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Bio of a Fishing Guide
Ron Hart was born in 1957 and grew up in Boulder Creek along the San Lorenzo River in the Santa Cruz Mountains of coastal California. At around five years old his mother taught him how to catch trout using a fly rod rigged with monofilament to flip cast and dead drift bait. By age 10, he had caught his first steelhead and was being taught to tie and fish flies by his father with the help of a family friend and skilled tier and fly fisherman, Delbert Neff.
Ron Hart was born in 1957 and grew up in Boulder Creek along the San Lorenzo River in the Santa Cruz Mountains of coastal California. At around five years old his mother taught him how to catch trout using a fly rod rigged with monofilament to flip cast and dead drift bait. By age 10, he had caught his first steelhead and was being taught to tie and fish flies by his father with the help of a family friend and skilled tier and fly fisherman, Delbert Neff.
For Christmas the year he was 12, Ron received a rod-building kit and built the flyrod through that winter. The kit included a fiberglass Fenwick Featherweight blank and was purchased at the local tackle and fly shop, The United Cigar store in Santa Cruz. He got the opportunity to use that rod that summer on a two-week trip through the Sierras he and his cousin Billy Hart, (also 12) were taken on by their grandparents Donald and Miriam Hart, ranging from Blue Lakes, then through the Jamison Loop area and up to Mill Creek, east of Likely, near the California, Oregon border.
For Christmas the year he was 12, Ron received a rod-building kit and built the flyrod through that winter. The kit included a fiberglass Fenwick Featherweight blank and was purchased at the local tackle and fly shop, The United Cigar store in Santa Cruz. He got the opportunity to use that rod that summer on a two-week trip through the Sierras he and his cousin Billy Hart, (also 12) were taken on by their grandparents Donald and Miriam Hart, ranging from Blue Lakes, then through the Jamison Loop area and up to Mill Creek, east of Likely, near the California, Oregon border.
At age 14, Grandpa Hart hooked up the trailer and loaded Ron and cousin Billy into his International Travel All, embarking on a trip into the Rockies. Ron’s description of the trip: “We started by touring Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, seeing as many of the popular sites as we could take in and fishing the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon rivers catching rainbows, cutthroat, browns, grayling, and whitefish. We then headed up through Montana, stopping in Dewey, along the Big Hole River for several days of unbelievably successful dry fly fishing. We had days there of catching rainbows, browns, brook trout, and whitefish before making the long drive north to Glacier Park. Our final fishing stop moving west was on the Yak River in northern Idaho, fishing crystal clear deep water for beautiful rainbows. It was an epic trip with Billy and Grandfather, cementing a growing, deep love for fly fishing and its variable techniques.”
At age 14, Grandpa Hart hooked up the trailer and loaded Ron and cousin Billy into his International Travel All, embarking on a trip into the Rockies. Ron’s description of the trip: “We started by touring Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, seeing as many of the popular sites as we could take in and fishing the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon rivers catching rainbows, cutthroat, browns, grayling, and whitefish. We then headed up through Montana, stopping in Dewey, along the Big Hole River for several days of unbelievably successful dry fly fishing. We had days there of catching rainbows, browns, brook trout, and whitefish before making the long drive north to Glacier Park. Our final fishing stop moving west was on the Yak River in northern Idaho, fishing crystal clear deep water for beautiful rainbows. It was an epic trip with Billy and Grandfather, cementing a growing, deep love for fly fishing and its variable techniques.”
Days after high school graduation Ron made a two-week trip to Yellowstone with an exceptionally talented friend Tom Morris, who spent summers fishing inside the park throughout his childhood and knew much of the water intimately. It was a transformative experience wrapped up by an evening Hexagenia mayfly hatch on Fall River during the trip home. 2 weeks later, Ron and his parents loaded the camper for his third and their first fishing trip into the Rockies which consisted of a week inside Yellowstone Park at Madison Campground and a week in Dewey on the Bighole.
Days after high school graduation Ron made a two-week trip to Yellowstone with an exceptionally talented friend Tom Morris, who spent summers fishing inside the park throughout his childhood and knew much of the water intimately. It was a transformative experience wrapped up by an evening Hexagenia mayfly hatch on Fall River during the trip home. 2 weeks later, Ron and his parents loaded the camper for his third and their first fishing trip into the Rockies which consisted of a week inside Yellowstone Park at Madison Campground and a week in Dewey on the Bighole.
