Wayne Eng is a competent, patient, and resourceful fly fishing instructor.  Clients frequently say that a half day spent with Wayne can save a month on the fly fishing learning curve. [Note: Wayne is now retired.]

"I enjoy working with people of all skill levels, from beginner to expert.

I have made working with beginners a specialty.  If you've been hesitant to work with a guide because you feel your skills might not meet the guide's expectations, consider an instructional session with me. Like a pair of old, comfortable sneakers, I am relaxed and easy to work with. My clients feel comfortable regardless of their abilities at the beginning of the day. And they develop skills beyond their expectations in the course of the session

I will show you the most effective techniques for the wonderful trout waters of the Upper Sacramento River (my home water), and the McCloud River. These techniques and approaches will help you be more purposeful and clear in your approach to fishing freestone rivers, regardless of your current skill level.

I believe my job is to help people catch fish by design, not by accident.   I call this approach "streamsmithing".  To me, it means properly reading the water and understanding where the fish should be, then crafting a presentation that will induce them to take the fly.

Regardless of your current skill level, you can always get better at the art and craft of fly fishing!"

-- Wayne Eng

Wayne's Views on Flyfishing

All flyfishing professionals bring a point of view and philosophy to their jobs, whether they realize it or not. Wayne's point of view on flyfishing has evolved from an observant and contemplative temperament, an interesting and eclectic set of Northern California life experiences, a true love of nature and fish, and a lot of time on the river.

Wayne sums up his approach to flyfishing moving water with the term "streamsmithing", which means properly reading the water to understand where the fish must be, and what and how to present to them to induce a take. The result is that you catch fish by intent, not by dumb luck. The value of this approach is clear to anyone who has fished a section of stream with Wayne and seen him take fish after fish while they fail to induce a strike. Wayne is modest about this ability, but clear as to what knowledge and variables made it possible.

"Reading" the water means understanding the movement of the water through the river, at different speeds and around and over obstacles, interpreting the hydrodynamics which affect where the fish will feed, and what the presentation challenges will be. Are the fish looking up or down? Will we use dries or nymphs, and if nymphs, how deep in the water column? Wayne excels at these skills, and teaches them well.

Finally, for Wayne, flyfishing is not just work: it is also fun and spiritual. The "Zen" of flyfishing is that the flyfisher is put intensely into the moment, using all their senses and skills to be effective. The future rolls at us from upriver, presenting new challenges, but the spot we occupy on the river is firmly planted in the here-and-now. Wayne hopes we don't lose sight of the enjoyment and magic of flyfishing, even as we boost our skills to new levels.