We have a unique set of circumstances lining up here in North Texas, and with a little more good luck, this spring could be THE spring we all recall as “That Year” when we are old and grey(er).

The weather gods have given us a late wet winter that has been mild and without much freezing precipitation at all (so far). It’s always a risk to go out and say it’s over, spring has sprung and we can all break out the shorts, put away the waders and fleece, and start tying carp and bass flies. Sure I’ve been doing that exact thing the last few days, but if I told you to go jump off a cliff …?

No, the reality is that we had an incredible snow event two years ago this March, one that shut everything down and reminded us that Mother Nature will always be in charge. That event was, according to my notes, followed by a wet spring that lead to park closures at Ray Roberts and hybrid bass runs that went all the way up to the Ray Roberts Dam. Silver linings are so sweet, aren’t they?

This year has the potential to be “one of those” years, with lakes topping off, saturated ground and as far as the local scene is concerned, more and more pavement that leads to more and more runoff.

THIS WEEK

Weather around here this week will be mild and changing through the week. Apparently we are going to have significant wind and warmer all week long.

NEXT WEEK

One week from now is when things get very interesting. The weather heads are saying a dip in the Arctic air could drop down the middle of the US and that reaches all the way past North Texas. Translation; the kind of cold we haven’t had all winter – bitter cold. That’s too bad really, because buds are already showing on many trees.

That should be winter’s last gasp. We head into March with a fair shot at early spring, and warming waters that lead to fish activity and timely spawning.

STATEWIDE FLY FISHING EVENTS

This coming weekend is loaded with fishy activities.
- A Euro Carp (not exactly fly fishing) event at Lake Fork, Texas, should shake things up on the aging King of Texas Bass Lakes. Can you imagine the looks the Euro guys will be getting from glittery bass boats drifting by? That’s a 44 straight hour event, and North Texas will be well represented in the event attended by Euro Carpers from around the US.
- GRTU Troutfest is also this weekend. It will be held the same place as last year, and as you recall I attended that event last year, had a couple of hours to fish and couple of days to socialize with several manufacturers and retailers that attend the event. If you are in range, you won’t be disappointed in attending. Having the Guadalupe flowing in the background is always a plus. The new high gas prices are definitely making a dent in my plans, so instead of running here and there (pre-Obama), I may, if lucky, make one of these events.
-UNFORTUNATELY THE WEATHER COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT ALL NEXT WEEKEND’S EVENTS-

Clubs and Organizations are shaking the winter hibernation off, and starting to come back to life as well. I have added significant numbers of “Organizations” to the left column of links, so you will find a link to your nearest fly fishing club there.

- Alamo Fly Fishers – Guest on February 21 is Kevin Stubbs of Expedition Outfitters.
- Dallas Fly Fishers - February 22 – Regular fly tying at both DFW Bass Pros and Allen’s Cabela’s.
- Federation of Fly Fishers – February 24,25 – Test for certification in Glendale, Arizona
- Rockport Fly Fishers – February 23 – Monthly meeting, topic – “Menhaden; The Most Important Fly in Your Box.”
Texas Fly Fishers of Houston – February 25 – BARNACLE BANDIT BLOWOUT BENIFIT TOURNEY in Port O’Conner, TX

If you have an event, or more details on these events, feel free to add details in comments. I won’t be able to update articles via information sent in a “Contact” form any longer, as the sheer volume of “Contact” forms received is exploding – and I know you would rather me be fishing, right, right?

Now is the time to go to www.grtutroutfest.org and purchase your Troutfest Banquet tickets. Tickets will be picked up at the door Friday evening 2/24/12 at 6pm. The EXPO follows Saturday and Sunday, 2/25-26/2012. All activities including the Saturday night fly fishing film festival will be at Rio Raft, Satler, Texas on the famed Guadalupe River.

Chris Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Trout Unlimited will be the featured speaker during the Friday night banquet. A silent auction, live auction and raffle items will be available during the evening. Funds raised from this event are used to conserve, protect and restore the coldwater tailwater fishery on the Guadalupe River.

A new feature of Troutfest 2012 is an author’s booth where writers will be present, reading, selling, signing their books. Also, a kid’s essay contest has been added. Details are available at www.grtu.org. Three age brackets from 6 to 17 years are available. Great prizes for 1st thru 3rd place in each age category. Have your children or children known to you sign up. All entries are via e-mail. Winners will be announced during the banquet Friday night 2/24/12.

Thanks for your support.

Phil Dopson

512-413-3301

phil@phildopson.com

NOTE – I met Chris Wood (CEO Trout Unlimited) on the journey to West Texas, and you’ll never meet a more upbeat guy. I will do a last minute update to list vendors and authors, as well as a detailed itinerary.

The good people at Sportsman’s Finest in Austin, Texas, have an informative day planned this January 7 at their store in Austin:

Austin, TX –

Saturday, Jan 7th at 10:30 AM
GRTU Lease Access Program Orientations at Sportsman’s Finest

Sportsman’s Finest is proud to be hosting Orientations for the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited’s Lease Access Program (LAP)*. This fishing access program provides members with private property access to the river during a time of the year when access for fishing is very limited. Fees from this program are used to acquire the access and to stock the river with great fish! Orientation is required of all new participants in the LAP. Fees can be paid and membership acquired at these Orientations. A member of the GRTU Board will conduct the Orientations at Sportsman’s Finest on the following days:

Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 10:30am

No reservations are required. Orientations will start promptly at the time indicated.

*GRTU “Supporting Members” can enroll in the Lease Access Program. This program provides a “path to the river” over private property to legally access the Guadalupe River for the purpose of trout fishing during the season. The program runs from November 1, 2011, to October 31, 2012. Although several of the leased access sites are open year around, most sites are only open during the prime winter fishing season. All trout caught on a GRTU lease sites are catch and release only. You must attend a one-hour Lease Access Orientation before you can become a Lease Access Member. Lease Access Membership fee is $105 per year, and participants must also be a current National TU member plus a GRTU supporting member ($12 donation per year.) For more information please visit the GRTU website: www.grtu.org

Saturday, Jan 7th at 2:00 PM
Guide Alvin Dedeaux Program- “12 Months of Texas Fly Fishing”

Alvin Dedeaux has been fishing ever since he can remember, and fly fishing since he was 12 years old. His love for fishing has led him on an exciting journey which has cultivated him into a premier guide and an icon in Central Texas fly fishing and beyond. He has honed his fishing and guiding skills on the Llano, San Marcos, Guadalupe, and Lower Colorado Rivers since the early 80’s.

After managing the Austin Angler for over a decade, Alvin began guiding full time. He also guides in Colorado in the summer on some of North America’s premier trout streams. With more than 17 years of experience as a professional guide, casting instructor, and fly tyer, few are more knowledgeable or enjoyable to fish with. Alvin is eager to help you experience the best of what Texas Rivers have to offer.

Alvin will be sharing his years of experience and insight into fishing through the seasons in Texas with the Sportsman’s Finest customers. (Free program; no rsvp required)

For information on Alvin please visit his website: www.alvindedeaux.com

- If you combine the knowledge you will get from this event with the knowledge you will get from the “First Ever Guadalupe River Trout Fishing Workshop,” you are going to have a head full of valuable information that will most certainly increase your odds of catching more fish in Central Texas and especially fly fishing the Guadalupe River.