Living Waters Fly Fishing

LWFF Update -- 6/18/09

2009-06-17T16:02:00.008-05:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

It has been a very long time since the last update on this site and I apologize! (But I have some very good excuses) As an apology for being so tardy on this update I am inviting everyone of you to the fly shop's One Year Anniversary Event on June 27th!! Lots of guides will be on site to answer all of your questions and we will have a company rep for Simms, Ross, Scientific Anglers, Rainy's and Buff on site as well!! Make sure to read the events section of this post for all the info about the BIG EVENT!!!

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Fishing Reports for 6/17/09

Brushy Creek -- Flowing full and clear! Having a lot of water anywhere is precious thing this summer and so far Brushy Creek is living up to its reputation of remaining fishable all summer long. Fishing is best in the morning when the temps are cooler and light is reduced. The stretches that have ample tree cover are fishing good all day long and the fish are active. While the sunfish and bass could keep a fly fisherman busy all day long, its the Rio Grande Cichlids that have my undivided attention this time of year! Brushy is FULL of spawning rios and they are absolutely annoying to fish for because they are so selective. However, the opportunity to catch a true magnum Rio is better this time of year than any! If you have any questions about how to fish for Brushy's picky Rios then just come by the fly shop and I will give you some pointers. For the bass go with small streamers this time of year and fish small topwaters during prime times (cloudy days, morning, and late evening). For the sunnies fish dries, hoppers, and other small panfish bugs -- if the going gets especially tough then break out a classic trout wet fly in size 12-14!!!

San Gabriel -- Still pretty dry in most places but there is actually some fishable water. I have no recent reports from the Gabe but have heard of a few people catching some fish where there is actually water left.

Llano River -- 84 cfs @ Junction, 109 cfs near Mason, and 66 cfs @ Llano. The Llano is fishing wonderfully despite the low summer flows. Hopper patterns are still pulling alot of fish and remain a top fly in my box. In addition to hoppers some other patterns that are hot right now are hair bugs, wooly buggers in olive, and larger nymph patterns. I guided two clients last Friday and between the two of them they easily broke the 100 fish mark and many different species of fish. Don't let that hot summer sun scare you off the water -- just dress right and fall in the river on purpose if it gets too hot!

Guadalupe River -- Trout season is long gone and from the looks of the air and water temps, we are going to lose ALOT of trout this year. Flows are really low but warm water fishing is in full swing! If you are going to go to the Guad and fish then make sure its early and that you are off the water by late morning -- The rubber hatch (tubers) is a real bummer to fish in!
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Store Update for 6/18/09

Where to begin?! Living Waters Fly Fishing's storefront has now doubled in size and we now occupy TWO suites that have been joined together! We are still at the same location but just knocked a door in the wall to go next door! We have many new products in stock and a WHOLE LOT MORE on the way! The most exciting news is that Living Waters Fly Fishing is now a Simms, Frog Hair and Whiting Hackles dealer! Below is more info about the new brands/products we carry.

SIMMS -- We now have waders, footwear, clothing, packs, socks, and other accessories available and in stock from one of fly fishing's leading brands! Come by and see the new Simms Room! The shop now has doubled in size and the back room is now devoted to clothing and waders! Make sure that you come by and see our new expanded space!

FROG HAIR -- Tippet 3 packs, quick shot dispensers (these are life savers on the water), and the ultimate indicators are now in stock! I personally prefer Frog Hair indicators over any other than I have ever fished with! When I know that nymphs are on the menu then a Frog Hair indicator is on my line!

WHITING HACKLES -- Bugger Packs, Cape and Saddle Sets, Variety Packs, 100 packs, and more are all in stock!!! Top notch products at great prices! There is more on the way here as well!

SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS -- New Magnum and GPX sharkskins as well as XPS Mastery are now in store!

ROSS REELS -- New Flyrises are HERE -- these reels are one of the best buys in fly fishing today! Also Ross Worldwide's new Essence fly rods will be in store in the next few days! These rods cast like you wouldn't believe!

RAINY'S -- NEW FLIES are on the way here! Also Rainy's own craft fur and tying foam will soon be in stock!

WAPSI -- NEW STUFF on the way!!! Lots of new colors in some popular materials and lots of brand new items!

BUFF -- NEW COLORS! We have a very good selection of UV BUFFS in stock so make sure that you get yourself one for this summer heat!

DR SLICK -- The Prism series is now in stock!

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Events

One Year Anniversary Event

Saturday

June 27, 2009

9:00am-6:00pm

Living Waters Fly Fishing is celebrating its one year anniversary by throwing a party!

We have added almost 700 square feet of space to the fly shop by expanding into the suite next to our current store front so be sure to come to the event and see the all new seminar room and new clothing/wader room in the back of the shop!

We will be serving a complimentary BBQ

lunch (smoked brisket) at 12:00pm!!

Multiple Giveaways throughout the day!

Special Guests:

Eric Kraimer

Simms, Ross Reels, Rainy's, Buff, and Scientific Anglers Representative. Eric is a longtime friend and will be onsite to answer questions and debut our new Simms product line as well as other new items in stock!

Bill Higdon

President of GRTU and owner of In the Hills Fishing Excursions. If you have any questions about trout fishing in Texas then Bill is your man! He will be here to answer all of your questions about GRTU and the Guad!

Keith Barnes

Owner of Highland Lakes Fly Fishing and central Texas fly fishing guide. Keith will be here to answer all of your questions about fishing local lakes during the summer.

Lakeline Watersports

Lakeline Watersports will be bringing a fleet of kayaks to display and will have staff onsite to answer all your questions.

I hope to see everyone here! If you have any questions about the event then just call the shop at (512) 507-7733.

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Thank you all for reading and I look forward to seeing you in the shop or on the water soon! If you need any up-to-the-minute info or need to place a special order then please call the shop at (512) 828-FISH. Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson

Living Waters Fly Fishing

LWFF Update -- 3/23/09

2009-03-23T15:22:00.005-05:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

I do believe that spring has fully sprung! I have been getting great reports from all over the place and the recent rains have started the season off with a bang! Things have been hopping at the fly shop lately and there are some exciting things coming up in the very near future. I will be sure to keep you all posted!! Make sure that you get out there, enjoy this absolutely fabulous weather, and catch lots of fish! Come by the shop or give me a call to get all the latest info!
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Fishing Report for 3/23/09

Guadalupe River -- 81 cfs @ Sattler. The flow just dropped back down today but its still better than it has been lately. Fishing on the Guad has been stellar for the past several weeks and lots of people have been reporting very large catches. Streamers and dropper rigs are still at the top of the menu -- make sure that you have plenty of size 18 and smaller flies in your box! I have actually found several fish holding in faster water lately so spend some time fishing the faster water in addition to the usual holding places.

