​Worth the trip!


I first heard of Capt. Barkley when I watched an episode of SEASONS ON THE FLY called TARPON TOWN.  When I saw the beautiful Tampa Bay beaches and Capt. Barkley putting the show host on Tarpon I knew I wanted to travel there and fish with him.  My first trip was in October and the Tarpon had largely migrated so we spent a couple of days on other species and caught everything from Redfish to Snook to my favorite, Seatrout all on artificial lures.  I was staying in Anna Maria and Capt. Barkley even picked me up by boat from my dock.  That night I got to cook up some of the tasty fish we had caught, what a treat !  After staying for a week on the island I fell in love with the place and ended up buying a second home there. I have been fishing with Capt. Barkley many times since and have had the opportunity to catch and land my fist Tarpon with him.  If you are travelling to Florida I suggest a trip with Capt. Barkley who is one the most knowledgeable and fun to fish with guides I have ever fished with !   

Cholly

​Hi Captain Barkley!  It's been a couple years, but I still talk about my days fishing in Tampa with you.  You may not recall, but you were very patient and kind to me during my trip.  You even took me out the following day for free to try again!  To this day, you are the guide I recommend to people going to Tampa, although I don't know if that has resulted in any additional business for you, but I surely hope it has.  ​

​    Chris Hock


Captain Barkley, 

I just wanted to let you know something that maybe a lot of people that you take out never tell you but should...Ever since I was a boy; of all the things that I ever was exposed to nothing has brought me more personal happiness than fishing.  To be frank other than my wife and my home; all my trips, all my vacations and all my discretionary time off has been devoted to fishing and particularly fly fishing.  I have traveled the world to some of the most beautiful places on earth pursuing fish and will continue to do so.  I want you to know that I count Florida in the salt as one of my favorite places and you sir have made that possible.  Regardless of the cost involved when I fish with you I feel secure, comfortable and confident.  I don't have to field the expense of a boat like yours and I instantly have all the knowledge of the sea for my purposes that it took you a lifetime to gather.  You as a professional have made it possible for me to maintain my memories; my child like enthusiasm but most of all my happiness.  I appreciate my time with you and the wonderful fish you put me on.  Much like an old friend now I am comfortable with you and your work.  I have been with guides all over the world; literally,...and i count you as the very best of the over fifty I have fished with in my 69 years of life.  We have never had a bad day together that I can remember.  I personally hope that we have many many more before I call it a day.  

Bob F

Tarpon caught and reproduction mount of the fish

​I recently had a great day on the water with Capt. Barkley, who helped me achieve a Tampa Bay Grand Slam (snook, redfish, trout) on the fly, while patiently helping me improve my technique.  In addition, he took the time to teach me the Belgian cast (a constant tension oval cast) for use in strong winds towards my casting arm.  He’s a great guy and a pleasure with whom to spend the day.  I’m already looking forward to coming back next year. 
Andy Klein


A SERVICEMAN AND SONS FISH WITH THE SQUIRREL

 ​​ 

TARPON PURSUIT


Hi Barkley.  Just wanted to say thanks for your major effort the last couple days.  The ten hour days on the  water were greatly appreciated!.  I've never learned more from any other guide than what you taught me.  I will certainly be back!
Thanks,
Jim


UNIQUE EXPERIENCE...


​What a great experience. We booked with Capt. Barkley Daniel last May, my first time to fish for Tarpon he was able to put us on over 30-40 Tarpon. We booked

a second time and fished the flats for Snook, Redfish and trout. Capt Barkley Daniel is a great teacher and he packs one heck of a lunch to boot.

Gino Barone

TESTIMONIALS ON THE SECRET SQUIRREL EXPERIENCE

Captain Barkley;
Thank you very much for an outstanding day on the water!  We have used guides for fishing, throughout the country and can tell quickly when someone is guiding for the pay or because they love to help people learn and enjoy fishing and have a great day on the water.  You definitely fall into the latter category!
Eric, Adam and I had one of the best days fishing we have ever had!   The day makes my life's highlight reel!  We started early and watched the sun rise....beautiful.  You immediately put us onto sea trout, mackerel and even a shark for good measure.  You were so busy unhooking fish that I don't know if you noticed how much fun we were having but I assure you, we were.  Later in the morning, we went out to "wear ourselves out" with Bonito (I was a bit skeptical when I booked the trip and you told me we could wear ourselves out with Bonito, but I can promise everyone that pound for pound, these fish are the best fighters I have ever seen - even smallmouth bass don't begin to compare).  We then got even luckier and you put us on some 40 inch Red Fish - what a thrill and some wonderful pictures.
Barkley - thanks again for a wonderful day on the water, you provided my sons and I with memories we will never forget.  Feel free to pass along my name or post this to your web site.....your service is "the real deal" and I would be proud to let everyone know!
Sincerely;
Jeff Klingeman, Ky. 


​​
Capt. Barkley,
Thank you so much for the awesome fishing trip. My wife and I enjoyed fishing with you more than any other of the dozen guides we have fished with around the world. I appreciate you catering to my wife's desire to catch fish even though it was on the spinning reel. We both had a blast catching new species and appreciate more than anything the helpful instruction you gave to both of us. Most guides do not teach and communicate the way you do. It was also nice to have a real lunch while fishing.    We will be back!

Sam and Natalie ​​ 

​               father and son trip!


"On a tough day, Captain Barkley gave us just what we ordered. A first fish in saltwater, and on fly.  We CAUGHT 7 SPECIES ON FLY!

Thanks for a fun morning."

-Chris,

Mulberry, FL

 

Wonderful day Captain! Your knowledge and experience made a rather confusing piece of water very productive and exciting for a northern trout fisherman. It was a great day! Would really like to try for tarpon. We’ll try to get it done.

Thanks, Jeff

Jacksonville