October - December 2024
Volume 26 Issue 4
President
Vice
Manuel
Treasurer
Jim
Secretary
Gary
Past
Kathi
Conservation
Keith
Education
Austin
Merchandise
Shawn
Membership
Gary
Newsletter
Nils
James
Outings
SKIFF Manuel
Webmaster
Brandon
Julian
To
by William (Bill) Buglehall
photos by Sam Godfrey and William Buglehall
Introduction
Before discussing this great group of patriots at Freedom On The Fly -Veteran Fly Fishing (FOTF) and the veterans they serve, and with Veteran’s Day coming up as I write this article, I want to give some background for why they do what they do and how I ended up becoming interested in their cause.
The terror events of September 11th, 2001 (commonly known as “9/11”) changed the path of the United States, our allies, and many other civilians forever. The initial attack took the lives of almost 3000 innocent civilians on United States soil. The retaliatory wars that followed, in Afghanistan and then in Iraq and several other countries, took the lives of over 7000 U.S. Military members. Many of these patriots joined the U.S. Military after the events of 9/11 to bravely fight in the protracted Global War on Terror (GWOT) that followed.
Our robust military was able to quickly defeat the immediate Taliban threat in Afghanistan and Saddam’s Military in Iraq, but the war was not over. These brave patriots found themselves in a GWOT deployment cycle that typically involved a nine-to-fifteen-month deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq followed by a 12 to 18-month reset period before being deployed again. Many of our post 9/11 military spent their entire 20-year military career on this deployment cycle. While deployed, our combat arms troops found themselves in a constant state of insurgency combat where they patrolled local towns looking for terrorist cells that were hell-bent on defeating the “infidels”. These insurgents’ weapon of choice was the improvised explosive device (IED) which killed or caused great injury to our troops. They also conducted direct attacks on supply convoys and used indirect fire like pick-up truck-portable mortars and delayed launch rockets to attack Forward Operating Bases (FOBS). Our support personnel, that were rarely in direct combat while deployed, found themselves under constant treat of mortar and rocket attacks on their assigned FOBs.
Bill Buglehall
From 2001 to 2023 the GWOT produced over 50,400 wounded U.S. Military members with more than 200,000 diagnosed cases of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an insidious condition that, if left untreated, can result in severe depression and in many cases suicide. There is no 100% effective cure for PSTD as doctors are still learning about and researching cures for this condition, even though it has been around since the first instance of human trauma. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, from 2001 to 2020 the average suicide rate for veterans was between 6000 and 6050 per year with a peak of 6796 in 2019. Many studies are being done on PSTD treatment using both traditional medicine and alternative treatments such as psychoactive plants and other substances. Although these treatments are aimed at helping veterans with PTSD, they don’t address a condition common among service members with multiple deployments. It is very rare for military members to commit suicide while actively deployed where PSTD causing events are happening. This could be because, while on deployment, veterans had two things that they might not have after their combat missions and/ or military careers have ended. These two things are:
1. A tight community of people who have the shared experience of combat, and 2. An adventurous pursuit that keeps their minds in a heightened state of perceptive activity.
As an Army retiree and a 13-year veteran of the GWOT myself, I understand what it feels like to be back in your house after a deployment with no mission and nothing much to do that feeds this need for community and adventure. After about six months of this low adrenaline life, you begin to think about the next deployment and even look forward to it. While over there you felt needed, felt alive, and felt like you were a part of a fraternity that non-veterans might not understand. Though it’s different for everyone, you can get mentally addicted to the combat zone lifestyle.
U.S. Army 1968-1970
Immediately after retiring from the Army in January of 2014, I became a military contractor. I then ramped up my GWOT deployment cycle to the point where I was only home about one to two months a year from 2014 to 2019. Then in the fall of 2019, I decided to stop deploying. I wanted to break the cycle, work from home, and spend more time with my family which I, regretfully, spent little time with over my previous five years of contracting overseas.
