Staff

Josh Cranson is a Colorado native who has been fly fishing since childhood. He grew up on a farm along the banks of the North Fork of the Gunnison. During his youth he spent much of his time exploring the rivers and creeks in the West Elk Wilderness area and the Black Canyon. His addiction to fly fishing drove him to buy a raft, he soon taught himself to row. In 2001 he began guiding wilderness multi day float trips through the Black Canyon and with in 5 years he became head guide for Black Canyon Anglers. Josh is known for his flawless moves in the rapids, efficiency in camp, humble personality, and world famous cooking. He is very well respected by everyone on the water, he has a great work ethic, and he prides himself on making sure you have the best quality trip he can provide. When Josh is not on the water you will find him guiding elk hunts in the Raggeds Wilderness, helping out on the family farm, or hanging out with his wife Cris and their two Labradors in an off grid solar powered home they built from the ground up.

Josh cut his teeth guiding on the Snake River in Jackson, Wyoming in the early 90’s and has been an avid fly fisherman ever since. A native of Delta, Colorado, Josh, has been fishing the “Gunny” for over 20 years. In 2006 Josh traded in his suit and tie, made a quality of life decision, and moved his family back to the Western Slope. “Hard to call it work, when you enjoy it so much. The Gorge is truly a special place.”

Ryan grew up in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, working in his parent’s outdoor store. He learned fishing and boating skills on the Colorado, Roaring Fork, and Frying Pan Rivers. Ryan joined BCA in 2006 and is a strong whitewater boatman. He particularly enjoys the challenges of running big rivers such as The Grand Canyon.

Derek, aka Red Yeti, is a local boy and Colorado Native. He has fished numerous Western rivers and lakes as well as Florida, Mexico and Costa Rica. His family has been in the area for 115 years. His knowledge of fly fishing and his professionalism and customer service will assure that your visit to BCA and the Black Canyon will be one of the best fishing trips you have ever experienced.

Adam learned to fly fish the rivers of north central Idaho and western Montana. ”The Gunnison is as incredible a river as any in the western U.S.: from its unique geology to the mind-boggling salmon fly hatch or just simply diving in its cool green waters, all of it is beautiful.” Adam lives near Hotchkiss with his wife Anna.

Jake is a Western Pennsylvania native, he started guiding the upper Gunnison River out of Almont as a fly fishing and whitewater guide when he was 20. He spends his free time studying stream entomology and fishing every reach of the Gunnison River from top to bottom. His addiction to fly fishing is obvious, he has a brain that seems to work more like a trout’s brain and less like a human brain. Jakes goal is to ensure that everyone walks away with a positive experience and a thirst to come back and catch “the one that got away”.

Hayden came to Colorado via Texas. He came here to pursue his dreams of being a fly fishing guide and river bum. However along the way he is now guiding elk during the fall and early winter months. Hayden is professional, hard working and very fun to be around. Like all of the BCA guides, he is “fishy”, a highly proficient oarsman and a top notch guide.

I have been a full time fly fishing guide in Colorado since 2002. I have been with BCA since 2008 and I love sharing, teaching and learning anything and everything about fly fishing and the gorge. New Castle Colorado is where I call home with my wife Hilary, daughter Hadley and labs Baetis and Hatch. We are lucky enough to live on the Colorado river which is where I’m usually working when not down in the gorge.

Fishing experience from the Pacific to the Atlantic, as well as Belize. Appeared on the Gruene episode of the Emmy award winning Bronco Roads tv show.

I’m a full time fishing guide and owner of Action Angler & Outdoor Center on the Guadalupe River, Texas. My fly shop opened in May of 2002. I have over 30 years of fly fishing experience, which started on stock ponds in north east Texas. My guide schedule consists of trout fishing in the winter in Texas, and summer in Colorado. I target the Texas bass in the fall and spring.
I caught my first trout on the fly in Colorado at age 12 while hiking the headwaters of the Rio Grande. I continue to fish and guide in Colorado through the summers, and have fishing experience in numerous waters stretching from California to Maine and all the way down to Key West. My only experience out of the country is Belize. I’m always looking to share my experience with other anglers looking to fish the hill country, and learn from other anglers as well.

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