It’s a whopping pleasure to present this quick interview with Mark Marmon, an old friend (introduced here) and principal of Metro Anglers in Houston.
Mark offers what very well may be one of the most unique brownlining opportunities in the country with his urban Houston tours, though it sounds like if he could plan the ideal year he’d spend part of it guiding in Iceland.
And yep, we think a flick about fly fishing urban Houston is a great idea too.
Tell us a little about Metro Anglers.
I started this back in the mid eighties because I had discovered Carp fishing in the bayous. I’ve caught 18 different species of fish just in one bayou! This is very strategic fly casting. You have to be able to cast & control your line; 40’ out, with a drop in terrain of 20+ feet. The casting is very aggressive, and most anglers are not prepared for it.
When and why did you first pick up a fly rod?
My grandfather gave me a bamboo rod with monofilament line on it when I was in high school. I started on that (very difficult to cast) and progressed from there. As I continue my pursuit, I find I use lighter rods and utilize those with more flex. The older I get, the slower I need to cast!
While there are a surprising number of fly fishers in Texas, you’re still heavily outnumbered by the conventional tackle gang. What’s worked best for you as you spread the fly-fishing gospel in the Lone Star state?
I’ve been fortunate enough to be requested to speak on fly fishing across the state since I got started. Any where there is standing/moving water in this state, there’s a high chance of some kind of fish in it. Any where you can conventional fish, you can fly fish.
When did you first decide that Metro Anglers had a niche to fill in the market and what made you take the plunge to set up shop?
As people learned about my adventures in the bayou, more attempted to hire me to teach them how to fish it. During my first three years of guiding, I had to carry a letter from the TPWD stating I was allowed to guide in Texas. Originally, TPWD only issued guide licenses based on boat registration numbers. No boat, no license. I don’t use a powerboat, so I had to get recognition from the state. Most of my clients are from overseas, where Carp are revered highly as a game fish. I then branched off into Bass and Rainbow Trout.
Urban Houston isn’t on most fishers’ radar as a fly-fishing destination; what prompted you to set up shop there?
It’s where I live (most the time) and we have 60 miles of bayous to fish! When my overseas clients come in for business, they can take a break at mid-day to fish, then go back to meetings in the evenings. I also have a private Bass Fishing Club to utilize, about an hour from Houston.
What’s your go to, all around best urban Houston fly fishing rig?
In the bayous, I use a 2 or 3 wt, with WFF/DTF and my own flies. The lighter the rig, the more aggressive you can cast at these fish. With the light rod, the fight is exhilarating!
What about fly selection?
I had avoided tying because of the initial startup cost but couldn’t get anyone to tie what I needed. So, I started slowly and developed several flies that consistently work. My theory of fly tying is: if it takes longer than 90 seconds, it’s too much time! I have several that are effective to a point that others are now duplicating them.
Favorite water to fish in Texas?
My wife (who is a fly fisherwomen) and I have fished all over the world. We still love to fish the Guadalupe.
Favorite non-Texas water to fish?
If I could work out a deal to guide in Iceland from May until Oct and then come back to Texas, I’d be a happy camper.
If you could push fly fishers to do just one thing to be better stewards in 2012, what would it be?
As you may have seen from my website, I continue to speak at no charge about fly-fishing. If I can get one more fly fisherman out in the field, then I hope I have one more conservation minded individual; who respects the environment and becomes a better steward towards it.
Extra Two Cents…..
I have entered seminary and am pursuing Holy Orders to become an Episcopal Priest (June 2013). This has opened another stewardship arena in discussing the liturgical relationship between religion and fly fishing. I’ve given several talks about it and am comfortable to continue guiding without being labeled as being a “Holy Roller, or on the God Squad”.
Tags: People of Fly Fishing