San Gabriel River -- I haven't been out to take a look at the Gabe since the rain but I know that it did a nice flow increase for a day or two in some stretches. The water is still low but there is still a chance of more rain in the future -- I for one have not given up hope yet! The white bass are running above Granger Lake so for those of you that like catching those linesided sandies, NOW is the time to go! Don't forget your clousers and cyperts! Lots of great reports coming from "the steps" but not alot of big females yet -- they will get up there soon! A Full Sinking fly line will increase your catch rate in a big way so don't leave home without one!

Brushy Creek -- I have fallen in love with this creek all over again this year!! It truly is one of my favorite fisheries! It has everything a seasoned fly fisherman longs for: Lots of fish, Big Fish, demanding casting, demanding fish, and beautiful surroundings. Reports from Brushy have been more than exciting! Lots of people catching and some even reporting larger than average fish. I personally fished Brushy for 3 days in a row recently and was amazed by the results -- bass up to 3lbs caught (lost a 4-5lb bass in a jump), carp up to 8lbs landed, and lots of scrappy sunfish! The creek is flowing great and water clarity is beautiful! Stop by the shop on your way to the creek and I will let you know what to do and where to go!

Llano River -- 111 cfs @ Junction, 74 cfs near Mason, and 120 cfs @ Llano. Spring has been kicking things into high gear on the Llano -- white bass are running, bass are moving shallow again, and the sunnies are out to kill any unsuspecting olive bugger that crosses their path. Water is clear and flowing nicely. Topwater action has already started and reports from the river have all been good ones. Now is one of my favorite times to fish the Llano -- go fish it yourself and see why!

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Store Update for 3/23/09

Frog Hair -- COMING SOON!! The finest tippet, leaders, and indicators on the market!

Whiting Farms -- COMING SOON!! The best fly tying hackles in the world are soon to be in stock at LWFF!

Wapsi --New items in stick and more items coming soon!

Scientific Anglers -- Uniform Sink lines are here in 5wt and 6wt sizes.

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Events

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Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson
Living Waters Fly Fishing

LWFF Update -- 2/17/09

2009-02-14T15:18:00.005-06:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

Winter is almost a joke here in Texas it seems! The trees are already budding out and believe it or not I saw some water falling from the sky -- last I checked the stuff is called rain. The recent small showers gave a small flow boost to some of our streams but most of the higher flows were very short lived! With spring fishing right around the corner and white bass even closer than that, NOW is the time to start gearing up for some of the best fishing of the year!

BE SURE TO READ THE STORE UPDATES AND EVENTS BELOW! LOTS GOING ON AT THE LOCAL FLY SHOP!!!

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Fishing Report for 2/17/09

Guadalupe River -- 47 cfs and clear with a green tint. Trout Fishing has been fantastic! Streamers are still catching their share of fish but dropper nymph rigs are still the number one fish producer on the river. Be sure to fish deep enough so that you are putting your flies on the fish's nose! Work every area thoroughly and DO NOT skip a section of water just because someone fished it before you!!

San Gabriel River - Needs rain badly! You didn't hear it from me, but there are a few rumors of white bass running above Granger Lake!!!!!

Brushy Creek -- Flows are up thanks to the past rains and water temps are warming rapidly! I have been seeing rises often on my way to and from the fly shop so I am sure that this wonderful little fishery is about to kick off in grand scale for the warmwater season!

Llano River -- 101 cfs @ Junction, 80 cfs near Mason, and 95 cfs @ Llano. The Llano is usually one of the first rivers in the Hill Country to kick off the warmwater season so I am sure that it is already fishing well! Keep your flies deep until the water warms up a bit more in the coming weeks. The white bass should begin running above Lake LBJ in the very near future as well!

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LWFF Store Update for 2/17/09

Wapsi -- New Materials are here and there are more on the way!

Ross Reels -- Closeout on Momentum Reels! (excludes LT's) The Momentum is a top notch large-arbor saltwater fly reel -- I personally use and recommend it highly! The original price on the Momentum Series was $445.00-$645.00 but I am closing out the 2 remaining size 4's that I have in the store for a jaw dropping $325.00 -- that's over $100.00 off retail!! This reel is a fantastic fly reel for the Texas coast and is SUPER EASY TO CLEAN! They won't last long so hurry while they last!

All the new reel models that were on order have now arrived! Come by and take a look at the new Vexsis, Arius, and Momentum LT!!

Scientific Anglers -- Sinking Lines for white bass season will be here in a few days!!

Rainy's Flies -- New Flies for White Bass are on the way here as well as some bigger warmwater patterns that produced well on the Llano last year!

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EVENTS

WHITE BASS DAY

February 28, 2008

Keith Barnes, head guide of Highland Lakes Fly Fishing, will be coming out to give a presentation on fly fishing for white bass. He will cover techniques, fly selection, fishing methods and more!

Keven Hutchison will be at Living Waters Fly Fishing signing and selling copies of his newly released and much anticipated book, Fly-Fishing the Texas Hill Country.

Lakeline Watersports (http://www.lakelinewatersports.com/) will also have kayaks onsite and on display!

This is an all day event and Living Waters Fly Fishing will be providing lunch!

Call the fly shop at (512) 828-FISH for additional info!

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Thank you all for reading and I hope that you get out on the water soon to enjoy some of the fantastic fishing that this time of year has to offer! If you have any questions about the events or need up-to-the-minute fishing info then please give the fly shop a call @ (512) 828-3474.

Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson
Living Waters Fly Fishing

LWFF Update -- 1/21/09

2009-01-21T14:00:00.003-06:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

Living Waters Fly Fishing is doing a little seasonal re-arranging in the form of a SALE!

New Year Sale!

Select Wachter Net Models 15% off! -- Haven't bought a trout net yet? Well now is the time to do it!

Select Fishient Group fly tying materials 30% off! - Lots of materials and colors to choose from!

Select Wapsi fly tying materials up to 40% off! -- Popper bodies, Hackles, and more!

TFO NXT fly rod outfits are all 15% off! -- these outfits include rod, reel, case, fly line, and backing! Most importantly they carry TFO's unconditional lifetime warranty!

