SKINNY CEVICHE FISH 4 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
Call Email:(956)776-4623fredrsportsman@yahoo.com
5 5
Volume 9, Issue 4. September 2022. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is a production Sportsman Media LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the writers, photographers and contributors, and are not necessarily those of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors or its publisher. Every effort has been taken to ensure the correctness and accuracy in the material published in this magazine. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors reserves the right to edit, rewrite and refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequence arising from it. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors shall be held harmless and indemnified against any third - party claims. Advertisements appearing in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. All correspondence to the publication become the property of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors. To advertise in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors
PG38
There are so many things to do with hunting season approaching. White-wing hunting kicks it off! Have a great hunt, if you would like to book a hunt give me a call. Till next time, God Bless.Fred Rodriguez Texas www.texasportsmantv.com956-776-4623Sportsman
6 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
Summer Fishing Trips
By Fred Rodriguez
We also headed up to Matagorda Bay and fished with Capt. Dwayne Green (281)839-6363 and Capt. Chris Pace (903)530-2400. These two Captains were on top of their knowledge of fishing.
As we ease on into hunting season, it's time to get ready with the cleaning of your shotguns, rifles and pistols. Remember to practice safety at all times. I also book hunting trips, I'm in contact with 6 different ranches and they all have plentiful of game. Accommodations are always absolutely a top priority to my clients. Whether its 4 hunters or a small family we can handle it. I will always remember the first hunts with all my kids. It's an amazing experience to have. Harvest either a doe or a buck and get it processed to turn into hamburger, sausage, chorizo and jerky. That's a delicious thing to do. The other interesting thing to do is to track the deer,
sometimes they do run off and then you have to look for the blood trail. Always mark your first spot and begin walking slow. The first thing to do and this is the hard thing to do...is to wait for about 30 minutes. That allows the deer time to exhaust itself into it's final resting spot. If you get out too early, the deer will hear you and keep running.
We fished in Corpus Christi with Capt. Allen Sifford (361)244-2747 and I learned something about fishing for trout and using croaker as bait. As you hook your trout set the hook only once and move your rod to the side, that keeps the fish in the water and it makes it harder to jump and shake its head and spit out the hook. That's a very good tip to know and use.
Summer is over and Fall is on its way. We had some awesome fishing trips this past summer. Fishing for Redfish, Trout and flounder. Then we had a few trips with Capt. Murphy's on the Miss Mona. The Miss Mona is a 38 foot open console boat and it's tough as nails. You can book The Miss Mona for your private trips. Call (956)943-2741 and book your trip today.
14 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
15 15
methodically from left to right covering seams in each quadrant before moving slightly upstream and starting over. It is important to move slow and get the fly on the water above the suspected fish so it can drift back to them at which point the dry fly would be floating naturally on the surface film and the nymph would be down in the water column. Approaching from downstream allowed us to approach the fish from their blind spot or at least that was the theory.Chace
After a mile or so we finally got a good look at the creek, which was meandering through a steep valley along the righthand side of the road.
A trip to the Centennial State means many things to many people. Some people think of wintery slopes covered in fresh powder. Others may envision long mountain hikes. However, my first thought was fly fishing. So, when the family decided to plan a summer trip to Pagosa Springs, the first item on my list was to talk with local outfitters and find a guide. With a limited background in flyfishing and no experience fishing “cold water”, I knew finding a local guide would shorten the learning curve substantially and hopefully result in a few new species scratched off my list. Finding an outfitter and booking a trip turned out to be relatively easy. Next, it was time to buy my Colorado fishing license and start doing my homework.
The water looked clear, which meant it was “fishable” according to Chace. As a bonus, the sky was overcast with low-lying clouds that would have the trout looking up toward the surface of the water, a good thing. We soon arrived at Chace’s favorite parking spot and after rigging up the borrowed fly rod, changed footwear before descending the grassy meadow into the creek bottom below. The valley temperature at that time of morning was in the mid50’s, a welcome relief from the South Texas heat and humidity.
