Meet our team of professional Yakima River fly fishing guides.
Our “Associate Guides” are properly licensed by WDFW as a fishing guide. They also meet and maintain all safety certifications and are insured for guided fishing operations. While most of our Associates guide as Yakima River fly fishing guides, we also guide for Smallmouth Bass and Steelhead.
Ryan Gausman
Ryan, a Washington State native, has fished the waters of this great state since the 1950’s. His interests have varied from trout fishing the lowland lakes and rivers, to backpacking and fishing the high lakes, to salt water fisheries, and steelhead on the coastal rivers.
In the 1980’s Ryan was introduced to fly fishing while guiding hunting trips for a lodge in Montana and has been working on perfecting this skill since then. He became a Kittitas County resident in 2013 and now calls the Upper Yakima River his home waters.
Ryan began guiding hunters and anglers in 1984 and has done so in four Western states. Ryan currently focuses his efforts on guiding fly anglers on the Yakima River system. One of his greatest passions is to help others experience and enjoy the wonderful outdoors that Washington state offers.
Patrick Barta
Patrick is a Commercial photographer by trade and working in the studio is a good office. However, working on the river is a great one!
Patrick discovered the Yakima river after moving to the Pacific NW in 1991. Since then, it has become his passion, to the point when his kid’s teachers would ask what their dad did, they would say “He is a fisherman”.
Patrick built his home in the Ellensburg area in 2009 and started guiding in 2014. The river is his home and fishing with Patrick will always be a good time! When you meet Patrick you will instantly know your going to have a good day, and you just may get some great photos out of the deal.
Harvey McCauley
Other then our Yakima River fly fishing guides we also suggest fishing with Doug St. Denis if you are looking to catch Salmon, Steelhead or Smallmouth Bass on the west side of the state.
Doug Saint-Denis
If you are visiting western Washington and looking to fish, look no further. Doug Saint-Denis owns Ridge to River Outdoors & 365 Charters. Doug is a full time charter captain and sport fishing guide, just north of Seattle.
Doug has been fishing the Pacific Northwest since 1990. One of Doug’s most gratifying moments is seeing others enjoy the outdoor experience.
Doug’s service in the United States Navy allowed him to fish in many areas around the nation and the Pacific and Indian Oceans including Australia, Japan, Guam, and Korea. Doug has been fishing for Steelhead, Salmon, Sturgeon, Trout, and Bass in the Pacific Northwest since 1990.
Serving the customer is important to Doug. However, customer service begins before you meet him at the boat. All of the equipment he uses is well maintained and well stocked. Hours of maintenance and preparation go into providing quality fishing experiences throughout the year.
Being properly licensed, insured, and trained is all part of a professional service as well.
Doug holds a United States Coast Guard Masters License, TWIC card, and is a Washington state licensed Guide. Additionally, he maintains a current US Forest Service permit to operate on the Wild and Scenic Skagit River and is fully insured.
Doug is a Cabela’s Pro Staff team member, as well as a pro staff member for Humminbird, Cannon, Minn Kota, Team Yamaha, Dick Nite Spoons, Izorline, Pfluelger, Okuma and more.
Since 2011, Doug has been producing HD video content for seminars, how-to, and products information. We believe it is important to educate, share and inform anglers of all experience levels. We hope you find the videos useful. Take me to the videos.
Top Fly Guides is owned and operated by Nathan Schepker. Learn more about Nathan.