HILL COUNTRY FLYFISHERS AND RIO RAFT
ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
OUR FIRST EVER
GUADALUPE TROUT FISHING WORKSHOP

JANUARY 20, 21 & 22, 2012
FEATURING AN “ALL STAR” STAFF:

KEVIN HUTCHISON: OWNER OF HILL COUNTRY FLYFISHERS

JUD COLE: GUIDE WITH HILL COUNTRY FLYFISHERS

DAN CONE: OWNER OF CASTELL GUIDE SERVICE

CHRIS JACKSON: OWNER OF ACTION ANGLER

CHRIS JOHNSON: OWNER OF LIVING WATERS FLY SHOP

DURING THIS TWO AND A HALF DAY WORKSHOP STUDENTS WILL LEARN ABOUT FLY FISHING FOR TROUT FROM THE GROUND UP. PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO LEARN THE BASICS OF FLY TYING FOR TROUT.

FOR A FULL AGENDA AND DETAILED INFORMATION PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL.

FISHHEAD@TEXAS.NET OR 512-589-3474

Ablon Park Pond Garland 2,860 8-Jan-12, 16-Feb-12
American Legion Park Pond Missouri City 4,000 6-Jan-12, 3-Feb-12, 2-Mar-12
Arena Park Pond Marshall 1,200 14-Dec-11, 4-Mar-12
Ascarate El Paso 6,900 14-Dec-11, 11-Jan-12, 20-Feb-12
Bandera City Park Bandera 1,000 1-Dec-11
Bane Park Lake Houston 2,278 13-Jan-12
Beal Park Lake Midland 750 18-Jan-12
Bear Creek Park Keller 3,000 29-Jan-12, 26-Feb-12
Bethany Park Pond C Allen 1,700 8-Dec-11
Blanco State Park #4 Blanco 4,000 8-Dec-11, 28-Dec-11, 11-Jan-12, 23-Feb-12
Blue Hole Park Lake Georgetown 1,250 7-Dec-11
Bob Sandlin State Park Mt. Pleasant 2,700 15-Dec-11, 30-Jan-12, 23-Feb-12
Brackenridge Park San Antonio 1,850 10-Jan-12, 8-Feb-12
Brentwood Park Pond Tom Green 1,000 20-Dec-11, 17-Jan-12
Buena Vista Park Lake * Waco 896 2-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Buescher State Park Smithville 2,000 8-Dec-11, 20-Dec-11
Bullfrog Pond * Austin 896 2-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Burke-Crenshaw Lake Pasadena 1,500 19-Jan-12
C. J. Kelly Park Pond Midland 750 18-Jan-12
Canyon Southeast Park Lake Canyon 1,500 8-Dec-11
Canyon Tailrace New Braunfels 18,351 4-Dec-12, 10-Dec-11, 17-Dec-11, 23-Dec-11, 7-Jan-12, 14-Jan-12, 21-Jan-12, 28-Jan-12
Carl Barton Jr. Park Pond Conroe 1,960 10-Jan-12
Cedar Hill State Park Perch Pond 1,200 10-Jan-12
Centennial Park Lake Friendswood 500 9-Feb-12
Central Park Pond #1 * College Station 1,792 2-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Cleburne-Hulen Park Cleburne 1,800 14-Dec-11, 14-Feb-12
Comanche Trails Park Odessa 6,000 21-Dec-11, 17-Jan-12, 12-Feb-12
Comanche Trails Big Spring 5,384 13-Dec-11, 15-Jan-12, 15-Feb-12
Community Park Pond Prosper 3,550 22-Jan-12
Copperas Cove City Copperas Cove 800 19-Feb-12
Crane County Pond Crane 350 7-Dec-11
Doornbos Park Nederland 500 26-Feb-12
Eisenhower Park Pond Houston 3,000 4-Jan-12
Elder Lake Kilgore 3,500 13-Dec-11
Eldridge Park Pond Sugar Land 500 1-Feb-12
Elm Creek Buffalo Wallow Abilene 476 14-Dec-11
Faulkner Park Lake Tyler 1,700 15-Dec-11, 17-Jan-12
First Capitol Park Pond West Columbia 500 13-Dec-11
Fort Boggy State Park Centerville 1,000 24-Jan-12
Fort Richardson State Park Jacksboro 2,485 18-Dec-11, 15-Jan-12, 12-Feb-12
Frisco Commons Pond Frisco 3,150 5-Feb-12
Fryer (Wolf Creek Park) Perryton 1,200 6-Dec-11
Garner State Park (Frio River) Leakey 2,200 29-Dec-11, 18-Jan-12
Glen Rose Town Lake 2,000 22-Dec-11, 20-Jan-12
Greenbriar Park * Fort Worth 1,896 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Guadalupe River (see Canyon Tailrace)
Harlingen Sports Complex Harlingen 1,000 2-Feb-12
Heritage Park Lake Mt. Pleasant 2,000 14-Dec-11, 27-Jan-12
Hubbard City #2 Hubbard 500 21-Dec-11
Hurst Chisholm Park * Hurst 1,896 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Jasper City Park Pond Jasper 1,800 22-Jan-12
Johnson Branch 2 Sanger 1,000 18-Dec-11
Keneteso Pond Gainesville 3,250 15-Jan-12
