Hogan Brown
Hogan grew up on the Lower Yuba River in Northern California, an only child who really liked catching fish. Playing with bugs didn’t make him the coolest kid on the block and he developed a penchant for solitary activities: fly fishing and playing guitar. As a teen, he worked at the local fly shop in Nevada City and he’s been a part of the fly fishing community ever since.
He has devoted his life to the sport, guiding for trout, steelhead, bass, carp and anything that swims in a river, lake, pond, ditch or body of water he could access within the gray area of California's trespass law. He has worked in all aspects of the industry—behind fly shop counters and in lodges, ran an outfitting business and a non-profit, and even a brief stint as a corporate rep before realizing that cubicles were not his thing. Through it all, he’s remained in the trenches as a guide.
Hogan now devotes most of his time on the water guiding for striped bass on the Sacramento River, as well as spotted and largemouth bass on Northern California’s famous lakes and reservoirs. He’s pioneered techniques for catching bass on the fly and works tirelessly to grow the sport as co-founder of the California Bass Union, a group of guides and anglers working to develop and promote bass fishing with a fly rod.
Hogan gives back to the fly fishing community as a board member of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association and marketing director of Cast Hope, a non-profit with the mission of getting kids outdoors through fly fishing.
In addition to being a proud Hatch Reels pro, Hogan also works with Scott Fly Rods, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, StealthCraft Boats, Airflo Fly Lines and Echo Rods along with being a Simms ambassador and Fulling Mills contract fly tyer. Hogan is also a connoisseur of fine ales and fermented grains, a home gardener, a die-hard San Francisco Giants and Notre Dame football fan, member of the rock band Royal Oaks, and a husband an amazing wife and mother as well as a father to two young boys.
To learn more about Hogan and his guiding adventures follow the links below: