Hook & Barrel

JULY-AUGUST 2018

NATIVE TEXAN Aaron Watson

is the shining Lone Star on the country music scene

TEXAS, WITH LOVE

International chef sensation

Tim Love

dishes on down home cooking

TROPHY GIRL

Michelle Dalton empowers women anglers

THE

HUNT FOR TEXAS REDS

In search of red snapper off the Texas coast

RACING

INTO THE WILD NASCAR STAR AND AVID OUTDOORSMAN

MARTIN TRUEX JR. IS A STRAIGHT SHOOTER

AC RANCH, THE ONLY PLACE TO

HUNTING & SHOOTING EXPERIENCE AC Ranch, is nestled on the edge of Texas Hill Country, just 60 miles southeast of San Angelo. AC Ranch provides over 20,000 acres of unparalleled hunting and shooting.

Whether you’re looking for Full-Auto Shooting, Whitetail, Exotic Game, Turkey, Upland Bird Hunting, or just a weekend getaway, we provide it all.

Read our feature story on pages 54-59

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME DRIVING EXPERIENCE …behind the wheel of a 500 horsepower “Baja desert racing class” trophy truck. AC Ranch and Driven Dynamic have teamed up, pushing the envelope of adventure-based “experiential” vacation destinations.

Much more than just a simple lowspeed off-road tour, our exclusive driving and riding experiences provide adrenaline, performance and the safety of a professional Baja desert racing trophy truck. Contact us now as there is limited availability.

For more information, visit www.acranch.net or call us at 325.227.8611

HUNT • SHOOT • DRIVE A TROPHY TRUCK

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME ONE, ISSUE ONE

42 48 54

JULY - AUGUST 2018

THE SOUND AND THE FURY

NASCAR star Martin Truex Jr. is just as comfortable in a deer stand as he is in his Camry by jan hubbard

BLUEWATER KAYAKERS Hop in, catch some snapper and get in shape by joe richard

FULL THROTTLE

Nothing says "outdoor vacation" like a patch of real estate in southwestern Texas designed for driving and shooting by david halloran

LOADED 09 FULLY The latest gear for all types of social

AND LEGENDS 28 MAPS Take a road trip across Texas to beat

GOOD GRUB 18 Chef Tim Love dives deep into his archives

TRIP 32 FIELD Exploring Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny

LIBERATION 20 LIBATION Drink your way south of the border

SKILLS 36 NEW Learning the ins and outs of

TUNES 22 NEW Texas country music superstar

38 Q&A From cowboy to hat maker, explore the origins

engagements and field situations

for a killer red fish recipe by drew limsky

with these agave spirits by jenny adams

Aaron Watson speaks of his path to success by pete freedman

05 CONTRIBUTORS 02 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

the summer heat by tyler hicks

Morris' Wonders of Wildlife by shika hershel

fly fish fishing by crai s. bower

of Stetson with quality control supervisor Justin Thomason by joe papallardo

06 EDITOR'S NOTE

64 GREAT OUTDOORS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

John Radzwilla DIRECTOR OF SALES

Natalie Radzwilla

LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

Gary Paparella

EDITORIAL OFFICE

1012 West Eldorado Parkway P.O. 183 Little Elm, Texas 75068 214.997.1118 hookandbarrel.com

CONTACT THE EDITOR editor@hookandbarrel.com

FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@hookandbarrel.com

PRESIDENT/CEO

Kimberly Ferrante GROUP PUBLISHER

Adam Pitluk

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

David Halloran COPY EDITOR

Becky Williams ABOUT MIDWEST LUXURY PUBLISHING Midwest Luxury Publishing is a full-service communications outfit made up of experienced industry experts. We are your turnkey provider for all your communications and publishing needs.

CONTACT THE PUBLISHER

info@midwestluxurypublishing.com midwestluxurypublishing.com 972.378.4845

All material is strictly copyright protected and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. Opinions expressed in Hook & Barrel are not necessarily those of Midwest Luxury Publishing, and Midwest Luxury Publishing does not accept responsibility for advertising content. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk and are the property of the owner.

Printed in the USA

ON THE COVER CLOTHING: RED HEAD SILENT HIDE IN TRUE TIMBER, HIGH TECH CONCEALMENT (FALL) BOW: RED HEAD BLACKOUT SS OPTICS: OCULUS 7.0 8X42 AVAILABLE AT BASS PRO SHOPS

PHOTO TERRI GLANGER

PHOTO BY CHRIS IRWIN

HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | 03

LIFE AT THE RANCH TEAM BUILDING AND EVENTS | ARCHERY PRO SHOP | WILD GAME PROCESSING

contact us cinnamoncreekranch.com

marketing@cinnamoncreekranch.com

817-439-8998

C O N T R I B U T O R S

crai s. bower

scott chambers

pete freedman

jacquelyne froeber

Seattle-based Crai S. Bower contributes scores of articles and images annually to over 25 publications. He also adds creative direction and writes content for numerous companies and travel destinations. He is featured in "The Seattle 100 – Voices that Matter."

Scott Chambers is an illustrator from London whose hand-drawn illustrations have been used by clients including Ford, Nokia, Channel 4 and newsstand regulars GQ and Arena Magazine. A fan of physical mediums, he uses pencil, crayons and paint to produce his work.

Pete Freedman is the founder, editor and president of the online Dallas culture publication Central Track. He is a former music editor of the Dallas Observer, and his work has been published in Deadspin, LA Weekly and Spin Magazine, among other major publications.

Jacquelyne Froeber is an award-winning editor and luxury-travel consultant originally from Detroit.

Her work has appeared in numerous shelter and lifestyle publications, including Coastal Living, Midwest Living and Celebrated Living magazines.

terri glanger

shika hershel

tyler hicks

jan hubbard

chris irwin

Terri Glanger is a commercial and editorial photographer with a fine arts background. She specializes in lifestyle, food and interiors, and her work has been published in national ads and magazines for 20 years.

Shika Hershel is a freelance editor and writer based in Frisco, Texas. She previously worked as a staff reporter for Renegade magazine, where she wrote cover stories on Maya Angelou and Carlos Mencia.

Tyler Hicks is a freelance writer from Austin, Texas.

He currently resides in Dallas, where he can most likely be found reading with (or to) his four dogs or writing at the closest coffee shop.

Jan Hubbard is a writer in Dallas. He previously worked at Newsday, The Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

He also worked at American Way magazine and wrote stories on Harrison Ford and Steph Curry. He has written three books on the NBA.

Chris Irwin is a freelance photographer based in Alabama. He has been working in the outdoor industry for almost 30 years, specializing in hunting and fishing, both in the studio and on location. He was formerly the chief photographer for Bass Pro Shops.

drew limsky

joe murray

joe pappalardo

joe richard

brian smith

Drew Limsky is the editor-in-chief of Interiors South Florida and Mariner, the award-winning travel magazine for Holland America. He has served as editor-in-chief of Lexus and Cadillac magazines. Other credits include The New York Times and Robb Report.

Joe Murray is a writer and editor who has won numerous awards for investigative reporting. A New York native, he has worked in Cleveland and Miami, and has traveled the globe for various newspaper and magazine stories for many international outlets.

Joe Pappalardo covers aerospace and military for Popular Mechanics as a contributing editor and is the author of Spaceport Earth: The Reinvention of Spaceflight. He lives in Dallas with his wife and two shelter dogs.

Joe Richard grew up in Port Arthur and has fished the Texas Gulf since 1967. He started writing for outdoor magazines in 1977 and guiding in Port O'Connor in 1994. He now guides in Florida but returns to Port O'Connor each summer like the swallows to Capistrano.

Brian Smith is an illustrator and designer from the Texas Panhandle. His work has appeared in many publications, including D Magazine, D CEO, American Way and Advocate magazines.

jenny adams

Jenny Adams has been a freelance travel writer and photographer for more than a decade, with a focus on covering cocktails and bars for a number of magazines, including Robb Report, Hemispheres and National Geographic.

HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | 05

E D I T O R ' S

N O T E

My name is John Radzwilla

and I am an endangered species.

For years, I have watched as conservation groups conserve everything from fish to endangered species — all very noble efforts to be honored and respected. But there is one type of animal, one swath of a species, one demographic of creature that has been overlooked — the young professional.

I grew up as many young men do in a semi-suburban town. I wasn’t rich, but I wasn’t poor. My father passed away when I was 7, so for all intents and purposes, I grew up without a dad. I grew up around the outdoors but never hunted and rarely fished. I went to college, moved to a city and began my life. I was headed down the unfortunate path that 90 percent of young middle-class Americans take. So what saved me and relocated me back to the wild?

It was the interest and motivation to sift through immense amounts of internet information, countless hours of research, too many failures and the willingness to learn from them, and friends along the way to rub it in. How many young people would take that amount of time and effort to grow into an avid outdoorsman?

How many even know where to start or what resources to look for?

Not many.

We can save all the endangered animals we want, but without conserving the young outdoorsmen and growing that population, who will carry on the legacy of the outdoorsmen who came before?

Generations of work got us this far, but what’s the strategy to keep it going and ensure the work of prior generations is not wasted? Let 06 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

me pose one simple question: Why are gun ranges alive with eager young men and women lobbing rounds downrange at lifeless paper, but nature is still struggling to attract this same demographic?

The answer, in my opinion, is not complicated. There are many factors that surround the problem, but if you can consolidate it into two simple ideas, we can take steps in the right direction. These two ideas consist of portraying a modern version of the outdoorsman lifestyle to attract the young professional, and lowering the barriers to entry both financially and educationally. We need to transform from weekend warriors to avid hunters and fishermen. So what does this mean?

First, hunting and fishing are more than sports — they are a lifestyle. This needs to be understood; this is the key to attracting the “young professional”. It is painting a picture of the great outdoors as it applies to the modern outdoorsman. That lifestyle can be illustrated by the clothes we wear, the vehicles we drive, the drinks we drink, the places we travel to, the gear we own, and ultimately the hunts we participate in. These factors by themselves are fragmented and generally looked at on an individual basis but when grouped together become the DNA of the lifestyle.

Next is lowering the barriers to entry on two fronts. Primarily, this is an education issue. With so many young professionals growing up without a mentor in the outdoors world, how can we ever expect any of them to know where to even begin? To further com-

John Radzwilla hooked a payara, or "vampire fish," on the Roosevelt River in the Amazon with Amazon Roosevelt Outfitter (amazonroosevelt.com.br) and ventured to South Africa's Eastern Cape with his wife, Natalie, for waterbuck harvest (inset) with JP Kleinhans Safaris (jpkleinhans.com).

"The greatest trophy is the life we live between the hunts." plicate the issue, the majority of the demographic that would be interested in hunting and fishing are men. Therein lies a major problem: Our egos get in the way of asking the stupid questions.

We need to create an educational resource for young professionals to learn from. This could range from simple things like what camouflage to wear to more specific skill sets like field dressing a harvested animal.

Secondly, we need to recognize the financial barrier to entry.

