PJ BOCK
Fly Fishing Guide/Owner
I grew up in Fort Jones, California, a small mountain town cradled by the rugged beauty of the Marble Mountains. Life wasn’t easy—my mom was a single parent, working long hours at the restaurant my grandmother owned. While my mom worked tirelessly to pay the bills, my grandmother became a steady presence in my life—a source of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love.
It was my grandmother who first showed me the magic of nature. She saw beauty in the world around us—the rivers that never stopped flowing, the mountains standing strong through every storm. She taught me to appreciate the simple things: the scent of pine after rain, the music of wind through the trees, the quiet power of a still mountain morning. Though she rarely had time for long outdoor adventures, her stories and reverence for nature sparked a curiosity in me that never faded.
When I was 14, tragedy struck—my grandmother(who lived across the dirt road we lived on), was kidnapped and murdered. Losing her felt like losing the center of my world. The grief was overwhelming, and the light she had ignited in me felt dimmed by anger, confusion, and pain. For years, I struggled, searching for peace in all the wrong places, drifting further from the lessons she’d quietly passed down.
But even in my darkest moments, nature—the world she’d taught me to love—never left. I could still feel her presence in the rustling leaves, hear her voice in the whisper of the wind, and see her strength in the towering mountains. Eventually, I found my way back to the rivers and forests I’d explored as a kid. It felt like returning to her, like coming home.
When I discovered fly fishing, everything clicked. Casting a line into the water felt like reconnecting with the past and grounding myself in the present. Fly fishing became more than a sport—it was a way of healing, reflecting, and honoring my grandmother’s spirit. Nature, once again, became my sanctuary—the place where I could breathe, think, and just be.
I’ve fished all over the western U.S., chasing everything from giant striped bass in the delta to small, indigenous redband trout in the tiniest backcountry creeks. But I chose to settle in Chico, California, because northern California has some of the best fishing in the world. With its wild rivers, hidden mountain streams, and abundant fisheries, it’s a dream come true for any angler—and the perfect place to share my passion with others.
I started Bock Fly Fishing because I believe in the power of nature to heal. It helped me through the hardest times of my life, offering peace, perspective, and comfort when nothing else could. Fly fishing isn’t just about catching fish—it’s about finding stillness in a chaotic world, reconnecting with yourself, and feeling at home in the wild places. In every trip, every cast, and every moment by the water, I carry my grandmother’s spirit with me—and I hope to help others find that same sense of belonging and peace in nature.