The New Braunfels Fly Fishers 2024 Holdover Tournament will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024. This is New Braunfels Fly Fishers only fundraiser. Prizes will be awarded to all participants. Prizes include a ½ day float trip for 2, multiple gift cards, fly fishing gear and more.
To all who’ve recently subscribed to our newsletter: Thank you for joining!
Fall is here! The temperatures are slowly dropping and it’s a great time to get outdoors. It’s also a good time to reserve your dates for fall and winter in Texas. We’ll be targeting bass through November, then trout late November through April. Check out http://actionangler.net/ to book a trip, buy some gear or gift certificate, or get up to speed on the latest river info.
RIVER CONDITIONS
The water temperatures on the Guadalupe are in the high 60s. Some trout have survived the summer heat in large part to the GRTU/NBFF volunteers that feed the trout 2 days a week. The GRTU feeding program has kept some of the trout in cooler areas of the river. It’s likely to find several anglers in the few locations trying to land a holdover trout. The flows on the Guadalupe below Canyon Lake are 69 CFS (similar to last year). This is the time to enjoy all the warm water species the Texas Hill Country has to offer. Many great fishing stories of bass biting on poppers and streamers. The Canyon Lake level is 18 feet low and flows could reduce more if rainfall doesn’t increase. It’s very important to keep a watch on the river flows. Wading can become dangerous if you are on the river when the dam suddenly increases its flow. We recommend visiting http://www.grtu.org/flow/ to stay informed of the lake level and dam release. Make sure to book a trip soon to secure your date.
Please contact us if you want to experience some great Colorado or Hill Country fly fishing. Guided trips and gift certificates can be purchased online at http://actionangler.net/ by clicking the “BOOK NOW” button.
FLY SHOP and RIVER ACCESS
The Action Angler fly shop and river access is open. We are operating on a reduced schedule Monday through Thursday until the trout stockings begin. Please call before you head out on these days. Purchases can be made through or website at any time of the year.
I’d like to fill you in on the most recent news in the Texas Hill Country and west/central Colorado.
NEWS AND UPDATES
Action Angler is a booking agent and guide for 1, 2, and 3 day float trips on the Gunnison River through the Gunnison Gorge and lower Gunnison River. This allows us to hold preferred dates for our clients. The Gunnison Gorge is thought of by many as a Top 20 Destination To See Before You Die, and also referred to as a mini-Grand Canyon. The lower Gunnison River is an easier-paced section, with day trips starting at $700. Please contact us for details.
If you are planning to be in the Aspen or Glenwood Springs areas in the summertime or early fall, call Aspen Fly Fishing and/or Crystal Fly Shop to book trips. Be sure to request Chris Jackson as your guide. http://www.aspenflyfishing.com/ http://www.crystalflyshop.com/index.html If you are planning to be in the Crested Butte or Gunnison areas in the summertime or early fall, call Dragonfly Anglers to book trips on the upper Gunnison River and request Chris Jackson as your guide. http://www.dragonflyanglers.com/
The next meeting for the New Braunfels Fly Fishers can be found at https://www.facebook.com/NewBraunfelsFlyFishers The annual holdover tournament has been scheduled for November 2, 2024.
Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited Troutfest is scheduled for February 21-23, 2025. Go to grtu,org for more details.
Our annual Learn to Fly Fish 2 hour class in December has been discontinued. 2hr lessons can be scheduled through the “Book Now” feature on our website.
Thank you for supporting our small business. We hope everyone is safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Chris Jackson Owner/Lead Guide
Go Where the Action Is!
830-708-FISH (830-708-3474)
Minutes of NBFF Membership Meeting
10/23/2024
Dan Cone was not able to attend. Pat McQuinn called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm at the Westside Community Center Library.
GRTU River Clean Up was a big success this past October 19th. There were approximately 90 participants including students from Texas A&M and Texas State.
Catch and Release was discussed. The draft letter the club has written may need to have some revisions made. The discussion was tabled for a later time.
LAP Process = We discussed the status of the LAP process. With the process being complete packets are now being mailed out to the participants.
Holdover Tournament = Ron DeMeyer discussed the Holdover Tournament which is scheduled for November 2nd. Due to parking availability the tournament has been moved from Action Angler to Rio Guadalupe. The tournament will get kicked off at 8:00 AM with Ron distributing the tournament rules and the score card. There are currently 29 participants.
Jud Cole was our guest speaker. Jud presented the history of the Guadalupe River water shed and the building of the Canyon Lake Dam to prevent flash flooding with the lake being filled in 1965. Jud also presented the fly patterns to use early in the season and progressing through the season.
Treasurer’s report = Brien John reported that we are ok and solvent in the account. He has also developed a budget that the board needs to review and approve.
Fly-Tying report = Gary Nyland reported that there were 10 folks that attended the last class. The class tied copper johns which is one of the more difficult flies to tie. Next class will be November 9th from 6:00 – 8:00 at the Westside Community Center. Gary is planning on the class tying the woolly bugger.
Membership report = Pat McQuinn reported that the club roster has 48 active members. He emphasized for members to check their FFI membership expiration date. This date needs to be kept current with notification of renewal being sent to Pat so that the club roster can be kept up to date.
Education = Chris Long was not in attendance so we did not have an education report.
