A Lifelong Journey
Steve Branch grew up in the Big Thicket of Southeast Texas where his father taught him and his brother to hunt, fish and navigate the woods of the Neches River bottom. Together they hunted squirrel, whitetail deer, pigs and the occasional wood duck or mallard. As a teenager, it was not uncommon to find Steve leaving his family’s house before daylight to roam the woods all day, crossing sloughs in the dark using foot logs to get back home.
Following high school, Steve attended the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy. In 1992, he moved to Port Lavaca, Texas to own his own pharmacy. It was there, on the Mid Texas coastline, that Steve discovered all that the bay systems had to offer — he could ‘hunt’ for fish while exploring and roaming the waters of Matagorda Island, from Port O’Connor to San Antonio Bay, and beyond. In 1995, Steve laid down his rifle and picked up a fly rod as he began sight casting for redfish. He never looked back. To date he has fly-fished every bay system in Texas and has caught bonefish in Belize, tarpon and snook in the Everglades, trout in Idaho, bass in the Guadalupe River, and perch in the Frio River, just to name a few.
After 30 years of pharmacy ownership, Steve is fulfilling his lifelong dream of guiding on his beloved bay systems. Not only does he bring years of fishing experience with him, but a genuineness for people as well.
Capt. Steve (ONFLY) has been fly-fishing the South Texas coastal waterways for more than 30 years, hunting, fishing and exploring the waters of Matagorda Island, from Port O’Connor to San Antonio Bay, and beyond.
Capt. Branch has owned a pharmacy in South Texas for 30 years, where customer service and developing a genuine relationship with his customers was paramount. He brings this customer service mentality to his guide service as well, making sure his guests have a memorable experience while on his skiff.
For 30 years, Capt. Steve has been hunting, fishing and exploring the waters of Matagorda Island, from Port O’Connor to San Antonio Bay, and beyond. For Capt. Steve, it isn’t just about catching a fish, it is about learning how to enjoy the great outdoors and showing guests all that coastal South Texas has to offer.
– Washington Irving
Plan Your Fly Fishing Trip
Choose from a full (8 hour) or half (4 hour) day guided fly fishing trip for up to two anglers.
Eight-hour saltwater guided fly-fishing trip aboard Capt. Steve’s skiff, launching out of Port O’Connor, Texas.
Rate (up to 2 anglers): $800.00
Four-hour saltwater guided fly-fishing trip aboard Capt. Steve’s skiff, launching out of Port O’Connor, Texas.
Rate (up to 2 anglers): $500.00
know before you book
A 50% deposit is required to reserve your fly fishing date(s). Remaining charter fees are to be paid with cash or check to Capt. Steve after your charter. If you wish to charge your trip to your credit card, a processing fee of 5% will be applied. Gratuities are customary.
A 15 day advance notice for all cancellations is required for a full refund. If you cancel within 15 days, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel within 7 days, you are responsible for 100% of the trip and your credit card will be automatically charged. Cancellation due to extreme weather conditions will be determined only when the safety of the client is at risk. In these cases, deposits will be refunded or held to reserve a rescheduled date.
Have a Question?
Whether this is your first time fly-fishing or you’re an old pro, you are sure to have questions about what to expect from a guided fly-fishing trip with Capt. Steve.
To the right are some of the most frequently asked questions we get from people looking to book with ONFLY Adventures.
Still have questions?
Capt. Steve mainly targets redfish and black drum, but sheepshead, flounder, speckled trout and jack cravelle are also possible.
If you would like instruction prior to your trip, email Capt. Steve at [email protected] and he can send you several video links to review. He will also instruct you while you are on the water.
For the most part, the guided fly fishing trips are catch and release, however, sometimes clients like to take a fish home to cook for dinner.
ONFLY charters are family friendly, however, the skiff only has room for two anglers so a full family outing is not possible. Fly-fishing can be a great bonding experience for two family members!
As your captain, Steve is responsible for you during your time on the water, so for that reason he does not provide nor does he partake in any adult beverages during the trip. However, within reason, feel free to bring your own and enjoy your day on the water.
Capt. Steve has been fly fishing the South Texas coastal waterways for more than 30 years. He has fly-fished every bay system in Texas, caught bonefish in Belize, tarpon and snook in the Everglades, trout in Idaho, bass in the Guadalupe river, and perch in the Frio River, just to name a few.
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