Once I had a general understanding of the importance of line management, we worked on a few additional casting techniques. I was already somewhat familiar with roll-casting, but Chace was able to work on my form quite a bit. He also gave me a quick lesson in the “bow-and-arrow cast”, which is started by holding the fly line against the grip section of the flyrod with the rod hand while the line hand pinches the leader just above the fly. The cast is executed by pulling the leader back creating tension in the rod, which resembles a bow. Once the rod is “aimed” at the target spot, the leader is released propelling the fly and landing it with surprising accuracy if properly done. The bow-and-arrow cast can be done at varying angles to get the fly under or
As we turned upstream and started fishing, Chace was very patient in pointing out the seams and likely ambush spots. I was instructed to view the stream as a grid, working
The first order of business was a quick lesson on how to read running water and judge where the trout would likely be. Freestone streams such as the one we were on are fed by seasonal rains and snow melt. The stream bed was littered with rocks of varying colors and sizes, worn smooth from seasonal flow of cool water, only ceasing in the winter when freezing temperatures turn the water into a ribbon of ice. The rocks in the stream bed formed riffles, eddies, and pools. I was instructed to look for “seams” or transitions between fast and slow current, many times given away by lines of foam collecting on the surface film. Any of these seams were potential ambush points where the underlying trout could float gently in the slower current conserving energy while watching upstream for food. Trout seem to be opportunistic predators and the primary diet of the fish we were after would be mostly flies in various stages of development from tiny nymphs floating under the surface to fully developed flies riding on top of the surface film. To mimic the natural food source, Chace tied on a “dry-dropper” rig, which consisted of a nymph fly suspended several inches below a dry surface fly. Such a setup covers several layers of the water column thus bettering the chances of a strike. My pregame speech was now over, and it was time for kickoff.
next explained the importance of a “dead drift”, which in many cases is more important than the choice of fly itself. Any unnatural movement imparted on the fly caused by drag on the fly line would immediately turn a trout off. Colorado can see quite a bit of fishing pressure and the fish are highly educated in fly presentation. Various techniques aid in getting a dead drift, all of which involve good line management. Since the creek was narrow, the most applicable technique was casting directly upstream as much as possible and “high sticking” or lifting the fly rod to get the floating fly line off the water. The small diameter leader and tippet section sinks into the water column and is less affected by current than the floating fly line. Mending is also important, which is a means of throwing slack in the fly line back upstream to facilitate dead drift.
Flyfishing SW Colorado
By Brian Payne
My guided trip would be a half-day excursion. I arrived at the fly shop a few minutes early of the predetermined time and was immediately greeted by Montana, the shop Rottweiler. My guide Chace was engaged in a conversation with the owner of Williams Creek Angler, Dave. In my excitement, I had shut the door of our condominium unit on my fiberglass flyrod, snapping the tip section in two. I tried not to let this dampen my spirits as we made introductions while test fitting felt-soled wading boots and neoprene socks. With suitable footwear allocated, we loaded the remaining gear including a borrowed flyrod and set out for a 45-minute drive to our destination. Conversation flowed easily and I soon discovered Chace was a native Texan who even attended my alma mater, Texas A&M University. The plan was to start by checking a small stream across Wolf Creek Pass where we hoped the water would offer better clarity. The July monsoon season was underway in Colorado, and afternoon downpours had turned many of the streams and rivers on our side of the pass off color with runoff. We were soon turning off the highway onto a forest service road leading into the San Juan National Forest.
At the end of our wade, we were greeted by a beautiful waterfall. Having been focused on seams and fish for hours, I did not realize how the river bottom had turned into a steeply sided slot canyon. However, between the steep bank on our left and the waterfall was another narrow grassy meadow that would offer an exit. Although this meadow looked noticeably steeper from where I stood in the stream. The hike out was strenuous and at approximately 9,700 feet my lungs were screaming for air. After several breaks, we crested the top to an easy stroll through a gentler, rolling meadow that brought us back to the forest service road. We took a quick water break that was likely more for my benefit than Chace’s before starting the roughly ½ mile walk back to his truck. We spent the short, easy walk reliving the morning and as outdoorspeople have for eons, telling tales. Many of the hunting and fishing guides I have been fortunate enough to share time with have been great company and Chace was no exception. I am excited to get back to Southwest Colorado as soon as possible for more water therapy with Chace and hopefully, check a few more species off the list. Rio Grande Cutthroat, a true Colorado native, is at the top of my list!
