At Sierra Drifters Guide Service, our mission is to provide our customers with the best eastern sierra fly fishing quality experience the outdoors has to offer. Although fly fishing is very popular today, it still remains one of the least understood methods of fishing. We believe in simplifying the sport for everyone, no matter what age or experience level. We do this by using a friendly, patient, and un-intimidating approach to instructing and guiding that is fun for beginners, families, and of course, the most experienced fly anglers.
History
Sierra Drifters began in 1997, when founder Tom Loe had a vision of forming the best eastern sierra fly fishing guide service in the region. Already an avid fly fisherman for most of his life, Tom had extensive experience in commercial ocean fishing as a career, and transferred much of his knowledge of boating and navigation over to freshwater fly fishing. This allowed Tom to popularize center console bay boats which are in wide use today in the still water fly fishing industry and the use of drift boats for fly fishing on the Lower Owens River.
Lots of work went into the marketing of Sierra Drifters during the early years, as the area of Crowley and Mammoth Lakes had limited internet service which consisted of dial-up internet connections. In those days it took hours to get a one page fishing report posted online with photos, let alone update an entire website weekly. With the help of his wife Michele, the two of them kept on persevering over the years to make the company what it is today.
Tom started Sierra Drifters by pioneering drift boat fly fishing on the Lower Owens River. This had never been done before, and Tom took a chance with this new business venture. In addition to drift boat trips, Tom also offered walk and wade river and still water fly fishing on Crowley Lake and Bridgeport Reservoir by boat.
Tom in the early days of drifting the Lower Owens River.
Though many businesses do not rise to success overnight, Sierra Drifters was the exception. Within the first year of operation, Tom found himself having to expand the guide service by bringing in additional guides to build his team. He hand selected the best of the best to comprise this exceptional group. The guide service and the trips which were offered, were in high demand in very little time thanks to word of mouth recommendations, client testimonials and one of the most informative and appealing websites in the area. Numerous southern California publications also played a large roll in the success of Tom Loe and Sierra Drifters during these early years. It had become apparent by the popularity of Sierra Drifters among our customers that Tom had achieved his dream and established an organization that helps make unforgettable memories for thousands of people.
Tom enjoying his retirement days.
In 2007, Tom hired me, Doug Rodricks, as an addition to the guide team. Being the youngest guide at the time and growing up in an age of major technological advances, I had a hand in making the transition over to smartphones, having an online presence in social media, and some new ways of advertising in an ever changing industry. I had some basic fly fishing skills under my belt at the time, and Tom quickly brought me up to speed and taught me the ins and outs of not only how to be a great fly fisherman and guide, but how to be one of the best teachers to every customer that hires us. He taught his entire team this way, but was also a firm believer in the idea that each individual guide should develop their own teaching and guiding style which would make them unique.
The Sierra Drifters team circa 2007.
Many years later, in 2019, Tom and Michele made the move to Oregon to retire and I took over the guide service with my wife Jenny. My goal was to not only retain the same excellent group of guides, but continue to provide the same quality of service that the Loe’s guaranteed to our clients, while innovating with new ideas and methods of fly fishing that would be easy for everyone to absorb. I wanted to break through the barrier of introducing beginners and spin fisherman to the wonderful world of fly fishing and take away the mysteries and intimidation of the sport. Additionally, I wanted to run a guide service that is family friendly and a firm believer that everyone can learn to fly fish no matter their experience level.
Our team of guides are extremely patient and excel at their jobs. We know that fly fishing is part of your vacation, and it should always feel like one. We want you to have fun and enjoy your experience with us. Our guides love what they do, and meeting new people and teaching them what they have spent years mastering is very fun and rewarding for them. Fly fishing is our passion, and we love sharing the joy of this sport with people. We change the way you see fishing.
Most people don't understand what fly fishing is really all about. There are some that would really like to find out but never do. To some fly fishing is an...
I have been blessed to have had Doug as my guide on many trips the last 4yrs. If you want to catch fish, learn from a pro and have a blast, book this...
If you're looking for a guide service for fishing the Eastern sierras then look no further. This is not our first time with Sierra Drifters Guide Service...
This is a long one. Enjoy.Husband and I just spent a long weekend at the McGee Creek Lodge, which was beautiful, rustic and quiet.Our son visited the...
By far, it was the best experience I've ever had for myself. I'm a single, independent woman from San Diego who just picked up fly fishing last year. Doug,...
My son and I fished with Doug R at Crowley, May 2024. Doug was professional, knowledgeable and took extra time with my "new to" fly fishing son. Doug worked...