Stop by the shop and get these items while they last!

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Fishing Report for 1/21/09

Guadalupe River -- 64 cfs @ Sattler. The water is clearing up in some sections due to reduced traffic on the water but in other sections it still has the blue-gray color that is characteristic of the river. Fishing has been wonderful lately! I have run several trips recently and clients have boated numerous fish with a few pushing the 20in mark! Hooking numerous 20in fish (landing is another story) in a single trip is a very real possibility for anglers who visit the Guad this year!

Llano River -- 103 cfs @ Junction, 82 cfs near Mason, and 111 cfs @ Llano. Flows are steady and the water is clear and cold. The warmwater species still demand VERY slow retrieves in most cases but will still take flies. Fish still have to eat in the winter but will usually keep energy expenditure to a minimum -- your retrieves need to cater to the mood of the fish. The Llano is a relatively shallow river but many of the shallow stretches of the Llano have "wintering holes" - sections of deep water where the fish go to escape the current and hunker down for the cold months. Fish these deep water havens extensively and thoroughly and you should do well! As for fly selection, go for something weighted, buggy, and naturally colored!

San Gabriel River -- Needs rain!

Brushy Creek -- Flows are great, water is clear and cold. I have been seeing a few rises on warmer mornings so that is encouraging to say the least! Streamers and nymphs will still be the top producers but keep a few small dries with you just in case! Make sure that you are getting your weighted flies down to the fish! Slow retrieves are a must and patience is the top producer of fish -- when your fly hits the water, count it down and slowly retrieve it back to you keeping it as close to the bottom as possible!

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Store Update for 1/21/09

Wachter Nets -- All Catch and Release models are now back in stock and I have one Catch and Release Plus model with a lightweight, clear rubber bag still in stock!

Wapsi -- New Materials are here just in time to refill your trout box and don't forget that white bass season is right around the corner so get your fly box filled with Clousers and Cyperts Minnows!

Ross Reels -- New sizes of the Vexsis and Arius are now in stock!

TFO -- The TFO Glass Rods are back in stock -- these won't last long so get yours quick!

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Events

Weekly Fly Tying Night

Held every Thursday night at the fly shop from 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Bring your vise and a bag of materials and whip up a dozen of whatever fly you feel like tying! Call the fly shop at (512) 828-3474 if you need more info!

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GRTU Lease Access Orientation

Saturday, January 31st @ 11:00am

Mark Dillow will be coming to Living Waters Fly Fishing to present the GRTU lease access orientation. The lease access is quite simply the best way to fish the wonderful Guadalupe! Come and learn how to join and start catching more trout on the Guad!
Call the shop at (512) 828-3474 if you need additional info!

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Thanks again for reading and as always if you need some up-to-the-day fishing report info then just call me up at the shop at (512) 828-3474 and I will help you get ready for your trip! Get out there and go catch some fish! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson
Living Waters Fly Fishing

LWFF Update -- 1/06/09

2009-01-06T14:31:00.013-06:00

Two Spawning Trout on the Guad

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

Well its a brand new year and it holds many new fishing opportunties! I hope that you all had a fabulous holiday season and that your time with friends and family was well spent!
I have been on the water alot lately and will continue to be guiding a little more than usual in the coming weeks -- Not to worry, the shop will still be open even when I am out so feel free to drop in! Be sure to read this whole update because there are some exciting events coming up!

Fishing Report for 1/06/09

Llano River -- 104 cfs @ Junction, 88 cfs near Mason, and 140 cfs @Llano. Fishing for warmwater species on the Llano is not out of the question by any means! The warmer weather has these fish a little more active as of late. As always, a good cold front will knock them deeper for a few days but when it warms up again expect to the catch rate to improve! Even on warm days fish slow and deep -- the water temps do not fluctuate nearly as much as Texas weather! Fish on the Llano have deep "wintering" pools that they hold in consistently in the cooler months so fish weighted flies near or on the bottom and strip them back to you slowly to provoke a strike!

The trout that were stocked several weeks ago are now fully acclimated to their new winter home and as a result they are getting more difficult to catch! Nymphs are still the go to in my opinion, although you will see many fish feeding on small mayflies at the surface -- size 22-24 mayflies! You can get a few trout to take dries but they are severely picky about what they rise to so be ready to get snubbed! Be prepared to switch flies often because that is usually the key to success!

*I am still running half-day trout wade trips on the Llano. If you are interested in a crash course on Texas trout fishing then just give me a call at (512) 507-7733 and we can set something up! This trip just gets better as the trout spread out -- NOW is the perfect time to go!*

San Gabriel River -- Hardly flowing. This river NEEDS rain and soon!

Brushy Creek -- Cold and Clear. Today's rain raised the flow rate a bit but did not alter the water clarity much. Fish on Brushy continue to feed on caddis and mayfly hatches through the winter but are usually very difficult to catch. I have not seen many fish moving around in Memorial Park as of late but the stretch along Hairy Man Rd. behind the fly shop will still fish decently through the winter. Come by the shop for pointers if you head out to Brushy to wet a hook!

Guadalupe River -- 71 cfs @ Sattler. The river flows are up a little but are still low for this time of year. The water has also lost a little clarity probably due to the increased fishing traffic. Fishing has slowed some in the last week but we are still catching fish! The key to success right now is minimizing fly size and changing patterns until you find what works! Work the water you choose to fish THOROUGHLY!!! Nymph fishing is still the method of choice on the Guad so make sure that you have plenty in your box!

*Also, on a side note: If you see anyone fishing with bait and RETAINING trout then please call the game warden! Game Warden Brent Satsky, (830) 221-852, Game Warden Jake Scott (830) 214-3110 -- These numbers were either posted on the GRTU lease forum or given to me by Bill Higdon, so please put them in your cell phone in case you witness a violation! Poaching is one of the biggest threats to this wonderful fishery so please don't let it go unpunished! I had to get Bill Higdon to call the Game Warden on a poacher this past Saturday when I was guiding down there -- it's a real threat y'all so please do what you can! I have seen game wardens patrolling the river everytime I have been out so they are usually in the area which is very encouraging!*
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Fly Shop Update for 1/06/09

If you haven't stopped by the shop lately then I encourage you to do so in the near future! There are alot of new exciting products now in stock and even more on the way!

Ross Reels -- THE NEW VEXSIS, ARIUS, AND MOMENTUM LT ARE NOW IN STOCK!! COME TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF ROSS REELS STELLAR LINE UP!!