After a quick inspection, my first Colorado trout was swimming back to his hole a little wiser for the experience. After working through a couple more sections of the stream, my fish count was up to 6 brookies and at least that many misses or spit outs. As if on cue, Chace said, “the next hole may hold
some browns.” This caught my attention as brown trout were at the top of my wish list. The dry fly on my second cast into a seam along the opposite bank of the hole immediately disappeared under the surface. I raised the rod as instructed and the fish tried to run upstream briefly before turning around and using the current to his advantage. When he turned, Chace exclaimed, “BROWN!”. Applying what Chace had taught me about fighting these trout, I kept pressure on him with a high rod and eased him back toward the waiting net. This was another young fish and I immediately noticed brown trout also feature parr marks. Younger browns seem to be more silver with faint yellow along the belly line. As they age, the yellow will become more prominent and like the brookies, the parr marks will
around overhanging vegetation. Chace pointed out numerous osprey nests in the spruce trees above the stream. We were not the only ones fishing this water and with their superior vision, ospreys have taught these fish the importance of cover.
We did not go far, just around the first bend in fact, when I missed my first strike. The dry fly dipped as the trout tasted the underlying nymph. Simultaneously I noticed a quick silver flash as the trout spit my artificial nymph and it was over. Chace chuckled and assured me that would not be my last miss of the morning. Many of his clients struggle to learn the subtle take and gentle hookset required on these small trout. The words would prove accurate as I missed 4-5 more times before my hook found purchase in a healthy, 6” brook trout or “brookie”. What this small fish lacked in size; he made up for in color. Brook trout are silver with a dark green, mottled back resembling wormwood. In addition to colorful dots along their sides, the small ones feature bars on their sides known as “parr marks”. The term “parr” refers to a trout of less than one year in age. As the trout grow, the parr marks fade and overall color darkens. The larger brook trout are uniquely painted and quite spectacular to behold.
Thefade.next
section of stream would be our final push. From a deeper pool, I landed a larger, 12” brown, which must have been older because he lacked parr marks. By far the highlight of the day came in the late 4th quarter of our trip due to a well-placed fly from a bow-and-arrow cast. The dry fly ended up right at the edge of a sharp drop off along the bank, under thick vegetation and a fallen spruce tree. I did not have long to admire the cast execution before a 12” brookie, the largest brook trout of the day, appeared out of nowhere gently sipping my fly. After a failed attempt to break off under the dead tree and a panicked run downstream, I was able to turn the fish back toward us. As Chace came up with the net, we admired the handsome fellow in the clear water. Chace said,
“any trout caught on the bow and arrow cast, makes the whole day.” Even though this would be my last fish of the morning, I could not agree more. In the end I had brought 9 wild Colorado trout to hand representing two different species. I considered this a resounding success and perfect introduction to flyfishing Colorado!
Baldo, as we call him, not only exceeded our expectations of furthering his education, but he has carried the love of BBQing and bringing our family together. Please enjoy Baldo’s story and hope you can learn a few tips from his experiences in bbqing.
Heat up your smoker between 225 degrees to 250 degrees depending on how you are doing with time, low and slow to make sure the fat renders and the meat tenders. Smoke the pork belly for about 4 – 6 hours fat side up; if the family is hungry, I will smoke the pork belly at 250 and be done closer to the 4 hours. At the end of the cook I like to glaze my pork belly with a cherry apple habanero glaze, but if you prefer to use barbecue sauce that also works very well. This is a way I like to cook my pork belly, but there are many different options such as a cilantro lime carnitas pork belly I also prepare. I hope that you enjoy the recipe and feel free to message me on Instagram if you have any questions. Don’t forget if you have some leftover porkbelly fry it up the next morning and put it in a tortilla de harina for a delicious pork belly taco, UFF! VELAW BBQ!
usually stocks pork belly ranging between $4.99 to $5.99 a pound which comes out to about $22.00 - $24.00 a pound for a slab. The best part of pork belly is that if you do have leftovers, it makes great breakfast tacos. The way I prepare my pork belly (you can find a video on Fred’s page) is not difficult at all, but as in all meat preparation you must do it with passion.Icall
Growing up in Roma, Texas and attending Roma schools, is something that I will always be so proud of. My family always instilled education and we were so blessed to be able to further it. My dad, Osbaldo Vela, and mom, Raquel Pena Vela, always supported my brothers and sisters and me, both financially and in anything else that we needed as we attended college. This trend continues as our own kids, nieces and nephews continue to further their education. If my dad and mom were to be here, they would be so proud of all our family. I would to like to introduce one of my nephews, Osbaldo Vela III, who graduated from Roma High and just finished attending law school and recently just took the Bar. A huge thank you to his wife, my niece, fishing partner, Martie Garcia Vela, Attorney at Law, for her support as Baldo attended law school.
