By Paul E. Robertson 

Early in January, as I looked ahead at the weather patterns, as well as my social and medical calendars (both of which seem to be full these days), it looked like a few possible days to get away to the Guadalupe River would be January 15-18. I reached out to a few of my fly fishing buddies to see who was interested and able to go. Tom Strawther indicated he could make it for the first three days. 

So, it was time to start planing the trip and gathering/checking gear, which is almost as much fun as the trip. As is our normal plan, Tom provided one evening meal (Chicken Spaghetti and Corn Bread) and I provided an evening meal (Cowboy Soup, Orzo Salad and Corn Bread). We normally take care of our own breakfast and lunch. However, I did enjoy the coffee Tom made in his Christmas gift of a Stanley French Press. I also made made some beef summer sausage that we shared at lunch. 

We arrived and set up camp Wednesday morning. After lunch we were off to fish. The fishing was a little slow that evening, but it was good to be on the water. That evening after dinner we enjoyed a robust fire in my Solo Smokeless Fire Pit and a cup of hot chocolate. That prepared us for what would be our coldest night with the temperature dropping to the low 30s Thursday morning. But there was no wind and not much moisture in the air; so we did pretty well. 

 

The next day we enjoyed fishing in a couple of different places on the river. We had a beautiful blue sky day and not much wind. Midday we had a good visit with our friend Judson Cole at his new fly shop Rio Anglers. He is always willing to help. He suggested that the fish were hitting small (sizes 20 an 22) black midges and caddis imitations. I have learned that Jud prefers to fish with more natural looking bait than some of the more gaudy looking flies other use. We had a good afternoon with both of us hooking up on fish. I really enjoyed watching 12 deer graze by the river that evening. They didn’t seem to be too bothered by me and eventually some got in the river not too far from me. 

Tom had planned to fish in on Friday morning and head back home in the afternoon. But on our fishing excursion Thursday evening the soles on both (yes BOTH) of Tom’s wading boots came off. The boots were Simms Guide Boa Boots which was a little perplexing to us both. Anyway, he changed his plans and headed home Friday morning. 

That left me fishing by myself on Friday. The weather was more overcast than the prior day and I think this helped the fishing. I used an orange squirminator (yes, it is gaudy) as an attractor and various small midges as droppers. I ended up getting eight that day. I stayed over Friday night so I could help with the Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited trout stocking on Saturday morning and also to visit with some of the folks and see the youth at the GRTU Trout Youth Camp. Daakus Geesling does a great job with the camp. The first major activity of the camp is for the youth to help with trout stocking. It warms my spirit to watch them carrying fish in buckets to the river, wade around in the water (much more gracefully than me), and watch fish being “shot” into the river off one of the bridges. They are inquisitive, excited, full of energy, and smiling. 

After the stocking, I packed up and headed home. I felt a sense of joy having seen those young people having so much fun, having spent a few days wading in the river, breaking bread with a friend, and holding a few fish and releasing them. Another good trip in the books. 

 “Fly fishing teaching us a few things about a few things. We know which way is north and which direction the winds blow when the weather’s about to turn. We can stop the bleeding, patch the leaks, and always have duct tape handy. We know a few good knots, a few good jokes, and can curse in a handful of languages. We can pitch a tent in the dark and point to a few constellations. We know how to ford a river, build a fire, and brew a cup of coffee. We can open a beer with almost anything. We’re good sports and gracious winners who are used to long odd and making friends with failure. We’re blessed with a vast reservoir of hope, and we trust that better outcomes and brighter prospects—the next cast, the next run, the next day—are around the next bend.” (Steve Duda, River Songs)

Paul E. Robertson
Ph.D., M.Div., ACPE Certified Educator
“Retired from work, but not from life.”