by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

I sit writing this article in the waning minutes of this year and this decade, wondering where the last ten years had gone since we all sat around hoping our computers wouldn’t vaporize when “Y2K” hit. I ponder how much the world has changed in the last ten years. Between the pops and flashes of fireworks, I think we all take in a few scattered reflections on the past and wonders about the future. Or maybe it’s just me and the celebratory red wine I consumed. Either way, when it’s all over, we are each faced with a new year, new challenges and a world full of hopeful resolutions.

With all of this going through my head, I cannot forget those who make our club what it is today and allow us to undertake the conservation efforts, support great organizations, provide education and quality speakers…everything we do. Our club is blessed to have a fantastic group of friends and sponsors who support us regularly and always go above and beyond to make our annual fundraiser a success. My hats off to each and every one of them! Make sure that you thank them for their support next time you see them and please, support those who support our club!

As I begin my second year as president of the club, I have decided to continue a trend I started last year. Each month, I will devote my article to a challenge for each of you. I promise it won’t be a strenuous challenge, but more of an attempt to change your perspective a little to keep that giddy fisherman alive and well. This month, my challenge is to simply try something new…or something old that you haven’t done in a long time.

Like most of us, when I gear up for a fishing trip, I pack the same gear for the same usual places. But why? Personally, I think it has more to do with our comfort zone than anything else. We want to use the same methods and the same flies in the same spots where we have been successful for so many trips before. It’s what we know, what we like and what we believe in. It could be flies or rods or techniques or locations. Whatever the norm is, changing it up a bit can be a pleasant surprise.

As Todd has mentioned in previous articles, our club has a program in place with ready and willing mentors that can make it even easier to try new things. Whether you are brand new to the sport or have fly fished for fifty years, I bet there is something you haven’t done or would like to improve on. If you don’t know who to reach out to for specific expertise, ask one of the officers and we can point you in the right direction. Even if it’s just one more skill you learn or tweak, it can mean a vast difference in a day of fishing. I want to share a story with you from the morning of New Year’s Eve to help illustrate my point.

Before making a trek to the coast, I spent the morning with Steve Flanagan on the Guadalupe chasing rainbow trout. My usual method of fishing the river for the past several years has been to throw various streamer patters through swift pools and fishy areas, varying the action until I found a retrieve that was productive. For several years in a row, this had been productive, so there was no reason to change. However, I confirmed the reports of streamer success (or lack thereof), after nearly four hours and a couple of river miles. This year had only produced one bump on a previous trip and this morning was no different…one hook up and one lost fish.

Luckily, I had a desire over the Christmas break to tie up some small nymph patterns with the intention of learning how to fish them properly this winter. I had even stayed up the night before tying one last “special” fly that had surprisingly similar color patters to a great streamer. I had easily fought off the urge to learn to nymph for many years, citing it as a monotonous method of catching smaller fish. Besides, who wants to see an indicator twitch when you can feel the solid thump of a streamer hit that nearly jerks the rod out of your hand?!? But what do you do when there is no thump on your rod? Truth is, I had tried “self-taught” nymphing methods before on numerous occasions with no success. I never had the patience to give it a fair shot either, since I was not fishing it properly and would quickly change back to streamers. But this year was different. Maybe curiosity, maybe desperation, or maybe Steve pulling fish out of holes I just sent my streamer through! So, on the last day of this year, I decided to dedicate the last half hour of fishing to the lonely nymphs in my fly box and to adding another arrow in my fishing quiver.

I talked with Steve a while about proper set up and proper techniques and then watched him fish a few areas to get a sense of what I was in for. Within a few minutes, I was nymphing. Easy enough, I thought, patiently watching my indicator for the subtlest movement from a trout sip. After a few attempts and a few holes, I tweaked a few things, mended a little better, so on and so forth. It seemed I was doing things right, but nothing happened. I was just about ready to throw in the towel and try another day.

But then it happened…it all came together and BAM! FISH ON! It was no trout sip or subtle take. I had momentary glimpses of childhood perch jerking, watching a bobber get yanked underwater with great force! The indicator screamed under the surface, I set the hook and a nice trout was heading as far away from me as fast as he could. But then the line went slack and the fish was gone. I thought that may have been my only shot of the day to actually catch a fish on a nymph. But now I was starting to get the bug…these things really do work! No wonder you see them in every fly selection. From that point on, the half hour I dedicated turned into an hour and a half. I never moved more than ten feet from where I hooked the first fish and managed to hook seven more, landing six. The best part was, my theory was busted that I would catch only small fish. The smallest I caught was about 15 inches and we landed three over eighteen inches, including my new Guadalupe best of 23 inches! Long story short, I can’t wait to get back out there again and leave my streamer box at home.