Elgin Smokehouse Texas BBQ rub or Chorizo de San Manuel All-Purpose Seasoning. I then follow up my second layer with Lucky Charms Last Call, this seasoning provides texture and sweetness to the pork belly. Because I smoke the pork belly fat side up, I will season the meat side first. It is important when seasoning your meats that you get an equal application all over the meat; just like when you go fishing, presentation is important. We all like to show off our meats on social media, so taking that extra time in seasoning meat will pay off on your social media feed.
- Osbaldo Vela III
22 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022 Cindy Rodriguez Mrs. Texas cindyrsportsman@yahoo.com(956)648-8938Sportsman
- Cindy Rodriguez
Baldo, we wish you and Martie the best in all your endeavors as you both practice law in you new Lawfirm VELAW!
Hello, my name is Osbaldo Vela,III and I am blessed to be Fred and Cindy Rodriguez’s nephew. Family is very important to us and one way we have always come together has been through family barbecues. I can remember the smell of carne asada as a young boy at our family ranch while everyone gathered around the chimney in our white brick ranch house at Vela’s Ranch in Los Arrieros. The memories I have as a kid attribute to my great passion to barbecue which I share with family and friends. Recently I went through a difficult time as I attended Law School at Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston; barbecue kept me sane. What I have learned is that barbecuing has grown in popularity since we were all sheltered in our home because of the pandemic. If you follow my Instagram (BBQVELAW), you have seen that my BBQ skills are serious and many of you have asked me for advice on barbeque technique. I do not mind sharing because good food brings good people together, (that’s how I bagged my trophy wife). When friends ask me what my favorite non typical BBQ meat is, I am quick to answer pork belly!H-E-B
pork belly the brisket of pork, it has a fat side and meat side. No trimming is necessary; slight slice squares into the fat side for appearance is recommended. You will want to rub tabasco sauce and honey on each side of the pork belly, this helps with color and as a binder for the seasoning. Everyone has a favorite bbq rub and we will get into my go-to rubs in a future article. I use two different rubs when seasoning my pork belly, first I use a salty/spicy rub such as Meyers
f o o w u s O N F A C E B O O K & I N S T A G R A M @ S K I N N Y F I S H C E V I C H E
As of today, all family members do a part in making sure the business runs smoothly, and that the customers all get the same great customer service Skinny Fish Ceviche has always been known for! Its why Skinny Fish Ceviche is so successful and why they have truly earned the title of having “The best ceviche inAtown!”™hugethanks to their father Carlos Mendez Sr., who takes care of finances, mom, Norma (Lettie) Mendez, who helps with the preparation of the ingredients for making the fresh ceviche, sauces, and any other things that need to be done throughout the day. Without them, they would not be able to keep up with the demands of the daily duties behind the scenes of what it takes to run a small, successful family restaurant
• Over 18 fruits and vegetables to choose from.
• Several varieties of fish/ shrimp cooked in fresh lime juice.
TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 202226
Skinny Fish Ceviche, LLC is a family owned and operated restaurant where they sell fresh ceviche made daily. Skinny Fish Ceviche, LLC opened under new management in September 2021. The new owners are Mr. Carlos E. Mendez Jr, and his younger brother, Joseph E. Mendez, also known as “Chef Rhino”. The two new owners were craving ceviche and went to Skinny Fish Ceviche to quench their ceviche fix. As they sat and enjoyed the delicious ceviche, they had discussed between one another of one day opening up their own ceviche place. Several days later they learned that the owners of Skinny Fish Ceviche, Michael and Rosa Mares, who happen to be great friends of the family, were going to be selling their business. What a huge blessing from God!
• Swai/Basa, Ahi Tuna and of course, Texas Gulf Shrimp!
