Fly-Fishing Trip – $350 Per Person | Max 2 Anglers
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Expert flyfishing instruction with premium gear includedMaximum 2 anglers for personalized, focused experienceTarget Trout, Striper, and Shad in productive California waters
Looking for a fly-fishing experience that's all about quality over quantity? Richard Lovitt's got you covered with an intimate trip that caps out at just 2 anglers. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat situation – we're talking about a focused, hands-on day where you'll actually get the personal attention you need to dial in your technique. At $350 per person, you're getting access to some of California's best fly-fishing waters along the American and Sacramento Rivers, plus all the premium gear and expert instruction that comes with booking a top-rated guide like Richard.
This trip is built for anglers who want to take their fly-fishing game seriously. Richard keeps groups small for a reason – when you're working on perfecting your cast or learning to read the water, you need a guide who can actually watch what you're doing and give you real-time feedback. The day starts early, meeting up before the crowds hit the water. You'll spend time on prime stretches of the American River where the fish are active and the structure gives you plenty of opportunities to practice different presentations. Richard's been guiding these waters for years, so he knows exactly where to position you for success, whether you're dealing with fast runs, deeper pools, or those tricky eddies where big fish like to hang out. The gear is all taken care of – we're talking quality rods, reels, and a full selection of flies that match what's working in the current conditions. If you're new to fly-fishing, don't sweat it. Richard's teaching style is straightforward and patient. If you've got some experience under your belt, he'll help you refine those skills and show you techniques that'll make a difference when you're out on your own.
Fly-fishing these California rivers is all about adapting to the conditions and understanding how the fish are feeding. Richard focuses on both dry fly and nymph techniques, depending on what the fish are telling us on any given day. Early morning often means terrestrial action – think ants, beetles, and hoppers that get the surface strikes going. As the day progresses, we might switch to subsurface presentations, working weighted nymphs through the deeper runs where fish stack up during warmer periods. The American River gives us incredible variety – from fast pocket water where you need quick, accurate casts, to long glides where presentation and drift are everything. Richard's approach isn't about following a rigid formula. He reads the water, watches the fish behavior, and adjusts the game plan accordingly. You'll learn to spot rising fish, understand current seams, and develop the confidence to work different water types effectively. The Sacramento River adds another dimension with its larger pools and more complex structure. Here, we often focus on streamer fishing, especially when targeting stripers that cruise the deeper channels. Richard provides all the terminal tackle, but he'll also teach you about fly selection and why certain patterns work better in specific conditions.
Striped Bass are the heavyweight champions of these river systems, and they're absolutely addictive on the fly rod. These fish run hard and fight dirty, often jumping multiple times before you get them to the net. Sacramento River stripers typically range from 18 to 30 inches, with some real bruisers pushing into the 35+ inch category. Spring through early fall gives you the best shot at consistent striper action, especially during their feeding periods in the early morning and late afternoon. What makes these fish so exciting is their aggressive nature – when they commit to your fly, there's no mistaking it. The strikes are violent, and the runs can strip line off your reel faster than you'd expect. Richard knows the seasonal patterns and will position you where these fish are actively hunting. The American River stripers tend to be slightly smaller but more numerous, and they're perfect for building confidence on the fly rod.
Lake Trout bring a completely different challenge to the table, and they're what serious fly anglers dream about. These are deep-water specialists that require specific techniques and timing to target effectively. Lake trout in this system can range anywhere from 20 to 40+ inches, and the big ones are legitimate trophies that'll test your tackle and technique. Late spring and early summer offer the best opportunities when these fish move into shallower water for feeding. What makes lake trout so special is their size and the way they fight – it's a slower, more methodical battle compared to the explosive runs of a striper. These fish are also incredibly smart, so presentation has to be perfect. Richard's experience targeting lake trout on the fly is invaluable here, as he understands the subtle presentations and specific flies that trigger strikes from these selective feeders. The satisfaction of landing a big lake trout on a fly rod is something that stays with you long after the trip is over.
If you're serious about improving your fly-fishing skills or just want a quality day on the water without the circus atmosphere of bigger trips, this is exactly what you've been looking for. Richard's 2-angler limit isn't just a marketing gimmick – it's the difference between getting real instruction and just being another face in the crowd. The $350 investment gets you access to world-class fly-fishing waters, premium gear, and the kind of personalized guidance that actually makes you a better angler. These intimate trips book up fast, especially during prime season, so don't wait around if you're thinking about it. The combination of Richard's local knowledge, the productive waters of the American and Sacramento Rivers, and the focused approach to instruction makes this a customer favorite among serious fly fishers. Whether you're looking to land your first fish on a fly rod or you want to dial in advanced techniques for targeting specific species, this trip delivers the goods without any of the usual charter boat nonsense.
Your fishing platform for this dedicated fly-fishing experience is a nimble motorboat designed to get you to the prime spots along the American and Sacramento Rivers. With Richard Lovitt at the helm, this boat cuts through California's productive waters with ease, positioning you perfectly for clean casts at Trout, Striper, and Shad. The motor gives you the range to hit multiple honey holes in a single outing, from quiet backwater pockets to main river channels where the fish are feeding. Built for precision fishing, not big crowds – this boat keeps things intimate with space for just two anglers, so you can focus on perfecting your technique without fighting for casting room. The boat's design lets you work different water types throughout the trip, adapting to where the fish are biting and what the conditions demand.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of the char family, commonly reaching 15-40 pounds with that distinctive grey-green coloring and cream spots. These cold-water specialists live in the deepest, most oxygenated parts of alpine lakes and reservoirs, often suspended 60-100+ feet down in summer. Spring right after ice-out is prime time when they move shallow, but they're catchable year-round if you know where to look. Anglers love them for their size potential and the challenge of deep-water fishing - landing a 30-pounder is a real accomplishment. They're also fantastic table fare with rich, flaky meat. Here's the key: focus on overcast days and low-light conditions when they're most active, and don't be afraid to get your flies deep.
Morone SaxatilisStripers in these waters typically run 20-40 pounds and are absolute powerhouses on fly tackle. These silvery fighters with their distinctive black stripes love moving water and structure - you'll find them near drop-offs, bridge pilings, and current breaks along both rivers. They're most active during cooler parts of the day, especially early morning and evening when they push into shallower water to feed. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and long, hard runs that'll test your drag system. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, sweet meat. My go-to tip: watch for birds working the surface - where you see diving birds, you'll usually find stripers pushing baitfish up from below.
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