Al Sanchez, who was born and raised in the vibrant region of south-central Texas, developed a lifelong passion for the great outdoors at an early age. This deep-rooted passion was inspired by his father, grandfather, and uncles, who instilled in him a profound appreciation for nature and a heartfelt respect for the environment. Frequent travels to local lakes and picturesque destinations along the Texas coast served as fuel for Al’s enthusiastic pursuit of a diverse array of both freshwater and saltwater species, further enriching his love for fishing and the natural world surrounding him.

Ultimately, the relentless pursuit for something new and exciting eventually landed Al in the breathtakingly beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. In 2013, Al took a significant step in his career by attending and earning his accreditations at a reputable local guide school, and he became a full-time fly fishing guide soon thereafter. Since then, Al has had the privilege of guiding and teaching his enthusiastic clients on some of Colorado’s legendary gold medal waters, such as the iconic Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, and numerous sections of the Colorado River. This includes several rewarding years spent guiding in and around the stunning landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park, where nature and adventure meet.

In 2024, after years of dedicated service guiding for some of Colorado’s premier fly shops, Al took the significant step of founding Desert River Anglers. His unwavering quest to educate, instruct, and share his extensive fishing knowledge is what consistently drives Al to deliver exceptional and personalized service to all of his clients.

When he is not guiding eager anglers, Al devotes the majority of his time to his amazing son, fostering their bond and creating lasting memories. In addition to family time, he also finds joy in exploring Colorado’s endless hiking trails, indulging in thrilling mountain biking adventures, and enjoying leisurely floating excursions on Colorado’s beautiful rivers.