Successful fly fishing involves (and not exclusively) preparation, innovation, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Or so I am told anyways.
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