Ron moved to the Tahoe area in 1976 where he lived for six years. From this hub he was able to pursue the Steelhead, Rainbow, Cutthroat, Golden, Paiute, Redband, Brown, and Brook trout, all available on the east and west slopes of the Sierras. On a steelhead trip to the Smith River in 1983 he met his wife Terry in Mount Shasta California, moving there later that year. This was the beginning of a new and amazing chapter in life, exploring an interesting and beautiful area with his perfect life partner. Fishing the nearby Upper Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit rivers, he discovered some of the best fly fishing opportunities in California and some say, anywhere.
Ron moved to the Tahoe area in 1976 where he lived for six years. From this hub he was able to pursue the Steelhead, Rainbow, Cutthroat, Golden, Paiute, Redband, Brown, and Brook trout, all available on the east and west slopes of the Sierras. On a steelhead trip to the Smith River in 1983 he met his wife Terry in Mount Shasta California, moving there later that year. This was the beginning of a new and amazing chapter in life, exploring an interesting and beautiful area with his perfect life partner. Fishing the nearby Upper Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit rivers, he discovered some of the best fly fishing opportunities in California and some say, anywhere.
In 1986 Ron decided to begin guiding these three streams part-time while continuing his full-time construction career. Fishing and guiding during this period allowed Ron to spend an additional amount of time on the water observing trout behavior and various fly fishing techniques. Through these observations, he worked to develop techniques for teaching, along with some products for the sport that help demystify both nymph and dry fly fishing.
In 1986 Ron decided to begin guiding these three streams part-time while continuing his full-time construction career. Fishing and guiding during this period allowed Ron to spend an additional amount of time on the water observing trout behavior and various fly fishing techniques. Through these observations, he worked to develop techniques for teaching, along with some products for the sport that help demystify both nymph and dry fly fishing.
Ron’s ongoing desire to discover places free from crowds, along with the closure of the upper Sac due to the 1991 Southern Pacific Railroad derailment chemical spill inspired him to completely explore the accessible areas of the Pit and McCloud rivers, balancing his guiding and construction careers. In 1993 Ron had a life-changing accidental fall on a construction site crushing his left heel and forcing a pause on both careers to focus on recovery for over a year. Recovery meant the mandatory use of crutches for over 6 months and then a cane as weight bearing became possible.
Ron’s ongoing desire to discover places free from crowds, along with the closure of the upper Sac due to the 1991 Southern Pacific Railroad derailment chemical spill inspired him to completely explore the accessible areas of the Pit and McCloud rivers, balancing his guiding and construction careers. In 1993 Ron had a life-changing accidental fall on a construction site crushing his left heel and forcing a pause on both careers to focus on recovery for over a year. Recovery meant the mandatory use of crutches for over 6 months and then a cane as weight bearing became possible.
Ron needed a wading staff to aid in getting back onto the streams to resume his guiding as his abilities during the 1994 season progressed. Trying a few versions of staffs made from aluminum tubing he determined that between the unnatural noise, the tips getting lost and the harmonic wobbling in fast current, metal was not for him. Being a woodworker, he crafted a wooden staff and began testing and researching components that would withstand the rigors of life in and out of the river. American hickory turned out to be both sturdy and resilient, textured rubber lasted and stayed tacky when wet, a stretch cord lanyard with a simple soft plastic clip kept it securely attached against loss, a soft plastic sleeve on the bottom end kept the wood from splitting while allowing it to dry after use and never fell off. Providing wading staffs to his clients while guiding them became an unforeseen positive outcome keeping everyone upright all day. The River Stalker was born in 1995 when Gary Eblin of American Flyfishing Company requested that Ron make them for sale in his shop.
Ron needed a wading staff to aid in getting back onto the streams to resume his guiding as his abilities during the 1994 season progressed. Trying a few versions of staffs made from aluminum tubing he determined that between the unnatural noise, the tips getting lost and the harmonic wobbling in fast current, metal was not for him. Being a woodworker, he crafted a wooden staff and began testing and researching components that would withstand the rigors of life in and out of the river. American hickory turned out to be both sturdy and resilient, textured rubber lasted and stayed tacky when wet, a stretch cord lanyard with a simple soft plastic clip kept it securely attached against loss, a soft plastic sleeve on the bottom end kept the wood from splitting while allowing it to dry after use and never fell off. Providing wading staffs to his clients while guiding them became an unforeseen positive outcome keeping everyone upright all day. The River Stalker was born in 1995 when Gary Eblin of American Flyfishing Company requested that Ron make them for sale in his shop.
