Growing up in the outdoors set the foundation for my future. I knew I would always partake in outdoor activities, but I never thought I would make it my career.  As an avid surfer, I have a profound respect for the saltwater and what lives underneath, and this has birthed a connection with the water that can never be broken. 

 

I grew up hunting with my father as a young child and every deer season still hunt with him to this day. After 29 years of hunting there was something inside of me that wanted much more. I have always loved to fish, but it was always with a spinning reel. When I would visit my grandfather for the summer he would always book a trip with a saltwater guide out of Rockport. We would go out and catch our limits every time. Back then I just thought it was fun, till I wanted more of a challenge. 

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I picked up fly fishing through my boyfriend, who is now my husband. He spent months poling me around his boat, teaching me how to cast. I spent months trying to catch a Redfish on the fly and I finally did. Fly fishing for me is an act of hunting which gives me an opportunity to utilize all of the stealthy skills I use while hunting. It requires patience, persistence, a good set of eyes and a positive attitude. Redfishing is my forte. I love seeing them in super skinny water with their backs completely exposed, sliding on their bellies looking for bait to feed their hunger.

 

There is nothing that quite compares to a redfish eat, but it is important for me to recognize the effects of taking from the fishery. When I fly fish, 99% of the time my catch never goes into the ice box. I will occasionally keep a black drum which is my favorite. But a few beverages and some snacks along with pulling on a couple fish makes for a perfect day. It's not always about returning to the boat ramp with a limit of fish.

 

For myself, fly fishing is everything, I dream about it, I'm always trying to get better, and the progression never stops because there is always a more difficult species to target. It's the never ending journey that feeds every aspect of the "hunter" inside of me.