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Fly Fishing By The Numbers - What Do They Mean?

April 23, 2024  /  Alvin Dedeaux

Fly Fishing By The Numbers - What Do They Mean?

  • Fly fishing equipment, including rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippets, and hooks, are marked with numbers that denote various specifications.

  • Reels often indicate recommended line sizes, sometimes with a simple number or through a chart indicating compatibility with different line sizes.

  • Rods feature numbers indicating length, number of pieces, and the line size they are designed for, with the length and line size being the most important factors.

  • Lines are labeled with weight, taper, and whether they are floating or sinking, with weight being the primary consideration for compatibility with the rod.

  • Leaders and tippets are labeled with length and X size, indicating the diameter of the thinnest part of the leader, with larger X numbers denoting thinner diameters. Hook sizes follow a similar principle, with larger numbers indicating smaller hooks, but consistency can vary between manufacturers.

Orvis SuperStrong Plus Leaders

Orvis SuperStrong Tippet

Today, let's talk about the numbers you'll find on your fly fishing gear. Almost everything from rods to reels to lines and beyond comes with its own set of numbers. Some are easy to figure out, while others might need a bit more decoding. But don't worry, we'll break it down together.

Starting with reels, you'll often see numbers that tell you what line sizes work best. Sometimes it's right in the name or model number, other times you might need to check a chart. And most reels can handle a range of line sizes, making them pretty versatile for different fishing situations.

Now, onto rods. They've got their own series of numbers that might seem confusing at first. But really, you just need to focus on a few things: the length, how many pieces it comes in, and the recommended line size. For example, if you see something like "590-4" on a rod, that just means it's a nine-foot rod, five-weight, and comes in four pieces.

Lines are a bit simpler. Look for the weight, which is the most important thing to match with your rod. Then you can think about things like taper and whether it floats or sinks, depending on where and how you're fishing.

Leaders and tippets are labeled with numbers too, usually indicating length and thickness. The higher the number, the thinner the line. So, if you're after trout, you might be looking at leaders with numbers like three, four, or five X. And for saltwater fishing, you'll probably want something beefier like one or zero X.

Lastly, let's talk hooks. Again, bigger numbers mean smaller hooks. So, a number one hook is much bigger than a size 18. But keep in mind, there can be differences between brands, so use the numbers as a general guide.

Understanding these numbers might seem overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty straightforward. And if you ever feel lost, don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you have.

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Guadalupe Bass A True Texas Native

April 12, 2024  /  Alvin Dedeaux

Guadalupe Bass A True Texas Native

The Guadalupe bass (Micropterus treculii) holds the honor of being the official state fish of Texas. It is only found in Texas and is primarily found in the clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers of the Edwards Plateau region in central Texas.

Known for its aggressive nature and hard-fighting qualities, the Guadalupe bass is a favorite target for anglers, especially fly anglers. Its preference for fast-moving waters makes it an exciting catch for anglers skilled in navigating river currents and casting with a fly rod.

This species is part of the black bass family and is distinguishable by its olive-green coloration with dark blotches along its sides. While it shares similarities with other bass species like the largemouth and smallmouth bass, the Guadalupe bass has adapted specifically to the unique environmental conditions of the Texas Hill Country.

We target Guadalupe bass in most of their native waters and they are one of our favorite species to catch anywhere. We even had a client catch a world record Guadalupe bass on a guided trip a while back. Read about it here.

Guadalupe bass can be caught year round using a variety of tactics. Whether you like throwing streamers and hoppers or big noisy poppers during the warmer months, or crawling a crawfish pattern on a sink tip line during the winter. It all works for Guadalupe bass! We offer guided trips all skill levels. All equipment is provided. Book a trip here.


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categories / Bass on the fly, fly fishing
tags / Guadalupe Bass, fly fishing, All Water Guides, texas fly fishing, river bass fishing

TPWD Launches Prize Giveaway for Tagged Guadalupe Bass in Lower Colorado River

February 04, 2022  /  Alvin Dedeaux  /  Source

Feb. 3, 2022

Media Contact: TPWD News,  Business Hours, 512-389-8030

 AUSTIN – Grab a rod and reel and head to Central Texas for a chance to catch one of 30 tagged Guadalupe bass and possibly win a prize. From February 4 until August 31, any angler who catches one of the tagged Guadalupe bass from the Lower Colorado River near Austin and Smithville will be awarded a prize package and be entered into grand prize drawings at the end of the seven-month period.

This contest is the latest effort to help recognize the ecological and recreational importance of the Lower Colorado River - home to the current state record Guadalupe bass. The tournament is being hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) along with partners, All Water Guides, Cleanup the Colorado, and the Texas River School. The Colorado River flows right through the heart of Central Texas with a proximity close to the urban population center of Austin, yet this river fishery remains an underutilized recreational resource.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of our partners and the attention they bring to the Lower Colorado River,” said John Botros, Inland Fisheries River Access Coordinator at TPWD. “Not only will All Water Guides bring the experience of catching a Guadalupe bass to their clients, but they also bestow upon anglers a responsible fishing ethic.”

Of course, nobody likes seeing trash when you are out enjoying the river, added Botros. Many thanks to Cleanup the Colorado and their efforts coordinating the recent LoCo Trash Bash events which have removed over 21 tons of trash from the Colorado River.

TPWD’s investments in angler access and monitoring, the removal of tons of trash from the Colorado River during the LoCo Trash Bash events and educating youth on paddling skills and river ethics supports the collective goals to improve the river environment and get people out on the river. TPWD believes that people can grow a sense of river stewardship through a good experience on the water and the joy of catching a Guadalupe bass.