As the 1994 season progressed, stories began circulating about the upper Sacramento River’s “miraculous” recovery. The valiant and formerly fabled waterway had indeed shown its resilience, but far from tall tales about huge numbers of eager fish. Waves of anglers soon over-fished the re-established population, discouraging many. The Prince Nymph was a popular attractor pattern and was initially very effective. As time ticked by, the fish began to reject even the best presentations of it, so Ron began to experiment. Different materials in more natural colors were found that formed the same attractive silhouette. Switching the wings to amber and the body to an equally darker tone of “dark stone” turned out to be the most productive combination that season. In-stream trials produced more deliberate takes, perhaps due to avoiding the warnings of the unnatural white wings of the Prince Nymph and its other materials. And a bonus: the new pattern was more durable, even after many fish had bitten it.
As the 1994 season progressed, stories began circulating about the upper Sacramento River’s “miraculous” recovery. The valiant and formerly fabled waterway had indeed shown its resilience, but far from tall tales about huge numbers of eager fish. Waves of anglers soon over-fished the re-established population, discouraging many. The Prince Nymph was a popular attractor pattern and was initially very effective. As time ticked by, the fish began to reject even the best presentations of it, so Ron began to experiment. Different materials in more natural colors were found that formed the same attractive silhouette. Switching the wings to amber and the body to an equally darker tone of “dark stone” turned out to be the most productive combination that season. In-stream trials produced more deliberate takes, perhaps due to avoiding the warnings of the unnatural white wings of the Prince Nymph and its other materials. And a bonus: the new pattern was more durable, even after many fish had bitten it.
After a 50-plus fish day on the Sac, a client suggested the new pattern be named the “Darth Vader” but being a lifelong fan of J. R. R. Tolkien, Ron chose the “Dark Lord” name and it stuck. Busy guiding full time, he tied flies less and began to source flies from pro tiers, notably Dave Shafer who worked in Gary’s American Flyfishing Co. Dave tied “Lords” for Ron to guide with and the first sales of the new pattern began there. This began the establishment of an ongoing market for the Dark Lord, as well as boosting its reputation of broad success. Gary Eblin also played a pivotal role in convincing Umpqua Feather Merchants to add the Hart’s Dark Lord to its roster of signature fly designs, making the Dark Lord widely available in shops and popular for trout and steelhead on streams worldwide.
After a 50-plus fish day on the Sac, a client suggested the new pattern be named the “Darth Vader” but being a lifelong fan of J. R. R. Tolkien, Ron chose the “Dark Lord” name and it stuck. Busy guiding full time, he tied flies less and began to source flies from pro tiers, notably Dave Shafer who worked in Gary’s American Flyfishing Co. Dave tied “Lords” for Ron to guide with and the first sales of the new pattern began there. This began the establishment of an ongoing market for the Dark Lord, as well as boosting its reputation of broad success. Gary Eblin also played a pivotal role in convincing Umpqua Feather Merchants to add the Hart’s Dark Lord to its roster of signature fly designs, making the Dark Lord widely available in shops and popular for trout and steelhead on streams worldwide.
Guiding full-time developed a level of experience on these streams that led to Ron and a few other selected guides being invited to participate in the Fish Monitoring Hook and Line Surveys for the 2003 McCloud/Pit Hydro Electric FERC relicensing process plus the ongoing surveys conducted on the new flows implemented in 2011 through 2026. The requirement of catching as many fish as possible in a given time period takes focus, skills, observation, and understanding to a new level.
Guiding full-time developed a level of experience on these streams that led to Ron and a few other selected guides being invited to participate in the Fish Monitoring Hook and Line Surveys for the 2003 McCloud/Pit Hydro Electric FERC relicensing process plus the ongoing surveys conducted on the new flows implemented in 2011 through 2026. The requirement of catching as many fish as possible in a given time period takes focus, skills, observation, and understanding to a new level.
Ron has cut back his guiding to mostly long-term clients and occasionally qualified newcomers to the sport interested in refining their skills. He likes to say “That keeps me in the game.” On other days, you will find him busy with his construction business, particularly enjoying special wood-crafting projects. He continues to take time to encourage new guides and fishers eager to sample fly fishing, as well as participating in habitat conservation via CalTrout and others. Best of all, Ron’s friends still find him open to enticement to take a day off to hike, wade, and fish the waters he loves.
Ron has cut back his guiding to mostly long-term clients and occasionally qualified newcomers to the sport interested in refining their skills. He likes to say “That keeps me in the game.” On other days, you will find him busy with his construction business, particularly enjoying special wood-crafting projects. He continues to take time to encourage new guides and fishers eager to sample fly fishing, as well as participating in habitat conservation via CalTrout and others. Best of all, Ron’s friends still find him open to enticement to take a day off to hike, wade, and fish the waters he loves.
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