Working from home and spending time with my family was wonderful but I soon began to experience, what I call, deployment withdrawal. I desperately needed something to do that fed the need for adventure and kept the mind focused on a singular pursuit. In short, I was miserable and suffering silently, as I did not want to burden my family with this internal affliction. Then, in the spring of 2022, I discovered my love of fly fishing, joined Austin Fly Fishers (AFF), and it changed my life. It gave me an outlet for adventure with heightened mental focus and a community of like-minded people. I no longer missed my deployed life.
Then, in the fall of 2024, I was introduced to Sam and Mike of FOTF at an AFF monthly meeting. Their story about a particular veteran of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, whom they connected with and helped, moved me deeply. I was already considering volunteering at a veterans fly fishing organization, so I decided to check out FOTF, and I am glad I did.
According to their website (linked at the beginning of this article), “Freedom On The Fly is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where the serenity of fly fishing meets the spirit of camaraderie among military veterans. Our
organization is dedicated to serving those who have served our nation, both disabled and non-disabled veterans. By embracing the peaceful, reflective nature of fly fishing, we provide a sanctuary for veterans to reconnect, find solace, and rediscover a sense of belonging within a community that understands the depth of their experiences”. This 100% non-profit organization helps veterans of all wars and conflicts as well as first responders such as police and firefighters affected by similar traumatic events.
After attending a couple events that FOTF hosted in September and October, I was extremely impressed, not only by their dedication to helping veterans but by the generous donations they have solicited and received from local businesses. Their primary meeting site and facilities are donated for use by Tip’s Turf sod farm (12205 San Marcos Hwy. Martindale, TX 78655) on the beautiful San Marcos River.
The San Marcos is a blue water river that originates at San Marcos Springs, between Austin and San Antonio, and snakes Southeast where it merges with the Guadeloupe River. The San Marcos River flows through mostly private lands so the FOTF site provides rare access to this amazing Texas fly-fishing resource.
FOTF hosts two main events per month completely free to veterans, one on the 1st Friday from 8am to around noon, and another on the 3rd Saturday from 8am to around noon. They have an excellent drive-up access point on the river where you can wade in and fish up or down stream or just fish from the bank. You can also easily launch a kayak and paddle up or down stream. If you don’t have a kayak FOTF can provide one of their many kayaks that were donated by local companies such as The Rowing Dock of Austin. As of
the writing of this article FTOF is expecting a delivery of donated kayaks from the Austin based “SUP-Yak” manufacturer Diablo PaddleSports. If you don’t have your own fly rod no worries, FOTF has you covered there as well with many quality rods donated by individuals and local businesses.
FOTF provides fly tying tools, vices, and materials at each meeting so that veterans can learn to tie several patterns that work well in the local waters. They conduct fly rod building classes so that veterans can learn the craft of assembling their own rod, which they get to keep afterward. Also provided at some meetings are casting lessons where veterans who are new to fly fishing can hone the skills needed for success on the San Marcos River or other off-site locations where FOTF might host events such as the recent GRTU River Clean Up event.
Their facility has a shower and toilet so you can rinse off after wading in the river or take a shower after lifting some weights in their on-site gym, that is surprisingly similar to the ones military units piece together on deployments.
Also, on the property next to the meeting building is a water retention pond stocked with sunfish, catfish, and bass. The pond, which Tip’s Turf uses to irrigate their sod, is kept aerated and filled from the river so it is fishable year around. This pond is a great resource for beginners and seasoned fly-fisher to practice casting and test out their freshly tied flies or custom built rods. If you are skilled or just lucky you might hook up on one of the massive catfish cruising near the banks of the pond.
With all these amazing fly-fishing related activities for veterans to do, free of charge, the one activity going on the most is storytelling
and the sharing of their experiences in the military and on deployments. Sometimes just connecting with others who share common experience is the best way to heal the mind and soul. As veterans, we are sometimes reluctant to open up to non-veterans about our experiences in the military and in combat. FOTF gives us a place to hang out with our military fraternity while participating in an activity that reconnects us with nature and shows us the beauty of the world around us.
