When we first met it was October and I remember her well. I was at Oktoberfisch in Junction, Tx- a quiet sleepy town by all first impressions, but alive with opportunity for fun on the water. After participating in the first day’s events I was able to flirt with the water some. I wet a line, snapped a shot of a few small Guadalupe Bass, and walked away impatient for tomorrow.

After the second day with camp all packed up, Dave, Jason, and I took a float that has frustrated me since. It started off great. A tip from a local said our trip would be short, maybe a mile at best. For the short amount time we had to spend- it was going to work perfect. Float, fish, fun, fast… but that’s not what the Nemesis Run had in mind.

The first mile we fished everything we could hard and fast. When the day grew long and a sinking sense of unattended ‘”honey-do’s” set in- we kicked our flippers into full gear to head for the house. That’s when the heart ache kicked in.

All the water the mile before was a tease. The run we were pushing thru was where all the action was at.

Fast forward now to Easter and it was Dave’s birthday. After a false start Saturday and a switch to the Llano, I was one fly reel down but ready to fish. I hadn’t forgotten Nemesis Run and she didn’t forget me either. Knowing I had been on another river the day before she didn’t want to see me.

David, Jaz, and I worked our way down the river but pushed for the run. Jaz hooked up with a nice Catfish and caught a good fight. But I was waiting, pining, anticipating the water lying ahead.

That’s when the rain came.

The Texas rain; lighting, thunder, it’s not summer yet, hypothermia because its still March, get out of the water, kind of rain.

Again we pushed through to the take out.

Now, weeks later not having fished in over 26 days, (purgatory I say!) I sit here and think of her. Wanting to fish no where else.

Fish On,
Anthony

If you don’t know already, carp are not my chosen quarry. Despite my feelings on these ugly fish however, Dave had me on a mission. (Apologies to all my carp loving anglers out there. I concede on all points to why they are great on a fly. It’s just not my thing. Sorry, but not sorry?) I was responsible to track and announce the carp spawn on Lake Bastrop for Dave.

In this endeavor I made plans on a day off to meet with a coworker for some time on the water. Mike had already beat me out to the water in his new pontoon boat, so I started playing catchup as quick as I could. And even though I was supposed to be looking for carp, Mike and I were both fishing for bass. Lake Bastrop is pretty well know for their Florida strain Large Mouth Bass and tournaments are held there from time to time. We, on the other hand, were not having any luck.

Getting later into the afternoon fish-less we paddled over to scout a particular spot Dave made special mention of. Mike fished the bank in trail as I bounced ahead weed bed to weed bed. Fishing steamers can be a pain on Lake Bastrop because of all the grass. But I finally learned how to use it to my advantage. Thick areas of grass were able to not only hold my position on the water and/or slow my drift, but they also made standing more stable. That and I switched to a popper.

It was then standing in my yak that I watched it all happen. I saw a single fin at first, slowly break the surface and pass by the yak… all alone and un-afraid. The carp passed by me as it tailed its way by in search of food. Then there was a splash, something further away. Then again. Suddenly all along the grass line where the water dropped deeper fins appeared everywhere. Some in pairs mimicking each other’s movement completely in sync. Water began to thrash everywhere. When a pair bumped the boat, that’s when I sat and called Dave.

“Announce it to the world, there’s enough there for everyone,” Dave said. Then he also told me to try a nymph and go big. Knowing the hook would get tied up in the grass I set a strike indicator 10 inches above a size 14 black stonefly nymph. I didn’t know what I was doing but I wasn’t about to miss out on this madness- not even a carp.

As it turns out, it wasn’t even a carp. The pair of fins I saw 30′ away were Smallmouth Buffalo. Apparently, the Smallmouth Buffalo spawn occurs just before the carp spawn of which I was witnessing. When I made my cast just 2′ ahead of the pair, I stood disbelieving as the indicator dropped below the surface as they passed.

I was not prepared for the half hour(+) long fight that would ensue. Right off the bat I saw I tail hooked the fish. I thought for sure I would lose it. That became much more of a possibility after yard upon yard of line was stripped from reel. When I got into my backing and the fly line disappeared I began to yell for Mike.

