About the GRTU Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is a non-profit, conservation organization whose vision is to engage in the work of repairing and renewing the rivers, streams, and other waters on which we all depend.
Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited (GRTU) is a non-profit, 501c3, conservation-focused organization located in Central Texas. Our conservation efforts (link to conservation) are focused on protecting, reconnecting, restoring and sustaining our cold water resources. We are the largest local chapter of Trout Unlimited with over 5,500 members across Texas and our home water is the Guadalupe River.
Rainbow trout were originally stocked in the Guadalupe River by the Lone Star Brewery, creating the southernmost trout fishery in the country. In the mid-1960’s local biologists, anglers, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) all supported studies and programs to introduce trout to the Guadalupe.
Then a group of Texans that enjoyed trout fishing, including, Bill Parvin, Dick Finta, James Keaton, Bob Newman, Chad Oliver, Bill Pabst, Glen Richardson, Lt Colonel Paul Schubauer, Haxel Schubauer, Jim Vynalek, and Bill West got together and founded the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
The chapter started small, however grew to be the largest chapter in the country.
To further our mission, GRTU hosts conservation, education, and fundraising programs throughout the year. These include river clean ups, youth camps, grant programs, fish stockings, a Guadalupe River lease access program, and our nationally recognized weekend-long conservation and fly fishing event, Troutfest TX.
We are governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and chapter bylaws that guide our organization’s activities and direction.
Most of all, we (our members, our partners, and our Board of Directors) are conservation-minded fly fishing enthusiasts that are working to engage more people in our efforts to protect and restore cold water fisheries.
Honorary Life Members
The following distinguished members of GRTU have been designated, some posthumously, as Honorary Life Members of the Chapter for their exceptional contributions to our work. This honor is reserved for commendatory recognition of individuals whose personal service contributions to the Chapter are deemed to have had outstanding impact in advancing Chapter and TU objectives.
Clement W Bird
Alan Bray
Bill Cobb
Mark Dillow
Phil Dopson
Dick Finta
Karen Gebhardt
Rupert Gresham
Howard Itten
William A. (Bill) Johnson
Hymar Karbach Jr.
James W Keeton
Doug & Tanya Kierklewski
Mick McCorcle
Bob Newman
Chad Oliver
Irving O’Neal
William C. (Bill) Pabst
J. Bill Parvin
Basden L. (Bud) Priddy, MD
Glenn Richardson
Jeff Schmitt
David Schroeder
Mrs. Hazel Schubauer
Lt. Col. Paul A. Schubauer (Ret.)
Betsy Story
Bob Story
Marian Tilson
Rafael Torres
Billy Trimble
R.E. (Bob) Tuttle
Jim Vynalek
William G. (Bill) West
T.B. (Tom) Whitehouse
CONSERVATION
Protecting, reconnecting, restoring and sustaining our cold water fisheries. It’s what we are here to do.
LEASE ACCESS PROGRAM
Our lease access program allows members access to fish the Guadalupe River at 14 private locations.
YOUTH TROUT CAMP
Engaging our young people in river ecology, conservation and fly fishing with an expert hosted parent/child weekend on the river.