Wapsi -- The shop now carries Wapsi's tungsten beads which are critical for getting your flies down to the fish! Other new Wapsi arrivals include split shot, new Morell foam boxes, egg yarn, new Tiemco hooks, and more!

On the way:
-New GSP thread! In 50 Denier size this little thread has a breakstrength of 4lbs!
-New Tiemco Hooks
-Tite Loop Wrist Bands. A VERY user friendly fly casting aid!
-Midge Sparkle Braid. A great material for tying those little midges!
-Many new sizes and colors in various materials!

Wachter Nets -- There are more nets on the way so if you don't have a good net for trout season then don't worry because new Catch and Release model nets will soon be here! I also ordered some with the new clear rubber bag that Wachter is now using on some of their net models!

TFO -- More Glass rods are coming! I sold out over the holidays but the new shipment will get here within the week! In addition to rods I have some of Springbrook's accessories on the way -- if you haven't tried out their break down graphite wading staff then you need to stop by and take a look at one! In my opinion, the best wading staff I have ever seen!

Scientific Angler -- There various new items arriving from SA in the near future as well! More info to follow in the near future!

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Events

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Intro to Fly Tying for the Texas Hill Country

A six week fly tying course that will teach basic fly tying procedures and top fly patterns for the Texas hill country.

Instructors Brooks Bouldin and Chris Johnson
Each session will be held at Living Waters Fly Fishing
on Wednesday nights from 7:00pm-9:00pm.
Cost $60 per person for entire 6 week course.

Class Schedule
January 21st - Tool Time and Tying Procedures
January 28th -- Tying for the Guadalupe
February 4th -- Tying for the Guadalupe II
February 11th -- Tying for White Bass
February 18th -- Tying for the Llano River
February 25th -- Tying for Brushy Creek

The first lesson will cover basic fly tying procedure and fly tying tools. During each of the following 5 lessons we will be teaching students how to tie 2 fly patterns that produce great results when fished on the water body that we are focusing on that night.
All vises, materials, tools, and instruction will be provided each night. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own vise and tools if you already have fly tying equipment.
There is a maximum class size of 6!
So make sure that you enroll early seeing that this class will fill up FAST!

How to sign up: Call Living Waters Fly Fishing at (512) 828-3474

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Weekly Fly Tying Night

Held every Thursday night at the fly shop from 7:00pm-9:00pm.
Bring your vise and a bag of materials and whip up a dozen of whatever fly you feel like tying!
Call the fly shop at (512) 828-3474 if you need more info!

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GRTU Lease Access Orientation
Saturday, January 31st @ 11:00am

Mark Dillow will be coming to Living Waters Fly Fishing to present the GRTU lease access orientation. The lease access is quite simply the best way to fish the wonderful Guadalupe! Come and learn how to join and start catching more trout on the Guad!

Call the shop at (512) 828-3474 if you need additional info!

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Thank you all for reading! Stop by the fly shop for up to date info and current fishing reports! I hope to see some of you at the upcoming events! Be safe out there and catch em up! See you at the shop or on the water! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson

LWFF Update -- 12/16/08

2008-12-16T14:10:00.004-06:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

The weather is getting cooler and the warmwater fishing is slowing down but trout season is HOT!! Texas Parks and Wildlife has been busy stocking trout all over the state and Trout Unlimited stocked some miniature submarines in the Guadalupe -- those trout are HUGE! Guide trips on the Guad have been fantastic and the river continues to fish very well with many big fish being caught! If you are willing to brave a little cold weather, you may just have the hottest day of winter trout fishing ever! Remember, these are cold water fish, what keeps you inside and in front of a fire doesn't affect these fish near as much! So, when cold weather comes, put on a few layers and fish hard! See you on the water!

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Fishing Report for 12/16/08

Llano River -- 103 cfs @ Junction, 96 cfs near Mason, and 103 cfs @ Llano. Water is cold and clear. Plenty of sunfish action to be had on nymphs but be prepared to slow things down for the bass. Fish deep and slow for the bass and you should pick up a few! Ironically, the sunfish will still take dries and aren't shy in doing so but the most consistent action will be had on small nymphs in a size 12-16.

*I am now running half-day trout wade trips on the Llano. I visited one location over the weekend and picked up plenty of trout! If you are interested in a crash course on Texas trout fishing then just give me a call at (512) 507-7733 and we can set something up!*

San Gabriel River -- Other than the trout stocking at Blue Hole I haven't heard of anything happening recently. Trout fishing Blue Hole at low flows is a fly fishing nightmare -- lots of people, deep water, and difficult fly fishing. My advice: go to the Guadalupe!

Brushy Creek -- Cold and clear! The warmwater season has all but come to a close on Brushy. The sunnies are still coming up for the daily caddis hatches in the afternoon but other than that there is not a whole lot happening. Carp will still take a properly presented fly and I did land a nice one recently, so that is always an option. Bass are less than active and deep streamers are the only way to pick a few up.

Guadalupe River --

49 degrees and 72 cfs @ Sattler. Trout fishing has been great lately with many large fish in the mix! Last Monday's guide trip resulted in numerous fish and not a one under the 16-17in mark! Oddly enough I am hearing that alot of people are doing well on streamers this year -- I can personally say the same from my time on the river this year. Streamers and nymphs have been on the menu so make sure you try out some of both types of flies!

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Store Update for 12/16/08

Wapsi -- A brand new shipment of fly tying materials and accessories just came in late last week! The shop has all kinds of new goodies from new materials to trout fishing accessories for the Guad! Make sure to come by and take a look!

Ross -- The Ross Reels shipment should be on its way here and I expect to see it in store soon!

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Events

Fly Tying Night
Thurs. December 18th
7pm-9pm
Bring your bag or box of fly tying stuff to the shop and tie up a bunch of your favorite patterns! I will most likely be focusing my own tying efforts toward the Guad this week, so if you want to learn some good trout patterns then just drop on by!

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Thank you for reading! I hope that you all get the chance to enjoy some trout fishing this winter! If you need the most recent info then just drop by or call the shop and I can fill you in on some of the finer details! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson

Living Waters Fly Fishing

LWFF Update -- 11/28/08

2008-11-28T13:15:00.002-06:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

Thanksgiving day has now passed and Christmas will be here before we know it! As the seasons change so does the focus of many fly fishers! December is almost here and many will begin to make trips down to the Guadalupe River in hopes of catching one of the many trophy rainbow trout that reside in its waters. Common summer fly fishing destinations like the Llano, Brushy Creek, and San Gabriel are beginning to slow but will slow dramatically when the daytime temps drop further down the thermometer. If you want to get some last minute warmwater fishing in, now would be the time to do it! There are still plenty of fish actively feeding and willing to take a fly!