 “We are very grateful for the support from partners like TPWD, All Water Guides, Texas River School and the hundreds of volunteers who have participated in cleanup activities on the Colorado River” said John Erskine, Board Chair of Cleanup the Colorado. “Our goal is to raise awareness of and appreciation for this wonderful resource. We are happy to support this Guadalupe bass prize giveaway so that more people get out and enjoy the river and the great fishing opportunities that exist so close to Austin. We believe that the more people who use the river the more they will be motivated to protect it and keep it clean!”

TPWD is also grateful for its partnership with the Texas River School located in East Austin. Not only does the Texas River School teach paddling skills and river ethics to youth and the underserved community, but they also provide public river access for paddling and fishing as a partner in TPWD’s leased river access program.

 “Texas River School and the Chautauqua Foundation have always experienced great benefits working with TPWD and think the Guadalupe bass prize give-away is another wonderful opportunity to showcase our stretch of the Colorado River,” said Joe Kendall, Founder and Executive Director of the Texas River School. “Our access site is located about four miles downstream of the Montopolis Bridge in Austin, and the public access that we provide would not be available had it not been for the support of TPWD. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard how great the fishing is along this portion of the Colorado, or even heard ‘I just caught my personal best!’”

Prize Give-Away Information:

  • From February 4- August 31, any angler who catches one of 30 tagged Guadalupe bass from the Lower Colorado River near Austin and Smithville will be awarded a prize package and be entered into grand prize drawings at the end of the seven-month period.

  • Eligible Guadalupe bass are tagged with visual Floy anchor tags that read “Reward – Clip tag and call TPWD 512-754-6844.” Each tag has a unique ID number.

  • Guadalupe bass have been tagged by TPWD in the Colorado River at locations near Little Webberville Park (just east of Austin) and near the leased river access sites near Smithville.

  • Anglers who catch an eligible Guadalupe bass should:

    • Take photos with the fish with the tag, preferably with the segment of river and habitat where the fish was caught in the background of the photo.

    • Clip the tag from the fish and take a photo of the tag legible enough for the tag number to be read. NOTE: DO NOT pull out the tag from the fish.

    • Call the number on the tag to report the tagged fish catch, claim a prize, and to be entered into the grand prize drawing. Anglers should be prepared to provide the tag number, submit photos of the catch, and describe where the fish was caught. Submitted photos will become property of TPWD and may be used in social media or in Agency communications.

  • Gift packages containing a Yeti 18 oz bottle and a Buff will be awarded for each eligible tagged Guadalupe bass caught, and grand prizes include a half-day guided trip with All Water Guides, a Yeti Tundra Haul cooler, and complimentary canoe/camp site rental at the Texas River School.

 “All Water Guides is proud to support TPWD efforts to bring attention to the Guadalupe bass, our state fish and a favorite freshwater species,” said Alvin Dedeaux, owner of All Water Guides. “The tagged Guadalupe bass competition on the Colorado River will highlight what a great urban fishery we have in our backyard. We hope that you will get out on the water and join the fun!”

The public can learn more details about the prize give-away program by visiting the official website.

 To learn more about efforts to conserve Guadalupe bass or where to go fishing for this species, please visit TPWD’s Guadalupe Bass Restoration Initiative webpage, www.tpwd.texas.gov/conserveguadalupebass.

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categories / Bass on the fly, Austin
tags / guadalupe bass, Lower Colorado River

Fall 2021 Freshwater Fishing Report

September 24, 2021  /  Bonner Armbruster

As Central Texas natives know, this past summer was notable for a lack of the face-melting heat we have come to expect this time of the year. Relatively cooler temperatures and occasional pop-up rain events throughout the last couple of months staved off the fishing “doldrums”, which occur when a combination of persistent high pressure systems, clear skies, and high water temperatures results in lethargic, inactive bass and long, scorching days on the water. 

In short, bass fishing has been good for this time of the year, and the next few weeks promise lower overnight temperatures, rain, and cloud cover - all of which should begin our run into Fall and some of the best fishing of the year! 

Colorado River 

The Lower Colorado River below Austin has seen high flows all summer, and with those flows has come dirty water, small-but-active Guadalupe Bass, and some big Largemouth and Longnose Gar. In addition, a regrowth of river grass has lead to an increase in sunfish populations, which bodes well for our gamefish over the long term. While the off-color water has cut back on the total number of fish landed some days, it has also lead to a fair number of large fish landed in less-than-ideal conditions. Looking forward, the Fall is usually marked by reduced releases from Longhorn Dam. Once flows have dropped, the water lower in the system should clear out and allow for jet boat and raft trips on the 40+ miles of productive water below our beloved capital city. As the water cools and clears, White Bass, Crappie, Freshwater Drum, and Smallmouth Buffalo will be in play, along with the usual summer residents. The LoCo in the Fall is a true grab-bag of diverse species and techniques, and presents some of the most unique fishing opportunities of the year. 

San Marcos River 

The San Marcos River fished well throughout the summer, with Guadalupe Bass, Sunfish, and Largemouth making up the majority of fish landed, along with the occasional Longnose Gar and Catfish (sometimes on poppers - it’s true!). Early starts have been the key to success. Water levels have remained at fishable levels, with the upper section staying clear and the lower sections retaining that famous San Marcos green. Wildlife sightings have been above-average this year, with river otters spotted much further upriver than usual - a good sign that the river is supporting healthy populations of fish and other forage. As temperatures drop, recreational tubing traffic will crawl to a stop, and mid-day trips on the upper sections will be possible once again. Once Winter sets in, though, the San Marcos tends to fish very slowly, so Fall is your best bet to wet a line on one of our area’s most scenic rivers. Towering Cypress trees and clear water in the low, warm light of Fall is the perfect antidote to whatever is ailing you - guaranteed. 

