Seguin Magazine - July 2020

G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g

July 2020

Honey Mead

How Texas Mead Works develops their own mead from scratch

Buckin’ bulls Live Bull-riding at Vic’s Arena

sheriff’s

Mounted Posse I

Local equestrians with a long history

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14

FEATURES 10 GUADALUPE COUNTY MOUNTED POSSE

Family-oriented group teaches valuable skills and gives back to the community

14 TEXAS MEAD WORKS

Local couple builds a Viking era craft into a threedecade long passion

18 KODA POWDER COATING

A new found niche that is practical, customizable and personal

ON THE SCENE

10 18

22 BULL RIDING AT VIC’S ARENA

Former rider offers his know-how to those who are itching to take the 8-second ride

UNDER THE HOOD 26 ‘68 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE MALIBU

The saga of a car built on inspiration and cherished childhood memories

CULINARY CREATIONS 30 LEMON-PEPPER RAINBOW TROUT

Easy and quick – packed with healthy omega 3 fatty acids

AROUND TOWN 32 FAVORITE FINDS

Unique items from local small businesses

34 FACES OF SEGUIN

4

Submitted photos from our readers

SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

on the cover Photo by Lizz Daniels

Members of the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse pose with their horses in front of the setting sun. The posse rides throughout the week at their facility in Seguin.

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G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g

Vol. 7, No. 2 Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette.

Publisher

Elizabeth Engelhardt Editor

Desiree Gerland

PHOTO Editor

Graphic Designer

Lizz Daniels

Bethy Male Writers

Felicia Frazar Joe Martin Rushton Skinner Michael Pape Lizz Daniels ADVERTISING

Delilah Reyes Gay Lynn Olsovsky Laurie Cheatham TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN Magazine call 830-379-5402

have Story Ideas? let us know

seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com

SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE All material herein c. 2020 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Road, Seguin, TX, 78155.

All rights reserved

hot tip

IT’S ESSENTIAL TO KEEP YOUR BRAIN ACTIVE WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING - PUZZLES ARE CHEAP!

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SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

An INSIDE look from our

WRITERS

Watching eager, and some nervous, first time riders and seasoned professions come out of the chutes on the backs of bulls at Vic’s Arena was a sight. Seeing how former bull riders like Johnathan Bierstedt worked with the amateur rides, guiding them toward a more successful ride and help instill a love for the sport was even more fun to witness.

– Felicia Frazar Being able to meet with the sheriff ’s posse and be around them and their horses for an evening was just about perfect. As a rider myself it felt good to be in my element photographing the riders warm-up and work on their drill.

It’s always fun to learn new things when I write my stories but having the opportunity to work on one about riding was a special treat.

– Lizz Daniels When I learned I was to write a story on Texas Mead Works; I was left with more excitement than I care to admit.

Not only was meeting Michael and walking his facility grounds an absolute treat but learning about and tasting such an ancient aspect of human history will be an experience I will never forget. When I first approached the folks of Texas Mead Works for the story, I thought myself to be well versed in most adult beverages chalking up mead just to be some form of sweet take on beer. Boy, was I wrong. The product Michael and his crew produce at their meadery is diverse, delicious, and frankly, not easy to make. I hope my story provides a glimpse into the world that Michael and his family live every day to make such a wonderful assortment of beverages and does it justice. When you take a sip of the mead they are making at Texas Mead Works, you are not only taking part in a now Seguin staple, but you are also sharing an experience as old as humankind.

– Joe Martin

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7

FROM THE

Editor

A

s life seemingly began to return to normal, I found myself with some time to explore a few places in Seguin that I had never been before. I joined many of you in taking advantage of the 100 degree weather that South Texas is known for. I walked along the streets, admired many of our local landmarks, and sought refuge to lazily shop at several air conditioned local businesses. (Look out for the Favorite Finds page to see some of the things I found while exploring downtown!)

A few of my colleagues also got the chance to get out and experience some fun things. They visited Blue Lotus Winery/Texas Mead Works and sampled some of their flavorful meads that they’re known for, and some new brews that add an even larger variety to choose from. They watched men brave bulls at Vic’s arena as they tackled the 8 seconds. Then, joined the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse to spectate as they practiced their drills, and discussed the character-building that comes with caring for the horses. Check out our writer’s full experiences in the following pages, and of course some of our other classic segments.

As for me, even though I had an opportunity to get out and revisit this lovely city, I approached my browsing with caution. With stores at a lowered capacity, and some businesses observing shortened hours, it all served as a reminder to my wandering self to be mindful of social distancing and to minimize interaction.

