< PreviousCompassionate Guidance in Your Time of Need. E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary has been serving the Galveston, Galveston County area with compassion and respect for over 71 years. Our deep roots in the community are a source of pride, as we grow side by side with the families we serve. During this time you need someone who understand the needs of families in celebrating the life of their loved ones and making sure that we take all precautions in maintaining a safe environment to assure the health and well-being of everyone that wants to celebrate the life of their loved one with dignity. E.R. Johnson Family Mortuary has always been in the forefront making sure the families we serve receive our utmost attention, care and service. We hope you will consider us your source for compassionate care and exemplary service. Our pledge is to help you honor your loved one in the most meaningful way, offering thoughtful guidance and personal attention to every detail. 3828 Ave O | Galveston, TX 77550 409.762.8470 E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary62 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 Young anglers represent the future of our sport, and it is our responsibility to teach them to respect our waters and the fish they pursue. (Opposite) Waylon Gene Skinner, 5, shows off a beautiful redfish. COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 63 HOOKED TEACH A KID TO FISH And feed outdoor memories for a lifetime story and photos by CAPT. NATE SKINNER N othing is more rewarding than getting a youngster involved in the outdoors and fishing. Kids are the future of our sport, and it’s up to us to show them the ins and outs and teach them to respect our waters and the fish. I learned to fish from my Dad, and he instilled in me a deep passion for angling. Some of my earliest fishing mem- ories took place along the Texas City Dike when I was 4 or 5 years old. I’ve made fishing a career, but moments on the water that I cherish the most are those spent with my Dad. I’ve now started adding to those unforgettable moments by passing on the traditions of a well-rounded angler and outdoorsmen to my oldest son, Waylon Gene. These mo- ments are even more special when my Dad joins us, and soon, my youngest son, Cal, will be old enough to handle a rod and reel as well. Recently, I took my family along on a work trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama, where I fished with one of my good friends, Capt. Nick Poe of Reel Gypsy Fishing. Poe owns and operates 64 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 HOOKED one of the best inshore fishing charter services on Dauphin Island. He and I have been creating fishing content for many years. This time, Waylon, 5, and Poe’s son Cooper, 8, fished with us for two days. If you think you’ve been to the circus, ask yourself whether you’ve ever had a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old armed with rods and reels on a boat at the same time. I joke, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit there was a whole lot going on. But, it was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world. During our first day, the action was incredible. We caught limits of quality speckled trout; our boys caught most of them, all on soft plastic lures. Perhaps more meaningful, however, was that on the second day the biting wasn’t near as good. The tides were different, and the fish just weren’t eating very well. Those boys had to work hard for every fish they caught, and it was a great lesson that fishing isn’t always about catching. Sometimes the fish bite, sometimes they don’t, but the time spent on the water with people you love is always time well spent. Aside from our recent trip to lower Al- abama, Waylon has been fishing with me quite a bit over the past two years. He really started being able to handle a rod and reel over the past year and a half, and has learned a lot in a short of time. I’ve learned as much from him about how to successfully take a kid fishing. The number-one rule is to keep it fun. The experience needs to be positive. Forget about catching a bunch of fish or big fish and focus on having a good time. (From top) Three generations of Skinners fishing together: Capt. Nate Skinner, from left, his father, Noel, and his oldest son, Waylon Gene; Cooper Poe, 8, caught this solid speckled trout on a soft plastic jig. COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 65 DOGDAYSOFSUMMER DOGDAYSOFSUMMER Evenduringthe OUR"PAWSOME"TEAMOFEXPERIENCED PROSHAVEYOUCOVERED! BESTTITLECOMPANY 2022|2021|2020 BESTLAWFIRM 2022|2021|2020 BESTATTORNEY 2022 EXPERIENCEMATTERS! www.SouthLandTitle.net 409.744.0727-6710StewartRd.,Ste200,Galveston,TX77551 Catching