2012 year in review

As 2012 comes to an end and I look back on what was a fantastic fishing year. I'd like to highlight some of the trips with family and friends taken during the year.
The year started off with a freeze trip down the Colorado river with a group of friends for three days. Being caught unprepared happens occasionally in Texas, as the weather can go from one extreme to the next in the blink of an eye. I've never been so cold in my life. There was ice on my sleeping bag when I woke up, my waders which were hanging over a limb to dry were frozen. I had to take my boots into the river to thaw them out in order to put them on, but we caught fish and had a great time.

I spent most of the winter months fishing the Guadalupe river and learning about trout fishing. There is a lot to learn, but worth it when you hook into a good rainbow.

Sometimes it's hard to find someone to fish with due to conflicting scheldules. When you do, it makes for a great day on the water. Especially if it's your daughter that takes time out of her day to join you.

As summer approached, the heat drove me to the rivers where the water is cooler and the movement makes the oxygen content greater and the bite a little better. Spent the weekend on the Colorado with a friend from Houston and fought the 100+ temps and mosquitos to catch a lot of quality bass and have another great time.

As we got deeper into the summer I made a trip with fifteen other people close to the Mexico border in search of Snook. It was an incredible weekend and many new friends were made.

My first speckled trout on a fly rod came from this area as well.

Vacation was spent with some family in Mississippi and a number of fish were caught on the fly rod but the redfish that I was after still eluded me.

Three trips were made to the coast with two different sets of friends and each trip resulted in limits of fish being caught and a lot of stories being told.

A trip with a couple of my friends who guide on the Guadalupe river resulted in the best day i've had catching rainbow trout outside of Colorado.

And the best day had on the river for the year was when my nephew visited from Houston and I took him to the river for his first wade trip.

As you can see, there were a lot of good times spent fishing in 2012.
Thank you for reading my blog and following me as I fish.
Maybe someday we can fish together.
For 2013 I plan on spending more time at the coast in pursuit of the redfish on a fly. Almost forgot, I leave for Cozumel in a few weeks.
Have a great 2013......
Robert

Merry Christmas

I wanted to say Merry Christmas and to thank all of you who read and follow my blog as well as my Fly Fishing Texas page on Facebook.
Thanks to my friends at ReelFly Fishing Adventures and DragonFly Angler Flies I was able to do my first annual Christmas giveaway.
Thanks to all that participated and I hope the winner enjoys the 1/2 day guided trip on the Guadalupe river fishing for trout with the dozen trout flies that were included.

The random number generator has spoken and congratulations to Larry Byers on winning the giveaway. Larry, contact me at yakntx@yahoo.com and I will mail you the flies and certificate. I hope you enjoy the trip.
Robert

Fly Fishing Texas

ReelFly Fishing Adventures

Dragonfly Angler Flies

1.       Mark Morgan

2.       Jerry Watson

3.       Seth DeLuna

4.       Eric Pence

5.       Paul Childress

6.       Terry Scott

7.       Paul Fowler

8.       Roger Lampman

9.       Zackery Duane Orr

10.   Juan Ramirez

11.   Joel Rose

12.   Andrew Lane

13.   Paul Melmann

14.   Terry Sanchez

15.   Joe Roberts

16.   Larry Byers

17.   Cody Young

18.   Aaron Furguson

19.   Terry Scott

20.   Michael Lammers

21.   Kris Ayers

22.   Damon Fogel

23.   Joe Herndon

24.   John Slough

25.   Aaron Rickels

26.   Miles Mcrae

27.   Rechell Szetela

28.   Chris Holley

True Random Number Generator Min:Max:Result:16Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Fly Shop Friday ( Gruene Outfitters)

The first fly shop that I ever set foot in was nestled in the Historic town of Gruene. I knew nothing about fly fishing at the time and ventured into the store while following my wife through all the Boutiques scatterd along both sides of the road.
Now that i've been fly fishing, a stop into the store is always welcomed. If you want any local information about the river, it's fish, techniques, or what they are biting on.....just stop in an ask. Chris or Jacob will be more than happy to assist with your needs.

Gruene Outfitters has been in business since 1989 as both a retail clothing store as well as a fly shop. Besides offering clothing for the outdoors they have a fully stocked fly shop for your needs as well as offering guide service.

They carry some of the top brands in the industry including Sage, TFO, Ross, Simms, Lamsom, Umpqua and others. For the beginner they offer complimentary casting instruction as well as knot tying assistance.

It's all about location. Where else could you spend hours in a fly shop not being bored while your wife is looking through all of the shops around. Then you could slip out and walk down the street for a refreshment at Gruene Hall or just make a day of it.
If you make it buy, tell them I say hello.....

OKTOBERFISCH 2012

Turning right onto the highway, I found myself settling in for a two hour trip West to the town of Junction. This would be my first trip to Oktoberfisch and the original plan was to go there and experience all three days but there was another important event going on this weekend, the Baptism of my new niece. Some things trump others so I will shoot for the full experience next year.
The weather looked promising for the day, partly cloudy with a slight breeze and warming up as the hours slipped away. Exiting the Interstate and heading into town I had finally reached the Llano river and was greeted with a beautiful view as I crossed the old iron bridge.

Pulling into the campground I looked for a place to park close to the river. Walking up to the event tents I saw a couple of seminars taking place. One group was getting casting instruction while two other groups sat under a tent learning about knot tying and building flies.

Approaching the main vendor area, the aroma of BBQ was in the air and led me to a pit where they were selling plate lunches of sausage or brisket with beans, chips, and a soda for five bucks. After lunch I made my way around the tents checking out the gear and the raffle items for that afternoon.

During the day the crowd grew larger as people were returning from fishing the river and getting ready for the evenings festivities which included a steak dinner and raffle. I took advantage of some expert casting instruction from Austin of Salt396 . We then proceeded to try our luck at some of the impromtu casting challenges put on by the instructors that were at the event, and we held our own.

As I drove home it became clear that I had to get back next year and experience more of the event and to fish the river.

Adios, till' next year...............................................

Living Waters Fly Fishing

Tucked away in the Historic downtown section of Round Rock is Central Texas' best kept secret. Started in 2006 as a fly fishing guide service, Chris and his wife opened the doors to the only fly shop in the area in 2008.

Chris and Matt

This was my second visit to the shop. I went there to pick up some Pole Dancer flies that Matt was holding for me that I plan on using on the next redfish trip. What impressed me the most about this place, is how comfortable they make you feel.It's like I have been going there for years. The abundance of equipment that they provide for the fly fisherman is easily noticed as well as the amount of items needed to tie whatever fly you desire in stock.                                                 

Living Waters also hosts events every month, with the highlight being the fly tying night every Wednesday.
Although I didn't see a shackle around his ankle, i'm pretty sure Matt spends a lot of time at his fly tying station. How else can you keep winning the employee of the month award.

If you happen to be in the area stop by and introduce yourself. They are willing to help you anyway possible.