Category: News

Our longtime NBFF member and friend Ron Skarbowski passed away Tuesday

Our longtime NBFF member and friend Ron Skarbowski passed away last Tuesday per the following post from Jimbo Roberts on the Lease Members Forum:
 “This is the tough part about living a long life…. Ron Skarbowski passed away Tuesday and I just heard from his wife Donna. Ron wanted his ashes scattered at the 4th Crossing on the Guadalupe. I don’t know when this will happen yet, but if you would like to join us to send him off, you are welcome to join us. I will post more information here as details become available. I will miss his old-timer’s wit and cheerful banter while flyfishing together…. Jimbo Roberts GRTU V.P. of Fisheries Topic Link: https://members.grtu.org/forums/topic/ron-skarbowski.”
Pat was unable to send a group email from Big Sky, Montana while on vacation.  Big Sky was one of Ron’s favorite places to fish. We will keep you all informed on when Ron’s ashes may be scattered.

Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers News – Jul 31, 2025

Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers News – Jul 31, 2025
 

Event Reminder

Dear THCFF Members & Friends,

 

Life for Hill Country residents has been chaotic at best due to the recent flooding. The sorrows and damage endured by our friends and neighbors are overwhelming.

However, we are grateful for the life opportunity that remains and are determined to be part of rebuilding the future. Everyone receiving this newsletter is encouraged to participate in cleanup efforts in some way.
 

Here is a fun way you can help the Guadalupe River Flood Relief Effort.

🐟 Just two days away 🐟
Saturday August 2. Noon to 6pm

 Bring your friends and enjoy an afternoon of relaxed fun and learning. Prizes include guided fishing trips, casting lessons, hand tied flies, and fishing rigs.

Club Members Forrest West and Don Anderson will be among the expert fly tiers demonstrating tying techniques and answering questions. In addition, the Good Fly organization and professional casting instructors will be giving individual pointers and lessons. 

ENJOY OTHER CLUB EVENTS
 

Fly Tying Night Usually “Third Thursday, Monthly”

6:30-9:00 pm @ the Volunteer Fire Station, Waring TX 78074
(corner Waring Rd & N. Front St)

Texas Hill Country Area Fly Tiers’ Get Together.

Area fly tiers are invited to attend the “third Thursday” monthly fly tying night hosted by Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers, lead by Jack Bartell.

All tiers new, novice, or experienced are welcome to this THCFF Club event where the emphasis is on learning and teaching.  Assistance for new tiers is readily available. Visitors welcome.

Bring your own vice and materials.  Usually a “fly of the night” will be demonstrated at the beginning of the night where members to learn new flies, ask questions if needed, and tie the fly if they desire.  Club  vises and tools may be provided for those without. Visitors included.

Club members are encouraged to donate any excess tools and materials that they have to the club to build a stock of materials for use at the tying nights. 

More info or suggestions:  Jack Bartell; Jack53wb@gmail.com; text 830-446-9071
Visit the Events Page
 

CONTACT US

WEBSITE

Join our mailing list – get the latest fishing action and news.

 https://www.THCFF.ORG

SOCIAL MEDIA

Stay updated on the daily fishing action and news.  Follow us at:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Oktoberfisch

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/texashillcountryflyfishers/

Flood Relief Donations THCFF and new meeting date

ANNOUNCEMENT

JULY 12 CLUB MEETING CANCELLED
Club Meeting is being rescheduled for August.

___________________________

Flood Relief Donations
THCFF is donating $240 in Food Cards to be distributed to flood disaster victims.

___________________________

Jackson Leddy Gathering
Friends of Jackson Leddy today, July 11.

– Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers Board

______________________________

JUNE 12, MEETING CANCELLATION

As a result of the devastating loss of life and the general events in the Texas Hill Country, the club will be canceling our July club meeting and event and will reschedule at a later date.  Watch our newsletter for up to the date changes.

______________________________

FLOOD RELIEF DONATIONS

Many Club Members contacted the Board to share their feeling that THCFF should immediately lend a helping hand to the Flood Victims and Family Members of our community. With about 135 THCFF members some victims are likely club members or friends and family of club members. 

The Board proposed a plan to provide for short-term essential needs like food and water. The Club donated $240 to the Southern Oaks Church Flood Relief fund using HEB gift cards, which will directly benefit people in the Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Centre Point, and Comfort communities.

As of today, Food Cards have now been purchased are are being delivered. All Club Members are encouraged to participate individually in some way to help rebuild our community. 

If you want to provide additional support to the THCFF FOOD CARD DONATION EFFORT you may donate online through the CLUB at the button below and additional cards will be purchased.
DONATE TO FLOOD RELIEF…Click Here

______________________________

JACKSON LEDDY “Gathering” Julu 11, 2025

This coming this Friday, July 11th, 5-7pm; there will be a ‘Gathering’ of Friends & Family to remember Jackson Leddy, a real fisherman, and a good man.

