Russ at 4 years old fishing Clearwater beach

Upon moving back to Florida (from Los Angeles) and the fishing he once knew, he took another turn and found himself immersed in the music related field of computers. As this hobby turned professional career expanded, so too did his fishing experiences. Once he found saltwater fly fishing, things were to change once again.

Before long Russ's fishing and especially fly fishing led him to guiding as a new way of life. Now celebrating more than a decade as owner of Salty Fly Charters, he spends most of the year on the waters near his home fishing St. Petersburg, Florida. May and June however, are devoted to the giant tarpon along Florida's west coast. Whether flyfishing or light tackle fishing Tampa Bay or tarpon fly fishing Homosassa, Bayport or Weeki Wachee, tarpon are king!

Ellen Foley	Martin Briley	Karla Devito
Mike Visceglia	Anton Fig	Robby Benson

As a self-taught musician, creative fly tier and fly fishing specialist, he has been featured in numerous magazine publications such as Saltwater Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing in Saltwaters, American Fly Fisherman, and Fly Tyer. Some of his fly designs were recently published in a new hardback book titled "Tying Contemporary Saltwater Flies" by Countryman Press. This is the first book digitally published from beginning to end and the first to bring together new saltwater flies, complete illustrated tying instructions, sage advice from guides, and beautiful Fuji-color photographs.