There are many budget-friendly options, but without a deeper knowledge of the sport, the novice only knows the perception he or she has. There are many great ways to get involved at low cost — take dove hunting or bass fishing, for example.

So what is the solution?

Please allow me to introduce to you Hook & Barrel: A Modern Outdoorsman’s Lifestyle Guide.

Hook & Barrel is not just a magazine — it is a movement. Our mission is to equip our readers educationally in outdoor skills, trends and culture, while reintroducing them to the wild. We want to motivate newcomers, the weekend warriors and those sitting on the sidelines, to unplug and live life outdoors.

Every issue will feature the latest trends and styles, celebrity interviews, cool must-have gear and lifestyle accessories, reviews and educational tools, food and drink recipes, music spotlights, travel destinations and low-cost options for adventure hunting and fishing.

I’d personally like to extend a warm welcome and long overdue high-five. Welcome to the Hook & Barrel family. Now, get outside and play.

John Radzwilla editor-in-chief

HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | 07

Fully Loaded the latest in gear and wear for the modern outdoorsman

SOME THINGS ARE BETTER IN PAIRS Hogue Knife Sig Emperor Scorpion Folder Wharncliffe Blade $250; hogueinc.com

Sig Sauer 1911 Emperor Scorpion Full-size $1234; sigsauer.com

photography by terri glanger

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F U L L Y

A DAY AT THE BEACH Bottom: Pelagic Gear Hydro-lite Pro Hex Boardshort $79; pelagicgear.com

Top: Pelagic Gear Aquatek Shirt $50; pelagicgear.com

Hat: Pelagic Gear Baja Straw Sunhat - Dorado $36; pelagicgear.com

Necklace: David Wirth Axis Deer Antler Fish Hook Necklace $300; davidwirth.com

Chaser Cup: Orca Coolers Kryptek Pontus Chaser $40; orcacoolers.com

Sunglasses : Costa del Mar Bloke matte gray blue mirror polarized lenses $189; costadelmar.com

Cooler: Orca Coolers Seafoam 75 Quart $350; orcacoolers.com

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L O A D E D

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F U L L Y

L O A D E D

HAPPY HOUR Bottom: 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex Slim Jean $70; 511tactical.com

Top: 5.11 Tactical Thin Blue Line Forge Tee $25; 511tactical.com

Belt: 5.11 Tactical Operator Belt $40; 511tactical.com

Boots: 5.11 Tactical Pursuit Advance 6" Boot $130; 511tactical.com

Necklace: David Wirth Stanless Steel Fish Hook Necklace $375; davidwirth.com

Bracelet: Outdoor Edge Para-Claw Bracelet $30; outdooredge.com

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DATE NIGHT Bottom: 5.11 Tactical Defender-Flex Slim Jean $70; 511tactical.com

Top: Filson Orion Blue Alagnak Shirt $98; filson.com

Belt: African Game Industries Inc. Nile Crocodile Hornback Skin Belt $125; africangame.com

Hat: Stetson Stetson Pathfinder Hand-woven hat $110; stetson.com

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F U L L Y

L O A D E D

IN THE FIELD Hat: Sitka Gear Sitka Sub-Alpine Trucker $30; sitkagear.com

Top: Sitka Gear Ascent Shirt – Sub Alpine $169; sitkagear.com

Bottom: Sitka Gear Ascent Pant – Sub Alpine $189; sitkagear.com

Bag: Sitka Gear Apex Pack – Sub Alpine $199; sitkagear.com

Bino Bag: Sitka Gear Bino Bivy– Sub Alpine $149; sitkagear.com

Flask: Stanley Classic Flask $24; basspro.com

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CLIMBING HIGH Hat: Kryptek Highlander Hat $25; kryptek.com

Top: Kryptek Highlander Poseidon II Rain Jacket $149; kryptek.com

Bottom: Kryptek Highlander Poseidon II Rain Pant $139; kryptek.com

Binoculars: Maven B.4 15x56 $1400; mavenbuilt.com

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F U L L Y

WORKING ON THE GO Hat: Stetson Coffee Tab Outdoor Hat $42; stetson.com

Top: Kryptek Hyperion Short Sleeve Shirt $40; kryptek.com

Necklace: David Wirth Axis Deer Antler Fish Hook Necklace $300; davidwirth.com

Bottom: Sitka Gear Territory Short $89; sitkagear.com

Bag: 5.11 Tactical Rapid Quick Zip Pack – Hurricane $90; 511tactical.com

Sandals: Pelagic Gear Mai Tai Sandal $60; pelagicgear.com

Chaser Cup: Orca Coolers Kryptek Highlander Chaser $40; orcacoolers.com

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L O A D E D

Life, Reinvented.

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Wyoming’s Only Lake Front Development • All Parcels Surveyed & Staked • Privately Gated with Intelligent Protective Covenants • Title Insurance Included • Stunning Mountain Views • Maintained All Weather Roads • Property Surrounds 2,239 Acre Lake Hattie

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Memories Last a Lifetime. These Great Deals Won’t!

CALL: 855-750-9453

VISIT: WyomingLandRush.com Brooks Realty & Advisory Group, Inc. Steve Amick-Broker

HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | 17

G O O D

G R U B

Tim Love's

LOVE SHACKS story by drew limsky | photography by terri glanger

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B

eloved for a hearty cuisine encompassing everything from an innovative red snapper recipe to sublime doughnuts, Fort Worth-based chef Tim Love is known to TV audiences for his appearances on the Today show and his stint on Restaurant Startup.

His culinary empire includes Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Woodshed Smokehouse, Queenie's Steakhouse and Love Shack, as well as the storied White Elephant Saloon. He sat down with Hook & Barrel to talk snapper and hush puppies, and to pay tribute to the one and only Queen (his mom).

to forever be enshrined for all the greatness she has provided me and my brothers and sisters all of our lives. She is the Queen for sure.

how does your snapper recipe upend expectations?

We do a snapper “on the half shell” with margarita sabayon. Very Texas and very good.

if you were to sit down and have an indulgent meal from one of your menus, what would you order?

I would order the hamachi tostadas, lobster hush puppies, deviled crab and grilled oysters. And a 20-ounce ribeye with cook’s butter and grilled foie gras with fresh grilled langoustines from New Zealand.

And lots of wine.

in which of your restaurants is it on the menu?

It’s at Woodshed and Lonesome Dove, depending on the season. when did you know the gourmet doughnut trend was a thing?

I don’t do things based on trends, but we created Back Dough from a conversation where I just came up with the name. It originally was going to be pizza and doughnuts out the back door. But the doughnuts have really taken off. i saw that queenie’s steakhouse is a tribute to your mother. did she teach you to cook?

My mother’s name is Queenie Love. She did teach me how to cook in order to survive, but not much else. I named the restaurant after her for a million reasons, but the most important one is that I wanted her

what was the most memorable thing that happened during restaurant startup?

This is a large question, but probably when I offered $1 million and got turned down, only to find out that the deal fell through. The best thing about Restaurant Startup was everything that you learn from young, hungry people and discovering real passion.

you’ve nurtured community, especially at woodshed smokehouse. beyond the gastronomy, why is building community there so important to you, and how does a venue succeed in encompassing a natural and spontaneous feel?

People make a community, and so the most important thing is to make people feel like they belong. At Woodshed, I created a restaurant that reminded me of the Sunday BBQ that I have at my house with my friends every Sunday that I’m home. No invitations, you just know that if I’m in town then it’s happening. Come if you can, but don’t get mad because I didn’t invite you. No one is invited, but everyone is welcome.

G ourmet Fish Filet Grilled red snapper on the “half shell” with margarita sabayon • (4) 6 ounce red snapper fillets, scales and skin on • 4 T chef Tim Love fish rub • 2 ounces olive oil • 4 ounces chopped chives Margarita sabayon • 4 egg yolks • 2 T sugar • 4 ounces margarita • 2 ounces Topo Chico • Salt Prepare the sabayon • Place a saucepan with water on the stove to set up a double boiler • Turn on medium high heat • In a stainless steel mixing bowl mix egg yolks, margarita, Topo Chico and sugar vigorously • Place mixture over the simmering water and mix with a stainless steel whip vigorously and continuously until the mixture coats the back of a spoon and is also light and fluffy • Reserve • Prepare a grill to 450 degrees • Rub fish with olive oil • Season fish with chef Tim Love fish rub liberally on both sides • Place fish on grill skin side up first • Close grill lid for 3 minutes • Open lid and flip fish • Close lid for 3 more minutes or until desired doneness • Skin should curl up at this point and become very firm • Serve immediately and top with sabayon and chives Fish should release out of the “shell” with ease

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L I B A T I O N

L I B E R A T I O N

Mexico's Treasures Three incredible exports, built for sipping with ceviche story by jenny adams | photography by david halloran

O

ur moods are subject to the land around us. A rocky, steep terrain can hatch the idea to go off-road.

A calm, blue sea equals a day of fishing that’s equally about drinks and conversation.

In every premium agave spirit, there’s personality from the land as well. Just like a fine wine or Scotch, the spirits from Mexico are deeply imbued with notes of earth and sea, pepper and spice, citrus and herbs.

You’ve no doubt befriended (or possibly sworn off) tequila already, but have you had one of the world’s best? How about experimenting with the smoky brilliance of mezcal? There’s also their distillate cousin, raicilla.

Pronounced rye-see-ya, this sour, floral spirit is now on American menus.

We caught up with a few of America’s best bartenders for recipe ideas as perfect pairings for your red snapper ceviche.

Raicilla

our pick: estancia raicilla Raicilla is new to the American market, but in Mexico, it’s been around for centuries. Marked by lightly sour flavors and intense fragrance on the nose, raicilla is technically a mezcal — created in a specific region of western Jalisco state. When the Spanish crown wanted to tax the indigenous distillers in the 16th century, the distillers adopted the name raicilla and carried on making it in secret.

Bottles began arriving in America in 2014. Estancia is widely sold and distributed around New York state, and you can also find a bottle via the online retailer Mash & Grape. mashandgrape.com The Raicilla Paloma Courtesy of Alex Valencia, bartender/owner of La Contenta L.E.S. and La Contenta West in New York City • 1 1/2 oz. Estancia raicilla • 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice • 1/2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice • 1 bottle of grapefruit soda (Squirt or Jarritos Toronja) Rim a tall glass with lime juice and salt. Fill with ice. Add raicilla, fresh lime juice and grapefruit juice. Stir lightly. Top with grapefruit soda, give one more stir and garnish with a lime wheel and a straw.

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Mezcal

Tequila

our pick: montelobos mezcal

our pick: clase azul resposado

Technically, all tequila is mezcal. However, to be called “tequila,” it must be made from Blue Weber agave.

Mezcal is a spirit made from dozens of varieties of the agave plant, usually marked by notes of smoke — thanks to baking the agave in underground ovens.

Hailing from Santiago Matatlan in Oaxaca state, this brand uses 100 percent organic agave espadín that’s roasted in a stone pit and allowed to naturally ferment. The flavor has wonderful notes of ash, lemon and very light rosemary.