Also, on a side note, Trout Day at Living Waters Fly Fishing was a HUGE success! Bill Higdon's seminar on fishing the Guadalupe was a wealth of info and Lakeline Watersports brought out some awesome fishing kayaks! Good fun, good info, good friends, good food = ONE GREAT TIME!! Thank you to all who came out and joined in the fun and for those that were not able to make it, you missed a great event so make sure you are able to come next year!

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Fishing Report for 11/28/08

Llano River -- 103 cfs at Junction, 94 cfs near Mason, 104 cfs below Llano. Due to cooler water, begin fishing much slower and deeper. A technique that works VERY well this time of year is nymphing! I fish a single nymph in a size 6 or 8 that has alot of movement -- anything tied with marabou, arctic fox, chickabou, etc... The trick to this method is finding a deep pool that moving water is flowing into but is not in the main current. Still water gets alot of sun warmth and the little bit of fresh inflow helps position the fish! Cast the nymph across the pool and let it sink. Let it sink some more. Then maybe just a bit more. Then strip the nymph back to you with very short strips -- dont move it more than about 2-3in per strip! It drives the fish mad and you will catch everything from Guads to Sunfish and maybe even a stray Rio if you get lucky! Good Luck!

San Gabriel River -- You know, the word "river" would imply that there is some running water but this is not the case. In light of this I hereby declare our beloved river to be a dry creekbed.

Brushy Creek -- Flows are low but still moving pretty well. Caddis hatches are a daily occurrance so make sure that you have some tan caddis of some variety in your fly box! Bass have been taking streamers in smaller sizes and lightly weighted. As the temps drop insect hatches should still remain fairly steady -- air temp was in the 40's a week or so ago and there were sunfish rising all over the place when I crossed the creek on my way to the shop! Keep your eyes open for a hatch but do most of your prospecting with small streamers.

*NEW* Guadalupe River -- (I will be guiding for Bill Higdon, http://www.inthehillsfishing.com/, over the winter months so I will be on the Guad with some amount of regularity now. I will post a small report as I am able) Floated the Guad this Wednesday and had a pretty good day. The water is as clear as I have ever seen it but is flowing low - somewhere around 50-60cfs. I floated one of the lower sections of the river and caught one large rainbow that went around 22in and hooked up with a few others but didnt land them. Also, the redbreasted sufish are literally stacked up in some of the deep runs preceding rapids -- there were times that you would get bit on every drift! Catching 100+ sunnies would be too easy in some of the spots! Dropper rigs were on the menu all across the board!

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Store Update for 11/28/08

Dyna King -- All the new vises are in and have been selling great! Also, if you need any accessories from Dyna King then just let me know and I can order them for you! These vises are the toughest out there and the jaws are unmatched when it comes to holding power! Stop by the shop to see first hand!

Ross -- The new Vexsis and Arius should be here soon and just in time for Christmas! These new reels from Ross are literally something that you will drop-jaw over! From carbon fiber drags to magnetic spool releases -- these reels have it all!

TFO -- All rods are currently in stock. The new glass rods are selling quick so if you want to cast one in the near future then please stop by soon before they sell out! I will be ordering more of the glass rods in time for Christmas so no worries!

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Events

Fly Tying Night

Thurs. December 4th

7pm-9pm

Bring your bag or box of fly tying stuff to the shop and tie up a bunch of your favorite patterns! I will most likely be focusing my own tying efforts toward the Guad this week, so if you want to learn some good trout patterns then just drop on by!

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Thank you all so much for reading! I hope that you all have some time to go enjoy some of the last fast pased warmwater fishing of the season before trout season kicks in full swing! If you have any questions or need the most recent info then just drop by or call me at the shop! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson

Living Waters Fly Fishing

(512) 507-7733 - Guide Service

(512) 828-3474 - Fly Shop

http://www.livingwatersflyfishing.com/

LWFF Update -- 11/17/08

2008-11-17T10:23:00.003-06:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

The weather is cooling but the fishing is still hot! There are still plenty of fish to be caught and don't be surprised if you catch some bigger fish this time of year. With the onset of cooling air and water temps the fish will be feeding up for winter. This makes conditions perfect to throw larger flies that tempt bigger fish into striking. As their metabolism slows, fish look for larger prey to pursue in an effort to gain the maximum amount of food with the least expense of energy. I have been throwing larger flies than normal lately and as a result have had some larger fish to show for it! The only time that you might have to modify this approach is immediately after a cold front -- sometimes fish get very selective and want smaller presentations -- but for the most part they are feeding up while the getting is good! Hope y'all get out there and catch some of your biggest fish of the year!

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Fishing Report for 11/17/08

Llano River -- 100 cfs @ Junction, 92 cfs @ Mason, and 94 cfs @ Llano. Fishing has slowed some due to colder weather but has not slowed much! The warmer afternoons really help the fishing and I really don't see too much point in getting on the river at the break of day if the overnight low is going to be in the mid 40's or below. In the event of a cold night, just get on the water sometime after 10:00am. Fish slow and deeper while the fish are warming up and then when the afternoon hits you can speed things up a bit! Effective flies have ranged from big articulated streamers to size 8 nymphs -- let the fish tell you what they want and then give it to them! Also, if the afternoon warms up a good bit then throw a topwater for at least a little while...you will like the results!

San Gabriel River -- You don't even want to know the flow rates -- less that 1 cfs on both forks of the river. The river is in bad shape and if we don't get some rain in the very near future, the river will be in really bad shape heading into 2009.

Brushy Creek -- The water is clear, cool, and flowing good! Brushy has been fishing very well for later in the season. Panfish continue to take whatever hatch is present and will keep a fly rod bent almost any day! As for the bass...they are now going to focus specifically on streamers. Deeper offerings will get their attention and it better look realistic! If its a baitfish imitation then make sure it has just a little flash and not too much -- this is clear water and these are smart fish! Buggers have always produced well on this creek and will continue to do so in the following weeks - the buggier the better! I threw a big streamer last week on Brushy one morning before I went to the shop and lets just say I landed one nice bass and got royally bested by another that was in the 6lb range!! There are big fish out there so be ready when they hit!

