God drove Man out of the Garden of Eden and into a life of toil. He loves us, so He created the northern Gulf Coast. He brought forth wild beasts of the forest, birds of the air, and Red Snapper. In fact, there are so many fish, beasts, and birds along our coast that some men hardly toil at all.

One of Scenic 98 Coastal’s missions is to raise awareness for the conservation groups that are working hard to preserve and protect our coastal lands and waters. South Alabama Land Trust (SALT) is one of those important organizations. I sat down with Katherine Kuhn, Outreach and Communications Manager for SALT to learn more about what they do.

My grandfather, a dentist in Mobile, was a speckled trout fishing enthusiast, even though he was allergic to trout. Before the Dauphin Island bridge was constructed, fishing trips involved loading an outboard motor, gas tanks, trawl net, tackle, ice box, etc. into a car and driving to Cedar Point, renting a skiff, and outfitting it. A trip to Sand Island was a big day.

Years ago, my friend, Harris Brown, and I fished around Dauphin Island in high school and college in a 16’ Stauter. He has always been a much better fisherman than I am, and it was his boat. Since I had a summer construction job, we would drive to the island and fish late afternoons. The deal was I would buy the gas and he would charge a pair of flip-flops at Ben Burgers for both of us to avoid the sand spurs when launching and retrieving the boat. Well worth it.

There is nothing like being on the open water as the sun is setting and feeling cool breezes on your face. That’s when the sky’s colors begin to paint a magnificent masterpiece that is as brilliant on Mobile Bay as any place in the world. Middle Bay Sailing Charters helps you do just that in style.

Now and then, someone comes along that is bigger than life. When I think of the remarkable people I have known, Mike deGruy is top of mind.

Richard Rutland has been fishing the waters around Dauphin Island for as long as he can remember. Literally. He makes his living at it.

If you frequent Fairhope, you’ve probably seen Spencer Johnson out on Church Street teaching a beginner how to cast a fly rod. It certainly adds some local flavor to the town. Fairhope Fly Shop is tucked away behind what is now Willow + Gray Home, formerly The Church Mouse, at 14 Church Street.