Guadalupe River

The Upper and Lower sections of the Guadalupe River both enjoyed brief, but productive float seasons this year. When rains raised water levels high enough for raft trips, the Upper Guad fished well, with high numbers of Guadalupe Bass, Largemouth, and Sunfish caught, many on poppers. The Lower Guad also fished well below the recreational tubing sections, with Guadalupe Bass and large Longnose Gar in the mix. That being said, most angler’s attention will turn to the Lower Guad below Canyon Dam in just a short time as our highly-anticipated trout season kicks into gear. Rainbow and Brown Trout will be stocked sometime in November, and any rain that fills Canyon Lake between now and then will help water levels remain high enough to support a successful season. Our trout boxes are stocked and our rafts are at the ready to get you out on the river in style. Additionally, we have a large selection of waders and wading boots available for those not wishing to provide their own. On a related note, if you haven’t already, consider joining or volunteering with GRTU (www.grtu.org) to help them in their important work managing the southernmost Blue Ribbon trout river in the country. When it comes to Trout Season on the Guadalupe, it’s all hands on deck. 

Points West 

The far-flung rivers of West Texas remained low most of the Summer, but the Llano River did provide a short period of floatable water, and the Pedernales River was host to some good wade fishing as conditions allowed. The Llano produced high-number days of Guadalupe bass alongside some of the most beautiful scenery in our area, and the Pedernales was Common Carp Central, with some nice specimens landed on foot after careful stalking and delicate presentations. With one well-placed Fall storm, these rivers can come into form once again in a heartbeat. Anglers willing to spend a little time behind the wheel or stomping around on foot will be rewarded with views of rugged cliffs, native grasses, and hard gravel bottoms not found elsewhere in the state. Our rivers out West create a kind of beauty inseparable from this relatively inhospitable region, and, once you’ve witnessed it, as the saying goes, the fish are just a bonus. 

categories / fly fishing
tags / fly fishing Austin Texas, fly fishing, Lower Colorado River, San Marcos River

Nymph Rig Basics

January 15, 2019  /  Judson Cole

In this post I will discuss the basic fundamentals of a nymph rig for catching trout in not only the Guadalupe, but also any tailwater and freestone river that holds trout.  You can take this rig anywhere, make a few fly adjustments to match the local bugs, and expect to be successful.  This is all due to that a trout’s diet is primarily sub-surface, consuming nymphal forms of mayflies, caddis, midges, and numerous other aquatic insects.  Occasionally the fish will rise to the surface during a hatch or spinner fall, but to continue feeding in between hatches the fish must also take advantage of what is right in front of it.  

Being that this is the Guadalupe, and a tail-water, and coming from a guide standpoint, the nymph fishing will tend to be the most productive.  I can hear the roar of the streamer crowd now, and yes, streamers will work on the Guad. I will discuss streamer fishing for trout in a future post.  Dry flies occasionally work too, in the right conditions.  But again my experience tells me that nymph fishing is the most effective throughout the day.  To cast this nymph rig you do not need a giant heavy rod.  A 4 or 5-weight rod with a matched floating, weight forward or double taper line is all you will need.  I recommend at least 9-10 foot length rods to help with mending line at a distance. 

First thing first, start with a fresh leader.  There are usually some big fish in the river and it would be a shame to lose your fish and all your hard work put into your rig on an old, weak leader.  With the flows possibly being higher this season I will pick a 9’ tapered leader, but choose your length according to the overall depth of the area you will be fishing.   Depending on flow rate and clarity I will choose between a 3x-5x tippet strength.  If the water is higher and a little off color then I can get away with the heavier 3x and when it is low and clear I will use smaller tippets like 5x.  Carry extra tippet material in those same sizes to extend your leader back to length after fly changes or snags.

Weight and depth are the next two important things and having the right amount can be very critical sometimes.  You need just enough weight to get your flies into the strike area quickly, but no too much that you are snagging on the bottom.  This will change with the speed of the current and how quick we need the flies to get down.  In fast water I will use more weight just to get down quickly in the swifter flows, even if the water is shallow.  In slower water use less weight so you’re not dragging an anchor.  Carry an assortment of split shot sizes so you can adjust to different conditions. Depth of the river and the depth of the fish will also play a role in your weight selection, too. If you are using a strike indicator then this is an easy adjustment by sliding your indicator up and down your leader to get the right depth.  Then adjust weights to make sure your flies are near the strike zone, but not snagging on bottom.  If you are not using an indicator then this is done more by feel and experience. With all this being said, depth and weight are two things that I adjust first, and often, before I change fly patterns. On my guide trips I tend to use smaller weights, like size 6 shot, and add and subtract those small amounts to fine tune my speed of getting down.

Fly selection is the next step to rigging, and again, here we are talking about nymph fishing.  Most often on the Guadalupe we use a tandem nymph rig, which involves two flies; an attractor and a natural.   These two, or more, flies are spaced apart about 15-20” apart in a standard nymph rig. The attractor does exactly what the name implies, attracts attention.  I want the fish to definitely see this fly first.  It doesn’t always have to be flashy or brightly colored, just enough to get the fish’s attention.  The fish may not eat this fly, but now that its eye is looking in our fly’s direction, then along comes the natural fly behind.  The natural is the fly we’ve matched to the hatch, or know the fish are eating, and this is also the fly I change most often.  The natural is usually smaller than the attractor, and tends to be more bug-like.  I also catch more of my fish on a well-matched natural.  I could go on and on about exact flies, but that is the challenge of our sport.  Besides, local fly shops, like Action Angler, will have the most up to date flies and current bug activity on the river.  Asking a few questions and buying a few flies at the local fly shop can go a long way to your success!

