We kicked off our 2025 season with a good ole fashioned Redfish Camp in Steinhatchee, Florida.
Sometimes when you go on a trip the stars align, the fish cooperate, and the weather opens up perfectly. After months of anticipation, everything falls right into place, and you catch it at the perfect time.
Well..this was not one of those times.
Sure, we caught some fish. Thanks to our hard working guide team that polled in the wind, stayed focused, and searched for fish like a college girl who misplaced her phone.
But fishing isn’t just fun when “everything goes your way.” Fishing is fun when you sometimes have to work for it, problem solve, and execute despite what circumstances are going on around you.
When that is the case, even catching one fish on fly can be “worth the flight from Puerto Rico” (Shoutout to Bobby who caught his first redfish on fly).
In my opinion, what makes a trip successful is so much more than a number.
It’s the whole picture.
And Redfish Camp was a great picture of why we started this club, and that is what made it a success.
We chose to host this weekend in Steinhatchee for two reasons. First, Steinhatchee is a really cool fishery. It is rugged, rural, and covered with some of the most pristine turtle grass flats in the gulf. They are expansive, clean, untouched by development, and filled with redfish (and trout). Secondly, Steinhatchee was wrecked last year by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene and this camp was a great way for us to show them some love.
The crew who came together was an amazing mix. Getting to know them, and hang out together, reminded me of why we started this club.
We have a lot more photos and videos to come, but I wanted to throw a few in here to help showcase what this weekend was all about.
Our club photographer Mason Erwin and videographer Ian Niklaus have some great projects in the works, so stay tuned for that.
The Drifter Gear Locker allows us to transport all our gear and grills for the weekend. Not to mention, a few extra hats, rods, and everything you could need to turn any spot into a portable lodge. It also doubles as a tattoo studio. More about that in a minute.
Like many of you, most trips for me start right off the bat with something going wrong. Redfish Camp started with our media team getting a flat tire and the trailer needing some air. Textbook way to kick off the weekend, if you ask me.
When we pick our locations, we go beyond the fishery. We look for good accommodations that will allow people to relax and connect with one another. This spot was super rural, really peaceful, and had "plenty of space for activities."
Nothing like hanging out by a river. Early morning low tides pulled water into a current that made this area seem like you were sleeping by a mountain stream.
High-tech guide assignments board. We try to move folks around so they can experience different guiding styles and meet more fellow Drifters.
A few guys in the club spent a little time with Chase Hancock, THE Hard Core Fly Tier, and got some pre-fishing prep in.
We kicked the weekend off with seared steaks and tried out some Nomad Grills. The more flames the better. We take our food very seriously.
Steaks were followed by some Banana's Foster. It was really special to have my father and "Uncle Darrin" there to help around camp. As a child, these two men gave me the outdoor experiences that planted the seed to one day start Drifter.
Mobile tattooing and fishing aren't always paired together. Having special guest, Casey Anderson, join for to the weekend allowed folks to commemorate the trip. On top of doing some art, Casey offered some casting coaching and thoughtful conversation.
Casey did six tattoos throughout the weekend including a tarpon, gator, Green Heron, a Spoonbill standing on a redfish, and two Drifter Crabs (including one on my pops).
Fellow Drifters Bobby and Justin gear up for the day.
Casey is a full-time artist, part time burrito toter. The pontoon boat did not belong to us...but we wish it did.
Bobby with his first ever Redfish on Fly. He came all the way from Puerto Rico for this one...and "it was worth the flight."
It is hard to beat the natural beauty of this place.
Angler Recovery Appetizers
Like I said, we take our food pretty seriously...
Cold drinks, good guides, new friends. Drifter started to help people catch fish while building community. Can't beat that combo.
Our pizza nights are a staple. Each pie is built from scratch and made with love.
Finished product.
Family Style Feasting
Don't let this photo fool you...we had some wind this weekend.
John Scott knocking some dust off his cast on the dock.
Beau "dancing" with his best bud. My dog Miller hung out for a little bit with the crew.
