by Joe Filer, AFF President

Bruce YoungLike many of you, I love getting and reading (typically end to end, several times to make sure I don’t miss ANYTHING) a bunch of fly fishing magazines. One of the things I have noticed a lot recently is a commitment to building awareness of historical contributors to our sport. A whole lot of black and white pictures in some cases!

These are folks whose names are spoken with a certain amount of reverence. For me, the list includes Ted Williams, Joe Brooks, Joe Humphries, Dave Whitlock, Flip Pallot, Lee Wulff, Chico Fernandez and Lefty Kreh. I have enjoyed reading about each of these guys, “seeing” them fish through the wonders of TV, hearing stories from folks that knew them, or even chatting with several. I suspect that many of us have a similar list.

For the uninitiated (like me just 5 short years ago), this is just a list of old or dead fishermen. Each of them shares a life-long dedication to a sport that might seem a little trivial to some. It is, after all, just feathers and fur on a hook! Without them, I am confident in saying that the enjoyment we find today would probably not be possible.

So you are probably asking yourself, “What does all this talk about old guys have to with April and the AFF?”. April seems to be a natural transition (there’s that word again) month that leaves us a little time to reflect and think about some of our own local “trailblazers”, the “old” guys we rely on. Those folks who always seem to be there when you have a question, any question.

I want to dedicate this article to one of those folks in our club who we ALL rely on over and over. Someone who always seems ready to help, teach, and share. Someone I have turned to make me better in many ways.

Bruce Young might not really qualify as an “old guy” (that beard is getting a little more gray every day) but he definitely falls into the category of Special Folks. And, I suspect he is on all of our lists somewhere.

by Joe Filer, AFF President

One of the special privileges that comes with being named President of the Alamo Fly Fishers is the “right to write” 12 articles for our Newsletter. Now, that might sound easy on the surface but when time comes around every month it can be more difficult than one would expect.

Several months are pretty easy. January represents a new year with lots to talk about in your first effort. February uses the momentum of the month before it to some degree…. But, March. Ah yes, March. March brings us blue bonnets, spring training, important birthdays, “mad” basketball tournaments, and all sorts of great reasons to be outside.

March – the month for catching those last few rainbows. And, it’s the month for really slamming a bunch of white bass. I missed our annual white bass trip last year for business reasons. If you have not been involved with this club outing, I definitely recommend you ask someone in the club about the fish fry and Bruce Young’s Dutch oven dessert cook off. There are lots of members who have great stories about this trip. It is clearly one of the highlights of our year. When Todd starts showing some of his pictures, notice the smiles on the faces of the folks from the white bass trip….

Since white bass is such a key part of this month, Ron McAlpin is going to come in and give us a look into how he chases this fish (we might even hear about one of his bamboo rods). Ron is a great guy and I look forward to spending some time with him this month on the 18th of March.

By Joe Filer, AFF President

You would think that this time of year would be a little slower for many of us that chase fish with a fly rod. It seems safe to believe that the winter months would be an opportunity to catch up, clean up and rest up. It would seem like this time would be a natural “transition” period for many of us. (Transition is my wife Bev’s favorite word since I use it so often to describe the state of my office/fly tying/rod storage/hunting/everything-else room.) Somehow, it never seems to work out that way. And yet, I don’t really seem to mind. What a fantastic time to be involved with fly fishing. January is always an interesting time for us fly fishermen/women in Texas. The trout fishing for rainbows on the Guadalupe is in full swing. White bass fishing is “just around the corner” and last year’s trip tore up your fly box leaving some room for tying more Naked Ladies. And, there are trips to the coast waiting for the weather to be just right that need to be planned now. Adding to those expectations is the new line up of television shows that fill the time when the weather seems to foul up the fishing. For me, Jose Wejebe’s Spanish Fly series really makes me look forward to opportunities
in warmer water. Other efforts show exotic locales and people chasing fish that just look like a lot of fun. At any rate, there is a lot to be said for being able to witness these special places and fish with hopes of maybe getting there yourself one day.

by Joe Filer, AFF President

Joe with SalmonSo, here I stand in the middle of the Guadalupe River in mid-December trying to catch some of those rainbows that I know are here. So far, nothing. No takes, no rises, nada….. I realize that it is not going to be as easy as it has been during other years. It’s time to step outside comfort zones (read this as olive wooly buggers down deep) and figure out what is going to work for that day or that time.