“For a boozy and stirred cocktail, the Matador de Mezcal is incredibly bright and easy to drink,” says Houston Eaves, beverage director at The Esquire Tavern, Downstairs, and El Mirador, all in San Antonio.

“The herbaceous and citrus notes of vermouth and curaçao, combined with the smoky and grassy notes of Montelobos Mezcal, are very complimentary when paired with a fresh ceviche.”

“The vegetal, herbaceous notes in tequila are a perfect complement to the sweet, fresh flavors of red snapper ceviche,” says Gaby Mlynarczyk, author of Clean + Dirty Drinking and head bartender at LA’s Loving Cup. Mlynarczyk combines the fresh citrus of pineapple and lime with a little spice and salt, as well as one of the best tequilas on the market — Clase Azul. Produced from 100 percent organic Blue Weber agaves, Clase Azul is distilled in the town of Jesús Maria, in the highest terrain of Jalisco state. The agave hearts are slow roasted for 72 hours and then rested in barrels, making this tequila rich and smooth, with herbal tones and a hint of sweetness.

The Matador de Mezcal Courtesy of Houston Eaves • 1 3/4 oz. Montelobos Mezcal • 3/4 oz. Dolin Dry Vermouth • 1/2 oz. dry curaçao

Styled by Andrew Stofko at Ida Claire in Addison, Texas.

The El Barrio Chino Courtesy of Gaby Mlynarczyk • 2 oz. Clase Azul Resposado tequila • 1 oz. premium pineapple juice • 1 oz. simple syrup • 1 oz. fresh lime juice • 1 pinch sea salt • 1 cm piece red Thai chili • 1 sprig of cilantro Muddle the chili and cilantro with simple syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Add all remaining ingredients and a few ice cubes. Shake hard.

Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.

Garnish with a lime wheel.

Combine all ingredients in mixing glass with ice and stir well. Strain over a large ice cube in a Rocks glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

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N E W

T U N E S

Wanna Ride This Train?

Texas country music superstar Aaron Watson ain’t the overnight success the rest of the country thinks he is. But now that he’s got everyone’s attention, he’s not slowing down. story by pete freedman

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WHEN AARON WATSON’S 2015 ALBUM

THE UNDERDOG on the Billboard country albums chart, the country music gatekeepers who had for so long looked the other way as he rose up the ranks could suddenly no longer afford to ignore his efforts.

Problem is, they didn’t do their homework when they came calling. Somehow, they’d almost all uniformly missed out on the fact that Watson had northwards of 2,000 live shows under his belt, having released his first album in 1999, toured the world and collaborated with none other than Willie Nelson back in 2004.

They’d look at Watson — who has resisted the temptation of signing with a label for two decades and instead worked his ass off to establish himself as an independent force to be reckoned with — and they’d call him an overnight success.

And how does Watson reply?

“Oh, I chuckle,” the native Texan says now from the back of his tour bus as it barrels home to his native West Texas from yet another distant clime. “I laugh at it a little bit. And, honestly, I'm kind of flattered by it because to be doing this for 20 years and people think that we're just getting started? I mean, that is flattering.”

To hear the ever-humble Watson tell it, it just confirms to him that he’s made the right decision to build his brand from Texas and do things his way.

The way he sees it, if people can’t tell the difference between the 20-year foundation he’s built for himself on his own dime and the product that the million-dollar Nashville machine churns out — well, 24 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

that’s a win in his book.

Better still, it’s been a sign that what he’s got in store for the masses next will work out just as well, too.

Watson has every reason to believe it will. Last year’s Vaquero essentially repeated The Underdog’s success, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard country album chart and outselling the well-established likes of Brad Paisley, Toby Keith and Rascal Flats, to name just a few.

And it isn’t only album sales where he’s been proving his worth as of late: In the last 18 months, he proudly reports, he’s headlined more than 100 sold-out shows across 40 states and 10 countries.

These days, Watson is essentially writing his own ticket as an artist — to the point where he’s more than comfortable ignoring the critics who say his newest music isn’t mainstream or Nashville enough to keep him in the limelight.

Again, Watson can’t help but laugh. He’s never tried to be a mainstream country artist. In fact, he says, he’s never even tried to write a country song.

Instead, he just writes what feels right for each song. To illustrate his point, he brings up the Vaquero single “Run Wild Horses,” with its sultry betweenthe-sheets vibe and R&B undertones. It’s a far cry from Vaquero’s lead single, the rather straightforward barroom stomper “Outta Style,” which he will forever recall fondly as the first song in his career to earn widespread radio airplay. And yet “Run Wild

PHOTO, PREVIOUS SPREAD JOSEPH LLANES PHOTO, THIS SPREAD BRAD COOLIDGE

DEBUTED AT THE NO. 1 SPOT

Aaron Watson takes the stage at the Houston Rodeo.

“Texas is home. Texas is my bread and butter.

And I tell everybody everywhere I go that I'm unapologetically

TEXAN .”

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Aaron Watson draws a crowd at a Texas Rangers game and (below) shows off a catch on a fishing trip with his sons.

26 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

listened to those voices for 20 years, and he’s been doing just fine without them.

“Look at the Beach Boys,” he says. “They sang about surfing in California — and guess what? People in Kansas, they got it.”

People will keep getting what he’s trying to do, too, Watson says.

He’s pretty confident about that.

“Listen, I try not to let my Texas swagger get too out of hand, but I sometimes can’t help it,” he says. “It's important to me that I keep waving that flag for Texas music wherever I go. I've always stayed true to myself and, by doing that, we've built this brand of music that people can depend on. As a writer and as an artist, though, I feel like we're only at the tip of the iceberg. Like, I really feel like these first 20 years have really helped us lay a solid foundation. But now we're just going to build upon what we've done in the last 20 years.”

Only now, everyone — everyone — is paying attention.

“Lord willing,” Watson says, “the next decade is going to be super exciting.”

PHOTOS ZACK MORRIS; COURTESY AARON WATSON

Horses” is following right along, getting picked up and added to the rotations of most of the same stations that supported the single that preceded it.

If Watson had his druthers, country music would stop taking itself so seriously and all this talk of being “[anything] enough” that pervades the industry would fall by the wayside.

“I mean, honestly, what is country music at this point?” Watson asks rhetorically. “I don't even know what it is anymore. I mean, I'm not trying to be rude, but Justin Timberlake sounds more country than a lot of the country artists from the genre today. So what is country? I don't know. What I do is I focus on my brand of music.”

That ethos hasn’t just worked well for Watson, but for his similarly independent, Texas-bred country music contemporaries as well.

There’s no denying it: Between acts like Watson, Casey Donahew, Cody Johnson and Jon Wolfe — just to name a few — Texas country music is having a real moment in the national spotlight.

Watson wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It might be my name on that No. 1 record,” he says, pointing at The Underdog, “but I really feel like that achievement kind of belongs to all the guys in this Texas music scene that have helped build it. I just feel obligated every step along the way to take an opportunity to say to people, ‘Hey, there's so many talented artists in this Texas music scene. You've got to go check them out.’ I've never been the kind of artist where it's all about me, and that's not what I'm going to do now. Texas is home. Texas is my bread and butter. And I tell everybody everywhere I go that I'm unapologetically Texan.”

Watson’s love for Texas isn’t something he has to say, really. His music makes it quite clear.

“It’s definitely a theme in my music,” he says. “I’d call it the flavor, really.”

When Watson speaks to those old country music gatekeepers, they sometimes balk a little at how Texas-focused his music is.

There’s danger in having such a narrow focus, that people might not be able to relate to his content.

Recalling those chats, Watson chuckles right on cue. He hasn’t

Deep in the Heart Aaron Watson has some tips for how to enjoy his native West Texas like a local by pete freedman

PHOTOS DAVID HALLORAN (2); RALPH LAUER

It doesn’t take much to get country star Aaron Watson to wax romantic about his native region’s natural beauty. And, well, once he gets going …

“There’s just nothing like that West Texas sunset,” he says, gushing.

He understands why, when his band tours the country — and even overseas in Europe — his fans love talking about West Texas and its gorgeous skies, too.

“Oh, I totally get it,” he says, laughing. “To stand there and be able to look around — it's the bluest, most beautiful thing you've ever seen. And then in come these colors that seem like they're

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Check out Palo Duro Canyon. Sure, if you want to get scientific about it, you could say that color changes in the sedimentary rock formations tell our planet’s history. But, really, they’re just plain pretty to look at — to the point where painters as renowned as Georgia O’Keefe were known to sing their praises. palodurocanyon.com

Watson’s Walk-Through: “Me, I’d start off in Amarillo first — that’s where I grew up. And on the way out of town, I’d stop by Doug's Bar B Q. I've been getting two sausage sandwiches and a bowl of beans there ever since I was a little kid.

Doug’s will never do you wrong.”

impossible: purples and pinks and oranges all across the sky. Like, literally, you'll think the sky is on fire. There’s a reason they shot that last scene of Indiana Jones here — It’s because they wanted that sky!”

A West Texas sunset is the kind of fleeting sight you wish could last a lifetime. And if the cast and crew of Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade had tapped Watson to be their tour guide while shooting on location out his way, they might not have ever left.

And, with Watson’s list of three to-dos for all visitors to what he says is still very much the Wild West, who would ever want to?

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Go for a drive among the bluebonnets. In 1969, when Lady Bird Johnson successfully championed the passage of the Highway Beautification Act, it’s doubtful she understood just how much she would affect Texas culture. These days, the violet-blue blooms that cover the land around Texas’ many highways each spring are so treasured that most people falsely believe that it’s illegal to pick the flowers. It’s not. Go ahead and grab as many as you want.

Watson’s Walk-Through: “When you see the bluebonnets along the highway — they’ll get you. My song ‘Bluebonnet’ was inspired by how my wife and I lost a little girl six years ago.

The song is about how life is short and sweet, like bluebonnets in the spring. And the little country cemetery where we buried her, every spring, it’s covered in bluebonnets. They’re only there for a little while — but they’re all over the place. It’s really something.”

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Stop in for a bite to eat at Perini Ranch Steakhouse Buffalo Gap, Texas. Hailed by the James Beard Foundation, the most prestigious culinary organization in America, as one of “America’s Classics” — a designation handed out to just five restaurants in the country each year — this renowned steakhouse isn’t just for the suit-and-tie set. If you have kids (and they’re anything at all like Watson’s), they’ll love the food, too. periniranch.com

Watson’s Walk-Through: “It's just so Texas there! It’s this elegant five-star restaurant out in the middle of nowhere. We share a fence line with them — my ranch is right next to the restaurant. It's a special place to me because, where a lot of kids are asking their moms and dads to take them to a fast-food joint and get them some chicken nuggets, my kids want to go to Perini Ranch and have quail legs and jalapeño poppers. I'm like, 'Gosh, guys! You can't eat here every day or daddy's gonna go broke!'"

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M A P S

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Mercury Rising Cool Things to Do in the Hot Texas Sun

story by tyler hicks | illustration by scott chambers Another summer under the Southern sun means more months of adventures and escapades throughout the great state of Texas. While Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston are two of the nation’s largest cities, there’s a whole other world beyond Texas’ urban confines.