If you are a veteran, know someone who is, or just want to volunteer or donate directly to a great cause please check out Freedom On The Fly. They are an amazing group of patriots that came together as a completely voluntary charitable organization with 100% of all donated funds and equipment directly supporting the veterans they help and serve. FOTF has many generous businesses that donate to the cause of helping veterans on their healing journey. If you are a business owner or manager and want to get involved and donate to this amazing non-profit organization, please follow the FOTF link above to connect.
The following is an alphabetical list of some gracious local businesses already contributing to the success of FOTF:
Academy Outdoor Sports
Cabela’s (Hunting and Fishing Outfitter)
Central Market (an H-E-B Family Brand)
H-E-B Grocery Store
McCoy’s Building Supply
Northern Tool + Equipment
Rudy’s Real Texas Bar-B-Q
San Marcos Lions Club
Sportsman’s Finest (Fly Fishing, Firearms, and Archery Outfitter in Austin, TX)
Tip’s Turf (Quality Grass from Our Yard to Yours)
by Gary Geddes
If you’ve ever dreamed of landing a marlin on a fly rod, there’s no better place than Mexico’s Bahia Magdalena. Mag Bay to us gringos is a vast complex of lagoons and bays along the Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula. Mag offers year around fishing, both inshore and offshore, culminating in the annual fall striped marlin run. I had the opportunity to fish Mag this fall with Jeff deBrown of The Reel Baja and it was amazing! Before the trip Jeff told me to expect “National Geographic stuff”, but nothing prepared me for what I experienced. As wild as it is remote, Mag Bay is a place fly fishing dreams are made of.
Mag is not the easiest place to access. The closest international airport is in Loreto, which is about 3 hrs drive, but has limited daily flights. La Paz and Los Cabos airports offer more flight options but are 5-7 hours away. I opted for Loreto which is served by American Airlines with flights in/out of Phoenix.
Loreto is stunningly beautiful and offers great beaches and golf, but I was there to fish so bypassed Loreto’s many charms. Jeff arranged a driver to meet me at the airport. I collected my bag and quickly cleared customs at the small, but modern airport and off we went across the Baja peninsula.
The drive over to Puerto Lopez is through rugged and mountainous terrain and offers many spectacular views of the desert landscape. The drive passed quickly and soon I was enjoying a cold Pacifico at the Mag Bay Hacienda Resort fishing lodge which serves as Jeff’s “north camp”. Located in Puerto Lopez, Hacienda Resort is quite nice with spacious double rooms and all the amenities an angler needs.
A ferocious cold front had blown through before my arrival and I was greeted by a howling north wind which prevented offshore fishing for a few days. Fortunately, the inshore fishing at Mag is incredible and gives the fly angler a fun and productive option when conditions preclude going offshore.
Puerto Lopez is located at the upper part of the Mag Bay complex and provides quick access to the expansive mangroves. Similar in size to Texas’ Laguna Madre, the mangroves are seemingly endless and are teeming with a variety of interesting and exotic looking fish that will readily eat the fly. There are calico bass, groupers, snapper, triggers, corvina, and snook just to name the most prominent species. But unlike Laguna Madre, the channels through the mangroves are deep with strong tides and currents requiring heavy sinking lines and weighted flies.
I was fishing a 9wt TFO with a Cortland Cold Salt Series 300gr sinking line. These fish are largely feeding on shrimp, so we tried a number of different shrimp patterns, but with limited success. Eventually I tied on a trusty chartreuse and white Clouser and it was on! I was getting a fish every cast. I seldom count my fish, but I went 24 straight and ended the streak 29 out of 30, what a day!
The wind was still up, but forecasts showed it laying down by sunset which meant we could head offshore the following day. One advantage to fishing with The Reel Baja is Jeff also has a “south camp” at the lower end of Mag Bay that is much closer to the marlin grounds.
So we packed our gear and supplies in Jeff’s Suburban which he drove down, while Jeff’s captain Jose and I left on Jeff’s 27’ open fish, the Chaparro. We fished our way southward getting many triggers, grouper, and snapper along the way. The 60-mile trip down through the mangroves was other worldly, a true “African Queen” type excursion.
