This month’s Conservation Captain is Lower Keys guide Capt. Will Benson. Many of you know Will as the creator of award winning tarpon and permit films through his company WorldAngling. But, Will is also a extremely passionate conservationist with a willingness to support BTT and our causes at a moments notice. Keep reading below to learn more about Capt. Will and be sure to come out to the this year’s BTT Art & Film Festival to catch the world premier of WorldAngling’s newest film, “90 Miles“.
Click here to visit the WorldAngling website.
Where do you guide?
I guide in the Lower Florida Keys from Marathon to the Marquesas.
How did you become a fishing guide?
I went to school and got a degree in Philosophy and since there were no philosophy jobs available that I could find, I decided the next best thing was to be a fly fishing guide.
How many days per year do you guide?
About 250 days.
What species do most of your clients want to fish for? Why?
Most of my anglers are open to fish for whatever the day has to offer, whether that’s tarpon, permit, barracuda, sharks or even snapper. The idea is to embrace what’s out there and have fun with it.
Tell us about how the fishery used to be, compared to today.
I don’t have a tremendous historical perspective so it’s hard to comment on numbers of fish, although overall I’ve seen a general downtrend in the numbers of tarpon, bonefish and permit. What I do know is there are a lot more folks out on the water and there has been a huge increase in the numbers of fly fishermen. When I was a kid it was mostly spin anglers and now it’s the opposite. I attribute that to the inherent challenge of fly fishing and the attraction to a younger demographic.
In your opinion, what is the most important conservation issue facing the Keys fishery right now and what can be done to help fix it?
This is a really difficult question and I don’t believe it is any one thing but rather a combination of several that all interconnect. I believe habitat loss (specifically mangrove shoreline in south Florida), water quality and quantity coming out of the Everglades, and the decline of the coral reef habitat are the 3 major ones. Fixing the problem is one of the major environmental challenges in the world. It’s as big as global climate change and as small as local building codes. The first step to fixing these issues is to consider the value of intact healthy ecosystems and not just pay it lip service but actually do something about it, consider it politically, be conscious everyday of how we as humans depend on the health of our planet.
Despite some of the negative things happening to our fishery, why do you love it so much?
It’s the most elaborate, complicated puzzle imaginable. It’s humbling!
Why do you support Bonefish and Tarpon Trust?
Because they care. Because the mission is rooted in science and because, as a guide in South Florida, they are the organization that represents my interest and advocate on my behalf and they do so from the basis of real science.
In your opinion, what is the most important work that BTT does and why?
I think it’s a combination of putting the pieces of the puzzle together to understand what the problems are and their tireless representation in governmental affairs.
You have the day off. What species are you going to fish for, where are you going to find them, and what are you going to use to catch them?
I obviously love the big three tarpon, bonefish, and permit, so that’s always part of my focus. But if I did get a day off I would say that I’d go looking for those fish, but in spots I’ve never fished. I love the unexpected. I love unlocking the mystery and deepening my understanding. I will tell you though a perfect day for me also involves stopping to catch a large snapper for dinner or jumping in the water to dive for some lobster to throw on the grill.
Tell us one (or two) of your favorite fishing stories.
I have too many to pick just one. What I will say is that many of them involve catching people their first permit on fly. There is nothing better then watching the expression on an anglers face when they hold their first permit on fly. It’s a real accomplishment and special moment in people’s lives. I love being a part of that and it’s really the reason I think I’ll be a guide forever.