Eventually, though, things will properly return to normalcy, and when it does I encourage you all to truly get out there in our city. Have a cup of coffee, snap one-too-many-pictures of the giant pecan, and take in the quaint downtown vibe. At the first safe chance, bring your presence to keep things alive and beautiful.

We’ll get there, Seguin!

Desiree Gerland

Desiree Gerland, Editor

Editor’s Note : In the June issue, our “Coloring Beyond the Lines” article titled the topic’s coloring book, “Doodled Blooms” incorrectly. We regret the error.

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Saddled up

&Ready to Ride S t o ry by Li zz Da ni e l s Photos by Ye se ni a Maci a s

It’s golden hour — that perfect 60 minutes before the sun goes down where the world is awash in warm, glowing light. As the mid-June heat gives way to a breeze, the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse begins warming up their horses for a night of drill team practice.

In the arena, riders trot around each other as a man’s voice booms over the loudspeaker system. They are together for one of the first times since the easing of gathering restrictions, and everyone is excited to be reunited.

Just as spring started, the world shut down due to Coronavirus, leaving horses to grow hay bellies while riders were bored at home. Cancellation of events hit the posse, particularly hard because a lot of what they do is performing for large crowds at parades and rodeos.

Organization president Jimmie Callaway remains optimistic despite it being a tough year.

10 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 11

Members of the Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse practice a new routine during their Thursday night practice. The riders have a variety of interests, and ride everything from English show horses to clever mules.

We represent the sheriff ’s department, but we don’t do anything with them unless they have somebody go missing.

“We do parades and other events, but the Coronavirus has really shut us down this year,” he said. “At our facility, we typically have things going on each night of the week, and the rest of the time, it’s open for people to come. We have a play date coming up if all goes according to plan.”

In the organization’s early days, they worked directly with law enforcement. If the sheriff called, the posse would saddle up and ride to deputies’ aid, providing a critical resource in times of need. Even in 2020, some places are easier to access via horseback. When an individual is lost, and the clock is ticking, a horse can still be law enforcement’s best option for search and rescue operations.

“We represent the sheriff ’s department, but we don’t do anything with them unless they have somebody go missing,” Callaway said. “In those situations, we will come in with the horses and help.”

12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

The Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse has existed in Guadalupe County for roughly the past 50 years. Nowadays, most of their members are families who come out to enjoy the fresh air and equestrian fun provided by the organization.

“This is a family-oriented group,” Alice Campbell said. “We have 4-H kids who come in the morning to work their horses for state. You can come in and ride as a member, or even as the guest of one.”

Members have access to arena facilities as well as a variety of organized events held throughout the week for a yearly fee. They also come together to support the community and participate in Blue Santa each year.

The group’s horseback interests range from roping to barrel racing, and they ride everything from show horses to mules. Their diversity even ranges across equestrian disciplines with both Western and English riders in their midst. The type of saddle

doesn’t matter much when it’s a love of horses bringing individuals together.

“The thing is, we have older people, we have younger people, and everybody kinda helps each other,” Callaway said. “We let people decide what they want to do. They’re doing different classes in our play days this year and including a lot more trail stuff. It really helps everyone with their horse.”

Ask pretty much anyone who works with equines, and they’ll tell you that improving your horsemanship is equal parts training and selfimprovement. The posse finds this to be true, and values the skills they instill in their younger riders.

“The kids enjoy riding, and when we do parades, they get to do the pooper scooping,” Callaway said. “I’ve got a Kubota, and the kids ride behind us and do the cleanup. They also get to help make sure we’ve got the flags.”

While shoveling manure may not sound like the most fun, it helps teach individuals to take ownership and responsibility. Horses also help develop character through the trials and tribulations that come along with riding.

“A horse is a reflection of who I am,” Campbell said. “The way they

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While asking for a skill in a new manner may be the best method of getting things done on horseback, the posse likes for some things to stay the same. Unfortunately, this year’s Biggest Small Town Fourth of July Parade is cancelled along with most, if not all major events at which the group typically performs.

“This year, everything is shut down,” Callaway said. “They haven’t had any rodeos. We usually do the Seguin rodeo and Dripping Springs, but everything’s been rescheduled and is on hold.”

Plans moving forward remain tentative as the group schedules their calendar for the upcoming months.

Luckily for them, a safe social distance is as ingrained as staying away from the kicking end of a mare, so at the very least, they can keep their skills sharp while getting some fresh air. Even as the sunlight fades and the arena lights flick on, the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Mounted Posse reruns their drill in the hopes that they will soon perform for spectators.