“Mike! Mike! Yeah, fish! Help!!!” I cried at the top of my lungs.

Mike paddled over and tried to help net him. He had to paddle to keep up with the Smallmouth Buffalo dragging me across Lake Bastrop. Finally I asked him to help me keep the kayak straight into the wind. I didnt want the excess line tension from the wind to break me off and send me into tears. With a stroke of genius Mike started to push paddle me toward the fish where I could reel in line vs lose it.

Eventually, I got this fish where I could net him. But I was too tired and he too heavy to lift him in the boat for a photo op. My forearms were smoking. Mike continued to push us to shore as I held him in the water between not one- but two nets. There we got a few good pics to celebrate the win. It took a few minutes to ensure the equally fatigued buff was resuscitated and strong enough to swim off well and unharmed. When he did I was the win became complete.

If you can make your way out to Lake Bastrop and want some intel on the lake, comment below and we’ll spill the beans.

Lastly, to Mike, I cannot thank you enough for helping me (as you always do) when I am in so much need to accomplish and win the fight at hand. There is no one else I would want to be in a 50 meter knife fight with. Dave, you’re always the man with the plan and all the answers (some are even right)! It was a great day, thank you for the memory.

Fish On!
Anthony

P.S.
To whom it may concern, I was fly fishing a 7′ 5wt fiberglass Eagleclaw Featherlite with a 3x leader. What a fight!

For us Texans, we can take pride that this great company is based locally here in Austin. The owner’s, Thomas and Megan Flemons are avid paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. If you follow them on Facebook or Twitter you know of their passion for being out on the water. They probably have as much if not more hands-on testing of any kayak builder out there, the amount of time they spend tweaking their boats and accessories is extraordinary.

Now I have to admit that I have yet to buy my very own Diablo kayak, a boat dedicated to fishing won’t be in my budget for the near future since most of my “‘river budget” goes toward equipment to make more Pocket Guides. Never-the-less, I still wanted one.

So when Mike Schlimgen invited Jazmin, Anthony and I down to the San Marcos river for a fly fishing trip, I was elated that Thomas offered up a couple of Diablo loaners for us to try out! With our fully outfitted boats riding up on the racks, we met up with Anthony and followed Mike to a private put-in that he had arranged. Anthony was in a Native Ultimate 14.5 but Mike had a Diablo Chupacabra that he had won in last year’s fly fishing tournament. There would be 3 Diablos on the water today.

I was in the 12.5’ Adios model while Mike and Jaz were in the 10.5’ Chupacabra. All the Diablos had Larry Chairs installed that allowed the paddlers to sit high and in a more comfortable fishing position. Normally I prefer a minimalist approach to my boats but Thomas had insisted that I would appreciate this particular option. So we unloaded the boats and rigged them up as fast as we could, we were all anxious to get on the water.

Jaz had expressed some doubt about getting on a relatively swift river in an unfamiliar boat. She has considerable experience in tandem kayaks but it had been a while since she had paddled solo. I also think she was pretty dubious of the boat’s stability while standing up, having been burned by other kayaks who have made the same claim.

Mike, Anthony and I put in first with Jaz sliding in a few minutes later. She pretty much put the boat in the water when she stood up and made her first cast of the day. She looked completely comfortable standing there with the same ease she would have standing on the bank making casts.

It wasn’t too long before I needed to get more distance out of my cast and stood up myself. I cannot overstate just how easy it is to stand in these boats. I’m not sure what you would have to do to flip this kayak but I have a feeling you are far more likely to just fall off trying.

Anyway, the day was pretty windy and every time the wind would gust we would all sit down to avoid becoming human sails. I think if the day was relatively calm, I would stand the entire time and sitting down only when I needed to paddle some distance.

