SHAPED BY RIVERS, DRIVEN BY CONNECTIVITY, DEDICATED FROM FIRST CAST TO LAST. We instruct, educate, and connect anglers of all abilities and ages to find themselves; through the art of casting fly rods and presenting flies to the elusive and famed Pacific Northwest steelhead.
Our services are tailored for the outdoor enthusiasts, specifically, those looking for a greater connection to the river. We offer an all-inclusive experience accommodating both day and multi-day guided fly fishing on Southern Oregon’s premier steelhead rivers.
We provide signature style, attention to detail, and handcrafted quality trips. From the initial contact through the handshake and hug at the end of your adventure, you can be certain that your expectations will be met with professionalism, personal service, and hospitality. We are completely dedicated to your experience and instruction that will help you along with your fishing career in order to keep you fishing long after your trip. Our mission is to create both innovative meaningful and long-lasting relationships through a connection driven by wild rivers and their inhabitants.
James and Kait met each other while guiding on Oregon’s Rogue River in the spring of 2016. After a summer courtship followed by marriage at Lucas Lodge, they joined forces and started Humble Heron Fly Fishing in the winter of 2016 fulfilling their goal of one day owning a professional guide service. From food shop to answering phone calls, from traveling to teach and present, to choosing the water they guide, every part of Humble Heron is completely their vision. With a combined 25 years + in the whitewater and fly fishing industry and has guided in 7 states, you can be sure that they are well equipped to provide their guests with the most outstanding trip. Now three years into their business, life has gifted them Juniper Rogue, their one-year-old daughter who has spent at least one season guiding already in mama’s belly.
“I had a vision of one day meeting my wife on the Rogue River. Starting a family and a business on the banks of the Rogue has been a vision realized. Every day with my family on this river has truly blessed me.”- James Sampsel owner
Now that you have found us take a look at our blog, photo gallery from past trips with our guests, and services we can provide for you. We are looking forward to speaking with you and designing your custom trip! Come share beautiful Southern Oregon with us and let her infectious waters move through you and replenish your soul.
Humble Heron Guides
Kait Sampsel grew up on a sheep farm in Canby Oregon. Raised next to three older brothers Kait quickly learned the value of determination and hard work. Guiding since 2009 Kait has broken barriers in Southern Oregon becoming one of the only female fly fishing guides in the region while being a mother, business owner, and working in sustainable seafood. Her strong work ethic and dedication to teaching spey fishing well has earned her a place in the fly fishing industry and created lifelong connections to her guests. Her reverence for the outdoors will always direct her way of being.
James Sampsel doesn’t take life too seriously. I guess that’s why if you ever do find him he’s most likely climbing a tree to spot steelhead, or standing awkwardly looking at the landscape contemplating how to translate it to paint, or most likely he’s dancing to throwback 80’s with his daughter Juniper who he and his impressive wife Kait and naughty Labrador Aster adventure with while eating popcorn going wherever the kernels take them.
Rob Perkin was fortunate to have grown up in the Pacific Northwest, spending the majority of the summer in Pacific City pursuing the many fishing opportunities in the region. By the age of 17 was exploring the Pacific Ocean with friends from their classic, 1960 double ended dory, in search of rockfish and salmon. Rob’s primary focus is on fly fishing for steelhead, salmon, tuna and rockfish on the Oregon Coast. He has been fly fishing, tying flies and running a variety of different boats for over 30 years. When not fishing you will find Rob advocating for our wild places, enjoying the outdoors, fly tying and woodworking. Building wooden boats is a passion, having built drift boats and Pacific City dories. In July of 2021 Rob and his wife Erin completed the latest dory, “Vision”, A 23’ Pacific City dory. In 2021 Rob started Connect Outfitters guiding on the northern Oregon Coast.
Old paddy is a lifelong student of river people, places and critters. After a 25 year wildland firefighter career, he is stoked to be at home in the Rogue River Valley. As part of the Humble Heron crew, paddy will share his many experiences fly-fishing for anadromous species in Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest. His sense of humor, knowledge and bear stories make for a great day on the water.
