Guadalupe River Chapter Trout Unlimited

Editor/Publisher: Bob Tuttle 207 Finn St. 34‑4414 (512) 261‑4409

Published 3 times each year: January‑April‑October Meetings; 4th Saturday of the above months Contributors: Alan Bray, Hylmar Karbach, Mr. Strearnside Manners, Richard Phelan

OFFICERS DIRECTORS

President: Alan Bray 512‑263‑9619

Clem Bird Hylmar Karbach, Jr.

VP Chapter Affair: Erik Bataille 512‑250‑9194

Charles Meeder Irving O'Neal

VP Fishing Affairs: Billy Trimble 512‑218‑1876

Judy Presswood Buddy Robichaux

Secretary: Walter Zoch 512‑288‑3331

Ken Rupkalvis Kent T. Rush

Treasurer: Ron Presswood 713‑932‑7874

Bob Story Marian Tilson

Past President: Jeff Schmitt

Ex‑Officio: Jim Vynalek

Notice of Annual Meeting and Newsletter Saturday, October 28, 1995

PLACE: St Thomas Church Actively Center adjacent to the church This is must below Canyon Dam on South Access Road ‑ Sattler, Texas.

SPECIAL: 9:00 a.m. ‑ Lease Access Angler Education Class

The Meeting TIM: 10:00 a.m. ‑ Registration & socializing Coffee, tea, etc. 10:30 to 11:00 ‑ Meeting Business RAFFLE; SAGE Premium 3 piece rod (See raffle sheet) PROGRAM: Dave Hughes 11:00 ‑ 12:00

Catered (Optional) Posey's famous hill country barbecue. Please advise when signing in if you plan to eat. Better yet, call a director near you and reserve a plate. Director's Meeting Following

At the April Meeting:

New slate of officers and more directors. (See above). The following awards were presented by Jim Vynalek on behalf of TU National:

Bill and Margaret Johnson were recognized for their efforts for many years of support of the Chapter.

Jeff and Cyndie Schmitt were recognized for their efforts as Chapter President and Secretary

these past 2 years. Some volunteers for water temperature monitoring were noted. As usual, volunteers for other projects are still needed.

More desserts, wine and side dishes are sought and appreciated.

Splendid Program arranged by Irving O'Neal and presented by noted fly‑caster Joe Robinson. Good weather and a great learning experience.

The Loomis Flyrod and Scientific Angler Reel were won by S.D. Ellisor who was notified by telephone.

The October Program...

Program chairman Irving O'Neal has lined up Dave Hughes, a real pro, for this meeting.

Dave Hughes grew up in Astoria, Oregon, and now lives in Portland. He has been flyfishing for more than 30 years, writing and presenting slide show programs about fly fishing for nearly 20 years. His area of expertise is fly fishing for trout, including the study of trout streams and still water insects that trout eat. Most of his travels have been in the Rocky Mountain West and Far West, but he has also fished Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, and often in Canada.

Dave has written articles, essays, and fiction for most of the major magazines, including Fly Fisherman Magazine, Fly Rod & Reel, The Flyfishers, Fly Fishing, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream. His 14 books include the classic Western Hatches (written with Rick Hafele) and the Strategies for Stream Series for Stackpole Books (including Tactics for Trout, Tackle & Technique, and Reading the Water. He has also authored Strategies for Still Water, Western Streamside Guide, Deschutes: River of Renewal, The Yellowstone River and Its Angling, and American Fly Tying Manual. Coming soon; Fly Fishing Basics and Dry Fly Fishing.

Dave is an outstanding photographer; his workshops and club meeting programs are educational; his banquet programs are entertaining. All of his programs educate, entertain, and enthuse. He has quietly become one of the top writers and speakers in fly fishing today.

Bits and Pieces .....

When dining after the meeting, please use only ONE (1) paper plate as the plate count determines the number of people that the Chapter is obligated to pay the caterer for. You might consider using a paper napkin for any dessert contributions that you might find.

Because of the larger attendance, advance notification of your intention to dine would be greatly appreciated. Please call one of the following and let them know if you plan to eat:

Houston(713): Judy Presswood 932‑7874

San Antonio(210): Madan Tilson 493‑8249 Austin (512): Bob Tuttle 261‑4409

Rodmakers have moved down on 6th Street on the corner of Sabine. This location is just a few blocks from IH35 and reasonably close to The Austin Angler. Larger quarters, higher ceilings, and even a patio. You might take note of the new telephone number: (512). 322‑9693

Our Chapter membership has increased to more than 1800 with the recent influx from North Texas. This has put a strain on our resources so we could use many more supporting members. Our biggest expenses, besides the Trout stockings, are postage, printing, and site rentals for meetings. All the labor is done by volunteers. (We could use more of them also.) ‑The more that does, the less there is to do‑ (auld Scotch proverb). See the donation sheet and help with a check and/or volunteer your services.