Here are some of the many cool places to which you and your crew can escape for some fun during the dog days of a Texas summer.

"With summertime temps like these, you’ll be yearning for a place where you, your friends and family can cool off."

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balmorhea Balmorhea State Park 9207 TX-17, TOYAHVALE, TX 79786

Beautiful Balmorhea has more than a few hidden gems, including this magnificent state park. Perfect for a party or a picnic, Balmorhea State Park offers 46 acres of swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Known as a cool oasis in the high desert, this West Texas haven also sports the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Start the day off with a dive into the crystal-clear water and then lounge around under the cover of countless centuries-old trees.

waco BSR Cable Park BSRCABLEPARK.COM

Waco may be known as the home of Baylor and everyone’s favorite house-flipping couple, but BSR Cable Park is worthy of its fair share of attention. This resort getaway includes a lazy river, a sweepingly eye-catching park fit for exploring and a mini-water park where guests can learn how to surf.

Cable Park offers endless adventures along with plenty of places to chill, wine and dine with your friends. But a mega-sized slipand-slide may be the main draw for those seeking cool thrills this summer. The park’s now famous Royal Flush attraction put BSR on the map with a jaw-dropping slide that sends visitors flying across the sunny Texas skyline. Bikes, boards and bellies are all suitable for this slide, which offers more thrills than you can find at any water park. One go on the epic Royal Flush and you’ll never want to leave this little slice of paradise.

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alpine Big Bend Brewing Company BIGBENDBREWING.COM

The brewers and craftsmen at Big Bend Brewing Company know that Texas is more than a state — it’s a lifestyle. That spirit is infused into every one of their delicious creations.

Big-city beermakers made the pilgrimage to this quaint Texas town in the shadow of Big Bend National Park with the sole purpose of creating sublime original brews. As anyone lucky enough to escape to Alpine knows, the brass at Big Bend Brewing can definitely declare this mission accomplished. The brewhouse serves over half a dozen original creations, with family- and dog-friendly tours available throughout the week.

terlingua Starlight Theatre THESTARLIGHTTHEATRE.COM

Art comes alive at the Starlight Theatre. This famously haunted haven of Texas history is located right on the cusp of Mexico, and in addition to starlight movies and magical murals, visitors can enjoy some of the best food available on either side of the border.

Starlight Theatre’s menu includes a wide selection of delicious dishes and drinks. Stay at the Holiday Hotel for a night — or three — and experience all the haunts and history that this getaway-ready ghost town has to offer.

new braunfels Comal River INNEWBRAUNFELS.COM/VISIT/WATER-RECREATION/COMAL- RIVER

Known as “the longest shortest river in the world,” this local favorite is perfect for any kind of aquatic activity you and your posse.

Paddleboarding, swimming and of course rafting are all fair game here, and you’d be hard-pressed to beat the lush and scenic views you’ll find while floating down the super cool Comal. Thousands of travelers descend upon the Comal and the adjacent Guadalupe River every year, and if you’re in the mood for something slightly more thrilling, head over to the famous Schlitterbahn Water Park.

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brenham The Original Blue Bell Creamery 1101 SOUTH BLUE BELL ROAD

A Texas and national treasure was born and bred in Brenham. A group of businessmen banded together during the sweltering summer of 1907 and founded the Brenham Creamery Company. The first ice cream deliveries were made via horse and wagon, and it would be nearly a quarter century before the Brenham trailblazers adopted the Blue Bell moniker. Visitors to this historic site will learn the story of the Texas treat and, if you’re lucky, walk away with a pint that will have to be eaten between the exit sign and your sweltering car.

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brownsville Boca Chica Beach Located in the Rio Grande Valley, this little-known beach is a prime spot for fishing, birding, camping or cooling off with a swim.

It’s also a great place to go if you need a reprieve from the touristy Texas locales. Because it is so off the beaten path, its striking sunsets and sandy shores are virtually empty. This makes it an ideal location for anyone seeking a relaxing getaway or a quaint, delightful, nature-filled detour.

WHITEWATERROCKS.COM

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Forget those big venues sprinkled through out the state — the heart of Texas music lies in New Braunfels. Surrounded by a crystal-clear creek, this legendary theater will soon host the likes of Willie Nelson, John Fogarty, Leon Bridges and more. If you’re in the mood for cold beer, fine food and even finer music, you’re in luck: Whitewater Amphitheater has it all and then some. Tube on the creek by day, then watch any number of talented performers sing and dance at dusk. It’s the perfect summer activity for Texans of all ages (as long as all of those ages are over 21).

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Whitewater Amphitheater

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Texas Ski Ranch TEXASSKIRANCH.COM

Family, friends and adventure seekers unite: New Braunfels’ Texas Ski Ranch is a onestop shop for fun under the Texas sun.

Wakeboarding, skateboarding and every other type of boarding are all on the menu at this adventure park, including snow boarding. Don’t believe me? See for yourself by booking your picture-perfect family getaway to this one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive adventure experience.

sonora Caverns of Sonora CAVERNSOFSONORA.COM

If you’re seeking an escape from the heat, look no further than the small town of Sonora. There, you’ll find caverns of beauty.

These world-class caves are complete with rare crystal formations that have wowed visitors for over a century. Come prepared with water and a snack or two, because with miles of magnificent views, you won’t want to leave Sonora anytime soon.

austin Hamilton Pool PARKS.TRAVISCOUNTYTX.GOV/FIND-A- PARK/HAMILTON-POOL

Last but not least, we have the geographical marvel known as Hamilton Pool. An underground river collapsed thousands of years ago, creating this natural pool near the state capital. The pool itself is crisp and cool, and the surrounding area is perfect for hiking and exploring natural Texas.

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NB: The prize HOOKANDBARREL.COM does not include| any international | 31 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG or domestic flights, cost of extra animals hunted, shipping on taxidermy, any other expenses.

Outside Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum

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Into the Wild

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is considered one of the nation’s pre-eminent entertainment and educational destinations.

J

story by shika hershel | photography by chris irwin

ohnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, began his career by selling fishing tackle out the back of his father’s store. His reputation has evolved into that of a visionary, which has made him a prominent influence for retailers over the last 50 years.

Today, he is known as a renowned travel destination pioneer and the “Walt Disney of the Outdoors.” His ideals and values were shaped by his parents, both of whom were born in the heart of the Ozarks in Willard, Missouri. His mother, Genny, was one of 10 children, all growing up in a two bedroom house. His father and mentor, John A. Morris, a distinguished World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, served his country with pride and integrity.

Johnny’s parents both loved to hunt and fish and soon shared their passion with their son. It was then that Johnny identified how fishing and hunting cultivated a special admiration and appreciation for nature and wildlife.

At the shy age of 21, Johnny fell for the evolving sport of bass fishing and spent five years on the professional circuit. After identifying the ever growing interest in the sport, Johnny started Bass Pro Shops with just eight-square-feet in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today, Bass Pro Shops has more than 100 retail stores and marine centers across the nation that has revolutionized shopping for sportsmen and women. All the while, Johnny Morris and Bass Pro have made a significant impact on communities and on the conservation movement with a mission to inspire people to enjoy and respect the great outdoors.

His personal passion for conservation has positioned his newest attraction, the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, with an opportunity to have a positive impact on all who visit.

On September 21, 2017, known as National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum celebrated its grand opening in Morris’ hometown of Springfield. Nearly 10 years in the making, Wonders of Wildlife is the inspirational tribute to adventurers, explorers, outdoorsmen and women and conservationists who helped discover, develop and preserve the nation.

With over 35,000 live fish, amphibians, mammals and birds, the 350,000-square-foot complex contains the most authentic habitats, and it’s larger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It contains more than 1.5 miles of trails and features 1.5 million gallons of freshwater and saltwater with immersive wildlife galleries.

Wildlife galleries like the “Shipwreck Room” and “Sheep Mountain” give guests the sensation of traveling through the sights, sounds and climates of the most exotic places on earth, including the African Savannah, the Himalayas, the Amazon rainforest and a journey across the Arctic – of which Morris himself once visited. An extreme “open ocean” aquarium awaits guests – as does an eye-toeye encounter with a piranha.

The Wonders of Wildlife serves as a national model for conservation education through hands-on learning activities that engages knowledge-seekers of all ages designed to build a connection with young people as the future generation of conservation leaders.

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deep blue sea

around the world and back again

The Wonders of Wildlife aquarium experience begins with Great Visitors can observe the innovative 4D dioramas of nature’s Oceans Hall, which brings the excitement of the ocean to the mid- most exotic and striking animal habitats, witnessing the sights and dle of America—home to massive marine habitats teeming with sounds of extreme wildlife such as leopards hovering beyond high unique species. Guests of all ages can discover what it’s like to feel ground observing their prey, wildebeest battling with crocodiles a stingray, traverse in an underwater tunnel surrounded by giant at a watering hole with the largest collection of record-setting big river beasts, come face-to-face with zebra sharks, jellyfish, leopard game animals like deer, elk, bear, bison, moose and muskox. whiprays and sea turtles.

Signature exhibits within the wildlife galleries include The Great This 300,000 gallon “open ocean” habitat features the African Hall, which has several different types of animals eibreathtaking depths of the great blue sea. Guests can ther painted or taxidermied. However, the first thing also discover the Great Barrier Reef – a luring saltvisitors would notice is the earthy rich, dry, damp viwater aquarium showcasing tropical reef fish, brant penetrating smells of the wild.

With over 35,000 potato cod and sea anemones. Additional ex“The Wonders of Wildlife is different from live fish, amphibians, hibits include the Shipwreck Reef, a tank where any other museum in the country, especially mammals and birds, the the Great African Hall,” says museum spokesguests can pet stingrays or starfish and ex350,000-square-foot plore a sunken shipwreck. The tank pays tribperson Shelby Stephenson. Local artists and ute to a 237 foot cargo ship that Morris sank craftsmen the Wolken brothers hand-paintcomplex contains the off the coast of Florida as a marine habitat. ed murals for the museum and spent nearly most authentic habitats, The aquarium exhibit also gives nods to 5,000 hours painting African Hall. With each and it’s larger than the legendary conservationists with boats from Erstroke of the brush, Aaron and Adam Wolken Smithsonian Museum spent six years painting the murals at the musenest Hemingway, Zane Gray, personal relics and mementos from Lewis and Clark and former U.S. ums while committing to six to seven days a week. of Natural History. presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter — both The Sheep Mountain diorama exhibit incorpoof whom attended the grand opening. The unique rates a breathtaking mural and climatic conditions design makes for more fun as visitors can journey through echoing sounds from the Alps and the scents from wildlife to cypress swamps, tropical rainforests, Ozarks waterways, rugged enhance the experience for visitors. With more than 40 record-setcaves and more. ting sheep atop the rugged cliffsides of Sheep Mountain, this hab“The museum and aquarium pay homage to the sportsman itat honors the personal collection of avid hunter and adventurer and women of yesterday, today and tomorrow with the knowledge Arthur Dubbs. that the surest way to preserve our rich outdoor heritage is to exJohnny Morris wanted to inspire generations of future conservapose more people to its awe-inspiring beauty,” says Johnny Morris. tionists while providing visitors the opportunity to relive conservation 34 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

Facts and Figures Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium was voted America’s Best New Attraction by USA TODAY. The 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcases over 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds representing more than 800 species from around the world.