This has been a basic overview of a nymph rig for the Guadalupe.  There are many other resources out there that dive deeper into the nymph rig with specific knots, indicator preferences, fly selections, and construction, and to become a well-rounded trout angler you should become familiar with all.  Nymph fishing may not be as glamorous as a rising fish to a well-placed dry fly, but it can be effective and have its’ own cult following.  After all you are still attempting to “match the hatch” and what’s available to the fish.

 

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Getting ready for the Guad

November 27, 2018  /  Judson Cole

 

As I began writing these articles the upper Colorado/Llano River Basins were devastated with slow, steady rain on already saturated grounds that funneled into the Llano and Colorado Rivers.  Homes, boats, docks, and all manner of property was destroyed.  The river raged through the Highland Lakes chain and into Austin, where water shortages were becoming rampant.  Lake Travis filled to over 150% capacity overnight, beginning at a deficit of 85%.  But such is life in the Texas Hill Country.  As I have said many times before, it is feast or famine with the rain in the Hill Country.  Floods break droughts, and the droughts give the flooding a pause.  The loss of life and property can be unimaginable and heartbreaking.   With the increase of population wanting to live on the waterfront and development too close to the watershed sometimes it can be devastating.  The Highland Lakes dams were built to control the damaging and deadly floods caused by rain events such as these.  The dams got a good workout last month, and so far have seemed to be doing their job well!  It is hard to imagine what would have happened to cities like Austin, Marble Falls, or even Kingsland, had the dams to control the rampant flooding not been there.

 

So what does the upper Colorado basin flooding have to do with Guadalupe trout season?  Nothing.  However, the same steady rains that flooded the Llano and Highland Lakes also fell in the upper Guadalupe watershed.  Although the rainfall totals were less than they were a few miles north, they were steady and are slowly bringing up the level of Canyon Lake.  The lake was only a couple feet below the 909’msl conservation pool level.  Although not as much rain fell as did on the Llano, the Guad caught enough to bring this level up slow and steady enough to not disturb the thermocline (bottom layer of the lake where our cold water is discharged for the lower river).  It has been several years since we have seen a nice steady flow rate going into our stocking period and “trout season” here on the Guad.  This year is shaping up to be another higher than average flow year, and that in turn means better fishing all the way down to the lower stretches of the stocked zones.  It’s time to dig out the waders, brush off the 5 weight, and get your nymphing game on point.  It’s Trout Time in Texas, y’all!

 

Before we go any further any further, I would be derelict to not mention anything about safety in the river with these possibly higher flows.  GRTU, our local Trout Unlimited chapter’s website sums it up best so I have attached it here.

Wading Guidelines for the Guadalupe River

Wading in any moving body of water depends on the Experience, Knowledge and Judgment of the individual and the Risk that person is willing to assume.  

Remember to wear and utilize safety gear such as: felt or studded wading boots, wading staff, wading belt drawn tight at the waist for waders, and inflatable pfd’s. 

The general guidelines apply:

• Flows below 100 cubic feet per second (cfs) have slow current and the river is accessible to most anglers.

• Flows below 200 cfs have moderate current. A few areas may create fall down potential.

 • Flows between 200 to 300 cfs can be undertaken by most experienced waders. There are still areas that may be too swift or deep to wade. Inexperienced waders will have to be aware.

• Flows between 300 to 550 cfs should be undertaken by only those who have experience wading swift water conditions. Preferably, you will have knowledge of the river bottom and would have local knowledge of the river previously. Much of the river will still be too swift and too deep to wade safely. The potential for being swept off your feet is high.

 • Flows above 550 cfs are unsafe to wade.

Remember the Guadalupe is a fast flowing river. A fast current can be very deceiving and carry you down river. 

Always be cautious and wise about the river and its hazards. 

 

Stockings of trout have happened and more will continue in the next few months.  Over the next few weeks I will be putting out more of these blog posts discussing several things you should know about fishing the Guadalupe.  In my next article I will get down to rigging, and will start with basic nymphing. Future articles will be generalized and include topics of other trout catching rigs, fish fighting and handling tactics, river access and etiquette on a crowded river such as the Guad. In the meantime, know the flows, carry a wading staff, be safe and go catch some fish!

 

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Texas on the Fly (Day 4 of 4) …….. Guest Post by Tony Wheeler

November 03, 2017  /  Alvin Dedeaux

Day 4 started back under the Utley Bridge.  It was beautiful morning, no wind and a stable air mass.  It is a nippy 39 oF, but the sun is warming things up quick.  Everyone’s expectations for the day were high.

This time we did the 15 mile downstream run to the fisherman’s access in Bastrop.

While Okey and Alvin set our shuttle I get to hang out in the boat and sip my coffee, while watching the sunrise, and the baitfish nipping at midges.  Across the river a whole pack of coyotes were announcing their shift change.  Say what you want I think coyotes are cool.

When we finally get started I tag a nice largemouth right away.  Okey follows up with a really nice Guadalupe.  Then despite what the weatherman promised the pressure changed again and the breeze turns into another blow, and the freaking bass bite shuts off again.

We worked hard for every bass that we boated.

In the afternoon yet again I hook another unknown, unseen sea monster.  The creature clamps down on my crawfish pattern, and then ran like heck to the bushes.  This time I was prepared with 0X tippet and triple checked knots.  I palm my reel trying to slow this beast down, and this time the hook just popped out. 

