Meet the Fisher: Howard Strech
Posted on October 15, 2023 by The Local Fish Team
Howie is a next-generation fisherman devoted to creating change within the industry. He’s recently come aboard our advisory committee and has brought an invaluable perspective along with him. As we take steps to uplift, inspire, and educate the community, we can’t do it without the input of industry insiders such as Howie.
NAME: Howard Strech
BUSINESS NAME: Albatross
VESSEL NAME: Albatross
HOW DID YOU GET INTO FISHING?
My dad introduced me to fishing when I was two or three years old and I never looked back. My first memories of catching and eating fish were striped bass on Lake Powell. We were trolling deep-diving crankbaits and I just remember pulling these fish out of the water and they were bigger than any fish I had ever seen. I was totally captured by the whole process. From that point on I had it in my mind that I wanted to get really good at it. That’s kind of where it all started for me.
WHAT SPECIES DO YOU FISH?
Yellowtail, White Seabass, Halibut, and Tuna. My biggest focus would be Yellowtail and Tuna.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN YOUR JOB?
The biggest challenge is catching every time you go out because it’s not cheap to run a boat. I’m not doing this full time, so I keep a tight network of people who are on the water every day that keep me informed and that makes my life easier. And just keeping a positive frame of mind–like staying engaged in the hunt. You can’t let your guard down or get distracted or get lazy.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE INDUSTRY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
That people were more open. I wish the experts and the industry were more of an open platform for communication and education. There’s so many people still keeping secrets and it doesn’t help the way the fishermen work together on the water.
WHAT’S YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE FISH TO COOK AND EAT, AND HOW?
That’s a tough one, but I think Yellowtail is probably my favorite because it’s so versatile. It’s great as sashimi or barbecued. You can do so much with it, but my favorite way is probably aguachile.
Photo courtesy Howie Strech