AUGUST EVENTS

BIG GAME STRATEGIES FOR YOUR HOME WATER AND BEYOND with MICHAEL WILLIAMS
Saturday, August 6^th, 10:00 A.M. CST at Living Waters and on Zoom

After catching his first fish on a fly in Colorado’s famed Cheesman Canyon, Michael Williams quickly became obsessed with the sport. The obsession paid off. In just a few short years he became the head guide for Colorado’s oldest guide service and a lead Instructor at the Orvis Rocky Mountain Fly Fishing School. Hand-picking his favorite clients to travel the world with him, Michael eventually created Nomadic Waters in the late 90’s to facilitate his destination travel business during Colorado’s off-season. Seeing an opportunity to grow within the Industry, Michael moved to Ventura, CA to run Marketing and Product Development for Patagonia’s Fly Fishing team. Later he was recruited to run Orvis’ wholesale business for the Pacific NW United States, Western Canada, and Alaska. Although these positions looked great on paper, Michael was miserable. He needed to get back on the water with his clients. In 2008 Michael started volunteering for a relief and humanitarian aid group that focused on small jungle communities of the Brazilian Amazon. He immediately fell in love with the people and the jungle fisheries of Northern Brazil. All he could think about was finding a way to share this place in a way that could also benefit the local communities. It was time to reinstate Nomadic Waters, but this time with a greater purpose. Now, Michael spends 3 months a year running trips in the Brazilian Jungle, teaching jungle fly fishing strategies and fishing with his guests every single day of the Season. A warm water fly fishing specialist, Michael has trained his Brazilian staff how to host and guide fly anglers as they pursue some of the most sought-after species in the world. Ten percent of Nomadic Waters’ profits are spent on infrastructure and clean- water solutions for the families of the Uatumã Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon.

During this special in-person and simulcast event, Michael will share best practices for targeting big game species on the fly through the lens of his experience as a Brazilian Amazon guide. Michael has spent years learning the keys to successfully landing giant peacock bass. As a guide this skill goes beyond personal experience and extends to his ability to coach others toward their own personal bests. He has applied these same tactics to big game fish all over the world and will teach you how to do the same, no matter where you are fishing! Come out to the fly shop to meet Michael or tune in via the Zoom livestream to learn the best casting and presentation techniques, rod positioning, and practical skills to fight big game species of all kinds!

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, August 10^th, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

Fly Tying Night is broken up into three groups – Beginner, Intermediate, and Roundtable. We eat dinner at Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ in Round Rock at 6:00 PM, then meet back at Living Waters at 7:00 PM for fly tying. For beginner tyers, we supply everything you need – materials, vise/tools, and instruction – to learn a fly pattern which will introduce you to a specific skill necessary for continuing your tying journey. Intermediate tyers, each month we will focus on a specific technique to help you advance your fly tying skill set. We will provide the materials and instruction, but please bring your own vise and tools.

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #3: Woolly Bugger
Intermediate Skill: Tying Articulated Flies
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

FLY FISHING LAKE DUNLAP with ALEX HERRERA
Saturday, August 13^th, 10:00 A.M. CST at Living Waters Fly Fishing

Born and raised in New Braunfels, Texas, Alex Herrera began his fishing journey on farm ponds with his dad when he was just three years old. By six he was fishing the Texas bay for redfish and speckled trout with his uncle and tournament bass angling by sixteen. Even from a young age, his experience in the world of conventional and fly fishing involved active participation in conservation and community-building organizations like the Coastal Brigade, the Fin Addict Angler Foundation, and the Youth Leadership Council of Trout Unlimited. Now at twenty, he already has years of industry experience under his belt guiding the Texas Hill Country.

In this presentation, Living Waters’ guide Alex Herrera will talk you through gear selection, access, and tactics for a great summer day on Lake Dunlap. The lesser-known and near-private Lake Dunlap is the dammed section of the Lower Guadalupe River from downtown New Braunfels to McQueeney. In May of 2019, the dam’s 90-year-old middle spillway unexpectedly collapsed due to the ageing structural steel. The lower, concrete portion of the dam remains in place, and construction of the new spill gate is expected to be completed by May of 2023. While levels through Lake Dunlap are lower with the absence of the midway enclosure, the water is still navigable and home to an unexpected variety of warm water species. In addition to the usual suspects – largemouth bass and sunfish – our clients have landed freshwater tilapia, armored catfish, striper, and some of the states biggest Rio Grande Cichlids! So if you’re looking to check some new species off your list in 2022, consider a day on Dunlap.

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, August 17^th, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

Fly Tying Night is broken up into two groups – Beginner, Intermediate, and Roundtable. We eat dinner at Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ in Round Rock at 6:00 PM, then meet back at Living Waters at 7:00 PM for fly tying. For beginner tyers, we supply everything you need – materials, vise/tools, and instruction – to learn a fly pattern which will introduce you to a specific skill necessary for continuing your tying journey. Intermediate tyers, each month we will focus on a specific technique to help you advance your fly tying skill set. We will provide the materials and instruction, but please bring your own vise and tools.

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #4: Elk Hair Caddis
Intermediate Skill: Tying Articulated Flies
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

FISHING HILL COUNTRY LAKES with GRAHAME L. JONES
Saturday, August 20^th, 10:00 A.M. CST at Living Waters Fly Fishing

A 5th-generation Texan, Grahame Jones has fished the lakes, rivers, and bays of Texas and Mexico for more than 40 years. To date he has fished in 16 US states, 4 countries, and 3 states in Mexico. He proudly served as a Texas Game Warden for twenty-seven years, retiring as the TPWD Director of Law Enforcement in 2020. Grahame is a strong and vocal proponent of wildlife and fisheries conservation, habitat improvement and access to public lands and waters. Grahame is a past State Board Member for the Costal Conservation Association, State Chair for Texas Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and received the 2020 Sam Beasom Conservation Leader Award from the Texas Wildlife Association. He advocates for and is deeply involved with promoting The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and recognizes the importance of recruiting new anglers who understand how state wildlife agencies fund much needed fisheries habitat improvement projects. Now Grahame offers guided fishing trips through All Water Guides on many of the lakes and rivers located within the beautiful and scenic Texas Hill Country.