Let me tell you boys’ and girls’ sea monsters do exist and they live in the Colorado River in Texas.

So I guess in summary over 4 days of fishing in 3 different water crafts, we made a whole lot of fly casts, battling 4 days of bass unfriendly high pressure systems  Despite which we still caught some bass – smallmouth, largemouth, and their native Guadalupe. 

We saw some incredible river scenery which is a lot different than what we have but still sort of familiar.  There was a lot of wildlife -- deer, fox squirrels, red tailed hawks, ospreys, bald eagles, herons, egrets, and a lot of other water fowl.  Oh and there were turtles too, tens of thousands of turtles.

And we ate some great BBQ, (a whole lot of BBQ.)

If you like to fish for smallmouth bass you will absolutely go nuts over Guadalupe’s.  They don’t get very big but they are a flowing water river bass similar in body shape and attitude to our smallmouth, except with a different paint job. It might be blasphemy to say but I think they fight harder too.

 In fact Guads are so close to smallmouth they will naturally hybridize, and the introduced non-native smallmouth bass genes are dominate.  A while back it was pretty much thought that the Guadalupe’s were on their way to being lost.  Texans feel the same way about their Guadalupe’s as we do about our native brook trout.  The State of Texas has done a good job bringing Guadalupe’s back from the brink.

What is even crazier still is that that the largemouth bass are native too.  Largemouth and Guads evolved to share the river, and they don’t hybridize.  Figure that one out?

When it comes right down to it the rivers in the Texas Hill Country offer some great bass fishing from little spring creeks to the much bigger Colorado River.  Throw in some striped bass, white bass, and a host of other strange warm water critters that will eat your fly and Austin is quite the warm water fly-fishing destination.

Compared to West Virginia standards, Austin is a really big city that is still rapidly growing with prosperity.  Everybody wants to live there.

It has this funky mixture of cowboys and hipsters. There is something going on music wise every single night of the year. 

Their traffic is horrendous, with the most courteous drivers I have ever seen.

Everyone must run their own BBQ, as you smell intoxicating hardwood smoke and grilling meat everywhere you go.  I think BBQ must fuel the soul of Austin.

Their catch phrase, “Keep Austin Weird” is kind of true.

I saw two guys dressed as super heroes riding their bicycles covered in white twinkling lights through the traffic on South Congress Street.  Now that might have had something to do with being close to Halloween, then again it might have been their regular commute to work outfits.

Yeah Austin is sort of like that.  And I kind of want to go back….

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categories / Austin, Bass on the fly, fly fishing
tags / Bass on the fly, fly fishing, fly fishing Austin Texas

Texas on the Fly (Day 3 of 4)… Guest Post by Tony Wheeler

November 02, 2017  /  Alvin Dedeaux

Today we are back on the Colorado River fishing with Alvin Dedeaux with All Water Guides.

We start at the Utley Bridge about 25 minutes downstream of Austin on the highway FM-969.  We jet upstream in Austin’s cool Hog Island Boat Works river boat that is half jet boat and half drift boat.  Up on plane it skips over some low water riffles that are barley wet.

After a quick upstream run of 7 miles, it turns into a drift boat and we start back down the river.  For once the put-in and the take-out are truly one and the same.

A high pressure bass unfriendly cold front with winds gusting to 30 mph has arrived.  Alvin warns us our chances are grim.

Right near the start some unknown unseen river monster grabs Okey’s crawfish on Alvin’s 7 weight and it bends the rod to the cork.  The creature streaks away diving for a brush pile.  I dig for my camera in the dry-bag and as soon I find it the monster breaks off.  Once again I sure hope that wasn’t a bass.

With the cold temps and howling wind the bite is slow.  We both are getting them on streamers and crawfish patterns – beautifully marked Gauds and their largemouth river cousins.  The hot fly for me was a C.K. Baitfish, a fly those Texas bass had never seen before.  Okey stays consistent on the crawfish pattern.

We all fight the wind (especially poor Alvin on the oars) but our numbers start to climb.  Soon we have exceeded the total of the last two previous days.

For variety Okey hooks and then loses a big gar.  Then a few cast later he lands a catfish on the fly (a first for him.)

Much to the protest of my elbow I throw a sink tip fly line on my 8 weight all day.  Later back in our rented Airbnb apartment in Austin I thought my elbow was going to just dislocate when I popped off my elbow brace.

I have known and done outdoor adventure trips with Okey for over 30 years now.  No amount of coaxing could convince him to massage my shoulders and elbow while I soaked in a hot bubble bath.

I had to settle for a handful of Advil and shot of Tequila.

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categories / Austin, Bass on the fly, fly fishing
tags / Bass on the fly, fly fishing Austin Texas, Lower Colorado River

Texas on the Fly (Day 2 of 4)….. Guest Post by Tony Wheeler

November 01, 2017  /  Alvin Dedeaux

Day 2 dawns with Okey and I on the San Marcos River about 45 minutes South of Austin.  The San Marcos is one of the most beautiful and mysterious river I have ever been on.  It is born several miles upstream of our put-in all at once from a giant spring in the town of San Marcos.  Its water is the color of turquoise.  It is a small meandering little river lined with big Cyprus and Pecan trees.  It is choked with woody debris.

We are fishing with Judson Cole (Hell ‘N Back Outfitters).  Judson’s raft is a nicely outfitted bright lime green Super Puma.  It is narrow and perfect for the smaller San Marcos.  I must admit I got a little bit of boat envy.  That narrow boat would be perfect for the Top Gauley or the Down Elk.

Judson insisted I leave my fly rods in the car and we fish his Echo six weights that were really perfect for the nature of the San Macros.  The bad case of tendonitis in my casting elbow did not object to the lighter rod.