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Mead

Seguin in

A Modern Approach to the Ancient Craft of Mead Brewing S t ory Joe M a r t i n

A

P h o t o s by J o e M a r t i n & F e l i ci a F ra za r

n image of Vikings sitting in a dimly lit hall sloshing down a mysterious frothy liquid cheering to their victories comes to mind when mead is brought up.

However, Texas Mead Works and Blue Lotus Winery owner Michael Poole said mead is much more than a medieval drink served up at renaissance fairs; it’s a nearly three-decade-long passion and business.

Michael was first introduced to the art of mead brewing 28 years ago by a colleague while serving in the Navy. Having experience brewing beer at home before, Michael decided mead was the next challenge to take on.

Several years later, Michael and his wife Melissa Poole accidentally stumbled upon a meadery while taking a road trip – one that would inspire Michael to go on to establish the highest distributed mead in the state from Seguin.

Melissa discovered what she thought was a winery; however, Michael said it was a meadery. And it began a discussion between the couple.

“My wife said, ‘well, what’s mead?’ I said, ‘well, it’s wine or beer depending upon who how you want to look at it made from honey,”’ he said. ‘“It’s the oldest, hands down — before we were even rolling wheels — alcoholic drink.’”

After her first sip, Melissa was hooked.

The couple decided to venture into the mead and wine business with Michael’s know-how. The Poole’s jumped headfirst into the barrel of mead-brewing without much of a second thought.

“I have a knack for looking at risk and doing something about it,” he said. “So I wasn’t scared when I did this winery. I bought the property as a matter of it being a retirement. But then met my wife and she gave me the push and said ‘hey, why don’t we do that

It’s the oldest, hands down –– before we were even rolling wheels –– alcoholic drink.

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 15

now?’ I wasn’t scared or anything like that. We just did it.”

Michael attributes his success to his spontaneous nature. It was the same drive that landed the couple a second location in Fredericksburg.

“My wife I were driving around, and I saw a piece of property for sale and said ‘let’s call that number,’” Michael said. “I called it, made the guy an offer, he took it, and now we have a second location. That was rather spontaneous because we’re looking at investing in another winery out there to be partnered with.”

Brewing mead is a deceptively simple procedure consisting of combining honey, water, yeast, and allowing it to ferment while adding in various spices and sugars to the mix for additional flavors. This process can be as short as one month or as long as a year or more.

“It’s not a difficult process,” he said.”And that’s why I think there are a lot of meaderies starting to open.”

When it comes to brewing up tasty mead, honey from the Lone Star State, along with variety is king.

“Our nine standard [meads] that we do have a standard wildflower profile that I shoot for,” Michael said.

“However, honey changes one batch to the next, depending on what the bees were in.”

Creating what the ancient Greeks referred to as ‘the nectar of the gods’ is more than simply sitting idly by while honey ferments in a barrel. There is a science to the 16 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

madness that requires a keen palette and a sharp eye for the perfect batch of the popular golden sweetener.

“Honey plays an important role as to the final product that you get, but there are many decisions to make when you’re creating a mead,” he said. “It’s how much honey do you want to use? What type of honey do you want to use?

Which yeast do you want to use? What temperature do you want to ferment at?”

The Poole’s mead production facility is quaintly tucked away past myriad grapevines, used to produce wines for their other business venture located on the same property Blue Lotus Winery at 5151 FM 20 just outside of Seguin.

This facility is relatively smaller than larger commercial meaderies outside of Texas, but Michael nonetheless uses the space to make his renowned brews.

The facility hosts all the necessary tools to make a delicious mead with machines like fermenting tanks, a water filtration system, a water heater, and various aging barrels.

Texas Mead Works’ bottling line — which is uncommon among most meaderies — allows Michael to bottle about 3,000 bottles an hour.

“Most wineries in the state that are substantially larger than me do not have a bottling line,” Poole said. “With us making mead throughout the year, we have to bottle a couple of times a month. So having this is an invaluable tool to be able to do what we have to do.”

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830-303-5534 Seguin 925 S. Austin St., Seguin, TX 78155 Mead was no joke to the Vikings of old who are estimated to have had thousands of variations of the beverage from village to village. The Poole’s continue this ancient tradition in their own way by offering a diverse and ever-evolving lineup to their own brews at Texas Meadworks.

The meadery offers up about nine standard meads year-round, including peach, jalapeño, strawberry, blueberry, and Texas Mead Works’ number one seller Blackberry Mead, Poole said.