Around sunset we arrived to the south camp at the tiny fishing outpost hysterically named Cancun. Though quite basic, our accommodations were clean and comfortable and even in this remote spot there was decent WiFi. We were treated to cold beers and a dinner of fried snapper which was phenomenal. Our hosts spoke very little English, so I was glad I had invested some time into online Spanish lessons before my trip. After dinner, I rigged my offshore gear and went to bed early with high hopes for a day of marlin fishing.
At dawn, with the Chaparro anchored off the beach, we waded out in a cold, dense fog. The cold front had kept everyone off the water for a few days, even the larger fishing yachts. The high winds seemed to have scattered the bait balls and so far, no one had a bead on the marlin yet.
We were trolling teasers, raising a few fish here and there that were just “window shopping”, but none willing to chase. Over the radio we could hear the chatter of the yacht captains who all seemed to be struggling as well. The day was running short and still no bites, when I heard Jose shout “Marlin! Marlin! Marlin!” as a fish came in fast on the outside teaser. Jose quickly reeled in the center teaser as Jeff worked the outside enticing the fish toward the boat. I readied myself with the fly rod and
awaited Jeff’s signal as the fish quickly came into range. “He’s coming, hot fish... Fly in the water…Neutral…cast now!!!”. I lob the giant fly across the prop wash and it lands just as Jeff snatches away the teaser. The marlin instantly crushes the fly and takes off on a blistering run. I point the rod directly at the fish and set against the drag. “Hit him…again, again…Fish on boys!!!” and the fight was on.
After numerous jumps, runs, and dives she is alongside the boat. About 120lbs, perfect fly rod size, the marling glows in iridescent blues and greens. The fish is still feisty and after a quick “grip and grin” pic, we release it, a satisfying end to a tough day of fishing.
Over the next two days it just got better and better. The wind continued to drop and the rough seas moderated. The bait balls had reformed and were easily spotted by watching for diving birds. This was “run and gun” fishing, no need to troll teasers, just motor up to feeding fish and attempt a cast.
The bait balls were constantly moving and I seldom got more than one shot before we were back on the chase. It is very demanding, but if you can get the fly into the bait ball you are likely to be rewarded with a savage strike! While most of these fish are under 150lbs, I battled several approaching 200.
I was using a 14wt TFO Blue Water Series with a Cortland 50+ Series 600gr Intermediate fly line on a Redington Grande loaded with 700 yds of GSP backing. If that sounds excessive, be aware no fish runs like a marlin. After watching 100, 200, 300 yards of backing melt away in seconds you’ll be glad you have it!
Toward the end of day six I was beat, but Jeff and Jose kept calling for one more fish. As we headed in Jose deployed the teasers and sure enough, a hot fish came in right at quitting time. We performed the “bait and switch” perfectly, but the fish didn’t see the fly. Jeff called out “Bump it..Bump it” as the fly swung into the prop wash.
At this point it was like fishing a bass popper. Suddenly the marlin rockets in from the side and slams the fly, a spectacular surface eat less than 20 ft behind the boat. It put up an epic fight with many acrobatic jumps and runs. We had the fish to leader 3 times before we were finally able to release it. We were all smiles as I cracked a much-deserved celebratory beer. The best fish of the trip on the final cast, who could ask for more?
On the flight home, going through my pics and vids, I could hardly even take it all in. It was truly an unforgettable experience. Beyond the numerous marlin, there were porpoises and sea lions crashing the bait balls. We saw whales, giant sea turtles, and so many types of birds. The diversity of sea life was simply astounding. In other years you may also find tuna, dorado (mahi), and wahoo mixed in with the marlin, but for whatever reason, this year those other pelagic predators were concentrated to the north. For me it didn’t matter, my marlin dreams came true!
There are many great bill fishing destinations, but Mag is probably the only place in the world where a fly angler can expect to sight cast on feeding marlin, and fishing the mangroves was like a cherry on the top. Few experiences live up to the hype, but Mag Bay does. If you’re ever given the chance to fish Mag, I have only one word of advice – Go!
by Brandon Rabke
Last September I went to Canada and spent about a week and a half traveling, fishing and sight-seeing across British Columbia. I began my trip in Kamloops where my friend Marvin had invited me to join him for a day of fly fishing on one of the 100+ lakes found in that part of BC. We ended up fishing Heffley Lake, which is about a 30-minute drive northeast of town. Our guide, Wally Tywoniuk, was waiting for us in his comfortable pontoon boat when we arrived at the lake, along with two fly rods already rigged and ready to go.