The large flat decks were perfect for fishing since you could lay out your gear all within easy reach. The storage possibilities are pretty significant considering the short length of these boats. Since you can stack equipment pretty high on them, there is even an optional kit to fit a large Yeti cooler in place of the Larry Chair. You sit even higher and can keep your tasty cold beverages within handy reach. Speaking of the Larry Chair, I consider myself a convert. It was an extremely comfortable chair that provided a great position to fish and paddle from. The storage in the chair’s sides and back carried all the day’s essentials and any concerns about sitting that high while paddling through swift water were quickly abated in the first set of class I rapids. The boat was complete stable despite the high center of gravity.

As could be expected with boats that are so short and wide, they turned out to be fairly slow but very maneuverable. Our boats were rigged with retractable skegs and they definitely help the boats track straighter. Like many kayaks, the stern catches a lot of flow while turning through swift water. If you aren’t paying attention it would be easy to get spun around in the current especially if you forget to retract the skeg. I’m not sure why this trait is so persuasive on kayaks and not canoes but the short, wide Diablos can spin pretty quickly. Fortunately they can also be spun back on course just as quickly if you are expecting it.

Predictably, the Diablo kayaks are relatively heavy for their length – especially once you add up all the optional equipment. The Adios weighs 69lbs in its basic configuration and I would bet that you are looking at 85lbs once you outfit the boat with options. That’s fairly heavy for a 12.5’ ABS plastic boat but considering its 36” wide it’s also understandable. The 10.5’ Chupacabra fairs a little better at 56lbs before options but I still wouldn’t want to lower it down a steep incline by myself.

I know that Thomas is considering offering a Carbon/Kevlar version of their boats in the future that would drop their weights to less than half of what they are now. I’m hoping that there is enough of a demand for such expensive and light boats because I personally salivate at the thought of a 28lb Chupacabra!

I mentioned earlier that Thomas and Megan have tweaked their boats significantly, mostly through the trim and options. It was all those little things that really impressed me all throughout the day, well after I had my initial impression. There was the Larry Chair seat cover that provided extra padding for my back and a huge storage pouch behind the seat back. The front storage on the Chupacabra had fitted storage pouches that you could cinch close and easily pull out. A short strap mounted forward that you could use to assist in standing up. I never actually used that strap since standing up out of the Larry Chair was just so easy. There was also the shock cord paddle storage that I discovered halfway through the morning that allowed you to easily stow your paddle on either side with one hand. I am sure there were things I am forgetting or didn’t notice as well. The boats are just that well thought out.

So if you are serious about kayak fishing I recommend you at least take a look at the Diablo Paddlesports kayaks. You may find yourself just as enamored with their design philosophy as I am.

This section of the river was new to me. So it was with literal high hopes that I would have a great float and lay into some Guadalupe Bass. Yes, every pun intended.

It was hardly a minute after being in the water that my fly fishing love story turned to heart ache. Fighting enough breeze and current to get the angle I needed, I finagled my cast between two low hanging branches an inch off the bank. A fight ensued and I quickly lost. I wiped a tear away as a decent sized bass fluttered away. When the double hook set doesn’t work, never be afraid to triple hook set.

Paddling down the river helped the heart burn fade off into shallower waters. Here the current picked up and I knew I was in Guadalupe Bass territory. The clarity of the water in the Colorado always fascinates me and I knew current here would not disappoint. All too soon I was in a tango with my first smallie to hand.

The day continued on in sweet Texas bliss. The weather was fair and the fish were plentiful. The cloud painted sky gently masked the sun to break up the heat. Such fine January days are hard to find and cherished by few.

Here’s to hoping you get out on the Colorado and float into some bass of your own.

Fish On!
Anthony

If you are not familiar with the Texas Winter 100k, here is a brief education… Texas, Winter, 100k is approximately 62 miles, and its on the Colorado River from Austin to Bastrop, Texas. I knew it would be cold early in the morning when it started at 05:30 a.m. I also knew the high for the day would touch near 70°. Layers with Howler Brother shirts proved to be the best technique here. In layered order I wore the Howler Brother Loggerhead long sleeve, their Aransas short sleeve, capped off with an Under Armour zip up. The combo would dry easy, wick away moisture, could be removed when the heat came in, and still keep me cool while protecting me from the sun. After the first portage 2 miles in and a quarter mile long- I had ditched the Under Armour. I was steaming just like the water was.

