Texas – Anglers across Texas set fishing records through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Angler Recognition Program in 2024. The program saw record-breaking catches from anglers throughout the state, with a notable contribution from Joan Swartz of Austin.
On October 15, Swartz, president of Texas Women Fly Fishers, caught a smallmouth buffalo on the Brazos River, setting multiple fly-rod records.
The fish, which weighed 27.95 pounds and measured 34.25 inches long, earned her several honors, including a Big Fish Award, Water Body Record, State Catch and Release Record, and a Water Body Catch and Release Record.
Grace Simms, TPWD Angler Recognition Program coordinator, expressed her pride in Swartz’s achievement. “Seeing Joan smiling and holding her amazing catch, wearing her Texas Women Fly Fishers hat, really made my day when her application came across my desk,” Simms said. “There is such a poetry to fly fishing, and it inspires me to see her participating in the sport and helping other women to do the same.”
The 2024 ARP season was a record-breaking year overall, with anglers achieving more than 957 official records or awards. This included 58 new state records and 500 waterbody records. The program also recognized 286 Big Fish, 26 First Fish, and 87 Outstanding Angler awards. With both public and private freshwater fisheries, as well as saltwater fisheries, participating, the ARP continues to celebrate the achievements of anglers across Texas.