We are into fish immediately right at the put-in.

Within 30 minutes Okey and I boat a smallmouth bass, a largemouth bass, a Guadalupe bass, and a smallmouth-Guad hybrid.  In addition we are into smallish sunfish continuously.

Before 11:00 a.m. I feel a breeze on the back of my neck and I can literally feel the barometric pressure change. 

“Ruh-roh Shaggy”

Sure enough the breeze turns into a blow and we never catch another fish the rest of the day.

Trout on the fly are push overs.  I can catch trout under the worse conditions.  Not so for bass on the fly.  They are moody and sensitive to change.

We have a nice river side sandwich lunch complete with comfy camp chairs, a folding table, and Halloween Cookies.  I provide the ice cold Lone Stars.

We finish early and since we are in the neighborhood I take Okey for a stroll around the historic downtown section of Lockhart with an early dinner in Blacks BBQ again.

This time I order only the brisket.

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categories / Austin, Bass on the fly, fly fishing
tags / Bass on the fly, San Marcos River, fly fishing Austin Texas

Texas on the Fly (Day 1 of 4) Guest Post by Tony Wheeler

October 31, 2017  /  Alvin Dedeaux

A couple of springs ago I had a work conference down near Austin Texas. At the end of my work week my fishing partner for over 30 years, Okey from Parkersburg flew down to meet me for 3 days of chasing Texas Bass on the Fly.This time Okey had the work conference and I just showed up to fish.

My little niece who lives in Austin graciously offered to be my Airport Limo driver.  She was quite the spectacle standing at the bottom of the escalator in luggage claim holding up a sign that read “Hook-em” (her nickname for me.).  She was all decked out in her welcome to Austin outfit of cowgirl boots, blue jeans, and an Austin City Limits T-Shirt.As part of that welcome to Austin package she whisks me off in her Toyota Prius at damn near the speed of light to the famous Black’s BBQ in Lockhart, Texas.

 

Black’s is essentially the holy shine to carnivores everywhere.  The smell of burning animal fat overlaid with the post-oak and pecan hardwood smoke made me want to tear off all my clothes and go running through the woods howling.I had the brisket with a couple of burnt ends, the extra spicy smoked sausage, pork spare ribs, and some of my niece’s smoked turkey.  Everything was great however the brisket was extra special.  The brisket really transcends metaphors, (maybe meat orgasms in my mouth is the best I can do!)

With a distended belly and a serious case of the meat sweats I am dropped off at Lost Pine Resorts near Bastrop, Texas (the site of Okey’s work conference.)

The next morning Okey’s work week is over before noon, so for $80 we rent a canoe with a shuttle for a six mile paddle on the Colorado River from Bastrop River Company.

I absolutely love paddling a canoe although they are not the best craft suited for fly casting.  Okey and I made the best of it and we took turns steering from the back while the guy up-front cast my L.L. Bean 7 weight armed sometimes with poppers and sometimes with streamers.

The Colorado River rises up in in New Mexico and then flows some 900 miles across Texas all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  It is considered to be in the top 5 bass rivers in the U.S.  It flows essentially clear over a gravel and sand bottom with high clay and limestone bluffs lined with huge old oaks, Cyprus trees, and prickly pear cactus.  Great Blue Herons, snowy egrets, red tailed hawks, ospreys, and giant fox squirrels are everywhere.

The skies were cloudless and the sun was directly overhead.  In hind sight it was probably not the best time to be starting a bass river trip.

The fishing was tough, and the Colorado was not living up to its reputation.  We make lots of fishless casts without a bump.  Several fishless hours pass, and I start worry that we didn’t pack enough beer.

I sink a chartreuse Clouser minnow alongside a brush pile just like the hundreds of other brush piles we had already cast to.  Suddenly some unknown, unseen river monster clamps down on my Clouser and with unstoppable power turns and rushes back under its brush pile breaking me off in the process.  I am shaken and disappointed with the encounter.  I can’t imagine it was a bass (at least I hope not), a big channel cat or their local drum called a Gasper Goo perhaps.

Finally along a rocky shady bank I boat four of those beautifully marked chunky Guadalupe Bass in almost five casts.  Thinking the bite has suddenly changed we trade places and Okey gets one more before the take out.

I put that first down as warmup.  Our spirits are still high.

We end our first day of fishing back in Austin at a great Mexican Restaurant with our plates piled high with fajitas, a super Grande margarita a-piece on the rocks and a really attractive Mexican waitress who must remove her jeans each night with paint thinner.

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categories / Bass on the fly, Fishing Reports, fly fishing
tags / fly fishing Austin Texas, Bass on the fly

Winston's take: Bass On The Fly

September 15, 2014  /  Alvin Dedeaux

I recently read a “must do" article for Bass fishing on the fly and watched an older video that put tournament gear fisherman along side a fly guy in the Sacramento Delta.  Both were very informative.  I thought I’d write up something since I can’t just copy and paste the "must do" article and slap my name to it and my movie-making carrier is a long ways off.  I’ll give my take on what I’ve learned in my years of fly fishing for Bass and more recently guiding for them with All Water Guides here in Austin Texas.  We seem to have a unique thing going on here in Texas.  We target Bass in a manner more similar to salt water fishing than fresh.  We row our goofy jet boats as if they were drift boats on some western river.  River Bass bring an element of challenge to the table that requires a well-rounded angler. Here are my thoughts…a few of them at least.

1:  This is work!