Long story short, had I not been willing to try something new that day, I would have walked out of the river without catching a fish. Thanks to Steve and his expert instruction, it was a day to remember for a long time and has sparked a new interest for me to perfect my nymphing techniques. That is what trying new things will get you!

So, the next time you are packing for a day on the water or a weekend trip, think about the new things you may want to try. Tie up a few of the next greatest secret fly or dust off your old fiberglass or bamboo rod and give them a shot again. Take a wrong turn on purpose and discover a new flat at the coast or a new river crossing you had not tried before. Challenge yourself to try something new and you might just ignite a new spark, just like the one that got you excited about fishing the first time. See you all on the water.

by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

I have just returned from another self inflicted, turkey induced weekend coma visiting family in East Texas. It is a trip I look forward to every year, with an almost family reunion atmosphere. It’s also a time to catch up with family and share the joys of the past year as well as a subtle reminder that Christmas is just around the corner.

As is tradition, it also means that the AFF Christmas Party is coming up quickly. This year’s party will be December 13th at Alamo Café. If you have not already signed up for the party, let one of the officers know that you plan to attend so we can make sure there is room! More on this later.

This has been an interesting year in South Central Texas to say the least, with a warmer than usual winter, one of the hottest, driest summers on record, followed by steady rainfall the past few months. Low water plagued the rivers, red tide hit the coast and I can’t seem to recall any of the “named” storms with much of a local impact. Fishing was interesting, but always seemed to work out. I never knew how true my article from last January (Perseverance) would be. Maybe I will rewrite this January’s to something like “Easy Fishing!” Things are looking promising for the Guadalupe as we get deeper into trout season. Hope you are all able to find the big holdovers I keep hearing about!

As a club, we have been very active this year and have stayed true to our mission, especially on the public outreach, conservation and volunteer efforts. I plan to outline the successes of the club more in depth at the Christmas party, but a few things we should all be proud of include:
• Active participation in high school outdoors classes, introducing the next generation to our fine sport
• Our support of TPWD with their efforts at our local parks
• Fish stocking for the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center
• Participation in a phenomenal Project Healing Waters outing for wounded soldiers
• Helped to organize the first ever Lydia Ann Fly Master’s Tournament, donating over $5000 to Casting for Recovery
• Provided a number of river helpers for Casting for Recovery weekends
• We were awarded the first ever Club trophy for the Redfish Rodeo tournament
• Members of our club were instrumental in helping to move the FFF Gulf Coast Council Conclave to New Braunfels for next year

This is only a small list of the great things that happened this year in the Alamo Fly Fishers. Make sure you come to the Christmas party to thank all of those who were instrumental in making this one of the best years to be a part of the club. As always, the party will host a great selection of raffle and silent auction items donated from our loyal and invaluable supporters. Make sure you get some raffle tickets and show up to bid at the silent auction. There are always great deals and great prizes!

As we wrap up this year, it is with mixed emotions that I have accepted to remain as president of the club for 2010, since Javier will not be able to move into the role due to work conflicts. It is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue to lead, though I was looking forward to the new ideas that Javier would certainly have brought to the club. We will announce and vote in the full slate of new officers at the Christmas party. I am excited with some of the changes being made and look forward to an even better 2010 for the club! Be sure to thank the outgoing officers next time you see them. They have worked extremely hard this year, many times behind the scenes, to make the Alamo Fly Fishers the great club that it is!

by Todd Fleming, AFF Outings Director

Already December 2009! Where has the year gone? So many fish; so little time! 2010 will soon be here. The drought this year and last certainly has had its affect on our local fishing – especially freshwater and coldwater venues. The lack of rainfall has also impacted the saltwater fishery and coastal weather this year. I’m optimistic that 2010 will see improved water levels on our lakes and rivers, and more favorable fishing conditions throughout our region. We are certainly blessed with an abundance of varied fishing opportunities. Continued good stewardship and conservation of these resources will sustain this habitat for future generations.

December fishing opportunities revolve mainly around cold water rainbow trout fishing. Many locations are stocked this time of year by TPWD and others. The heaviest concentration of stocked fish in our area is in the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Dam by TPWD and Trout Unlimited. A GRTU membership and Lease Access membership is the best way to have access to the widest variety of stocked water on the Guadalupe River. There are also some businesses on the river that offer pay access per day. A GRTU Lease Access membership is strictly for catch-and-release fishing, and will grant you access to the river where the largest fish are stocked. Research indicates these fish, under normal conditions, will move very little from the locations they are placed in the river. It should be a great season for fishing on the Guad!

