Fishing with a Wounded Warrior

    A few months ago I was informed that I'd have the pleasure of taking out a Wounded Warrior during the week of events for the third annual Lt. Dan Band Weekend, which has been a really amazing event here in Beaufort, SC for the Men and Women who have served our country. Being able to give back to someone who has risked there life for my freedom was something that I haven't had the opportunity to do or experience. The wounded warrior foundation is to me one of  the best fundraising events around, and really helps the veterans that are wounded in the war.
  My boss and owner of Bay Street Outfitters, Tony Royal, donated all 3 of our guides for a day of fishing with the wounded warriors that wanted to get out on the water here in the low country and experience our tremendous red fishery. When most people think about wounded warriors they imagine guys with injuries like missing arms or legs etc, but that is not always the case. Most injuries can't be visually seen, which can be some of the worst. The mental part is what we as guides were there to help with; to help these guys catch fish and get back to doing things they love to do. It was a day I had been looking forward to for a very long time, and a day on the water I will never forget.

      We had 4 guides for 8 Wounded warriors and beautiful weather for a great afternoon of fishing. As the warriors walked down the dock, we all were introduced, and I found that there was only one guy who wanted to fly fish, and I was the guide chosen to introduce him to Salt Water Fly Fishing. Sargent First Class Jeff Swire stepped aboard my Maverick 18HPX and we were off in search of his dream redfish. Jeff initially wanted to fly fish, which can be hard for the everyday beginner to the sport, so we decided to spin fish for a few hours first to get some fish slime on our hands. 

  Well fish slime we got, and a lot of it! As the tide was dropping, our baits were dropping in the water as well. Right away Jeff started slamming redfish on live shrimp along some oyster shells in a small creek, really getting a taste for our big ole redfish here in the low country. Jeff landed six redfish, and two Jack Crevelle on bait, not to mention two of those reds were over 9lbs, which is huge for our area!

  What I love the most about fishing is the bonding experience you can have with a complete stranger. Soon after catching quite a few big fish, Jeff and I were no longer strangers. Deep in conversation, throwing up high fives full of fish slime, and giving the fish gods thanks for such an awesome start to our trip. I could see in Jeff's eyes the shear joy he was having catching these fish, and simply just being out on the water during a beautiful day. Our conversation led to his injury in the war, and how it affected his life as a Sargent First Class in the United States Army. Jeff is the true meaning of a Patriot, not only proud to serve his country, but knows how it feels to give everything to insure safety for his brothers in war, and family at home. 

    Jeff's passion and honor for the Army sent chills down my back, and I felt honored to be on the boat with such an amazing guy. Being able to give back to someone who has given everything for me was a feeling like not other, and really made our time on the water special. After catching a few more fish, having a few laughs, it was time to fly fish! At first I was nervous because salt water fly fishing here in Beaufort is not easy, and can be very hard for a new comer to the sport. But with a strong start on light tackle, I knew big things would happen with the fly rod. 

  We pulled onto the mud flat and started to pole the flats skiff into the skinny water where our school of big redfish were sitting. Jeff was getting used to throwing the fly and I was there to give him instruction on how to make his cast longer, and really help get his fly to fish. From the poling platform I could see a nice size school of reds of about 50 fish sitting in mere inches of water as I said to Jeff, "Look! Here's our fish Jeff, lets make it happen brother!". Well Jeff was just a little short on his casting, so I jumped down from the poling platform, threw out a cast on the fly rod for Jeff so he could see how it worked. 

   BOOM! After the first strip a fish hit the fly, and the fight was on! Jeff was on cloud 9 fighting this redfish on the fly, and to watch it all happen made the moment so special. The smile on Jeff's face is one I will never forget, a smile that was like no other. As he brought the fish closer to the boat we soon realized it was a HUGE 29 inch redfish! We both yelled with excitement and the energy on the boat was very evident to anyone within a mile of us! 