As Brian “Lucky” Porter said in the movie "Zero 2 Hero" about fishing for musky… "You’re not gently presenting a number 14 parachute Adams to a rising trout, you’re doing work.” Now, we're not catching Musky but we do work!  I prefer 8wts to 6’s and can realistically expect to hit the bank every 5 feet for hours.  We need to put the fly on the bank with S.W.A.T. team like presentation then start fishing it.  Once that fly hits the water you need to retrieve it in a "come and get me Mr. Bass manner."  Bass in our rivers are aggressive and they want to hunt.  When I have anglers on my boat that understand this, we do well, fish practically jump in the boat.  But it is work and it’s intense.  If you’ve been dead drifting terrestrials with 4wts and haven’t spent much time with bigger gear, ask for a little help.  After all it’s just a fly rod and feathers.  Line loads the rod and the rod reciprocates that back into the line. I love trout fishing but Bass aren’t trout and our Bass are big, aggressive and live on treadmills.  So eat your Wheaties and be ready to do a lot of casting with big gear.  Regarding the retrieval, sometimes the fish want it fast or sometimes slow.  Find a cadence that you can reproduce. It’s easier to deviate from a constant, meaning if what your doing isn’t working, know what isn’t working so you can slow it down or speed it up.

2: We're fly fishing not casting. Fish every cast.
Just today I had this conversation with a client.  He hadn't fished in a year and was rusty. His casts were less than perfect but probably better than most. Again and again he'd pick up a perfectly fishable cast that he didn't think was good enough.  There is no such thing as a bad cast on my boat. If that fly hits the water you're fishing, make the most of it.  It's become my mantra (I have many) while on the oars, to say, “Fish that cast” meaning exactly that. What you may think is a horrible cast and it probably was (I’m a terrible caster I don’t mind saying it) that fly is in the water and that’s where the fish are, so leave it and start fishing.  I think a problem with folks sometimes (and again, me included) is we spend way too much time re-casting a perfectly good and fishable presentation because of what we thought of our cast. As Xienie in the movie "Low and Clear" states, “Ugly casts catch fish too.”  After all we’re fishing not casting.

3:  They ain't always on the surface.
I’m a weirdo and any one that knows me will not argue that point.  I like streamer fishing, not sure why but I do.  I don’t fall in the group of anglers that say “nothing like top water action." Don’t get me wrong - it’s a blast, I however would much rather throw big shad patterns on a sinking line any day.  To each their own though.  I am in the business of putting clients on fish and when the frogs are singing and the conditions call for its poppers…poppers…poppers. The other 99% of the time you gotta do what the river tells ya.  Get your head out of the boat and watch what’s happening around you. If you’re not seeing action on the surface go to where the fish are.  I’ve had folks in my boat mention “those Bass Masters” and their “glitter boats with all those rods” in a typical fly fisherman manner. What they don’t get is all those rods allow them to, in a systematic manner, dissect the water column.  What they also don't get is those dudes catch fish and we could learn a lot from them. When I go fishing I’ve got at least 2 rigged rods, surface and sub surface. I think 2 could easily be 4 though. Surface, sink tip, intermediate and full on get down and dirty depth finders. If having multiple rods doesn't fit the budget purchase some spools.  If the fish don’t come to you go get them. If you feed them they will eat.

4.  Your confidence fly.
One of my more recent clients while fishing stated, “Winston, I just don’t have any confidence in this fly.” I could have hugged him!  It was a good fly, one of my go to flies that always produces. He didn’t like it and that was it, out came the pliers and the fly box.  Fish with what you’re confident in. In the subconscious of your deep inner fishing-ness it matters and the fishing will get better.  This could be a touchy subject if you’ve hired a guide to fish water that he knows like the back of his hand. I get that and have been there.  He’s the guide and who are we to tell him what we want to fish?  I don’t think the fish care so neither should the guide.  At the end of the day it’s your time on the water. If you're not excited about what you're throwing, our fishing (the actual act of fishing) will suffer. In a professional manner I handed the client my fly box, he picked a fly and on it went.  We still got skunked but his whole essence changed by fishing a fly he had confidence in.  That, I feel, is as important as fly selection. Listen to your guide but also interact with your guide.

5.  Be systematic, be vocal.
I try to always verbalize my ideas with whoever is rowing while I’m fishing and vice versa.  This gets the boat working like a team. With clients I try to take a second as the river transitions to clue them in on what lies ahead and open them up to the marvelous thoughts that may or may not be running through my head at the time.  I know it’s just fishing but having everyone on the same page really helps.  It truly can be a team sport and systematically approaching a section of water and picking it apart as a team is as simple as coming up with a game plan and sticking to it.  Fish the water in a manner that will produce more chances of hooking up.  Don’t cast over spots 1, 2 and 3 for that fish that "just has to be" hiding in spot 4. Be patient. You never know what bruiser you could be casting over and longer casts have a lower success rate hook set wise.  Be systematic, be deliberate and be calculating like the WBD (Weapon of Bass Destruction) you are.

6.  Take a break.
Sometimes you get in that grove.  Your loops are tight; that fly is kissing the bank and you haven’t hit a tree in an hour… the world is right. Sometimes it’s like this all day; sometimes you lose that magic though. When this happens to me it’s time to get on the oars. I’ve never been able to “will” my way back into the magic.  Instead my cast falls apart and I get frustrated and the fishing starts to suck. Take a break.  Sit down; tell some more lies about the Yellowstone or throw ice cubes at your buddy if you’re out with one, snap some pictures or smoke a joint.  Just stop.  Smell the roses (or whatever) and break that cycle.  Rest for a minute or 30 and get back after it.  We’ve got all the time in the world to fish with focus and intensity and none to waste on being frustrated that our cast has all of a sudden gone to hell.  Put the rod down, your muscles will know what to do when you pick it back up.  Our brains get in the way sometimes.