In early January there is a large stocking of rainbow trout in the Nueces River at Chalk Bluff Park off of state highway 55 northwest of Uvalde. We are planning an overnight club outing to Chalk Bluff Park on January 9th & 10th to fish for rainbow trout. Sign-up at the Christmas Party or let me know you are interested, so that we can reserve cabin space for you.

On Tuesday evening December 8th please join us in Austin for the movie premiere of RISE. RISE is a collection of individual stories that together reflect the attraction that fly fishing has for all of us. Photographed in high definition 16mm cinematography, the action and sound jump off the screen to engage the audience in larger than life fly fishing adventures in Patagonia, Argentina, Idaho, New Orleans, Venezuela, the Florida Keys, and Alaska. Bonefish, tarpon, and trout are all highlighted. You may view a trailer on-line at www.confluencefilms.tv. The movie starts at 7:00pm at Dobie Theater, 2025 Guadalupe on the second floor of the Dobie Mall. Free parking (with validation) is available in the Dobie Garage just east of the mall. Movie tickets are available on-line at www.tickets.landmarktheatres.com or at the Dobie box office. Seating will be limited. Tickets cost $15 adults, $12 seniors, and $10 children. All proceeds benefit the Texas Casting for Recovery program. Contact me for carpooling information.

Last month Carroll Voss, Eric Weissgarber, and Joe Mitchell joined me to explore the Devils River State Natural Area. This place was ever bit as remote and rugged as I had read. And the river was as clear and cool as I had imagined. We arrived on Friday just after noon. Our drive-up campsite, was cleared from the brush in a rocky canyon bottom surrounded by limestone bluffs. The brush is thick, and driving off of the cleared paths is not advisable due to the heavy amounts of mesquite and cactus thorns. The Devils River SNA is approximately 20,000 acres, and provides only seven campsites. These campsites are widely spaced, and as you might expect, come with plenty of privacy. We were told the park was completely booked on Saturday night, but we never heard or saw any other campers.

Our campsite, #4, was the “closest to the river”, but that statement alone is a little misleading. The park has about one mile of river frontage, but driving to the river is not permitted. Camping at the river is only available to persons coming from upstream, limited to one night, and only if you have reservations paid for in advance. There is no drive-up camping on the river. As a matter of fact, there is a locked gate 1-1/2 miles from the water, and the gravel road between the gate and the river is uphill in both directions! We proved it and questioned the distance as we carried, dragged, pushed, and rolled a couple of inflatable floatcraft all the way to the river!

Camping under a clear sky full of stars was gorgeous and cool. Temperatures dropped into the low 40’s at night and jumped back into the 70’s during the day with clear blue sunny skies. These were ideal tentcot camping conditions. A couple of hot dutch oven meals, a small campfire, and a few bottles of some very good grape juice capped off a couple of very nice days in the park. It was a wonderful relaxing getaway to a peaceful location away from traffic, city lights, and cell phones! This was an exploratory trip for another outing to the Devils River in 2010. Our follow-up outing April 23-25, 2010 will be a float and paddle trip downstream from the park, and include one night on the river. This is a fairly strenuous adventure, and will be limited to six people. I learned a lot from our trip in November, and am looking forward to going downstream next April. The water and landscape in this area is absolutely beautiful, and cannot be fully appreciated in just one trip! Let me know soon if you are interested in this one. A $50 deposit is required to get on the list.

The Alamo Fly Fishers Christmas Party and end of year fundraiser is Sunday December 13th. The party and dinner will again be held at Alamo Café on Hwy 281 just north of Bitters Road. Activities begin at 6:00pm and dinner at 7:00pm. It will be a fun night of fellowship recapping the year with stories, memories, and pictures of events and outings that took place in 2009.

If you are having trouble finding fish, or need some help with casting or tying flies, be sure to ask about our Mentoring program. You can sign up for the Mentoring program at any of our club meetings. Do you have questions or ideas for outings? Let us know. We have a very dynamic club with wide ranging interest and skill levels. I’m sure we can help you achieve the next level in your fly fishing journey. I hope you will get involved in our club outings. Be safe. I look forward to seeing you on the water!

by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

Mid 70’s and sunny…today was another beautiful day in south central Texas that left me wishing I was cruising the flats or wading the Hill Country instead of being stuck in “cube-ville” at the office. But as is typical with our weather, the next two days are forecast to be 15 degrees cooler and Noah-sized rainstorms! We have reached the transition in our seasons where each day’s weather is anyone’s guess…but if you get it right, you can have some of the most pleasant fishing conditions of the year! That was the trip I had a couple weekends ago. Two full days of full sun, great tidal movement and perfect temperatures. The winds were a bit heavy to start, but calmed to 5-10 mph in the late afternoons. It was a weekend made for fishing and as always, a learning experience to fine tune my fishing skills. That story, however, I will save for another time and page.

