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Putah Creek Fly Fishing Guide Richard Loft of Napa Valley Fly Fishing Guides offers Putah Creek fly fishing trips and fly fishing instruction on Putah Creek and the Yuba River.

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We are a small independent Fly-Fishing Guide Service and Fishing Charter; started on August 14, 2013. Richard and colleagues are all licensed Fly-Fishing Guides, who take locals and tourists, beginners and experienced, on guided fly fishing trips on local, Northern California rivers. These locations include: Putah Creek near Napa Valley's Wine Country, the Lower Fork of the Yuba River in Old Gold Country's Marysville, shad on the American in April and May, and other rivers upon request.

Putah Creek is Richard's speciality. It is a tailwater; just below Lake Berryessa; a 4.5 mile stretch of clean, cold fresh water for the now native Rainbow Trout in the recently designated, Snow Mountain Lake Berryessa National Monument. Richard has partnered with Putah Creek Trout and the Heritage Wild Trout Program since 2008 to be a steward of this Northern California river by doing annual California Coastal Clean-Ups, and Putah Creek Surveys and Habitat Restoration on a regular basis.

Pricing:

• Half day (4-5 hours) for 1 or 2 persons - $400
• Full day (7-8 hours) for 1 or 2 persons - $550.
• Additional anglers $125/per person
• Includes rod, reel, and flys.
• Waders and boots available for rent $25/person
• Casting clinics available.

Important Notes:

• Fly Fishing involves Catch-and-Release Method.
• Optimized locations on the Putah Creek, the Yuba River, and the American River have been selected by Richard.
• Day fishing licenses must be procured by customer at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales.

Fly Fishing Lessons

Fly Fishing Lessons - Richard is happy to teach an on the river "Intro to Fly Fishing" class for those beginners or enthusiasts who want basic fly fishing lessons. Please call or email if interested.

Presentations for clubs

Gift Certificates

Deposit and Cancellation Policy

Upon confirmation of a fly-fishing trip date, the client will pay a 50% deposit to Napa Valley Fly Guides by cash, check, or Venmo. The deposit is non-refundable, but the trip date may be rescheduled due to weather or client request.

News & Links:

• Napa Register newspaper article about Richard
• Trip Advisor
• Fishing License
• Dream Flows - daily updates on local rivers
• The Inn on First - a superb B&B in Napa
• Sweeneys Sports Store - a great resource for sporting goods
• 
  Northwest Fly Fishing Article About Putah Creek

About Richard

Richard has been an avid fisherman all his life, starting at age 10 in West Covina, CA. He loved fishing so much that, before he had his drivers license, he would hitchhike up to Silverwood Lake or into Azusa Canyon, to fish for the day. His Mom used to tell stories of Richard's exploits throughout his youth as he tried all ways and means to go fish.

He was turned on to fly fishing 9 years ago, by Bob Arwine at Sweeney's Sports in the Napa Valley. The minute he tried it -- on our local Putah Creek, in an old pair of Neoprene Waders -- Richard was totally hooked, literally. Since then he has easily logged thousands of hours fly fishing on his favorite local river, Putah Creek. He has also fished a few hundred hours on the Yuba River in Marysville, the Truckee, and the Little Truckee, the Feather, the American, the Lower Sac, the East Walker, the East Carson, the Pit, Hat Creek, and the Stanislaus River.

Richard also is a conservationist and has done volunteer service work with Putah Creek Trout, Department of Fish & Wildlife's Heritage Wild Trout Program, and served as a mentor for the Napa RCD's SLEWS Youth program. He has taken several classes at the Napa Juinor College towards an Environmental Sciences Certificate. His favorite, "Wildlife & Fisheries Biology," was taught by the Napa RCD's Dr. Jonathan Koehler.

If you run into Richard on Putah Creek he will often be found with his rescue dog, Rusty, close behind. Richard will either be shouting: "WHOO-HOO!!!" when hooking up, or cleaning up trash that others have left behind. Of his passion for fly-fishing, he says, "I would do just about anything to get a chance to fish; to stand out in a river and let my thoughts wander. It's the most peaceful place in the world to me -- the place I feel focused and free."

Outdoor Adventures - We offer guided fly-fishing trips for one or more people. Richard can also accommodate small groups up to six people; depending on our other guide colleagues' availability. Richard provides all Fly Rods, reels, and related fly-fishing gear for your trip. We do rent all sizes of wader and boot sets for our walk-and-wade adventures at $25/person. We strive to accommodate our client's schedules and needs and would love to take you on an off-the-beaten path adventure during your vacation or just on a day or weekend trip.

Fishing Reports at Lost Coast- Richard does a fly fishing blog for Putah Creek and the other Northern California Rivers that he fishes. You can find his reports on San Francisco's Lost Coast Outfitters' website here. Lost Coast is a great resource for new or veteran fly-fishers and they are located in downtown San Francisco. If you're further south on the Peninsula, try California Fly Shop. Do you live in Napa Valley or are going for a visit? Sweeney's Sports is our local fishing and hunting shop."

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