  Jeff pulled the fish in and we landed his huge and first redfish ever on the Fly! We shook hands, threw high fives, and even had a hug of excitement. Jeff was a redfish magnet and achieved his goal for our day, but exceeded his own expectations, which made me feel incredible. The time I spent with Jeff was one of the most rewarding days I've ever had on the water and special to me. Jeff caught the first redfish ever on my new Maverick 18HPX, which was special to me as a guide; I could not of imagined breaking my new boat in any other way. Our day on the water was not just about fishing but learning about the fishery, and learning about each other, which led to a great friendship. 

   The other boats all had great days as well, and afterwards we had quite a few happy guys walking back to there van. Jeff caught the biggest fish of the day, and biggest fish of his life. He taught me a lot about the wounded warrior foundation that I didn't know about, and made our day on the water a very humbling experience. This kind of trip is something I look forward to doing again in the future, and cannot wait till the next time Jeff is on my boat. Sargent First Class Jeff Swire was not only a true hero to me, but a friend, and that's what one day of being on the water together can create. 

Maverick 18 HPX-V

Maverick 18 HPX-V rooster tail 

Wounded Warrior Project on the new Maverick 18 HPX-V

   A few months ago I decided that it was time for something new, something that would take my business to the next level, and something that would lead to a new venture in my career as a professional fishing guide. In the last 3 years of guiding more things have happened in that time than I had ever imagined and I found myself living through the passion, and shear excitement I had for being a salt-water fly fishing guide here in Beaufort, SC. My life was changed, my goals were set, and it was all coming together faster than I had ever imagined.

       The addiction I have for the joy of watching my customers catch fish was evident, and soon became one of the key ingredients to my business and career. Fishing is about having fun and enjoying your time on the water making memories that will last a life time, and that's what I strive to provide. All of your equipment is a very important piece to the puzzle when making these memories, because without the best equipment, its hard to have the best results. I supply some of the most premier fly and light tackle equipment in the industry, because its reliable and will always be there to make sure we get the fish of a life time to the boat. A reel locking up, rod breaking, old line getting tangled, or rusty hooks failing are all things my customers never have to worry about. All of my great sponsors are what allow me to carry the best equipment for my customers, and keeping those memories alive every day on the water. 

Double on the Maverick 18 HPX-V

Double on the Maverick 18 HPX-V

   One thing that I was missing was a top notch technical poling skiff. My Scout Costa was a great boat, and did everything that I needed to achieve the best results for my customers, not to mention it was also an affordable boat for an 18 year old starting out in the guiding industry. I cared more about that boat than anything, and it was a great boat to start my career being able to carry 3 anglers, pole decently shallow, and still look good for customers first impressions. But a few months ago I realized that my business was moving to the next level and good ole Lucky 7 just wasn't what I needed, it was time to step up in the flats boat industry, and make a move that was always just a dream.

   Maverick Boat Company was the dream. As a kid growing up on the water, I also grew up learning the boat industry. If you pointed out a boat I could tell you what make or model it was, almost like a hobby, and all thanks to my dad who loved boats just as much. Going to boat shows, seeing the new models, and watching the flats boat industry grow in Beaufort was all in my life time. There was always that one flats boat that caught your eye, looked like the future, and simply made you wish you were fishing out of it! That one boat for me was Maverick, the dream boat, the one boat that you only wished you had. Growing up we went through quite a few bay boats and flats boats, but never had the joy of owning a Maverick.

 The day I walked into Barrier Island Marine was when it all started to come together. Tuck Scott who is a close friend and fellow guide at Bay Street Outfitters was who really turned me onto looking at Maverick for my next boat, and told me to stop by to talk with Barrier Island who is are local Maverick Dealer. Tuck runs the Maverick 17 HPX-V and absolutely loves it for guiding. Whenever I fished with Tuck on his boat, poling was easy! It was as light as a feather, drafted nearly nothing, and absolutely made a difference when shallow water sight casting (which is all we do when fly fishing). I started looking at Mavericks website, reading articles, blogs, and forums researching on the company to get a better idea about the boats and which one I could see myself running. 

  Its not easy finding a boat that fits your every need, but the Maverick 18 HPX-V exceeded what I wanted out of a flats boat. I memorized the specs, knew every option the boat had, and had feedback from other guides who ran the 18 HPX, but the last thing I had to do was fish one. The first time that I stepped aboard the 18HPX I was a little nervous wondering if I was going to love it like everyone else, and sure enough Maverick had taken over any thought I'd ever had about a flats boat. It got on plane instantly, poled like a feather, got shallower than I imagined, and ran fast and smooth in rough water. I was sold on the 18HPX-V simply after being in one for the 1st time.

