Captain Jared Cyr

Key West & Lower Keys Fly Fishing Guide

Born and raised in Key West, Florida, Captain Jared Cyr is a seventh-generation Florida Keys native whose connection to the water runs deep. Fishing the Keys is more than a profession for Jared—it is a way of life passed down through generations. His lifelong experience on the waters surrounding Key West and the Lower Keys has given him an intimate understanding of the flats, backcountry, tides, weather, and seasonal movements of the fish that call this unique environment home.

Jared specializes in sight fishing the shallow flats for tarpon, permit, and bonefish, with additional opportunities for barracuda, snook, and other inshore species. His approach combines decades of local knowledge with a passion for fly fishing and the pursuit of challenging game fish. Whether stalking a single permit across a shallow flat, setting up for a shot at a cruising tarpon, or quietly poling a bonefish flat, Jared focuses on giving anglers the best possible opportunity to make the cast that matters.

Flats, Backcountry & The Marquesas

Jared's experience extends throughout the Key West and Lower Keys, from the famous flats surrounding Key West to the secluded backcountry and remote waters of the Marquesas Keys. The Marquesas are a particular favorite, offering miles of shallow flats, mangrove shorelines, channels, and pristine habitat far from the crowds.

Every day on the water is different. Tides, wind, water clarity, weather, and fish behavior determine where the day takes you. Jared's familiarity with these waters allows him to adapt to changing conditions and make the most of each opportunity.

 

A Lifetime of Fly Fishing

Jared has spent years refining the skills required for successful saltwater fly fishing—finding fish, positioning the skiff, reading the water, and putting anglers in position to make accurate presentations. He understands that fly fishing the flats is a team effort between guide and angler, and he takes pride in helping anglers improve their casting, presentation, and ability to recognize the subtle signs of feeding fish.

His experience has also taken him into the competitive and professional side of the sport, including numerous tournament appearances and recognition for his success as a guide. His tournament accomplishments include multiple Cudabowl guide awards and a runner-up finish in the 2025 Sugarloaf Showdown.

 

The Chittum Snake Bight R

Jared fishes from a Chittum Snake Bight R flats skiff, a purpose-built platform designed for the shallow-water sight fishing that defines the Lower Keys. The skiff allows Jared to quietly cover expansive flats while keeping anglers positioned for the critical shots that make saltwater fly fishing so rewarding.

Jared is also part of Team Chittum, alongside an accomplished group of professional guides and anglers from across the country.

 

Conservation & Catch and Release

Protecting the fishery that has shaped his life is an important part of Jared's guiding philosophy. He practices and promotes responsible catch-and-release fishing, particularly with the prized flats species that make the Florida Keys world famous.

Jared has been recognized as a Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Conservation Captain, supporting efforts to protect and conserve the Keys' valuable flats fisheries. He also serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Lower Keys Guides Association, helping advocate for the health and future of the local fishery.

 

Television & The Fishing Industry

Jared's knowledge of the Florida Keys has taken him well beyond the local flats. He has appeared on numerous fishing television programs and has worked alongside some of the most recognized names in the sport. His television appearances include Local Knowledge, where he and Capt. Rush Maltz teamed up for an episode exploring the variety of Key West fishing opportunities.

Jared has also been featured alongside his brother Brandon in a television episode documenting their pursuit of the ultimate Key West flats Grand Slam—tarpon, bonefish, and permit.

Today, Jared continues to guide full-time in the Florida Keys and remains actively involved in the fly-fishing community. He is an ambassador for Columbia Sportswear and has worked with leading names in the fly-fishing industry, including Hardy Fly fishing, Vanstaal, Costa Del Mar and Chittum Skiffs.

Come Fish the Keys

 

For Jared, guiding is about more than catching fish. It's about sharing a lifetime of knowledge, exploring some of the most beautiful water in the Florida Keys, and creating the kind of day on the water that anglers remember long after the boat is back at the dock.

 

From the shallow flats of Key West to the backcountry and remote Marquesas, Captain Jared Cyr offers an authentic, local perspective on world-class Florida Keys fly fishing.