Benny Blanco

With 26 years of guiding under his belt, South Florida-based Benny Blanco knows a thing or two about catching fish—and the attention of our nation’s policy makers. For almost a decade, Benny’s been fighting for conservation efforts in the Everglades, ever since a spike in hypersalinity killed off 50,000 acres of Florida Bay seagrass. He’s heavily involved with Captains for Clean Water, advocating for water rights in both Florida and D.C. He started guiding in the late ’90s as a Cuban kid from Miami, championing more inclusivity in the guiding space. Today, he’s a proud father of three and hopes to educate the next generation on how to responsibly take care of our outdoor spaces and waterways.

When I was 8 or 9, I was introduced to the Everglades. And my entire life changed. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I didn’t want to do anything else. I loved baseball. I loved school. But I wanted to be in the glades."

- Benny