Trip bought at auction leads to new passion
By Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
Photos by Scott Sommerlatte
A few Octobers ago, Dustin LaBat stopped in Dallas on his way from his Houston home to the Panhandle to attend the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation Wild Game Supper at the Beretta Gallery.
Now, after catching his first redfish on fly, the avid hunter and fisherman is hooked on fly-fishing the Texas coast.
LaBat, called “Big- foot” by his friends because of his size 17 shoe, was headed northwest to hunt pigeons.
Amber Haynes, who owns McKenna Quinn clothing line, told LaBat about the event benefiting the foundation.
“I went with my two dogs, and knew a few folks,” LaBat said. “I ended up bidding on about every item on the auction. Mostly, though, I was spending other people’s money.”
Until it came time for the guided fly-fishing trip for redfish.
“I had guided fishing trips out of Houma, Louisiana, where I’m from, for a few years but kind of got burned out by fishing,” LaBat said. “But fly-fishing excited me, it was something I hadn’t done before. I didn’t know Scott Sommerlatte, the guide, but had some friends who did.”
Scheduling the trip took some time — a few years, in fact.
“It was hard to get a time, and then came coronavirus,” LaBat said. “I did take some time to fish — my wife and I went to Alaska and I went to the Chandeleur Islands a few times. It revitalized my joy of fishing.”
When it came to fly-fishing, though, LaBat was a novice. But now he and his friend, Paul, have a new fishing passion.
“I took a friend of mine who had fly-fished a little bit, but it was a learning trip for both of us,” he said. “With Scott’s patience and skill, I caught my first redfish on fly on the first day, and caught another one that day and some the next day. Paul caught fish both days, too.”
Sommerlatte said the two anglers came to the trip with a positive attitude, despite their lack of experience.
“They didn’t let their expectations outweigh their abilities,” the guide said. “They both learned a lot and the fishing was real good. The reds were tailing with their backs out of the water.”
LaBat said both anglers already are looking at a second trip.
“It was awesome,” he said. “Scott is an amazing teacher, he can really explain things. I’ll definitely be going back with him.”
Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization which seeks to create hunters and fishermen for a lifetime by creating hunting and fishing experiences for people that have the passion, but lack the opportunity. To donate, call (214) 361- 2276 or visit lsonews.com/lsonf-foundation.
