Who Can Join?
General Membership
This membership consists of professional flats/backcountry fishing guides. In order to become a general member you must:
- Be a full time guide (majority of income from guiding)
- Have guided full time for at least 2 years.
- Have a sponsor that is already an existing member.
- Have a valid Captains License and Occupational License and all credentials to guide in Monroe County
- Pay Dues consisting of a one-time initiation fee of $100 and yearly dues of $100. Annual Dues must be paid by March 15 every year.
Other Membership Opportunities
Associate and Lifetime members are individuals from all over the U.S. Associate members are generally non-guide members who support the FKFGA. Dues for Associate and Lifetime Memberships ($125 -$1000) go into our general fund.
Emeritus Membership
We honor members with ‘Emeritus’ status to those that have shown exceptional efforts in the FKFGA or within the fishing community in general and have made strides toward improving our fisheries and other natural resources. We thank and honor them for their time and dedication to our mission.
2020 Board of Directors
- Commodore: Steve Friedman
- Vice Commodore: Ted Wilson
- 2nd Vice Commodore: Drew Moret
- Secretary: Augie Moss
- Treasurer: Xavier Figueredo
- Director: Michael Venezia
- Director: Eric Herstedt
- Director: Bob Branham
- Director: Andy Downs
Emeritus Members
- Billy Knowles
- Dave Wilson
- Lee Baker
- Mike Ehlers
- Gary Ellis
- Rick Ruoff
- Eddie Wightman
- Steve Huff
- Tad Burke
What Does the Florida Keys Guides Association Do?
The FKFGA supports restoration projects, sponsors an individual’s travel to speak on our behalf about conservation issues, gives grants to local schools for students to participate in research projects and donate funds to local organizations like the Wild Bird Rehabilitation center, the Barley Bay Festival named after Mary Barley of the Save Our Everglades Foundation and the Sea Grass Outreach Program.
Associate and Lifetime members are individuals from all over the U.S. Associate members are generally non-guide members who support the FKFGA. Their dues ($125 -$1000) go into our general fund. There is an elected board of directors that oversee the disbursement of our funds.
The FKFGA is also one of the main fundraising organizations for the Guides Trust Foundation (GTF). The GTF mission is to assist guides or persons related to the local fishing industry in times of need or in the event they become injured and unable to work. Our biggest fundraiser is the annual Swamp Guides Ball.
The FKFGA board makes recommendations to the Guides Trust Foundation when we are approached for assistance. Last year the GTF donated about $25,000 in $5,000 increments to assist guides and their families. The donations are used to pay monthly living expenses and other various needs while out of work. Every applicant must meet certain criteria before being considered for assistance. Once again, the FKFGA board makes those decisions based on set criteria.
We are also active in making recommendations to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park about areas that need protection and ways to enhance fisheries.
There are three levels of membership as determined below.
- General (guide) membership ($100)
- Associate ($125 yearly donation)
- Lifetime Member ($1000 one time donation)
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
FKFGA Shirt and Hat included with your membership!
INTERESTED? PLEASE APPLY ONLINE
If you prefer to apply offline, please SEND CHECK TO:
PO BOX 936, Islamorada FL 33036
Please include your name, phone, mailing address. All new members will receive an official FKFGA Shirt and Hat.