Capt. Mitchell Dugger

Forged in the fires of patience and understanding, Captain Mitchell Dugger’s philosophy is simple, better teaching creates better anglers. He strongly believes that the guide/client relationship can be more important than the fishing itself. Through years of casting instruction and a jovial yet firm teaching style, Captain Dugger’s goal is to help anglers truly understand the vast complexities and the the subtle nuances of this highly addicting and completely satisfying sport called “flats fishing”.
Not so many years ago, he was a boy from Oklahoma who, like everyone else, had no idea where the hell Key West was! His journey to the southernmost city began when his academic career ended. Knowing full well that time in a boring classroom was wasted time that could be spent fishing, young Mitchell decided to become a guide. At the tender age of 17 he was guiding the rivers of the Gunnison valley in Colorado. His guiding led him to adventures in Alaska where he encountered salmon and bears on the Kenia peninsula. With the long dark winters bearing down, he decided to exchange wading boots and his bear gun for flip flops and a push pole. The adventure continued when Mitchell met Will Benson who was renovating a friend’s house on a remote island west of Key West. Mitchell dug ditches by day, hunted permit at sunset, and danced wildly around bonfires at night on that remote island until he had earned enough money to buy a flats skiff. With salt in his soul and a healthy beard on his face, Capt. Mitchell Dugger takes no prisoners on board his skiff. Dealing out a steady torrent of helpful and gentle guidance, Capt. Dugger delights in watching his clients conquer the flats!