Kennedale City Park Kennedale 1,700 18-Jan-12
LNVA Barrier Pond [Directions] Beaumont 4,000 20-Dec-11, 18-Jan-12
Lake Corpus Christi Mathis 1,500 29-Jan-12
Lakeside Park * Duncanville 1,896 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Lakeside Park Pond Nacogdoches 769 22-Jan-12
Lamesa 9th Street Park Lamesa 4,000 7-Dec-11, 1-Feb-12
Landmark Inn State Historic Site Castroville 1,000 26-Feb-12
Lewisville Tailrace (Elm Fork Trinity River) Lewisville 2,938 16-Dec-11, 13-Jan-12
Live Oak City Pond San Antonio 800 15-Dec-11, 10-Jan-12
Llano River (Grenwelge Park) Llano 800 21-Dec-11
Lost Maples State Natural Area – Lower Vanderpool 300 17-Jan-12
Louise Hays Park Kerrville 2,200 13-Dec-11, 24-Jan-12
Lower Overton Overton 1,400 19-Jan-12
Magnolia Ridge Pond Woodville 1,800 7-Dec-11
Mary Jo Peckham Park * Houston 3,160 2-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Medical Center South * Amarillo 4,424 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Meredith Stilling Basin Stanford 2,000 8-Dec-11, 1-Feb-12
Meridian State Park Meridian 1,800 11-Jan-12
Mesquite City Lake *Mesquite 3,160 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Mike Lewis Park Grand Prairie 3,300 16-Feb-12, 4-Mar-12
Miller Park Pond Temple 1,000 22-Dec-11, 24-Jan-12
Miller’s Pond * San Antonio 3,792 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Nelson Park Abilene 1,500 14-Dec-11
New Horseshoe Rosenberg 1,000 12-Jan-12
Nolan Creek Belton 2,000 17-Dec-11, 7-Feb-12
Northwest Park Pond Irving 3,100 4-Jan-12, 5-Feb-12
Pair-a-Trees Pond Wills Point 500 19-Feb-12
Palmetto State Park Luling 574 15-Jan-12
Pampa City Pampa City 2,000 8-Dec-11, 16-Feb-12
Pena Colorado Marathon 500 22-Dec-11
Pittsburg City Lake Pittsburg 2,000 16-Dec-11, 19-Feb-12
Plum Lake Wichita Falls 1,000 4-Mar-12 Dundee
Possum Kingdom Tailrace Graford 6,000 6-Dec-11, 20-Dec-11, 10-Jan-12, 31-Jan-12
Resoft Park Lake Alvin 500 6-Dec-11
Rita Blanca Kids Fishing Pond Dalhart 3,160 13-Dec-11, 7-Feb-12
River Park Clear Fork Trinity River Fort Worth 2,500 5-Jan-12
Rose Park Mansfield 1,200 2-Dec-11
San Gabriel Park Georgetown 1,250 11-Jan-12
Seabourne Creek Park Rosenberg 700 4-Mar-12
South Lakes Park Pond * Denton 2,400 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
South Llano River State Park Junction 1,878 13-Dec-11, 1-Feb-12
South Weeks * Wichita Falls 896 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Southside Lions Park * San Antonio 4,744 1-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March
Spring Lake Park Texarkana 1,325 14-Dec-11
Springfield Mexia 1,000 29-Jan-12
Sulphur Springs City Park Sulphur Springs 1,523 5-Feb-12
TFFC Casting Pond (Lake Zebco 2) [Directions] Athens 5,000 2-Dec-11
Teague Park Longview 2,500 13-Feb-12 TFFC
Theo (Caprock Canyons) Amarillo 2,066 13-Dec-11
Tom Bass I * Houston 896 2-Dec-11 and continuing every two weeks until early March AE Wood
Tom Bass III Houston 5,884 4-Jan-12
Towne Lake McKinney 4,020 26-Feb-12
Trinity Park Clear Fork Trinity River Fort Worth 2,500 4-Jan-12
Two – Acre Lake Canton 2,079 12-Feb-12
Tyler Nature Center Tyler 2,000 Call for Special Event dates and times (1-903-566-1615)
Tyler State ParkTyler 4,000 8-Dec-11, 19-Jan-12
Utopia Park Lake Utopia 750 14-Feb-12
Waldron Park Corpus Christi 1,000 24-Jan-12
Waterloo Park Pond Denison 6,800 16-Dec-11, 8-Jan-12, 22-Jan-12, 12-Feb-12
Woldert Park Pond Tyler 1,030 15-Dec-11, 17-Jan-12

I made a quick, weather abbreviated, trip to Round Rock, and Austin, Texas, to finally visit the new digs of Living Waters Fly Shop late last week and see for myself just what water is left on the Colorado River, San Gabriel and Brushy Creek in Round Rock.