NO TROUT SETTING

 

7.  No trout setting, rod tips in the water.
This could also be a mantra... I’m guilty as all hell about the trout setting thing too especially after I've been guiding a lot and haven't fished much. Rod tip on the water and pointing in the direction of the fly keeps the fly where it needs to be and slack line to a minimum. Whether it’s a popper or streamer it’s all about the initial grab and your strip set.  Sure fish will be lost but if your fishing for Bass (or Redfish etc. etc) keep that rod out of the picture for now, it’s made to bend for casting purposes definitely not hook setting.  Use that line instead. Tip down, rod butt out in front of you and strip set that hook.  The salt guys have been preaching this for a long time and so have we.  Once you’re tight, fight that fish in the normal manner. I’m not a huge fan of the rod up at a 45-degree angle all the time; I tend to keep my rod low using lots of lateral pressure on the fish, which also helps when they jump.  Oh and Bass jump, it’s a predictable event though.  They are deep, then less deep, then lesser deep, just like Tarpon (without the Tarpon) bow to the king of fresh water or Mr. Bass will throw that fly right back at you when he goes maverick. Be aggressive landing Mr. Bass and don’t worry about the reel, if that fish needs to be on the reel he’ll put himself there.

As always take it or leave it, I had fun writing it.  Get out there and get you some ditch pickles…
 

Winston Cundiff
All Water Guides

 

 

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categories / Austin, Bass on the fly, Fishing Reports, fly fishing, Jet Sleds
tags / Cumberland Drifters, Patagonia, Orvis Endorsed Guides

Jet Sled version 2 second edition

July 30, 2014  /  Alvin Dedeaux


how to park a let sled on the river

So here it is.  I’m actually glad my laziness got the better of me as I’ll be able to do this in one sitting versus boring you all to tears with each individual step.  I assumed this would take much longer than it did.

First picture of my new boat.  About 30 seconds later my wife was informed of our new purchase. 

After a bunch of research I decided on a SeaArk 1652 MVT (tunneled hull version).  16’ seemed about the right amount of boat, length wise and the wider the better.  The decision to go with SeaArk was made after talking to several smaller boat builders in the Midwest, as they all seemed to, at some point in the conversation compare their boats to SeaArks in build, materials, etc.  Alvin and JD had already made a couple trips to Currant River Marine (CRM) and under their advice I called Freddy to see what he had available.  Long story short I was soon on my way to Currant River Marine in Doniphan, MO with my engine in the back of the Xterra.  After a 16 hour drive they hung the engine, we ran the Currant River for a few minutes, and I signed some paperwork.  By 5pm I was checked in to a cheap hotel ready to get a zero dark thirty start for the 16 hours back to Austin.  

Freddy and the gang were worth every minute of the drive and their knowledge of lower-unit-less engines and boats is beyond awesome.  I look forward to my return for a new engine.

Like I said in the previous post, I was going to do the exact same thing to this boat that I had done to the blue one.  The SeaArk had a slight V in the Hull and I decided that needed to be addressed first.  I had 4”x 4” 90 degree angle aluminium welded into the ribs to create a flat surface to build the flooring on.  The flooring was Cedar planks that I sanded, epoxied, sanded, epoxied, sanded, epoxied and then sanded one more time with a final coat of spar varnish for the UV protection.  I love wooden boats.  My grandfather used to build them.  I couldn’t not have the wood floors again, however, they are a huge pain in the ass to fit.  I’m a huge fan of brute force and ignorance and in my diving days solved many problems with the idea that if a hammer wasn’t working a bigger one would.  Fortunately, I was able to use the same tools my grandfather had used in his boat building; unfortunately his knowledge and experience did not magically pass through the tools as I had hoped it would.  He died many years ago and I thought of him a lot while using them mostly during my many moments of frustration in not being able to beat the wood into submission with a larger hammer.  The floors look great, however I can see every moment of frustration when my patience (or lack thereof) got the better of me.  Guests don’t seem to mind.

Supervision a year later...

 

Once the side pieces were cut and fitted to the ribs of the boat the rest went pretty quickly.  I also can’t help but to think of my daughter, Poppy, who supervised the last boat, she was only a few months old and was pretty easy to occupy.  She’s now almost 2 and has ZERO ability to sit and keep my company.

So that’s the floors.  I was, at first, going to do lean bars and knee braces however after the first couple trips I’ve found out they aren’t really needed.  It’s my opinion that maybe they create a false since of security for the anglers and without them my clients seem to have a better awareness of themselves and their movements while in the boat as long as I communicate my intentions while on the oars which is better for a lot of reasons.  Speaking of the oars, I also didn’t have to create the “frame” like I had before.  Oar locks u-bolt directly to the gunwales, which I need to move about a foot forward (boat forward) to give the front guy a little more room.

I, of course, have a laundry list of things to do still with rod holders being the first and some sea deck type stuff for the front casting platform (it gets hot) but since the boat was new there was no need to paint and do all that other nonsense that kept me so busy on the last project.  Having the blue boat in my past made doing this boat so much easier, mainly because it was new…

Please contact me with any questions that I most likely did not answer.  Alvin, JD and I would be more than happy to share what we’ve learned.  We all run different rigs each having their own pros and cons.

Enjoy,

 

AWG

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categories / Austin, fly fishing, Jet Sleds, Bass on the fly
tags / fly fishing, fly fishing Austin Texas, Orvis Austin, All Water Guides, Fly fishing Guides, fly fishing guide boats, outboard jet, Bass on the fly