Chris Johnson – GRTU Conservation Chairperson and Texas State Council Chairperson
Chris is the owner and founder of Living Waters Fly Fishing, a fly shop and guide service based out of Round Rock, Texas. He has guided the Texas Hill Country for seventeen years, and has fly fished the heart of the state for over 25 years. In addition to guiding his home state, Chris has been a licensed fly fishing guide in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alaska. Chris is a FFI Certified Casting Instructor, Umpqua Signature Fly Designer, Tenkara USA Guide, and TPWD Angler Educator Area Chief. He is also a pro team member for Whiting Farms, Scott Fly Rods, Dyna-King Vises, and Scientific Anglers.
Chris is dedicated to sharing his passion for the sport and investing in the next generation of fly anglers. He often is a featured presenter/fly tier at fly fishing, outdoor, and community events throughout Texas and beyond.
Chris and his shop have also been featured in several outdoor publications including Trout magazine, Garden and Gun, and Tenkara Magazine. He was also awarded the 2014 Man of the Year from the FFI Texas Council and in the same year, Living Waters was the recipient of the FFI’s prestigious Lee Wulff Award.
In addition to fly fishing, Chris is passionate about fisheries conservation. He co-produced the short film “Unspoken,” to raise awareness for Rio Grande Cutthroat trout conservation. As a result, Living Waters is working with Trout Unlimited as a Gold Level endorsed TU Business to restore Rio Grande Cutthroat throughout their native range. Chris serves as the current State Council Chair for Texas Trout Unlimited and is the Conservation Chair for Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited as well. He is also a part of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and the Rio Grande Cutthroat Conservation Team. Chris also serves as a member of the current Texas Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee and the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.
Chris is happily married to his wife Emily and together they enjoy fly fishing the world and raising their children in the sport.
Featured Presenters
George Daniel
George has been chasing anything that swims with his fly rod since age 6 and still has the same passion 37 years later. George has competed at a high level for Fly Fishing Team USA, earning individual back to back US National Fly Fishing Championship titles and ranked as high as 5th in the World. George has also served as captain for Fly Fishing Team USA and Coach for the US Youth Fly Fishing Team. He has competed and won other regional and national fly fishing competitions over the years. At age 30, George decided to give up competitive fly fishing and focus on what he enjoys most-teaching.
George Daniel considers himself a teacher first and a fly fisher second. He has authored three best selling fly fishing books and has authored dozens of articles for national fly fishing publications, including Fly Fisherman Magazine. He continues to travel the county conducting lessons and workshops for private groups, corporations, and conservation organizations. In 2022, George decided to come back to coach the US Youth Fly Fishing Team. He’s a brand ambassador for a number of fly fishing companies. He is currently the Director of the Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program at the Pennsylvania State University. George currently lives on an old farm homestead with his wife, two children, and boykin spaniel.
Heather Hodson
Heather Hodson (she/her/hers), the visionary behind iFishiBelong, Fly Fish Instruct, and United Women on the Fly, calls Spokane, Washington, home, nestled in the heart of west slope cutthroat country with her life partner. Frequently characterized as a “Jill of All Trades” and an everlasting fly-fishing student, Heather stands out for her contagious enthusiasm for knowledge-sharing, mentoring, philanthropy, and innovative thinking. Despite not adhering to the conventional image of a fly-fishing instructor, Heather and her Fly Fish Instruct team symbolize the industry’s future.
Landon Mayer
Landon Mayer’s angling success is fueled by an addiction to pursuing selective quality trout on the fly. Mayer enthusiastically teaches and demonstrates his techniques and on-river knowledge to fellow anglers and has developed innovative strategies for sighting, hooking, and landing selective trout. He shares these tips and secrets in his books 101 Trout Tips: A Guide’s Secrets, Tactics and Techniques (new for 2015), Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing for Trout (Second Edition), and The Hunt for Giant Trout: 25 Top Locations in the US to Catch a Trophy, Guide Flies: Easy to Tie Patterns for Tough Trout. in addition to a new instructional video Mastering the Short Game(www.mastertheshortgame.com).
