The Catch of a Lifetime

Fisher reels in life-changing prize at Wright Patman tournament

By Katie Stone

Local competitive angler Ryan Satterfield grew up fishing on Lake Wright Patman. His family would often camp and fish at Rocky Point during the summer, allowing Ryan an opportunity to learn how to fish at a young age. 

“I fished from dusk to dark,” he said. “My dad got me into fishing at a very young age and provided for me every step of the way. He never held me back from fishing and bought any equipment needed. He always had a boat for me to use growing up and has always been my biggest supporter.” 

Ryan caught over 50 pounds of bass during the three-day tournament. (photo by tanner lyons, twin visuals)

Even as a child, Ryan knew he wanted to pursue a career in fishing professionally. He competed in his first tournament at age 13. Currently he competes in about six national tournaments a year and in local tournaments almost every weekend. 

Ryan became a member of the National Professional Fishing League in 2022, the year after the league’s inception. He has acquired a plethora of sponsorships, which allow him to compete so widely. “I have been blessed with the best sponsors I could ever ask for,” he said. “They all took a chance on me as a rookie angler with a very small résumé.”

Ryan’s familiarity with Lake Wright Patman gave him the edge he needed to track down the larger bass. (Photo by tanner lyons, twin visuals)

Ryan gives so much credit to God and his family. His wife, Lexie, has been a huge supporter and has even fished in a few tournaments with him. “She enjoys it when we can go catching and not fishing,” he laughed. When he competed at Watts Barr in Tennessee last year, Lexie could not make it for the tournament—or so Ryan thought. “On the final day she flew in and surprised me at weigh-in,” he said. 

The National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) held a tournament on Lake Wright Patman in April of this year. The opportunity to compete on the lake he’s fished his entire life was thrilling; he knew that lake and its residents better than anyone—a clear advantage which ultimately helped him secure the gold.

In an NPFL press release, it was reported that Ryan knew from the outset that he wanted to focus his efforts up-river. “The water came up faster in the river than it did the lake,” he explained. “That higher water allowed me to capitalize on the bigger fish moving back in to spawn. I had two stretches of bank, and I was focusing on the root systems of certain types of bushes. I kept my mind right and went to work.”

“i still feel like i’m in a dream, and i am just so thankful.” (photo by tanner lyons, twin visuals)

Out of 73 total competitors from all over the United States, Ryan won first place, with his three-day catches totaling over 50 pounds. Though an angler from Georgia actually boasted a higher total, he inadvertently failed to acquire a Texas fishing license and was thus disqualified, which pushed Ryan into first place. “Barron had a great week out here, and it just makes me sick for him,” Ryan said. “I don’t wish what happened to anybody.”

Ryan’s biggest supporter is his wife, Lexie, who has even fished in tournaments with him.

Despite the less-than-ideal nature of the win, Ryan is beyond grateful for the blessing provided by his first-place prize: beyond bragging rights, he was awarded $100,000. This is Ryan’s biggest win by far, though he surely has a long and successful career ahead of him.

Winning $100,000 at Lake Wright Patman felt like “a dream,” Ryan said. (submitted photo)

Despite the prize money, Ryan and Lexie continue to live humble lives along with their two dogs, Mazie and Buckshot. “I still feel like I’m in a dream, and I am just so thankful,” Ryan said. “To win on my home lake, with my family there . . . I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect week.”