Florida Fly Fishing Guide: Mosquito Lagoon, Jupiter, And Flamingo

Q&A With Capt. Ryan McFarland

Describe your fishing style.

My fishing style is best described by a quote from Captain Brian Esposito. “He who has the most fun wins”. I want the environment on my boat to be friendly and fun, which in my experience also happens to maximize angler success.

But in addition to having a great time,I believe in hard work. Going that extra mile can make all the difference in catching the proverbial “fish of a lifetime”. In short I would say my fishing style is to work hard and have fun doing it. 

Why did you decide to become a guide?

I became a guide because I get a bigger thrill now watching other anglers have unique fishing opportunities and catches than I do fishing for myself. Seeing someone come tight on their first tarpon is much more exciting than just catching “one more fish” for myself. I’m passionate about creating as many angler opportunities as possible on every trip. 

Besides, how else can I justify being out on the water daily! 

Why did you choose to guide where you do?

The wilder the place, the more at home I feel. There’s something about immersing myself completely into the predatory environment that gets my blood pumping. Places like The Everglades and Mosquito Lagoon are some of the wildest places in Florida. Don’t get me wrong, I love catching a Biscayne Bay bonefish or permit, or a Stuart Snook, but the trips I love the most are further away from human development. 

What is your most memorable client catch?

I had a client doing his first ever sight fishing trip. I’m poling on a flat in gin clear water when I see a huge bull red slamming himself into patches of grass to scare up the pinfish he would then gobble down. I had never seen that particular feeding behavior before. I excitedly tell my beginner angler where the fish is and to hold his cast for the right moment. I cue the cast and sure enough, he hooks and lands a redfish that was enormous for that area. First ever sight fished catch was a fish of a lifetime. 

Do you enjoy fishing as much as you enjoy guiding?

I do still love fishing and that will never stop. It’s honestly more thrilling to guide anglers to fish, but I’ll never hang up my passion for fishing as long as I live. 

Who got you into fishing?

It’s weird. My father never fished. My grandfather did but he was more of a hunter. Yet as a boy of 5 years old I obsessively collected and organized bass lures, the main gamefish In my area of GA. I read bass master magazine. I begged any adult to take me fishing. Then my mother started taking me on vacation to Florida and I started reading books about how to catch snook. At first I got mostly black drum, but eventually I was successful. I moved to FL at age 18 and fell in with local anglers and bass and saltwater fishing clubs and tournaments. I was bit and fished over 60 days a year just as a recreational angler. The obsession got worse and a transition to guiding became inevitable. 

What is your favorite fish in the world to fish for?

Anything tailing. Bones, redfish, occasionally permit, anything tailing is the most heart pumping fishing to me, whether I’m on the front or back of the boat. 

What is your dream fishing location?

I’ve always wanted to check out Belize for permit on fly. I’ve fished in Cuba and the Bahamas a few times and both were incredible. 

Music or no music on the boat?

No music ever please. 

What is your opinion of bananas?

They are a delicious fruit and have no measurable impact on fishing success. 

What can everyone do to help the environment of the areas you fish?

Let their voices be heard. Stay informed and remember, we the Captains and anglers aren’t the only stakeholders for these resources. 

If we can find ways to cooperate with other stakeholder groups, like hunters for example, we can be more effective. 

Captains for Clean Water, BTT, and CCA are organizations that seem focused on helping the effort.