The experience I wanted to share happened on the ride down to the coast. I will pause to warn you that even on short drives, I often fall victim to random stimuli that invoke deep philosophical thought. OK, enough of the big words and back to the story. As I ventured southbound, my iPod was busy spitting out the remnants of a drawer full of CDs from the last 20 years. One long forgotten song came on and I had to turn it up. It was Aaron Tippen’s rendition of “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” from the early 90s. The song is a short remake of a classic Charley Pride song, but still holds a deep message about defining your values and staying true to them. The original version holds an even deeper message. I can’t help to remember that Charley Pride was one of the first black country artist, who debuted in the racially strained environment of the 1960s. In a recent interview about his experiences, he simply stated, “You’ve got to stand for something…and I stand for country music.” He lived the words of that song every day of his life.

You’re probably wondering how on earth this relates to fly fishing. I’m glad you asked! As a club and an angler, we have to stand for something, too. By Charley Pride’s example, that means we have to put our whole heart into whatever it is we are passionate about. A quick glance at the club home page reveals a condensed version of our club’s mission statement: “We are a service organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through conservation and education.” Easy enough…sort of. Read that statement again and really think about what that means to you. What does service mean to you? How can we better the sport through conservation and education? We have a diverse club and just as much diversity in the organizations or causes pull at our heart strings. The key here is to solicit the help of the club and its members to help promote and support your cause. Think about some of the organizations or causes that you have learned about through other club members, maybe one you would not have otherwise known about.

We have done a great job as a club this year in supporting the fly fishing community and some of the larger groups that are out there. We have given donations, helped to sponsor a benefit tournament and provided volunteers to a number of events. Most of the club is aware of the great relationships that have been formed over the years with groups like Casting for Recovery, Project Healing Waters and Texas Parks & Wildlife that often produce visible and local evidence of our support. Some are tangible items like fish structures, stockings, hatcheries and events. Some of the results are even more valuable but less tangible, like smiles, tears, memories and heartfelt appreciation. These organizations have received mainstream recognition in our club, but we mustn’t forget those that sometimes seem to fade into the background. Let’s strive to make them mainstream as well.

by Todd Fleming, AFF Outings Director – 2009

Congratulations are in order for the Alamo Fly Fishers. On October 10th, we won the team club competition at this year’s Redfish Rodeo. We were well represented, and a strong showing by Amancio Cantu, Doug Slick, and Steve Flanagan secured the club trophy. In the individual competition, Doug Slick came away with a trophy for the longest Slam – longest combination of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder caught on the fly. These were shining results on a tough day of fishing. Thank you to everyone who participated! We will need everyone back next year to defend our title!

The morning of the Redfish Rodeo started off in the low 60's, heavy cloud cover, winds about 15+ mph from the North, and a higher than normal water level. I found some fish early, deep into the flooded cordgrass. I spotted some redfish way back in some very small areas of water among the grass and mangroves. One redfish I saw was shadowing a stingray waiting for something to be spooked by the ray. It was very difficult to make a cast, and no doubt they new I was there. I had no real luck until the sun came out between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. Conditions during the day improved, and for a couple of hours after lunch the sun broke through, the winds subsided to about 10 mph and the water level dropped significantly on a strong outgoing tide. The falling water level brought fish streaming out of the grass, and the sun made spotting them much easier. I caught five redfish in a fairly short amount of time. No big fish, but it was fun to spot them, make the cast, and see them move on the fly and eat it. It is quite a thrill when it all goes right. My largest was a 21-1/2" redfish caught next to the grass line in about 6" of water.

I’m sure everyone has noticed the change of weather. We have finally begun to get some meaningful rain on a regular basis. It is amazing how quickly everything greened up after a few inches of rain. And oh my gosh, the air temperature now is so comfortable we don’t need mechanical cooling or heating. The last time I drove to the coast I had the natural ventilation blowing through my truck and thoroughly enjoyed smelling the many outdoor fragrances along the way. Cut grass and freshly plowed soil, or wood smoke from a distant fireplace is so distinctive and pleasing. It is great to get away from the city and out of our hermetically sealed manmade environment.

