Looking Ahead to 2026
As planned, the year ahead looks full of excitement, time afield, and adventure. Of course, the key words in that sentence are “as planned” because this writer's life rarely goes as planned. Especially when it comes to trips. Still, if less than half of the adventures on this year's agenda come to pass, I'll be very busy indeed.
This month sees me a hunting the Double C2 Ranch in Harper with country singer, possum feeder, and bane of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Rich O'Toole. Rich liked my coverage of his social media spat with that that agency to the north and asked if I'd like to go hunting. I have no idea what we’ll be hunting for but as I've never spent time afield with anyone who's had a top 40 album, I’m looking forward to it.
I'm super excited about March because that month sees me returning to Guatemala. My son Barrett and I will be spending a week down south and are starting the trip by fishing two full days with Captain Chris Starrs of Blue Bayou Guatemala. Starrs’ lodge is located in the coastal town of Iztapa just 5 minutes from La Marina Pez Vela and his outfit averages shots at 20 sailfish a day with shots at 80 to 100 not unheard of. In addition to sailfish (blue, black, and striped marlin), Blue Bayou also targets mahi-mahi and yellowfin. I’ve landed all of those in Mexico but never in Guat. Barrett has yet to fish for any so I’m really looking forward to seeing him do such for the first time.
From their Barrett and I will travel inland to San Marcos on beautiful Lake Atitlán to stay with our friend Travis Stinson. Travis co-owns and operates is Tul Y Sul. This compound right at the water’s edge of the lake features a world-class French inspired restaurant, a home for Travis and his fiancée Sosa, and two well-appointed rooms that Travis loans out to friends. Barrett and I qualify as such and will be staying with Travis for three days. During that time Barrett and I will enjoy the lake, see the sights, and pretty much do nothing in a location that is pretty much paradise.
In April, I’m heading down to just outside Brownsville to hunt for nilgai antelope with Pearl Snap Fly Fishing owner and operator Ben Christensen. Ben’s a great guy and I look forward to going after the second largest antelope in the world which just so happens to free range across his property. It promises to be an exciting hunt and a great time.
June will see me put the cap on my time with local Boy Scout Troop 137 at Philmont High Adventure Base in New Mexico. I’ve donated over two decades to the St. Barnabas sponsored troop and hiking some 40 to 50 miles in the mountains of the Land of Enchantment seems like the best way to say goodbye. From there I’ll be traveling with my wife Cheryl north to Wisconsin to see her mother and then sister’s family. I hope to get in some fishing with my brother-in-law Craig on Big Eau Pleine Reservoir or at least some beer drinking at the many breweries nearby. And this just might be the year that my mother-in-law Bonnie lets me hunt some of those trophy-sized chipmunks that use her backyard and garden like some sort of rodent amusement park. Please Bonnie! They need to be hunted, and I need one on my wall.
In July, I’ll be fishing with my buddies Will and Joel either at Port Aransas or Lake Amistad in Del Rio. We’ve yet to decide which. Regardless of where we’ll end up, I know we’ll have a great time. July will also see my wife and I head down to South Padre Island for a week of sun and fun. I’ll try to get some spearfishing in but even if I don’t just spending time on the beach with Cheryl will be a great end to the summer.
But not to the year as I have even more planned in the fall.
This piece first appeared in the Fredericksburg Standard.
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