Become A Lease Member!

Our next general chapter meeting will be held Saturday, January 28th at:

Canyon Lake CRCC
South Access Road
Sattler, TX

9AM - Lease Access Orientation & Social Hour
10AM - Business Meeting (including voting on proposed bylaws)
11 AM - Speaker Christopher Taylor
12 - Door Prizes and BBQ Lunch
1PM - GRTU Board Meeting

Our speaker this month is Christopher Taylor.



Chris' father introduced him to fly fishing at eleven years of age on the waters of New Hampshire. His interest and expertise grew to the point where, during the summers of his college years, he guided clients for trout and salmon in Alaska.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, and not sure what avenue to peruse, he received a phone call from a friend in Telluride, CO to guide on waters local to the areas. After guiding the San Miguel and Dolores rivers for two years he went south to the San Juan River in Northern New Mexico and started guiding on the world renowned tail-water, working as a guide for a local outfitter.

In 2000, Chris started his own guide service, Fisheads, realizing an ambition that has sat in his mind for a number of years. Nine years in business, Fisheads of the San Juan became the premier guide service on the river servicing clients from all over the world. The quality of the Fisheads experience was recognized on a national level when Fisheads was named by Orvis as Guide Service of the year for 2008.

In April of 2011, Chris opened Fisheads San Juan River Lodge, complete with a restaurant, “The Back Cast Café”, fly shop and lodging to complement his guide service. Chris’s home waters of the San Juan River in Northern New Mexico is a tail water fishery similar to the Guadalupe River, and Chris will share with you what he knows regarding nymphing tactics from rigging your flies to casting. A presentation by Chris will certainly increase your knowledge, whet your appetite to fish and entertain you. It is a “not to be missed” presentation.

His presentation will be in two parts. The first being the river restoration project underway on the San Juan. The river is experiencing lower flows than in the past. Though it is still considered one of the top tail waters in the country, concerned fisherman and guides, along with fish and game took steps to keep it that way. There have been four separate projects completed and others in the works for the future. The success of these projects has surpassed everyone’s expectations. The areas where work has been done now hold more fish and insects than in the past. The presentation will cover these projects from start to finish.
The second part of the presentation will be on nymph fishing. Fly selection, rigging and presentation will all be covered. You will look at nymph fishing with a whole new attitude.

Hope to see you at the meeting!

The future health of our recreational fisheries depends on recruitment of young anglers and the passing of outdoor traditions from one generation to the next.

The Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited chapter is proud to sponsor the first annual Kid’s Writing Contest with a goal of encouraging and introducing Texas children to exciting fishing opportunities in our state.

Participants
All boys and girls from the state of Texas who have an interest in fishing and the outdoors. Entrants will compete in one of three ages classes:

Age 6-9
Age 10-13
Age 14-17

Writing Topic: A Great Day On The Water
Tell us a story about a memorable day that you’ve had on a Texas lake, river, pond—or even the coast. Tell us about a fish that you caught, or the one that got away. Tell us why this day was special. Was it the company: your dad, mom, sibling, or friends? Or maybe the weather was especially nice and you had a great nature sighting?

Minimum length: 200 words
Maximum length: 800 words

Please submit entrants by email to mail@departurepublishing.com

Judging
Each entrant will be read by a panel of judges who will select three finalists from each age group. The winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each age group) will be announced on Friday evening February 24, 2012 at the GRTU Troutfest banquet in New Braunfels, Texas.

Please note: correct grammar and punctuation will be considered, but the finalists will be selected primarily on the quality of the story. This contest is for the kids, and we hope to read their story in their own voice.

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each age class.

1st Prize: Fly Fishing Starter Kit from Temple Fork Outfitters
• Bug Launcher fly rod (5/6 weight)
• NXT 1 fly reel
• Floating fly line and leader
• Ready to fish!

2nd Prize: Beginner’s Fly Tying Kit
• Hackle
• Hooks
• Materials
• Tools
• Instructions

3rd Prize: $50 Gift Certificate

Schedule and Deadlines

Deadline for entries: February 5, 2012
Finalists announced: February 15, 2012
Winners announced: February 24, 2012

Trout Fest 2012 Feb 24 - 26

GRTU License Plates are available beginning 8PM May 31!

Some of the money from the purchase of this specialty plate will go to aid GRTU conservation programs.



Sign-up for GRTU License Plate