"The fishing here is spectacular. The Lower Laguna Madre covers 300 square miles on the very southern tip of the Texas coast. At its northern border is the Land Cut, a channel dredged through the sand flats which joins the Lower Laguna to the Upper Laguna Madre. Padre Island, the longest barrier island in the world, separates the Laguna from the open Gulf of Mexico. On the mainland is the King Ranch and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, which has helped protect the area from development.

"The Lower Laguna is different from other parts of the coast for several reasons. First, it is far from any large population centers. Second, unlike the muddy quality of waters along much of the Texas coastline, the water in the Lower Laguna Madre is quite clear. Also, the fishing is year round. That appeals to this former South Florida boy accustomed to sightcasting in the Florida Keys.

"What is difficult about fishing the Lower Laguna Madre is the amount of astonishingly shallow water. In fact, with an average depth of one foot and a maximum depth of three feet, the Lower Laguna Madre is the largest continuous shallow-water flat in North America. You can see up to 60 redfish with their tails and backs out of the water here. Fishing requires a specialized boat many refer to as a Texas spit runner because it can float in as little as four inches of water. The only other vessel that can follow these boats is an airboat. Consequently, there are many areas here that many people simply don’t, or can’t access. The Laguna offers both grass-bottom lagoons and flats, as well as large white sand areas that resemble the Bahamas in both clarity and vastness.

"In addition to redfish, there are tarpon and snook here. While most people seek the tarpon along the jetties, and there are some big ones there, they are missing out on the lion’s share of fish right in the bay and in the Channel Arroyo Colorado, which sees a lot of barge traffic. There are so many 15- to 50-pound tarpon here that they can be a nuisance to anglers targeting the snook that stack up at the docks. One night, I was fishing in the channel and overheard a couple fishing at the dock. The wife had hooked another fish, and the husband asked, “Is that another one of those damned tarpon?”

"Clearly, the Lower Laguna is a special place. What makes it even more so is fishing it with the Sparrows. Scott was born in Mercedes, Texas, and grew up fishing in this region. College took him away to Virginia, where he subsequently earned a Ph.D. as a psychoanalyst, specializing in dream analysis and spiritual mentoring. During that time he fished throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and New York’s Catskills. But after a number of years, the call of Channel Arroyo Colorado became too strong, and he decided to return home. His wife Kathy accompanied him and they opened a bed and breakfast and fishing guide service. Both Scott and Kathy are captains and fishing guides. They are also both published authors on fly fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre. Kathy is one of few women saltwater fishing guides in the country.

"The Sparrows guide only fly fishing anglers, and they don’t feel the need to guide anglers who want to fill a cooler with fish or who are fixated on the number and size of fish they can claim at the end of the day. They cater to anglers who want to enjoy the entire experience of the Lower Laguna Madre. If you read their books, you’ll understand why. Scott’s book, Healing the Fisher King – A Fly Fisher’s Quest, is about his need to return home to the Arroyo. And Kathy’s book, On the Mother Lagoon: Fly Fishing and the Spiritual Journey, explores her own journey to the Laguna, adapting to the low-country lifestyle and learning to fly fish.

"The perspective the Sparrows bring to their guiding service is one of adapting the fishing experience to their clients’ needs, balancing challenge with angling success. They will match the fishing to their clients’ abilities. They will pole or wade all day, and while they want to educate their clients about the kinds of fishing opportunities available and techniques that increase success, they will not set about correcting your style or casting unless you request their help with that. And they almost never fish with clients.

"The Sparrows provide the perfect environment for the freshwater fly angler who wants to learn saltwater fishing and wants to experience a lot of shots for redfish. Scott wades right alongside you and will point out the fish to you, teaching you how to spot them. The experience is best for beginning to intermediate saltwater fly fishers. Of course, if you are an experienced angler, they will simply let you fish and stay out of your way unless you ask for their assistance.

"Lastly, the Kingfisher Inn is not your traditional bed and breakfast. The Sparrows have built a separate facility that features three apartments. Two have kitchens. All have refrigerators. Together the units sleep up to 11 anglers. The upstairs apartment will accommodate up to five anglers. The Sparrows charge $400 for a six-hour half-day charter for one to two anglers; $50 extra for a third person.  A full day of eight-plus hours is $500; with an extra $75 charge for a third person. Breakfast and boxed lunches are extra. Dinner is on your own. Guests may either cook in their units or go to the nearby town of Harlingen where there are many good, inexpensive restaurants.

"Scott Sparrow’s strength is that he is so obviously a part of the Laguna. It is a real presence in his life. His love for it is palpable. When you fish with him, what you share is his love for the water and the fish. He is a teacher and always has an encouraging word. He’s excited about every fish his clients catch. If you want to share that kind of experience, if you want someone you care about to be introduced to the wonder available in saltwater fly fishing, Scott Sparrow is who you should call."