Joe, my race buddy started off in the front seat of our tamndem Native Ultimate kayak (I’ll get to that learning point in a moment). It was too dark for me to capture the spiraling colums of steam permeating across the surface as he pointed them out- but it was awesome to witness it for the first time. It’s was quite a site as we zig zagged down river.

Zig zagging down the river doesn’t win you races! Joe and I were completely uncoordinated as a team in keeping a straight line. We got better when we switched spots, but practicing together would have helped. Even in the an adventure class you have to be able to work together if you want to make your time hacks. Eventually, we came up with our own class- the Nature Class; so named for the copious amounts of time we had to take in all the sights.

Before we knew it the competitor class caught up with us. So we paddled harder. Then the competitor class (did I mention they started an hour and a half after us?) completely passed us. We shouted encouragement to all the passer-bys, jovially commenting that our pace set so far back was due to a bus full of school children that careened off the Highway 183 over pass into the river. We saved all 14 precious angels in total. Hmmm, yeah.

But still we paddled on! Paddled on! Paddled on… in our anvil. At least that’s what a race official called our yak commenting, “you guys out to get extra points for paddling this anvil.” Lesson learned all yaks are not created equal. Thus, a low-in-the-water, tandem, fishing kayak does not have equal properties of a high-riding, do-not-have-to-drag-in-shallow-water canoe. I think we got out and walked a fair portion of the race. Ignorance is not an excuse, but it is motivation to get out there and do it better next time.

When we made it to the Little Webberville park and race checkpoint, we knew we were done. According to race requirements we did not keep pace to continue. So we cheerfully/begrudgingly checked out (if such an emotion exists). At the end of the day it was a wonderful experience- a great learning opportunity for future padding events like the Colorado River 100, and the Texas Water Safari.

For those of you who care- the Little Webberville park checkpoint is 28 of the 62 miles into the race. Even that took us 8 hours. But, I’m going to do it again! And I will win! And I’ll be in a canoe! Paddling in a straight line! Hopefully having as much fun as Joe and I had on the first time we made this run!

Thanks Joe.

Paddle On!
Anthony

Me? I fish.

I attribute that quality to my lack of brains opposed to true talent. However, I do like to believe it does make me better. After all, if I wanted to do more ‘catching’ when I fish there are easier means than fly fishing. I’m not one to preach on the superiority of a chosen technique, but I fly fish for the challenges surrounding it.

A recent trip to Oregon over the holidays left me with time on the water. Despite recent rains and turbid water conditions I made my way to the river. I have been determined to catch a trout in Texas. Surely practicing here could not hurt, right? How this was supposed to help I am not sure, but it was all the justification I needed. Eventually, I was able to figure out good nymph rig that worked and pulled out a sucker fish.

Returning to Texas I was reinvigorated and more determined than ever to hit the Guadalupe River for trout season. While I was not having to deal with high water flows – this time I was facing a freeze and forecasted rain. Undeterred I found the river to be beautiful when I arrived. The Guadalupe is often tubber laden during the warmer months, but to have it in solitude is magnificent. I felt lucky.

With a trip to the Action Angler fly shop in New Braunsfels, I loaded up on some tips, extra tippet, and began my trek down the Guadalupe. For five hours I was all smiles in waste to calf deep water. By the sixth hour I was frozen and ready for the house. How could this be? I had the info and everything I needed. Where were the fish? And then I found them.

Literally a little rainbow trout swam up to me and bolted away. But I had seen him and I had seen where he stopped. Then I could see the others swimming about. With frozen hands I began to cast again. When I had last retied my nymph rig my hands were so frozen I could hardly put it together. I began biting at the tag end praying not to hook myself. When the strike indicator dove below I realized I had my first fish of 2013!

Frozen in triumph I trudged off the Guadalupe River not wanting to leave. Frost bite is real and I didn’t want any part of it. Content, I reveled in the fact I had also caught my first Texas trout. It had been until that moment absent from my Texas Hill Country Mixed Bag tournament hit list. No more. No more.