Wonders of Wildlife features an immersive wildlife museum that brings visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled.

Visitors embark on an adventure through more than a mile of immersive trails and exhibits, spanning 350,000-square feet.

The Boone and Crockett Club’s National Collection of Heads and Horns is a collection of more than 40 historically significant North American game animals that helped spark America’s conservation movement when it debuted at New York’s Bronx Zoo in 1908.

More than 40 leading conservation organizations contributed to Wonders of Wildlife.

history with The Boone and Crockett Club and National Collection of Heads and Horns. Founded by our nation’s leading conservation hero Theodore Roosevelt, the Club’s legendary exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to view American game animals – which sparked the most popular conservation movement when it debuted in New York’s Bronx Zoo in 1908. Guests will see bison, bears, elk and a remarkably iconic display of the Chadwick Ram featuring 51-inch horns. The King of Bucks is an exhibit that displays a collection of record whitetails with more than 200 specimens. It showcases the whitetail stages of life, detailing to visitors how a buck changes and matures with the seasons.

tinkers alley

More than nine years in the making, Wonders of Wildlife is a collection of both immersive exhibitions and honorary platforms. The result of this facility is a collaboration of over 40 leading wildlife conservation agencies and more than 2,000 woodworkers, ironworkers, painters, sculptors, taxidermists, illustrators, designers, engineers and marine biologists. The murals are the most intricate nature-based artworks ever created.

After the completion of the mural paintings, graphic specialists would consult with landscape artists to stage the 3-D elements including water features, rockwork and native foliage to match the habitat’s seasons.

Johnny Morris created the Wonders of Wildlife museum to share the wonders of nature through an inspirational journey around the world. It’s a celebration of people who hunt, fish and act as stewards of land and water.

“In a world increasingly disconnected from the great outdoors, it is more important than ever for people of all ages to connect with nature through fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation to ensure we can protect wildlife for generations to come” Morris says.

As visitors exit the museum, they read this quote by conservationist Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” wondersofwildlife.org

clockwise from left:

Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium; stunning displays of taxidermy; one of the numerous dioramas within Wonders of Wildlife

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Casting About in the Bush An Intro to Fly Fishing story by crai s. bower

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eoff Moore grew up in the Canadian bush, where his father worked as a bush pilot transporting loggers, miners and sportsmen deep into the British Columbia wilderness known as the Cariboo-Chilcotin. He cast his first fly rod into a frozen lake when he was 5 years old and never looked back.

After winning the National Junior Motocross Championship and a career skiing downhill at 145 feet per second on the Canadian National Ice Racing Team, Moore returned to his native Williams Lake to fly and guide sportsmen into one of the largest wilderness areas left in North America. He recently slowed down long enough to offer this fly-fishing primer.

“I think the most important thing about getting started in fishing is curiosity and desire to try it,” says Moore. “Add a dose of patience and some willingness to be out in the elements in almost any weather and you will more than likely enjoy yourself. If you’re drawn to be active outdoors and enjoy nature you are halfway there.”

Moore insists that, unlike its reputation, fly fishing doesn’t require a lot of investment to get started. Most local fly fishing shops loan gear to aspiring anglers and can set you up with the proper flies for the conditions. They also offer intro classes. Nor do you need to lay down big bucks for specialized outerwear as casting from the shoreline or riverbank is a great way to fish, and practice. “I would say dress to match the environment you’re in,” Moore advises, adding that you will have to pay for a permit or license in most North American districts.

Should you wish to jump in with your waders on, most guide services provide gear for their clients. There are also guiding services across the continent ranging from Maine lakes and Snake River day floats in Jackson, Wyoming, to exclusive heli-assisted fishing at Nimmo Bay Resort in Canada’s Queen Charlotte Islands.

Like all the best recreation, fly fishing contains myriad nuances, such as knowing what fly to put on, a decision that depends on everything from invertebrate hatch times to the strength of the breeze

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coming off the water. Flies aside, when you learn to lay your line down so the fish only notices your fly, you’ve made it as an amateur angler.

“One of the beautiful elements to learning how to fish is it is a timeless pursuit you can’t start too early or too late in life,” Moore concludes. “I will however add a few words of caution … if you do indeed get hooked by the fishing bug like I did, it may open a lot of windows that you have yet to look through.”

Moore remains Exhibit A. “In my case as a youth in BC I naturally participated in the culture of fishing and hunting. From those roots I branched into becoming a hunting and fishing guide, a bush pilot and wildlife photographer … all because my dad handed me a stick with a line and a hook in our backyard of BC.” Step into your local fly fishing shop and watch your own windows fly open.

a match made in fishing heaven:

Where to Tie Your Flies Across Texas Round Rock: Living Waters Fly Fishing started as a guiding service. Today they offer a comprehensive fly shop renting tackle and taking guests to fish the Guadeloupe, Llano, San Gabriel Rivers and Brushy Creek. www.livingwatersflyfishing.com

The Fenwick Eagle rod with a quality cork handle and carbon reel seat combined with Pfleuger's Medalist fly reel are a combo for every angler. Starting at $199.

Austin: Alvin Dedeaux Fly Fishing was a 2016 Orvis Endorsed Guide of the Year finalist who will outfit and take new and experienced anglers out on the Colorado, San Marcos and Llano Rivers as well as off the Texas Coast. www.alvindedeaux.com Houston: Bayou City Angler offers a fly fishing clubhouse for the experienced and the novice. BCA is a one-stop shop for gear, guide service recommendations and conversation about where to go and why fly fishing has no bounds. www.bayoucityangler.com Dallas: Tailwaters Fly Fishing Co. is a full service shop and education destination with a host of regular classes. The Tailwaters experts also work with numerous guide services as well as travel packages to more exotic saltwater destinations as far away as the Seychelles archipelago. www.tailwatersflyfishing.com San Antonio: Tackle Box Outfitters is an exclusive fishing shop that features premier gear and a variety of other services such as guide services. The shop also provides casting lessons. www.tackleboxoutfitters.net

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The Glad Hatter

A Texas cowboy keeps it real at the factory where Stetsons were born. story by joe pappalardo | photography by terri glanger

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T

he lobby of the Hatco building where Stetson hats are made is a mix of factory and industrial museum. The facility in Garland, Texas, has been making these iconic hats since the 1920s, and walking into its doors feels like stepping back in time when things were crafted by hand and robots were something for the comic books. “There's no computers down there,” says Justin Thomason, the quality control supervisor for the hat manufacturer.

Thomason fits in well at the Stetson factory. This Texan is not only responsible for monitoring the thousands of felt and straw hats created at the factory, he’s a competitive rodeo rider and ranch owner.

His shoulders are broad and his hands are as rough as sandpaper, but his face breaks into easy smiles. And he knows more than a thing or two about cowboy hats. when did you get your first stetson? people think texans get them at birth.

I had my first Stetson, gosh, I bet I was 4 or 5. I remember it was like a Garth Brooks edition type of deal. Of course we had to have what he had. That was my first encounter with a Stetson hat. I grew up in a little town called Paradise, Texas. Not everybody can say they grew up in Paradise. My dad, he rodeoed for a little bit and my grandmother owned a ranch just outside of Wichita Falls. I just pretty much grew up being around the Western lifestyle. It's just been a part of my life ever since I was little, since I was born. It's just a part of our lifestyle. I wake up and I literally go out the door and I put my hat on. It's just a habit, how I live my life. baseball players are spooky about their hats and gear, so are rodeo riders the same way?

Oh yeah. You know, there's a superstition in rodeo: you don't lay your hat on the bed. So I always have a certain place where I put my hat, and luckily I have never had to really worry about that. There's definitely certain hats that you have done well in, or a pair of jeans that you've done well in, or something like that to where you definitely want to keep that momentum going, especially when you're winning money. it’s amazing to see all the hands-on labor that goes into making Stetsons. how does that affect your job?

We haven't changed our process for the whole time we've been in business. Stetson started in 1865. We got machines that are made in 1890 and 1892, so our process and even our machinery, the majority hasn't changed. We definitely pride ourselves in that. We're set to a higher standard than everybody else, just because of the Stetson name. We have to keep that integrity and that quality. that may be true, but you guys make a ton of hats here.

In our felt hat plant, we have 130 employees. We put out over 1,500 felt hats every day. Our labor is definitely intensive: We press them, give them a nice shape, put a nice sweatband in them, put a nice liner in, and of course a nice buckle set. That always helps for the

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felt hats. For the straw hats, we press them and then we put a nice lacquer on them to where they're more water-resistant, and we put a wire in it to where that hat keeps its structure, the shape of it. We put a nice leather band in it, but also we put a cloth band in it to where it's more comfortable for first-time users or guys that still do compete, to where they don't have a tight hat to where it doesn't blow off. That material kind of sticks on their forehead and it fits a lot better. there’s a long history of celebrities wearing stetsons, or even launching their own line of hats. does that still happen?

We have George Strait as a guy that wears our hats. He's on the side of our trailer. Really I don't think you can get a better name, especially in country music. We have a straw line and a felt hat line just for him. They have some of the fancier bands. Some people like more of a fancy band, to where myself, I wear just a generic black band, but not everybody likes that. For [race car driver] Richard Petty, we have three or four different hats that we make production-wise for him, but then of course, whenever he wants a hat, he just tells us what we wants and we make it for him.

"We're set to a higher standard than everybody else, just because of the Stetson name. We have to keep that integrity and that quality." what kind of styles does he like?

Oh gosh. He has some wild stuff. I mean, we've done anything from pink python skin to rattlesnake heads, jawbones and stuff like that.

Whatever he can think of we can definitely make for him. your two passions, hats and horses, seem to fit very well together.

That's a good part about this company: There's a lot of people that are in the managerial positions, even our general manager, who used to professionally rodeo. He understands what it takes. If you're entered in a rodeo on Thursday afternoon, it's OK if you need to leave work.

I still compete, still have three horses that I take care of every day.

I come home after work and ride the horses. We practice at the arena. We do live the Western lifestyle to where, hey, you know what?

We want to test this hat in this certain area, outside in the rain. Well, we can do that. We don't have to pay somebody to go do a little research and development. We’re our own R&D team.

Felt X-Factor, Decoded Not all felt hats are created equal, but it’s easy to quickly tell the quality — and price — just from its label. Felt hat manufacturers grade their products with a system of X’s. “The higher the quality, the higher the X's,” says Stetson’s Justin Thomason.

The difference comes down to the fur that’s used to make the felt. Various animal skins are used, with the barbs of the fur of disparate animals interlocking into seamless blends as they are processed into felt. This ability to mix creates the opportunity for a scale of quality and cost.

Each hat maker has different standards.

