Texas Anglers Are Blessed

I have written in this column many times, my long-held opinion that Texas anglers are blessed. I’ve arrived at this conclusion, not from any single management event, fisheries regulation, fisheries enhancement program, or angling opportunity; but from a collection of many such things. The bottom line and foundation of the sport we love, is that without sustainable fish populations we cannot continue to enjoy the sport of fishing the way we always have.

I have been lucky to travel to many places and participate in many fisheries. During these travels I have witnessed incredible bounty and, unfortunately, “should have been here yesterday,” more than a few times. The reference to yesterday being one of years or decades, not just the day before.

In my experiences of great bounty, my success was fueled mostly by a relatively untapped resource – places with low human population, and/or people too poor and busy scraping out a meager existence to have time for fishing. Of the disappointments, it has been my observation that the fishery in question had been either mismanaged or over-utilized for a significant period – perhaps both.

So, what about this blessing? How does it happen, and where does it come from?

For starters, If you’re reading this magazine and have a keen interest in recreational angling, you have obviously been blessed to be able to afford both.

During my outdoor career I have witnessed the collapse of both wildlife and fisheries resources that once thrived. We can speculate on the causes but the reality is that they’re gone. How then can it be, that our Texas fisheries continue to remain sustainable in the face of ever-increasing angling pressure from a well-heeled populace that’s constantly growing?

The answer is sound management. A great number of my fishing cohorts can recall days of no limit on trout and redfish here in Texas. But times change. Habitats have diminished and fishing pressure has grown beyond anything fishermen in the 50s and 60s could have ever dreamed. Luckily, fisheries management has kept up with the times, and herein lies the blessing.

There are many facets to sound fisheries management; population surveys, creel surveys to obtain harvest data and angler satisfaction, fish hatcheries and stocking programs, assessment of water quality and habitat restoration; it’s actually a long list. One that TPWD manages very well.

While we’re counting our blessings, let’s not forget all the anglers and fishing guides that are talking the talk and walking the walk; helping deliver the conservation message of Catch-Photo-Release to all who will listen.

Unlike some areas in other places, the future of recreational fishing in Texas is bright. Now, get out there and enjoy it. And take a kid fishing!