Guides + Instructors
Lance & Kirsten Gray
We have more than 50 years of combined experience in fly fishing.
Lance started fly fishing with his father and brother Lincoln at age 7. In his teens, he began tying flies commercially for shops all around Northern California. At 17, he went to work at Powell's Fly Shop in Chico, working in the fly shop and building rods. He guided for Powell’s, conducted fly-tying and fly-fishing schools, and traveled.
In 1993, Lance and Kirsten started Saltwater Innovations, a company that manufactured and distributed products for saltwater fly fishing. Lance’s Crystal Popper, Gray’s Billfish Fly, the KO Charlie line and the Raghead Crabs are all Saltwater Innovations products. Kirsten worked behind the scenes, handling the day-to-day operation and running the manufacturing floor of the company.
In 2003 they launched Lance Gray & Company, a full-service outfitter offering guided trips, fly-fishing tours, workshops, and a travel agency.
Lance conducts presentations at fly clubs and fly-fishing shows. Kirsten and Lance support local groups like Cub Scouts and 4H while volunteering with veterans.
He's a signature tier for Aqua Flies, pro staff member for Sage, RIO, Simms, Fishpond, and Umpqua Feather Merchants; and is a featured writer, with articles published in Angling Trade Magazine, California Fly Fisher, Fly Fishermen and American Fly Fishing.
Lance is a columnist. His column “The Foraging Angler” is published bi-monthly in the California Fly Fisher Magazine.
Kirsten is a fantastic photographer; her images have been published in many fly-fishing/outdoor periodicals such as Fly Fishermen, California Fly Fisher and on websites throughout the fly-fishing industry.
Lance & Kirsten are on Pro Staff with the following companies:
A passion for the sport of fly-fishing, vast knowledge, easy-going teaching style, and zany wit make Tim a really fun fishin’ buddy.
Tim Fox
Tim & I are lifelong friends. We worked together at Powell’s back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He then ventured off to work at the original California Fly Shop that was in Fairfield, CA in the 90’s. He is the former manager of The Fly Shop in Redding, CA., until he retired and became a fulltime guide.
A truly brilliant fly tier, fly fisher and hunter, these passions are exceeded only by his passion for his family.
Kirsten & I are privileged and very excited to announce that Tim Fox has joined our line up of guides— he is a great fit in our fly family.
Ryan grew up in Vacaville, CA, as did Kirsten. He began to fish Putah Creek as a teenager. He started to guide Putah Creek and after gaining experience on his local water he branched out to other fisheries around Northern California, including Lake Oroville , Feather River, Lake Berryessa, and more.
Ryan now lives on the shores of Lake Oroville, and is best known for his re-discovering of the Float n’ Fly with a fly rod and its application for stillwater bass during the Winter. He’s also been a major proponent of top water fly fishing on California’s public reservoirs.
Ryan is a full-time guide & fly tyer who designs flies that work— and that he uses in his guiding and instruction.
Ryan Williams
Ryan is the 2023 Costa Bass n’ Fly Champion along with fishing partner Brian Pultz.
In the winter of 2021, Ryan won the 178 boat Wild West Bass Trail team tournament on Lake Shasta. Some of the best bass pros around attended this tournament.
Ryan used only his fly rod and the Float n’ Fly technique, making it the first major bass tournament victory for a fly rod in the USA.
He is about as passionate about fly fishing as they come, and truly enjoys sharing his information. Ryan is a teaching guide and as one he is a perfect fit.
Brian Clemens
After graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force becoming a U-2 Aircraft Mechanic and was stationed at Beale AFB here in California. He soon discovered the waters of Northern California and began fishing once again.
Inspired by his late uncle, Brian started fly fishing in 2005. His fly-fishing journey began while searching for steelhead, trout, salmon and bass in Northern California and his fly-fishing travels have included Oregon, Nevada, New York, Mexico and Alaska.
In 2009, his passion blossomed into a career as a fly-fishing guide. Brian’s knowledge, hard work, patience and dedication to the sport has brought him and his guests much success on the Yuba, Feather, American, Truckee, Trinity, Lower Klamath and Lower Sac, as well as Putah Creek.
Brian was born and raised in upstate New York, where his passion for fishing started at a very young age.
No matter what fishing technique, fish species, or fishing experience you seek, Brian will ensure an enjoyable day on the water.
Brian offers many specialized guided trips but has a few exclusive trips he offers as well. An all-inclusive Lower Klamath trip and an all-inclusive Trinity River trip. Do you like swinging for SHAD, well he offers a unique swing only shad trip on the Lower Yuba with his jet boat as well.
Brian is known as the “Spey Mechanic” for his spey casting teaching abilities. Chasing steelhead, trout and shad on a 2 handed rod is what Brian lives for and truly enjoys sharing the art of spey casting and swinging with everyone.
Brian is a passionate, hardworking guide, and a perfect fit for Lance Gray & Company.