Captain B.J. CHARD
When it comes to careers, most have one and maybe two by the time they retire. Before the age of 19, B.J. Chard kick started his second career. From the age of 3, B.J.’s love for the sport of ice hockey was obvious and he began learning to “get out of it what you put into it”. With this outlook, the sky became the limit as he embarked on an incredible journey. Born in Key West, located in the Florida Keys, ice hockey is unheard of. Growing up being home schooled, B.J. had extra time to work hard and hone his hockey skills for years, all whilst traveling 3-4 hours each way to the nearest ice rink. His hard work paid off in a big way as he successfully worked his way up to the #1 AAA Elite Hockey Team in the entire nation in Detroit Michigan by the time he was 15. For the next 2 years B.J.’s hockey experience included winning over 18 of the top armature hockey tournaments known, including the very top International U16 Hockey tournament in the world – The Toronto Silver Sticks Tournament where you can find B.J.’s name engraved on the trophy that’s displayed in the NHL hall of fame in downtown Toronto.
As a 17yr old, B.J.’s final year of hockey consisted of playing professionally in a Jr A League near Sudbury Ontario Canada. That year he not only played the best hockey of his career, but played his last season before making the choice to change things up. He got started on his second career in life – following in the footsteps of his dad to become a professional Florida Keys flats fishing guide.
Since the start of B.J.’s guiding career in 2017, he has had the opportunity to closely work with and guide many fly fishing industry Icons and manufacture leaders from Simms, G-Loomis, Airflo, and Hatch Outdoors. B.J. guided Louis Cahill of Gink and Gasoline to a day he will never forget, and guided 2 major successful fly fishing industry photo shoots along with filming a very popular tarpon fly fishing show for Host Conway Bowman on the Ford Outdoors “The Outfitters.” (episode aired October 2017, The Sportsman Channel). Soon after that, B.J. headed to Christmas Island where he and his dad hosted and filmed 2 shows for another fly fishing TV Show, “Seasons on the Fly,” which airs on the Discovery Channel. You can also find B.J. and Bruce featured in articles and fill shots within many fly fishing industry media sources like Fly Fisherman Magazine, Sporting Classics photo Essay by Author Denver Bryant and photos by Professional Photographer Jeff Edvalds and
Grays Sporting Journal Photo Essays from Professional Photographer Jeff Edvalds.
Even though hockey was B.J.’s main focus while growing up, that didn’t stop him from fly fishing every chance he got. Over the years, B.J. has gained experience in the fly fishing world by traveling internationally in Canada for Giant Pike, Christmas Island for Giant Trevally, Argentina for Golden Dorado, and has hosted salt water fly fishing schools and trips for bones and permit throughout the Bahamas. Domestically, B.J. has fished the Louisiana Marsh for giant redfish and black drum, Hawaii for giant bonefish, Martha’s Vineyard and Coastal Maine for Stripers, Alaska for trout and salmon, and all over Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Wyoming for trout, and has fished all over the state of Florida and their Keys for snook, redfish, tarpon, permit, and bonefish.
As an avid all-around outdoorsman, B.J. enjoys duck hunting and upland bird hunting with his lab “Echo.” You can meet B.J. in person at many of the Fly Fishing Shows throughout the country this upcoming season.