   If there was one word that could explain the Maverick 18 HPX-V for me, that word would be Perfect. Poling with ease, shallow draft, light weight, carrying 3 anglers, handling rough water great, and being a top notch first class fishing machine. The hull of the boat is constructed with a carbon Kevlar blend making it lighter and stronger than your regular flats boat, which therefore makes it draft shallow and pole with ease. There are only about 60 Mavericks made a year with a staff of 6 employees that are specifically designated to the HPX line, building these boats by hand, and making each boat one of a kind. The build process for a single maverick hpx takes around 14 days start to finish, and I was lucky enough to have photos of my 18 through the whole process. 

The Two tone Pastel-Green Deck just out of mold

The hull still in the mold

Just out of the mold

 
 The 18 HPX-V was everything I needed as a guide in Beaufort, SC, and all in one beautiful skiff. I walked into Barrier Island Marine and sat down with a guy named Brad White, who was new to Beaufort and had only been around for about a year. Right away Brad and I clicked, and that's when I realized my future with Barrier Island Marine. Brad saw my energy for what I do just as much as I saw the same in him, which created a trust between the two of us. We ironically shared a lot of the same clients, had a lot of the same ideas, and were both very confident in what we provide for our customers, but in two different industries that are so very close together. A few couple hour meetings later, Brad offered me an official sponsorship from Barrier Island Marine for a new Maverick 18 HPX-V, which then led to the next step in my career.

Maverick 18 HPX-V

Maverick 18 HPX-V

Maverick 18 HPX-V

Maverick 18 HPX-V

      Representing Barrier Island Marine and Maverick was huge for me, and something that I see going a far way in the near future. Not just going to boat shows, fishing tournaments, and representing them in the guiding industry, but being a able to trust a local boat dealership with my customers needs and knowing they will treat them just like I would. Maverick was also a company that I was more than excited to be with, running one of the most world renowned, respected flats boat in the industry was a dream come true. The next step had been reached, and it was time to put my boat order together. I wanted an 18 HPX-V like no other, something custom, and a boat that most people haven't seen. Maverick exceeded my expectations greatly and built me the Perfect skiff for my waters here in the Low Country of Beaufort, SC.

 
   This is a list of all the Upgrades I chose to make my Maverick a true custom flats boat:

-Pastel-Green Hull

-Two Tone Pastel-Green Deck

-Yamaha F115 for Shallow draft

-Yamaha Pro Series 21 stainless prop
-35 Gallon Fuel Cell

-Hyrdrolic Tilt Steering wheel
-Black Out Powder Coat Package

-Advanced Livewell Bubbler System

-Flush Mount Capable Center Console

-3 Optima Blue top 6 pack batteries
-Gel-Coat Matched Cooler Seat
-3 Rack Stainless Steel Rod Holder

-Custom Maverick Ameritrail Trailer

-Aluminium Wheel Upgrade

-Trolling Motor Ready System

-Nautical Wrapped Steering Wheel

-Garmin 740s Touch Screen GPS with in hull inducer

-Minn Kota ST Trolling Motor with Ipilot
-Quick Release Minn Kota Bracket
-Under Gunnel and Storage well LED Lights
-3 Bank 24V Onboard Battery Charger

-Blade 8ft Black Power Pole

-V-Marine Push Pole Holders

-Tibor Push Pole Caddy

-Stiffy Hybrid 21 Push Pole

Photos are below:

Minn Kota ST Riptide with I-Pilot and Quick release bracket

Garmin 740S GPS, Nautical Wrapped Steering Wheel, Hydrolic Tilt Steering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA45F8rgBVE&feature=results_video

Ameritrail Welded Bunk Trailor, Aluminum Wheels, 8ft Blade Power Pole

V-Marine Push Pole Holders, Stiffy Hybrid 21

Two Tone deck, Black Powder Coat Package, Tibor Pole Caddy

3 Bank Rod Holder, Gel Coat Matched Cooler Seat

2 Optima Blue Tops for the Trolling Motor, 3 Bank 24V Onboard Charger, Clean Wiring Job done by Maverick

   