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Store Update for 11/17/08

We have some new products coming in and have also signed on a new vendor: Dyna-King fly tying vises!

Dr. Slick -- Tools have been selling like crazy and so it was time to re-order but in addition to all the tools the shop currently carries, I added some more! LWFF will now be carrying Dr. Slick's Bent Shaft Scissors, Bamboo Series Tying Tools, and Gift Sets for the Holidays. In addition to all this the shop will also be adding new sizes in the popular Micro-Point and Tungsten Carbide Tying Scissors and new sizes/models in the Diamond Hook File and Hackle Pliers. The tools should arrive late this week/early next week.

Dyna King -- Yes LWFF now has tying vises! Its about time I know...In stock will be the Kingfisher, Barracuda Jr. and the Trekker. Also, the shop will be carrying both models of Dyna-King's Trim Bags for making tying clean up easier and the wives of all fly tiers happier! The shop can special order any Dyna-King product you need so if you want it we can get it! Visit http://www.dyna-king.com/ to see all the great products they have to offer!

TFO -- The new glass rods sold out BUT the new order was just received and there are 3 more 5/6 Glass rods in stock wanting new homes! In addition to the Glass rods the shop also has a 7'6" 8wt. TiCrX in stock -- sweet rod and light in hand!!

Guadalupe River Maps -- Its that time of year and there is no better map of the Guad than the one seen on http://www.guadalupefly.com/. These maps are waterproof and contain the following info: Access Points, Stocking Locations, Recommended Fly Patterns, GPS Coordinates, and MUCH more! Come by the shop and pick up a map before you head out to stick some trout this year!

Ross Reels -- The new Vexsis reels from Ross USA are the greatest thing since sliced bread and will arrive later in the month! You have to see them to appreciate them so I will post when they arrive!

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Events

TROUT DAY -- Saturday, November 22nd -- Bill Higdon (http://www.inthehillsfishing.com/) will be here to give a presentation on the Guad and answer all of your trout fishing questions! The presentation will begin at 1:00pm and lunch will be served starting at 11:00am. Roland Jimenez of Lakeline Watersports (http://www.lakelinewatersports.com/) will also be on-site around lunchtime with new kayaks and boats and will be here to answer your questions as well! I for one am looking forward to this event and looking forward to seeing you here at the shop! Call the shop if you have any questions about the event!

FLY TYING NIGHT -- Every Thursday Night at the shop from 7:00pm-9:00pm! We will be meeting this week 11/20 but will not be meeting the following week 11/27 due to the Thanksgiving Holidays!

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Thank you all for reading and I look forward to seeing you all in the shop in the near future!! Also, the shop now has a bragging board so come by and stick up your big fish pictures! Good luck fishing out there and stay safe! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson
Living Waters Fly Fishing
(512) 507-7733 - Guide Service
(512) 828-FISH - Fly Shop
http://www.livingwatersflyfishing.com/

LWFF Update -- 11/01/08

2008-11-01T10:27:00.014-05:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

I apologize for the delay in posts but there has been much to do and fish to be caught! It's already November and we have had a couple good cold fronts push through and chill the air temps a bit. Take advantage of this cooler weather because it sends the fish into overdrive and they become bait vacuums! With the approach of much cooler weather, fish feed like crazy before they slow down for the winter. Get out there and catch you some!

(On a side note - you didn't hear it from me but... striper on Lake Travis = ALOT of fun on a 7wt!)

Also, at the bottom of this post make sure that you take a look at the Events section! There is some great stuff going on at the shop this month!

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Fishing Report for 11/01/08

Llano River --100 cfs at Junction, 96 cfs near Mason, and 91 cfs at Llano. (make sure you check out LCRA's updated hydrometric data website: http://hydromet.lcra.org/) Flows are definitely down and we desperately need some rain BUT fishing should remain steady through most of November before it really slows down for the winter. Concentrate on water that is deeper and is well oxygenated (i.e. at the base of a rapid or at the head of a pool.) Fish streamers and try to punch the fly into some deeper water looking for larger fish that are holding close to current seams. If you see some topwater action then switch to a small hair bug or hopper and take advantage of some of the last consistent topwater action of 2008. The fish on the Llano "wake up" late after a cold morning -- get a little sun on the water and banks and fishing tends to improve.

San Gabriel River-- *insert "crickets chirping" sound effect* The Gabe needs water in a bad way! There are still some fish holding out in the deeper pools but there is no flow to speak of.

Brushy Creek -- This fishery takes the cake for this report! Brushy is flowing FULL and is fishing wonderfully! In the last report I mentioned everything from really small dries for panfish to crease flies for bass -- lets just say that is still holding true for this report! The mayflies pop up in the mornings and I saw a fantastic caddis hatch in the evening a few nights back! The caddisflies were around a size 14 so the panfish weren't quite as selective as a few weeks back when they were taking size 20 blue duns! Now as for the bass lets just say when it's on it's REALLY ON! On a recent guide trip one of my clients broke the 40 bass mark in 4 hours, mostly on topwater, and he even hooked up with a bass that easily cleared the 5lb mark but it shook off literally right in front of us. Brushy Creek is fishing pretty good but the water is getting cooler so start making the transition to streamers for the bass if you haven't done so already. There will still be some topwater action when the weather is warm between fronts so take advantage of it!

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Store Update for 11/01/08

The store has gone through a bunch of changes to make room for all the new stuff so if you haven't been by lately prepare yourself to see lots of new fly fishing goodies!

TFO/Springbrook/Back Country Labs -- Stripping Guards, Sun Gloves, Wading Staffs, Head Cement, Floatants, Instant Towels, Magnetic Net Releases, etc...I have a bunch of new accessories in store! As for the TFO rods that came in -- The Glass rod is something that you will have to cast to believe! Its simply amazing! Also, the 7'6" 6wt. in the TicrX series is now in stock -- I am equally impressed with this rod as well! TFO scored two more home runs in my book with these two rods!

Wapsi -- Lots of new materials! Loco Foam, Sparkle Yarn, Snowshoe Feet, Mirage Accent, SLF dubbings, Wing N Flash, -- just to name a few! In addition to all the new materials the store also carries some Fly Furniture! The Flash Carousel, Fly Cake, Hook and Bead Dish, and the Rotary Fly Drier are all currently in stock! All of these items aid in making your tying desk a neater place!