“A 5X hat is 100 percent fur felt hat, which is 100 percent rabbit,” Thomason says of Stetson hats. “Then we get into our 15X where we start putting a mixture of beaver, in the hats. The majority of the 1000X is beaver but we have chinchilla in there as well.”

These days, straw hats have also adopted Xs to denote quality. At Stetson, the tighter the weave and narrower the straw reed, the higher the score.

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THE

SOUND AND

THE

NASCAR star Martin Truex Jr. is just as comfortable in a deer stand as he is in his Camry story by jan hubbard

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The urge to go fast arrived long after Martin Truex Jr. felt the satisfaction of life going slow.

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Sometimes on a Saturday after practice, I go out for a couple of hours. And when I’m home in North Carolina, sometimes early in the week on a Monday or Tuesday, I get out.

But it’s a long schedule.”

Genes and environment are partially responsible for the affinity Truex has with the outdoors. He was part of a huge clan raised in Mayetta, N.J., a tiny unincorporated community within Stafford Township about 40 miles north of Atlantic City. His grandparents started the family history in Mayetta by having five children, which eventually led to 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. With so many relatives around and so much land and water to explore, the area was “a great place to grow up,” Truex says.

Adam Sherer became friends with Truex in grade school in large part because of their shared passion for the outdoors.

“It’s easy for a child or a young adult from this area to get involved in outdoors because it is a way of life,” says Sherer, who still lives in Stafford Township, where he is a police officer. “There are so many people around here who do it and there are so many opportunities. If you’re from the inner city in New York or Philadelphia, it’s difficult to get on your bike and go fishing after school or on the weekends. And if you don’t have transportation, you can’t go hunting.

This area affords that. I grew up where I could just walk right down the street and catch bluefish or striper anytime I wanted.

After school, if I wanted to go duck hunting, I hopped in a canoe and went out there and

did it. Being from this area is definitely conducive to that sort of lifestyle.”

Truex’s father, Martin Truex Sr., owned a commercial fishing business and was an avid outdoorsman, which helped endear his son to the outdoor lifestyle.

“I just grew up around it with my dad and my family,” Truex says. “It was something that I was exposed to at a very early age, and I loved it right away, especially fishing. I don’t know what it was, but I loved catching fish. So I would get on my bike, go to the lake and fish every chance I got.”

Truex’s father also had a major impact on his son’s racing career. Martin Sr. competed in two NASCAR minor series — the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series — but as a part-time driver. In seven years, he competed in only 15 races. “He had a business to run and a family to take care of,” Truex Jr., says.

“He raced because he loved to do it. His knowledge of racing and what it takes to succeed helped to guide me. When I was 20 years old, I wasn’t worried about how I was going to get to the Monster Energy Series. I just wanted to race. But he saw the talent level and kind of guided me and helped me learn lessons that got me to where I am today.”

There is little in common between the experience of racing a car and fishing and hunting. When Truex is rocketing around the racetrack, his No. 78 Toyota can hit speeds of 200 mph. When he is in a boat, there

PHOTO HAROLD HINSON

By the time he was in his teen years and began tinkering with go-karts and racing them at a track in central New Jersey, Truex was a veteran of the outdoors — an avid fisherman and hunter who had been on the water and in the woods most of his life.

“I can remember as a young kid my dad and his buddies going out fishing, taking me along,” Truex says. “I can remember sitting with him in a box blind when I was 5 years old — freezing my butt off. I’m so grateful he did that for me. Because it’s something I just fell in love with.”

The passion for fishing and hunting continues today for Truex, although his fulltime job keeps interfering with his outdoor excursions.

In 2017, for the first time in his 15-year NASCAR career, Truex won the wildly popular Monster Energy Series, which is not only the premier car racing circuit in the U.S. but one of the most demanding competitions in the sports world. The NASCAR season consists of 36 races in 17 states across the U.S. and lasts 280 days from the first to last.

That does not include prep time. A short offseason doesn’t leave a lot of time for hobbies, no matter how passionate Truex is about them.

“During the season, I don’t get out enough,” he says. “I probably get about three weeks during the wintertime when it’s deer season and a few other times in the racing offseason, but I don’t know. Maybe I get 15 days a year hunting. I get to fish a bit more because there are some lakes on the circuit that I like to hit when I get a chance.

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tion. I don’t care what anybody else thinks about that deer. I know what it took and I know what it means to me and that’s what’s so special about it.”

If the average fan of any sport understands the feeling Truex describes, it is the racing fan. In a 2016 consumer survey commissioned by NASCAR, 54 percent of people who described themselves as racing fans said they enjoyed outdoor activities. That was 40 percent higher than any other sport.

NASCAR fans also are 50 percent more likely to own fishing and hunting equipment, 55 percent more likely to own a boat, 90 percent more likely to own an ATV and two and a half times more likely to read fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation magazines.

“I don’t know what it was, but I loved catching fish.

So I would get on my bike, go to the lake and fish every chance I got.” to race 400 or 500 miles around a 2.5-mile oval at speeds twice as fast as any highway limit with only inches separating cars that weigh more than 3,000 pounds. Whatever that trait is called, NASCAR drivers have it in abundance. So even though a trip to a local lake is supposed to be fun, there is an urge to be the one who catches the most fish the fastest. It’s not exactly like being the No. 1 NASCAR driver, which Truex was in 2017, but it is rewarding.

“I get just as excited and the feeling of accomplishment is definitely there when I have a milestone in the outdoors,” Truex says. “It’s not really the same because it’s not a career achievement or a life-changing event.

It’s more about personal satisfaction. The seriousness of my outdoor side is getting satisfaction from catching a giant fish or the first kill on property I own or things like that.

That’s personal satisfaction. That’s not for anybody else to care about or talk about.

That’s just for me. That’s part of the special thing about hunting and fishing. And enjoying the outdoors is the personal satisfac46 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

“NASCAR fans are outdoor people and vice versa,” Truex says. “Without a doubt, there is a connection. I don’t know what it is about our personalities, but we all definitely seem to have an interest in doing the same things.”

During a race, that racing/outdoors connection is no farther away than the hood of Truex’s car. One of his biggest sponsors is Bass Pro Shops, and their logo adorns the hood of his No. 78 Camry. To wit, Bass Pro Shops proudly displays his clothing line.

So how could a kid from Jersey dream that he one day would have his own line of merchandise and apparel — not just hats, but T-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets for men, women and kids? And for those so inclined, Martin Truex Jr. official merchandise includes earrings, Christmas ornaments and baby bibs.

His favorite apparel items, however, are the ones that are camouflage green – always fashionable in the woods or on the lake – and he says he may add some outdoor-related merchandise in the future.

“Anything with camo is cool for me,” Truex says. “To have Bass Pro sponsor me and be part of that, have camo on my fire suits and on the race car, has been really fun because that’s just me. It’s who I am and who I’m about — being real and promoting things I actually like. I’ve been so lucky to be able to do that.”

Although his popularity is increasing (his Twitter followers climbed from 250,000 three years ago to 438,000 at press time), he still embraces his New Jersey roots, which include spending time with his grade-school buddy, Adam Sherer.

“We have pretty busy schedules,” Sherer says, “but we still get together several times out of the year to go fishing or hunting. We get in a couple of deer hunts or duck hunts somewhere along the line. We just kind of hang out but we don’t talk about racing.

We talk about fishing, fishing gear, archery, guns, different types of bow hunting — pretty much everything else. When he goes to autograph sessions or just meets people, all they want to talk about is racing. I feel like he gets tired of it, so we always talk about other stuff.”

Talking about other stuff is a product of winning, which Truex embraces because the climb to the top was a slow one. In his first 11 years in the top series, which has changed sponsors several times but is now known as the Monster Energy Series, Truex never made the top 10. He broke through in 2015 when he finished fourth, but fell back to 11th in 2016 before winning it last year at age 37. He had a slow start in 2018, finishing outside the top 10 in his first three races.

But then he had a five-race stretch when he finished in the top five with one victory, two fourth- and two fifth-place finishes. That, of course, thrilled his fan base, which gets larger and larger with each triumph.

“The popularity of NASCAR doesn’t surprise me because I have been a huge fan since I was young,” Truex says. “But to have the popularity I have is something I never expected. I don’t see myself that way. I get to drive a car for a living and I feel lucky to be able to do that. But it doesn’t make me any more special than anyone else. I view myself as a completely normal person.”

And it is precisely that humility that has made Truex so special to NASCAR fans, especially those who share his unabashed enthusiasm for the outdoors.

PHOTO CHRIS IRWIN

are days when he might get two bites in an hour. But as different as his profession and his hobbies are, there is one part of his makeup that doesn’t change.

“The great thing about fishing is the relaxation part of it,” he says. “Getting out where your phone doesn’t work and just enjoying God’s great outdoors. That’s a huge part of it for me. There’s nothing more peaceful and relaxing than going out fishing. But at the same time, if I’m going to do something, I’m always going to give it all I have to be good at it. So I take it pretty seriously.”

After acknowledging that, Truex laughs.

Searing competitiveness is a fundamental part of a NASCAR driver’s personality.

It takes incredible drive and determination

Look Sharp Today’s outdoorsman walks the line between rough trade and GQ smooth

For a growing number of the outdoor sporting crowd, it is no longer good enough to simply dress appropriately for a hunting or fishing trip. Every outdoorsman knows, or should know, the clothing essentials — sturdy boots, socks and sock liners, gloves and glove liners, hats, rain gear, etc. But there is hunting and fishing gear — and then there is upscale hunting and fishing gear.

Fashion has come to the woods and the water.

“Without a doubt, fashion is more important now than it was in the past,” says Martin Truex Jr. “Everybody wants to have the best gear, the coolest stuff. People want to have stuff that’s top of the line. Maybe that makes you believe you’re going to be more successful.”

Truex, NASCAR's defending 2017 Monster Energy Series champion and dedicated outdoorsman, has his own line of clothes that is sold on his MartinTruexJr.com website. Most of the items are NASCAR-related, but he does have camo hoodies and T-shirts. He says there is a possibility of adding more outdoor-related items.

“It’s definitely different now than it was years ago,” Truex says.

“You look at old videos and old pictures and people were dressed to match a tree. I guess it’s just how things have evolved. There are so many options. I think people today are a lot more concerned about how they are perceived by others. If a guy has all the cool-looking stuff and a good-looking boat, people are going to think he’s a good fisherman. That’s just the way it is.”

Adam Sherer, Truex’s friend since grade school, is a full-time police officer in Stafford Township, N.J., who also operates a charter fishing boat in his spare time. He understands why some of his clients wear the hot brands of outdoor clothing because “a guy who is a 9-to-5 attorney, or an accountant, or a stock and bond trader — whatever kind of job he might have in the city — when he leaves the office on Friday at noon to go fish for giant tuna, he wants to play that part of, ‘Yeah, I’m a fisherman.’ So he wears Aftgo or Salty Crew gear to fish, or if he’s a hunter, maybe he’s going to put his Real Tree on and get ready for a big weekend.”

clothing: Red Head Silent Hide in True Timber, High Tech Concealment (Fall) bow: Red Head Blackout SS optics: Oculus 7.0 8x42 available at bass pro shops

William Shakespeare is credited with originating the phrase “clothes make the man” in the 16th century. He couldn’t have imagined that five centuries later, it would extend to the great outdoors, and his saying would evolve into “clothes make the hunter” or “clothes make the fisherman.”