    

   

    

Family Fishing

Father and Son customers from GA

      Family activities are very important in the everyday life of people all over the world and many families choose to commence these events in the great outdoors. Whether its a family vacation in the mountains, to the beach, or even to another country, spending time with your family is very important. One of the most favored activities to most family's is fishing and as a guide, I always enjoy having family members on the boat. The bonding experience while fishing with family is absolutely awesome, and one of the best ways to create memories on the water.
   Being on a flats boat here in the marshlands of the low country is one of the best ways to get away from "reality" and simply enjoy what mother nature has given us. Leaving the dock at 6am with my customers still half asleep is one of my favorite things about fishing this time of year because when the sun rises above the tall oak trees is when there eyes open wide, getting them ready to fish! Younger kids and eager teenagers are some of my favorite people to watch on the ride out to fish, simply because of the all the excitement they have as were cutting through all the shallow creeks. Then you have the average businessman who doesn't show his excitement until hes holding his first red on the fly for the day, which always brings the excitement out of em!

Powell family from OH

        Whenever I get a father with his sons or daughters, it always bring a smile to my face remembering  memories of fishing with my dad growing up. It amazes me how one single day of fishing can bring so many great memories for a family, which in turn, brings memories for me as a guide. Whether its a huge cobia, tons of reds, or even the "one that got away", memories are created all the time when on the water fishing.

Young kids first red!

     The best part about our fishery here in Beaufort, SC is that its all inshore! Being able to fish within feet of land is great for anyone who hasn't spent a lot of time on the water. Getting in a boat can be very weary for some people that feel uncomfortable around water, but I promise that here in the Beaufort you will be more than comfortable the whole time we are on the water. Fishing a lot of back creeks, flats, bays, and grass lines is how we target fish. In all of those areas we are rarely in more than 6 feet of water, so the comfort zone for most people is almost like standing on land!

Stephen hooked up on the Fly with his wife cheering him on!

    Fishing with your wife or girlfriend is something I recommend for anyone who hasn't done it yet! Most ladies choose not to fish with there husbands, but I find that when they do, the ladies seem to catch more fish! Fishing doesn't mean having to hold a "slimy smelly fish", but more of enjoying the catch of a fish to remember with that special person in your life. I find most ladies have a certain view of fishing, and my favorite thing of all time is showing them that its not as bad as it looks, and afterwards getting those magical 3 words; I had fun!
  As a guide I always bait hooks, hold the fish, and take care of most things ladies dislike about fishing, so remember that next time you want to get your husband a fun present! Also with small children its great to have a guide, and someone to take care of the all the hard and dangerous parts of fishing. The key is to always be safe around hooks, and making sure that the boat is in order to be able to cast and retrieve fish without having to worry about hooking your family member in the back of the head!

Mike and Delaine from SD

      Its not always the fish that make memories on the water, but simply the time spent together while your out there. Talking about old memories, new memories, and things that most family simply just don't have the time to talk about. It seems that being on the water always brings the happy side out of people and that catching fish while your at it is always a plus. You also get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the low country, dolphins swimming, birds diving, and getting a nice sun tan while your at it!
    The water is a place where all family's can enjoy a day of bonding and making memories that last a life time. As a fishing guide here in Beaufort its what I do, and one of the best parts about my job. Learning and experiencing the water and fishery in first hand is something I recommend to all family's here in Beaufort, SC.

Low Country Summer Fishing

Philip with his first red on the fly before 7a.m.!

     Summer time in the Low Country of Beaufort, SC is when most people spend time on the water fishing, boating, hanging out at the sandbar, or simply just bathing in the sun. Its a very hot time of year, but also a very good time of year to enjoy the local waters. Average temperatures during the day range between 85-95 degrees, sometimes even hotter! With these warm temperatures it brings in a lot of bait fish and shrimp, which turns on the Redfish, and trout, making for some really good fishing!
   Between the months of July and August, we are mainly fishing the early morning tides. Starting between 6-7a.m. in the morning is key to staying out of the heat. Not only is it tough to fish in 95 degree weather, but it also makes it hard on the fish. Redfish feed in the morning mostly in the summer month do to the hot afternoons, which makes the morning bite very good! Getting up before the sunrises is not easy for most people, but I guarantee that when your rod is bent on the first fish of the day before the sun is above the trees, it will be very much worth it! Watching the sunrise is always a plus too.