Fly fishing is often associated with rivers, creeks, and streams, but our area lakes should not be forgotten! In this presentation, Grahame will teach you the gear, tackle, and technique adjustments necessary to call up and land big fish out of deep waters. He will review the species, access, and best tips for each lake. Don’t miss this opportunity to add to your fly fishing arsenal!

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, August 24^th, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #1: Johnson’s BC Streamer
Intermediate Skill: Tying Articulated Flies
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Saturday, August 27^that Living Waters Fly Fishing

Join us for this FREE comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of fly fishing! All necessary equipment is provided; just bring a notebook and pen.

10:00 – 11:30 / Introduction to Fly Casting (Traditional and Tenkara)
We’ll be kicking things off with a casting class catered towards beginners. Join us for a clinic on the basic principles of fly casting. Casting traditional and tenkara fly rods will be demonstrated and discussed, with plenty of interactive learning opportunities! This portion of class will take place outside, so please dress for the weather.

11:30 – 1:00 / Basic Rigging for the Hill Country (Traditional and Tenkara)
This presentation will explain the how’s and why’s behind rod, reel, and line selection for fly fishing our local waters. We will discuss the uses and advantages of different fly line tapers and demonstrate the knots you need to get rigged up and ready to fish!

Lunch Break

2:00 – 3:30 / Local Hot Spots
Learn where, how, and when to fish our local hot spots, including techniques, river access, and fly selection for each body of water!

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, August 31^st, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #2: Foam Beetle
Intermediate Skill: Tying Articulated Flies
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

NO EVENT
Saturday, September 3^rd

The fly shop will remain open with normal business hours, 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, September 7^th, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #3: Woolly Bugger
Intermediate Skill: Tying with Schlappen
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

GRTU GUADALUPE RIVER FALL CLEAN UP
Saturday, September 10^th, 9:00 A.M. at Rio Guadalupe Resort & RV Park

Members and non-members alike are all welcome and encouraged to participate! Every year the Guadalupe River gets trashed during the summer, and this is a great opportunity to come together as a community to clean up our beloved tailwater trout fishery before the start of the new season!

Please arrive on time for the safety meeting, to receive your clean up bags, and to review your assigned areas! BYO gloves, sunscreen, waders or shoes and clothes you are willing to get wet and dirty, an awesome attitude and let’s have some fun! After the clean up will be a thank you grill out. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CAMP CHAIR!

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, September 14^th, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #4: Elk Hair Caddis
Intermediate Skill: Tying with Schlappen
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

AFTER HOURS with AUSTIN ORR: DIY ON THE TEXAS COAST
Friday, September 16^th, 7:00 P.M. CST at Living Waters Fly Fishing and on Zoom!

Austin Orr was given his first fly rod at the age of 9 and never looked back. After arriving in the Corpus Christi area in 2008, he spent a decade exploring and fishing all the flats, beaches, jetties and nearshore rigs that he could walk, paddle or motor to. In 2011 he earned his Fly Casting Instructor certification from Fly Fishers International (FFI). In his day job, Austin works with TPWD Fisheries Management in San Marcos, helping ensure there are fish and beautiful places in which to catch them for future generations to come. In keeping with his passion for teaching, Austin started Elevate Fly Casting in 2019 to provide a resource for dedicated anglers who’d like to level up their casting and fishing knowledge.

In this special “after hours” presentation, Austin will discuss the common fish that a fly angler on foot or by kayak can expect to encounter on our Texas Coast, along with where and how to catch them. Redfish, black drum, speckled trout, and even snook and tarpon will be covered!

INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Saturday, September 17^that Living Waters Fly Fishing

Join us for this FREE comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of fly fishing! All necessary equipment is provided; just bring a notebook and pen.

Lunch Break

2:00 – 3:30 / Local Hot Spots
Learn where, how, and when to fish our local hot spots, including techniques, river access, and fly selection for each body of water!

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, September 21^st, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #1: Johnson’s BC Streamer
Intermediate Skill: Tying with Schlappen
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

CLASSIC FLY TYING with DUTCH BAUGHMAN
Saturday, September 24^th, 9:00 A.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

Dutch Baughman is a regular demonstration tyer at many national fly fishing and tying expos including the FFI Expo, the Sow Bug Rendezvous, Fly Fest, Trout Fest. He is a 25 year member of the Roadkill Roundtable Fly Tyers and the recipient of the 2020 Darwin Atkins Fly Tying Award.

During his visit to Living Waters, Dutch Baughman will demonstrate dressing the Black Creeper fly pattern. The Black Creeper fly pattern was designed by George Grant in the early 20th Century and was one of the most popular and unique flies in Montana, especially along the Big Hole river. George Grant received a patent in 1939 for the unique woven-hair hackle technique used in this fly. In addition to the unique fly tying techniques used to dress this fly, the fly is unique in the fact the hackle remains extended away from the fly body when wet, but will continue to move in the current.

FLY TYING NIGHT
Wednesday, September 28^th, 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. at Living Waters Fly Fishing

6:00 P.M. – Doors Close / Dinner @ Pok-E-Jo’s BBQ
7:00 P.M. – Doors Re-Open / Fly Tying Night
Beginner Fly #2: Foam Beetle
Intermediate Skill: Tying with Schlappen
9:00 P.M. – Doors Close

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STORE EVENTS