California Outdoors Hall of Fame
Inducted 2024
Lake Tahoe & Pyramid Lake fishing charters
Fish with a
Hall of Famer.
Light tackle trips with Captain JD Richey for families, first-timers and serious anglers alike.
- South Lake Tahoe, CA
- Pyramid Lake, NV
- Since 1998
2024 California Outdoors Hall of Fame
USCG licensed captain
Guiding full time since 1998
6 fishing books & thousands of articles
Kids & beginners welcome
Two lakes, one captain
Pick your water
JD follows the best fishing in the West through the year: Lake Tahoe from April through August, then Pyramid Lake for giant cutthroat from October through March.
01
April 1 to late August
Lake Tahoe
Mackinaw, browns, rainbows, cutthroat and kokanee with world-famous views. From $250 per person.
02
October 1 to March 31
Pyramid Lake
The largest cutthroat trout on earth, 45 minutes from Reno. Private trips from $1,400.
28 yrs
Guiding full time from California to Alaska since 1998.
Meet your captain
JD Richey has been putting people on fish since 1998
JD is a USCG-licensed captain, a 2024 California Outdoors Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most widely read fishing writers in the West, with thousands of articles in Field & Stream, Western Outdoor News, Salmon Trout Steelheader and Fish Alaska.
On the boat, none of that gets in the way. Expect a professional, laid-back day where a good time is the priority, patient teaching for kids and beginners, and new, top-of-the-line light tackle that makes every fish a fight.
- California Outdoors Hall of Fame, 2024
- USCG licensed captain
- Author of 6 fishing books
- One of a select few guides approved by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
In JD’s tackle box
Backed by the brands anglers trust
JD’s industry partners supply the gear on his boat, and he puts it to work every day. New, top-of-the-line tackle on every trip, with light tackle as the specialty.
Ask JD what’s tied on today.
Okuma
P-Line
Yakima Bait
Pavati
BnR Tackle
Z-Man
g-Ratt Baits
Lancer
Mad River Mfg.
Trips & rates
Book your trip online
Shared and private trips with all gear included. Reserve your date with a deposit, with no booking fees added at checkout.
5 hours · up to 5 anglers
Lake Tahoe shared trip
Join a small group aboard JD’s heated 26-foot boat. The easiest way to fish Tahoe with a Hall of Famer.
- 5:30 AM departure
- All gear included
- Fish cleaning
- Kids welcome
$250 per person
5 hours · your group only
Private Lake Tahoe charter
The whole boat for your family or crew, with the day paced and planned around your group.
- Up to 4 anglers
- All gear included
- Fish cleaning
- Great for families
$1,100 per boat
7 hours · up to 4 anglers
Pyramid Lake trophy charter
A private shot at the largest trout of your life. Ten-pounders are common and fish to 30 lb are possible.
- Oct 1 to Mar 31
- All gear included
- Private trips only
- Heated cabin
$1,400 per boat
1998
Guiding full time since
28 lb
Largest Pyramid trout on our boat
6
Fishing books written
12K
YouTube subscribers
JD’s fishing year
What’s biting, month by month
Tap a month to see where JD is fishing and which trip to book.
Where JD is fishing
Tap a month to see what’s biting and which trip to book.
| Fishery | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tahoe: lake trout (mackinaw)In season Apr 1 to late Aug | ||||||||||||
| Lake Tahoe: browns, rainbows & cutthroatBest in spring | ||||||||||||
| Lake Tahoe: kokanee salmonJune onward | ||||||||||||
| Pyramid Lake: Lahontan cutthroatOct 1 to Mar 31 | ||||||||||||
| Winter steelhead (drift boat)December to March | ||||||||||||
| CA & OR salmonSeasons vary by river | Ask for this year’s dates | |||||||||||
On the water with JD
Watch a morning on Lake Tahoe
JD films his own days on the water for 12,000 YouTube subscribers. Here’s what dawn on Tahoe looks like from the boat.
Families welcome
A kid’s first big fish, on Lake Tahoe
Kids are welcome on every Tahoe trip. JD keeps it safe, fun and easy to learn in a heated cabin boat, and tailors the trip to your family. Ask about getting your catch cooked at a local restaurant.
What anglers say
Two decades of happy anglers
★★★★★
“My first trip with JD was in 1999 and I’ve been going several times a year from California to Alaska ever since! All I can say is he is top notch. Literally the best of the best!”
Ron Milam · Bend, OR
★★★★★
“JD is the best guide I’ve ever fished with over 2 decades. He’s got an uncanny sense that pulls fish out of the most surprising places. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, great with my kids, is dedicated to the resource, and unwavering with integrity.”
Vince Thompson · Loomis, CA
★★★★★
“JD is the real deal, period. One of the most cerebral anglers I know. Do a day on the water with him and you’ll have an opportunity to see how the game is done at the highest levels. Highly recommended.”
Tom Amberson · Elk Grove, CA
From the boat
Recent catches
Lake trout, browns and rainbows from Tahoe and giant cutthroat from Pyramid Lake.
Books by JD
Learn from the guide who wrote the book
Six books packed with the techniques JD uses every day on the water.
The Ultimate Guide to Steelhead Bank Fishing
The Ultimate Guide to Bank Fishing for Salmon
Side-Drifting for Steelhead
How to Catch Sockeye Salmon (Without Flossing)
Light Tackle Surf Perch
How to Catch Bass Year Round
Good to know
Questions before you book
How much does a Lake Tahoe fishing charter cost?
Our shared Lake Tahoe trip is $250 per person for 5 hours. A private Lake Tahoe charter for your group is $1,100 for up to 4 anglers. Pyramid Lake trophy trout charters are $1,400 for a private boat of up to 4 anglers.
Are kids and beginners welcome?
Absolutely. Family trips are one of our favorite things to do. JD keeps it safe, fun and easy to learn, and tailors the day to your group.
What’s included?
All tackle and fishing gear, bait and fish cleaning. Bring your license, food and drinks, layers and a cooler if you want to take fish home.
What fishing license do I need?
For Lake Tahoe, a valid California or Nevada fishing license. For Pyramid Lake, a Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe fishing permit, which you can buy online or at the lake.
Where do we meet?
Lake Tahoe trips leave from Tahoe Keys Marina in South Lake Tahoe at 5:30 AM and return around 10:30 AM. Pyramid Lake trips meet at Pyramid Lake Lodge, about 45 minutes from Reno, at a time set by the weather and season.
Can we keep our fish?
Yes, within the limits. We clean your catch, and we can even help you get it cooked at a local restaurant.
How do I book?
Pick your trip and date in the online calendar and reserve with a deposit. There are no booking fees added at checkout. You can also call or text (916) 952-1595.
Let’s go fishing.
Pick your lake and your date and book it online in a minute. JD reaches out before your trip with the plan, the meeting time and what the fish are doing.