FLY FISHING GUIDE IN MATLACHA, SANIBEL, CAPTIVA, PINE ISLAND

CAPTAIN ARTHUR SCHMIDT
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 big Snook and small 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 1988 I read a story about Billy Pate and Fly Fishing for Giant Tarpon in Homosassa, I knew instantly I had to do this. The Fish Hawk in Atlantla set me up with a Sage 12 wt. fly rod and a Billy Pate Tarpon reel. In May of 1989 I caught a 130lb Tarpon on Fly in Homosassa, Florida. 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 Steve Kilpatrick 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 for 4 months each Tarpon Season, Homosassa was world class Fly Fishing at the time.  In 1999  I moved to the Matlacha area and have been Fly Fishing the Flats here and around Pine Island Sound for 20 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 skills.