Capt. Jared Cyr

People born in Key West are called “Conchs.” Originally, the term referred to Bahamians who fled the crown soil during the American revolution and immigrated to Key West in the mid 1800s.  These days, the tradition is carried on by placing a conch shell outside the front door or on a post in the yard to signal the birth of a new baby.  The Cyr family has been putting Conch shells in their yard for 4 generations.  When Jared’s family put his conch shell in the yard some 24 years ago, they new full well that his roots would be planted in the turtle grass flats and coral basins where they had found it.  He was the next generation of fishermen for their family and would indeed take up the family business.  As a kid Jared and his brother Brandon spent every free moment on the water, in the canal, or at the docks talking with the guides and captains.  To say that Jared is a good fly-guide is a shallow portrayal.  He has a depth of knowledge about the waters of Key West and an understanding of the fishery that goes far beyond being able to pole a flats boat.  It’s the kind of knowledge that no GPS will help you get.  It’s a feel, a sense of timing and a few practiced tricks that make someone a master of their craft.  Few guides ever get to that point and even fewer do it before they are 30.  Jared truly is the next generation of guide.  He’s young, relaxed, patient, hard-working and hungry for success.  After all he has a lot to live up to in his family, least of which is putting another conch shell in the yard.