Fly Fishing in 78209. Really?
By Ron Aaron Eisenberg
It may come as a surprise to some, but fly fishing is a very popular sport. And now, thanks to Brandon Simmons and Albert Shannon, South Texans can get all the fly fishing gear and instruction they want.
The two long-time friends joined forces to open Alamo Anglers on Broadway St. adjacent to The Hayden, the Jewish-style diner, and near the Witte Museum.
Citing Census Bureau statistics, Simmons told me, “Two percent of the population are fly fishers, so there should be 27,000 people in San Antonio who fly fish.” And he added, “There is a vibrant fly fishing community in Alamo Heights.”
He said he started fly fishing when he was just 6-years old. He was born in east Texas and grew up in Mississippi and Georgia. He returned to Texas as a birding guide at the Valero property in Sisterdale.
On its website, Alamo Anglers writes, “South Texas’ premier fly shop. Come hang out, swap a fish story or two, and get the gear you need whether you are a seasoned fly veteran or a complete beginner.”
Simmons and Shannon told me, “We will do fly fishing classes. We’re happy to show anyone what and how to fly fish. We carry beginner combo kits. You can walk out our back door and catch a fish in the San Antonio River, And that’s where we can teach fly fishing.”
Alamo Anglers in temporary space at 4001 Broadway. They expect to move into their permanent home by the end of January or early February. That address is 4021 Broadway St., right next door to The Hayden.