2013 is looking to begin on a good foot for the fishing year. See you on the water!

Fish on!
Anthony

Lately my concepts have been really put to the test. Let me list in short some of my most recent concept vs reality fails on the water.

Concept: ”I’m tall enough to wade through this pool without getting water down my chest waders.”
Reality: Sub 57° weather river water down my drawers.

Concept: “It’s not too windy to fly fish today.”
Reality: A size 6 flying cat smack to the hand when headed for my face. You’ll thank yourself later if you crush the barbs now.

Concept: “I know I can find that fly I just bull whipped into my back cast behind those bushes. I know it! Let’s go look.”
Reality: 20 minutes tying said fly, plus 40 minutes looking for said fly, equalling in 1 hour of life lost. (There has to be some kind of sick 1/3 : 2/3 ratio of fly tying to searching ratio in there somewhere.)

Now, I can continue to list fishing fails here but it’s the wins we care about.  Like, how in order to avoid filling the aforementioned waders with another dousing of water on the same trip- I recovered a fly I dropped tying on in chest high water with the tip section of my fly rod. Not once but twice! Now, that maybe not amazing for you but it meant the world to me in the moment. Yes, yes, I just said “you had to be there.” At any rate there was one thing that happened that was completely amazing; the crawfish I found. I found it in the mouth of a small bass.

I had never experienced this kind of @diefische zen, circle-of-life moment before, but I thought it was pretty darn neat. The fail here comes into to play that when I released the little Guadalupe bass in the water- he lost his lunch. Maybe he thought I needed it more than he did. Regardless, I felt pretty bad about. So I picked it up and took a picture anyway.

And then I continued to waive my feathers and stick in the air. Winning… Good times.

Fish On!
Anthony

I made full use of this blessing all before Thanksgiving. Even as recent as this past weekend too. If you’ve already put up your gear to hold over the winter- consider a river trip below Austin before going into angling or paddling hibernation. Its hard to beat 80 degree December temperatures and a beautiful day. That is of course unless paddling Texas, fly fishing for bass, or other warm water species are not your thing.

I began the weekend exploring the Colorado River both up and downriver from my last excursion. While I do boast about the River Monsters and fishing conditions as of late- my trip upriver that day proved to be an upset. The only action I saw came from a small Guadalupe Bass that I witnessed snatch up a minnow less that 5 feet away. With his prize in hand and regaining situational awareness he bolted as soon as he spotted me. That and an image of pristine glass surface of the Colorado was all to be had.

Having forgotten what it was like to be utterly skunked I set out again on the Colorado for undaunted redemption. With the help of a friend I was reminded of and rediscovered the Colorado River Refuge. It was there that I found some new honey holes. To their exact location I am swore to secrecy by my friend. But it’s a lot like going to Disneyland and keeping a specific ride secret. Just go there and you’ll find a ride you like.

The beauty and curse of fishing the Colorado River Refuge is that it’s beautiful, easily accessible, and great for wading. When some loud youngsters also realized that it was a great day to be on the river- it was time for me to get out of the water. At least they didn’t realize how great a day it was till about 4 o’clock. Having been redeemed of the skunk status from the day before I headed home well content.

The weather is supposed to last all week with major metropolitan areas hitting record highs and high lows. The Lower Colorado River has some great opportunities if you can get out before old man winter really arrives.

Fish On,
Anthony

All one-liners aside, that’s still a true statement. Recently there has been one Texas Hill Country river that has bested me for lack of the fore mentioned truth… the Lower Colorado below Austin and only until now. Applying the whole sum of my little know how, my favorite fly, and some good intel- my luck on the Lower Colorado is turning around.

I started where any good angler would start- at your good ol’ local fly shop vice my iPhone and twitter. Matt at Living Waters Fly Fishing had just hit the Lower Colorado two days before. This was enough spur the itch for the spot . Thru the twitterverse and an actual stop by the shop, he gave me the latest greatest on the river. Not to mention I had special insight access to the latest TRB guidebook that was still in route from the printer. I guess this is what it’s like to have ‘Staff’ privileges.