I’m very excited that our river and lake levels are starting to move in the opposite direction. I am encouraged that forecasts for a wetter than normal winter will continue to raise the extremely low lake levels from the past two years of drought. The increased flows of fresh water will have profound affects on all of our fisheries. Winter fishing for rainbow trout on the Guadalupe River, Spring fishing for white bass on the Colorado River, and even Summertime redfish at the coast will all be improved by more normal fresh water flows. I am the eternal optimist when it comes to fishing, but I am especially excited that the coming year can provide terrific fishing opportunities for us in every direction. The recent drought has been rough for fishing across the state, but I am confident fishing will rebound on this change of weather and good times are in our future.

by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

The fall air is slowly consuming more and more of each week. The summer heat still sneaks into the afternoons, but it quickly gives way to cooler evenings. As the weather begins to soften in South Texas, some amazing things happen in the fly fishing world. That is why this time of the year has to be my absolute favorite in terms of saltwater adventures.

If you haven’t been to the coast during this amazing time of the year, you are missing out. You see, for us the cooling of the weather is a welcome relief…for some fish, it is a signal to begin their annual winter vacation in tropical waters. Head to the flats and you should see hungry redfish packed in large pods. Head down Padre Island National Seashore [PINS] during the next month and you can see a bait fish road trip first hand, and all the excitement that comes with it. You will see small bait in the first and second guts of the surf, chased by bigger bait, chased by bigger fish, and so on. It is the natural food chain unraveling right before your eyes. And fish that spend their time in deeper waters come in close, in large numbers, to get their share of the easy prey. It’s an adrenaline rush just waiting for a place to happen.

I will digress a little to describe my past weekend. During dinner Friday night I came up with the idea that our family needed to take a spontaneous trip to PINS, starting that next morning. I admit, it was a little crazy, especially since we were taking along our nearly 4 year old twins. They love the beach and fishing though, so I spent the night packing and finishing up some last minute work assignments to head out the next morning.

On the trip down, my wife and I came to realize that the last time we were on Padre Island as a “family”, my wife was pregnant with the twins. In discussing this, a small voice from the back seat chimed in to remind us that they “could not see anything that trip because Mommy’s tummy was in the way!” You never know what little minds will come up with, but I have to admit it was a good point.

On the way down, I decided to call the PINS conditions number and see if the recorded voice had any insight to share about what was in store. Nearly through the recording, the operator added “Sharkathon is this weekend so expect a heavy crowd. Good luck sharkers!” I don’t travel in the shark fishing circle, so this was a big surprise. It turned out to be a huge group of people scattered along the beach, but they were all pleasant and courteous.

As a fly fishing addict, as soon as we hit Malequite to sunscreen up and rig the rods and truck for the beach haul, my heart was thumping. I needed a fishing fix! Before we left the parking lot, the twins started asking if they could swim. “Of course…as soon as I find a bait ball and hook a few knuckle busters in the surf!” was my first thought. Then Todd’s article from last month rang in my head to “keep it fun”. After all, this was their first trip to PINS and this time of year is especially exciting for first timers!

by Todd Fleming, AFF Outings Director 2009

It’s here! It’s here! It’s here! October, the best fishing month of the year, is finally here! Heaven forbid, if you could only fish one month in Texas, October is your month. There are more opportunities for successful fishing trips all over the state this month than at any other time of the year. Saltwater or freshwater, flat water or moving, you will not make a bad choice. The worst thing that could happen is to do nothing and let this month pass without wetting a line.

If you prefer saltwater, the conditions are never better than right now to use the fly rod on some big bruising fish. Your biggest decision will be where to fish – flats fishing or surf. Both are excellent this time of year. The winds at the coast are light, the water is clear, and the fish are big and feeding in large groups. Want to catch a bull red, or a tarpon, or even a trophy speckled trout? Try fishing the jetty passes and surf. Follow the huge bait migration down the beach. You will be amazed at the quantity and size of fish that will venture very near to shore to feed on an endless stream of bait. Recent rains have even improved the beach driving at Padre Island to access premier water on the coastal bend. But, don’t overlook opportunities for casting to schooling and podding fish on the flats. Spotting redfish on the flats has never been easier or more fun than right now. They are feeding in groups in shallow water, and eating anything that moves! The cooler weather and shorter days have triggered an instinct to eat. Their cooperative and competitive spirit to graze the flats in groups makes them easy to spot and easy to catch in shallow water. The sight of fish feeding in the surf or on the flats is something not to be missed. It is an image that stays with you, and one you can never get enough of.

If you prefer freshwater fishing, Fall in Texas is destination quality. Our hill country lakes, rivers, streams, and even stock tanks provide quality fishing opportunities. Fall fishing for bass and brim is easy and will produce hours of entertainment for the whole family. Recent rains are helping our area river flows and lake levels rise. The fish are energized by cooler temps, and camping in our state parks is second to none. Friendly fly fishing water is only a short drive from town. Go for a few hours, a day, or the whole weekend. Enjoy being outdoors in Texas!