In addition to the nine standard meads, several other limited barrel concoctions are created throughout the year, adding even more variety to the lineup. These flavors change frequently, but currently, the Poole’s are serving up “Tigers Blood,” a take on the popular snow cone flavor, “Texas Heat,” a spicy habanero fueled mead and “Doodle Monster,” the couple’s take on a snickerdoodle cookie flavor.

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18 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Story & Photos by F e l i ci a F ra za r

P

hilip Elley and Gary Baker are business partners, but beyond that, they are family. The pair own and operate Koda Powder Coating, which was born out of a previous business venture. The former business offered truck accessory installation and window tinting and then evolved into building classic cars.

Working on classic cars is something Elley has shared with his father and stepfather for years.

So, when the time came for him to switch careers, it was a natural move.

“My dad and my stepdad have been fixing old cars since I can remember,” Elley said. “I got tired of welding, so I got out of the welding business and started working on cars full time.”

Through a suggestion from his stepson, Elley — along with Baker, his father-in-law — began powder coating metal items.

Koda Powder Coating employee, Rushton Skinner, sprays powder on a magnetically charged metal gate before putting it in the oven.

“It was always truck accessories, and we started building cars. Then we got the powder coating oven so we can do the frames of the cars,” Elley said.

The more powder coating they did, the more they realized it was their niche. So, the two began phasing out the restoration business.

“We don’t want to build them anymore,” Elley said. “It is too much time, too much work.”

The shop moved to 621 N. Austin St. and is home to the largest walk-in oven in the state, Elley said.

The process is quick and straightforward and easy on customers’ pocketbooks, Baker said.

It starts with scrubbing the item, baking it in the oven to remove any dust or residual fingerprints, applicaAbove: A Koda Powder Coating employee pulls the hot panel gate into the spray booth at the shop after it came tion of the powder as it is magnetically out of a large oven. Below: A 1927 Ford Speedster and a golf cart show off the work that Koda Powder Coating applied to the metal and then cooked does while celebrating Independence Day at the Biggest Small Town Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2019 again for about 10 to 15 minutes in 425 degrees.

“To wash it bake it, powder it and bake it again, it takes about 35 minutes,” Baker said.

Once it cools — about 15 minutes — it’s ready to go, Elley said.

People tend to prefer powder coating because it is more durable, Baker added.

The powder coating business is a change of pace for Baker, who retired from the oil industry as an operations manager after 33 years. Before his move to the oil fields, Baker served as a Texas State Trooper for a decade.

The family business isn’t just Baker and Elley, it includes Elley’s wife, who helps with human resources and soon, Baker’s wife upon her retirement.

The pair also believe in serving the community through charitable events.

Most recently, Koda Powder Coating hosted a barbecue for local law enforcement in celebration of Law Enforcement Appreciation Week; they’ve supported the Blue Santa Program and assisted the Elks Lodge in hosting a car show.

Also inside the shop on North Austin Street, the pair help sell classic vehicles and offer window tinting service.

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OntheSCENE

eight SECOND Story & Photos by F e l i ci a F ra za r

A

light breeze flows through Vic’s Arena, giving life to an American flag in the back of a truck, kicking up a little dirt and all of the smells that go with it.

Slowly people gather into the stands and around the chutes waiting for them to open. As the national anthem finishes playing, the chutes liven up with bulls and riders ready to take a chance.

For almost 50 years, people have gathered at Vic’s to take an 8-second ride — amateur and professional alike.

For a small fee and the signing of a waiver, anyone can take their chance on the back of a bull. Riders from all over — some regulars, some first-timers — clamor at their opportunity.

Some former riders and long-time fans of the sport gather around to help get newer riders situated.

Former rider, Johnathan Bierstedt, jumps in the shoot a couple of times to give a new rider a visual of what they need to do.

Once the two switch places and the rider is set, he raises their arm and gives a nod with a “let’s go!”

The chute opens, the bull spins out and begins bucking to rid the person on its back. Some make it to 8, others barely out of the chute.

“The adrenaline rush is something you will never get out of a drug, I guarantee it,” Bierstedt said. “It is like when you nod your head, there are so many things running through your mind, and you have to stay focused. You know that could be the last time you said yes, or nodded your head. It is just the price you have to pay to play the game.”

Bierstedt was 16 the first time he hopped on a bull.

Unbeknownst to his parents, he purchased rigging gear, GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 23

snuck it out of the house, headed to Vic’s Rodeo Arena in Marion and made his first go.

