MAY-JUNE 2021 RENER GRACIE Grapples with Fighting Crime PG. 48 RENER GRACIE Grapples with Fighting Crime PG. 48 CAPTAIN SIG HANSEN It Ain’t Just Potluck PG. 54 CAPTAIN SIG HANSEN It Ain’t Just Potluck PG. 54 TRUCK YEAH! Build The Ultimate Overlander PG. 10 TRUCK YEAH! Build The Ultimate Overlander PG. 10 BBEEYYOONNDD TTHHEE BBEEAARRDD BEYOND THE BEARD DDIISSHHEESS OONN SSUUMMMMEERR FFUUNNDISHES ON SUMMER FUN The Grandaddy of All Outdoor Stores PG. 30 ROAD TRIP!ROAD TRIP!ROAD TRIP! MUST SEEALABAMA’S WHITE-SAND BEACHES GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH 2021 OFFICIAL VACATION GUIDE Are you ready to take in all the goodness found on the Gulf Coast? Find your vacation inspiration and start planning your getaway to Alabama’s beaches by ordering our 2021 Vacation Guide. This 88-page magazine provides everything you need to know about vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from what to see, do and eat to where to stay. Visit GulfShores.com or call 877-341-2400 to order your copy today. Immerse yourself in the beauty found along Alabama’s beaches. With 32 miles of sugar-white sand coastline and pristine turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are havens for families from all across the country, especially during the spring. From 28+ miles of paved biking trails and scenic waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, to zipline courses, nature cruises and fishing excursions, there’s much to be explored and discovered on and off the beach when vacationing with your family along Alabama’s coast. All of those active adventures can make you quite hungry. Lucky for you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to a plethora of locally-owned establishments that have been serving flavorful culinary delights for decades. Whether you’re looking for fried shrimp in a plastic basket or flip-flop fine dining, we have something to satisfy every palate. The variety of accommodations is as alluring as the scenery and includes high-rise condos, nationally- branded hotels, bright and colorful beach houses, as well as campgrounds, cabins and RV parks. Waves lapping. Sand between your toes. Warm coastal breezes. Steam rising off a plate of fresh shrimp. When you’re ready, come experience the sights, sounds and scents of the Alabama Gulf Coast. We’ve missed you. 2020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12/8/21 10:16 AM2/8/21 10:16 AMALABAMA’S WHITE-SAND BEACHES GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH 2021 OFFICIAL VACATION GUIDE Are you ready to take in all the goodness found on the Gulf Coast? Find your vacation inspiration and start planning your getaway to Alabama’s beaches by ordering our 2021 Vacation Guide. This 88-page magazine provides everything you need to know about vacationing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from what to see, do and eat to where to stay. Visit GulfShores.com or call 877-341-2400 to order your copy today. Immerse yourself in the beauty found along Alabama’s beaches. With 32 miles of sugar-white sand coastline and pristine turquoise waters, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are havens for families from all across the country, especially during the spring. From 28+ miles of paved biking trails and scenic waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding, to zipline courses, nature cruises and fishing excursions, there’s much to be explored and discovered on and off the beach when vacationing with your family along Alabama’s coast. All of those active adventures can make you quite hungry. Lucky for you, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to a plethora of locally-owned establishments that have been serving flavorful culinary delights for decades. Whether you’re looking for fried shrimp in a plastic basket or flip-flop fine dining, we have something to satisfy every palate. The variety of accommodations is as alluring as the scenery and includes high-rise condos, nationally- branded hotels, bright and colorful beach houses, as well as campgrounds, cabins and RV parks. Waves lapping. Sand between your toes. Warm coastal breezes. Steam rising off a plate of fresh shrimp. When you’re ready, come experience the sights, sounds and scents of the Alabama Gulf Coast. We’ve missed you. 2020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12020-6344 Hook & Barrel, March.indd 12/8/21 10:16 AM2/8/21 10:16 AMHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 42 HAVE MERCY! It’s Billy F. Gibbons. ZZ Top’s leader dishes on culinary interests and the great outdoors. by jim hannaford 48 GRACE OVER FIRE Rener Gracie empowers the thin blue line. by john j. radzwilla 54 THE FORTUNATE TIMES OF CAPTAIN SIG Deadliest Catch star Sig Hansen continues to be excited by the risks and rewards of commercial crab fishing. by glenn hunter TABLE OF CONTENTS MAY-JUNE 2021VOLUME FOUR, ISSUE THREE WISDOM The great outdoors. 