A theme for the mighty Colorado began to develop. It was time to go big or go home. Most streamer patterns I’ve been accustomed to have been about size 8 streamers. Matt however sold me on, and literally sold me, larger flies. Then the idea hit. The Flying Cat has been my go-to fly. I normally tie it as taught on a size 8 streamer, 3x long hook, but this time I went crazy with it. The night before I got on the water I conjured up a size 6, 6x long, monster flying cat. Then I added hackle for wooly bugger effect putting my twist on this Hill Country favorite.

When I hit Big Webberville park the confidence was high. I had a recent report, tips, and an exciting proven variant on a trusted pattern all on my side. And I had my yak. To be honest kayak fishing is not yet my favorite. The current on the Colorado can be strong even when typical flows are low. Also, the wind-drifts kayaks catch is enough to drive me batty on any day of the week. So, after being shoved around, thru, and past any good water I had enough of it. Fed up I stepped out of my kayak.

Then the lesson sunk in. I was using my yak all wrong. I was trying to fish out of it instead using it to get to where I could fish. I started to find stretches of water I could wade and walk instead of blow-by casting thru. The change up changed the game for me. When I put my monster cats to work the bass started showing up.

All day all I caught were bass. I don’t know if the sunfish were scared of my monster flying cats or if they were being beat out by the all the Guads. But not one perch attacked my line. Now here, it bears to mention a few things. I am not scared of dogs, but being attacked by dogs does frighten me. I am not scared of snakes or spiders, but I am scared of being bit. I had to have been paddling in stealth mode when passing a weed bed because I came so close to some water monster that splash-thrashed next to me- every primal instinct in my body screamed I was about to be eaten!

With the sun set fading off I paddled a little bit harder and headed home. I am no one’s bait fish! However, it was a good day and in the end some core tenants paid off. I had a good plan to hit the Colorado. The recent report and intel was invaluable and I felt prepared. The twist on the flying cat worked well for me because it gave me the edge and thrill of something new. And finally, being able to adapt to the conditions on the water payed off big. A simple change up in platform payed dividends.

I hope everyone can have a day like I did on the Lower Colorado. The beauty and challenge of fly fishing the Texas Hill Country rivers is something special. It’s unique in a way not offered everywhere; by a sport that doesn’t always comprehend the treasures we hide in Texas. And after all this is Texas, so some days you just need to go big or go home.

Fish on!
Anthony

Now without further delay the champions of our Mixed Bag Fly Fishing Tournament…

Our third place winner Shawn Bichsel (on right) holding up his prize, Montana Fly Company Madison II Maddox’s “Brook Trout” fly reel spooled with backing and Airflo Ridge Line Supple Tactical WF5F fly line provided by Action Angler. Check out Shawn’s fly art at his website.

Shawn’s best catch of the tournament was a 17.2 in Large Mouth Bass caught using a Flying Cat on the Lower Guadalupe River

This exuberant second place contestant was Eric Feldkamp (aka Die Fische) who won a full day guided fly fishing trip with Chris Johnson (on right) of Living Waters Fly Fishing.  In addition he also received a Ross Flystick 6wt Fly Rod, and Ross Flystart #3 Fly Reel loaded with 6wt Magnum Taper Sharkskin.

Here’s Eric’s trophy sized Long Nosed Gar caught during the tournament on the Blanco River using a custom tied rope fly

Our final contestant and first prize winner is Mike Schlimgen who brought home Diablo Paddlesport’s Chupacabra kayak decked out with paddle and extra accessories. Here David describes the difficulty the contestants had photographing the catches with Mike looking on.

Mike and his prize Carp measuring at 24in, caught on the Pedernales River while fishing an Olive Damsel

From left to right Thomas Flemons, Mike Schlimgen, Eric Feldkamp, Shawn Bichsel, and David Ellzey- A good time was had by all, congratulations to all our contestants.

Keep an eye out for next years tournament!