A Moment to Remember

[shallowist]

I've battled with the thought of this all day long, but I got an email from Andy Packmore at 1:57 this moring, that one of our very good friends, and guide that I respected as much as any that have ever known has passed.

Capatin Chris Phillips lost his battle to Brain cancer last night in Houston. It's very hard for me to think of all the things that I want to say about him now, but it's safe to say that Chris was one of my favorite people. Chris was an amazing person, one of the best and most accomplished guides in Galveston, and a guy who absolutely loved the sport of fishing, and teaching people how to enjoy it. I'm going to miss him very much.

I'm sure that when I can clear my head enought to think about it, I will relay some of my favorite stories of time spent with him.

Chris, I hope you find that big trout up there, I will be thinking about you.

[Hogie70]

I'm going to miss visiting with him at FTU... RIP Capain Chris...

[reeltime]

prayers go out to his family....cancer from what i've expereniced personally is not the easiest way to leave this beautful place.....

[gsb]

Very sorry to hear about this friend and pro fisherman passing. Peace and comfort to all that feel the loss.

[TTU Wader]

I didn't know him personally but when I worked at FTU I would chat with him from time to time. What a nice guy....he will be missed.

[trophytroutman]

Prayers sent to family.Cancer took my dad and my uncle{dads only brother}witin 4months of each other last year and took one of my moms kidneys right in the middle of them.

[WestEndAngler]

Prayers sent.

[Nwilkins]

Steve, please share your stories when you can get your thoughts together.


God bless all that mourn

[dbarham]

Sorry to hear this prayers sent to the family and friends.

[coachlaw]

I never met Capt. Phillips, but he sounds like he was an exceptional person. My condolences to you on the loss of your friend. I'm sure he's already finding all the best spots where he is now. Please do tell us some stories when you can muster them up. Sounds like a man worth hearing more about for sure.

[Charlie's Custom Rods]

Capt Chris was a good man and will be truly missed

[michelle]

i'm sorry to hear about his passing. i never met him but have heard wonderful things about him. he must have been a great guy.
michelle

[txwhaler 22]

i feel the heavy loss in your words..brother he will always be with you ...

[shallowist]

Chris shared a lot of stories with me over the years, one my favorites was talking about one of those non typical fly fishing things that Chris loved to do. Chris wasn't your average fly guy, he had a lifetime of plug fishing prior to going exclusive with fly tackle. We all know that you just don't fish on the Texas Coast without fishing for trout with plugs, and Chris still loved to do that with a fly rod. If you pick up the Texas Fly Patterns book that was published by TF&G, you will find a fly called the Phillips Header. Read the text and you will find that this fly was designed by Chris to emulate the action of the Coast's most popular lure for catching big trout, the 51 Mirr-O-Lure. It's not your typical fly, and Chris wasn't your typical fly caster. He loved to go plugging for big trout on fly.

The story was about a night that he his long time friend, Dave Hayward, went to night fish Confederate Reef in West bay. I think it was a December or January night, and I'm not even really sure how many big girls they caught, I can only imagine. I can tell you that after living on West Bay for as many years as he had, Chris knew the bay well. Chris said that it was very cold, and that several hours into the trip, Dave finally confessed that his waders were leaking. The funny part about both of these guys is that since they were in the spot and catching trout neither wanted to leave. I think that Chris tried to take Dave back to the dock and call of the night, but Dave refused. I can just picture these two wading out there in the cold, and knowing them both, it wouldn't matter how adverse the night was, they wouldn't leave a big trout bite. I will have to get more details from Hayward, but the point was that Chris loved big trout and didn't care if someone told him that a fly rod was a dis advantage next to a Mirr-O-Lure.

Chris loved fishing for big trout, probably as much as he loved sight casting a redfish. Trust me when I tell you, that's not an easy undertaking. Imagine the number of casts that we make in the winter to catch a big trout, now think about the effort it takes to make that many casts with a fly rod. Chris was one tough guy, who was passionate about wading. I can't remember too many people who could walk through mud with the stealth that he could, and few if any that could wade as many hours.

This may not have come off as the great story that I had it built up in my mind, but it's certainly one of the stories that I can see clearly in my memory. Just Chris and a great friend doing what they both loved, slinging big flies and catching big trout.

Thanks for the memories!

[shallowist]

Just recieved an outstanding email from one of Chris' longtime friends, with a reminder of one of Chris' most notable quotes. This one will bring a smile to my face for many years!

"Fresh water's for drinkin', and Saltwater's for fishin'.."