Black Canyon Anglers maintains the most experienced guide staff on the Gunnison. We set high standards for our staff and they work hard to create the best trips possible. We invite you to join us on a river experience you will not soon forget.
Matt hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he obtained both a B.S. and M.S. in Environmental & Soil Science from the University of Tennessee. A brief stint living at the Black Canyon National Park in 2008 instilled his love for Western Colorado and the Gunnison River, which remained as he returned to the South to work for Savannah River Ecology Lab. After which, he began work on his thesis while lecturing at UT and conducting research in The Kingdom of Lesotho, South Africa. His love for Colorado brought him back to the area in 2014, when he began working for Black Canyon Anglers in the boathouse. In 2020, he became Manager/Director and dedicates himself to connecting with clients and providing the highest level of customer service. Matt is an avid angler, outdoor lover, and dedicated father and husband.
Growing up in Grand Junction, Colorado, Deanna held a love for food and cooking from a young age. While attending university for Social Work in Portland, Oregon, Deanna began working in a fine-dining kitchen as a dishwasher. She worked her way up to the line and gained experience cooking in multiple professional kitchens. During this time, she also traveled extensively throughout South America and Mexico. After graduating and obtaining a BSW, she moved back to Western Colorado and joined Gunnison River Farms as the Sous Chef in 2017. In the winter of 2017, Deanna worked as the Sous Chef for Uley’s Cabin in Crested Butte before returning to GRF . After a break in 2019, she returned in 2020 as Head Chef. She is proud to tend the gardens on property and loves cooking for our guests during the summer. When she’s not cooking, you can find Deanna hiking, reading, creating art, and spending time with her son, Andrew & husband, Matt.
Josh 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. Due his youth he spent much of his time exploring the rivers and creeks in the West Elk Wilderness and the Black Canyon.
In 2001 he began guiding multi day wilderness float trips through the Black Canyon and within five years he became head guide for Black Canyon Anglers. Josh is known for his flawless moves n the rapids, efficiency in camp, humble personality, and world famous cooking. He prides himself on making sure clients experience the best quality trip he can provide. When Josh is not ion the water you will find him guiding elk hunts in the Ragged 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 30 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.”
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.
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.
I was born and raised in western Colorado and grew up fishing the lower Gunnison basin and mountain lakes in the area. I enjoy all types of fishing but love to chase trout with a fly rod! I developed my passion for fishing in the Gunnison River watershed and love to share that passion with others. I started working in the industry in high school as a humble boat pumper, followed by boat house manager, and have now guided trips for three seasons.
Born and raised in Colorado, Cameron started fly fishing at a young age. He traveled the west with his dad selling drift boats and floating rivers including the Snake, San Juan, and North Platte. Cameron spent most of his time around South Park as a kid until moving to Gunnison in 2009. He began his guiding career in 2011 before started his own guide business based in Gunnison in 2020. He now commutes between the Gunnison Gorge and the upper Gunnison. In his free time Cameron enjoys painting fishing related subjects.
Jeff McKenna has had a passion for fishing from an early age. Spurred on by his father and grandfather, his formative years on the water were educational and memorable. When the opportunity for Jeff came to own his own fly rod – nothing has been the same since! Originally from the midwest, Jeff graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry Resource Management from West Virginia University. Coupled with his love of fly fishing, rivers, and a passion for the outdoors, Colorado was calling Jeff. He relocated to Grand Junction in 2003 and his fishing and river/water passions have continued to grow. If you don’t find Jeff guiding on the Gunnison River, it is very likely you’ll find him on the Colorado River, Roaring Fork River, and/or some special still water areas, too! Married with two sons, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family on and off the water, mountain biking, hosting travel, attending concerts, and sipping whiskey.
My first river swim was when I was 2 in the snake River. First trout at 3 on a cane pole at rampart reservoir; been fishing ever since. I’ve guided in every state north and west of Col. Including Alaska (raft & jet boat). I started commercial trips in the Gorge in 97. The rivers I’ve guided: Arkansas & all surrounding high lakes & streams, S Platte, N Platte, Rio G., San Juan(upper&lower), Chama, gunny, uncompagre, San Miguel, Delores, Green, Colorado, Henry’s fork, Teton, Fall, S fork of the Snake, Salmon, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Flathead, Columbia, sandy, Deschutes, Wilson, Trask, Tillamook, susitna, chilitna, Talkeetna (and any lakes creeks & rivers accessible by float plane), I also worked offshore charters in the FL keys for 7 yrs (including on reef & flat fishing). I found the Gorge personally in 1986 & have made in for minimum of twice each yr since.
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Bio Coming Soon
Grew up in Western NY in the Buffalo area. Started fishing the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries along with the Niagara River chasing ocean salmon and steel head. Moved to CO in the mid ’90’s. Starting fishing the Gunnison Gorge in 1997. Been guiding Western Colorado waters since 2010. 2022 will be my 3rd season full time at Black Canyon Anglers. 4 years GVA board.
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
Bio Coming Soon
I grew up in the heart of western Colorado and learned to fly fish on the Gunnison river. I moved to Gunnison in August of 2016 to attend Western Colorado University to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree. Guiding started out as a college job then ended up being a full time job when I graduated because I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. In my free time I enjoy fly-fishing for just about anything that will chase a fly. In the winter months you will find me on the slopes downhill skiing or ice fishing for lake trout. I started working in the Gunnison gorge in the summer of 2022. The gorge is a very special place and I can’t wait to show you what it has to offer.
A native to Texas, but calls Colorado home now. Caleb moved with his family to Montrose, Colorado in 2013. He quickly developed a passion for fly fishing and since then, has become an avid fly tier and knowledgeable about local surrounding waters. Caleb began working in a fly shop in 2016 and started guiding in 2018, and hasn’t looked back since. He has gained experience through guiding on the Gunnison river, Uncompahgre river, Lake fork of the Gunnison, and small high alpine streams and lakes. Caleb has been guiding for Black Canyon Anglers since 2020. If not on the river, you can find Caleb at Montrose Anglers, where he and his dad run the shop and guiding service in Montrose, Colorado.
Joining us for the 2023 season; Nick was born and raised in Northeast Texas, found his love for the west and now calls the Western Slope of Colorado home, or at least ‘basecamp.’ His life revolves around fishy waters and snowy peaks and he’s not afraid to travel to find them. Nick spends over 250 days a year outside, mostly fishing. During the winter, he chases snow all over North America with his splitboard. When the snow melts, he finds his way down to the water in search of various fish species. He’s dedicated his life to the mountains and rivers and enjoys sharing the experience with those who share the same passion. A true renaissance man, Nick is just as likely to impress you with an achievement or experience as he is his fishing knowledge. When Nick is not on the Gunnison River, he can be found on the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, which he also guides.
A Colorado native, Preston Roberts started his love of fly fishing right here in Montrose in 2016. He has been guiding for Montrose Anglers since 2019 & Black Canyon Anglers since the 2022 season. He is passionate about fly fishing, photography, drone work, as well as fly tying. Preston attended Sweetwater travel company’s guide school located on the Big Horn River in 2018. When he is not on the river with a rod in hand, he is usually holding a camera, as photography is his other main passion. Preston is an avid fisherman, fly tyer, and photographer; he’d love to help you capture some memories on the water.