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EVENTS

Fly Tying Night at the Shop -- Every Thursday night from 7:00pm-9:00pm (with the exception of holidays) at the shop is now fly tying night! -- Bring your fly tying stuff and come tie up a storm! This ain't your house, this is a fly shop, so no one will gripe at you about getting deer hair all over the place! This is a great time to swap ideas, patterns, and techniques! If you simply want to come and watch then feel free to do so! If the fish stories start up and we don't get out of the store until 12:00am then no complaints here but after 11:00pm don't expect me to believe everything you say about the one that got away!

TROUT DAY -- Saturday, November 22nd. A WHOLE DAY devoted to nothing but trout and fishing the Guadalupe River. Guadalupe River veteran and guide, Bill Higdon will be giving a presentation on how to effectively fish the Guad and will go over everything from tactics to fly selection. In some form or fashion a presentation about the GRTU lease program will be given and you will be given the opportunity to sign up for the program if you desire to do so! Also, Roland Jimenez, owner of Lakeline Watersports, will be on site with some kayaks and will be available to answer any questions you may have about kayaking in general or about the boats he carries at his shop -- and he carries some NICE boats! I know that you will have a blast and get alot of your questions answered and that you will not want to leave the festivities to go eat lunch so, lunch is provided -- we will have the smoker fired up!!! More details will be given in the next blog update but go ahead and mark the date on your calendar!

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Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the shop or on the water! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson

Living Waters Fly Fishing

(512) 507-7733 -- Guide Service

(512) 828-3474 -- Fly Shop

http://www.livingwatersflyfishing.com/

LWFF Update -- 10/06/08

2008-10-06T16:43:00.006-05:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

Water is falling outside the shop at the moment...I think its called rain but it has been so long that I might be mistaken. We need alot more than what we have received but at this point anything helps! I hope that y'all have had a chance to get out and enjoy the fabulous weather and fabulous fishing that the last few weeks have provided! If you haven't been on the water in awhile, NOW would be the time to go! Drop by or call the shop if you decide to head out and I will do my best to keep you up to date with the latest stream/fishing info!

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Fishing Report for 10/06/08

Llano River -- 108 cfs around Mason and 139 cfs below Llano!!! We didn't get the rain here but the Llano received some! Below Llano ran almost 400 cfs earlier today so I am sure now that flows are up a bit that the fish are just downright happy! As the water clears up even more, and flows drop steadily, the fish will stay turned on and will most likely be located in areas that have been running just a little water in the past but now have a little added current to draw them. Last time I was below Llano after a rise, I found alot of fish on current edges and especially in backwaters that were receiving fresh current -- don't be suprised if some big fish start to show their faces! Streamers, poppers, and hairbugs should pretty much keep you in action all day long -- call up the active fish with the topwaters and then work back through the hole thoroughly with a streamer to pick up any fish that wouldn't rise.

San Gabriel River -- can someone play Taps on a trumpet please?! The Gabe is still hurting -- now would be a good time to go retrieve all those flies you lost earlier this year!

Brushy Creek -- Flows have remained steady in the lower stretches with a good head of water flowing out of the Southern Fork. Fishing has been amazing this past week! Mayfly hatches every morning and even some early morning caddis -- keeps things lively but the sunfish and small bass may become VERY selective! I fished the hatches three mornings last week and literally had one day where sunfish and guads were shunning anything larger than a size 16 -- deja vu trout in clear water! On the flip side of the coin I fished some of the upper stretches and had plenty of solid bass this past week including one pushing the 4lb mark -- There are big fish in this creek just be on the lookout for them! As far as flies go, my advice would be to stick with small streamers for bass in the lower stretches and "match the hatch" for the sunfish. I had bass hit hairbugs and crease flies too so if they are active, and not too spooky, then upsizing is definitely an option! Good luck out there!

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Store Update for 10/6/08

Where to begin...

Things have been busy around here to say the least! A few new products have come in and a TON of new fly tying materials are on the way! The shipment should arrive later this week so drop by and check out all the latest greatest!

Scientific Angler: The store now carries the magnetic hook pallets from C & F Designs in all three sizes! Truly a fly tyer "must have"! Also in is SA's Sharkskin 3 wt flyline in Chartreuse for those that like to keep an eye on their loops!

TFO: A bunch of TFO Accessories are on the way here as well as a few new rod models including TFO's new 5/6 GLASS rod in their finesse series! Sungloves, stripping guards, floatants, instant towels, etc... should all get here by the close of the week!

Dr. Slick: The Titanium Clamps sold FAST! I couldn't believe how fast they left the pegs! Didn't get yourself a pair yet? Cheer up there's still hope! I called Dr. Slick and they sent me 6 of their 5.5 inch model that they had left and then they sent me the last 5 of their 5 inch model that they had in backstock! I have both models in store that they made but, what I have left in the 5 in model is what they had left!

Wapsi: I can't even begin to remember all that I placed on that last material order. All I can say is that there is a TON of new material on its way and it should get here by the close of the week as well. New dubbings, flash, foams, beads, etc...

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Events

October 17, 18, and 19 -- Oktoberfisch. We will officially be a fly shop on wheels! Come on out to the event for a good time of tying, casting, fishing, and floating! The storefront will be closed for this event, seeing as we will be moving alot of our merchandise out to the event location!

October 22 -- In-store tying class -- Tying for Panfish on Brushy Creek. The class costs $5.00 to offset material costs and will start at 7:00pm! We will be tying two of my favorite patterns for Brushy's panfish. Class space is limited so please come by the store or email chris@livingwatersflyfishing.com to sign up. Materials, tools, and vises will be provided but if you have your own tying set up then by all means bring it!

October 23 -- 7:00pm-9:00(ish)pm. In-Store fly tying "Roundtable" -- Bring your fly tying stuff and come tie up a storm! This ain't your house, this is a fly shop, so no one will gripe at you about getting deer hair all over the place! This is a great time to swap ideas, patterns, and techniques! If you simply want to come and watch then feel free to do so! If the fish stories start up and we dont get out of the store until 12:00am then no complaints here but after 11:00pm don't expect me to believe everything you say about the one that got away!

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Thanks for reading and good luck out there on the water! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,
Chris Johnson

LWFF Update -- 9/20/2008

2008-09-20T16:16:00.012-05:00

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

As you all know, the greater portion of central Texas received no rain from the recent hurricane. As a result our stream flows are still low but with the exception of the San Gabriel are still VERY fishable. There have been plenty of good reports coming in from Brushy Creek and the Llano River but don't forget that our local lakes and reservoirs can be fantastic for fly fishing this time of year. Lake Georgetown has produced some pretty decent sized bass for me lately and every fish that I have caught could have been reached from the bank! I hope that you get a chance to get out and enjoy the cooler weather that we are experiencing -- it has been a much needed break from the 100+ degree days!

