E119, Fly Fishing the Texas Coast

In this episode of Southeastern Fly, we sit down with Captain Bryson Storie to talk about fly fishing the Texas coast, focusing on the waters around Port O'Connor. A lot of anglers assume Texas saltwater is muddy and unfishable. Bryson explains why that couldn’t be further from the truth and breaks down the clear-water flats, diverse habitats, and fish behavior that make this area so special. We also dive into flies, food sources, guiding in Alaska, and the people who shape us along the way.

Highlights of the Episode:

• How the Texas coast is structured and why Port O’Connor sits in a uniquely diverse stretch of water
• The three main zones Bryson fishes: backcountry marshes, island systems, and outside bay shorelines
• Why wind and bottom type affect water clarity more than rivers on the Texas coast
• Sight fishing for redfish and other flats species, including black drum, sheepshead, trout, and jack crevalle
• Simplifying fly selection by prioritizing presentation and weight over exact imitation
• When down-sizing flies makes a difference and why confidence in your fly matters
• Lessons from guiding in Alaska and how those experiences carry over to saltwater fishing
• Where to eat in and around Port O’Connor after a long day on the flats

Resources:

• Visit brysonstorieflyfishing.com
• Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers Club

The Southeastern Fly 2025 Schedule

Monday, February 16, 3 Tips for Winter trout

Saturday, February 21 - Open Date to Chase Trophy Trout with David

Saturday, February 28 - David Tying at Little River Outfitters @10 am ET

Monday, March 2- Fly Fish the Arkansas River Near Salida, Colorado

E118 - The Best Seat on the River

In this episode, we slow things down and reflect on a question that feels simple at first but carries a lot of weight once you sit with it: what really is the best seat on the river? We take a thoughtful ride through seasons, boats, friendships, and family, looking at how our perspective changes over time and how fly fishing has a way of marking those changes if we pay attention.

This one is less about tactics and more about people. It’s about watching anglers grow, roles shift, and moments pass that don’t always announce themselves while they’re happening. The river keeps moving, and so do we.

Highlights of the Episode:

• Exploring the question of what truly makes the best seat on the river, from drift boats to gravel bars to warming up in the truck on a cold day.
• A guide’s perspective on why the front seat of a drift boat offers such a unique view of the water and the fishing unfolding ahead.
• A long-running story of a father and son who fished together for years, gradually improving their skills and deepening their relationship on the river.
• The subtle but meaningful moment when the son insists his dad take the front seat, signaling a shift in roles shaped by time and experience.
• Reflections on aging, gratitude, and recognizing special moments before they quietly pass.
• The transition to a third generation, with a grandson now riding in the front seat and carrying family memories forward.
• A reminder that the best seat on the river isn’t fixed. Sometimes it’s the front, sometimes the back, and sometimes it’s just simply being there.

Thanks and See You Next Time

David Perry

Southeastern Fly

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