06 GEAR Truck Yeah! Building the ultimate mobile basecamp. ROAD TRIP Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World® HOW TO Surf fishing—a sport for a lifetime. DESTINATIONS Top saltwater fly-fishing destinations. 10 30 35 25 EDITOR’S NOTE 04 19 61 64 HAPPY HOUR Tequila, tacos, and a life well lived. TROPHY ROOM Heidi Hoback shares her life and her love of the outdoors with the world. LAST LAUGH A captain, a journalist, and an artist walk into a bar... CAN YOU SPOT THE HOOK & BARREL CRITTER? Each issue, the Critter is hiding somewhere in the table of contents picture. Happy hunting! DEER UNCLE TED hank you, and good for you Tyler for celebrating the American Dream with me all these years! Never a dull moment, huh! I do indeed bow hunt nonstop September through February each and every year, but I have always enjoyed the outdoor excitement available to us all 12 months of the year. As a proud Texan now for nearly 20 years, there really is no limit to the hunting, fishing, and trapping outdoor fun here in the mighty Lone Star State. We surely enjoy fresh fish from our cold spring waters at Spirit of the Wild Ranch as winter turns to spring, and of course turkey season is always a riot as is the year-round squirrel hunting. I thrill at calling and killing varmints and fur bearers, and of course the unlimited exotic big game hunt- ing is as exciting as it gets. You haven’t lived till you grill axis deer backstraps over hot, glowing mesquite embers! And don’t forget, archery and firearms fun are truly year-round joys no matter where you might live. All of the above qualify as ultimate soul-cleansing outdoor recreation as we re-create our spiritual energy each and every time we step beyond the pavement. Go for it Tyler! It’s all good! Godspeed, American Blood Brothers, Ted and family T I’ve followed your career since the Amboy Dukes in the 1960s, and I have witnessed you raving about the outdoor lifestyle ever since. You never back down do you? I’ve enjoyed your Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp guitar Masterclass and your Spirit Campfire podcasts, and as usual I get a whole lot more than guitar inspiration out of them. Since you tour every summer and hunt all fall and winter, what sort of outdoor fun do you enjoy during spring and summer? TYLER J., MN To ask Ted Nugent your question, simply email him at UncleTed@hookandbarrel.com. Maybe you’ll see his response in a future issue! Ted Nugent is an award-winning musician and writer, with numerous best-selling books including Ted, White and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto, God, Guns and Rock ‘n Roll, and Kill It and Grill It. Also, his popular television show, Spirit of the Wild, has aired over 500 episodes. All material is strictly copyright protected and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. The views and opinions expressed in Hook & Barrel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the advertisers. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk and are the property of the Hook & Barrel Magazine. All content is owned in full by Hook & Barrel Magazine. Proudly Printed in America Hook & Barrel is a proud partner in the PrintReleaf program. PrintReleaf guarantees every sheet of paper we consume in the production of our magazine will be reforested. New trees are planted on our behalf in PrintReleaf Certified Reforestation Projects across the globe. Billy F. Gibbons poses for an exclusive photoshoot with H&B in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Chase Lauer ON THE COVER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CO-PUBLISHER John J. Radzwilla DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING | CO-PUBLISHER Natalie Radzwilla MANAGING EDITOR Lee M. Hurley CREATIVE DIRECTOR Claire Cormany COPY EDITOR Barry Wise Smith PRODUCTION MANAGER Jill Christiansen OFFICIAL FFL Black-Tie Guns EDITORIAL OFFICE 1012 W. Eldorado Parkway P.O. Box 183 Little Elm, Texas 75068 214.997.1118 hookandbarrel.com CONTACT THE EDITOR editor@hookandbarrel.com EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Materials to be considered for use in Hook & Barrel Magazine should be emailed to editor@hookandbarrel.com or mailed to editorial office. Not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or other materials. Returns only when accompanied by return postage. We do not recommend sending original photography or artwork. