CORE CREW

As a fourth-generation South Floridian, Capt. Black launched his professional guiding career in the Upper Keys at 17 while earning a Marine Science degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is defined by his technical versatility, seamlessly transitioning between offshore and flats. A consistent top-tier tournament competitor, Richard is as widely respected for his character and conservation efforts as he is for his legendary prowess on the water.

Capt. Pack is a third-generation Floridian and professional guide specializing in fly and sight fishing throughout the Tampa Bay watershed. A dedicated conservationist, he has served on the Tampa Bay Waterkeeper Board of Directors since 2020, rooted in the belief that a healthy ecosystem is the foundation of a premier angling experience. From poling shallow flats for redfish to chasing migratory tarpon, his trips highlight the vibrant diversity of Florida's estuaries. 

Capt. Jill is a Tampa Bay native with over 15 years of professional experience guiding Florida’s Gulf Coast. As a co-founder of the Angling Exploration Group (AEGmedia) and co-star of Animal Planet's Fish or Die tv series, he pioneered a new adventure-driven style of fly fishing cinema that has taken him to remote, wild destinations across the globe. Deeply committed to conservation, he works to protect the saltwater habitats he has called home his entire life. 

From his early years fishing the coastal waters of Massachusetts to his current home in the Florida Keys, Capt. Rust has turned a lifelong passion for angling into a professional career. Now based in Marathon, he specializes in year-round fly fishing and light-tackle shallow water sight fishing, offering clients a technical and rewarding experience on the water. Driven by the challenge of the hunt, he is dedicated to sharing his expertise and the thrill of the Keys’ world-class fishery.

Capt. Derr began his guiding career in the late 90s, honing his saltwater fly fishing skills in the Florida Keys and the Seychelles before settling on Long Island's East End(NY) in 2007. Drawing from his roots on the Adirondacks' Ausable River and decades of global experience, he provides a technical, expert approach to the region's robust and diverse fishery. By tailoring his methods to the shifting seasons and local baitfish, he ensures every outing is as unique as the waters he calls home.

Louis Macuch, a mechanical engineer and founder of Macuch Craft, is a young gun in the skiff building world driven by a lifelong passion for technical precision. By merging his engineering degree from the University of Georgia with hands-on experience in custom skiff design, he successfully launched the first skiff in 2024 to address a gap in the high-performance aluminum market. Today, he remains dedicated to redefining the skiff design with original hull shapes and uncompromising craftsmanship.

 Capt. Pilmer is widely regarded as one of the most respected guides on Texas’s Lower Laguna Madre. As an early pioneer of shallow-water sight fishing in the region, he has dedicated decades to mastering its pristine flats and advocating for its conservation. A consummate professional on and off the skiff, John brings an unmatched depth of local knowledge, technical precision, and quiet expertise to every day on the water.