The Gathering will be at the Tatsch House,(free standing Rock House) across from the swimming pool in Lady Bird Park off Hwy 16 in Fredericksburg Texas

Those that knew him well know Jackson felt uncomfortable at funeral homes or Memorial services, so friends are simply having a ‘Gathering’ of Friends and food (BBQ & keg beer).

If you would please pass this invitation to Club Members, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Bruce Ward, club member

______________________________

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the THCFF. I’m always available to hear your questions.

Warm regards,

Jim Hines

President

Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers

JimHines@thcff.org

Club Picnic

June 28, 2025

New Braunfels Fly Fishers had a family picnic at River Chase on the Guadalupe River.  We had 25 club and family members attend the picnic.  The hamburgers, hot dogs, brownies, and baklava were all excellent.

We also had a fly-casting competition designed by Phil Lambrecht that 13 club members participated in.  The competition had 4 hula-hoops spaced out and the object was to see how many hoops you get your fly in within a 3-minute time limit.  Bo Lewis won the event and was awarded a gift certificate to Rio Anglers Fly Shop.

Next year we will schedule the picnic for a cooler time of year.

17 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY – SATURDAY, JUNE 21

Greetings Fellow Fly Fishers,

We opened the doors to a dream in 2008 in our first location – a former cat shelter in a small strip center – on Sam Bass Road. A few years later, we were blessed to move into a business complex on Main Street – a big upgrade from where we were before, but still hard to find. Finally, in 2017, we moved into our custom-built, stand-alone building at 103 N. Brown Street! Year over year, we have watched the fly fishing community grow, and we are honored that so many call our fly shop home. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 17 years at Texas’ local fly shop this weekend!

17 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY – SATURDAY, JUNE 21
Shop, eat, and win prizes during our Anniversary Party this Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Enjoy live music from Ole G, bites from TX Biltong, complementary beverages, discounts across the store, and a free BBQ lunch. Of course our anniversary celebration wouldn’t be complete without our famous Prize Drawing and Mystery Scratch Off Tickets!

FREE BBQ LUNCH
We will be smoking up a load of brisket and sausage which will be served it up with beans, potato salad, cabbage salad, and drinks for lunch from 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.

ANNIVERSARY PRIZE DRAWING DETAILS
For every $10 that you spend (in-person or by phone order) on June 21st, you’ll receive a FREE  ticket to place in the prize drawing(s) of your choice! You DO NOT have to be present to win!!

PRIZE 1  ̶  Full Day Guide Trip for One or Two Anglers
PRIZE 2  ̶  Scott Fly Rod 50th Edition GS 4-wt and Ross Reel of Your Choice
PRIZE 3  ̶  Decked Honcho Case with Foam 
PRIZE 4  ̶  Fly Tying Shopping Spree
PRIZE 5  ̶  Private Casting Lesson for One or Two Students
PRIZE 6  ̶  SMITH Optics Sunglasses of Your Choice (up to a $350 value)
PRIZE 7  ̶  Sea Run Riffle Daily Fly Rod Case
PRIZE 8  ̶  Texas Coast Saltwater Fly Assortment and Boat Box
PRIZE 9  ̶  Lamson Remix S 3pk of Your Choice
PRIZE 10  ̶  Fishpond Tailwater Fly Tying Kit & Dr. Slick Tool Set
*Winners will be notified Monday, June 23rd and prizes must be collected or shipped by July 31st.

MYSTERY SCRATCH OFF TICKET DETAILS
The first 200 customers to make an in-store purchase on June 21st , will receive a Mystery Scratch Off Ticket. Bring your ticket back unscratched during the month of July to see what you’ve won! Prizes range from total purchase discounts, to FREE Scientific Anglers fly lines, to a Half Day Local Wade Trip with Chris Johnson! *Limit one ticket per customer. 

ANNIVERSARY SALES
– 40% OFF Select Leader & Tippet
– 15% OFF Fishpond Nets
– 20% OFF Select Decked D-Co Boxes
– 80% OFF Sightline Provisions
– 20-40% OFF Select Fly Rods
– 10% OFF Polarized Glasses
– 20% OFF Full Priced Simms Apparel
– up to 40% OFF Select Fly Reels
– additional 20% OFF Clearance Apparel & Footwear
* Sales limited to stock on hand. 

Thank you for a wonderful 17 years! We look forward to celebrating with you in the shop or catching up with you on the phone! If you have any questions about the event, please don’t hesitate to call or email. Thanks again for supporting your local fly shop!  We could never have made it this far without our fly fishing community.  Take care and God Bless!

Tight Lines,
Living Waters Fly Fishing