Spring Thing continued
fishing to the client, but Capt. Dudley
has his bait in the water from the moment the boat stops. This is how he determines where they are and what to
use. Second, he moves when the bite is
slow. We went from the southwest corner to various other locations on Lake
Catherine in the space of a few hours
to make sure everyone on the boat
caught fish. Third, he matches the bait
or lure to the water. That afternoon we
used fresh shrimp under a cork in all locations. We used as little bait as possible because once Capt. Dudley finds
fish, there aren’t a whole lot of wasted
casts.
Capt. Dudley cleaned all those fish
for me on the dock at his home, while I
sat in the swing and talked to his wife,
Kim. I watched him slice through the
entire chest of fish in what seemed like
minutes, and then listened to the two
of them share the joys of life, family,
grandchildren, sports, fishing, and
business done the old-fashioned way.
For me, this was the best part of the
day.
With all the technology available
today to predict weather, measure
water depth, determine wind speed
and direction, and find fish underwater,
it’s amazing and refreshing to know
there’s a “Dinosaur” out there who
doesn’t need even one of those things
to be successful. Capt. Dudley knows
how to sense all those things by heart.
So if you ever get a chance to fish with
Captain Dudley Vandenborre, I hope
you talk less, watch and listen more,
and get the grill or fryer ready for a
whole box full of fresh fish…. Old
school style!
36
Top, Captain Dudley Vandenborre & Erin Maggiore with one of many beautiful redfish landed that day. Left, Owner of Gus’ Tackle & Nets, Gus Maggiore
and daughter, Erin. Right, Captain Vandenborre working the shoreline in
Unknown Pass.
May 2016 www.marshandbayou.com