Mario’s story begins in San Jose, California, where fishing and skateboarding shaped nearly every corner of his life. Born and raised in a multicultural neighborhood, he grew up surrounded by love, complexity, creativity, and grit. His father, originally from Mexico, never taught him Spanish, something Mario would later chase on his own, eventually learning the language during a period of living in Spain.
Fishing came first. At five years old, Mario tossed a bobber into the water and caught a tiny sunfish. That was it, he was hooked. But skateboarding soon became a fierce second love. From his early teens into his mid-30s, skateboarding wasn’t just a hobby; it was an identity. He lived through the raw, unpolished era of 1990s skate culture — punk shows, hip-hop, graffiti, long days in the streets, and longer nights with his crew. He excelled in school, worked in the tech industry, and grew through a solid, loving family, but the skateboard was always the true compass of his youth.
A Simple Act That Changes Everything
When asked what one small action could make fly fishing more inclusive, Mario doesn’t hesitate: Say hi.
A greeting on the water softens territorial tension, opens the door for conversation, and makes newcomers feel seen. And if someone looks like they’re struggling? Offer one small suggestion. Share a trick. Lend a net. Give someone the chance to try your rod. Tiny acts of care spread fast, and they make the river feel like a place where anyone can belong.
Challenging Stereotypes, Expanding Access
Mario pushes back against the stereotype that people of color can’t afford quality gear. Some of the most meaningful moments in his fishing life come from anglers handing him their expensive rods to try, no judgment attached. And still, one of his favorite rods is an affordable Redington, a reminder that fly fishing isn’t about price tags, it’s about passion, presence, and community.
He dreams of a future where the culture celebrates anglers using budget-friendly gear rather than looking down on them. A world where the industry embraces affordability, accessibility, and experimentation without ego.
Celebrating All Species
For Mario, the future of fly fishing isn’t just about who’s on the water, it’s about what we celebrate. He wants to see more love for every species, from perch to bluegill to carp to marlin. Fly fishing is more than trout, he says, and showcasing that diversity opens the sport to more people and more joy.
“Be What You Don’t See”
Mario rarely sees people who look like him in the places he fishes, from Quincy, CA, to Alaska. But that hasn’t stopped him from showing up fully himself: A Mexican American kid from San Jose who loves low-rider music, eats tacos, says “hella,” and brings his whole culture to the river.
To him, “be what you don’t see” means never shrinking to fit someone else’s expectations. It means being proudly, unapologetically authentic, even when you’re the only one. That authenticity, he says, is the real bridge between cultures.
The Fly-Fishing World He Wants to See
Mario’s vision for the future includes:
- Less gatekeeping. No more policing technique or gear.
- More affordability. Celebrate intro-level rods and accessible equipment.
- More species. Expand beyond trout; spotlight the full range of what can be caught on a fly.
- More kindness. A hello, a suggestion, a shared tool, little gestures that make big ripples.
People and Crew He Loves
Mario credits a long list of friends, guides, and brands who embody the welcoming spirit he values, his Brown Folks Fishing crew, Redington, Running Bear, Autumn at Pyramid Lake, his Alaska crew, and the entire Taco Glyco and Taco Family community. He uplifts them because they uplift others.
Whether you’re new to the river or a seasoned angler, Mario’s story inspires all of us to say hello, lend a hand, and make space for everyone who wants to belong. Because at the end of the day, the river is big enough for all of us, and the community grows stronger with every person who finds their place on the water.