“It was always something I wanted to do,” he said. “I went out there and got on my bull for the very first time. I was hooked.”

Now, at 38 years old, a wife and two kids later, Bierstedt no longer gets in on the action, however, he offers his know-how to those who find themselves in the position he was once in, itching to take the 8-second ride.

Bierstedt continued riding in high school and college.

However, a practice ride in college sidelined him with an injury. He rode in a few open pro shows but never made it to the main arena.

“I wish I would have taken it more seriously when I was that age and taken it a little farther,” he said. “That was what I wanted to do. I’m not a professional, I’ve never claimed to be, but I love the sport.”

No one wants to play the game; no one wants to get hurt. We didn’t either, but we enjoyed what we did.

Bull riding was placed on the back burner for family.

However, Bierstedt recently found his way back to the sport at Vic’s by sharing his know-how with younger riders, including 18-year-old Cameron Long, who recently made his first ride.

Having worked at Tejas Rodeo in Bulverde for a few years, Long was familiar with the sport, but not intimately. A chance meeting Bierstedt gave Long someone new to talk to about bull riding and a contact for when he wanted to make a go of it.

“It is something I’ve wanted to try for a while,” Long said. “My dad and my uncle rode out there (at Vic’s) when they were 18, and I know a lot of people that have been out there and done it. I’ve been out there before, but I’ve never been on one.”

Long’s first time on the back of a bull was a little nerve-wracking at first, but Bierstedt behind the chute with him eased his nerves.

“It made it a little bit easier to have someone there that knew what they were doing,” he said. “I think that is what calmed me down. I wasn’t just getting on there by myself; I had someone there who knew what was going on.”

Bierstedt hopes to keep the tradition of bull riding alive.

“Just want to help out the younger generation. Bull riders are like a dying breed,” he said. “No one wants to play the game; no one wants to get hurt. We didn’t either, but we enjoyed what we did.”

24 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

8/31/20

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UndertheHood

Red head

Turner Story & Photos by Rushton Ski nne r

T

his is a 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. With just over 180,000 produced for the 1968 model year in a V8, this car is not rare. In fact, cars from this era sold in the hundreds of thousands, and many of them survive to this day. But rarity isn’t what makes these cars unique. Instead, because so many people have experiences with similar vehicles, everybody has a story and everyone wants to tell it to you.

Flaunting its red paint down the main drag in Seguin, heads turned, and hands waved. During the photoshoot, one by one, guys came by and struck up a conversation with owner Craig Guttierez, talking his ear off and grilling him with questions before the real interview even started. When 26 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

it was finally time to do the official interview, there wasn’t much to do but hop in the passenger seat and ride along, listening to what the car meant to Craig.

For Craig, his Malibu isn’t a sum of its parts; it’s not one of 180,000.

His Malibu represents his entire existence. He and his grandfather Tony Guttierez bought it as a project when Craig was in sixth grade. It took lots of love and even more, work to get it to where it is today.

“It took time,” Craig said. “I block-sanded for what felt like years.”

It wasn’t until his senior year that Craig could actually drive the Malibu.

It could stop and go, but the saga was still far from over. The ‘68 didn’t truly become a build until he got his

first high paying job as an engineer after college. First was the wheels, an important choice that really affects how a car looks.

“Yeah, the wheels were my first big boy purchase after graduating college,” Craig said. “They’re Work VS-KF wheels in 18x9 in the front and a full 10 inches in the rear”.

Japanese wheels on American muscle may seem like blasphemy to some, but for Craig, it’s just personal preference.

“In my opinion, they look like the classic Torq Thrust revisited,” Craig said.

Torq Thrusts being the classic five-spoke muscle car wheels that are so recognizable.

While cruising Seguin and the

Just as a well-made bed is essential to keep a room looking clean, a clean and organized engine bay is just as important to the overall look of the car. A car with a detailed engine bay with an unkempt exterior will always be better than a detailed car that’s dirty under the hood.

They’re Work VS-KF wheels in 18x9 in the front and a full 10 inches in the rear... they look like the classic Torq Thrust revisited.

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 27

surrounding country-side, Craig lamented why his car means so much to him and how much of an inspiration and guiding figure his grandfather was in his life.

“It’s one thing to go out and buy a car that was built by someone else,” Craig said. “To have had a good portion of my childhood building this car, and spending all that time in the garage with my grandfather, it has a lot of sentimental value. Though you can never get it back, all the time spent is still in this car, it’s still available.

