Redfish Camp 2024

Feel free to use the playlist above to give yourself a little mood music...maybe throw a little tv fireplace on and light a candle, blow it out, and let the smell of smoke coat your nostrils as you read this.

There is just something special about it. Sure, it is amazing to wade through the crystal clear waters of the Bahamas as you try your best to slip up on an unsuspecting group of bonefish, or to carve through the mountains of the Costa Rican rainforest. "Destination Trips" have their place. We love them and take them very serious with Drifter...

But...there is something about the simplicity and somewhat nostalgic feel of Redfish Camp. Just a group of good folks, hanging around a fire, bellies full of seared steak, banas foster, and cold beer. As you sit by the popping flames providing unecessary heat in the Florida night, you can hear the others laughing and reminiscing on a day of chasing after what is likely the most "honest" fish you can wave a fly rod at or run a topwater across.

During Redfish Camp we had an incredibly diverse group of anglers come together...and it was awesome. From twenty-one to too old to ask, this group had a range of skill sets, backgrounds, and....how should I put this..."life experience." The group ranged across three states, included both spin and fly oriented anglers, and....despite their diversity, had a ton of chemistry. In fact, that commradery ended up being the thing that guest mentioned the most. It is the driver behind why we are a fishing club and not agency.

I know what you are probably thinking, "Enough with all the feel good community building stuff." Don't worry, we also caught plenty of fish. From site fishing a twenty-four inch trout, to having multiple double ups (even a triple up when Captain Josh Wells got greedy), to Vince Stegura loosing a world class pompano at the boat he hooked up on top water. The weekend had plenty of action on the water. The fishing turned out great.

Feel free to chime in the comment section with your own criticism.

Our Guide Team consisted of Captain Evan Snow, Jay Carson, Justin Anderson, and Josh Wells. I have known them all for a long time (I even started the Captains Collective Podcast with Josh). Clients were able to mix it up and fish with different guides and see their style and approach. We had a few tailing redfish in the grass, plenty of fish cruising shore line, some lazy fish hanging around oyster bars, and once the water got up a little bit there were fish pushing into creeks. We had a great topwater bite, and decent site fishing conditions for fly anglers with the exception of the last day which decided to bid us farewell with some clouds and wind.

We kicked off the food portion of camp with a steak night featuring my dad and Uncle Darren lighting up some banana fosters for dessert. Morning meals consisted of Reel Fishing Roaster Coffee in a french press, breakfast tacos on the blackstone, and a few pancakes to make sure everyone had a proper carb load before they headed out for the day. We had chicken salad and bbq sandwhiches for boat lunches, and lots of fish dips and honey drizzled bacon for appetizers. To me though (and I am incredibly biased) the best meal was Pizza Night. My buddy Cole and I fired up some pizza ovens, poured a secret wine into some decanters, threw a little music on the Turtle Boxes, and slung various pies out until everyone tapped out from overindulgence.

All and all we kept the feel very "campy" and worked hard to not compromise quality.

-Hunter Leavine

Drifter Founder and Guy Who Has Podcast

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