Billy Downs - Billy began fishing early in life. His first fishing experiences were for pan fish, catfish and bluefish as a child in New Jersey. At 7 years old he moved west and began to explore some of the west coast species including trout, rockfish and salmon. Throughout grammar school and high school he fished for sturgeon and striped bass on a regular basis. It was in high school that he also discovered his other love, surfing, visiting the beaches San Francisco and the Marin Headlands before and after school. He attended Cuesta Junior College in San Luis Obispo for 2 years and specialized in surfing. He returned to the bay area and began working in roofing and construction. In 1999 he decided to move into guiding full time and in 2001 attended the Clearwater Guide School that was run by Dick Galland. Billy has been with Clearwater for 8 years and has had the opportunity to guide in Chile and has fished in New Zealand, Baja, and El Salvador.

Billy is known for his hard work ethic and easy going personality that works well with experienced anglers and beginners. He currently spends over 250 days a year on the water guiding and fishing.

Vanessa Downs- Vanessa spent her childhood summers chasing wily rainbows on Hat Creek. By the time she was 12, she had cast her first fly rod and was taken by the sport. Choosing fishing trips with her dad over trips to the mall, by her early 20's, she was heading up to the Intermountain area as often as possible from her home in Mendocino County . Given the gift of a guided fishing trip from her grandfather, she met Billy that day, and the rest they say, is history! Vanessa began her guiding career in 2005 after graduating from the Guide School at Clearwater House. She and Billy were married in 2006 and have moved to Burney, in the heart of California 's trout country to pursue their passion and business. Teaching fishing skills and sharing her love of fly fishing and the outdoors with people is her favorite aspect of guiding. Vanessa is a strong instructor and thoroughly enjoys helping people learn new skills, whether a rank beginner or a seasoned angler.

Vanessa holds a degree in Biology from Sonoma State University . She is an avid photographer and lover of nature. Cooking, running, travelling and music are her other loves, as well as her fishing buddy, her dog, Cookie.