The Redfish Pointer

Hudson



     

    Almost 6 months ago I made the decision of getting Lilla my Weimaraner a companion to have when I'm not home. German Shorthaired Pointers have always been a breed I loved, and probably one of the few that could keep up with Lilla's ever lasting energy. The thought of getting another dog had been in the back of my mind as I watched Lilla get older, but I just never had the drive to really look hard for a good German Shorthair breeder. Then one day I was working our fly fishing booth at a weekend event on Brays Island which is a local shooting/ outdoor community here in Beaufort, and thats where the pups caught my eye. The 6 week old German Shorthaired puppy's were absolutely beautiful, and I could not resist holding one. Before I knew it the breeder had my number and was going to give me a call when they were 8 weeks old; I fell in the love with the gorgeous puppy's.
    Soon after I saw the pups the thought of getting one was stuck in my head, and wasn't leaving. There was only two things that were holding me back; the responsibility of having 2 very energetic dogs, and the expensive price of the high end German Shorthairs. Then 2 weeks later when I got the call my heart told me to get one, so I then ended up working out a deal with the breeder, and was off the next day to Myrtle Beach to pick out my new pup! With the help from a good girlfriend, I ended up picking out a handsome, healthy male, which we later decided on naming Hudson. Lilla and Hudson soon became best friends and played non stop, and I knew that I had made the right decision adding another dog to my life.


Landing one of the Fish Hudson Pointed



                                

   Whether I'm at the beach, on the boat, at the sandbar, or fishing, my dogs are usually with me when I'm on the water. Lilla and Hudson both absolutely love the water, but as Hudson got older I could tell he liked the water a little more than Lilla. Even if we weren't in the boat he would roll in mud puddles, jump in the pond at my house, and pretty much find anyway to get soaking wet, which made it quite interesting when it was time to come inside to sleep! Seeing Hudson love the water so much I soon decided to take him wade fishing with me for some tailing redfish on the fly, and thats where the Redfish Pointer started.

     The Fly Fishing adventure started out about 5pm on a Monday afternoon at a short grass flat where we waited for the tide to rush in so we could start looking for some tailing reds. As we walked through the marsh Hudson, now 6 months old, kept pointing at little blue crabs moving around in the mud, which he found out as the day went on there not much fun to play with. Watching him point the blue crabs I then started to wonder if Hudson could point the tailing redfish, which I'd never heard of a dog doing. As time passed the tide got higher and right when it got above my booties I spotted the first fish. Watching the tailing fish move through the spartina grass I looked over to where Hudson was and sure enough he was already in his pointing stance, starring down the tailing redfish.

    The smile that he put on my face watching him point a tailing redfish was incredible, I was a very proud father. Then I gave Hudson the command to stay, made the first cast, and BOOM! Hooked into the redfish, and couldn't believe what just happened. After fighting the fish for about 5 minutes, I gave Hudson the command to go, and sure enough he went jumping through the marsh with joy and curiosity. He was a little confused by the fish at first, but before I knew it he was licking and smelling the redfish all over. As the evening went on we ended up landing 6 tailing redfish on the fly, breaking my previous record, and Hudson pointing 4 of those fish. It was an incredible day of fly fishing with my new German Shorthaired Pointer Hudson, and a fishing experience i will never forget. Watching him patiently wade in the water next to me, looking for tailing reds was a ton of fun, and most of all it was something I've never heard of a German Shorthair Pointer do. Hudson is a great fishing partner, excellent dog, and when people ask me what kind of breed is he I just tell them, "he's a Redfish Pointer!" If your local to Beaufort, SC he will also be in the new Beaufort Lifestyles Magazine.





Hudson with a Tailing Redfsih



   

A Father and Son

My Dad and I on fathers day

     In the world of fishing one of the best bonding experiences is a father and son getting there lines wet together. All dads out there know that the feeling and smile of watching there son reel in a big fish, and being as proud as a father could ever be. The son on the other hand remembers these days of fishing with his father like it was yesterday. Having a mind full of pictures, knowledge, and experience from the days out on the water with his dad is something a son will never forget. This bonding experience of fishing is a tradition in most outdoor family's, and goes on through generation to generation as the passion of fishing is past down from father to son.
    Growing up on the Whale Branch River is something that has made me who I'am today, not only a professional fishing guide, but a low country local who truly respects and loves the place I live. Being born and raised around the smell of the marsh, feeling of the salt water air, the cool river breeze, and constantly changing tides is something that becomes a part of you. The few who have grown up here know the feeling, and others move here to live the coastal dream. Ever since I could walk I was on the dock throwing a cast net, crabbing, fishing, swimming, and simply enjoying the river. My father is the one who taught me everything I know when it comes to things like that, especially fishing.
   I knew how to drive a boat before I could ride a bike, cast a fishing rod before I could read, and got my own boat before I could multiply and divide. Most people knew me as the kid who was always on the water either fishing, hanging at the sandbar, or just enjoying a great sunny day. Fishing was always my favorite thing to do, and ever since I caught my first redfish Ive been hooked. Frank Plair is my father and is the one who encouraged me to be the person I'am today. He taught me how to drive a boat, cast a rod, tie the right knots, use the right bait, navigate the waters, and of course find the fish. What he taught me was something I couldn't learn in school, or do on my own. His knowledge and passion for fishing was passed down to me from father to son, which i hope to do one day with my own son.
  As I got older fishing grew to be a part of my life. Whether it was the latest clothing, a new boat, or fishing stickers all over the back window of my car since I could drive (which is still the case). But as you get older you soon learn you need money for things you didn't pay for before like gas for the car and boat, dinners with girls, and so much more. So my sophomore year of high school I got a job at a local fly fishing shop called Bay Street Outfitters, which was a dream come true. The more days I spent working the shop the more I loved the environment because I was surrounded by everything I loved to do. Soon I was known to work here whether is was from friends, family, or anyone who saw me with the countless Bay Street Outfitters hats, shirts, etc.
  From working in the shop I soon got very involved with fly fishing, and became amazed with all the different equipment, tactics, and sheer art of it. Tuck Scott who is the head guide here at the shop is the one who really taught me a lot about fly fishing for redfish, whether it was on the boat, or walking around in the grass flats. Tony Royal who is the owner of the shop taught me almost everything I could learn about about fly fishing in general. From the rods, flys, gear, and casting, Tony taught me all that could be known. After working in the shop for 3 years I soon realized that I wanted to be fishing guide, the job Ive always dreamed of.
   During my senior year I got my captains license after I turned 18 and gained the title Capt. Owen Plair, which was something Ive been looking forward to for years, and I know made my father proud. Before I knew it I was out of school, got a new boat, my own house, and became an Orvis Endorsed fly fishing guide for Bay Street Outfitters. My dream had come true, and I was living the life I know I was meant to live. Taking people out on the water and sharing with them my passion and experience of fishing here is one of the most rewarding feelings. Watching them be amazed by the tides, catching fish, and enjoying a great day on the water where I live is my job, and my passion. Guiding is something I hope to do my whole life, even if its only part time, its something I will always do.
  Being the youngest Orvis guide in America is an honor, and I owe the knowledge and experience to my dad, who taught me everything I know about the rivers that I fish. As a guide one of my favorite trips to do are with a father and son. Watching them bond like I do with my father always makes for a great day whether the son is 5 years old or 45 years old, the bond is always the same. I also enjoy having younger kids on the boat as well, and teaching them things i remember my father teaching me and watching them progress in there ability as the day goes on. It gets me excited to have my own children and pass down my knowledge to them like my father did with me.

Father and Son Clients