Many of the lakes in this area, including Heffley, are populated with two strains of rainbow trout: the indigenous and reproducing Kamloops trout, known for a bright red hue along their sides and their strong fighting capabilities; and a triploid strain that doesn’t reproduce but are bred to grow very fast. This last attribute benefits fishermen who are allowed to keep some of their catch for the table. Using sinking lines attached to nymph patterns and drifting with the wind across the entire length of the lake, we caught both strains during our half day on the water. The Kamloops trout were noticeably brighter than the triploids, but they all put up solid fights on our 5-weight rods. After one more day in Kamloops I caught a ride with Marvin, his wife and another friend to the city of Vancouver. I met up with my friend Rosy there and the fol-
lowing day we flew to Terrace where I had hopes of catching my first steelhead trout on the famed Skeena River. That plan didn’t pan out, however. Bad weather set in, and it rained the whole time we were there. I had booked two days with a guide but after fishing for four hours the first morning, in the rain and in a rising and muddy river, we decided to call it a day. Despite the poor conditions I did manage to catch one nice pink salmon while wading and casting alongside a gravel bar separating two channels of the river.
I cancelled my second day of fishing and instead we donned our rain gear and took a bus out of town to the Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site. This site, situated along the banks of the Skeena River, has been inhabited by the native Gitselasu people for more than 6,000 years. We hiked a trail that led from the visitor’s center down to the river and observed native built longhouses and totems along the way. At water’s edge and from a wooden platform built on the riverbank we were impressed by the view before us. Massive volumes of muddy brown water were churning through the canyon and the mighty power of the rain swollen Skeena was on display.
By the time Rosy and I had departed Terrace and arrived back to Vancouver the weather had greatly improved. We spent the remaining days of our vacation exploring the city, sampling the local cuisine and just enjoying being outside. We went for a long hike in Lynn Canyon, north of the city one day, and biked around Stanley Park another day.
Both the lakes around Kamloops and the Skeena River are great fishing destinations that I hope to return to again sometime.
by Austin Orr
Fly fishing is hard. That’s one of the reasons that we like it so much. That challenge is also what makes teaching people about fly fishing so rewarding. I’ve been a certified casting instructor now for 14 years, and I’ve worked with hundreds of people to improve their understanding of casting. Some of my favorite people to teach in that time have been kids. Their incredible enthusiasm for fishing and just life in general is a wonderful thing to see. In the next few paragraphs, I’ve put down some of the ideas and guidelines I have developed over the years to help develop young people’s understanding of fly casting. It may surprise you how little I talk about them, and how much I focus on you, the prospective teacher. If you hope to have a chance of sparking the enthusiasm of a young angler and protecting that as it grows into an all-consuming flame, you CANNOT expect them to learn quickly. Oftentimes they do, in that sponge-like way that we seem to lose as adults. That said, the younger the child, the more leeway they require. Physically casting the rod is harder for younger kids, and attention spans can be very short.
• Be Patient.
• The first thing to know about teaching kids to fly cast is that you need to be able to leave your ego, expectations, and any kind of negative vibes at home. This isn’t about you and your objectives; in fact, if you make it about you, they’re less likely to be interested. The more you know about the kid and their interests, the better it’ll go.
• Specific to casting, it may help to focus less on casting to fish and more just on casting for the fun of casting. Remember, the initial objective here isn’t to catch fish or teach proper casting technique; it’s to ignite their curiosity and create a positive experience that they’ll want to repeat.
• Short, fixed amounts of line that are relatively easy for them to control and place are best. Anything longer than 25 feet (7 meters) or so is too much to ask for the younger kids, say up to about 10 years old. Roll casts are usually easiest to learn, and have the benefit of resting on the water for the majority of the casting sequence.
