile.

Jim Andras‘ passion for fly fishing has led him to guide wild rivers throughout Patagonia, Alaska, Kamchatka, and Mongolia after getting started guiding for the Telluride Angler in Southwestern Colorado over fifteen years ago.   In the fall of 1999, he moved to Redding, California and has been guiding the legendary rivers in the shadow of Shasta ever since.  His specialties are driftboat trips on the Klamath, Lower Sacramento, and Trinity Rivers.  In the summer of 2005, Jim moved over the California border into Southern Oregon and has a few special places just over the hill to share on occasion as well.  Everyone enjoys Jim’s relaxed easy going manner and friendly, patient instruction.  We’re certain you will too!

Tom Peppas has been guiding for over thirty years in the Northstate and few if any can match his knowledge and experience. Having grown up fishing Northern California, his knowledge of local hatches and fish behavior is encyclopedic, and he has likely forgotten more than most of us will ever know. A family friend, he treated Jerri and Craig to their first guided trip over twenty five years ago. He has managed the Clearwater House and served as their original lead guide since it’s humble beginnings over a quarter a century ago. He features the Fall River from his comfortable pram as well as walk and wade angling on the Pit River, Hat Creek & the McCloud. He also has a few little known local creeks and stillwaters he shares with a few special clients. We are sure you will enjoy his gentle soul, wry humor and his willingness to share insights gained over a lifetime of fishing and guiding local legendary rivers. Be certain to schedule Tom well in advance, his discerning loyal following reschedules each season.

Chris King is a Federation of Fly Fishers Master Casting Instructor and one of just a few casters worldwide who is also FFF certified in Spey Casting.  He relocated to Redding in the ’90s to guide and run Mel Krieger’s Fly Fishing School year round after a previous stint in Colorado and work as a Rod Designer for the House of Hardy where he met Mel.  A life long fly fisher, his casting and fishing skills have been featured on ESPN’s team and individual fly fishing competitions, the Outdoor Games, the Fly fish America TV series, Trout Unlimited’s fly fishing series and the Travel Channel’s Fly Fishing Northern California.  He is also featured in The Next Level Fly Fishing Videos and The Art of Spey Casting.  In 2003 Chris founded his own successful fly fishing guide service, Sac River Outfitters which he recently sold to spend more time with his family.  He currently guides part time featuring the Lower Sac, Trinity, Klamath and Upper Sacramento Rivers.  Besides being a superb angler and instructor, he is outgoing and light hearted.  He has a dedicated following so contact well in advance for a trip that is certain to advance your knowledge and skill set.

George Durand started guiding on the Lower Sacramento River, Trinity and Fall Rivers long before many Northern California guides first held a fly rod.  His local knowledge of river conditions, hatches and their matches spans over three decades.  A guide’s guide, many local’s were schooled by George before beginning their own guiding careers.  His considerable bag of tricks comes in handy whether you are just learning the craft or have been chasing fish with a fly rod for more seasons than you care to consider.  He is a creative and artful fly tier as well and pulls some flies from his bag that have been honed on local streams season after season to fool even the most challenging specimens.  His wry wit and soft spoken charm make for a relaxing and enjoyable day on stream.  George’s regular guests typically schedule George well in advance for prime dates year after year, so contact us early for a fishing trip with this local legend that is bound to serve you for years to come.

Anthony Carruesco is a Northern California native who grew up exploring the streams and rivers of the north state fishing for trout and steelhead.  He is a recent graduate of Sonoma State University with a degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis on conservation and restoration.  Anthony held an internship with the Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN) and conducted two years of research on Pacific Salmon and steelhead population declines with a focus on the reasons and solutions. He also attended the Sweetwater Guide School in Montana where he graduated at the top of his class followed by a season guiding at the Wilderness Place Lodge in Alaska.  Anthony’s passion for fly fishing and the outdoors is infectious and his easy going personality and exceptional technical skills are appreciated by all.