Friday, April 5, 2002
We arrived in Sattler, Texas to the sight of green grass
and trees with leaves, having left the frozen tundra of
Minnesota in search of Spring. My wife (Kathy) and I drove
1,200 miles to this Texas Regional Fish-In. We came into
Sattler by way of the River Road along the Guadalupe River:
beautiful trout water with tons of structures, pools and rapids.
Crossed the river four times and finally arrived at the River
Valley Resort.
It’s a clean and attractive area, the Tenting and RV setups
are level and excellent. Our cabin is a half of a double wide
and passed my wife’s inspection. Great place to hang my new
fly-fishing-cowboy hat I bought in San Antonio.
We met Justin Millikan (FreebirdsWB)- above with the fish - who
is the host of this Fish In. His friend Ross Parsons of Del
Rio Texas was with him. Tom Lea (fishing on the left) of White Heath Illinois
appeared, he drove almost as far as we did to get here.
When I awoke Friday morning Shane Laluman and Will Shepard
(Talon) were fishing. Later Deb Dunsford (Aggie Fly Girl)
show up at streamside.
As I write this the hawks are flying lazy circles in the
sky along the 300-foot cliff on the opposite side of the
river from my cabins deck. Gus the Goose is standing guard
along the bank of the river, looking for trespassing waterfowl.
After dinner we all met at the Main Hall for some fly tying and
refreshments. Great to meet new friends, talking about where to
fish tomorrow. Maybe down river by the dam where there is a big
pool of large Rainbows.
Saturday:
I awoke when my eyes opened, made some Instant Norwegian Plasma
(Folgers’s Coffee Crystals) and headed downstream on the Guadalupe
River, below the 4th Bridge to the dam that Justin told us about
the night before.
Justin and Deb where already on location, so I moved farther
downstream to the dam. I remembered what Al Campbell taught me
during the 1999 Fish In at Hill City, South Dakota. Al said,
“When you get to the stream sit awhile, and let the Pretty Girls
show themselves.” There was a nice hatch of Blue Wing Olives,
so I tied on a #12 Caddis. Saw a big rise and thought “Big Fish!”
Took eight tries but I got her, a beautiful 17 inch Rainbow.
She put up a terrific fight on my 3wt Gatti.
A passing angler offered to take my photo, but I declined as the
fish was tiring and I was only interested in returning it to the
water. Cradling the fish between my hands, I held it’s head
upstream until it swam away gracefully as if she was just pulling
out of the garage.
Justin caught 3 trout while I was putting my gear away.
Sat.afternoon:
People still arriving, got back from New Braunfels TX, more
FAOL Guests had arrived. Kevin Duren, Mike Brown, Scott Page,
Johnny Irvin (Hillfisher), Matt Jennings, Ken and Charlotte Jones.
Most of the FAOL crowd was out fishing, reports from the
anglers on their return that 18-inch Rainbows were not rare
and many were even larger. As the anglers came off the Guadalupe
River they started heading for the Main Hall for some more
fly tying.
Dinner was the group affair scheduled in the Main Hall, for
7:30 PM Ross Parsons was kind enough to pick up the tab for
everyone. Bar B-Q Beef Brisket, Texas Bake Beans, Cole Slaw,
Potato Salad, and another side dish. For dessert Justin Millikan,
made us all Home-made Ice Cream (mmmmmmé.good!)
After dinner everyone started back into fly tying. This was a
fly tying crowd. I asked for their attention, to pay tribute
to Justin for hosting this Texas Fish-In. I did a short
history of FAOL Fish-Ins, how they came about, and the reason
for a permanent site on the Delaware in Hancock, NY. I said
that I was relaying a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who attended
from Jim and Deanna Birkholm. Said this was just the start
f the Regional Fish-In’s, next one planned for September, 2002
in Idaho. Soon we will have Regional Fish-In’s all over the world.
Ross Parsons was telling me about his day on the stream. Told
me, he stopped to talk to a Texas Game Warden. Asked the Game
Warden if he wanted to see Ross’s fishing license? Warden said,
it was a waste of his time checking on fly anglers, he was more
concerned with the spincast folks, and poaching.
Sunday:
Kevin Duren is guiding folks on a float trip on the San Marco’s
River, for White Perch and Bass. I stayed behind to continue
the writing and sending in the story. Will fish the Guadalupe
River some more when I get back from New Braunfel.
While the folks were gone, Trout Unlimited Television showed
up at the River Valley Resort to do some shooting for a
television show on the Guadalupe River.
I want to give a special ‘thank you’ to Denny Conrad, of
Conranch Hackle. Denny sent 4 capes for everyone to play
with, and 32 capes for sale or to view. Thank you Denny,
everyone thought the capes were excellent. Most thought
that the price was way below the value.
Special thank you to Guadalupe Trout Unlimited Chapter for all
their hard work, in making the Guadalupe a World Class Trout
Stream!
Another special thank you to River Valley Resort, for all their
assistance, helping to make this a terrific Fish-In! (Every
Fish-In I have attended, has been the Best Fish-In yet.)
They just seem to get better and better.
I almost forgot one little thing, FAOL now has a secret handshake,
created at this Fish-In. At the dinner, Ken & Charlotte Jones,
introduced us to it. What you do is slide your hands up along
the other persons arm, and then flap your hand like a trouts tail
flapping. ~ Parnelli
Here’s how the Texas Fish-In 2002 got started:
Texas Regional Fish-In 2002
Originally published April 5, 2002 on Fly Anglers Online by Steven H. McGarthwaite.