• Any kind of achievement should be celebrated. Did they make a decent roll cast? Did they identify a bug correctly? Did they throw a rock really far into the juiciest, fishiest spot around? Good job! Now, while they’re feeling accomplished, gently direct that positive energy into their next effort, always building toward the desired result. Remember, this isn’t about fishing . . . yet.
• Don’t expect to fish. You’re about to get a taste of what professional fly guides deal with on the regular, and it’s easier to swallow if you go into the day expecting not to do any fishing yourself. But here’s a pro tip: if you can, bring an extra rod; while you’re untangling their rig, let them cast with yours. Bonus points if you can make that feel like a special privilege.
• For some kids, fishing will initially be mostly about the fish. Intentionally target relatively cooperative species –
Starting younger kids off with a two-handed grip on a single hand rod gives them a greater sense of control and confidence
bluegill and other panfish are friendly places to start. Catching a fish – any fish – is pretty darned exciting . . . remember?
• For other kids, fishing will be much more than just fish or fishing. Be prepared to make fishing and casting instruction just a small part of the trip; let the hike, the bugs, the birds, or whatever else catches their attention dominate the outing.
• In the initial stages, it’s a good idea to reiterate good fishing handling skills each and every time a fish is caught. Kids feed on your excitement of the fish being caught, and just as quickly mirror the seriousness of a careful release for fish you’re not bringing home for dinner.
• Kids are natural scientists, and most of them appreciate logical explanations. Spend time explaining why you’re doing something, or why you’re showing them something. Given context and support, kids pick up on patterns at incredible speed and will soon be telling you that there’s probably a trout behind that rock or that splash was just a mullet.
• It’s not only about the target species in your local water body. All the small living creatures along the water’s edge can capture a kid’s attention and get them fired up to learn more about everything that lives underwater. It’s easy to use this interest to show them how our fly patterns mimic local critters, and you might surprise yourself with how much you learn while teaching them.
• Keep the outing short, and keep the conditions in mind. A couple hours on a beautiful afternoon are not
the same as a couple hours on a frigid early morning. This also limits the amount of time you have to untangle knots.
• As kids get older, these guidelines get blurrier. By the time I was 13, I was going fishing all day by myself and was absolutely sure I wanted to be a marine biologist. Each child will learn and grow at their own pace. If you do your job well, they may even surpass you one day.
• It only takes one or two bad experiences for them to swear off fishing trips entirely, so tread lightly.
Experienced anglers are an inexperienced angler’s best source of information, and represent an essential piece in the chain of learning for most of us. Teaching others is a time-honored way to give back to our small community, and a way to pass on the values of conservation for both our land and the precious natural resources that exist on it. How else are they supposed to figure out that we don’t go fishing to catch fish?
Take your time passing along the skills and observations you have learned as a fly angler, and you might just be rewarded with passing on something that spans time in a way that our lives cannot - a legacy of knowledge, handed down from one generation to the next, through you.
You can find Austin Orr online at https://www.elevateflycasting . com or on his Instagram @elevateflycasting
Young anglers are hungry to learn about the natural world, and it’s our honor and responsibility to teach them
This fly is a very effective popper pattern that was developed by me and my good friend Jeff Hoelter. The Llanolope, was inspired by Capt. Scott Sparrow’s VIP, but uses foam cylinders for the head and antelope hair for the body. The round foam head makes a durable fly that is easier to tie and trim, and twists less in windy conditions. I like using yellow foam and natural hair colors which imitate grass hoppers that are common on the banks of the Llano and other local rivers. We fish this pattern all over the Texas Hill Country and have had fantastic results! It can also be tied in a red and white variation for snook and black to imitate a cricket. I made this fly tying video for the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited chapter, with the help of Orvis San Antonio. This is my go-to flies for the Hill Country.
We meet Monday evenings, 6PM - 9PM at Austin Beer Works (3001 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758). There’s a really good taco truck, great beer and a reserved table. Bring your own vice, tools and material. It’s “freestyle” tying, with everyone tying their own flies, but any of the regular tyers will help you with a pattern. It’s a little dark, so bring a portable craft lamp if you have one. If you just want to check it out, stop in on a Monday, have a beer and meet the group.
