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Who I Am

My name is Bob Maindelle. I was born into a fishing family in 1969 while my dad was serving in Vietnam. My earliest childhood memories revolve around angling. Pop Pop Hamilton was a commercial fisherman on the Mississippi, mom and dad went fishing on Clarks Hill Reservoir near Augusta, Georgia, on cheap dates as newlyweds, and Uncle Glenn ran a saltwater charter boat out of Shark River, NJ. I'm now happily married, live in Salado, Texas, right at the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, and am carrying on the family tradition. I have fished all over our nation in fresh waters and salt, and with all manner of gear and tackle. In 1991, I graduated from West Point (U.S. Military Academy) with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering, and spent 8 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, followed by 9 years in industry as an environmental engineer. I retired in 2016 from full-time ministry as the Small Groups Pastor at a large church in central Texas. My business experience from my "previous life" and my flexible schedule allow me to operate "Holding The Line Guide Service" out of my home on the lakes of this region. I am physically fit, extremely well-organized, very methodical, self-disciplined and detail-oriented. I enjoy introducing beginners to the sport. I enjoy coaching those with a little experience. I enjoy fishing with great fishermen and picking up on tips and techniques from all over the country. I am not so prideful to think that I cannot still learn much from other further down the path than I.

Why I Fish

The pursuit of fish is, to me, an incomparable, lifelong challenge that tests the mind, the body, and even the will. The timeless variables of weather, wind, forage location, light, temperature and pressure prevent any one day's pursuit from being like the chase of any other day. Every sunrise holds new promise, every storm front brings change, every season nudges fish movements, and though the cycle has repeated since the beginning of time, I believe the code will never be fully deciphered. But there are some who understand parts of the code. I am one. And that understanding breeds a desire to preserve and to protect that same Creation that is pursued.

The Numbers

I have fished the 5 bodies of water that I conduct my guide business on (Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Belton Reservoir, Walter E. Long Reservoir, Granger Lake, and Georgetown Reservoir) for over 25 years in all seasons, weather, and water levels and conditions.  I’ve kept meticulous records on fish and weather data which have become useful for identifying trends through statistical analysis.

Record Book Entries

I have 67 Texas water body record fish (largest of a given species caught on a given body of water) to my credit, including 30 fish caught on conventional tackle and 37 fish caught on fly tackle (current as of Feb. 2020).

I have 6 State record fish to my credit (current as of Feb. 2020).

I have guided my clients to 45 lake records for the largest recorded fish of a particular species in a particular body of water (current as of Feb. 2020).

I have guided my clients to 160 TPWD First fish awards for catching first fish of a lifetime (current as of Feb. 2020).

I hIave guided my clients to 19 TPWD Big fish awards for catching large specimens exceeding a minimum threshold length  (current as of Feb. 2020).

I have guided my clients to 1 Texas State Record for the largest recorded fish of a given species in the State of Texas (current as of Feb. 2020).

The Business

My guide business, "Holding the Line Guide Service", is a legally registered Texas business based in Bell County.

I am licensed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a freshwater fishing guide.

I am a certified Texas Parks and Wildlife Angler Education Instructor since June 2003; Instructor Number 14606

I am insured by Charter Lakes Marine Insurance Co.

I am CPR certified (last refresher 2019).

 I am Pediatric and Adult First Aid certified (American Red Cross course - last refresher 2019).

The Gear -  a few notes on the equipment I use and why I use it...

Boat - a custom-made 20’9” center console Maritime rolled-edge skiff of my own design built by Cameron Chislett, owner of Chislett’s Boating and Design located in Dover, New Hampshire; she's 7.5' wide, dry, stable, and comfortable. As the photos show, I can fit 3 grown men abreast on the front casting deck and can fish with a total of 6 anglers (besides myself) on this vessel which is USCG rated for 8 passengers.  This is where "fishing class" takes place!

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