Landon’s passion for fly-fishing has allowed him to make several noteworthy contributions to the sport on and off the water. This has included travels to fly-fishing related organizations of the Mid-Atlantic, West, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southern states, as well as teaching through guided trips, fly-fishing classes, presentations, and demonstrations of his unique techniques.
Mayer is a contributing writer for Fly Fisherman and High Country Angler magazines. His contributions also have been featured in publications such as Fly Fusion and American Anglermagazines.
As an ambassador in the fly–fishing industry, Mayer represents several lines including Simms Fly Fishing apparel and is a royalty fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. He is also an advisory team member of Simms, Bauer Reels, R. L. Winston Rods, Scientific Angler, Smith Optics, Fish Pond, Yeti Coolers, Regal, Fly Craft, and Casio Pro Trek watches.
Mayer has been guiding in Colorado full time on the South Platte River for the last 26 years, and one full season on the Nak Nek River in AK. He resides with his family in Woodland Park, Colorado.
Pat Dorsey
A native of Colorado, Pat Dorsey has been guiding for over 30 years. Pat Dorsey spends well over two hundred days a year on the water, a combination of guiding customers, hosting destination travel-trips, and personal days on the water.
Pat Dorsey is the head guide and co-owner of the Blue Quill Angler fly shop in Evergreen, Colorado. He oversees and trains more than 25 guides, setting the standard for integrity and professionalism in the Blue Quill Angler guide operation. Dorsey also, maintains an online stream report that monitors stream flows and conditions for the Blue, Colorado, South Platte (Cheesman, Deckers, Spinney Mountain Ranch, and Elevenmile Canyon), North Fork of the South Platte, and Williams Fork Rivers.
Pat Dorsey is a Simms Ambassador, a member of the Sage Elite Pro Team, Fishpond Ambassador, Orvis Pro Team Member, Yeti Pro staff, and Scientific Anglers pro staff. Pat Dorsey is the Southwest Field Editor for Fly Fisherman Magazine.
In 2005, Pat authored the book, A Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, a complete how-to fly fishing manual for the entire South Platte River drainage. It encompasses a thorough look at each section of the river detailing the hatches and recommended fly patterns for each of the four seasons of the year.
In 2009 Pat Dorsey authored Fly Fishing Tailwaters, a comprehensive book on how to fish tailwater fisheries. In 2010 a companion book to Fly Fishing Tailwaters hit the shelves, Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies, which is jam-packed with how to tie Pat Dorsey’s favorite “guide flies”. This book includes 500 step-by-step tutorials, as well as, helpful tips and illustrations on how to rig and fish them. His latest book is Colorado Guide Flies, which was released in 2015. It features tips from the state’s best guides and includes approximately 600 proven guide flies with recipes. In 2020 Dorsey revised his book Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, which includes complete updates, new photos, hatch charts, and maps. Dorsey’s latest book is Favorite Flies for Colorado: 50 Essential Pattern from Local Experts, which was released in October 2022.
Pat Dorsey is an accomplished fly tier and has originated a number of very effective patterns such as the Mercury series, UV scud, Limeade, Cherry-Limeade, Paper Tiger, Top Secret Midge, Medallion Midge and the famed Black Beauty. Although Pat Dorsey no longer has the time to tie flies commercially, he once produced over 28,000 flies in a year. Dorsey is a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. His signature flies are available at the Blue Quill Angler and other specialty fly shop throughout the United States. Pat Dorsey is also a Pro Team Member for Whiting Farms. Many of his flies incorporate Whiting Farm products.
Pat Dorsey is a nationally known speaker. He travels the United States sharing his passion for fly fishing at trade shows and private fishing clubs. He is very active in Trout Unlimited and the conservation of cold-water fisheries.
Pat Dorsey is the proud father of three wonderful boys, Forrest, Zach, and Hunter. He is also blessed with two step children, Nicole and Michael Richardson. They, like their dad, enjoy fly fishing. His wife, Kim, is an avid angler and often appears with Pat at trade shows and other speaking engagements. Kim and Pat Dorsey, also, host a yearly trip to Alaska Sportman’s Lodge each September, Soaring Eagle Lodge in October, Nomadic Waters in Brazil in November, and Rio Manso Lodge (Patagonia) each April and December with a group of customers.