fish, obviously, makes fishing more fun. So when you’re with a young angler, put more effort into simply catch- ing whatever you can. Action is better than no action, regardless of what kind of fish are biting. You’ll want to get them a rod and reel appropriate to their stature. Most kids want to try to do things all on their own, and fishing is no different. So instead of trying to get them first-class gear, start them with a setup they can handle. An inexpensive youth model rod and reel combination is a good start. I like to use 20- to 30-pound test braided line on my son’s reel that’s tipped with a 30- to 40-pound test fluorocarbon leader. This allows him to land large fish, even though he’s using a fairly small, light- weight rod and reel. I have had the best luck using spin- ning rod and reel sets for kids. When rigged with braided line, they don’t tangle up too often, plus they’re fairly simple to use. Snacks and drinks are key for a day on the water with the kids. If you’ve got plenty of snacks and drinks, they’ll be able hang in there a lot longer. Quality outerwear also is important. Make sure they’ve got clothing that keeps them comfortable in the given weather conditions. I have been im- pressed with the line of youth-sized shirts and shorts by AFTCO. They’ve kept my son cool and protected from the sun out on the boat. Make chucking lures an option. Most live and natural bait scenarios require patience awaiting the bite. It’s no secret that most youngsters can’t sit still for very long, and if you give them a rod and reel, they’re going to want to reel in their line rather than just let it sit. Tie on one of your favorite lures and let them go to town. This will give them plenty of casting practice, and you just might be surprised how many fish they can catch on artifi- cial baits. Today’s youth have many distractions. Get them off the couch, away from cell phones, television, tablets and other electronic devices. Take a kid fishing. You’ll be glad you did. 66 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 KARENFLOWERS-(409)789-7377 DAVEBRIDGWATER-(409)392-5655 JOETRAMONTEREALTY (409)765-9837 Enjoybreathtakingbayviewsfromsunrisetosunsetinthisbeautiful updated3-Bed/2.5Bathhome.OpenconceptLiving/Diningroomwith highceilings,designerlightfixtures,andwood-burningfireplace,fully equippedKitchenhasquartzcountertops,high-endappliances,anisland withwinecooler,andevenapotfiller.Youwillloveentertainingor relaxingdownstairswiththeTikiBar,pool/spa,andseating.Pierwithsink forwatersportsandfishcleaning.Mostfurnishingsremain.This gorgeoushomeisperfectforoutdoorlivingandismove-inready! OFFEREDAT $1,425,000 730 LAGUNADRIVE Imagine your home, totally organized! Custom Closets Garage Cabinets Home Offices Wall Beds Wall Organizers Pantries Laundries Wall Units Hobby Rooms Garage Flooring Media Centers and more... 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COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 67 presents on the High Sea s By Leslie Kimbell September 15 - October 7 www.islandetc.org for tickets GalvestonIslandConvention CenteratTheSanLuisResort HonoringMaryAnnSalchMurphy Forinformation:409-740-1919ORinfo@galvestonhumane.org GALVESTONISLANDHUMANESOCIETYPRESENTS PAWberryFieldsFURever Saturday,September23,202368 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 69 GARDEN VARIETY LESSONS LEARNED After destructive freezes, Friendswood gardener embraces cold-tolerant plants story by BARBARA CANETTI photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS E arly mornings find Tish Reustle in her garden weeding, rearrang- ing, pruning and harvesting. But like most Gulf Coast gardeners, Reustle on summer days is done by 9 a.m. to beat the heat. Even with just a few hours a day, she’s able to keep her backyard plot robust. Tish and husband, Jim, live in Friends- wood on 3 acres. But they only nurture a garden surrounding their pool and two manmade ponds in their yard. The rest of the land is grass and Jim’s job to cut. Tish’s responsibilities are happily in the garden with a wide variety of plants. After two major freezes, she has learned her lesson, selecting only cold-tolerant plants because she lost so many favorites during the past two winters. “I’m not a perfect gardener, but I pick plants that I like,” said Tish, who is a Galves- ton County Master Gardener and specializes in bamboos. Despite her specialty, she only has one bamboo plant in her yard and it’s in a pot because the plants have a tendency to get out of control. One of her favorite plants is a Madagas- car palm, which actually isn’t a palm but a succulent with a thick silver stem covered (Left) Tish Reustle, a Galveston County Master Gardener and artist, has created a lush backyard garden full of color and texture.Next >