About US
Wild Waters Fly Fishing
Founded in 2001, Wild Waters Fly Fishing is the premier guide service across Northern California and Southern Oregon, guiding only the best wild trout and steelhead streams from the Trinity River to the Williamson. Our guides bring over 100 years of combined experience on this water and we put that knowledge to work for anglers of every level, from first cast to seasoned vet. In 2018, we were named Orvis Endorsed Outfitter of the Year.
What sets us apart is simple: we’re professional, we’re sharp, and we’re genuinely fun to spend a day on the water with. From your first inquiry to the day of your trip, you can count on prompt, professional communication every step of the way. Our guides thrive on tailoring each day to meet your goals, whether you’re chasing steelhead on the Trinity or working a technical spring creek like the Williamson — you’re in good hands, and good company.
Owner / Guide
Riley Renick
Riley is a client turned guide turned owner. Trained by Chuck and John starting at age 12, he dove headfirst into the guide lifestyle and never looked back. After five years devoted entirely to guiding, he took over the business from Chuck and John. He’s been guiding since 2020. Riley also serves as caretaker of CalTrout’s Trout Camp on the Upper Sacramento, the very place where his love of these rivers began as a kid. When he’s not on the river or at the Wild Water’s office, he’s out hunting upland birds with his Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Willie.
Rivers: McCloud, Upper Sac, Klamath, Rogue, Smith
Featured In: Riley’s story with CalTrout · Cal Fly Fisher · Lost Coast Outfitters Fishing Reports
Founder / Guide
John Rickard
With over 25 years guiding, John is a true artist on and off the river, bringing a spiritual approach to every trip. He’s famed for his knowledge of the McCloud — there may not be an active guide with more days on that river than John, who lives on one of its tributaries, with a deep respect for and knowledge of its waters. A published photographer, John is the author of The McCloud River, published and exhibited at the Modernbook Gallery in San Francisco, and is a proud member photographer of the Center for Photographic Art, continuing a lifelong practice of documenting the river in black and white. When he’s not guiding, he’s in his darkroom or training his lab, Westley.
Rivers: McCloud, Upper Sac, Smith, Klamath
Featured In: The McCloud River · Eternally Wild · The Fly Fish Journal · Cal Fly Fisher
Founder / Guide
Chuck Volckhausen
Chuck has been guiding for over 20 years, and his laugh is famous anywhere steelhead run. If you happen to hear Chuck’s laugh from a few river bends away, consider yourself lucky — because if Chuck’s there, so are the steelhead. No one has more fun on the river, but don’t let that fool you: Chuck has forgotten more about steelhead than most of us will ever learn. When he’s not on the river, he’s getting ready to get back on it.
Rivers: All of them. Good luck finding out where, though.
Featured In: Eternally Wild · Fly Lords · The Fly Fish Journal
Guide
Jim Roberts
Jim lives on the banks of the Lower Sacramento. He started his career as a teacher, and it shows — he brings expert instruction to every trip. Combine that with over 30 years of guiding experience across Northern California, and you’re in good hands. Beginner or expert, Jim has a few tricks up his sleeve for everyone. Off the river, he’s prospecting for gold, hunting, or cooking for friends and family.
Rivers: Trinity, Lower Sac, McCloud, Klamath, Upper Sac
Guide
Anthonie (Tone Trout) Stewart
There isn’t anyone who loves trout fishing more than the one and only Tone Trout. After 30 years fishing Southern Oregon every chance he got between bartending shifts, Tonie took the leap into full-time guiding five years ago. Remember the excitement of the first trout you ever caught? Tonie brings that same energy to every day on the river — the enthusiasm of a kid with the knowledge of a pro. When he’s not on the river, he’s out hunting upland birds with his dog Millie, or making celebrity appearances bartending at Taqueria Picaro — where he still wins Bartender of the Year in Ashland every year, despite only working part-time.
Rivers: Williamson, Rogue, Klamath, Upper Sac, McCloud
Guide
Mikey Kaplan
Born and raised in San Diego, Mikey has worked in the fishing industry since college, with stints at companies like Hatch, in fly shops, and with travel fishing services — and he ties commercially on top of it all. He’s traveled the world hosting fishing trips to Mexico, Oregon, Belize, Colorado, and New Orleans. He brings a quiet confidence, deep knowledge, and always a good time to the water. When he’s not guiding here, he’s chasing corbina back home in San Diego, hunting ducks with his dog Duke, or hunting upland birds with his dog Gus.
Rivers: Fall, Lower Sac, Upper Sac, McCloud, Klamath, Smith, Shasta Lake
