Stuart C. Apte. The fisherman, the myth...The Boxer. Apte was born near the water in Miami Florida in 1930. No matter how far he roamed after that, he always made sure that water was gonna be part of his life. He became the gold standard for modern saltwater flyfishing. Among his 44 world records, his Pacific Sailfish and Dorado records still stand. He was a constant friend and fishing partner to Joe Brooks and baseball. Great Ted Williams. The friendships were a testament to his devotion to the sport and to them. A boxer by trade since his teens, and a fighter pilot trained for the North Korean conflict, his aggression could be offputting at times. But for those who understood his passion, it was a lesson in how to succeed on the water (He introduced the renowned "down and dirty" fish tactic"). Today, he just wants to see the fish swim forever. He is a stalwart member of the BTT.: The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Since its founding in 1997, he has recruited captains and supported science in the study and conservation of tarpon, bonefish and permit. He was inducted into their circle of honor during a list of luminaries that changed the sport. He was long down, killing, tarpon and record chasing years ago. And while he's a bit mellower today, he is 95, he never slows of talking about his favorite fish and wildlife. It has blessed him.
