Texas Hill Country
TENKARA GUIDE TRIPS
Living Waters Fly Fishing is a part of Tenkara USA’s Tenkara Guide Network! We are proud to provide exclusive Tenkara guide trips on select rivers throughout central Texas. Tenkara proves its effectiveness every time we fish it on our local waters, and is well suited for advanced and beginning fly anglers alike. If you want to learn the art and simplicity of Tenkara, look no further than the Texas Hill Country!
Brushy Creek in Round Rock, Tx
Trip Packages:
Rates based on one angler ($100 for each additional angler)
Half Day Wade Trip — $300
Full Day Wade Trip — $450
While our home water is not known for its wide open spaces, it is recognized for its rich history and wide range of fish and insect species. Brushy Creek is home to the iconic “Round Rock” – the Chisholm Trail land mark for which our city is named.
The limestone river bed still wears the wagon ruts of days gone by, proving that many before us also knew the value of this charming creek. We have fished Brushy Creek for over 20 years and it still never ceases to amaze us with its beauty, complexity, and diversity. An urban, tree-canopied oasis, Brushy Creek is the perfect respite from the summer heat, and provides fantastic fishing throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Brushy Creek is also one of the few places in Texas where you will see sunfish and bass rise to blue-winged olive and midge hatches on warmer winter days. This fishery can make your day, and occasionally break your heart, but it will always leave you aching for your next chance to fish it!
Tenkara Target Species: Guadalupe Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Warmouth, and Rio Grande Cichlids.
San Gabriel River in Georgetown, Tx
Trip Packages:
Rates based on one angler ($100 for each additional angler)
Half Day Wade Trip — $300
Full Day Wade Trip — $450
The “Gabe” could very well be the perfect place to learn the art and simplicity of Tenkara. The San Gabriel offers beginning Tenkara anglers excellent multi-species opportunities and is an exhilarating river to sight fish.
The South Fork of the San Gabriel is home to some of the clearest water in the region, and in addition to the unbeatable sight fishing, is an ideal place for underwater photography. Fish on the Gabe have a reputation for being much more aggressive than their nearby cousins on Brushy Creek, and the hopper fishing in the summer is a riot! This river is our personal favorite for Rio Grande Cichlids (the United State’s only native cichlid). “Rios” are a formidable Tenkara target, and despite the fact that they are basically river bullies, they do have one major weakness: damselfly nymphs! If you plan on targeting cichlids, plan your trip during our warmer months. The San Gabriel seems to be tailor-made for the beginning caster, and most sections are free from pesky, backcast-grabbing trees. This provides an extremely enjoyable, distraction-free day of sight fishing on some of the finest water around! A true Hill Country gem, the San Gabriel is well worth the visit!
Tenkara Target Species: Guadalupe Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, and Rio Grande Cichlids.
Llano River in Llano, Tx
Trip Packages:
Rate based on one anglers ($100 for each additional angler)
Full Day Wade Trip — $450
The Llano can only be described as quintessential Texas beauty! Pink granite sand, crystal clear water, and blue skies as far as you can see – nothing screams Texas Hill Country louder than the Llano River!
Home to some of the best Guadalupe Bass fishing on the planet, the Llano is your best shot at a Tenkara tussle with the Texas state fish. This river is far and above the BEST summer hopper fishing in the area. The pugnacious sunfish will do their absolute best to impress you with their brutal strikes and eager personalities! Public access abounds on Llano, and we can fish several access points from a wading vantage point during a full day trip. The Llano is also home to several species that we don’t often see at our other Tenkara destinations such as white bass, longnose gar, and freshwater drum. While some of these species are seasonal and others demand specific tactics, we don’t hesitate to present a fly to them if the opportunity arises. A true Texas experience, the Llano will forever lodge itself in your thoughts, and will haunt your daydreams long after your wading boots dry!
Tenkara Target Species: Guadalupe Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redbreast Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, and Rio Grande Cichlids. (Longnose gar, White Bass, and Freshwater Drum – occasional/seasonal)
Tackle and Gear
- Vibram/rubber or felt soled wading boots. Brushy Creek and San Gabriel both have a solid limestone streambed mixed with limestone gravel in many places. The Llano riverbed is primarily granite rock and sand where we guide. Either sole will work fine — with the advent of rubber soles, some have boot manufacturershave done very well some not so much. Make sure the boots have a somewhat aggressive tread pattern so that you will not slip on the transitions from mud to rock. We personally use Simms boots/shoes as they are a perfect match for our rivers.
- Wet wading socks – preferably neoprene (warmer months) This single item can make a huge difference when fishing Brushy Creek. The neoprene wet wading socks act as a barrier against sand and gravel and they add cushion to every step. Layer the socks for additional effectiveness and comfort. We personally use Simms Guard socks as an outer layer with their standard Neoprene sock as an inner layer when wearing a full wading boot. When wearing a low top shoe or river sandal, a single neoprene sock is all that you need! Call the fly shop at (512) 828-3474 if you have any questions regarding this setup.
- Polarized Sunglasses with amber or copper lenses
- Waders (cooler months only) In cooler water and weather temperatures we do recommend wearing a good pair of breathable waders. Neoprene waders are much too hot for most of the fishing we do.
Trip Preparations
- Practice Casting: Practice distance, accuracy, and form in several different casts. (overhead, roll cast, sidearm, etc…) Making good presentations will catch you more fish than having the “right” fly. Practice on the water fishing techniques if possible.
- Practice spotting fish. Sometimes when you are off the water for a while, seeing fish underwater can be a challenge. In order to spot them faster, grab your polarized glasses, head to some clear water in your area, and go fish hunting! Bring a rod as well, so you can practice sight casting!
- Practice Stealth! There are times when fish will become startled by loud wading, un-natural movement, shadows, etc. In order to make sure that you get the most out of your guided trip, practice being stealthy in your approach. Things to remember: Stay low, wade softly, avoid quick movements, don’t cast your shadow on a fish, and wear natural colored clothing (match the backdrop).
What is Provided:
- All Flies
- Tenkara USA Rods
- Tenkara Lines and Tippet
- Drinks on half day trips
- Lunch and Drinks on full day trips
- Hours of on-the- water fly fishing instruction
Pre-Trip Packing List
- Valid Texas Fishing License
- Tenkara Rod and Lines (If you have them)
- Polarized Glasses – copper or amber lenses
- Wading Boots
- Waders (cooler months)
- Wet Wading Socks (warmer months)
- Sunscreen
- Hat or Cap for sun protection
- Natural colored clothing