Bio’s: Capt. David Mangum

As a born Floridian Capt. David Mangum has spent the better part of his 34 years on the areas local waters. Having grown up in Destin, David’s passion for fishing was cultivated from a young age. “Thru the years I have witnessed the evolution of our fisheries here on the Panhandle, that knowledge has played an important role in my guide career.” David’s local history is translated to his day to day guiding. “Where they are and when they are there changes with the day, month, and even over the years. You have to be on the water everyday to experience these changes first hand.”

Well versed in light tackle and offshore fishing, David’s passion is fly fishing, this pursuit has found him guiding in Alaska, Colorado, Texas, Puerto Rico, and all over the Bahamas. Because of his extensive fly fishing resume, David understands the very specific needs of the shallow water fly fishing client. “Sight fishing is what we specialize in, there is nothing like stalking the fish, making that great cast, then watching the fish eat your fly!”

David takes his passion for the marine world and it’s images a step further, he translates them to canvas. An accomplished oil painter David’s works can be seen throughout the south in collections both private and public and in Old Florida Outfitters in Watercolor. A visit to David’s studio will find him either at his easel or at the tying vise. “I tie all my “working flies” and especially enjoy experimenting with new tarpon patterns”. Of all the species David guides his client to, none rival his obsession with the Tarpon. “I consistently started hooking, (not landing mind you) Tarpon on the fly here in the Panhandle about 14 years ago, since then I have become completely and totally obsessed.

If David isn’t on the water moving with the tide, you can be sure he’s busy doing something to do with Fishing.

~Capt. Gjuro Bruer~

As a born native of the upper Gulf Coast, Capt. Gjuro Bruer has always held a passion for fishing, especially the art of shallow water sight fishing. This interest prompted him to become an astute pupil of the marine environment: studying tides, weather patterns, lunar phases, water temperature and of course the fish, and their reaction to these changes. Gjuro has since applied this knowledge to such areas as Africa, Mexico, Honduras, and throughout the Bahamas. Spending long periods of time in these locals has afforded Gjuro an intimate window into a number of diverse fisheries. From his knowledge gained abroad, Gjuro has applied many new techniques to his home waters along the upper Gulf Coast. Spanning from the marshes of Louisiana, to the grass flats of Florida’s northern Gulf Coast, Gjuro’s experience has helped him guide clients to areas that had not been explored by others. From an early age Gjuro began logging hundred’s of thousand’s of hour exploring the seldom fished “Biloxi Marsh”, an absolutely unbelievable redfish fishery off the coast of Mississippi and Louisiana.

“Patience and an open mind are my key ingredients to guiding”, quotes Gjuro on his fishing philosophy. Knowing how to adjust each day to his client and the ever changing conditions is Gjuro’s formula for a successful trip. Whether expert or beginner, Capt. Bruer will not only put an angler in the best possible position to get shots at fish, but also make sure that every trip is a non-pressured pleasurable day on the water. An avid fly tier, Gjuro always has a large assortment of his local favorites. making sure that the each fly has all the right elements that will guarantee success once presented to the fish.

Not only is Capt. Bruer extremely passionate about fishing, but he is also an enthusiastic photographer and videographer. By utilizing his camera skills, you can be sure your experience will be captured as a digital image for you and our website.