Panel Discussion Participants
Judson Cole
Judson Cole is the manager at Rio Anglers, a new guide service focused on the Guadalupe River and surrounding areas. However, Judson has been guiding for 15 years on the Guadalupe River under his old guide service, Hell N Back Outfitters.
Originally from Abilene, TX, Judson made his way to the Hill Country after graduating from Tarleton State University in 2005. After a short few years in the corporate world, he took up guiding to provide for his growing family. He now lives in Blanco with his wife, Tara, and two daughters, Paisley and Kinley.
Dan Cone
Dan Cone is the owner and primary guide for the Castell Guide Service. He grew up fishing and hunting in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, spending many of his summer days on the Llano River. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Class of 1999. After completing his studies he returned to Llano and got a “real job” but found himself spending more and more time fishing on the rivers of the Texas Hill Country and in 2002 began guiding on the Llano River.
In 2006 Dan began splitting his time between Texas and Colorado. He worked as Head Fishing Guide for Elktrout Lodge from 2006 to 2008 In 2009 moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to work for Frying Pan Anglers, where he guides the Frying Pan, Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers. In 2011 Dan began splitting time between Frying Pan Anglers and managing the San Juan Angler in Durango, CO, adding the San Juan below Navajo Dam, Animas, Pine & small creeks to his offerings in Colorado & New Mexico.
Chris Jackson
Fishing experience from the Pacific to the Atlantic, as well as Belize. Appeared on the Gruene episode of the Emmy award winning Bronco Roads tv show.
I’m a full time fishing guide and owner of Action Angler & Outdoor Center on the Guadalupe River. My fly shop opened in May of 2001. I have over 30 years of fly fishing experience, which started on stock ponds in north east Texas.
I caught my first trout on the fly in Colorado at age 12 while hiking the headwaters of the Rio Grande. My guide resume includes one of the most technical rivers in North America called the Fryingpan. I continue to fish and guide in Colorado through the summers, and have fishing experience in numerous waters stretching from California to Maine and all the way down to Key West. My only experience out of the country is Belize. I’m always looking to share my experience with other anglers looking to fish the hill country, and learn from other anglers as well.
*TXPW licensed fishing guide, *Colorado float guide certified *Swift Water Rescue certified *Trout Unlimited Endorsed Guide *Wilderness First Aid certified
Chris Johnson – Panfish and Rio Grande Cichild Panelist
Chris is the owner and founder of Living Waters Fly Fishing, a fly shop and guide service based out of Round Rock, Texas. He has guided the Texas Hill Country for seventeen years, and has fly fished the heart of the state for over 25 years. In addition to guiding his home state, Chris has been a licensed fly fishing guide in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alaska. Chris is a FFI Certified Casting Instructor, Umpqua Signature Fly Designer, Tenkara USA Guide, and TPWD Angler Educator Area Chief. He is also a pro team member for Whiting Farms, Scott Fly Rods, Dyna-King Vises, and Scientific Anglers. Chris is dedicated to sharing his passion for the sport and investing in the next generation of fly anglers. He often is a featured presenter/fly tier at fly fishing, outdoor, and community events throughout Texas and beyond.
Chris and his shop have also been featured in several outdoor publications including Trout magazine, Garden and Gun, and Tenkara Magazine. He was also awarded the 2014 Man of the Year from the FFI Texas Council and in the same year, Living Waters was the recipient of the FFI’s prestigious Lee Wulff Award.
In addition to fly fishing, Chris is passionate about fisheries conservation. He co-produced the short film “Unspoken,” to raise awareness for Rio Grande Cutthroat trout conservation. As a result, Living Waters is working with Trout Unlimited as a Gold Level endorsed TU Business to restore Rio Grande Cutthroat throughout their native range. Chris serves as the current State Council Chair for Texas Trout Unlimited and is the Conservation Chair for Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited as well. He is also a part of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and the Rio Grande Cutthroat Conservation Team. Chris also serves as a member of the current Texas Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee and the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.
