PHOTO: KENDAL LARSON
> >
theDream Living
We’ve all had the dreams: get paid to guide, fish a thousand miles of coastline, write a book, pursue the passion full-time—or just more often. Here are 10 kayak fishing guides,
writers, webmasters, and everyday folks who are making it happen.
DEAN THOMAS
underestimate a manatee—it will come after your butt!” His reputation as the class clown of kayak
KAYAK ANGLING’S CLASS CLOWN Salt-stained ball cap, omnipresent Costa del Mar sunglasses, two days of stubble surrounding a black goatee, a wrinkled quick-dry fishing shirt embroidered with sponsor logos, and a trademark pair of Crocs. It’s beach-bum chic for the 21st Century, the sort of look only someone with a great deal of talent—or who doesn’t have to punch a clock—can get away with. Capt. Dean Thomas of Slowride Guide Services scores on both counts. Thomas is known as much for his easygoing,
laid-back attitude and dry wit as he is for his quality fishing and paddling instruction. It’s indicative of the man’s sense of humor that when the story of his manatee encounter at a Florida fishing tournament comes up, he merely listens and then drawls, deadpan: “Man, I’m telling you, those suckers are mean. Don’t
30 … KAYAK ANGLER spring 2008
fishing belies the single-minded purpose and hard work that have gone into making “living the life” look easy. Shortly after the beginning of the decade, the native Texan was looking down the barrel of his 40th birthday, wondering what to do with the rest of his life. He’d earned a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license and had started guiding anglers part-time after relocating from Houston to the Corpus Christi area to continue his oilfield career. Then he discovered kayaks. “Man, about a thousand light bulbs went off inside my head about how cool it was,” Thomas says. “I like that super-skinny water and sight casting. I had always tried to shove my boat back in those shallow areas—pushing it or trolling it or whatever.” That was in 2002. In January 2003, Thomas—
with his wife Jennifer’s blessing—hung up his hardhat and started guiding full-time. “I walked away from a pretty good job,” he says. “But it
was at that point in my life where I was running out of time if I was going to try it. The worst thing that was going to happen was that I’d have to go back to work.” Thomas now personally guides about 200 days
a year and refers many other potential clients to other local captains. Thomas was the first member of the Wilderness Systems pro staff, and travels to half a dozen boat shows and seminars to promote the sport of kayak fishing each year. As an assistant scoutmaster, he provides boats and paddling and fishing instruction to Boy Scouts and leads expeditions on Texas rivers. And when he’s not guiding clients, Thomas still makes a point to get on the water every day he can, often with Jennifer or one of their two boys. Sometimes he’s scouting for an upcoming trip. A lot of times he’s just enjoying the moment.
Reflecting on the midlife career change, he acknowledges that there have been sacrifices— namely a 401k and company insurance plan—but he can’t really complain. “It’s worked out good for me so far,” he says.—Aaron Reed
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52