We have a facebook message group where we announce changes to the schedule, or cancellations. If you are interested in joining us, send a facebook message to jim.gray.1213 and I will add you to the distribution list.
By Keith Mars
It’s that time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas that can be a magical time down on the Texas coast. The traffic thins out, the water clears up, and the fishing can be lights out. Before you head down, cruise Google Maps and look at that extensive seagrass up and down the coast. These systems really make our Texas coast special and in need of our care and carefulness when out on the water.
Boat propellers have long carved devastating wounds into the delicate underwater landscapes of our coastal waters. These scars, created by boats cutting through shallow seagrass beds, represented more than just unsightly marks – they were destructive blows to entire marine ecosystems.
Seagrass is far more than simple underwater vegetation. It is the very foundation of coastal marine life, providing critical habitat for fish, stabilizing shorelines, filtering water, and supporting entire marine food webs. A single prop scar can take decades to heal, leaving behind a barren underwater desert where once-thriving ecosystems flourished.
Before legislative intervention, prop scarring was causing massive environmental damage. Miles of seagrass beds were destroyed annually, dramatically impacting fish populations, reducing nursery habitats for commercially important species, and compromising coastal protection mechanisms.
The journey to protect Texas coastal habitats wasn’t an overnight success. It emerged from years of dedicated scientific research, environmental advocacy, and collaborative efforts involving the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, marine biologists, coastal conservation groups, and responsible boating communities.
In 2013, the Texas Legislature passed a landmark piece of legislation specifically targeting prop scarring. This bill represented a critical turning point in
marine habitat conservation. The legislation estab lished specific seagrass protection zones in critical coastal areas, mandated educational programs for boaters about habitat conservation, and created clear guidelines for navigation in sensitive marine environments.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) plays a pivotal role in implementing the legisla tion. They developed comprehensive mapping of sensitive seagrass areas, created detailed naviga tion guides, trained marine enforcement officers in identifying and preventing prop scarring, and has established reporting mechanisms for habitat damage. TPWD has also learned a lot from imple menting earlier specific regulations to red fish Bay down near Aransas Pass. Prior to statewide pro tection of seagrass the Redfish Bay area had a prop scar ban where TPWD set up extensive study areas and ramped up enforcement.
As mentioned, the recovery time for seagrass is ex tensive, and we won’t see the full effect of recovery for decades. While complete ecosystem recovery takes time, early indicators are promising. There have been fewer new prop scar formations, a slow er rate of habitat destruction, increased aware ness among boaters, and more careful navigation in sensitive areas. Fortunately, we also saw these results in the Redfish Bay area from the imple mentation of earlier regulations, so there is a good starting place of seeing how successful these pro tections can be through a combination of educa tion and enforcement.
As anglers, we are more than just fishermen. We are guardians of these incredible marine environ ments. Every careful movement, every conscious choice helps protect the habitats that give us our passion. The prop scarring ban isn’t just a law – it’s a commitment to preserving the incredible marine ecosystems that make our coastal fishing so spe cial.
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Photos https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/habitats/seagrass/propeller-scarring
by Bob Maindelle
With two-thirds of the final quarter of 2024 now behind us, the Soldiers’ Kids Involved in Fishing Fun (SKIFF) program has conducted 23 trips thus far this year, placing a total of 47 children on the water. Those children landed a total of 1,610 fish, thus yielding an average catch of 34.25 fish per child.
With the school year now in full swing and Daylight Saving Time behind us, day length is short and weekday schedules are tight, thus just about eliminating the possibility of conducting after school trips. Hence, most trips in the last quarter of the year are done on school holidays or weekends.
Such was the case for the four trips conducted since September.
On the first trip I welcomed Mrs. Trinity Howard and her five children aboard … EllaGrace (7), Kennedy (6), Jaxon (4), Mason (2), & little Mackenzie (7 months). The three eldest kids fished with me while mom looked after the younger two. The kids’ dad, U.S. Army Specialist James Howard, is an infantryman currently deployed to South Korea. He has served for nine years, including prior service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Despite having my hands pretty full, the kids managed 100 fish even.