Last month we made an exploratory day trip to Nine Mile Hole with fly gear and kayaks aboard Tom Callahan’s 24’ Carolina skiff. We had a very successful day catching many redfish and black drum. My largest redfish was 27” and biggest black drum was 24”. Nine Mile Hole is remote and difficult to access, but well worth the effort to get there with a kayak. This expanse of shallow water is ideal for kayak fishing, and the fish are plentiful and cooperative. If you are interested in taking kayaks to the “Hole” for fishing, contact Capt. Tom Callahan (210-213-1111) for arrangements. You will not be disappointed in this trip.

by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

It’s hard to believe that September, fall football and dove season are finally here. Even harder to believe was spending a whole weekend without seeing triple digit temperatures! It seems that this year has flown by, despite its many challenges and changes. But the time has come for the temperatures to start inching down, the waters to cool a little, baitfish to ponder their annual southbound migration and some of the best Texas coast fishing to begin! This may just be my favorite time of the year!

September also marks our third annual “Women in Fly Fishing” month. With a wife that is nearly as addicted to the sport as I am, our annual tribute to women holds a special place for me. Many of my articles this year have encouraged members to bring a friend, kid or total stranger fishing with you…why not your wife or girlfriend! There is nothing that can equal quality time with that special someone when it is mixed with a few tight lines and splashing fish! I am proud to be part of such a great club that supports our women anglers. Make sure you are at our meeting this month to let the ladies know how important they are to us and the sport.
Having been a member of this club for a little more than six years now, I am still amazed at how much knowledge and experience lies within arms reach to those who are bold enough to ask for help. Whether you need help with your casting, tying flies, finding fishing spots or just want some company on the water, there is always someone in the club willing to lend a hand. I know that both my wife and I would not be close to the fishermen we are today without the patience and mentoring that this club has provided. Many of you have seen the accelerated learning and success that can occur when members of this club band together and take a newbie under their wing. Sharing our invaluable information is one of our club’s founding mantras and is one of the greatest benefits our club has to offer.

But beware, soaking up too much information may lead to a serious condition…Fly Fishing Addiction. You should all take caution, as I have seen numerous cases recently pop up amongst club officers and members. Common side effects can include repeatedly tying the same fly (Magic Fly Syndrome), jittery sensations when away from the water for more than two weeks (Lack of Fishingitis), constantly “practicing” fly casting in grassy fields or on your front walk (Grass Bass Disorder), collecting truck loads of fly boxes filled with all colors and sizes of flies (Fly Boxitosis), dedicating a room or corner of your house to fly tying and fishing (Fly Roomatoma), and developing a severe competitive drive when discovering your buddy just beat your personal fishing best (Trophy Envy). The only known treatment for serious cases of Fly Fishing Addiction are to immediately find the closest fly fisherman and share a skill with them they do not already know. You should also seek help immediately from as many amphibious physicians as possible, found scattered along the Hill Country Streams and Texas Flats.

OK, so fly fishing addiction is not really as bad as it seems. In fact, it is what draws us all together as a club and the shared interest makes our meetings, outings and impromptu gatherings so much fun! We have all seen members join, members go and members come back throughout the years. The faces of the club may change, but the love of fly fishing and the welcoming nature have always remained. And it’s not just a love of one type of fly fishing. In fact, I was somewhat surprised when we collected surveys a year and a half ago at just how diverse our club is. Our membership is made up of all skill levels. We are almost evenly split between those interested in salt water and fresh water. A vast majority either tie their own flies or have done so in the past. Some of us prefer wading, some kayaking and some boating. Some prefer the toothy tangles of the jetties and others prefer an afternoon of perch jerking therapy. Show up on a non-meeting Tuesday and you are likely to find a variety of flies being tied. They say that variety is the spice of life, and we surely have it at AFF.

Armed with the confirmation of our club’s diversity, the officers have been diligently trying to put together meetings, outings and articles that capture as many interests as possible. We also try to throw in a few new ideas to keep things lively. I am glad to be part of a group that works very hard to make this club the best it can be. Make sure you thank your officers when they do something you like! Hopefully we are succeeding in providing whatever it is that you hope to get out of this club! After all, the club is much more than its officers, it is each and every one of you who read the articles, come to meetings and outings or just share a love of the sport.

If you have been following my articles throughout this year, I have tried to include a challenge in each message. This one is no different. What I am encouraging this month is that you all provide your feedback and ideas to the officers so that we can continue to improve the club, whether through its meetings, outings, education, conservation, public service or its attraction to new members. Sounds easy enough, right?!? I can assure you that the officers will take your suggestions seriously and implement as many as we can.