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe or manage your subscription to Hook & Barrel Magazine, visit www.hookandbarrel.com. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@hookandbarrel.comHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 03 42 HAVE MERCY! It’s Billy F. Gibbons. ZZ Top’s leader dishes on culinary interests and the great outdoors. by jim hannaford 48 GRACE OVER FIRE Rener Gracie empowers the thin blue line. by john j. radzwilla 54 THE FORTUNATE TIMES OF CAPTAIN SIG Deadliest Catch star Sig Hansen continues to be excited by the risks and rewards of commercial crab fishing. by glenn hunter TABLE OF CONTENTS MAY-JUNE 2021VOLUME FOUR, ISSUE THREE WISDOM The great outdoors. 06 GEAR Truck Yeah! Building the ultimate mobile basecamp. ROAD TRIP Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World® HOW TO Surf fishing—a sport for a lifetime. DESTINATIONS Top saltwater fly-fishing destinations. 10 30 35 25 EDITOR’S NOTE 04 19 61 64 HAPPY HOUR Tequila, tacos, and a life well lived. TROPHY ROOM Heidi Hoback shares her life and her love of the outdoors with the world. LAST LAUGH A captain, a journalist, and an artist walk into a bar... CAN YOU SPOT THE HOOK & BARREL CRITTER? Each issue, the Critter is hiding somewhere in the table of contents picture. Happy hunting! DEER UNCLE TED hank you, and good for you Tyler for celebrating the American Dream with me all these years! Never a dull moment, huh! I do indeed bow hunt nonstop September through February each and every year, but I have always enjoyed the outdoor excitement available to us all 12 months of the year. As a proud Texan now for nearly 20 years, there really is no limit to the hunting, fishing, and trapping outdoor fun here in the mighty Lone Star State. We surely enjoy fresh fish from our cold spring waters at Spirit of the Wild Ranch as winter turns to spring, and of course turkey season is always a riot as is the year-round squirrel hunting. I thrill at calling and killing varmints and fur bearers, and of course the unlimited exotic big game hunt- ing is as exciting as it gets. You haven’t lived till you grill axis deer backstraps over hot, glowing mesquite embers! And don’t forget, archery and firearms fun are truly year-round joys no matter where you might live. All of the above qualify as ultimate soul-cleansing outdoor recreation as we re-create our spiritual energy each and every time we step beyond the pavement. Go for it Tyler! It’s all good! Godspeed, American Blood Brothers, Ted and family T I’ve followed your career since the Amboy Dukes in the 1960s, and I have witnessed you raving about the outdoor lifestyle ever since. You never back down do you? I’ve enjoyed your Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp guitar Masterclass and your Spirit Campfire podcasts, and as usual I get a whole lot more than guitar inspiration out of them. Since you tour every summer and hunt all fall and winter, what sort of outdoor fun do you enjoy during spring and summer? TYLER J., MN To ask Ted Nugent your question, simply email him at UncleTed@hookandbarrel.com. Maybe you’ll see his response in a future issue! Ted Nugent is an award-winning musician and writer, with numerous best-selling books including Ted, White and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto, God, Guns and Rock ‘n Roll, and Kill It and Grill It. Also, his popular television show, Spirit of the Wild, has aired over 500 episodes. All material is strictly copyright protected and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the copyright holder. All prices and data are correct at the time of publication. The views and opinions expressed in Hook & Barrel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the advertisers. Any images supplied are at the owner’s risk and are the property of the Hook & Barrel Magazine. All content is owned in full by Hook & Barrel Magazine. Proudly Printed in America Hook & Barrel is a proud partner in the PrintReleaf program. PrintReleaf guarantees every sheet of paper we consume in the production of our magazine will be reforested. New trees are planted on our behalf in PrintReleaf Certified Reforestation Projects across the globe. Billy F. Gibbons poses for an exclusive photoshoot with H&B in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Chase Lauer ON THE COVER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | CO-PUBLISHER John J. Radzwilla DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING | CO-PUBLISHER Natalie Radzwilla MANAGING EDITOR Lee M. Hurley CREATIVE DIRECTOR Claire Cormany COPY EDITOR Barry Wise Smith PRODUCTION MANAGER Jill