Due to copyright laws and the expense of obtaining permission for using cartoons and published items pertaining to fishing, it is not feasible to do so. The editor could use some help from the membership. e.g. original articles, cartoons, tips, ideas, favorite fly tying examples, etc. Start the old creative juices flowing and send them in.

A new section will be allotted in future newsletters for personal ads for fishing gear, sporting goods, and similar items from members. The cost will be $5.00 the first 15 words and $5.00 for the next 15 words or less each issue (Telephone number will not count as a word). No commercial or non appropriate ads. Good place to move no longer needed gear. Send copy and check made out to GRTU to Editor/Newsletter. Specify which issue you wish to advertise in: January, April, October.

It has been learned that lake trout have been placed in the fishing waters of Yellowstone National Park by persons unknown. These are voracious fish and can wreak havoc among other species, including land animals and birds who depend on the lakes and streams for some of their food. National Park Service has offered a $10,000 reward for information for information as to whom, why, and when the lake trout were introduced. Efforts are underway to locate and destroy the fish's spawning beds as well as spreading gill nets.

At last a FISHING REPORT turned in by long time member Tom Whitehouse:

..... 17 Aug. Guadalupe below Sattler Bridge. DickBeck caught 3 rainbows; two 9"‑10", one 15"‑16". 1 caught one rainbow 18‑19, the largest trout I've caught in the last couple years. All fish released, of course, The larger fish were in excellent shape in body & color although both were somewhat lethargic in fight. River flow ‑ 120 cfs.

We both forgot thermometers so no water temperatures taken. 24 Aug., Kanz Lease ... river flow 105 cfs, water temperature 70 F. I caught and released 5 rainbows ‑ three 10"‑11", one 13"‑14" one 15"‑16". Also had on but lost 2 other fish. All were in excellent shape and fought hard.

THE NEW LEASE ACCESS PROGRAM

In the 1994/1995 season we had we had complaints from some of our landowners in the Lease Access Program about the demeanor of GRTU members. The complaints would not have occurred had standard GRTU rules for lease access been observed. The GRTU board asked for the formulation of a response that would convince landowners and GRTU members that we were serious about enforcing our own rules and that we would also help enforce the trespass and game laws that apply on GRTU leased land. Some sets of proposals were made and the board concurred via phone poll. The result is the new Lease Access Program. Highlights include:

1. All lease access members are now required to complete an angler education program which concentrates on the rules and regulations associated with GRTU lease access.

2. Lease access permit holders are required to register their license plates as part of a more aggressive enforcement program.

3. Lease land owners have been given the names of GRTU officers for reporting offenses and instructions for reporting trespass and regulatory violators to the proper authorities.

4. Lease access property lock combinations have been changed and will now be changed annually.

‑ Fly fishing for bass

Additional details will be presented to those who complete the Lease Access Angler Education Program. The purpose of the program is to preserve the access privileges we have worked so hard attain ‑ please help us by continuing your support of the GRTU Lease Access Program. Schedules for lease access angler education meetings are printed on the back of the allocation forms in this newsletter.

GRTU BOARD PASSES CATCH AND RELEASE REGULATIONS

At the spring 1994/1995 GRTU board meeting a catch and release rule was passed for GRTU exclusive lease access properties. All lease access properties were declared catch and release fishing, with the exception of Maricopa Lodge and Rio Raft. This is the first time GRTU as an organization has committed itself on paper to catch and release fishing, and the Guadalupe River is ready for itl I would like to encourage all GRTU members to practice catch and release at all sites along the river. We have proof that there is significant oversummering, and we're beginning to see natural reproduction in the river, every fish removed from the river is one that could over‑summer, reproduce and provide angling pleasure for years. Please Help make the Guadalupe the fishery it can be, and release your catch to swim again. ‑ Alan

RESEARCH NEWS

GRTU research projects progressed along three main lines over the summer; the Southwest Texas State University (SWTSU) sponsored research on Guadalupe river aquatic biology, the GRTU downstream temperature study, and efforts to obtain historical water quality data for the Guadalupe. Here are some highlights in all three areas:

SWTSU Studies ‑ Karen Quinones, the senior year aquatic biologist who has been working on the GRTU research agenda, has worked closely this summer with TP&W. During the electro‑shocking in June, Karen obtained stomach contents of a number of trout in the lower Bean's and BK areas. She is comparing them with the macro invertebrate (bug) samples she collected in the same areas. She reports one problem she encountered when a few of the trout sampled at Bean's had burrowing mayflies in their stomachs, but no burrowing mayfly nymphs were collected in the fast rocky water where the fish were taken. A return to the site solved the mystery ‑ there are silt deposits near the small island on the left looking downstream which have a significant number of burrowing mayflies. Evidently the fish are moving around to eat opportunistically when the drift is active, no surprise, but it illustrates the interesting correlations that are being established by the SWTSU project between aquatic food types and density in an area, and the eating habits of the Guadalupe River trout.

GRTU Temperature Studies ‑ Thanks to GRTU volunteers we have amassed a set of temperature data on a weekly basis for a section of the river running from just above the second crossing to Greune. Hylmar Karbach headed up the effort, and final results will be available next meeting. Billy Trimble planted four max/min thermometers, and some returned data while others were either ripped off or exposed during low flows. This was a huge effort on Billy's part, which included snorkeling in high flows!

Texas Watch ‑Water Quality Data ‑ On a related front regarding river water quality data, a source of data was located at the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority (GBRA). As part of the Texas Watch program, a volunteer organization which samples river quality throughout the state, GBRA has collected data at the second crossing (the bridge downstream of the bridge at Bean's Camp), since the late 1980's. These data include temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and many other water quality parameters taken at monthly intervals. Recently another source of Texas Watch data was located, that collected by the local New Braunfels High School students under the direction of Mr. Vincent

Weisser. Vince teaches Biology and Environmental Science, and his students have collected data at the first (Rockin' R), third (Bean's), and fourth (Sattler) crossings for the past few years at bimonthly intervals during active collection periods. These data are currently being requested from GBRA and will be a big help to GRTU and TP&W trout stocking and management programs.

The research program is supported primarily by member donations. The research budget in the 1994/1995 season was approximately $3,000. The products have been far reaching, and have played a major role in providing data for the proposed TP&W regulations, and will provide data for GRTU stocking and management policies in the future. We are in contact with TU National regarding an embrace‑a‑stream award for 1996, and were informed that we were the next to be funded before the money ran out in 1995. Please donate to research if you can, the funds are being well used and GRTU and the trout will all benefit.

THE 10 MINUTE TIP

While fishing in New Mexico this year I was reminded of the 10 minute rule. I arrived at the Pecos River on a Sunday afternoon, the parking lot at the lower end of the Fly Fishing Only section was crammed to over full. After a 10 minute maneuver to stuff my van between a VW Camper and a Jeep Cherokee, I rigged up and started walking. I didn't even look at the water for 10 minutes of fast paced walking, but when I stopped, I had a large section of stream to myself! It works on the Guadalupe too.

Remember that once you've gained access to the river, as long as you stay in the stream bed you're not trespassing. There's a lot of water that many fishermen never see ‑ take 5 or 10 minutes and find it. Alan Bray

NEW GRTU LEASE ACCESS PROPERTIES

Good news again! For the second year in a row we have added lease access properties to the GRTU Lease Access Program. This brings the total number of access points available to lease access permit holders to ten. Two of the new properties are farther downstream than any previous access points. Downstream sites are in keeping with results of our temperature studies which indicate that trout should be able to hold year round to as low as second crossing and beyond. Special thanks to our vice presidents, Billy Trimble and Erik Bataille for managing the signing up of our lease properties this season.

This brings the total river frontage in the lease program to 13,200 feet or roughly 2.5 miles of river access. This represents an increase of 66% over the 1993/1994 season, and 35% over the 1994/1995 season. For more information on these properties and the rules pertaining to their use, join the lease access program (see schedule of Lease Access Angler Education Program meetings in this newsletter).