It’s time to “dial it in”.

As you probably figured out by now, I am not really standing in the middle of the Guad writing this article. This concept did come to me as described above and those thoughts did occur exactly as described. Fortunately, I was able to figure the fish out and caught a couple nice fish before the day ended around noon. I suspect that many of you know exactly what I am talking about. You have probably experienced something similar during your fishing past where it started out real slow and finally BANG, you get it just right. You dial it in and the fish seem to come at you like telemarketer calls at dinner time.

By: Todd Fleming
Alamo Fly Fishers – President 2007

The end of another year is rapidly approaching. Where has all the time gone? It’s been fast paced since the very beginning. Unfortunately that’s a sure sign that I’m getting older, but I guess it beats the alternative. One thing age has taught me is to get out and enjoy life. I recommend doing it often, and not waiting around for the perfect opportunity. Try creating your own opportunities, and you will probably end up being in the right place at the right time for something good to happen!

The weather this year was unusual to say the least, and it affected all of our fishing. The beginning of 2007 was an extension of the drought we experienced all through 2006. Area lakes dropped to as low as anyone could remember, and the rivers were mostly dry or running at just a trickle. There were burn bans in counties and state parks everywhere – it was dry. Trout fishing in the Guadalupe was almost a bust because there was only minimal water being released from Canyon Lake. When Spring arrived, we were still praying for rain. The recorded message at Colorado Bend SP never changed, “Boat ramp is closed, no ground fires or open flames permitted, and white bass are slow.” We were told there was a sand bar stretching from bank to bank, and several hundred yards long near the lake at the mouth of the river that was keeping the white bass from running upstream to spawn. It was just plain tough to find a fish in the river – much less catch one.

By: Todd Fleming
Alamo Fly Fishers – President 2007

My fly fishing adventure to Alaska in September was a very special trip. It was a trip of a lifetime that I will remember fondly for years to come. But even as rewarding and satisfying as that trip was, I was anxious and excited to get back to Texas. Alaska is a unique place that is still mostly wild and uninhabited, but Texas is pretty awesome in its own right. It felt good to be home.

My return to Texas was perfect timing. I was back home just in time for my favorite fishing month of the year. Regardless if you prefer saltwater or fresh, October is without a doubt the best month to go fishing. If you could sadly only fish one month out of twelve, you would want to choose number ten – October to spend all your time on the water. In Texas, October signals a change of season. The heat of summer has been broken, the water temperatures start to cool, and the fish go into feeding mode to prepare for colder months ahead. I was lucky and did not have to choose between a freshwater outing, or a trip to the coast – I did both in October.

Harry with RedfishMy wife and I moved from Wilmington, Delaware to San Antonio, Texas, June 21, 2006. I had been fly-fishing the past several years for trout in the streams of Delaware and Pennsylvania. My question now was, “Where do I fly fish in Texas?”

An internet search identified the Alamo club and I joined this fine group in August. After attending several meetings I began to realize that many of the members fished for Redfish at the coast. Having no idea what was involved, I asked questions, listened to suggestions, and began to understand at least some of the basics.

First off there was the need for the right equipment. An eight weight rod was recommended. So, a short time later I would hear my wife comment, “Building another rod?” “Yes” I replied, “I need it to go fishing for Redfish.”

Bruce Young, at the Tackle Box, recommended I talk to Fred Lynch who guides out of Corpus Christi. Fred agreed to take me fishing for “Reds” in early May. The night before we were to leave, Fred called and said, “Sorry man, but I would be stealing your money if we go tomorrow. There are thirty mile an hour winds. Let’s wait until later in the year.” I agreed and thanked him.