On the second trip I welcomed Mrs. Heather Haines and her young children, Thaddeus (5) and Teagan (3) aboard. Due to their young age and greater need for variety, we fished for shallow sunfish, and pursued white bass a couple different
ways, helping them to a 72-fish catch. The kids’ father, U.S. Army Captain Harrison Haines, is a field artillery officer currently deployed to South Korea.
On the third trip I treated the Oakes brothers, Nate and Evan, to a morning trip on Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir. The brothers landed a total of 125 fish, including a white bass, largemouth bass, and freshwater drum by cranking MAL Dense Lures upwards off the bottom, aided by Garmin LiveScope. The boys’ father, Jesse Oakes, is a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served over 20 years before retiring.
The fourth trip conducted thus far this quarter was for the Aglee sisters, Haniel and Nancy, ages 9 and 5 respectively. On a chilly November morning while on their Thanksgiving break, the girls landed 54 fish, including white bass, largemouth bass, and freshwater drum. The ambient air temperature was just 38° when the trip began, and little Nancy held on as long as she could, finally getting too cold to persist any longer by around 9:45 AM. The girls’ mother, Abra Alokpa, originally from Togo, is a disabled veteran who served six years in the supply field of the U.S. Army.
I anticipate a final push of requests over the Christmas break and will be pleased to report to you about those successes.
Bob Maindelle
Owner, Holding the Line Guide Service 254.368.7411 (call or text)
www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com
Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com www.Facebook.com/bobmaindelle www.Twitter.com/BobMaindelle
From left: Kennedy (6), Jaxon (4), and EllaGrace (7) Howard with a few of the 100 fish they landed on Lake Belton. The kids fished for sunfish with bait, caught white bass via downrigging, then caught more white bass with MAL Original Lures worked vertically.
Thaddeus (5), Heather, and Teagan (3) Haines with some whopper 10 white bass the kids caught all by themselves on this Soldiers’ Kids Involved in Fishing Fun (SKIFF) trip.
From left: Nancy and
caught 54 fish in just over two hours on a cold, late November morning. The air temperature was at 38F with a bit of wind chill as we got going.
Ryan Schaper
Ryan is lead guide and owner of Go Outside Expedition Co! I have been fishing in the Hill country for the last twenty five years. My uncle has had property on the Upper Guadalupe near Spring Branch so was lucky enough to realize I was a river rat from a pretty young age. I started fly fishing in college at Texas State and have been guiding full time for the last eight years.
Cody is a USCG licensed and insured flyfishing guide for his company and at an Alaskan Lodge. LaCroix’s Fly Fishing Company offers first class fly fishing experiences in the Central & South Texas area. We run full and half day trips year round for various species such as Rainbow trout, bass, carp, and gar. The Copper River Lodge is located about 200 miles Southwest of Anchorage on Lake Illiamna and can only be accessed by boat or plane. It offers one week fishing packages that include 3-4 flyout days to various rivers throughout Katmai National Park and the Coast.
by Jim Robinson
Cassio Silva – https://www.cassiosilvaflyfishing.com Central Texas Fly Fishing Guide
Aaron Reed – https://flyfishingaustin.thelocalangler.com/author/aaronreed/ Author Fishing Guide
Austin Orr – https://www.elevateflycasting.com Certified Casting Instructor
Ted Mendrek – https://sportsmansfinest.com Sportsman’s Finest Fly Shop
Chris Johnson – http://livingwatersflyfishing.com/ Living Waters Fly Shop and Central Texas Guide
Capt. Eric Glass – http://www.captainericglass.com/ Fly Fishing South Padre Island
Nick Streit – https://taosflyshop.com/flyguide/main New Mexico and Southern Colorado
Justin Spence – https://bigskyanglers.com Fly Shop and Guide Service West Yellowstone, Montana
Cari Ray – https://fisherofzen.com/shop/ Central Texas and Colorado Fly Fishing Guide and Casting Instructor
Capt. Chris Conant – https://www.mdfishco.com Sportsman’s Finest Fly Shop and Hosted Trips
