Fly Rods, Surfboards, and Running Wild with Riverhorse Nakadate

Episode 177 of the Destination Angler Fly Fishing Podcast – Aug 13, 2026. 

Our destination is the salt marshes of the Texas Coast for Redfish with renown author, fly fishing die-hard, and adventurer, Riverhorse Nakadate.   Redfish are the bruisers of inshore fishing, known for aggressive strikes, blistering drag-screaming runs, and a stubborn, bulldog-like fight, and the Texas coast offer world class opportunities. 

Riverhorse explains why he loves Texas Redfish and shares stories from a life spent running wild:  climbing to the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in search of trophy trout, spending 19 hours in an African jail, surviving extended underwater beat downs and shark bumps while surfing the world, canoeing 200 miles alone through the boundary waters, and why a canoe can set you free.

In this episode:

• The salt marshes of Texas — home to redfish, the bruisers of the inshore game.
• The story of Dickey Betts spray-painting his famous gold top Les Paul red before a gig.
• Fishing the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison reached by a terrifying descent.
• How "Riverhorse" became his legal middle name.
• Held 19 hours in an African jail
• Why water and wilderness are "where true living happens."
• A childhood on the Colorado River in Austin, and a steelhead-fishing stepfather who opened the door to the ocean and the fly rod.
• Surfing close calls — underwater beatdowns, shark encounters, and more.
• The case for the canoe..
• Topwater bass in the Texas Piney Woods, and his go-to swim frog.
• Going undercover with game wardens against illegal longlining and shark finning in the Gulf  
• Redfish technique: Texas sight-fishing on the flats versus Louisiana's winter giants, plus fly setups and night fishing.
• A 24-foot crocodile charge in Mexico, and the desperate escape.

With host Steve Haigh | Destination Angler Podcast — THE podcast for anglers who travel.

Connect with Riverhorse:  Instagram:  @Riverhorse_Nakadate

Author of "Water Lines: A Life on Marshes, Rivers, Seas, and in the Rain"   

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Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh@DestinationAnglerPodcast.com

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Recorded July 9, 2026