Fresh11:00MondayRestaurantdisappointed!hoursare–Saturdaya.m.–7:00p.m.Cevichemadethe
business. If you’re ever in Brownsville, Texas, stop on by their place Skinny Fish Ceviche, LLC for your ceviche fix. You won’t be way YOU WANT with…
• Secret spices.
LLC 450 E. Alton
Brownsville,
•
•
For
27 27
• Skinny Fish Ceviche, LLC prepares their ceviche daily so it’s always fresh! (No leftovers)
Skinny
956-621-0461 Be
• They also offer “You catch it, We cook it!”, ceviche style! Take in your freshly caught fish whether its flounder, redfish, speckled trout, drum etc., and they will turn your already filleted fish into their amazing ceviche for just $1 per oz. Refreshments to add to your order. Catering also available for special events. all your Ceviche cravings, look them up on Facebook and Instagram! Fish Ceviche, Gloor Blvd. Suite 10 TX 78526 healthy, Be happy with “The best ceviche in town!”™
• Skinny Fish Ceviche, LLC offers Pick Up and Curbside.
Restaurants are a big part of Blue Planet Water, making foods taste the same day after day, not having food change flavors from too little softening or too much salt taste after system serviced. Less soap is needed for cleaning and sterilizing (no streaks).
Homeowners rely on Blue Planet Water to enjoy scale free faucets, shower heads and all kitchen appliances and washing machines. Homeowners, children and pets are healthier with sodium free water; even plants do better with Blue Planet Water. In the US, we have more than enough sodium in our diet already; removing it from your water must be a good thing.
Health and medical offices are another part of Blue Planet Water. Our water is a good source for hydration in both the elderly and young. Every adult day care center should be on salt free reverse osmosis water for pure drinking water. Blue Planet Water is the result of extensive research with undisputable success in finding an alternative to conventional salt based softeners.
Reverse Osmosis water systems by Blue Planet Water are an environmentfriendly addition to your home and office. By not using salt based ion exchange, Blue Planet Water is SODIUM FREE, making it the safest and healthiest water while retaining essential chemicals such as Calcium and Magnesium in their natural state. Calcium and Magnesium are important for nervous systems & muscles functionalities and are an indispensable part in cell chemistry in plants and most of life forms on earth. Blue Planet Water is trusted in many applications such as Hotel, Restaurants, Plant and Garden, Winery and Beverage, Coffee and Tea machines and Homes.
Advantages: No Salt Required, (no heavy lifting, pouring salt) No Back Wash required No Sodium added No Chemicals required for disinfection No Electrical connections required
1148 Fairway Lane Harlingen, TX. 78552 ph. 956 873 1637 Fax 210 579 1546 Financial Affiliate of Blue Planet Water
BLUE PLANET WATER IS CLEAN, HEALTHY AND SODIUM FREE! TASTE THE DIFFERENCE
By Capt. Alan Stewart
There are several reasons for this including cultural, but this trend could be in part due to money. It generally costs ten times less to cremate a loved one rather than conduct a burial service. Those who are drawing their wills are increasingly deciding to be cremated rather than buried to relieve their families of these costs. Instead, they are asking to be placed at sites that mean something
One area of opportunity for those who hold a USCG captain’s license is in providing services for those who are grieving. In the last 35 years, cremations have sky rocketed. According to the Cremation Association of North America, over 50% of bodies are being cremated and that number is only increasing. This contrasts with 1975 when only 6% of bodies were cremated.
When scattering ashes over a body of water a water-soluble urn can enhance the experience. These urns are specifically designed to gradually disperse the ashes back to the sea. Ashes can be cast directly into the water but will often blow back at the boat and cling to the sides of the boat. This can be both frustrating and unsightly. A water-soluble urn will usually float for several minutes then slowly sink where it will degrade or melt back to the sea, scattering the cremation ashes. The survivors will often toss flowers or petals as a final tribute as the urn slowly drifts away. There are professionals with boats available that will do either private water scatterings or create an event were the survivors may voyage and participate. Your funeral director will have the contacts to set this up in your area or you may find a provider on the resources section of this website.
to them. Because of this, burials at sea are on the rise.
Burials at sea generally consist of the immediate family going out in small parties and saying goodbye to those that they love. It is an important part of the grieving process to pay respects and spread the deceased at a place that they want to be. As more people choose to go this route, there will be a greater need for captains.
