Veteran Owned
Ben first came into the fly fishing industry back in 2002 straight out of college. Back then he guided on the Blackfoot River in Montana and loved every minute of it. At some point he decided to put guiding and the fly fishing industry on pause by joining the United States Navy. Eventually, he found his way back to the industry he loves and found his way back to Montana. In Montana he manages CrossCurrents Fly Shop in Craig right on the banks of the Missouri River. Ben’s passion for catching fish on a fly rod has taken him to many places pursing trout, steelhead, carp, a number of other warm water species, and various saltwater species. It was in the salt where he found his real love for a fish, the redfish. Ben now spends a good portion of his year in southern Louisiana’s salt marshes sight fishing for redfish, black drum, and sheepshead. Although getting these fish on a fly rod is the main purpose that brings him to this incredible fishery, catching them on light tackle spinning gear is sometimes on the docket as well and just as equally enjoyable. If you ever get the chance to discuss this remarkable piece of water and the fish that call it home with Ben, you’ll quickly see how much he loves it. He hopes that one day you’ll be the angler on the front of his skiff while he is poling you around in search of redfish.
The Muckin' Marauder is the boat that started it all and happens to be the inspiration behind the name of the business. She is a Tracker Grizzly MVX 1648 that is seriously customized. There is a custom poling platform that was fabricated in Helena, MT on her stern, she is coated with tan Durabak and desert camo SeaDek, and is powered by a 40hp Mercury tiller. Her primary duty today is a carp skiff in Montana, but can still be seen from time to time on the water in Louisiana.
The Muckin' Marauder
The Marauder
Simply known as, The Marauder, this is the main workhorse in Louisiana. A Bay Craft 180 Tunnel Explorer, she runs shallow and can go farther than her aluminum sister. At 18' in length with her 90hp Suzuki sitting behind a tunnel hull, shallow water or rough chop doesn't hold her back. She may not be the most fancy boat out on the water, but she get's the job done, and she does it extremely well.