Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 4, 1994 TAG: 9404050005
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: SOUTHERN SHORES, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
At 39, Horsley is launching a third career - as the first light-tackle and fly-fishing guide plying the shallow, fish-filled backwaters of the North Carolina Outer Banks.
He has purchased and outfitted an 18-foot Hewes Redfisher, the kind of open, center-console fishing boat used by some guides in the Florida Keys. And he is studying for his charter-skipper's license.
For the time being, he doesn't plan to abandon his two other careers. By day, he is a trim carpenter; by night, a most innovative tier of saltwater fishing flies.
``Saltwater fly-fishing is a sport that's really been mushrooming for the past five or six years,'' he said. ``If it keeps growing, I'll make it. I really feel confident, although I know I've got a lot to learn.''
A lot to learn, maybe. But not everything. He has a list of angling accomplishments almost as long as a 91/2 foot fly rod.
Horsley said he has been ``obsessed'' with fishing since he was a toddler and his folks were spending most of their free time at their beach cottage in nearby Kill Devil Hills.
``My folks used to let me go to the local fishing piers all the time, even though neither of them liked to fish. But I guess they've always understood my interest.
``When I was a teenager, I just about lived on the piers. Then I got a beach buggy and did a lot of surf fishing, all up and down the Outer Banks. I was one of the regulars. I couldn't get enough.''
Early on, he became fascinated with fly fishing, especially for big bluefish during the spectacular fall surf runs, for which the Outer Banks have become famous.
He had one of his greatest moments in December 1991, when he pulled a 16-pound, 9-ounce bluefish through the crashing breaker, the world record on 20-pound-test fly gear.
Other fly rod catches have included an even bigger bluefish (18-12); a 4-pound speckled trout; 24-inch puppy drum; 20-pound, 15-ounce dolphin; and a 25-pound cobia.
His wife, Crystal, held a women's world record with an 181/2-pound bluefish, caught on 8-pound-test spinning tackle in November 1983. Both world marks have since been broken.
``Crystal is my inspiration,'' he said. ``She's where I've gotten the encouragement to really get into this thing. She has a good job as a legal secretary and I can make a decent salary hammering nails and tying flies. So we're not really taking that much of a gamble.
``Fortunately, my trade is one that I don't have to report to every day. I have some flexibility. And tying flies is something I can do at night or when it's raining. I'd like to think that in four years I'll be able to get enough bookings to give up my hammer, at least during the fishing season.''
By his reckoning, 200 trips a year would do it. He plans to charge $250 for an all-day trip for two people; $150 for a half-day.
``I've been doing some guiding for the past couple of years, taking people wading for speckled trout back in the sounds.''
With a boat, his angling horizons will expand to include striped bass, founder, puppy drum, cobia and other inshore species.
Horsley has a challenge, said Billy McCaskill, who operates Whalebone Tackle in nearby Nags Head, one of 20 lure dealers Horsley has established between Florida and New Jersey.
``It's going to be tough, but Brian has four important things going for him,'' McCaskill said. ``First, he's a good fisherman. Second, he's in an area with a lot of fish. Third, he's really persistent. Bot most important of all, he's a nice person, the kind you wouldn't mind spending a day with in a small boat.''
Light-tackle fishing, especially saltwater fly fishing, has taken off the past few years,'' said Malcolm Pine, a fishing tackle salesman in Norfolk. "I'm selling five times as many saltwater fly rods as I did four years ago.''
``Some people may think I'm dreaming,'' said Horsley. ``Maybe I am. But I've got to know. If I'm successful, I'll be one happy man.''
by CNB