Bio

Ben Christensen was born in Brownsville, Texas, and raised on his family’s working cattle ranch just west of Laguna Vista. An avid surfer and lifelong outdoorsman, Ben grew up fishing the lower Laguna Madre and the offshore waters of the Gulf. He holds an International Game Fish Association (IGFA) fly rod world record (12-lb tippet class) for a 31-pound, 8-ounce blue catfish caught on the Pedernales River—a milestone achieved on his late father’s 91st birthday, the same year of his passing.

Ben’s professional journey is defined by service, education, and the land. He trained as a Marine Corps infantryman and served as a Combat Instructor of Water Survival, later deploying to al-Anbar Province, Iraq, from 2004 to 2005 as an infantry squad leader.

Following his military service, Ben spent 18 years in public education teaching high school History and English. His varied career also includes working as a sports writer and outdoors editor for The Brownsville Herald, writing freelance magazine articles, hauling frac sand in an 18-wheeler across the western shale plays, and raising beyond-organic, grass-fed and finished beef.

Today, Ben operates as a fly fishing and hunting guide, sharing his deep knowledge of Texas landscapes and wildlife. Husband to Lynette for 32 years, Ben is a father to a large, vibrant family. A passionate advocate for public land access and Texas public waters, he views training and mentoring the next generation of outdoors enthusiasts as a natural extension of his stewardship and activism.