Episode 36: Capt. Craig Brewer – The Mud Man

In 1964, in the small Florida Keys fishing village of Islamorada, a tournament was born, The Gold Cup, which would become the most prestigious fly rod Tarpon tournament in the world. All the great fly guides and anglers made it the most prized possession they could attain in their fishing. Over the next 57 years the names on the perpetual trophy were the famed celebrities of the sport. Ted Williams, Billy Pate, Steve Huff, Jimmy Albright, Harry Speer, Glen Flute…. and the late Jim Brewer. The efforts made to win were exceptional. The creativity changed and evolved the sport quickly. Fly designs, hooks, Lines, boats, push poles, everything was looked at as how to better their game to win the Gold Cup.
I mentioned Captain Jim Brewer, after his win 1974 his passion to win was life changing. The following year he and good friend Bill Hagley went up in a small plane looking for fish they would target in the upcoming Gold Cup. Circling low and slow over a famed tarpon basin, they fell through the planes lift and crashed into the ocean and perished…
Jim left behind two young boys Steve and Craig. At 14, Craig struggled as anyone would, but eventually found his way chasing his father’s legacy of becoming a Gold Cup Champion. Thirty six years later in 2010, he and angler Thane Morgan had their names etched upon the perpetual trophy. They were the first father and son to win the super bowl of saltwater fly fishing…
As a guide Craig found great success along the way winning other big events, but what sets him apart from his tournament wins is his wonderful way about him! He’s effervescent, tall, loving, funny, loud, pure, truthful and caring. As a young man he was Islamorada’s son and brother and now a hero to Islamorada and everyone who knows Craig Brewer!