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Glenn Madden about to launch on Padre Island. Glenn, while in his kayak, has forgotten about more big fish offshore, than most people have dreamed of.

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Bluewater Kayakers Hop in, catch some snapper and get in shape story by joe richard

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THIS

SUMMER, WHEN THE WEATHER IS

NICE, drive along Mustang or Padre Island, south of Port Aransas, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot a new breed of angler. Paddling in a variety of kayaks, sometimes beyond sight of land, adventurous men and women are catching all sorts of fish, with red snapper a favorite target.

Watching them return through breaking surf each evening, perhaps with limits of snapper, has been a rare sight in Texas until recent years. Paddling on a blue Gulf with big sharks and other critters is not a sport for the faint-hearted or out-of-shape, ranging right up there as an “extreme sport.”

With the sport of kayaking growing fast, it was only a matter of time before these Texas paddlers would begin to push the envelope.

After exploring fairly easy coastal marshes and bay waters, it was inevitable that some brave soul and then another would venture farther out where the big ones bite.

When I first tried offshore kayak fishing, the difference was startling, after having fished in countless loud boats over the decades. The quiet and solitude was an entirely new experience. The only sound was distant seabirds and an occasional clunk of the paddle. Passing waves were silent.

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While liberating, it does have its challenges. Each spot is thoroughly fished because moving the boat takes energy, either by paddling, peddling or small sail. One must also be flexible enough to twist around to grab equipment or rods. Additionally, offshore paddlers are frequently wet after launching through head-on breaking surf. Running the surf back to dry land is often the most hazardous part of the day; the timing must be right and the kayak not allowed to swerve sideways, or the boat can easily flip.

Once in shallow water, it’s jump out fast on the offshore side of the hull so that the next wave, only seconds away, doesn’t slam the boat into your leg. And then there’s the final heave-ho; dragging the faithful little boat from the water’s grasp. After a long paddle, collapsing on dry sand and staring at the sky is optional (but I suspect fairly common).

There is far more to this sport than meets the eye, so I recently talked with two bluewater kayakers, Todd Johnson from Corpus Christi, Texas, and Victor Cisneros from Pearland, Texas. With similar kayak experience, both are quite fond of catching snapper from small boats. In doing so, they’ve encountered all sorts of different fish, with a

PHOTOS, PREVIOUS SPREAD AND BELOW TODD JOHNSON

above: Victor Cisneros after fishing offshore of Padre Island. He’s caught a limit of prized red snapper from his Hobie, and is one of their professional reps below: Texas kayakers battle early surf, fighting to reach

calmer water waiting just offshore. Paddling through a high-energy surf zone like Padre Island is often the hardest part of a fishing day.

few storms and adventures thrown in.

Johnson works with the Texas Bluewater Classic, the big kayak tourney held each August at Packery Channel, south of Port Aransas. As a former law enforcement officer, he’s all about safety and paddles a 17-foot fiberglass Stealth Profisha 525, a lean and quick boat designed to handle South African surf, a seriously tough environment. In Texas, he has paddled much of the coast from Beaumont to South Padre, and also in Florida.

“Kayakers are the only people allowed to launch from Padre Island National Seashore, which is great,” says Johnson. “From the beach we can reach areas where the big, expensive boats go. We’re prepared with VHF radio, cell phone, flares, GPS and wear protective clothing to avoid sunburn, getting a chill or jellyfish. Some of the guys wear chest waders cinched tight around the waist. Gloves are a must for handling fish and paddling. Shoes protect our feet from sharp teeth and fish hooks.”

the learning curve can be steep in such a harsh environment. He cautioned that one kayaker wearing shorts (in summer) had a Portugese man-of-war jellyfish sloshed into his lap, which was terribly painful, and could have been fatal.

Has Johnson ever flipped?

“Oh yeah, I borrowed a boat and turtled it four miles offshore in almost four-foot waves,” he said. “It put me upside down.

Fishing hooks were stuck in my shirt and I was pinned underwater. Got my first breath in a trapped air bubble. My buddy paddled close and used wire cutters to cut me loose.

We righted the boat and I climbed back in.

So, it’s definitely a challenge out there. Today, I only go solo occasionally, and seasonally. My wife has the day’s float plan and we use GPS. I usually tag-team with Glenn Madden [an offshore kayaking veteran locally called Professor Salt, who teaches at the local college].”

Bluewater kayakers stress that experience and good equipment are crucial. Rookies who got fired up by forum reports, and then paddled offshore in sketchy craft, have gotten into trouble. Determined to reach fish-attracting steel platforms that look enticingly close to the beach, some have used kayaks that leaked badly. One duo even tied two ‘yaks together with plywood that disintegrated miles from land. Fortunately, they climbed a Gulf platform and called for assistance with their one working cell phone.

Learning the basics before heading offshore is key: practice in bay waters, learn balance, stamina and paddling efficiently.

Practice flipping in deep water and climbHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | 51

An angler rigs his tackle before launching at Navarre Beach, Florida; a nice-sized red snapper caught off the coast of Padre Island (right).

Texas Bluewater K ayak Classic If you’d like to talk to veteran kayak anglers and see their boat brands and gear — along with many fish caught — visit the Classic this August at North Padre Island. Last summer’s event, with men and women paddlers, had almost 100 boats and yielded 1,400 pounds of kingfish alone. That’s more than many East Coast kingfish tournaments land with a fleet of big, go-fast boats.

With any kayak competition, having lots of money doesn’t necessarily lend a winning advantage, although key advancements in design, efficiency and speed can give one an edge. It’s still mostly about endurance and fishing skills. And these events are cheap to fish. Big tow vehicles aren’t even needed; the biggest trimaran kayaks can be towed behind a compact car, and many kayak models will fit on a car’s roof. texas-bwkc.com

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L egend of the Hook Necklace Every aboriginal culture, over the last 10,000 years, that made fish hooks have their own story that has been handed down from generation to generation. The following story is what was told to us by artist David Wirth.

PHOTO JOE RICHARD; TODD JOHNSON

As the story goes, original Hawaiian fish hooks were carved from many things, wood, shell, & bones. The most special hooks though, had the honor to be constructed of the femur bone of a deceased ancestor, but not just any ancestor, the ancestor that had the most luck catching the fish. By using this hook to catch the fish to feed the family, it completed the "Circle of Life" according to legend.

Today, it is believed hooks carry the spirit of what they are made from and take on part of the spirit of the carver. It is believed that hooks worn with respect or given with love take on part of the spirit of those who wear them. In this way it becomes a spiritual link between people spanning time and distance. It is further believed that wearing or having the hook provides safe passage and good fortune.

Stylized circle fish hooks represent strength, prosperity, and a great respect for the sea. Get blessed: www.davidwirth.com.

ing back in. Launch repeatedly in moderate surf, and return without mishap.

When Johnson first started offshore, he always fished steel platforms. “After I got better at the sport, I started looking around for my own fishing spots. Marking bottom with a depth finder, and saving the GPS numbers. I’ve found old wellheads, sunken boats, and something down there that marks like school buses. Maybe they’re prehistoric rock piles.”

“it’s been hit or miss the past couple of years, and state water snappers have dropped in size from fishing pressure,” Johnson says. “When closures were imposed in federal waters, people hammered state waters for snapper. That’s the downside to federal closures. There are big snappers out there, but it’s all about finding structure, whether natural or man-made. Natural rock ledges parallel Padre Island, and then there are natural reefs like sunken shrimp-boat wrecks, starting only 200 yards off the beach.”

Here’s some good news for Texas kayakers: Five new artificial reefs are under construction in state waters. Most are 160 acres each, but the massive project off South Padre Island, managed by Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Reef, is ten times as large. Massive amounts of concrete have been laid down at all five sites. Millions of dollars have been donated for these projects. Texas Parks and

Wildlife and Coastal Conservation Association have been key players.

Cisneros, a friend of Johnson, has been a pro staff member for Hobie for five years. He fishes with Hobie’s Adventure Island craft, which has twin stabilizers like a small trimaran, and a weight capacity of 800 pounds.

“With a sail and peddle/propeller, we’ve run 12 to 18 miles offshore,” he says. “The sail utilizes a favorable morning breeze during summer. When the breeze shifts later in the day, it often carries us right back to the beach. We’re fond of camping at Padre Island for several days, catching our four-fish daily bag limits of snapper. We can even anchor offshore because of the boat’s stability.

I also carry a PVC rig hook to grab and hold onto oil rigs.

“I can show people the ropes offshore, using a tandem boat with sail,” he says. “I do the navigation, find the structure, and fish. I’ve had a lot of people call me, asking what kind of kayak to buy. They want to head offshore the first day, skipping any bay kayaking. I carry backup safety gear, even flare guns. You never know if you’ll have to spend the night offshore. We carry a lot of gear and ice. We’ve been offshore from dawn to dusk, got too busy catching fish, and returned through the surf at night.”

It’s the adventure with a healthy workout and great fishing that makes offshore kayaking so rewarding off of Texas coasts. And once in the water, these craft get very good gas mileage.

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FU

T H R OT T L E Nothing says "outdoor vacation" like a patch of real estate in southwestern Texas designed for driving and shooting story and photography by david halloran

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“THROTTLE …

THROTT gas,

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ga

TLE …

as, GAS! The instructions coming over the radio seemed counterintuitive as we went into a turn. A sense of losing control came over me but in my head, I repeated the mantra I had learned earlier in the morning: “When in doubt, throttle out.”

With a blip on the skinny pedal, a dab of brakes and copious amounts of counter-steer, the 550-horsepower trophy-spec desert racer kept its composure as we slid through the turn and into the next.

“Good job, now line up for the next.”

The Jedi-like instructions coming from my passenger, professional driver and co-owner of Driven Dynamic Jeff Humberson, kept us upright and out of the bushes on this dusty, twisty track.

As I speed from one turn to the next, I harken back to the days of reckless driving down dirt roads in my younger years. Hoping to be living a life like rally-racer Ken Block or Baja-racer B.J. Baldwin, I was finally living out my childhood dream of off-road racing.

Roughly 200 miles west of San Antonio, just outside the small town of Eldorado, Texas, is the main headquarters of the AC

”

Ranch. This section, along with three other adjacent plots of land, add up to 20,000 acres of prime hunting grounds on the western edge of the Hill Country. With over 20 species of exotic and native game on property (and a mix of high and low fences), this is an otherworldly landscape not found anywhere else in the lower 48.

The AC Ranch elevates the experience above any other ranches in the Lone Star State on several levels. Luxurious accommodations, gourmet meals and an on-site gun shop are just a sample of what makes the ranch special. You can even book time to fire a wide selection of fully automatic weapons.