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Fishing Report for 9/20/2008

Llano River -- Flow rate of 105cfs around Mason and 87cfs below Llano. Flows are dropping and we could really use some rain! However, fishing has not dropped off like the flows have! Concentrate on three things: shade, current, and deep water. Fishing any one of those items will most likely yield fish. If you find a combination of the above listed hotspots...well, catching fish should come naturally as a result. As far as fly patterns go, everything has remained the same for the most part. Hoppers, Buggers, and Hairbugs can get you bit just about any day of the week!

San Gabriel River -- Conditions have not improved since the previous report.

Brushy Creek -- This little creek just amazes me! It's low but is still running a decent head of water! Water temps have dropped some due to the cooler weather and the fish don't mind in the least! Vary your fly selection according to species. Bass: Buggers, Baitfish Streamers, and sometimes small hairbugs, Sunfish: Anything that looks like a bug that will fit in their mouth! Foam spiders, small poppers, small dries, and include some small streamers for larger ones. Rio Grande Cichlids: There are still plenty of Rios swimming around and I have been seeing some rise to surface flies lately. If they refuse your topwater offerings then a small lightly weighted streamer (Muddler Minnow, Wooly Bugger, etc..) will do the trick!

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Store Update for 9/20/2008

Alot has been happening in the fly shop lately! It has been great seeing alot of you stop by! Here is a quick update on new items and events!

Rainy's -- NEW FLIES! The order from Rainy's came in and there are some great new patterns for our local waters in the shop! I also ordered alot of small trout nymphs and things of that sort for those of you that are getting ready for the Guadalupe or heading up to Colorado before it gets really chilly!

Dr. Slick -- let me just say that the discontinued titanium clamps are AMAZING! Featherlight, incredibly strong, and just plain good lookin'! Dr. Slick has a small pocket fly box that has clear fly storage compartments on the inside as well as ripple foam. The small box is completely waterproof and would be perfect for fishing the Guad!

TFO -- All of our rods are in and restocked so if you were waiting on a model then its here! Also added a shorter 8ft. 4wt. to our Professional Series inventory!

There's more on the way!! Come on by the shop and check out the new arrivals!

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Events

OKTOBERFISCH -- Oct. 17, 18, and 19 -- BE THERE! Living Waters Fly Fishing will be a vendor on site at this event so stop by and say hi! Come on out for some great fun and great fishing! I have more info about the event at the shop. Also you can visit http://www.fredericksburgflyfishers.org/ for more info about the event

FLY TYING --

We just finished up an in-store, fly tying intro class taught by Brooks Bouldin and are looking at starting up some more fly tying events in the near future. Brooks and I are asking for your suggestions for the class -- here's the scoop: We will be starting fly tying tutorial classes taught by pattern. Send the name(s) of the pattern(s) that you would like to learn how to tie to chris@livingwatersflyfishing.com and we will try our best to include it in an in-store fly tying class! If you don't have a specific pattern that you would like to tie but would like to learn how to tie flies for a certain water body (i.e. Llano River, San Gabriel, the coast, Caribbean, etc...) then send that input in as well. The class dates will be posted on a bulletin board at the shop with a sign-up sheet. If you have any questions about the classes just give me a call at the shop at (512) 828-3474 or send me an email.

In addition to the fly tying classes I am going to set aside a weeknight each week for an in-store fly tying roundtable of sorts. Basically, you show up with a vise and a bag full of stuff and tie up a storm with other fly tiers! More information on this weekly event will be posted in the very near future!

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Thanks for reading! Stop by the shop for some tackle, info, or a chat -- shoot, or all of the above! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson

LWFF Update -- 9/10/2008

2008-09-10T13:39:00.005-05:00

Greetings fellow fly fishers,

I hope that you all have had at least a little bit of time to get out and enjoy some of the great fishing that has been widely available lately. If you haven't made it out lately then you better hurry up before hurricane Ike gets here! From recent reports it sounds like there could be a decent amount of wind and lots of rain in our area over the weekend -- pray that the San Gabriel gets some water back in it!

Fishing Report as of 9/10/ 08:

Llano -- Flowing at 113 cfs around Mason and flowing at 73 cfs below Llano. Flow rates were higher in recent weeks due to past rains but are falling steadily now. Fishing is still fabulous so don't hesitate to go out there and throw some hoppers in this hot weather. Key in on faster moving water on the really hot, sunny days seeing as the water is better oxygenated and the fish are a little less spooky due to reduced visibility. When fishing slower water, throw to shaded banks with grass or trees blocking the sun -- we like having our picnics in the shade and fish are no different in this case! Hair bugs, poppers, hoppers, weighted streamers, and even larger nymph patterns are producing some nice fish as of late.

San Gabriel -- Minor flows at best. Deep holes will still hold some fish but the water is pretty warm throughout the river and in some places is stagnating very badly. I would personally suggest concentrating your fly fishing efforts elsewhere until we get more water in the river. Where the is water left there most likely will be fish due to the obvious fact that they can't go anywhere else!

Brushy Creek -- Flowing low but steady! The water behind the shop is still cool for this time of year and the fishing is hot! Small streamers, foam spiders, and dry flies will all get you some bites! Keep your eyes open for bigger fish in deeper pools and heavily shaded water. The fish in Brushy tend to bite better in the late morning and afternoon but its not uncommon for the larger fish to let their guard down a little in the early morning hours so try fishing it at different times each time you go and check the results!
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Store Update for 9/10/08:

A new shipment of Wapsi materials just made it to the store today. There are several new items on this shipment - drop by the shop and take a look at the latest arrivals!

I spoke with the folks up at Dr. Slick yesterday and talked to them about some of their items including their recently discontinued Titanium clamps -- apparently they are no longer able to keep them in production and have discontinued the product -- the last 4-5 of the standard 5in Titanium clamps that they had in stock are in route to the fly shop as I am writing this! In addition to the clamps, several other new and improved items from Dr. Slick are headed this way.

The biggest news is that the fly shop is expanding its fly selection by leaps and bounds and a large fly order from Rainy's will be here in the near future!
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I hope that y'all get to spend some time on the water soon! As always feel free to drop by or call me at the shop if you have any questions! Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,

Chris Johnson