Peggy and Gary, owners of “The Fly Fisherman”, have both been fishing since they were children and collectively have over 40 years of fly fishing experience. They love to travel and arrange trips to the Caribbean, Canada, Alaska and Central America where one of the biggest rewards comes from watching the excitement of someone catch their first sailfish, dolphin, bonefish, salmon or other native species on a fly. 
They have caught many species on fly, including rock bass, halibut and all of the varieties of salmon in Alaska, lodge record northern pike in Canada, trout in the western U.S., sailfish, dorado, tuna, and snook in Costa Rica - with a record Blue Marlin (released) on fly in Panama, bonefish, permit and tarpon in many areas of the Caribbean and Florida. They have taken photo safaris in Africa and caught and released record tiger fish and record nembwe on the Zambezi River in Namibia, and of course many of the various game fish, both fresh and salt water in Florida.
The Kokaisel’s enjoy traveling with their customers and are always looking forward to the opportunity of sharing their experiences from different destinations and helping customers pick out the most desirable equipment and gear to ensure that each fishing experience is the best that it can be.
Ted Baker is the senior member of our staff and has been tying flies and fly fishing for 28 years. Ted is passionate about trout and anadromous fish, having caught Atlantic salmon, steelhead and 5 species of Pacific salmon.
Ted has also extensively fished the New England salt, targeting stripped bass, blue fish, as well as catching the big four in Florida many times over.
He has won many fly casting events and works with Gary on our casting class and weekend events. Adding to his talents he is an accomplished two handed rod caster and is extremely helpful and an easy guy to talk with on all topics of fly fishing, tying and custom rigging.
Doug P. (he has a very long last name – Postlethweight) is our local expert. He knows the ins and outs of the Indian and Banana Rivers and the Mosquito Lagoon. He has a lot of “secret fishing haunts” and if you talk to him long enough you may be able to pry one or two out of him. Doug enjoys tying specialty flies for the area and is an accomplished line and leader rigger and can be an extremely helpful person if you are new to the area.
Capt. Jim Manus is our “Fill-in Guy.” He helps us out in a pinch and is a great fly fishing resource for the local area as well as around the state. Capt. Jim guides a variety of locations in Florida and is a great guy to talk to about “how and where” to catch that special species of fish. Try to corner him when he is in the shop – you will remember it!
Capt. Scott MacCalla
Having grown up on the Atlantic Ocean and its many inland estuaries, Scott shares a deep understanding of Mosquito Lagoon inshore sight fishing with his anglers. “To me, there is nothing like seeing your target before you catch it and even better is having an angler experience it for the first time. That’s what Mosquito Lagoon is all about.
At 30 years of age, his guiding skills have been put to the test throughout the prestigious Redbone@Large Celebrity Tournament Series at Mosquito Lagoon. In 2003, Scott guided anglers that captured both the Celebrity Grand Championship and Spin/Plug Division Championship. In 2004, Scott again guided his angler to the Spin/Plug Division Championship. “The Redbone isn’t about how well ‘Scott MacCalla’ can fish – it’s about how well I guide my anglers, and that’s the real fun for me. Scott describes the Mosquito Lagoon as, “A little piece of the Everglades on the East Coast of Florida.” What more could you ask for? No buildings, no development, pristine habitat and a world-class fishery.”
Capt. Scott MacCalla is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain, commercially insured, and legally permitted by the United States National Park Service for the Canaveral National Seashore and Everglades National Park, Florida Keys.
Scott is our “Tying With a Guide Club” coach on Thursday nights and instructs the group on the latest flies and materials for the local waters.
CAPTAIN NICK SASSIC
Capt. Nick has grown up fishing the local waters and is an established guide. He prides himself on working hard and being prepared. Whether Fly fishing or Light Tackle, any experience level, he will go the extra mile not only as a guide but as a teacher to help you learn about fishing and catch you that fish of a lifetime.
Nick has been featured in Fly Fishing in Saltwaters magazine for guiding efforts and often
writes articles for regional outdoors magazines. He is endorsed by Hell’s Bay Boat Works, Mercury Outboards and a variety of manufacturers that offer quality fishing equipment.
Nick also helps out at The Fly Fisherman, offers great advice on the local fishing and ties specie specific flies for the area and will be a featured instructor for “Tying With a Guide” program on the second Thursday of the month.
Capt. Nick is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain, commercially insured, and legally permitted by the United States National Park Service for the Canaveral National Seashore and Everglades National Park, Florida Keys.
Master Fly Tyer Dave Schmezer
Dave recently moved to Florida from Latrobe, PA. There he was frequently requested for appearances by the local shops and fly fishing clubs for tying demonstrations. Dave is an National and International award winning tier and has been tying for over 20 years. He is a regular at most fly fishing shows on the East Coast, including International Tiers Symposiums and International Fly Fishing Shows as a featured tier.
Dave is known for his unique and innovative patterns, tying techniques and his philosophy on tying, as well as, his humor. His DVD “Unique Patterns with Dave Schmezer” is also available in the store. If you want to learn good tying technique and have a good time, join one of his classes – you won’t forget it!
