Birds of The Marsh and What They Mean for Seasonal Fishing – Why Birds Might Be the Best Fishing Report You’ve Never Checked

Every angler checks the tide charts. Fewer check the sky.

But out in the back marshes of the Galveston Bay Complex, the birds working the shoreline are running a live fishing report every single day — and most of us run right past it. Egrets pacing a shallow flat, spoonbills lifting off a drain, terns diving over nervous bait: it’s all a language, and once you learn to read it, you’ll never look at the marsh the same way again.

That’s exactly what Texas Fly Fishers is diving into at our next guest speaker night Matt Parrish, and he couldn’t be more excited to share it with the club.

What: An evening with Matt Parrish of Empty Stringers — Birds of the Marsh and What They Mean for Seasonal Fishing

When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Where: St. Thomas Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall — 14110 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079

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Date: August 25, 2026

Time: Meeting Time 6 – 9 pm (6 – 7 pm social hour / potential fly tying) with meeting from 7 – 9 pm.

Meeting Location: St. Thomas Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall) 14110 Memorial Drive, Houston, Tx., 77079

Read more: Monthly Meeting Tuesday August, 25 2026: Beginner Fly Tying

Have you wanted to learn how to tie flies, but don’t know where to start? At the August monthly meeting we will hold a beginners fly tying night, where members can tie two flies with the assistance of an instructor and volunteers. No experience or equipment is necessary. All required items will be provided at no charge.

Time: Meeting Time 6 – 9 pm (6 – 7 pm social hour / potential fly tying) with meeting from 7 – 9 pm.

Meeting Location: St. Thomas Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall) 14110 Memorial Drive, Houston, Tx., 77079

Unfortunately, the surf forecast for Saturday August 15th does not favor comfortable conditions or those favorable for catching fish on a fly. Accordingly the trip/outing is being CANCELLED. In scheduling a trip of this type in advance we can plan on favorable tide conditions but just have to wait and see what cards the the weather and surf will deal us. In the case of the surf forecast for this coming Saturday, the 15th, the cards are not favorable. So, we’ll try to reschedule for another date in the future. Thanks to all who registered for your interest.

Trip Description: Day Trip to the Surf: Surfside Beach Area via Public Beach Access Road 4 off of the Blue Water Highway (County Road 257)

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Where: Surfside Beach Area via Public Beach Access Road 4 
Start Time: 1:00 pm
End Time: 5:30 pm 
Trip Leader: Barry Sandler and Jim Richards
Phone: Barry: 7I3-398-4252  Jim: 7I3-854-O5I7
Email:   Barry: BOSANDLER(at)GMAIL.COM.   Jim: JimMRichards(at)Comcast.net     

Lunch and water will not be provided.  Participants should bring their own food, water, sun glasses and PFD (Personal Floatation Device).

We will meet on the left side of the intersection of Public Access Road 4 and the beach. If you are signed up and will not be at the designated location at 1:00 pm please contact Barry or Jim via cell phone at one of the numbers above. Although this is a later gathering time than in the past, in light of the incoming tide not beginning until approximately 2:00 pm it is thought this later start time will provide a more productive fishing window than an earlier start time.

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I am a bit late on posting this update, but the TFF sponsored Houston TITC project, released over 2000 young rainbow trout in the TU managed section of the Guadalupe, at the end of April/beginning of May. The program this year was a great success, with 14 high schools across the entire Houston area taking part. We had tanks running in every high school in Lamar ISD, out west as far as New Caney and even in the Conroe area. Looking forward to 2027, we are now have secured additional sponsorship for the program from the Bass Pro Foundation, and the Texas council of the FFI, both of which will help us add new schools in future years. We will start setting up the 2027 program later this fall, so if you know if any high school, or middle school science or outdoor education teachers that might be interested in taking part, please let me know!

Matt Blyth (832 four four four 4206)