The Wayward Path of a Utah Fly-Fishing Guide Led Straight to the Green River

River therapy may have had something to do with why Crossland ended up in Dutch John working as a fly-fishing guide in the first place. In his early 20s, just when the foundation for his life seemed to be coming together, Crossland lost his best friend, his mom Joni. She passed away from cancer after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis.

“I kind of went off the deep end when she left us,” he said. “I was lost. She was a great person. Her life was trying to make the lives of other people better.”

He had started taking photography classes at the University of Utah and worked an exciting gig during the 2002 Winter Olympics helping to process film that would eventually become the official Salt Lake City Winter Games book. Crossland completed a commercial photography program at Salt Lake Community College, then was hired to help set up photo shoots at the Sundance Film Festival. He was eventually contracted to take pictures at the event.

About that time, Crossland and some friends ended up at the Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo. He entered a drawing and won a fly rod and fly-tying equipment. Years of fond memories of fishing with his grandpa — as well as a longing to escape — led Crossland to fishing adventures across the West. 

When he heard that a friend from high school, Matt Lucas, was guiding on the Green River, his curiosity was piqued. “I spent a month sleeping on his floor,” Crossland said. “He taught me how to row a dory and we bounced off some rocks together.”

When he wasn’t running shuttles for outfitters, Crossland was at the river wade fishing. The hook, so to speak, was set. 

He arranged his schedule for a second summer in Dutch John and started to settle in. That also happened to be the year he met Laurel, now his wife.

Crossland had carved out a niche in Dutch John. He had friends and was growing more comfortable with the idea of taking strangers down the river. “I fell into the community and they roped me into their circle,” he said. “I was running shuttles and fishing and wasn’t really planning to guide.”

But others noticed his work ethic and natural connection with people. Scott Barrus, owner of Spinner Fall Guide Service, asked him if he would be interested in guiding.

“Colby spent two summers camping out near Dutch John,” Barrus said. “This showed me a commitment and sacrifice to be in the lifestyle. I hired him based on his personality and willingness to learn.”

Crossland said Barrus didn’t give him a chance to say no. “I told him I didn’t have a drift boat and he said he could sell me one,” he said. “I told him I couldn’t afford it and he said he would carry the loan for me. I told him I probably still couldn’t pay for it and he told me ‘I’ll give you enough trips to pay for it.’ If it wasn’t for Scott, I wouldn’t be here.”

The effort and investment paid off. Barrus says the now-seasoned-veteran is one of the most requested guides on the Green River. “I believe this is due mainly to his personality,” Barrus said. “He is genuinely a fun person to be around, is excited to see others have a great time, and brings a positive energy every day.”

Crossland is as generous with his own time, and often his employer’s, as he is with his compliments on the river. Early in his time as a guide he started to donate trips to fundraisers. The number of trips he provides to nonprofit auctions has grown just as his free time has evaporated due to his popularity. 

He hasn’t kept track, but when pressed, he estimates he has donated between five and seven trips a year. Crossland’s trips are a popular auction item and typically draw bids around  $1,200. (The money is collected whether or not the trip is taken.) 

In a conservative estimate, he has raised $60,000 for charities – primarily for Reel Recovery (a group that takes men with cancer on free fly-fishing retreats) and Casting for Recovery (a group providing fly fishing trips for women with breast cancer). 

“Donating trips is easy,” Crossland said. “I don’t have money to give to these important organizations, but I can share my time.”

Crossland says he doesn’t think about his mom while guiding; instead, that happens when he is back at his childhood home in Taylorsville, which he bought from his father. And while he may not think about her, it’s likely he’s emulating Joni Crossland by trying to make the lives of others better.

“I get to hear people tell me I just gave them their best day of the year,” he said. “What could possibly be any better?”