A RISE IN BURIALS AT SEA
35 35
36 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
By Brent Johnson
Whitedoves.Wing
season down in the Valley was always a family tradition as aunts, uncles, and cousins would come down to stay with us and have a good ol’ time. Today it still is, but my friends have to fill in for some of the family that is no longer with us. Man I sure miss those days and my lost loved ones. These days I take any opportunity I can get to relive the past and last year my good buddy Jay Humphries and his wife Tina invited me out to their farm in San Benito. As we drove
go look for me. His initial fear turned to laughter once he pulled the trike off me and realized I was alright. Some hunters who had heard my cries came over the dike and asked if all was ok. I was dusting off behind the truck red in my dusty face not wanting to make eye contact cuz this wasn’t supposed to happen to an 8 year old going on man, Lol. Looking back on it I really appreciate the hunters who came to my aide, so if you’re reading this and you were that man, many thanks. Seeing how I had just cheated death my dad decided it was time to give me my (third or fourth) first swig of cold beer. I remember it being a Pearl Beer which was just about as popular as Lone Star Beer back in those days. It tasted fantastic while we sat there in that orchard listening to the football game on the AM radio with our heads looking up for fast flying
Cast & SeasonBlastisHere!
38 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
The Pit is Lit, It’s Time to Pachanga
September 1st is here and that means football, barbecue and whole lot of hunting and fishing! When I think about opening day of dove season my mind goes back to a hot South Texas day in 1979 when my dad let me take my brand new Honda 185s ATV to uncle Doss’ citrus farm off Monte Cristo road just west of Edinburg. I had more fun than a clown in the circus on those 3 wheels. I remember Dad telling me “Now be careful on this thing, or you will hurt yourself and we will both be in trouble”. Like Ralphie in The Christmas Story I was gonna shoot my eye out and when I got brave and tried to ride that pony up the top of the steep canal bank I must have panicked near the top as I let off the gas and paused enough to lose my forward trajectory only to fall off the back and roll all the way down the hill. As I started to get up I heard the sound of wheels bouncing and next thing I knew my new toy was on top of me pinning me down to the ground. It could not have been any more perfect as the wheel was on top of my helmet and I could not get out from under the weight. Only thing I could move was my head inside the helmet. Once I figured out I couldn’t get out on my own, I started yelling for my dad. The army ants were walking around sizing me up as I laid there in the dirt and I was stuck there for a good 15 minutes before pops figured he better
One of my favorite smells in the world is walking into Glick Twins in Pharr, or Johnnys True Value in Harlingen. I don’t know what it is whether it is feed mixed in with gun powder and plastic or what, but it’s like new car smell and if I could bottle it up and give it a name I would label it “Fun”. Heck I walk in to these 2 stores just for the smell, but more importantly I am getting a jump on buying shotgun shells. With all the lack in the supply chain lately I am not taking any chances on missing out. Last year I was hard pressed to find duck loads towards the middle of the season so I would advise you to not wait and go get your ammo today. If you are in need of a new shotgun, both Glick Twins and Johnnys True Value will have plenty to choose from.
-See you on the water and the sendero my friends.
Ol’ Jay likes to party and considering he was born and raised in the RGV, he knows how to party. He brings out this luxury party bus motor home with a kitchen and College football on TV. Outside the pit is lit
You know the easiest shot in wing shooting is the dove that flies directly at you. The hardest part of this shot is remaining still until the moment to draw because once you are seen the bird will make its maneuver, but if you stay calm until the right moment this is the easiest shot to line up and is a good way to start off to get your mojo going. I look at it like a golf shot off the first tee, if I can hit the ball square down the middle of the fairway on the first hole it often sets the tone for the rest of my game. The next easiest shot is the passing shot where you lead the bird by a foot depending how fast they are flying. After that I would say the going away shot can be the most difficult for novice shooters, because here you have to aim a few feet below the bird to the spot where the bird will be. The high flyers can also be challenging and call for a higher brass shot shell to reach that altitude. Another challenge for beginning hunters is having 2 or 3 birds coming at you where the lead bird swaps positions with the trailing birds causing the shooter to second guess which bird to take. It is often important to pick one and stick with it.
and the smell of mesquite smoke is permeating the air. While the boys are tending the fire, I get down to business marinating enough doves to feed an army. In a 2 gallon ziplock a I soak the breasts in Chupa Cabre Marigate for one hour. After the Chupa bath I season all the meat with Chupa Cabre Rub and then pair those breasts with a big escobeche jalapeno slice and cream cheese wrapping it all in applewood bacon. Once I have all the breasts wrapped in bacon I dust it once again with the Chupa rub. As an added measure I will take a couple handfuls of wet pecan smoking chips and throw that on top of the fire for a little bonus smoke flavor. Then place the bacon wrapped doves on the grill at 300 for near 30 minutes. Before I pull the meat I baste on some peach habanero jelly to caramelize and give the birds a little sweet heat. Bon appetite!
