CAPT. ARTHUR SCHMIDT FLY FISHING CHARTERS

I  grew up in a large family in Boca Raton, Florida. My Dad and Uncles were all outdoorsmen, hunting and fishing. At 14 years old I got a Sears John Boat and a Garcia Mitchell  300 Spinning rod and reel.  I was in heaven, with a few plugs and jigs I was catching Snook and Tarpon in the local waters. While in College my lifelong pal introduced me to Fly Fishing and we spent a lot of time chasing trout in the nearby streams of North Georgia. In 1983 I read a story about Billy Pate setting a new world record of 188 lbs fly fishing for Tarpon in Homosassa, I knew instantly I had to do this. In  May of 1989 I caught a 130lb Tarpon on Fly in Homosassa.  My Passion for Fly Fishing Tarpon began that day.
In 1994 I decided to become a Fly Fishing guide. With much help and encouragement from Gary Merriman of the Fish Hawk and Capt Earle Waters I started guiding in Homosassa from April thru July. I was fortunate to have learned from the top guides in Homosassa. For the next 6 years I would be in Homosassa and the Lower Keys for 4 months a year.  In 1999  I moved to the Matlacha area and have been Fly Fishing the Flats here and around Pine Island Sound for 21 years. Many of my clients have fished with me for years and become life long friends. I look forward every season to meeting new people and sharing my passion for Tarpon. I'm a very patient guide and enjoy helping anglers improve their fly fishing skills