Chris is happily married to his wife Emily and together they enjoy fly fishing the world and raising their children in the sport.
Cody LaCroix
My name is Cody LaCroix and I work as a full time fly fishing guide for Central Texas and Alaska. From November to May I will be fishing on the Guadalupe River chasing rainbow trout & then fishing Alaska from late May to early October also for rainbow trout. I have been guiding full time since 2016 teaching the sport of fly fishing while helping customers become more confident anglers.
Piper Nunn
Piper Nunn is an artist and angler based in Denver, Colorado. Her art is inspired by her love of fly fishing, as well as her passion for conserving our fisheries and waterways. With a degree in Fisheries Biology, Piper is well versed in the issues that our fisheries face and hopes to use her art as a conservation tool. Piper believes that art can inspire and connect others with fisheries and waterways around the world, as well as inspire others to protect the areas and species that need our protection. “I hope that my art helps others to bring the outdoors into their homes and be constantly reminded of the beautiful world which we are lucky to explore, and the duty which we have to protect it.”
Austin Orr – Moderator
Austin Orr was given his first fly rod at the age of nine and he never looked back. After arriving in the Corpus Christi area in 2008, he spent a decade exploring and fishing all the flats, beaches, jetties and nearshore rigs that he could walk, paddle or motor to. In 2011 he earned his Fly Casting Instructor certification from Fly Fishers International (FFI). Currently, Austin works with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fisheries Management in San Marcos, helping ensure there are fish and beautiful places in which to catch them for future generations to come. In keeping with his passion for teaching, Austin started Elevate Fly Casting in 2019 to provide a resource for dedicated anglers who’d like to level up their casting and fishing knowledge.
Chase Smith – Carp and Gar Panelist
Chase Smith is an accomplished local fly angler and commercially produces his fly patterns through his company FishChaseFlies. Chase has spent countless hours chasing a wide array of fish species all over the Texas Hill Country and no one can argue his effectiveness as an angler and as a fly designer. He recently became a Montana Fly Company signature fly tier and is also a member of the Renzetti Vise pro staff. Chase is renowned for his skill tying Blane Chocklett’s GameChanger and other articulated flies.
Chase ties flies for a wide array of species in both fresh and saltwater. However, he especially enjoys tying flies for aggressive, predatory species. Aside from tying hundreds of flies every month, Chase also spends plenty of time on the water tweaking new patterns and sight casting to anything that swims.
His favorite species to target are carp, bass, and redfish and many of the patterns he designs revolve around those species.
Marcus Rodriguez – Guadalupe, Largemouth, and Smallmouth Bass Panelist
Marcus Rodriguez is well known throughout the local fly fishing community as the co-founder of The Guides of Texas, which he ran with his partner Johnny Quiroz. For many years, The Guides of Texas was considered one of the most respected outfitters in the Texas Hill Country. Now, Marcus guides part-time exclusively for Living Waters Fly Fishing, concentrating his efforts on warmwater species. Throughout his fly fishing and guiding career, he has introduced countless people to the joy of fly fishing Central Texas. With its spring fed creeks and crystal clear rivers, Marcus believes the Texas Hill Country is a world class fly fishing destination that everyone should experience. Marcus has more than 25 years of guiding experience under his belt and guides over 1000 river miles in the state of Texas.
He has been featured in a number of publications including Southwest Fly Fishing, Austin American Statesman, Denver Post, Lone Star Outdoor News, and Texas Blue-Ribbon Fly Fishing. Marcus was also a featured guide on Fly Fishing the World and Ford Motor Company’s TV series: The Outfitters. He is a former board member of the San Marcos River Foundation and due to an inordinate amount of logged river hours, he is likely the best canoe paddler you will ever cross paths with! In addition to all of these accomplishments, he is one of the finest people you will ever meet, and every day spent on the water with him is an absolute blast!
