A large, happy school of Tarpon in beautiful waters. June 2026

This is what a large, happy school of Tarpon look like on a great day. Some days, when Tarpon fly fishing, you will be dealing with tough conditions; this isn’t one of those days.

Stop Tarpon From Jumping In The Boat. It’s Time to Dance!

As a Tarpon fly fishing guide, I have seen and experienced Tarpon jumping in the boat twice so far. The first (below) was a giant of approximately 189 lbs. She (most Tarpon over 100 lbs are female) was a fish that swam away about 200 yards after hooking up close to the boat on the… Continue reading Stop Tarpon From Jumping In The Boat. It’s Time to Dance!

Large Kamikaze Tarpon Jumps In Boat

The ‘Salty Fly’, my office for the last 28 years is now officially a Poon Magnet! Captain Russ and his client, Chris Nelson end up at the wrong spot in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is the 2nd large Tarpon to jump in the boat, and this one wasn’t even hooked! Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, on… Continue reading Large Kamikaze Tarpon Jumps In Boat

Fly Fishing Tarpon (2020) 🌎

This is a Tarpon flat, this is not where you want your fly line to fail, believe me.

Fly Fishing Tarpon In St. Petersburg with Salty Fly Charters. Join Captain Russ and his old client, Tarpon fly fishing friend for a day of Tarpon fly fishing in St. Petersburg, Florida.     Watch one of my oldest clients and favorite Tarpon fly fishermen, Wayne Whittle of St. Petersburg, FL catch another large Tarpon… Continue reading Fly Fishing Tarpon (2020) 🌎

A New and Great Tarpon Fly Fishing Film!

Film: Global Fly Fishing for Tarpon in Atlanticus. (Atlanticus & Water is Life) ~Free Release~ from The Fly Fishing Film Tour on Vimeo. Grant Wiswell of Castaway Films spent years traveling the world filming Atlanticus and Water is Life — a full film focused on tarpon. Now the film is available online. From the Fly… Continue reading A New and Great Tarpon Fly Fishing Film!

Fly Fishing For Tarpon In St Petersburg (2018)

Tarpon leader grab!

Fly Fishing For Tarpon In St. Petersburg with Salty Fly Charters. Join Captain Russ and his client Derek Wiley for a day of fly fishing for Tarpon in St. Petersburg, Florida.   https://www.captruss.com   Fly fishing for Tarpon in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, west coast fly fisherman and marine biologist Derek Wiley and Captain Russ… Continue reading Fly Fishing For Tarpon In St Petersburg (2018)

Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Report • Fall 2018.

Sonder Selvig With His Large Snook On Fly

Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Report • September – October 2018 from Captain Russ Shirley. Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide – Captain Russ Shirley, Tampa Bay. On board the ‘Salty Fly,’ my custom Silver King flats skiff, anglers caught various species on the flats & beaches the past 2 months. With September prolonging the summers heat, just… Continue reading Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Report • Fall 2018.

Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Report October – October 2016 from Captain Russ Shirley

Austin Schroeder fly fishing Tampa Bay with his first Snook caught on fly with Capt. Russ Shirley.

Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Report • October 2016 from Salty Fly Charters On board the ‘Salty Fly’, my custom Silver King flats skiff caught various species on the flats the past month. With slightly cooler water and air temperatures, the bait has made our Tampa Bay flats their home and turned the fish on everywhere.… Continue reading Tampa Bay Fly Fishing Report October – October 2016 from Captain Russ Shirley

Why you need a USCG licensed fishing guide?

Hiring A Fishing Guide Is NOT Like Hiring an Uber Driver.

2016 Tarpon Season Is Happening Now!

Brett McGreaham's first tarpon on fly

The ‘Salty Fly’ 2016 Tampa Bay Tarpon Fly Fishing Report Well, as I predicted our tarpon season ran late due to late arriving cold fronts dropping and keeping the water temp at 74 degrees. Now that the water temps are back at their normal 80’s range, at present (June 5th) I’d say we’re just starting… Continue reading 2016 Tarpon Season Is Happening Now!