Captain Russell Tharin of Amelia Island, Florida, has been fishing for 50 years fishing, 18 years guiding and in 2009 up-graded to a 50 ton, USCG license. 

He fishes the most in Northeast Florida’s inshore and nearshore waters. An expert in targeting redfish and trout with topwater plugs and saltwater fly fishing, Tharin fishes out of the 17.6 Key West Stealth “Hunter’s Heart,” powered by a 115 Mercury OptiMax. Tharin is also on the Mercury Marine Pro Staff 

Tharin was recognized as the 2004 Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide of the Year--The awarded based on the sum total of favorable reports filed directly to the Orvis Company upon completion of a guided trip. Each year the Orvis Company recognizes one extraordinary individual guide for providing a consistently world class fishing experience meets or exceeds standards set by the company. Tharin received the highest ratings from among 1200 guides in the Orvis-Endorsed program. This award has only been received by one other saltwater guide in Texas, and has never been received by any guide in Florida in the twenty years that the program has existed. 

A member of The Federation of Fly Fishers, Capt. Russell Tharin, holds the distinguished designation as a "Master" Fly Casting Instructor.