EDC Guide Blog | with Mario Guel of Taco Fly Co.

Redington: Where do you do most of your guiding?

Mario: My guiding takes place in Northern California, spanning Plumas County, Shasta County, and Trinity County. I regularly move between these counties.

My favorite—and primary—place to bring smiles to clients in the boat is the beautiful Trinity River in Trinity County. This is a year-round tailwater fishery that offers opportunities for rainbow trout, brown trout, steelhead, and occasionally salmon when the season is open.

Heading east, I also guide on the Lower Sacramento River out of Redding, California. This fishery offers a chance to catch some of the spiciest rainbows in the Lower 48—wild rippers ready to test your skills on a 6wt.

Closer to home in Plumas County, I guide on Lake Almanor, a large alpine lake nestled beneath Mt. Lassen. It's renowned for its incredible Hexagenia hatch that explodes in June, though it also fishes well in fall, winter, and spring. The lake holds massive browns up to 30 inches, as well as a healthy population of fast-growing, hard-fighting strain of Eagle Lake rainbow trout. When it comes to catching large trout using a variety of techniques, this lake is truly one of California’s hidden gems.

Within Plumas County proper, I also guide on the Middle Fork of the Feather River, from Clio, CA, all the way down to the Butte County line. This freestone river winds through meandering meadows and rugged canyons before reaching its first set of dams, which help power our great state. Mostly targeting wild fish that pair well with a 3wt or 4wt, you can expect excellent fishing throughout the year—until the summer heat kicks in. At that point, I give the river a break until mid-September, when it comes back to life in what some call the “Lost Sierras.”

Redington: What’s your go-to set up for clients when you need to catch fish?

Mario: I pride myself on bringing a lot of new fly fishers into the game. I brand my services specifically to target those who are “fly-curious.” Because of that, I often start people off with indicator or Euro nymphing techniques to introduce them to the mechanics of using a fly rod.

As my clients progress—or if I have an experienced fly fisher book a trip—I tailor the approach to whatever is working best during that specific time of year. That might include indicators, swinging double-hand rods, single-hand rods, or stout rods for chucking streamers.

I’d say my go-to setup is usually a longer rod paired with an indicator line that makes roll casting in tight spaces easy. I’ll often rig it with an indicator and multiple flies underneath the bobber. (Let’s not get too serious here—it’s a bobber. I love bobbers.) Bobber rigs work great in all the waters I guide and are definitely the most productive way to get fish in the net. And if you're not into bobbers, I’ll tie on a big Chubby to keep those subsurface flies drifting naturally through the run.

Of course, when I need to help a complete newbie land a lot of fish—especially someone who has no idea what a “purist” is—I hand them the Euro rod. It’s basically cheating... and very, very effective. I often use the 10’6” 4wt Strike, paired with the Tilt reel. It’s seriously like having fish jump straight into a bucket.

Redington: What’s your favorite thing to carry with you as a luxury or fun item?

Mario: Definitely limes, Tajin, and Tapatio. I’ll make the clients Special Beers if they supply the beer. A speaker is always in the boat and I like to feel out the clients before I start bumping some beats down the river. Never forget baby wipes.

Redington: What’s your favorite way to catch fish?

Mario: I get asked this question a lot. Honestly, I love it all. I don’t have a favorite way to fly fish but if the apocalypse were to hit us tomorrow and I could only grab one set up, it’d be the bobber rig. I love watching bobbers drop. It’s the way I caught my first fish when I was 5 years old and it still gives me as satisfaction as it did then when I see that orange go subsurface. Next would be “on-the-strip." Strip-strip-kabooms are so satisfying.

Redington: What’s one thing you’d like to teach all of your clients?

Mario: To have fun. Number one. It’s about fun and enjoying the outdoors…then catching fish. If you’re not having fun, well then what’s the point? You want big fish? Go hire the other fly bro down the river. I’m not that guy.

Redington: Favorite river snack?

Mario: Chicharrónes on top of a Special Beer. Hard Boiled Eggs with Valentin hot sauce for a quick shot of protein.

Redington: If you could fish with any person in the world once who would that be?

Mario: Wow, this is a great question. I’d say Klay Thompson, an NBA player from the Dallas Mavericks. He used to be a Golden State Warrior and loves the water. Sort of in a different way than me but very similar. I’d love to show him how to catch a fish on a fly rod and watch him become a purist.

Next, it’d have to be Yvon Chouinard. I’d love to talk to him about how rad Mother Earth is and about why he hates bobbers so much. Then I’d low-hole him with the biggest bobber I could find. Then have a laugh about it…I hope.