Hooked up in the sunrise

    Summer time fishing in the low country allows for a variety of ways to catch fish. When fly fishing for redfish we are working the early morning low tides for small schools of fish, cruising fish, fish with there backs out of the water, and chasing bait. When fishing low tide on the fly, its very visual, and always a lot of fun. There is nothing better than poling the flats boat in mere inches of water casting to redfish and watching then eat your fly! Fishing low tide on the fly in the summer time is one of my personal favorite ways to target redfish.
   Fly fishing on the early morning and late evening high tides for tailing redfish is also very productive. On the shallow water grass flats are where the red fish tail, which allow us as anglers to walk to them. Watching a redfish tail is a very exciting event, and can challenge any angler to catch them. You have to have a high tide big enough to do this kind of fishing, so moon tides are something to keep an eye for. Late afternoon rain storms can often cause the water to cool down, which can really make the high tide evening fishing very good!

Stephen with a nice red on the fly 

   Light Tackle fishing is also very good in the mornings of summer. Using live bait is very productive in the summer months using live mud minnows, and shrimp is always a go to bait. You can also use a various amount of artificial baits or cut mullet. Whats so fun about summer light tackle fishing is all the different kinds of species you can catch in a single outing including redfish, trout, flounder, lady fish, blue fish, jack cravelle, tarpon, triple tail, and sharks. For anybody new to saltwater fishing, the summer months can be some of best.
   Family fishing is a good summer outing, and something I recommend to younger kids. Watching a young child catch there first fish is always one of my favorite parts of guiding, but watching a young kid catch 6 different species of fish is even better! Fishing the summers month also leaves you the rest of the day for other activities because most days we are done fishing by 11:30a.m. You will also see dolphins feeding, sea turtles swimming, and all sorts of birds working bait, which really shows you a lot of the wild life here in the low country.

   When fishing in the heat of the summer its very important to prepare yourself for the elements you will be in. The heat of the day can catch up to you very fast, so having water and ice on the boat is very important to stay hydrated. Sun protection is also very important. I recommend 50SPF sun lotions, long sleeve shirts, hats, sunglasses, and a buff for every day anglers. Watching the weather in the summer is also very important do to a lot of afternoon thunder storms. You never want to be caught in the middle of a lightning storm our hazardous conditions that can cause you to lose vision on the water and make it unsafe to fish.  

Friendship from Salt to Fresh

Patrick and I with a March redfish

  Fly Fishing is something that can take two strangers and turn them into very good friends. There is some sort of connection that seems to bring fly fisherman together, and creates a bond that is unbreakable. Whether its a conversation on where they fish, what kind of tackle they use, which flies they tie, or simply a story about landing a big fish. No matter if your in an air port, local fly shop, or just standing in line at a grocery store, fly fisherman will hold a conversation on fishing. These conversations can become friendships and also business relationships as I found with my good friend and fellow Orvis Guide, Patrick Fulkrod.

  About four year ago I traveled to east Tennessee to a town called Bluff City for an Orvis get together where Orvis Endorsed shops from all over the east coast meet to talk about products, go fishing, and just plan old hang out. This was a new adventure for me because I've never been fresh water fly fishing, which in my case was a mystery. To me fly fishing was about seeing the fish, using big weight gear, and poling a flats boat along the edge of the marsh. Little did I know that there was a whole different world out there when it comes to fresh water fly fishing and how this trip to East Tennessee would create such a great friendship.

