Cast Hope Guides
North Valley Region
Mike Kaplan - North Valley Director
Mike Kaplan has been a dedicated member of the Cast Hope team for several years. Raised in San Diego, Mike developed a deep love for the outdoors early on, chasing fish with a fly rod both locally and around the world.
Today, he resides in Redding and primarily guides throughout Northern California, where he continues to share his passion for fly fishing. Over the years, Mike has worked in nearly every facet of the fly fishing industry, building a wealth of knowledge and experience. His greatest passion lies in connecting people with the outdoors and helping grow the sport he loves.
As the Program Director for the North Valley, Cast Hope has given Mike the opportunity to positively impact countless youth and their mentors across the North State, creating meaningful experiences and lifelong connections through time on the water.
When he’s not on the river, Mike can be found chasing birds, riding waves, or keeping up with his three-year-old daughter alongside his wife, Emily.
Capt. Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson was born and raised in Northern California, where he grew up catching bass and bluegill before discovering fly fishing as a teenager. His passion quickly grew into a lifelong pursuit of trout, steelhead, shad, stripers, and other species. At 19, he spent an entire summer living out of his car in Montana, throwing dry flies at trout every day.
Today, Ben is a full-time guide on the Lower Feather, Lower Sacramento, and Lower Yuba rivers. He enjoys sharing his passion for fly fishing and tailoring each trip to his clients' goals, whether they want to learn, catch fish, or simply enjoy a relaxed day on the water.
Ben lives in Chico, CA, with his wife, Janell, and their sons, Noah and Luke. He feels fortunate to make a living doing what he loves while still being home with his family every night.
Colin Coogan
Growing up in Northern California, I was fortunate to spend much of my childhood exploring the outdoors and fishing local mountain creeks and streams with my father. Those early days taught me how to read water, cast, drift, and properly rig for different conditions—and sparked a lifelong passion for fishing.
I picked up a fly rod later in life and quickly became hooked. The connection to the wild and the challenge of presenting a fly to fish are what continue to draw me to the sport. Over the course of my career as a professional guide, I’ve had the opportunity to fish and guide on some of California and Montana’s finest trout and steelhead waters.
Today, teaching fly fishing is one of my greatest passions. My goal is to provide every client with an enjoyable, memorable experience while sharing the skills, techniques, and appreciation for the outdoors that have made fishing such an important part of my life.
Ryan Avezzie
Ryan grew up fishing the waters of Northern California as a conventional angler. In his 20s, his dad introduced him to fly fishing, and he has never looked back. A former firefighter, Ryan attended the Clearwater Lodge Guide School in 2018 and was soon hired to work full-time at Clearwater Lodge, where he remained until its closing in 2022.
Ryan is known for his patience and passion for teaching on every guide day. His gentle spirit and strong work ethic keep guests coming back year after year. He loves guiding on Shasta County’s world-class trout waters, but his main pursuit is chasing bass on Lake Shasta and the surrounding lakes and reservoirs.
With a broad knowledge of a wide variety of waters and fisheries, Ryan offers the opportunity to fish year-round and experience something different every time you get on the water. When he’s not fishing, hunting, or enjoying the outdoors, Ryan is at home loving every second of being a dad and family man.
Todd “Slim” Cancilla
Todd “Slim” Cancilla has been a fly-fishing guide since 1993. He spent the first 12 years of his career guiding on New Mexico’s famous San Juan River before moving to Redding, California, in 2004 to be closer to friends and family and explore the incredible waters of Northern California.
With decades of experience, Slim is a gifted instructor, expert oarsman, and phenomenal fisherman. His laid-back personality, sense of humor, and genuine love for people make time in his boat both fun and memorable. His generosity and willingness to donate guide trips have made him a longtime Cast Hope favorite and helped the organization impact countless lives.
Ryan Williams
Ryan’s guiding career began in 2005 on Putah Creek while working for Sweeney’s Fly Shop in Napa. He didn’t have the opportunity to continue guiding at the time due to health issues and college, but now he’s back at it and more serious than ever.
With 14 years of Northern California fly-fishing experience, Ryan has pursued fish throughout the region with a passion for most of his life. As an angler and guide, he is constantly pushing his limits, studying new species, and finding new ways to get to fish. He admits that fly fishing has absolutely consumed his life, and in his off time, it’s safe to say he’s preparing for his next trip in one way or another.
Ryan loves the diverse fishing opportunities throughout the North Valley and is proud to call this area home.
Capt. Chuck Ragan
From the lakes and rivers of Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia to the bayous of Louisiana and the fisheries of Florida, Ragan grew up chasing fish. With two avid anglers for parents, fishing became a way of life early on. His family moved often due to his father’s career as a professional golfer, but wherever they went, the road always seemed to lead to the water.
As a teenager in Florida, Ragan spent his time fishing beaches, canals, and inlets. In 1994, he moved to Gainesville and began a career in music with Hot Water Music, eventually touring internationally while continuing to fish wherever the road took him.
Ragan moved to California in 2004 and Northern California in 2007, eventually turning his lifelong passion for fishing into a career as a guide. Today, he enjoys pursuing bass, carp, and wild trout on the fly. More than anything, Ragan loves sharing the excitement of the outdoors and believes fishing is about building confidence, respecting the resource, and passing those lessons on to the next generation.
Harrison King
Born and raised in Chico, Harry is a true NorCal kid who grew up fishing the local waters. His love for fly fishing developed at a young age and grew exponentially, eventually evolving into a passion for sharing the sport with others.
Harry’s guiding career began after high school when he started working for a fly shop in Chico and guiding for Cast Hope. His patient yet motivating personality has helped him excel in the industry despite his young age.
Currently, Harry spends his summers in Idaho guiding on the Snake River while working for AC Fly Fishing during the remainder of the year. In addition to guiding, Harry is wrapping up his final semesters at Chico State before earning his bachelor’s degree.
Capt. Toby Uppinghouse
Toby is the most experienced of all our guides on the Cast Hope staff. He has been fishing Northern California’s waters since the 1980s, and his uncanny ability to find fish, combined with his laid-back attitude, makes him a perfect fit for teaching fly fishing to underserved youth.
Toby is our American River expert and will be working with many of our Sacramento-area kids.