For years, fly fishing for bass lived on the fringe—something a small group of anglers quietly obsessed over while most of the fly world focused on trout. That’s changing. From California reservoirs to growing communities across the country, more anglers are discovering the challenge, accessibility, and pure excitement of chasing bass with a fly rod. We sat down with Ryan Williams, the founder of the Bug Toss Bass Tournament, to talk about how the tournament started, the rapid growth of bass fly fishing, and where this movement could be headed next.

Ryan: My introduction to bass tournaments came through conventional fishing friends. The first events I ever competed in were small club tournaments on Lake Oroville and Thermalito Afterbay, fishing alongside Kirby, the angler who originally taught me the float-and-fly technique.

My first professional-level tournament happened unexpectedly. Logan McDaniel, a contractor working on my house, noticed my boat and struck up a conversation. Before long, he invited me to fish a Wild West tournament at Lake Shasta. I accepted out of curiosity, and that experience opened the door to competitive bass fishing.

Ryan: The idea for a fly-fishing-only bass tournament had been circulating among friends for years. In the winter of 2024, Johnny Feaster revisited the idea and committed to helping organize the event. Cole Kipsey immediately offered support as well.

At the same time, the Costa Bass n Fly tournament was ending, leaving a gap in the community. Combined with volunteers stepping up to help, it felt like the right moment to launch something new. The first Bug Toss Bass Tournament was created simply to test the waters and see whether anglers would support a dedicated fly bass competition.

Ryan: The Bug Toss Bass Tournament has only been held twice:
-First event: April 2024 at Lake Berryessa
-Second event: 2026 at Lake Oroville

A 2025 event was planned but postponed due to scheduling challenges. Despite similar constraints in 2026, the commitment to continue the tournament remained strong.

Growth has shown up in several ways:
-Significant increase in sponsor participation and donated products
-More first-time competitors entering the event
-Stronger overall interest from the bass fly fishing community

Boat numbers remained nearly flat at 26 entries, partly due to scheduling conflicts with spring break and compressed promotion timelines. However, organizers estimate that a dozen additional boats may have participated under different circumstances. Expectations are high for future growth.

Ryan: This was not a tournament built around trophies alone.

The most recent event featured:
-92% payout on entry fees
-$14,450 in donated gear and products
-Prize distribution reaching the top 20 boats
-Additional swag bags and raffle prizes
-Catered meals for participants

The focus has been creating an event that rewards anglers while building community around fly fishing for bass.

Ryan: The growth of bass fly fishing has been dramatic.

Techniques like float-and-fly are now used across the United States. The increase is visible through:
-Social media content
-Growth in guiding demand
-Increased product sales
-More invitations for educational presentations
-More anglers targeting bass with fly rods on large reservoirs

Where bass fly anglers were once rare, seeing multiple boats fishing with fly rods on lakes like Oroville, Berryessa, and Shasta during spring has become common.

Ryan: 1. Reduced Pressure on Trout Fisheries
Every angler choosing bass instead of trout reduces pressure on rivers and delicate trout populations that have seen increasing fishing intensity over the last decade.

2. Greater Accessibility
Many anglers live far from high-quality trout waters but close to bass lakes. Bass fishing offers more accessible opportunities without requiring long-distance travel.

Additional benefits include:
-Increased sales opportunities for fly shops
-More crossover between conventional and fly anglers
-Stronger community building
-Better entry points for youth anglers and beginners

Bass fishing creates an approachable way to learn fly fishing while still rewarding advanced skill and experience.

Ryan: No.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that anglers need expensive bass boats equipped with electronics. While boats help, shoreline anglers routinely catch fish, and tournament results have proven that simpler setups can succeed.

In fact, a drift boat without electronics finished second in the latest tournament. Float tubes, pontoons, prams, and shore fishing all remain viable options.

The message is simple:
Do not let a lack of equipment stop you from trying bass fly fishing.

Ryan: The long-term vision includes expanding Bug Toss into one to three tournaments annually, depending on sponsor support and volunteer involvement.

As one of the only dedicated fly fishing bass tournaments in the world, there is significant potential for growth. The belief is that if conventional bass tournaments can thrive, fly fishing tournaments can follow a similar path by filling an underserved niche.

Future growth depends on:
-Building a reliable organizing team
-Expanding sponsor relationships
-Demonstrating real marketing value for supporting brands
-Continuing to grow the fly bass fishing community

The goal is not charity, it is creating a sustainable event ecosystem that benefits anglers, sponsors, and the sport itself.

Here is a list of sponsors. Please support them when you can:
Jimmy Vasser Toyota & Chevy of Napa, Fish The West Films, Sage, V12 Vineyards: Napa, Galvan Fly Reels, Pultz Poppers, Red Truck, Fly Fishing Specialties, Fishpond, Redington, Sitka, Loon Outdoors, Rio, Reel Anglers Fly Shop, Titus Vineyards: Napa, Echo, Jaydacator, Ego