All you have to do is turn the key.”

His most recent memory with the car goes to show what Craig’s Malibu means to him. He explained that when he proposed to his now-fiancee, they were in his Malibu after having a picnic (restaurants not being open at the time due to the pandemic). They rolled up to the top of the parking garage downtown, where his family was waiting for him to pop the question. Thankfully, she said yes.

“We were driving home, and 28 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

she said ‘you know you can’t get rid of this car now right,’” Craig remembered. “To which I replied ‘first of all, there is no way I am ever getting rid of this car. Like yeah, it wasn’t going anywhere before, but now it really isn’t!’”

As he said, the Malibu isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Craig plans to swap the carburetor for a modern electronic fuel injection system for better fuel mileage, power, and first crank starts. He also intends on installing airbag suspension to control ride height and more comfort remotely.

Craig is a perfect example of how much cars can mean to people. So much more than a vehicle, his Malibu is a testament to family and all the good that comes with having their support.

Just as his red ‘68 Malibu created cherished childhood memories, it seems that there’s room for even more as he intends to spend the first part of his marriage — driving away in his Malibu.

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CULINARYCREATIONS

R E P P E P N-

O M LE

- INGREDIENTS Prep : 15 mins | Cook: 15 mins Serves 4 S t o ry & P h o t o by m i c h ae l pa pe

H

ere in Texas, you’ll find an incredible amount of fish to catch (and eat!) year round. Tarpon, redfish, snook, snapper, and so on. Even this month’s Culinary Creations is one of the many fish you’ll find in our lakes, rivers, and Gulf.

The base for this month’s recipe, the rainbow trout, is a gorgeously colored fish. You can say they’re mostly a freshwater fish, but you’ll find their brethren in saltwater as well. A carnivorous breed, they tend to dine on insects, crustaceans, mollusks and other fish. This diet lets them grow to sizes exceeding 30 pounds in the right conditions, with the record size being 31.27 pounds. The saltwater trout can be bigger than 42 pounds!

Rainbow trout is a fish you can find all along the Guadalupe River, including right here in Seguin.

Community fishing lakes and tanks are stocked all over the state each winter, with hundreds of thousands of rainbows being deposited. The rainbows thrive in cooler water, so don’t expect to catch one on the hottest days of summer.

With them being a hot commodity for fishermen, you’ll see anglers lined up along the banks of the Guadalupe hoping to catch themselves a rainbow trout. If you’re itching to catch one yourself, you can find them in one of the many stocked dams, and the streams and rivers running from them. Experts say the best months to angle one would be January, February, and March.

After that, the poor guys hang on for dear life as things get too hot. Of course, if you’re not much of a fisher, or if you’ve already missed the season, you can find them at most of our local grocers/fish markets.

1 lb rainbow trout fillet 2 medium sized lemons 1 Tbsp minced garlic extra virgin olive oil Salt and Pepper to taste

- INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay trout fillets in center of pan, skin side down.

Brush trout with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with garlic, salt, and cracked black pepper.

Top trout with lemon slices.

Bake for about 15 minutes until the trout fillet is white and flaking.

- NOTES My favorite pairing for this dish is asparagus. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, and you can even cook it on the same pan as the fillets!

Don’t be afraid to buy extra lemons to make some lemonade to go with your meal!

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 31

Fa♥orite Finds This issue’s Favorite Finds are presented by desiree gerland - Seguin gazette creative director. w at c h

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live v

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see more at fb.me /sou ther ngoo d

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32 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

2. Elegant Decorative Home Decor Southern Good - Framed art $119.99| Glass Bottles $24.99 “With such a nice selection of unique home decor, there is something for everyone. This ‘I Love Us’ wall art and assorted glass jars with tray were my favorites!”

3

THANK YOU

FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

1916 Bar & Bistro • Barking Lot Treats • Gift & Gourmet • Keepers Interiors Pickett’s Fine Art & Frame Shop • Serenity Boutique • The Shop at Design Associates Sol y Luna Seguin • Southern Good • Thunderpaws Canine Solutions Your Catered Closet • You’re So Crafty 3. Reusable Canvas Tote Downtown Business Alliance - $20.00 You can find this sturdy bag at many of our lovely downtown shops! You get a 10% discount on one item every time you visit one of the participating businesses listed above, and proceeds from the bags go toward a good cause.

Find out more info at www.seguindba.org/ShopSeguin.

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 33

Faces of seguin email YOUR PHOTOS to SEGUINMAGAZINE@SEGUINGAZETTE.COM

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