Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters is Lake Tahoe’s original full-service fly shop and guide team. From gentle casting lessons on mirror-clear alpine lakes to helicopter and UTV trips deep into the Sierra, their seasoned guides match eac...
Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters is Lake Tahoe’s original full-service fly shop and guide team. From gentle casting lessons on mirror-clear alpine lakes to helicopter and UTV trips deep into the Sierra, their seasoned guides match eac...
The guides here consistently earn glowing praise, with Joel, Bobby, Jasper, and Taylor all mentioned by name for their patience, expertise, and genuine enthusiasm. Reviewers highlight how these guides work hard to put clients on fish, often leading to impressive catches including 17-20 inch trout in beautiful, uncrowded locations like the Carson and Truckee Rivers. What stands out is their ability to tailor experiences to different skill levels—complete beginners report gaining real confidence, while more experienced anglers appreciate the detailed local knowledge about flies and fishing spots. The shop itself gets kudos for knowledgeable staff who freely share advice about gear, water conditions, and where to fish. Several reviewers mention stopping in just for recommendations and leaving with helpful guidance. The retail side seems well-stocked with quality gear like Orvis rods. One visitor did note the shop runs a bit small, and there was a minor complaint about closing early on a Saturday, but these seem like isolated issues in an otherwise stellar operation that's clearly beloved by locals and visitors alike.
If you want a real deal flyfishing experience I honestly advise you to participate in the Advanced Angler Flyfishing Camp hosted by John Brassfield’s Tahoe Flyfishing Outfitters in South Lake Tahoe. The experience starts in an amazing creekside camp with awesome wall tents, a flowing creek, and everything else needed. The food is prepared for each mel, is delicious and plentiful. John Brassfield has covered every detail to insure the camp experience is exceptional. The team of guides he has assembled is far and above any expectations I could have imagined. Their knowledge of the local rivers is second to none. We fished the McCloud the first day with our guide Bucko. The section we fished was faster water with fish holding everywhere. Myself and Ted, the other angler on the trip had a 30 plus fish day. The fish were healthy and hard fighting. The second day we fished with Jason on Hat Creek. I’ve have fished all over the world with many guides, and Jason was an incredibly insightful and experienced guide. Guides are truly committed to instruct, educate and improve your flyfishing abilities. All the guides on this trip were in the top 5% of guides I have used in 30+ years. Jason not only answered every one your questions he did so in a manner causing you to think about and realize aspects of flyfishing not often considered. In doing so, you start realizing how special this learning opportunity really is. We did fish Hat Creek, which is a very humbling experience. Crystal clear slow moving water.The most challenging river I’ve ever fished and I’m 72 years old. I’ve learned more about the mechanics of the various types of casts, entomology, reading the river, reading the various types of takes fish use and how that affects fly selection, right down to how to stealthily approach the river. Absolutely the most informative day of instruction I’ve ever been exposed to. I got skunked on Hat Creek, but I had a 40+ fish day when it comes to education. The final day we fished the Upper Sacramento River with Jay. I also gained a tremendous amount of information on this day of fishing this very large river from a drift boat. The fish were hungry, and Jay knew where they were and what they were eating. Between Ted and I we netted 45-50 beautiful 14 to 20 inch rainbows. Deep water indicator style fishing requiring specific casting techniques. Techniques which were quickly and effectively explained and demonstrated producing many beautiful fish. Jay worked really hard and was awesome positioning the drift boat exactly where it needed to be in heavy currents and some strong winds. Another amazing day! All in all from flyfishing Tasmania to Iceland in my lifetime, this was the most educational and challenging trip I’ve ever been on. All of the guides we superb in their knowledge and teaching skills and without a doubt improved my understanding and ability of all aspects of flyfishing that without such amazing guidance it would have taken me years to learn. If you’re serious about your flyfishing, want to up your game and feel confident on any river you just have to do this trip. John Brassfield has assembled the dream team and gathered them in one of their the most beautiful and productive areas for flyfishing anywhere on this planet.
Bud Oliveira
June 11, 2025
If you want a real deal flyfishing experience I honestly advise you to participate in the Advanced Angler Flyfishing Camp hosted by John Brassfield’s Tahoe Flyfishing Outfitters in South Lake Tahoe. The experience starts in an amazing creekside camp with awesome wall tents, a flowing creek, and everything else needed. The food is prepared for each mel, is delicious and plentiful. John Brassfield has covered every detail to insure the camp experience is exceptional. The team of guides he has assembled is far and above any expectations I could have imagined. Their knowledge of the local rivers is second to none. We fished the McCloud the first day with our guide Bucko. The section we fished was faster water with fish holding everywhere. Myself and Ted, the other angler on the trip had a 30 plus fish day. The fish were healthy and hard fighting. The second day we fished with Jason on Hat Creek. I’ve have fished all over the world with many guides, and Jason was an incredibly insightful and experienced guide. Guides are truly committed to instruct, educate and improve your flyfishing abilities. All the guides on this trip were in the top 5% of guides I have used in 30+ years. Jason not only answered every one your questions he did so in a manner causing you to think about and realize aspects of flyfishing not often considered. In doing so, you start realizing how special this learning opportunity really is. We did fish Hat Creek, which is a very humbling experience. Crystal clear slow moving water.The most challenging river I’ve ever fished and I’m 72 years old. I’ve learned more about the mechanics of the various types of casts, entomology, reading the river, reading the various types of takes fish use and how that affects fly selection, right down to how to stealthily approach the river. Absolutely the most informative day of instruction I’ve ever been exposed to. I got skunked on Hat Creek, but I had a 40+ fish day when it comes to education. The final day we fished the Upper Sacramento River with Jay. I also gained a tremendous amount of information on this day of fishing this very large river from a drift boat. The fish were hungry, and Jay knew where they were and what they were eating. Between Ted and I we netted 45-50 beautiful 14 to 20 inch rainbows. Deep water indicator style fishing requiring specific casting techniques. Techniques which were quickly and effectively explained and demonstrated producing many beautiful fish. Jay worked really hard and was awesome positioning the drift boat exactly where it needed to be in heavy currents and some strong winds. Another amazing day! All in all from flyfishing Tasmania to Iceland in my lifetime, this was the most educational and challenging trip I’ve ever been on. All of the guides we superb in their knowledge and teaching skills and without a doubt improved my understanding and ability of all aspects of flyfishing that without such amazing guidance it would have taken me years to learn. If you’re serious about your flyfishing, want to up your game and feel confident on any river you just have to do this trip. John Brassfield has assembled the dream team and gathered them in one of their the most beautiful and productive areas for flyfishing anywhere on this planet.
Bud Oliveira
June 11, 2025