Fly Fishing at Matagorda Island

Twenty years have passed since I caught my first Redfish on a fly. The man standing beside me had tied that fly the evening before, right before he made us both a PBJ for us to take with us fishing the next morning. Casting to a fish we had “Hunted Up” and watching that fish swim out of a pod and eat that fly is a favorite memory of mine, and that experience started me down a path of wanting to learn more about the sport of sight casting to Redfish with a fly rod. That man was my friend Steve Branch.

Along that path I have met some notable fly fishermen who have shared tidbits of their knowledge with me. One thing of interest I would like to share here is this, those anglers rarely told me anything that I had not already been told by Steve Branch.

I can say in all confidence, that Steve is an accomplished fly fisherman. He has a passion for the sport and it is contagious when you hang around with him. He has a knowledge and understanding of the sport of sight casting to the Redfish that inhabit the waters where he has spent 30 plus years chasing after them. (Just don’t ask him what that Redfish that just refused a perfectly presented fly was thinking.)

If you chose to fish with Steve you will find he truly enjoys sharing his experience with the fisherwomen and fishermen who spend time on the
bow of his skiff and when he tells you something and you take it upon yourself to dig a little deeper into things do not be surprised to find it was something that you have already heard.