Just think about what a few ideas have done for this club in the past. How did the annual white bass outing get started? What about the big shell trips? Or the One Fly tournament? How about the now frequent overnight Tarpon trips? I am excited to think of what our Fence Lake trips will look like in 5 years. And the new Lydia Ann tournament. All of these trips and tournaments started as just an idea with some momentum that boosted it into reality.

Our latest idea was even from a past member, Mike Lee (or probably better stated as a member on sabbatical, pending return). We are underway with a revamp of the web site that should help us all, thanks to some great ideas that Mike shared and is implementing. You will notice better photo galleries, an improved calendar and the addition of a Comments/Suggestion forum where you all can share your ideas!

I continue to be amazed at how much the club has changed since I joined six years ago. And, I continue to be amazed with the immense knowledge that lurks in the minds of our members. Let’s all get excited about the club’s future and try to come up with some new ideas to shape it into an even more involved, more fun and more rewarding group of Fly Fishaholics!

by Palmer Simpson & Rob Burlingame

The first annual 2009 Lydia Ann Fly Masters tournament has come to an end, and what a tremendous success it was! When we talked in February about putting a tournament together it quickly grew from just a fly fishing tournament to raise money for a charity, to “let’s start the biggest fly fishing tournament on the Texas Coast and raise money for a charity at the same time”. There were countless emails and phone calls at all hours of the night, trips to Kinkos and to the Post Office, groveling for any amount of money we could raise. But after all of that, all we can think of now is how soon we can get started again doing the same things for the 2010 Lydia Ann Fly Masters Tournament! And to tell you the truth, we’re already looking forward to it all.

We felt all along that the first tournament would be a success if we had 30 anglers and could donate $2,000 to Casting for Recovery’s Texas Chapter. We are proud to say both of those goals were exceeded! There were 52 registered anglers (55 counting the 3 kids). Of that number, there were 22 kayakers and 30 boaters. Obviously, that is a tremendous turnout for our first year. On the money side, we raised a total of $7,860.00 through private and corporate donations, entry fees, raffle tickets and silent auction. Our expenses for the event totaled $2,636.14. THAT LEAVES A NET DONATION TO CFR’S TEXAS CHAPTER OF $5,223.86!

The fishing was a little tough on the day of the tournament, but nearly everyone we spoke with at least saw fish and plenty caught them! After the scores were tallied up, the winners of the tournament were:

The generosity of our sponsors speaks to the quality of fly fishermen on the whole. Companies, Guides, Lodges and individuals were very eager to support the tournament and CFR’s cause. We were extremely satisfied with the items we were able to offer for Raffle and Silent Auction, and we ask that each of you try hard to support all of the Sponsors that helped to make this year’s tournament such a success.

As for Casting for Recovery…we couldn’t think of a better group to support with a tournament like this. And we’re looking forward to the 2nd Annual Lydia Ann Fly Masters tournament, also benefitting Casting for Recovery. Mark your calendars for the 3rd weekend of July (July 17, 2010) for next year’s event. Help spread the word early amongst the fly fishing world, and let’s double the number of anglers for next year.

In the end, after all of the trophies and prizes have been handed out, the raffle tickets drawn, and goodbyes exchanged amongst new and old friends alike, we’re left to reflect on our good fortunes – that we are able to experience days like last Saturday; that we can be supportive of others in need; and that we can do all of it with something that we’re all so passionate about. That is the most important thing to take away from a tournament like this.

We truly want to hear all of your comments and suggestions, whether positive or not, so we can build off of this year’s experiences and provide an even better 2010 tournament. As a side note, if any of you are interested in helping to organize the 2010 tournament, please let us know as well. Feel free to e-mail Palmer Simpson or Rob Burlingame with your comments.

We would like to personally thank Susan Gaetz (of CFR) for her dedication to the cause and for helping to keep everything moving from start to finish. Also, a very special thank you to Erin Simpson (Palmer’s Wife) and Doug & Cathy Simpson (Palmer’s parents, who joined us from Boulder, CO) for all of their help on the ground in getting everything set up and ready while we were busy fishing!

Thanks to all of the participants for fishing with us, supporting our tournament, and most importantly for supporting Casting for Recovery.

by Rob Burlingame, AFF President

I gazed at the sky earlier this week, a little darker than normal, filled with ominous grey clouds. As water began to fall to the ground, I wondered what on earth was happening. Could this be the “RAIN” that the old timers speak about?!? There was barely enough falling to move the dirt around on my truck, but at this point, I will take what we can get. It is no secret that many parts of Texas have been in one of the hottest and driest summers in history. We have watched the fields and our lawns turn from lush and green to dry and brown. The once a week waterings are almost futile. Hopefully soon we will get some of the wet stuff. Make sure you all keep praying for the rain to come!