As you can see from the photographs, it’s not worth the trip to look at the San Gabriel, regardless of what anyone says – toast.

Brushy Creek is still there, with a flow of one to two inches between pools across solid rock. Obviously, there are fish trapped in different pools, and weather permitting they may be fooled.

We were also below the dam on the Colorado, in East Austin, and there was water being released there, but a walk in isn’t the way to go. The water is also pretty bad as well. Forget about fishing in East Austin, and stop at Juan in a Million on Cesar Chavez, and enjoy some great Mexican food in a wonderful atmosphere.

LIVING WATERS FLY SHOP

It was nearly a year ago at the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited’s Trout Fest that I met Chris and Emily Johnson, owners of Living Waters Fly Shop in Round Rock. I don’t know about you, but I marvel at just about any new business that survives, then thrives and expands in a new location – especially a mom-and-pop fly shop! The historic Texas drought and dreadful national economy aren’t exactly helping new businesses either, so if it ever rains confidence – Living Waters will be there to catch it.

At the heart of what makes Living Waters tick, is their dedication to a large, diverse and dedicated fly tying community. I was talking to Chris about the phenomenon – a vibrant, weekly gathering of fly tiers at several different locations around Austin. “We have tiers of all ages, men and women, and some of the kids are really talented,” he said. “We meet every Thursday here at the Shop, and there can be anywhere from four to twelve tiers” on any given Thursday he added.

While fly tying supplies line the walls, there are also other items necessary to fly fishing enthusiasts – Simms, TFO Fly Rods, Ross Fly Rods, Dyna-King Vises and a few other brands are represented, and if they don’t have something, I am sure they can get it for you.

Having visited their previous location, well off the beaten track, and almost off the radar, I was curious to know how their first few months have been in the new site. “We get a new customer coming in every day! Things are going great,” Emily said.

It doesn’t take long to realize that fly fishing and fly tying are in the blood of both Emily and Chris. She has her favorite hooks for favorite flies, and Chris can give and take some teasing while perfectly focused on what’s going on in his fly tying vise – set up along a long table with a Guadalupe bass swimming in an aquarium as a backdrop. “We’re getting a water chiller in soon, and will be releasing the bass and putting in rainbow trout (in the aquarium),” Chris said.

I told Chris about my observations that the North Texas fly fishing community seems to lack motivation to tie flies on a regular basis, and that fly fishing in North Texas seems to be on the decline. “I think it’s the water. We have clear water down here, and it’s just better for fly fishing,” he said. I think it also translates into fly tying – when you can see the action of your fly, and sometimes even the take. Maybe I am a little “dim,” but that light bulb began to flicker on with that statement.

INFORMATION IS STILL KING

If you have been following along all these years, then you know when it comes to the motivations of Texas Fly Caster, and the DIY Chicken Fried Nation, information is what we’re all about here. I’ve been to fly shops, and done interviews where people talk in code, much like a sketchy SKYPE connection. The flip side is when I don’t know enough to ask the correct, or more detail filled question. For the most part, in this economy, most folks realize the need to float everyone’s boat, and bring goodwill in through their doors. So the vast majority of interviews provide good, accurate information while stopping short of giving out GPS coordinates (unlike me).

If you want to get a quick snapshot, feel free to call Chris, and he will answer your questions. He doesn’t fish any private access only waters, so if he can get to it, according to him – so can you. Keep in mind that Chris also guides in this area as well, and includes the San Gabriel, Brushy Creek, the Llano and Guadalupe in his guiding services.

Chris also puts out a newsletter update, so be sure to sign up for that e mail as well.

It is refreshing to come across a retailer, of any kind, who also makes no bones about their spiritual beliefs.
From their site -
“Purpose and Mission

To honor and glorify Jesus Christ by serving others through the act of providing exemplary service, products, and information to every person who enters our doors or shares our waters. To educate and equip future fly fisherman so that they carry on the legacy of the sport of fly fishing by passing it on to others. To be good stewards of our rivers and to make every effort possible to leave the environment better than we found it!”

Hey, believe or not, you have to admire anyone who takes a stand and is unafraid to tell people where they’re coming from – right up front.