Christiansen OFFICIAL FFL Black-Tie Guns EDITORIAL OFFICE 1012 W. Eldorado Parkway P.O. Box 183 Little Elm, Texas 75068 214.997.1118 hookandbarrel.com CONTACT THE EDITOR editor@hookandbarrel.com EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Materials to be considered for use in Hook & Barrel Magazine should be emailed to editor@hookandbarrel.com or mailed to editorial office. Not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or other materials. Returns only when accompanied by return postage. We do not recommend sending original photography or artwork. SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe or manage your subscription to Hook & Barrel Magazine, visit www.hookandbarrel.com. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@hookandbarrel.com04 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM ummer is here. The turbulence of spring weather has passed, and good times with friends and family are upon us. Though the seasons are changing to warmer weather, it reminds me of how spring storms bring the rain that make summer so enjoyable. Without these tumultuous times, the grass would not green, flowers would not bloom, leaves would not blossom, and our oceans would not be full so we could enjoy the salty life the beach provides. Just as we experience literal seasons in life, we experience figura- tive seasons too. I hope to not get too preachy here, but through the months it took us to bring you this amazing issue, I have personally experienced the turning of life’s seasons. Maybe you have too. I have lost a good friend, gained new friends, and even in this issue, had to cut articles and people that taught me lessons. New incredible business partners have come into our magazine, and we have even hired new employees who are all hopefully here for the long run. Everyone will have their reason or season though. I have learned that when someone or something comes into your life for a reason, it may be because you have put it out there into the universe that you had a need. They may be there to help you through a difficulty or provide emotional, physical, or spiritual support, but once they serve their purpose, without any wrongdoing on your part, they leave. Call it a God thing if you want—I do. Regardless, when they are gone, move on and know there is always a bigger plan. Often someone or something enters your life for a season. They are there to teach you and help you grow. You laugh, you cry, you celebrate, and you fight through life together. But that is only for a season unfortunately. That is where losing a good friend hurts. Again, though, it’s all in God’s plan. They served their role for a long time—so enjoy it while it lasts. And maybe, just maybe, they will return. Then there are the lifers. People or things that come into your life that you must build upon. They are the reason for the reasons and the seasons. Use what you have learned through the trying times and invest it into these lifetime relationships. This is where God is a funny man. He doesn’t tell you who or what is for a lifetime. It’s up to you to figure that out, and that keeps me on my toes. I say all of this as I reflect on this issue. I was headed to Los Angeles to do a story on a friend (which will be in a future issue) when I reached out to Rener Gracie—a contact that I made as I was working in my seasonal career as a freelance publicist. I was working to raise money for veteran causes when Rener and I first crossed paths. A month ago, I emailed him to do a quick interview on Brazilian Jiu jitsu. I had no clue it would unfold into one of my favorite articles I ever wrote nearly eight years after we met for just one afternoon. Now, it is timelier than ever with all that is going on in our country. Make sure to read it, page 48. Another great example is our cover (page 42) with Billy Gibbons! I would have never connected with Billy if it wasn’t for featuring Tim Montana in our Jan/Feb 2021 issue. Our paths crossed too when I was doing PR work for a veteran non-profit. Believe it or not, I was late for a flight, still slightly intoxicated from a party the night before, when I was stumbling out of the hotel for a 5 a.m. flight (at 3 a.m.). I nearly walked into Billy. He probably doesn’t recall it, I didn’t even say “Hi,” just chalked up to a semi-hangover hallucination of sorts— it couldn’t have been Billy Gibbons, just keep moving, you’re late. If not for telling Tim about that less than proud moment, I would have never learned that he and Billy are business partners in a hot sauce company called Whisker Bomb. Make sure to read that story too, it’s well… spicy. Then there is the lifer portion