About Your Guide

A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Roger Gendron

Certified Damn Good Guide

Independent Guide 37 years of exp.

Laid-back

Expert Oriented

Adventurous

Quality

Hands-off

Captain Roger is an Orvis endorsed guide with over 30 years of experience guiding fly anglers. "I started guiding the waters of Western Long Island Sound in 1989. As a local who spent most of my life in that area, I began fishing the coast of Fairfield County Connecticut 45 years ago and was one of the first guides in the area to specialize in fly and light tackle fishing in shallow salt water. As well as teaching fly fishing and light tackle fishing techniques for over 3 decades, I also taught boat handling and navigation for private clientele and Boat Clubs of Fairfield County, CT." "Now, I practice my crafts on the incredible flats and in the back country waters of Charlotte Harbor here in Southwest Florida. Throughout my career I've been a pro staffer for Ranger Boats, Action Craft Boats, Yamaha, Sage Fly rods, Nautilus reels, Rio fly lines and St. Croix rods. I enjoy tying salt water flies and writing essays on the topic of fishing and guiding and several of my articles have been published by...

About Your Guide

Roger Gendron

Certified Damn Good Guide

Independent Guide 37 years of exp.

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Flats & Back Country Shallows

90% (10) Punta Gorda, FL 1 - 6 People 4 - 6 Hours From $450

Fly Fishing / Light Tackle Backcountry & Flats

Speckled Trout Fishing in Punta Gorda, Florida

About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, River, Flats

Skill Levels

Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

About Your Trip

This Orvis-endorsed experience specializes in fly fishing and light tackle angling on the incredible flats and back country of Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida. The Harbor and nearby rivers and bays are a fly angler's wonderland. Whether gliding quietly across a shallow flat or sneaking through the serene mangrove jungles, fly and spin casting opportunities for a variety of species abound year-round such as, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon, Jack Crevalle, and more.

Hop aboard our Maverick shallow draft skiff. Beautifully restored just a couple of years ago, she's an excellent selection for furtive fish hunting and rides as good as she looks. She can comfortably accommodate a limit of 2 anglers, so go solo or bring a witness. We provide top quality rods & reels, from Orvis and other brands, as well as custom tied flies and all required tackle. Complimentary ice and bottled water are on board and fishing licenses for any resident or visitor are not required while onboard our skiff.

This is a quality over quantity excursion that may entail progressive fly casting, retrieval methods and proficiency. If you are new to fly fishing, we strongly recommend brushing up with an experienced fly caster or attending a fly-casting clinic before considering our service. However, if you appreciate the challenge of connecting with your quarry and consider yourself a capable, or diligent, angler your reward swims here.

Light tackle anglers will experience the same environment and opportunities utilizing a broad range of artificial baits and techniques. We do not fish with live bait other than shrimp when available.

Join in the game of stealth for a memorable day out on these bucolic waters!

Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, River, Flats

Skill Levels

Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is provided for an additional fee.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 7 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an average level of physical activity.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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About Your Boat

Boat photo for Flats & Back Country Shallows

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Maverick
Year Built: 1996
Boat Length: 17'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Maverick
Year Built: 1996
Boat Length: 17'
Boat Restroom: No
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 70
Number of Engines: 1
Additional Amenities: Guide platform & Push Pole, Remote Trolling motor, GPS, Sonar, Super Cooler, Live well, Casting platform, 9' Fly rod Storage.

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Recent Reviews of Drop Your Fly Fishing

3.5

based on 2 reviews

Steve

Verified Review

Good guide but way too ANAL about his boat…couldn’t keep fish..too
Messy?? Caught decent fish but he threw them back immediately without asking..don’t go with this guy if you want to take fish home

Steve

Verified Review

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Anthony

Verified Review

Roger was very knowledgeable of the bay.
He put us on fish right after three very bad cold fronts in Florida.
Very clean boat, and fun to talk to.

Anthony

Verified Review

Roger was very knowledgeable of the bay.
He put us on fish right after three very bad cold fronts in Florida.
Very clean boat, and fun to talk to.

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Response from Roger:

Thanks Tony! You guys were fun to fish with.

Response from Roger:

Thanks Tony! You guys were fun to fish with.

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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart » View Recent Punta Gorda Fishing Reports »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing

Fly Fishing

Light Tackle Fishing

Sight Casting

Types of Fishing

Flats

Inshore

River

Recent Fishing Reports

Early July 2025

Late October 2022

I have always said when the weather is good the fishing is good. A recent stretch of favorable weather seems to have improved the fishes' appetites. Snook, Reds, and trout are making up for lost time on the flats as the bite is becoming more consistent.