     We arrived at the Rivers Way lodge and soon met all sorts of other guides and dealers from across the east coast. Tuck and I seemed to be the outcast's in the group since we were the only salt water guides there, but soon found that it brought up a lot of good conversations between salt water fly fishing and fresh water fly fishing. Guys had questions for us and we had questions right back in return for them; learning new things from both sides of the door when it came to salt water and fresh water. The difference in the two fisheries was great, but the passion for it was all the same. After eating a spectacular dinner prepared by the great Tim Landis, we had a few beers, shared some more stories, then hit the bunks for a little sleep for the upcoming day of fishing.
   The next morning we awoke to the smell of fresh pancakes and bacon along with brewing coffee. Had a bite to eat then started to get ready for a kind of fly fishing I've never experienced. Being the only guy in the whole cabin who's never been fresh water fly fishing was intimidating, but the excitement of learning had me geared up and ready to rock and roll. As Tuck and I were outside getting our tackle together we saw the guide who we were chosen to go fishing with pull up in his white 4Runner with a drift boat towing behind it. Patrick got out of his car and kindly introduced himself and off we were! Three total strangers in a car on the way to fish, but with the passion for fly fishing we all had, we weren't strangers for very long.

Patrick putting his boat in 

A nice Brown Tout wading

  Patrick was new to guiding at the time, and had only been doing it for a few years, so right away him and I had a lot in common. The way he talked about fishing and being a guide was something that I connected with right away. His passion for what he does was obvious by the excitement and positive attitude he had for everything, and that was something that I really idolized. Catching fish wasn't the only important part about fishing, but enjoying it and having a great time was something Patrick was very good at. He not only put us on tons of fish through out the day, but taught me a lot when it comes to always having fun on the water, and how to be the kind of guide that everyone wants to fish with.

My trophy Brown Trout

    Patrick introduced me to the world of fresh water fly fishing, and really helped me to understand how it all works when it comes to the right drift, mending, techniques, fly selections, and most of all reading the river. He knew these waters like the back of his hand, and you could see that he absolutely loved what he does. Not to mention my first cast of the day I caught my first Rainbow Trout! Fresh water was new to me and I soon found out that Patrick had never been salt water fly fishing. This led to a lot of conversations, and soon after a friendship between fresh water and salt water.
   A few months later Patrick came down to Hilton Head with his wife for a vacation, and his first experience of salt water fly fishing. The difference in rods, tackle, flies, and casting was quite different than what Patrick was used to, and I was excited to introduce him to a new fishery just like he did with me. We fished a low tide flat that day on a big school of reds, and got Patrick his first Redfish on the fly! The excitement and energy on the boat was incredible, and a feeling I will never forget. Being able to thank somebody for introducing me to fresh water fly fishing by introducing them to salt was a really good feeling, and the start to a great friendship.

Patrick and I with his 1st Red on the Fly!

    The bond between us as guides was great, and the difference in fisheries made that bond even stronger. We soon started fishing together a lot in the upcoming years, and making great memories in the process. Some of favorite memories of fishing are with Patrick up in Tennessee, and down here in Beaufort, SC. Patrick was a huge influence on my attitude towards guiding and showed me what it was like to always stay positive, and to always have fun. Whenever were on the boat together the feeling I get is unique because its almost like your with someone who truly understands the passion for guiding, but in complete different fisheries, which to me is incredible. We not only fish together yearly, but stay in touch as good friends, and also as fly shops.

Patrick with his 1st Tailing Redfish

   
   Our relationship as friends and also as guides is not only fun, but is good for business. Being able to send customers to a destination to catch fish in fresh water or in salt water is a good thing to have when you know they will have a great trip. We talk about products, and shop business a lot as well since we both work in local Orvis Endorsed fly shops. In our industry its important to have these kind of relationships because it brings business to both sides of the table. Orvis is a great company, and if it weren't for Orvis, Patrick and I would have probably never met.
  Our friendship and passion for fishing will never change, and to me that's important. Being able to fish together in totally different fisheries is fun and created a bond that Patrick and I will have for a very long time. It shows that fly fishing can bring people together in a way never imagined. Its not only a sport, but in cases like Patrick and I; a way of life. If you want to experience a great fresh water fishery give Patrick Fulkrod a call, I guarantee you will have a great experience on the water catching Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, or Small mouth Bass. His number is (276)-492-9614 or you can reach him at Mountain Sports Ltd at (276)-466-8988
    Check out this recent video of our last trip up to East Tennessee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2W2KfXRWw&feature=autoshare