Fly Fishing School Instructors

The Florida Keys Fly Fishing School was founded in 1989 in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Chico Fernandez, Stu Apte, Flip Pallot, Steve Huff, Steve Rajeff, Sandy Moret and Rick Ruoff were among the school’s initial instructors. Many of the founding instructors continue to participate in the sessions and share the experience and skills they’ve developed over decades of salt water fly fishing, providing a unique opportunity to learn fly fishing from a truly remarkable instructor staff.

Masthead instructors will be on hand for you at each session and their charismatic enthusiasm for the sport and desire for you to learn is contagious. We know you will be thrilled to catch it too! To learn more about them, click their name and read their bio.

Sandy Moret

Sandy lives in Islamorada where he and his wife Sue operate Florida Keys Outfitters. Sandy is also the founder and an instructor of the Florida Keys Fly Fishing School.

Steve Rajeff

When it comes to long accurate casts nobody in the world does it better than national casting champion Steve Rajeff.

Steve Huff

An innovator in almost every phase of saltwater fly fishing, Steve is considered South Florida's most highly respected flats fishing guide of all time, and 40 years later, he's still following his passion.

Chico Fernandez

A meticulous fly caster and the creator of innovative flies such as the "Bend Back", "Bonefish Special" and the "Snapping Shrimp." Chico Fernandez is a true expert and saltwater fly fishing pioneer.

Craig Brewer

A second generation Keys guide who has fly fished all of his life,Craig has been guiding in the Florida Keys since 1987.

Tim Klein

Virtually raised on the flats of the Florida Keys, Tim has been guiding for over 20 years and is intimately familiar with the Florida Keys and very large bonefish.

Rob Fordyce

Rob grew up in South Florida, regularly fishing the Keys and Everglades. He was the youngest non guided Master Angler in the 50 year history of the Miami Metropolitan Fishing Tournament.

Diana Rudolph

In 2004 Diana became the only woman to ever win the prestigious 30 year old Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament and she currently holds seven I.G.F.A. fly division records.

Jerry Siem

At an early age Jerry developed a talent for building rods that outperformed others. He is one of the finest casters in the world and Sage Manufacturing's chief rod designer.

Tip of the Month

Control the roll! Too often I see a cast aimed on in a good line direction but the loop unrolls too high above the water. The result is that the fly and leader drift back or off to the side causing slack and a missed opportunity. Same thing can occur when you shoot all the line that’s off the reel and it comes abruptly to the end jerking back at you. Practice adjusting the plane of your stroke to let the line and leader unroll just above the water. Then feather the line between your fingers to stop the forward progress. You will end up with a straighter line from line hand to fly giving more control for instant stripping, plus you’ll catch more fish!