Website = The position of Director of the Website remains open. We need a volunteer to step up and take this position. We had 2000 post likes and we are up to 2.1K followers and the site, both Facebook and the web page are doing well.
Outings = Ron DeMeyer reported that we did not have any outings planned. The next outing will most likely be to Castell in December pending TPWD’s stocking schedule. Jud mentioned that WinterFisch is in Mason on December 7th which could also be a possibility.
Club Survey = Pat reported that the Scouts had been contacted and their first available date for NBFF to present fly fishing will be April 16, 2025. This weekend the Scouts are having a canoeing and fishing campout so this will be a good opportunity for NBFF. Details will be following.
Fish Feeding Program = The feeding program is wrapping up. October 28th will be the last week of feeding.
BigHorn Angler September 2025 = The deposits for this “bucket list” trip are due the first week of November. Anyone interested please speak up. Time is running out.
Fly Raffle = Ron conducted the fly raffle which raised more $$ than it ever has in the past. Thanks to all that participated.
November/December’s club meeting = Our next club meeting will be Wednesday December 11. Due to the holidays November & December’s meetings are combined into one. We will be meeting at the Public Library on E. Commons from 6:00 – 8:00.
When: 11/02/2024 9:30 AM, CST
Where: 451 Guadalupe St, Kerrville Tex 78028
THCFF’s annual fly fishing celebration, festival and fund raiser was held on October 12-13 in Kerrville and we need to review the results. Specifically the financial results, brainstorm what worked, what did not work, how we can improve for 2025 and beyond.
There is a need to discuss additional key positions within the club.
AGENDA
1. Opening Comments – Jeff Schroder
2. Club Financials – Tim Gikas
3. Oktoberfisch 2024
- Thank You to Volunteers
- General Discussion
- What worked – What did not work
4. Key positions – Board to review
5. Closing comments – Jeff Schroder
- Communication to members.
- Club participation expectations.
- Non-profit business requirements.
- Trout Lease – Lease Member support.
Meeting Leader: Jeff Schroeder jeffschroeder@
AGENDA
1. Opening Comments – Jeff Schroder
2. Overview of what is already in place.
3. Brainstorming – All
4. Planning – All
5. Closing comments – Jeff Schroder
The THCFF Club 2024 calendar promises to be an exciting time for THCFF currently with 130 members strong. With an emphasis on fishing and fellowship, we are working hard at planning a full slate of club events spanning the entire 2024 year.
Feel free to reach out to me at jeffschroeder@thcff.org if I can assist; or, you have ideas for meeting speakers or club activities.
I wish you “tight lines” and remember to “Leave it better than you found it.”
-Jeff Schroeder, president
Check out THCFF Upcoming Events. See more…
Check out THCFF Mentoring Program. Learn more…
Do you have an idea for a program? Submit your ideas to Jim Hines, THCFF Programs Director – jimhines@thcff.org
https://tinyurl.com/
Best regards,
Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers
When: 10/24/2024 5:00 PM, CST
Where: Volunteer Fire Station, Waring TX 78074
Fly Fishing the Guadalupe River or Fly Casting Clinic.
- 5:00pm Fly Fishing: [PARK at VFD Building – DO NOT BLOCK VFD EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS in front of the VFD Buildings] Walk the short distance to the river to join the group fishing fun riverside.
- 5:30pm: Fly Casting Clinic: Polish your castign skills. Meet at open space across from VFD Hall. Get expert instruction from Casting instructors.
Tonights Highlighted Fly: Devan Olsen’s Blowtorch.
We will be featuring an OPEN VICE NIGHT. Anyone wishing to demonstrate a fly pattern is welcome.
Snacks and drinks are provided.
MEETING DETAILS:
Come for all activities or tying only. Group snacks welcome! Bring Spare flies for our “fly library”. Flies will be used for prizes and fundraisers from time to time Trading flies encouraged.
When: Every 3rd or 4th Thurs. of each month (see web or for updates) at 7pm.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NOTIFICATION LIST HERE (club non-members)
Where: Waring VFD, 11 Waring road, Waring TX 78074 (Please park in the grass across from the station, and not directly in front of the building.)
What: Fly tying night is all about fellowship, sharing ideas, and learning among friends sharing an interest in fly tying and fishing.
5:00 PM: Prior to tying presentation, any who wish are encouraged to park at the station and meet down at the waring-welfare Guadalupe river to fish with friends.
6:45 PM: Fly tying night starts with a demonstration of the “fly of the night” chosen and tied by multiple different experienced tiers. Material is provided for tiers to tie the fly of the night if they wish, but all are encouraged to tie whatever they wish.
Experienced tiers will be present to teach new and more experienced tiers, or answer with any fly tying questions you may have to the best of our abilities.
All fly tiers of all skill levels (whether you tie or not) are encouraged to attend to learn, socialize, and meet new like-minded people. We hope to see you on the third or fourth Thursday of the month
Notes from Jack Bartell, THCFF fly-tying leader
“I’m an avid fly angler and fly tier. I especially enjoy tying flies designed for our Hill Country waters by local friends and fly fishers. And even more, enjoy fishing these flies for native fish. Our Club sponsors the “3rd Thursday” fly-tying night in Waring, TX (only a few hundred yards from the Guadalupe River). I hope to see you there.
More info, meeting suggestions, or donations contact
Jack Bartell; Jack53wb@gmail.com; text 830-446-9071
