On Location: South Carolina Low Country

With sights set on immersing ourselves in the authentic low country lifestyle, we recently ventured to the South Carolina coast to explore the charming town of Beaufort and the nearby sporting community, Brays Island. Centrally located between Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC, the area was the perfect outdoor getaway to put our spring collection to the test.

Making An Entrance

Upon arrival in Beaufort, we quickly checked into our hotel and made our way approximately 30 minutes northeast to the Social Sportsman hideaway, Brays Island. Known as one of America's premiere sporting communities, the island felt cinematic from the moment we entered through the long driveway of live oaks and swaying Spanish moss. The goal of the community is for residents to exist in harmony with nature. Residents greeted us on foot, bikes, horses, and the occasional vintage 4x4, perfect for navigating Bray’s endless miles of dirt roads. The island prides itself in having 3,500 acres of preserved hunt lands, and the gun club includes a sporting clays course designed by Holland & Holland, featured as one of the top 10 courses in Shooting Sportsman Magazine. Other outdoor pursuits lead residents to the equestrian center and a par 72 championship golf course.

Social Sporting

The Brays Island Inn, a gorgeous Georgian style brick mansion built in the 1930s, is the center of the community’s social scene. The back lawn at the Inn overlooks the scenic marshlands and other nearby amenities like the swimming pool, perfectly manicured gardens, and pickleball courts. Residents gather here after a special occasion like the Annual Outdoor Shooting Exposition or just for a weeknight get-together. Finding ourselves quickly acclimating to the low country lifestyle, we took some time to soak up the South Carolina sun, staying cool in our new Linen Cotton Oxford Shirts and Gold School Chino Shorts. To celebrate our arrival, we capped off the day with a sunset oyster roast we’ll highlight soon.

A Morning On The Water

Knowing that morning high tides are some of the most tranquil times on the water, we got an early start the next day, put on our Harbor Performance Chinos, and headed to the paddle club. Drifting in and out of the tidal creeks, we made our way through the surrounding waters. As the tides changed we truly immersed ourselves in nature, so much so that we almost couldn't find our way back. Even then, there wasn’t a worry in sight as we floated along with birds soaring overhead. We’ve heard that crabbing is another favorite low country pastime, so after kayaking, we set out to check the traps we baited the afternoon before. We were thrilled to find a couple of blue crabs waiting for us to arrive.

On The Bay 

With our flood tide fishing trip quickly approaching, we headed to the heart of Downtown Beaufort. Known for having the best coffee and a charming country store atmosphere, we fueled up at Lowcountry Cider Co & Superior Coffee. We meandered around town taking in all of the eclectic shops before heading to one of our local Duck Head retail partners, Bay Street Outfitters. Offering fishing charters in Beaufort since 1995, they are dedicated to educating and getting people on the water at all experience levels. We wanted to take in all of the knowledge these experts were willing to give. After receiving a locals guide to fishing the flood tide, we headed to Hearth Wood Fired Pizza for lunch before the big expedition. They were more than happy to accommodate our rather large group, further showcasing the town's focus on fostering community.

Rising Tides

That evening our guides equipped us with the best rods, reels, and fly patterns for the job. We geared up in our Guide Shirts and coming soon On The Fly Shorts and headed to the docks. Leading up to our trip we heard so much about the unique fishing experience the low country offers, and we couldn't wait to experience it firsthand. A flood tide occurs when the tide is larger than normal and begins pushing water onto the spartina grass flats. This exposes the crabs and other bait living there, causing redfish to go in for a feast. As the fish are roaming just below the surface of the water, it gives a 2-3 hour period for flood tide fishing. This doesn't happen year round, so we were extremely lucky to encounter this gift from nature thanks to the expertise and timing of our local guides. We traveled by skiff boats designed to float in shallow water just a few inches deep. Our guides seamlessly navigated their native waters as we searched for redfish and took in every ounce of the landscape. Between Bay Street Outfitters and our guides, we felt privileged that the local fishermen welcomed us to experience a glimpse of their world.

Long Drives

South Carolina is known as the birthplace of golf in America, with the first shipment of golf balls and clubs arriving in Charleston in 1743. Needless to say, it’s become a core part of the state's culture. On our last morning, we hit the links in our new Long Drive Performance Collection. It wouldn't be a true round in the low country if we didn't spot a gator or spoonbill between swings. On our final green, we looked out over the marsh and took in the ecological wonders before making our journey home. Whether you're headed to the South Carolina coast or merely dreaming you were, our new collection is sure to help you channel your own low country escape. You can shop all of the looks from our trip and more here.