It was an incredible moment.
A school of redfish were tailing 40 feet from the boat and as I raised my fly rod to make the first cast I missed the mark by a couple of feet.
The reds weren’t disturbed so I shot the shrimp-patterned fly over and I hooked up.
The redfish made an impressive run, showing why they are the most prized fish of fly anglers in the western Gulf Coast.
That was the first stop on the first morning of a three-day fly fishing odyssey in Lower Laguna Madre out of beautiful South Padre Island, TX.
My friend Gray Thornton invited me to join him, and his longtime guide friend Capt. Eric Glass and I could not resist.
Over the last five years I have come to love flyfishing and spend a lot of time at home in Southeast Texas pursuing largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie.
But I had never been on a proper saltwater flyfishing trip, which is kind of ironic. I live on the coast and have spent untold hours on the water seeking everything from redfish to flounder and even bonefish.
Just not with a fly rod.
The red that hit was in the 22–23-inch class and fought like crazy. It was a surreal moment landing my first-ever fly red and soaking in the environment.
The vast sand dunes, seagrass flats, and crystal-clear waters look more like Florida than Texas, providing anglers with a peaceful retreat from the pressures of everyday life.
Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation, balances a demanding travel schedule and workload. Likewise, I manage a ministry and a career in wildlife journalism, so it was a welcome break for us to enjoy a day of fishing.
When Thornton landed his first redfish of the trip, Captain Eric Glass remarked that the remote area we were in is often perfect for spotting tailing reds in the morning, and it lived up to its reputation.
I quickly noticed Glass’s profound respect for and extensive knowledge of the Laguna Madre habitat and its wildlife.
It was uncanny how he would say things like, “There will be a redfish on that tiny little sand flat there.’
And there would be a redfish on that tiny sand flat.
I consider myself a moderately skilled fly fisherman. My casting in the wind could use improvement, and I’m somewhat clumsy with the gear, but I still manage to catch fish.
Fly fishing has become a passion for me, not only because it is challenging but also because the close-range, detailed pursuit of fish required by fly gear teaches you so much.
The experience involves matching the hatch, sometimes daily, and imitating nature in a way that deepens your understanding of it.
I learned a great deal by observing Thornton fish. On the second day, he delivered a master class, catching four redfish and three trout.
I managed to catch a nice redfish and a small trout, and I felt grateful for that.
But I was even more thankful for being in this majestic area with two great friends, sharing our appreciation for the ecosystem, fisheries, and conservation.
Glass uses barbless hooks on all his trips and advocates for catch-and-release.
Our final day was a test of our endurance.
The winds howled, the tides were low, and the skies were overcast, making fishing challenging
Thornton managed to catch a black drum at the end of day, which added some diversity to the trip’s bag. And although we both hooked into reds, they got the better of us.
But that’s fishing.
It only made me want to go back and give it another try to experience more fly fishing in Lower Laguna Madre.
The Mother Lagoon is a special, special place and it is worth of every bit of admiration it receives.
As development engulfs the Texas Coast, we need to be mindful of how places like this impact our lives.
Redfish need a place to roam, and fishermen need a place to pursue their passion.
Life is better on the water, especially when there’s a raging redfish on the end of your line and good friends surrounding you.
Chester Moore
To learn more about fishing opportunities at South Padre island click here.