Carlo's Bongio's California Heritage Trout Quest -

Western Sport Shop Fly Fishing Guru Carlo Bongio has fished throughout California for most of his life. When the Calfiornia Department of Fish and Game announced their Heritage Trout Program, Carlo quietly went back through his recollections and notebooks, and began specifically fishing for species which would qualify - here are the results of his quest!

One of our customers checks in with this high-qualifty video from a recent large tarpon quest. Rickey and John Q in out San Rafael store helped to set up the rigging - and boy, was it put to the test!

Western Sport Shop Fly Fishing staff members enjoy a day on the Russian River with renowned Spey Fishing Master Caster Simon Gawesworth. It was a day of high-level learning and lots of note-taking. More photos.

Steelhead Stunner!

Click on the photo to see more pictures of the massive steelhead which Gary of Santa Rosa landed in the Copper River!

"Nice Fish" doesn't even come close!

Tackle Department Manager Joe Hargreaves leads the charge on the 2nd annual Paradise Pier Fishing Derby. Here he shows off his super-secret tackle setup for the day. Luckily for the other participants, he was not allowed in the competition! Check out all the photos here!

Santa Rosa Fly Department Manager Carlo Bongio and Lynn Harlow with guide Andrew Harris out of the Clearwater Lodge, fishing Fall River for rainbows in May, 2007. PMD and Mayfly hatches were great!

Russian River Shad Fishing in May, 2007

Lynn Harlow hooked up with a nice Shad on the Russian River

Prime Russian River Shad

Lynn shows off one of many shad she landed that day

Russian River Shad Clinic - May 2007

Many nice shad hooked and landed on that day!

Carlo Bongio with Wally LeBaron had a stunning day up on Lake Sonoma. Using wooly buggers, the two had an epic catch of smallmouth and largemouth bass by working the back coves. All caught on the fly!

As we said, an epic day of small and largemoth bass fishing!

Above, Wally shows off a nice smallmouth, while Carlo (below) catches his as well!

. with a trophy Klamath Steelhead from his September 2006 trip - this beautiful fish was caught and released using Spey techniques. Carlo prefers a 2 handed 6/7 weight spey system for delivering his floating line system..

Santa Rosa Fly Department Manager Carlo Bongio shows off what he does best - catch beautiful steelhead!

This one is from the Russian River during January, 2007

another Russian River slug!

Although the photo quality is less than perfect, you can't leave out this stunning steelhead caught and released by Lynn Harlow - of course it was on the fly! Another of the gorgeous fish during the epic winter run of 2007!