Fishing Day
Fly Fishing South Padre Island – The Fishing Day
The flats skiffs generally leave no later than 6:30 AM. There are never more than two fisherpersons per boat and the guide can accommodate the departure wishes of the clients. Plan on returning to the house by 3:30 PM or so.
There are extensive flats within 20 to 45 minutes from the dock. You can add to this the gulf-side fishing (weather permitting) and the Brownsville ship channel. Because there are only two to four fishermen at the lodge per week, if you desire you can fish the same productive flats more than once during your days of fishing. Our guess is you will want to keep exploring new locations, with each having its own special character and beauty.
THE GUIDES
Captain Rick Hartman – has been fly fishing for redfish for over 27 years and guiding full time for the last 16 years. He is a tournament caster and puts his skills to good use specializing in sight fishing for redfish, speckled trout and snook in the flats of southeast Texas. Rick takes pride in knowing the waters in South Texas like the back of his hand, a knowledge developed by putting in 175 to 210 days a year guiding anglers to redfish. Rick has been a part of several television shows and has won a number of competitions for casting and fly fishing including International Best of the West, Field and Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, ESPN Great Outdoor Games Show, and the Fly-Fishing Masters.
Captain Dale Fridy – was the 2002 Orvis Saltwater Guide of the Year. He calls the 240 square mile lower Laguna Madre home and has been guiding its waters for the last 25 years. He specializes in super shallow flats fishing and really gets charged when he sees a “gator” trout. Redfish habits are second nature to Dale. He has a degree in Wildlife Resources and his knowledge of the local wildlife will be much appreciated on the water.
Captain Mark Cowan – Most of you already know me, having been on a number of trips where I was outfitting, guiding or hosting. For those who don’t, I have been fishing the Lower Laguna Madre for 22 years and guiding Laguna trips for the last eight years. I have been a national and international fishing guide for 35 years. You can read about my antics in a number of fly fishing publications and see my mug on the cover of some. I have developed a complete quiver of custom flies for all of our locations, including the Laguna Madre. Whether fishing the west side spoil banks and grass flats from my Chittum skiff, or wade fishing the crystal clear sand flats on the east side, you can expect an exemplary effort to connect you with fish. Ask me about the tarpon and snook alternatives, and the many other fly catchable species in the bay and gulf. I love those “outside the box” venues.
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