As families start heading back to school and the summer crowd starts to dissipate, I like getting out on the bay and seeing what the Laguna Madre has to offer. The choices are numerous from Kingfish and Tarpon on the jetties to Black Drum, Flounder, Trout and Redfish in the bays. Maybe hook a snook? You just never know, but one thing you do know is that life is good and you are here to enjoy this amazing gift. Funny thing happened to me the other day. I was running some back water shallow flats when I came across a school of reds. I circled back around and hung out for a moment letting the fish settle back down before slipping in for a wade. As I went to put one of my wade boots on, I felt a frantic movement along my foot. I didn’t have socks with me so I was putting my barefoot into the wade boot and before I could pull my foot out of the boot and big cock roach came running up my ankle and I could feel more on my toes. I quickly dropped the boot on the deck of my boat and 4 to 5 cockroaches were running in different directions. Cockroaches to me are what snakes are to Indiana Jones and I killed everyone of those little bastards. Yeesh! I ended up regaining my composure and caught those redfish along with one kicker 24” trout all on a chartreuse Mirror Lure 5” Top Dog. Fishing in the mornins, and huntin in the evenings, can’t get any better than cast and blast season. Full bellies, cold beer and loud Tejano/Country music under a star lit sky in San Benito is not a bad way to live.
39 39
into the field my heart started racing and I could not wait to get out of the truck. It was like all my memories of hunting in Mexico and the Valley being relived right there amoungst the sun flower and sorghum fields. You can feel the energy from flocks of birds going every which way as they feed here and there. Even our bird dog Dandy is excited. The hunting is so good you could easily limit out in 30 minutes, how many boxes of shells could be another story. Lucky for me I am hunting with my new Berreta A300 Outlander 12 gauge. I love this gun as I use it for both dove and duck season. It takes 2 ¾” and 3” shells and is lightweight. Another feature I like about this gun is the camo wrap that not only helps you stay hidden, but also protects the gun from rust. I may miss a few, but I don’t miss many when I am shooting this particular 12 gauge.
40 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
41 41
42 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
South Padre Boat Rentals
sopadreboatrentals.com - 1506 W. Hwy 100, Port Isabel, Texas 78578
McAllen - Mission - Rio Grande Valley - Harlingen - Harlingen Vision Center - Edinburg - Weslaco
Coastal Concepts, LLC
Two of my favorite tools for hunting dove are both made by the Mojo Company. They are the Pick-Stick for picking up shells that are on the ground, and the Mojo dove decoys. The pick-stick makes clean up a breeze and definitely adds to being a sportsman and a good steward of the land. Me mindful and leave your dove hunting spot in the field cleaner than you found it when you arrived. The Mojo decoys on the other hand serve as a visual attractant making doves dive bomb into your decoy spread from a long way off while making the shooting even more enjoyable. There are several options offered my Mojo and a few other companies that work very well and efficiently.
46 TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
Dove Dog
Follow me on Facebook at Coastal Concepts, LLC and on Instagram @coastalconceptsllc
DR
Let’s talk about a dove dog. A dove dog is harder to make than most people think. Dove are very unique as they don’t share the same size, the same scent, and most important in my opinion is that they have a very unique plumage that is really difficult for a dog to deal with in their mouth. Dove feathers are so sensitive that a large amount of feathers fall off during a dogs retrieve. The reasons stated above are the most critical factors that come to mind. It is very difficult to train a dog for mouthing and scenting a dove when not in season. With this being said, I usually like to hunt client’s dogs a few times myself and expose them while working through the challenges of retrieving a dove. I am also careful to not introduce too many gunshots from many different
By Manny Perez
the time you read this article, White-winged dove season is well under way. Being that we start Dove Hunting season during the Special White-winged Dove Days, dove season seems to find us in the heat of summer (South Zone Sept 2-4 and Sept 9-11). These are weekend hunts only, the regular season then follows Sept 14-Oct 30 and Dec 17-Jan 22. This very long season gives the hunters many opportunities to enjoy hunting for these migratory game birds. For the content of this article I would like to talk about training a dove retriever, tools and tactics, and equipment preparedness.