of this note—my wife and H&B’s Chief Operating Officer, Natalie. Little did I know when we met, that we would grow a national magazine that would attract some of the biggest names in the outdoors and entertainment industries. God is good. When an article went sideways in this issue, she was there to fill those empty pages with fantastic new sponsors. How did this collegiate tennis athlete, beauty pageant queen, and New York City fashionista become a leader in the hunting and fishing industry? Well, I guess that’s another God thing. He’s up there laughing with the saints seeing her command respect from good ol’ boys in a world where she doesn’t even like to bait her own hook. Told you God’s a funny man. Cheers to Life, S John J. Radzwilla editor-in-chief EDITOR’S NOTE AD Reasons and Seasons It’s all in the plan—just hold on.IN THIS BATTLE, YOU NOW HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF SHOCK AND AWE. Best Saltwater Reel ICAST 2020 The next generation of our workhorse spinning reel, the new PENN® Battle® III now features our proprietary CNC Gear™ Technology for ultimate durability, and the proven HT-100™ Carbon Fiber Drag System for ultimate control during the fight. Available in nine different sizes, from 1000 to the new 10,000, and in select high speed models, it can handle any situation. The new Battle® III. Fish won’t know what hit them. PENN. LET THE BATTLE BEGIN. ©2021 Pure Fishing, Inc.06 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM THE SUN CAN KILL YOU There are many health benefits we get from being out in the sun. But, too much sun without using good sunscreen or protective clothing can kill you. It can kill you fast or it can kill you slow. Fast by heat exhaustion or heat stroke through lack of liquid, shade, and rest, and I don’t care how young and healthy you are. The slow way is skin cancer, and it doesn’t care who you are either. It can happen to anyone. Don’t let it be you. LEARN TO BE A SALTWATER FISHERMAN If you want to learn how to be a saltwater fisherman, here are a few tips that might help. Hire a fishing guide, then listen, watch, and learn from everything they do. Take note of the time of day, weather, baits, colors, depths, where they take you, and anything else you can think of. Ask lots of questions. Take a trip on a fishing party boat. Their dedicated staff will be delighted to help you through each step of the process from baiting to reeling. Ask them lots of questions, and learn from them. Fishing piers can also be a good place to pick up basic skills. Most locals are more than happy to talk to you and share their wisdom. If they do, offer to buy their lunch. The best way is to make friends with someone who is already a saltwater fishermen then clutch him to your chest like a wealthy uncle for verily I say unto you he is worth his weight in gold. Camping with kids will teach them the simplicity of nature. In today’s world, kids and adults need time away from the TV and smart phones. Patience is important for us adults. Remember, we are their role models. It is important to take the time to help kids enjoy the journey of the new experiences they will find while camping. Camping with kids increases awareness of their surroundings and can refresh appreciation for things that often go unnoticed. When out camping there are so many amazing things for them to discover—many things are learned and experienced for the first time. Birds, animals, plants, trees, rocks, streams, insects, sounds, weather, wildflowers, and much more. Don’t forget a campfire and s’mores. They all add excitement for children. The possibilities are endless. By going on successful, enjoyable camping trips when your kids are young, you will set them on a path to a lifetime of outdoor adventures they will pass on to their own kids. AD by larry whiteley The great outdoors. WISDOM GUIDE TO FRYING FISH LIKE A CANADIAN Pretend you’re in Canada, and fry your fish in a large cast-iron skillet in your backyard fire pit. Use Canola or vegetable oil, and heat it to 325 degrees. Pat your fillets dry on a paper towel, then dip in a beaten egg and canned evaporated milk mixture. Dredge fillets in breading of corn meal, seasoning salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Always serve with fried potatoes and onions and deep browned beans with pork and molasses. Now sit down, relax, and eat on paper plates around your fire pit while you imagine water lapping against the rocks, an eagle flying overhead, and a loon crying in the distance. Enjoy! SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder…he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” RACHEL CARSONNext >