Meet Derek York | Fisheries Biologist/Fishing Guide/Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek York and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Having already worked for nearly 15 years for the state of Texas in fisheries management, I was well on my way to a good career that could last as long as wanted. A great job in the outdoors was always my dream growing up and I had achieved that, but there was always something I enjoyed so much by taking other people fishing. When my wife and I started a family, we quickly realized some supplemental income would be a good thing and so out of that, my charter fishing business became a reality. We had the idea of starting out slowly to figure out how exactly this was going to work and build up a good clientele over the first 2-3 years of guiding part time. After a slow first year in 2015, the business took off in the second year. And we have never looked back. Since then, I have taken hundreds of trips out for families and businesses and helped them make some memories on the water they will never forget. Meeting so many people throughout my career with the state and in guiding, I have heard so many interesting stories from people about what got them involved in the outdoors and ways they are making an impact in their communities across the country. So, in 2019, I decided to start up a new podcast venture called Impact Outdoors Podcast. The podcast quickly took off and I started thinking of ways to bring more “outdoors” podcasters together and the Hunt Fish Podcast Summit was born. This event has turned into the biggest podcasting summit in the outdoor industry bringing in podcasters from all across the country along with some amazing guests for 4 days in Texas each spring.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Having lived in Texas for nearly 20 years now and having a successful career in fisheries management over that time, I often think back to when I was growing up in Oklahoma and what led me down the path I went on. Fishing was my life growing up and I knew whatever I did would involve fish in some way. While going to school at Oklahoma State University and working towards my degree in wildlife and fisheries ecology, I knew I needed to make myself stand out if I was going to be able to get a job in this field. So, I started volunteering where I could and ended up getting some of the best experience that would ultimately lead me to Texas. One thing I always tell people is you do not get into the conservation field to be rich; you have to have a passion for it. And I did. I volunteered for graduate student projects doing all kinds of jobs and eventually got offered a part time job as a technician at the school. This was exactly what I needed. Real world experience operating boats, using sampling gear and being able to repair gear when needed. These were definitely skills you did not learn in the classroom. When it came time to start applying for a real job, I quickly realized how hard it was going to be to get the job I wanted in Oklahoma due to the lack of openings. When you get one of these jobs, you hold on to them and that is what I was seeing all over the country with not too many openings to apply to. In 2003, Texas came off of a hiring freeze and I had the opportunity to apply for 8 different jobs across the Lone Star State. There were 6 freshwater positions and 2 coastal positions available to apply for. I knew I had a good shot at getting an interview somewhere. When it came down to it, I only ended up getting interviews with two of those jobs, both being coastal jobs. I had no experience with saltwater besides some family fishing trips to Port Aransas, TX. This ultimately was a great opportunity and once I accepted the position with the Galveston Bay team, I quickly knew this was where I was supposed to be. Since then, I moved up the ranks quickly and became the lead fisheries technician and get to oversee our group and help lead our team. The biggest factor when I got offered this job, I was told was all of the experience I had by volunteering while at school. This is something I really try to instill to students today when I get the chance to talk with them about careers. No matter what career path you take, get your foot in the door. Make people know your name by your work ethic and character. They will remember when you apply for that job you’ve always dreamed about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Fishing, of course, would be #1. A fun day out on the boat chasing giant redfish and speckled trout and maybe venturing out into the Gulf of Mexico to chase down some bigger fish like sharks or other pelagic species. I love going out early in the morning to catch the sun coming up over the water. There’s just something about seeing a sunrise over the ocean that never gets old. With so many great places to eat down here in the Galveston area, we would definitely have to take advantage and sample a few spots. Crawfish are always a must at Boyd’s on the Texas City Dike. Stingaree restaurant is also a great place to travel to by boat to enjoy some delicious food with some great views of the bay. The one great thing about living close to Houston is all of the events that go on throughout the year. From sports to concerts to Broadway musicals and everything in between, there is always something fun to go do every night of the week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife is by far my biggest supporter and really helped me realize these career goals were achievable and would actually make a difference in not only our lives, but the lives of others through making memories out on the bay fishing with families and helping bring people’s stories to a larger audience through the podcast.

Website: www.spotstalkerguideservice.com

Instagram: @spotstalkerfishing @impactoutdoorspodcast

Facebook: @spotstalkerfishing @impactoutdoorspodcast