Lastly, bring plenty of water and a first-aid kit for you and you dog. Don’t only bring drinking water, but also plenty of water to be able to cool down your dog. If available, I also try to hunt near a water source. This serves as a great hunting spot as well as a quick resource for use in keeping your dog cool. Remember, use wise judgment when hunting the early season. I tend to use my retrievers for short periods of time and in the last hour of the hunt to ensure not overworking them. Logically however, as the weather improves and cooler weather arrives in the later months of the season, you can lengthen the amount of work you allow your retriever to do during you dove hunting excursions.
By
directions. The dogs are simply not used to that as it’s merely impossible to re-create the mayhem that is the opening day of dove season. One great tip for training your dove dog, is to save some of your birds from your harvest for training. I freeze my harvest and use almost every bird that I harvest to train dogs. A quick reminder, these birds are only good for 1 or 2 retrieves before they start to fall apart and look more like a meal creating a whole different set of problems.Nowlet’s talk about my preferred tools and tactics. My shotgun caliber of choice for dove hunting is a 20 gauge, although I love a 28 and 410, I can’t help but notice how effective and comfortable a 20 gauge is to shoot. The 20 gauge is just a better and more versatile round than the others. The most notable advantage is the recoil in comparison to a 12 gauge, the next advantage is that they tend to be lighter guns on smaller frames making them easier to carry and hunt with for long periods of time. As far as shotgun shells go, I have tried many different types and sizes of shot, but my all-time favorite is #6 high brass. Number 6 loads hit hard and fly far, this allows the user to make great effective kill shots a long ranges with a very high kill ratio. I have noticed that we lose far fewer birds when shooting #6’s.
Manuel Noel Perez Jr. “Manny” has been an outdoor enthusiast for most of his life. He began training his own hunting dogs at the early age of nine. He has been guiding deer and quail hunts for over twenty years and has a wealth of dog knowledge in the field. When not on a hunt of his own, Manny would rather be found working behind a blood trailing dog, a water dog, or a well-trained pointer.
BUCK, DOES & SPIKES, hO G, NILG AI, EXOTIC : MONDAY-SATURDAY 8AM-8PM, SUNDAY 8AM-7PM AFTER HOURS AVAILABLE TIL 10PM (956) 249-4 102 (956) 3 83-00 92 BREAKFAST SAUSAGES - FRESH SAUSAGES - SNACK STICKS DRY SAUSAGE - SMOKE SAUSAGES - HAMBURGER PATTIES - FOOD BANK 1316 E. UNIVERSITY DR. EDINBURG, TX 78639 TWO BLOCKS WEST OF HWY 281 ON HWY 107 (UNIVERSITY DR.) ,NEXT TO AGUILAR S MEAT MARKET
IS THAT YOU?
If you would like to submit a photo for the next issue. Follow the Texas Sportsman Magazine on Facebook! Gotta Have It! facebook.com/texassportsmann 48
TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKINGOUTDOORS | SEPTEMBER 2022
Visit today to see how the Z200 delivers a fast cut and Kubota quality. • Professional-level cut • Precise and effortless control • Improved traction and performance • Comfortable and easy to use KubotaUSA.com © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2022. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, safety, incentive offer and product information, consult your local dealer or go to KubotaUSA.com. Zero-turn gets it done quick. Zero compromise gets it done right. Z200 Gas powered 42” to 54” cutting widths 2KBB03711_Z200_Q1_0103.indd
As a local cooperative, we share our profits with the Texans we serve. Since 2006, we’ve returned almost $2 billion in combined cash and allocated equities to our members through our cooperative returns program, so when you’re ready to secure a loan for your perfect retreat, try a partnership that really pays. Together we’re better. NMLS493828 | capitalfarmcredit.com EDINBURG 956.383.1488 | HARLINGEN 956.440.1676 yourFind escape