TP&W PROPOSES NEW 1996/7 REGULATIONS

After extensive study by San Marcos inland fisheries' biologist Steve Magnalia, the over‑summering and natural reproduction of trout in the Guadalupe River has been well established. This crucial data, and temperature data collected by GRTU, were key factors needed to propose a set of special regulations aimed at changing the management philosophy for trout in the Guadalupe River. In August Steve and his associates proposed a new set of regulations to change from a putand‑take management style to a put‑grow‑and‑take quality fishery. The proposed regulations include:

Establishment of a special trout regulation area from Route 306 (the bridge at Whitewater Sports) to the second crossing (below BK, including Beans camp). Within this area the limit would be three (3) trout over 16 inches in length. Restrictions would include artificial flies and lures only in the special regulation area.

If passed this should produce a tremendous improvement in the year round trout population in the river. There will be public hearings and a good bit of political wrangling between now and final passage. We will need the support of all members in campaigning for passage. This help may be in letter writing, attendance at public meetings, signing petitions, or similar events that inform TP&W of the commitment of GRTU to the new regulations. The newsletter will be used to keep you abreast of events, but in the event of a special short term notice need for member support, a postcard will be sent with information. So far so good, the initial presentation to state biologists and game wardens went well, and the passage process will get rolling in earnest in the fall ‑ standby, we may eventually need every members help to pass our first enforceable special regulation for trout on the Guadalupe.

HOW ABOUT A GRTU SCHOLARSHIP?

In talking to Vince Weisser, the New Braunfels Biology and Environmental Science teacher (see the research article) whose students have been sampling the water quality of the Guadalupe under Texas Watch and GBRA auspices, I asked what support we could provide to insure the flow of water quality data. His first suggestion was volunteers to help take data, and for those who are interested in getting into Texas Watch and participating in water quality surveys please let me know and I'll give you Vince's phone number. I then asked if there was any other way GRTU could help. Vince indicated that money for equipment was not a problem, that they collect and recycle newspaper to support their equipment needs. He said his program works well when kids are interested and committed to Texas Watch. I asked if a scholarship tied to participation in the program would be an incentive, and Vince was quite enthusiastic. So ‑‑ I will suggest to the GRTU board that we establish a $500 scholarship to a New Braunfels High senior that has been active in the Texas Watch program collecting water quality data on the Guadalupe River. I believe this is a win‑win situation with us getting the data we need and the students getting a reward for commitment to a program that benefits us all. This money would come from research funds, please let the board know if you favor the scholarship as an incentive to get water quality data. ‑‑ Alan

New Braunfels Utilities‑Water Resource Development Planning

On July 6. 1995 an open meeting was held at the New Braunfels Utilities building in New Braunfels for two purposes. 1. to inform the public of the plans being formulated by the N. B. U. 2. to get input from the public on issues of concern.

NBU is concerned with assuring a firm water supply of 35,000 acre‑feet/year for the city of New Braunfels, which is the projected need of the city by the year 2040. They hope to reach this goal by obtaining water rights from the Guadalupe river of up to 31,000 acre‑feet, and obtaining the remainder from the Edwards aquifer. The process of applying for these rights is in motion at the present time and they hope to have the application ready for the Texas Natural Resource

Conservation Commission, and get approval by Sept. 1996. The potential impact is as follows:

Canyon Reservoir ‑ Releases from Canyon Reservoir would be increased over time as NBU demands increase. This would result in slightly lower elevations in Canyon Reservoir on average, than historically experienced. However, the water stored in Canyon Reservoir is specifically designated to supply downstream needs, and the total amounts released from Canyon Reservoir would not exceed the amounts permitted by TNRCC.

Guadalupe River ‑ the river between Canyon Reservoir and the downstream NBU diversion point (below Gruene), which includes the river Road recreational areas (and all of TU leases). would experience the same or slightly higher flows than those historically experienced due to the increased releases from Canyon Reservoir storage.

I attended this meeting representing TU, and briefly told them what TU is, and that our chapter is the largest in the US currently (with more than 1700 dues paying members). It is my impression that the expected impact detailed above would be advantageous to the use of the tail‑waters of Canyon Dam for cold water fisheries. We would see minimal flows increased, and in that the average level of the water in Canyon Lake would be decreased, we would probably see less of the destructive 1000+ CFS releases that have been necessary to prevent the lake level rising to levels over the spillway. I noted to the meeting that ideally, TU would like to see constant low temperatures that would allow spawning, and flow of between 200 and 500 CFS.

No matter what happens, we can't expect to see any changes that are significant before the turn of the century

respectfully submitted, Hylmar Karbach

The Schmitt's Fish Tales:

Some adventures of the roving Schmitts: We quote from Jeff:

I have topped my personal best on rainbow trout twice this summer, landing an 8 pound and 10 pound fish. The 10 pounder comes with a classic story.

