Hill Country Flyfishers

08/24/2024

Okay folks, as if my life hasn’t taken a few crazy and unexpected twists and turns in last year let’s just toss one more on the stack! After moving to Bull Shoals Arkansas in December I started attending the City Council meetings and all I can say is WOW! I never realized that small town politics was a contact sport but this little sleepy town proved that wrong, in spades! After watching a grandmother get handcuffed and escorted out, numerous others threatened, calm public comments shut down and 6 police officers encircling the audience I knew that I needed to learn a bit more about the city government that controlled my new home. What I had witnessed was just the tip of a large and troubling iceberg that, if left unchecked, will eventually sink this town, my new home. So I had two choices, I could complain and wring my hands or I could try and change things for the better. I think those of you that truly know me know what path I took. The reluctant candidate was born. In a town that I just moved to in December, where no one knows me, I decided to take on the most powerful member of the City Council. Perhaps not the most sound decision I have ever made but I truly feel I had no choice. So,any words of encouragement or advice would be appreciated. Also, I have set up a Venmo account for anyone that would like to support my efforts. What’s in it for you, absolutely nothing other than the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped me do something good for an amazing small town in Arkansas. If you would like that Venmo account information just let me know. If you just want to offer moral support that would be a great help also. Thanks for listening, I miss all my Texas folks but I’m not going to lie, I don’t miss the heat!

12/04/2023

Change is good....Kind of!

Grab a drink and settle in, this is going to be a long post.
As most of you know by now, I am moving to Arkansas and “retiring”. Since this has come out, I have been getting a lot of questions and I thought that this would be the best way to answer them so here goes.

As some of you know I purchased a house in Bull Shoals Arkansas a few years back with the intention of retiring there, that time has come. As far as the retirement part of this story that’s a bit misleading, I plan on taking a few months in the spring, learning the water and starting to guide for Smallmouths in the area. That being said, I will be cutting way back on the number of days I spend on the water. My main focus will my partnership with Textreme, the largest manufacturer of fly tying materials in Europe. I will step into the role of North American distributer. Along with my work with Textreme I will continue to rebuild and rebrand Tuffleye. As you can imagine, I will have my hands full!

One of the most asked questions is what’s going to happen to my guide business. I am happy to announce that Ryan Schaper, from “Go Outside Expeditions Co.” will be taking over my “Book”. I looked long and hard to find someone that would maintain the high quality of our trips and Ryan fits that requirement 100%. I would encourage all of my former customers to reach out to Ryan for all their guiding needs, I know you will be pleased with the quality of service he offers. He can be reached from his web site, www.gooutsideexpeditionsco.com. I will retain the name, web site and phone number for Hill Country Flyfishers, restarting it in Arkansas this spring.


Another question I am asked is about the book, “Fly Fishing the Texas Hill Country”. Again, I’m pleased to announce that Chris Johnson and I have agreed to co-author the next edition. We have already had some very productive planning meetings and have come up with a game plan to bring you an updated and expanded edition that we know you will find as useful as the last one. We will keep you updated as things progress. After this next edition I will be stepping away from the book and Chris will take over. Just as Bud would have wanted, it will continue far into the future.

So, that should cover it. If any of you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. My E-Mail address and phone number will stay the same so I'm easy to reach. If you would like to join me one last time, Chris Johnson and Living Waters are hosting a going away party for me at the shop, Wednesday, December 6, 6:00pm-8:00pm.

In closing I would like to thank the entire Texas fly fishing community for the support that allowed me to make a living, doing what I love, for over 30 years. I have had the honor of teaching hundreds of you how to cast, tie your first fly, catch your first fish on a fly rod or just spend some amazing time with you in the beautiful Texas hill country. I will miss these times but it's time for me to step aside and let the next crew take over. My only regret is that I can’t start it all over, it was a great ride and I thank all of you for that.

11/29/2023

I want to thank everyone for the warm birthday wishes yesterday. I tried to answer each of you but I’m sure that I missed a few, that was unintentional . I spent my birthday in Bull Shoals Arkansas , working on my house there. It’s been beautiful, and a bit cool!, here and the remodeling of the house is almost finished! I am thankful for all my friends in and out of the fly fishing community. Stay tuned for another, more detailed, post about my future plans. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes!

06/23/2023

12/19/2020

Last Minute Christmas gift

Still looking for that last minute Christmas gift for the fly fisher in your life ( or for yourself)? How about a fly fishing trip? For the next 5 days, December 19th -24th, I will be offering discounts on gift certificates. They can be E-Mailed to you in minutes, they never expire and make great gifts.

Now, read this last part carefully, I don’t want any misunderstanding about what you are buying. These gift certificates can be used any time on any river in the hill country EXCEPT on the Guadalupe during “Trout” season. The reason is simple,I do not personally guide on the Guadalupe during the winter months. Those of you that know me know my reasons, those that don’t and would like to know them just ask.

That being said, here is the deal I’m offering. $100 off a two person, full day trip, normally priced at $450 bringing the cost down to $350.

The second deal is $50 off a one person, full day trip, normally $300 bringing the cost down to $250.

There you have it. Here is the fine print, this offer only lasts 5 days, payment can be made through PayPal or Venmo and need to be payed before December 24th,the gift certificates never expire, there is no limit in how many gift certificates you my purchase using this offer.

So, if you are interested in this offer please text me @ 522-589-3474 or E-Mail me at [email protected]. I will need to know how you want the “To:” and “From:” to appear.

That’s it. I hope this offer helps a few of you with your gift giving needs.

12/21/2019

This is for all you “last minute” gift givers out there, you know who you are! Hill Country Flyfishers is offering you a holiday discount on gift certificates. Get a $50 discount on a two person, full day trip or a $25 discount on a one person, full day trip. This offer will be limited to the first 10 folks that contact me via text (512-589-3474). Offer excludes Guadalupe trips. Happy Holidays and I look forward to hearing from you.

05/27/2019

Thinking of those who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

05/23/2019

Thank you Travis Gunter! It's always a pleasure to be on the river with those who enjoy the outdoors.

05/16/2019

Anyone missing the river as much as I am? Appreciate the rain, but need to get on the river!