A cool thirty three some years ago I fished the sacred water of Homosassa, Florida with Tommy Locke. There, I met a young man I’d soon realize was one of the young, passionate guides of those flats. Initially he was just a name, as I was to him, but we fished hard together and I really dug being in Tommy's presence.

We chased the poon in Homo for a few years then I went to the Keys, where I felt I’d see more fish, and have a better chance of upping my game. The poon house is a small house, where everyone knows each other or knows of the others.

Well, Tommy became one of the great guides of Homosassa and Charlotte Harbor, before moving to the Florida Keys. He was hungry for new water and challenges. He started fishing the three big tarpon tournaments including the Gold Cup. But what he found was his deepening love for conservation! The poon would never go away, but he started working closely with Captains for Clean water and Bonefish Tarpon Trust, where in 2019 he was awarded with the Flats Stewardship Award for his passion, enduring commitment, and tireless service in protecting and conserving our flats fishery.

It has been a privilege and an honor to stand on the bow of Tommy Locke’s boat and an even greater one to stand next to him as a friend....

We hope you enjoy the fishing story behind this great man!