CAPTAIN MARK BENSON   

Captain Mark Benson is the Director of fly fishing at Grande Lakes Orlando where he leads the resort's guided fishing program as well as group and individual casting instructions for both beginners and professionals. More than anything else, he enjoys showing guests a side of Orlando that is so unexpected. It's especially gratifying  to see them, "truly present, enjoying nature," he says. 

Mark caught his first fish at the age of four, and has been hooked on the sport ever since. He is the true definition of a local, having to grown up here in Central Florida fishing, swimming, and boating the lakes, creeks and coast with his dad. In fact, he spent much of his time fishing along Shingle Creek, the stream that borders Grande Lakes Orlando and serves as the Headwaters of the Florida Everglades. 

He traveled the world fishing, scuba diving, and snorkeling before returning to Florida. Certified as a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain for more than 20 years, a biologist and  a certified Florida master naturalist, Mark was eventually invited to head up the fly fishing program at Grande Lakes Orlando, a job he considers a homecoming. His intimate knowledge of the local waters provide experience that you will not have anywhere else. So next time you are at Grande Lakes and you are interested in fly fishing or cast fishing, ask for Captain Mark.