2007 -
“You may say to yourself; “Well, how did I get here?.” Yes, I do say that to myself, but then I knew this would happen. I put off touching a fly rod for years because I KNEW it would become a driving obsession. Then, fly fishing found me and set me free. I had already taken on the daunting, dominating Dylan, so what else could go so … right? After only a short time at this, it is apparent there are nuances to the sport that include strong personalities with large forums (message boards and such), there are good people and not so good, there are highly technical and extremely artistic aspects as well. What Texas Fly Caster attempts to do is use today’s available technology intertwined with real life experiences to bring readers a unique reading, listening and visual experience. It is a bleeding edge that Texas Fly Caster rests upon, so bear with me as we blaze a new trail in the digital realm.

The first incarnation of this site launched in mid 2007, with little fanfare and a lot of early learning about podcasting, audio, video and image slideshows. Currently, you are now reading this on a new underlying blogware called WordPress. The conversion to WordPress has been a challenging one that was made necessary when I wanted to hear from readers. The old site was getting cumbersome, and the power of WordPress is the only thing that promised to take texasflycaster to the next level.

So, I hope you enjoy the ride through fishing, and all that is encompassed by “Culture on the Skids”. There are a lot of ingredients that go into this site, but if you think it needs a little more spice or a shot of Tequila – let me know.

2009 -
Wordpress has certainly proven its salt in the past two, going on three, years! This new theme, implemented in October of 2009, brings all the current functionality I can handle to Texas Fly Caster via wordpress 2.8.4, and a gorgeous template from the woman behind the curtain at The-Cloisters.

Feel free to add suggestions, and comment to your heart’s content. This site is actually thriving with very little commentary, but as a courtesy to readers, and recognizing the dearth of message boards specifically for, and limited to, fly fishing in Texas, we will also be launching a full powered, limited scope message board in the coming months.

2010 -

The year of 2010 is off to a roaring start. As much as I would like to continue to pimp out the site, I think we will begin the first quarter of this year with some simple improvements:
1 – A new music player for one of the sidebars is in the works. After experimenting with a few, I think we will stick with a jukebox that fits cleanly into WordPress
2 – A new page for e-commerce is in the works. It will contain unique flies, and other items that are either originals, or difficult to locate. Members are welcome to contact me and discuss unique items they think the folks reading TFC may be interested in purchasing.
3 – A “Contact” page?
4 – Possibly a “Gallery” page for registered user’s photography and art.
For 2010, there will be a bit more stand alone audio to go with posts, or stand alone, and we will get back to some of the bread-and-butter of video podcasting as well.
There are also going to be some big fish story contests with stuff going to participants.
The message boards continue to be the most perused pages on the site, so they will stay and perhaps with a little more participation, become more relevant in getting the word out.
5 – We now take donations, and are in the process of creating fish rich content that will be PayGo Content located in the boards. If you don’t want it, that’s very cool. If you want to find the latest hot spot for fishing, then you may consider the PayGo Content. Up and running this May.
6 – A new “Lessons” page by popular demand. Check it out if you want to learn something about fly fishing (10/10).
7 – A new “Contest” page for photo contests – announcements, awards and of course YOUR fly photography (10/10).

2011 -

1) Added post count to the message boards in an effort to up participation. Use it or lose it friends.
2) New masthead in the works.
3) Hot spot content will move to the PayGo Content page and appear in the main page after the fish are gone. Organizations can purchase PayGo Content for a set annual price.
4) Photo contest was a failure. Page removed. No need to add a reader’s photo gallery due to lack of contest interest.
5) The Flats Guide is on board to report from South Padre Island, Texas, once a month.
6) New “Guides” page in the works for guides who fit the guidelines to be listed. More on that later.
7) Still looking for a good music player.
By popular demand, the website www.texasflyreports.com is created for open, and free flowing discussion without reservation.
9) The current theme (7/11) is just about worn out and not getting updated. In the works – new masthead and new theme – should roll out in September 2011 perhaps January 2012 when things slow down a bit.

2012
1) Discussion boards are discontinued due to the success of www.texasflyreports.com A link to Texas Fly Reports will be on every page
2) A unique redesign of Texas Fly Caster gets underway in January

Enjoy the show.