As I finally watched the rain come down for the first time in months, I began to realize that we can learn a great deal about fly fishing from the signs of nature, like those that indicate a drought is here. It is obvious that a few dry spots in your lawn, cracked earth or wilted flower leaves indicate a lack of water. We know this because we have been trained from almost birth to recognize these signs. Now how on earth does that apply to fishing?!? Before you lock me in a rubber room, let me explain.

Who knows what it means when you see a tern hovering over the flats? Or how about the sometimes barely noticeable “nervous water” we see at the coast? How can you tell if that dark spot in the water is a shadow, log or fish? What is the difference between a mullet wake and a redfish wake? If you answered all of these, congratulations, you have trained yourself to recognize nature’s signs, much like the wilted grass. For those that aren’t as nature savvy, it’s as simple as paying a little extra attention next time you are on the water…and a little of paying your dues by spending some extra time on the water. These things are learned best with “on the job” training and we have all been there trying to learn. I wanted to share a couple of short stories to help illustrate what a difference a little extra cognitive power can make for your fishing.

During our recent Lydia Ann Fly Master’s tournament, Trey and Jodie Jones (Clay Gill’s daughter and son in law) had spent the entire morning poling for redfish. The result had been several fish spotted and a couple of break offs and refusals. As the time approached for tournament weigh in, the fish had won and nothing had come to hand. On the boat ride back, Trey suddenly whipped the boat around and told Jodie to get her line stripped out and get ready. And then she saw it, right next to a floating bucket in the channel. A floating brown shape that was difficult to discern. For those who have never seen a Triple Tail before, they sometimes will float on their sides next to a structure, waiting for prey to swim by. She made a fine cast next to the bucket and hooked and landed the fish. The end result was a 2nd place ranking in the tournament’s Women’s division! Had it not been for Trey paying attention to the signs around him, they would have gone home fishless and empty handed.

Earlier that same week, I was forced to fish a couple of days before the tournament to…um…check and make sure the fish knew to be there for the tournament. Palmer Simpson and I had a similar day to Trey and Jodie, where we had seen several fish, but had not been able to entice any of them to the end of a fly rod. Just as we were finishing a poling session, we noticed some water busting not far from us and menhaden jumping for their lives! We both knew at the same point. “Jacks! Jacks! Grab the 10 weight!” Palmer shouted as I hurriedly reeled up the slack in the small rod. But, as luck would have it, about 10 seconds later the fever subsided and the Jack Crevalle had disappeared back into the nearby channel. So, we reeled up the rods, hung our heads in fisherman’s defeat and headed back to the house. A short while into our boat ride, I noticed a large moving shadow in the channel. Just as we cleared the shadow, I noticed the black tip of the unmistakable sickle tail of a Jack. I asked Palmer to turn around and see if we could get a shot. He turned the boat and killed the engine as we slowly drifted towards the shadow. I hopped to the bow, stripped out some line and made the cast. Two strips later, the 15 fish school came to life…”He ate it! He ate it!” Palmer screamed, jumping up and down as I set the hook. (If you have never felt the surge of power when you bury a hook in a big Jack, I would highly recommend it.) After about 20 minutes, the lengthy but entertaining rodeo had ended, much to the pleasure of the small crowd of boats and jet skis that had been my cheer section through it all. Palmer hoisted the nearly 20 pound Jack into the boat. I guess that was an okay one fish day!

With both of these events, neither fish would have been spotted or much less caught without that little bit of extra awareness. I would like to challenge you all to the same task I have put upon myself…to learn at least one new thing each time I am on the water. Keep a journal if you would like. Sometimes a little past reference can be helpful and can make the difference between a good day of fishing and getting skunked.
Just on last thing. When you are out on the water, fresh or salt, look for the little things. It could be tiny bugs that seem to magically appear on the Guadalupe, a nose barely popped out of a clump of foxtail in the Nueces or a slightly different ripple in a wind chopped flat. The biggest of signs are easy to see (flocks of birds over bait, fish jumping out of the water or a glowing neon “Fish Here” sign), but it is the hidden signs that will bring your fishing to the next level. Get proficient at spotting and identifying tails. Learn how to spot fish on the flats. Know how to read water and ripples. All of these things combined will give you a powerful war chest the next time you are on the water!

Now get to your favorite fishing hole, string up your rod and go learn something new.