The big fish was hooked up in the heavy current of the flooded Taylor River on a #16 fly and 4 lb. test line. Within moments, it took off on a run that broke my best flyrod in half! I was able to grab a hold of the tip section before it got away and got myself back into the fight. Twenty minutes later and several hundred yards downstream, I worked the fish into shallow water and onto the bank.

So, where's the picture or is this just another big fish story? Other than a car full of tourists who saw the fight and stopped along the road to watch, this fish was landed with only me as a witness. Neverthe‑less, it is an experience of a lifetime for me and just another big fish story to you. I do have a broken rod to show as evidence, if you'd like to see ft." And another quote ......

"On August 5, 1 landed a 15 pound rainbow trout, This 29 inch fish had a girth of over 19 inches. Unlike the last big fish story, this one was landed in front of a crowd of about 30 people and there are numerous photos. The crowd broke out in a group cheer when the fish was finally netted at the end of the 30 minute fight. In order to land this fish, I had to wade into deep swift water and eventually had to be assisted with my wading to avoid being swept downstream.

The big fish had 5 or 6 other flies in ft and also had a 3" Rapala hanging out of its mouth, the treble hooks grown into its jaw.

Clearly this fish had fought and won several times in the past."

The Chapter honors the following distinguished members with an Honorary Life Membership, some awarded posthumously. is honor is reserved for commendatory recognition of individuals whose personal service contributions to the Chapter are deemed to have had significant impact and otherwise were outstanding.

Honorary Members

James Keeton

Paul Schubauer

Bill Pabst

Hazel Schubauer

J. Bill Parvin

Tom Whitehouse

Glenn Richardson

Bill Cobb

Chad Oliver

Howard Itten

The end of the former Brazos River Chapter members of T.U…

As of June 1, 1995, The Brazos River Chapter was dissolved, and all members were re‑assigned to The Guadalupe River Chapter (as you were prior to the formation of The Brazos River Chapter). This was done out of necessity, as our Chapter could no longer provide any of the needed services to our members. We had been without any official officers for almost a year, because we had no nominations for vacant offices, and no one attended the meeting in which the elections were held. Without any participation from local members for over a year, it was foolish to continue to pretend we still had a Chapter. I have chosen to turn over our treasury and all other assets to the Guadalupe River Chapter, so that the TU members in North Texas can once again get the type of support (newsletters) they deserve. It was an honor to serve as President, and a joy to work with the few individuals who were able to help in the early days.

See you on the river!

David Hurdle

The Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited honors our Century Club Members. The following have made cash contributions of $50 or more, in addition to their supporting membership donations and lease access permit costs for 1994‑5.

Robert Arthur Anthony R. Avilla Alan Bray Dr. Hanes H. Brindley Rick Camps Walter Carver Stephen Couch Brien Dillon Charles Duoba Daniel Easley Frederick Elder Kenton Fickes Delton FoleyMD Jack P. Gay ra am, r. Fred Hamilton, Jr. William HillsMD,Howard Itten Ralph Jenkins CurtJohnson Greg Laubach Robert Lende Mark McCollum Wesley Nelson

Rockne Onstad Robert Osborne Judy & Ron Presswood Steven A. Raben Cyndie & Jeff Schmitt Robert Shoemaker Jay

Billy Trimble Jim Vynalek M. Williams

Dear Mr. Stream Manners,

On a fine sunny afternoon I was valiantly flailing the waters below the bridge at Bean's. The struggle was against the little fellahs rising to something I just managed match with a #20 Griffith Gant. When I had confidently made a magnificent cast to one rising trout "Bubba" came stomping through the pool with his can of corn and asked "Yawl catchin' any‑thang?". Not knowing how to react short of homicide I stomped out the water and headed toward the nearest emporium of spirits.

How should I have handled the situation?

Sincerely,

Hacked off at Bubba

Dear Hacked,

Your restraint is commendable, a body floating down stream would have caused undo pollution to the stream.

When you encounter such unfeeling personages, most do not know their place in the evolutionary chain, continue to try and exercise tact. One explains to them they are crowding your fishing zone and two that if he is aware that he is using bait in fly fishing catch and release area.

The fishing zone is where your long forward cast would not overlap another angler's back cast. So exercising this guide line, all on the stream would be able to enjoy the area and have their space to fish.

Tight Lines,

Stream Manners.