In late October I called Fred to reschedule, and we agreed on October 30. The weather forecast was for clear skies and light winds. I left San Antonio the day before, stayed in a motel and met Fred at 6 am. Fred introduced me to a friend of his, Capt. Randy Best, who also guides, mostly off shore out of Corpus. “Capt. Randy will be your spotter,” Fred said. “He will help you see the fish so you can cast to them.”

I guess after talking to me, Fred knew I was a rookie, and knew I would need plenty of help. “We’re going to hunt them fish,” Fred said, “and when we find them, kapow!”

By: Todd Fleming
Alamo Fly Fishers – President 2007

Todd with Alaskan Silver SalmonAs I have mentioned previously, I like to fish. I grew up fishing, and probably like most of you, I started simple. I can remember some great days pulling in countless numbers of brim and bluegill with a cane pole and a carton of fresh night crawlers. It was simple fishing for simple fish, but also very entertaining for a boy growing up in Texas. As I got older, my collection of fishing tackle grew. I acquired a couple of different rod and reel combinations and began to use more artificial and less natural baits. I took advantage of every fishing opportunity I could. I loved going fishing, and it didn’t matter where. Some joked that I’d be content to wet a line in a pothole after a summer shower!

In the last seven years or so, I have become completely and totally addicted to fly fishing. I used to take a spinning rod with me on fishing trips just in case it was “too windy” to fly fish. But I’ve learned to deal with the wind, and the spinning gear now collects dust in the back of the garage. It is all fly fishing, all the time for me now.

By: Todd Fleming
Alamo Fly Fishers – President 2007

Todd Fleming with Big SpecksIt is no surprise to most of my friends that we are coming up on my favorite time of year to go fishing! Fall is always the best time of year to go fishing anyway, but I think this year will be even better because of the abnormal weather events that have occurred this year. It has already been a strange year, weather-wise for Texas. Now I’m hoping the weather pattern will settle down, and get back to normal. Fishing is always affected by weather, and contrary to what we would like to believe, we are unable to control the weather. So just prepare yourself for the weather, and go fishing because the fish are still there and they will still need to eat. The weather may affect where you will find fish, but keep looking, they are there. Regardless of what the weather will do in this last quarter of the year, go fishing! Fall is traditionally fantastic for fishing, and I believe the abnormal weather we have had this year will result in even better fishing!

September, October, and many times November are the best months of the year to go fishing. Labor Day signifies the end of summer - and the start of a whole new fishing season. I say, “Let the games begin!” Gradually, the water temperature will start to cool, and that will send the fish into feeding mode again. Ironically, just as the fishing traditionally starts to heat up, most of the fishermen are exhausted from chasing fish all summer, and now they turn their interest to hunting. Fewer fishermen means less competition and less fishing pressure – and as Martha Stewart would say, “That’s a good thing!”

By: Todd Fleming
Alamo Fly Fishers – President 2007

Are you considering an outing with a fly fishing guide? A guided fly fishing trip can be a wonderfully memorable experience! I recommend them often, and I recommend them for many reasons. To put it simply, a guide knows the water, and they know where to find the fish. Guides take the guess work out of finding fish. For the weekend or the casual fisherman, finding fish may be our biggest challenge. Fishing conditions change daily and often times sooner, and a guide who spends almost every day on the water knows how to react to those changes. Fishing guides in general provide a valuable recreational service. Fly fishing guides do that and more.

As we all know, fly fishing adds a degree of difficulty to the fishing equation. The extra challenge of catching fish on fly gear is part of the rewarding experiences we cherish in this sport. Now if you think that just because you hire a fly fishing guide it will be easier to catch fish, let me remind you that you are still responsible for making the cast, and convincing the fish to eat your fly – not always a simple task! One big difference between a guided fly fishing trip, and any other guided fishing trip is the fact that you the fly fisherman must make the cast. If you were sitting around soaking bait instead of fly fishing, the guide would probably do a lot of the casting for you. But on a guided fly fishing trip, you are an integral part in the success or failure of your trip. The guide is responsible for finding the fish, and putting you in position to make a cast. And then you, the angler, are responsible for making the cast and sealing the deal. That can be a lot of pressure. You are an equal player on this fly fishing team, and your ability will determine the success of the team. That responsibility alone can be intimidating.