Captain Steve Kilpatrick grew up with a cane pole and a .22… Hunting and fishing has always been his life. I first meet this likable man in the late 80’s when I was fishing the fabled flats of Homosassa. He has always been impressively kind, and when I called to talk to him about the day he and his angler Jim Holland jr. caught the 202.8 pound world record behemoth, he was really excited about hosting us in his home. Remember this is an important fish. This fish is the greatest tarpon ever caught on a fly rod because its the only fish over 200 pounds, The Holy Grail! They caught the fish everyone had been chasing for decades.

We arrived at his home in Chiefland, Florida on a beautiful, open 10 acre parcel with large live Oaks with hanging Spanish moss on many. His home is filled with stunning furniture that he’s made; dressers, drawers, beds, tables. All made by a true craftsman. He works on all the equipment in the yard and many of his friend’s boats are rigged by Steve, the Fixer!

Over the next few days he and his wife Peggy made sure that we’d leave there like family members. But it would all be about the story of a big fish caught by a legendary guide and a young angler.