But the pièce de résistance is what Driven Dynamic has set up on AC 2, one of the satellite properties. Humberson and his business partner, Alex Nicholas, run a driving school where one can spend a full day behind the wheel of a trophy truck on the two-and-ahalf-mile course, meticulously crafted and strategically planned by Humberson. “It offers a little bit of everything,” Humberson explains. “The course is also designed to be bi-directional.”

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�

Don't look at what you don't want to hit.

Editor-in-chief John Radzwilla fires a SwissArms .300 Blackout prototype, one of two in the world.

Locked and Loaded Off-road racing and exotic game are only two of the activities that make the AC Ranch a unique oasis in the far stretches of southwestern Texas. With clay pigeon and gun ranges, there are more options for gun enthusiasts than anywhere in the state.

In addition to traditional firearms, AC Ranch offers the opportunity to shoot fully-automatic weapons, which range from MP5s to AK-style weapons to a SAW. Even Tom Cruise’s favorite, the HK G36-K, which he uses in the Mission: Impossible movies, is here and waiting for your trigger finger. Contact AC Ranch for details.

No matter how much experience one claims to have, Humberson makes everyone have a chalk-talk before suiting up. Studying a map of the track and learning terms like “unloaded wheel spin” and “throttle steering” will certainly come in handy. These terms are not the part of the average hard-core driver’s lexicon, but then again, Humberson is not your average hard-core driver.

In a previous life, Humberson was a creative director at the Discovery Channel, but had always been involved in racing in one form or another. “I’ve been racing some sort of motorsports for 36 years,” he says.

“Sports cars for 10 and off-road racing for seven.” Before cars, Humberson raced three- and four-wheelers, motocross and snowmobiles.

His racing career is highlighted with big name events such as the Mint 400 and the ultimate in North America, the Baja races.

“The Baja 1000 to me is like climbing Everest,” he says of the annual grueling races that take

place on the Baja peninsula in Mexico.

When he isn’t teaching ranch guests how to drive, Humberson partners with Ford Motor Company, instructing engineers and suppliers in limit and sub-limit driver training. This includes courses that are both onand off-road, as well as trailer towing.

Lap after lap, I become more comfortable with the monstrously wide truck. Before I know it, we are catching air over bumps and drifting sideways through Charlie, a long sweeping U-turn named for the ranch owner.

“Let’s make this sexy,” Humberson says over the radio as we slide around Charlie.

When the dust finally settles and I finish my final lap, it is time for the master to show the student what this new skill set I learned can do. Humberson and I switch seats and set off down the dirt track. Before I know it, we are sliding sideways at breakneck speeds and flying through the air over bumps.

His every move, while seemingly chaot-

ic before, now has surgical precision. As I watch him tear through the dirt course, I remember something he said earlier in the day. Humberson explained that every skill taught on this track has practical applications in everyday driving. Most important, knowing to see beyond what is directly in front of you and anticipating your moves are increasingly important skills on Texas roads, given the population spike in almost every major and mid-major city.

“Don’t look at what you don’t want to hit,” he says.

Humberson and Driven Dynamic have created a one-of-a-kind experience at the AC Ranch. With the influx of Baja-style vehicles like the Ford Raptor on the roads, the off-road racing world seems to be growing.

It is only a matter of time before people are lining up at the ranch for a chance to drive like the pros. Contact AC Ranch for pricing. acranch.net

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T H E

T R O P H Y

R O O M

C T A H C LIFETIME of a

We asked professional angler and Pelagic Gear pro team member Michelle Dalton about sport fishing, her favorite catch and fishy pickup lines to avoid story by jacquelyne froeber

T

he word “tomboy” probably isn’t the first adjective you think of when you see Michelle Dalton. Blonde, beautiful and a social media “bombshell” (or @bombchelle_fishing on Instagram), Dalton says her favorite hobbies growing up were racing go-karts, helping her dad fix cars and fishing in the canals and lakes around her home in Florida. By age 6, Dalton was hooked, and she has turned her love for fishing into a career as a member of the women’s professional team for the sport-fishing lifestyle brand Pelagic Gear and as a representative for their women’s clothing line: Pelagic Girl. Here, Dalton tells us what it takes to reel in some of the biggest fish in the sea. sport fishing has taken you around the world. tell us about your most exciting catch.

There are so many different species of fish that I have caught throughout my life of many different sizes. To pick just one is so difficult! I travel to Costa Rica a few times a year because I have family there; it’s my second home. One of the staple fish there is the rooster fish. The first time I caught one while I was in-shore fishing with live bait, I was expecting to hook one, but never realized the fight they put up. I reeled in this 50-plus-pound rooster fish and brought it right next to the boat about four or five times, but each time it got spooked by the boat and took off again about a hundred yards. It

wore me out. Once I finally landed it, I was exhausted, but I felt so accomplished. They are such a gorgeous species. speaking of gorgeous species, they say there are plenty of fish in the sea. if you were a fish, what fish and why?

[Laughing] Of course I’d have to go with the fastest fish in the ocean: the sailfish! They’re one of my favorite fish for many reasons, but to sum it up, they’re smart, pretty and fierce. Being from Florida, the sailfish is our state fish, so maybe I’m a little biased. It probably helps that anglers don’t tend to harvest them either, so I think that I would live a long fish life. you have also participated in multiple tournaments around the world. any competitions you’re hoping to win this year?

I fish a few tournaments every year with my Pelagic Gear team and I always enjoy fishing those because it feels like home with my team, even when we’re in another country. Pelagic Gear is one of many sponsors in the Bisbee’s tournament series — one of the biggest in the world. It’s one of my favorite events because all of the fish that are kept are donated to hungry families in need. Not to mention, the size of these fish and the money involved is just insane [2017 winners were awarded $3.2 million]. The overall vibe is incredible.

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NAME

Michelle Dalton AGE

28

HOMETOWN

Lighthouse Point, FL INSTAGRAM

@bombchelle_fishing

tell us about your role in the pelagic women’s team.

I started working with Pelagic Gear almost three years ago after they approached me through my social media. I started out as a brand ambassador for their new women’s apparel line, Pelagic Girl. My role was to promote their apparel and represent the ocean lifestyle that they possess and that naturally exudes from my veins.

After about a year into it, I quickly became part of their pro team, in which I’ve been privileged to be able to fish in tournaments and attend events with them around the globe. They’re my family! all the women on the pro team are impressive anglers. what’s your advice for men who are trying to get their ladies interested in fishing?

I don’t believe fishing as a sport is something you can easily talk someone into wanting to love. You have to be open to it in many ways. It can be dirty, smelly, challenging, tiring after a long day of hard work, and most of all, testing on your patience. Although, I think women do seem to have more patience than men. I’m excited to see more and more lady anglers pop up on social media over the last few years and I think that will certainly influence any woman who may be hesitant about fishing. It breaks down the stereotype that this is a man’s sport. you have more than 154,000 followers on instagram. how has social media influenced your experience in sport fishing?

I consider myself a pretty modest person. I couldn’t be more grateful 62 | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM

to have the amount of love and support that comes my way every single day. It certainly makes me want to help others improve or learn new techniques and even more so, to be an inspiration to children. That is important to me. So, I’d say the positive messages that I receive from my social media, especially the people who thank me for being a great role model, is what drives me to continue learning and to always better myself in this sport. what is the worst fishing-based pickup line tried on you?

Any variation of a compliment followed by, “Oh and the fish is nice, too!” And anything relating a snapper to a woman’s privates. It’s played out. At least give me something original! ha! ok: let’s say we came up with something original. what’s for dinner if we were on a date?

If I’m cooking on our date, I usually plan according to whatever fresh catch I have in my refrigerator. I’ve been on a piccata kick lately. If we’re going out, I’ll keep it simple: Mexican cuisine is my jam. be honest: is the “fish 'n hook” your go-to dance move at the club?

Isn’t that every angler's favorite move? I’m not crazy about clubs, but I love a good dive bar. To be completely honest, my husband and I tied the knot in January of 2017 and the fish n’ hook was the dance that we came out to when we were first introduced as a married couple.

GREAT SHOT. www.lone-elm.com

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G R E A T

O U T D O O R S

Bless Your Heart ... ... and bring your coat

E

story by joe murray | illustration by brian smith

ast Coast weather is like that needy, insufferable friend who perature was 28 degrees and my friends were decidedly miserable makes you mad every time you hang out — but at least you as we began our trudge through mundane uphill brush. know what you’re going to get. West Coast weather, on the About two-thirds of the way up, the trail got icy, and three of my other hand, is all extreme highs and lows with no warning of which friends — grumbling about personal injury lawsuits, how they could is next. It’s that pal who one moment is all bubbly and sharing inter- be on the beach right now if it weren’t for me and how they traveled esting opinions on obscure indie music and the next is ignoring you across the country to hike on the sort of wintry trail they could find in so he can send irate texts to his significant other, stopping only to upstate New York — refused to go any further. remind you of $12 you borrowed in 1997.

That left my buddy Aaron, me and my dog, who resolved to keep I learned this the hard way after moving to Los Angeles from New going. (To be honest, the dog didn’t have much choice.) We skitYork last year. I thought a warm, sunny morning around my apart- tered across ice paths over sheer drops as I regretted my decision ment meant I could go outside in a T-shirt. What I hadn’t considered several times. But the trail took on a magical quality that last third was that in California, come nightfall, with a gain in altitude or any of the way, like an elfin wonderland. The trees were white, the frozen increase in proximity to the ocean, I’d end up frozen like Jack Nichol- pines making for refreshing, minty little Popsicles. And as we crossed son at the end of The Shining. a bend, the sun suddenly shone brightly on our side of the mounPerhaps no case was as extreme as when me and some visiting tain, where the snow and ice was in a pleasant thaw. friends chose a winter day with a temperature in the mid-70s to And when we got to the peak, we were dumbstruck by an asdrive to the San Gabriel Mountains — a spectacular range northeast tounding view, carved mountains stretching dozens of miles to the of Los Angeles — to do some casual hiking. The trail I had chosen west, where the ocean lay. You could somehow see the Ferris wheel online was high in the mountains, and as we drove I watched in a on the Santa Monica Pier. We sat there in the warm sun as the melting kind of quiet horror as the thermometer in my car showed the tem- Popsicle trees drip-dripped around us, and passed each other water, perature outside dropping by the minute. not saying much, experiencing a sort of once-in-aMy friends were all from New York, a car full of lifetime vibe of serenity and beauty.

A dventure Awaits dudes with unscuffed Timberlands, a vocabulary When we met up with our friends — who were that included proper use of the word “deadass” starving and locked out from the warmth of my car Many day hikes that start with the weather and expertly formed opinions on where to get because I had the keys — Aaron and I downplayed in the 70s and end with frozen fingers can be found in Texas’ Big Bend National Park the best cheese slice in each borough. They the peak. in West Texas. For more information, were all dressed as if for a tropical vacation.

Nothing you can’t get upstate, we said. Now go to visitbigbend.com.

By the time we got to the trailhead, the temwho wants to go for pizza?

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