Frank R. Pisciotta is one of California's top, veteran, independent, flyfishing guides. A native Californian, he has pursued trout within the state for over 40-plus years, from the lakes & streams of urban Marin county to the 10,000�+ John Muir Wilderness for the state fish...the golden trout. After graduation from the University of San Francisco, 1968-69 "on-the-ground" service in Vietnam & half-a-year touring Europe as a civilian he had a brief  two year stint in the corporate world. He then became involved in a family craft business on the north slope of San Francisco's Telegraph Hill.  He started flyfishing in the spring of 1970...he has done such, exclusively, since.

During his first decade of flyfishing Frank became very familiar with Northern California waters; most especially the McCloud (...prior to Nature Conservancy arrival) & Upper Sacramento Rivers, in addition to Hat Creek. In 1979 Frank personally built his current residence in Truckee; focusing on the area's, at the time, unbeknownst, quality flyangling waters. There, in 1984, he established his Thy Rod & Staff guide service.  Starting in 1992 his guide service became affiliated with the Orvis Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters & Guides (ELOG) program. He remains in the program & is the only Orvis Endorsed Guide in the Lake Tahoe basin & northern Sierra. In 2001, prior to an interview, an outdoors radio-talk show host introduced Frank as ..."the Dean of Guides in the Truckee Area."  In 1996, encouraged by repeat clients,  friends & family because of his adeptness at instruction, he started the Reel School of FlyFishing.

As a writer, Frank has authored articles in both the California FlyFisher & NorthWest FlyFishing magazines in addition to several  writings for subscription newsletters. His Spring 2002 essay in NorthWest FlyFishing is acknowleged as the best ever treatise on flyfishing the Truckee River. His chapter on the Truckee River in Seth Norman's book FlyFisher's Guide to Northern California, is the most thorough ever published in a book.  From  June 1999 to June 2001 he was the California writer for WestFly.com, an online flyfishing magazine.

The Northern California Council of the Federation of FlyFishers lists Frank as a program presenter.  His slide presentation on "FlyFishing Opportunities in the Truckee-Tahoe Area" has been well received by individual fly clubs or attendees at the Northern California Council of FlyFishers Conclaves.

The well known angler-conservation group California Trout has twice presented Frank the coveted StreamKeepers Award.  The last time was 2000; as the executive director noted, because he "...speaks for the trout." Also twice, Franks's guide service has been featured in the OUTDOORS  section of  the San Francisco Chronicle & been noted in the New York Times Magazine, Flyfisherman Magazine & The Inside Angler.

During the 2001 season, an aspiring young guide flattered Frank by calling him the Dali Lama of flyfishing....little did the fella know that Frank is a perpetual student himself! He simply loves the sport & is willing to discuss and/or share it with any one who is receptive.