Meet your guide

 

I’m Josh James — a Northern California native, lifelong fisherman, and the guide behind NorCal Spey. My story with these rivers started long before I ever thought about guiding. I grew up exploring the waters around here, learning the moods of each season, and chasing the feeling that only a steelhead can give you. Those early days shaped who I am as both an angler and a person, and they’re the reason I built this business.

 

Spey fishing became my foundation because it teaches patience, rhythm, and connection. There’s something timeless about stepping into a run, making a good cast, and letting the swing tell its story. That’s the experience that hooked me — and it’s the one I love sharing with others.

 

But as my guiding career grew, I realized something important:

every angler comes to the river with their own background, goals, and comfort level.

That’s why I expanded my trips to include indicator fly fishing and light tackle options. I want every client — whether it’s their first time on moving water or their hundredth — to feel confident, supported, and capable of catching fish in a way that fits them. Versatility isn’t just a business choice for me; it’s a reflection of the way I fish and the way I teach.

 

Guiding has also become deeply personal. Some of my favorite memories are teaching my son how to Spey cast, watching his progression, and realizing that these rivers are where I feel most grounded. Sharing that feeling with clients — the calm, the challenge, the excitement — is what keeps me passionate about this work.

 

I spend the bulk of my season on the Trinity River, Lower Sacramento, and our coastal rivers when conditions allow. Years on these waters have taught me how to read flows, anticipate fish movement, and choose techniques that give clients the best chance for success. I’m not just out here to put people on fish — I’m here to help them become better anglers and to give them an experience they’ll remember long after the trip.

 

At the end of the day, guiding for me is about connection:

to the water, to the fish, and to the people who share the boat or the run with me.

 

If you’re looking for a guide who brings experience, patience, and a genuine love for these rivers, I’d be honored to fish with you.

 

Let’s make your next day on the water unforgettable