I've done two trips with SD; 2008 and 2010. 08' was a drift on the LO, and 2010 was a custom private trip on Adobe Creek/Ranch to hit the pond near sunset,...
We were out for four hours on Lake Crowley, and did not catch a single trout. I know this happens but the guide did not move us to a different spot during...
Shout out to Doug and Devin for a couple of great guided boat trips on Crowley Lake. Went solo on my first with Devin and with a buddy on my second with...
We have fished 3 times with Sierra Drifters and they put on the fish! 2 times with Doug Roderick, the owner, and today with Seth Cline! Great guides, good...
My wife and I had a great trip on the upper Owens with Seth Cline. We headed out on a snowmobile to target snow bows!!Seth was very knowledgeable and very...
The Sierra Drifters Guide Services is great. I have fished with them many times and have always gotten into tons of fish. Every time out is a new body of...
I have been on multiple guided trips with Sierra Drifters. The guides have always been on time and extremely helpful. I have booked at least one trip...
My son and I went out with Devin Preston last summer, and we had an amazing time fishing with him. Devin was a great guide for my seven-year old -- funny,...
My son and I had a great time fishing with Doug at Sierra Drifters Guide Service. We spent the day at Crowley Lake (9/2021) catching HUGE Rainbow Trout and...
Fished with Doug and he was great! Patient with me as a 1st timer and showed me some casting techniques which worked! Thanks again Doug for an awesome trip!
My husband and I have fished with a lot of guides Through the years.... But I have never fished with a better guide! Doug Rodrick of Sierra Drifters was...
Fishing in the Mammoth area was one of my goals this summer and I had lots of fun on this trip. We went to Crowley. I hadn't tried fly fishing before and...
My buddies and I went on a guided trip with Corey a couple of months back on Lake Crowley, and we had the best time. We each caught a good sized fish, and...
I just wanted to leave a review to say that I've done a lot of fishing charters in various states and I've never had one like today. I understand that there...
My dad and I had a wonderful experience with Sierra Drifters. I had gotten him a half day guide session as an early Father's Day gift and we were both so...
My uncle Bill "Beebs" and I had an amazing fishing experience with Hans! We fished Crowley and caught several sizable trout! Hans was great! His attention...
Two Bug Doug guided myself and my wife last year for 2 days, one on the Upper Owens and then Drifted the next day on the Lower Owens, he was very patient...
Great guide service. Doug took me out fishing on the Upper Owens and helped me with my casting technique while answering my questions. He worked hard to get...
I had the opportunity to fish the Upper Owens River with Hans from Sierra Drifters this past week and it was a terrific morning. The fishing was solid,...
Lake fishing, creek fishing, in season or off season, beginner or experienced , we've always got fish with Sierra Drifters. I'll be back again in the spring.
We booked two days with Doug fishing in mid November. We fished the Upper Owens for bigger trout on the first day and then hit Hot Creek on the second day....
Brother and I always wanted to use a guide service to fly fish for trout in the Mammoth area. Submitted a trip request via web and got a phone call the...
We hired Sierra Drifters last weekend for some late season Crowley trout fishing. Our Guide was Doug Dolans, AKA, Two Bug Doug. What an awesome time! After...
I reached out to Doug after seeing the great reviews on yelp to set up a trip to surprise my husband on our honeymoon. He texted me within about 40 minutes...
Epic day of fishing with my Dad and Han's as our guide! We would've had a blast if we didn't catch any fish just hanging with Hans but since he's an...
Awesome people. Awesome fishing! Lake Crowley provided an excellent locale. Our guide; Doug provided excellent instruction to a first timer who I dragged...
We had a fantastic day of fishing on Lake Crowley with Seth as our guide. He knew just where to position us to catch a lot of fish! He was an expert in...
Just got back from a great day fishing Crowley with guide Devin. Great day, lots of fish (20-25), most 16-20 inches. Fun fishing with such a great guide....
Highly recommend this Guide Service. Went out to Lake Crowley twice a few weeks ago. First time, had two boats, 2 anglers on each boat.. had Devin and Hans...
My family went out on two boats because we are a family of six. We had Devin and Hans as our guides and they were simply amazing!!! They took the time to...
Awesome group of knowledgeable and FUN fishermen. Always very, very kind. Well accommodating. Response time is great as they are very busy. They put you...
Decided to take a trip on short notice and emailed Sierra Drifters. Doug called me within 10 minutes and was able to juggle his guides to accommodate a...
My husband, cousin, and I hired Doug (guide) to take us out on Crawley and we were Killin it!!! We learned so much about how to fly fish on Crawley and had...
