Meet Captain Steve Hollensed. Texas

Capt.Steve Hollensed, Texas

CAPT. Steve Hollensed, MCCI

Tom Bean, Texas

Phone: 903.546.6237

A life long angler, and former high school chemistry and physics teacher, Steve has long enjoyed the pursuit of the angling experience and loves to share it with others. He began fishing Lake Texoma in the 1960's and Lake Ray Roberts immediately after its completion in 1987. He now guides fly anglers on these productive waters in search of inland stripers, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass.

As a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor, Steve also assists clients in developing the fly casting skills and fly fishing knowledge needed to pursue all species of fish on the fly. He teaches at various clinics and schools across the state.

Steve has fly fished all over Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, many western states and British Columbia.

- Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide
- Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor
- Past president of the Red River Fly Fishers
- United States Coast Guard Captains license
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fishing guide license
- Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fishing guide license
- Fully insured
- First Aid & CPR, American Heart Association

Teaching Philosophy

Learning is one of life's great joys and learning to fly fish is indeed a treasure that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

Fly fishing is a grand and alluring sport. It provides a real connection to the natural landscape in a world that is dominated by technology, stress, and hustle and bustle. It is fun, but not technical, difficult, nor expensive.

However, fly fishing is a skill based form of angling that requires getting past that little bit of discipline inherent to the sport. Once acquired, that little bit of discipline will open up an exciting, new world of angling opportunities to you.

My goal, as an instructor, is to help you acquire the skills and substance needed to fly fish in a style that suits you best. Whether you are making your first cast or learning an advanced technique, I will always teach in a positive, enthusiastic manner - never harsh, impatient, or unprofessional.

-Steve Hollensed

Below I have listed several items that might serve helpful in the planning of your 2012 fly fishing year. Please let me know if you have any questions or if I may help you in any way.

HOSTED TRIP: RETURN TO BLUE DAMSEL, MISSOULA MONTANA

This year, my hosted trip to the Blue Damsel Lodge was April 9-13. Again, as in 2011, we had a small but enthusiastic group that enjoyed great fishing, fabulous weather, and dining that was off the charts. Accommodations were grand and the staff service redefined excellence.

We hit the Skwala hatch perfectly and enjoyed superb dry fishing on the Bitterroot River on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lots of fish were caught and most were in the 14 - 19 inch range. Weather both days was excellent with highs in the mid 70's. It was a little cooler on Thursday. We opted for a change of pace and went to the Big Blackfoot for some streamer fishing where we landed some nice trout and bull trout to 24 inches. All three days we fished different water and saw very, very few anglers. In addition to the Skwala hatch, we experienced other hatches of smaller stones including Capnia and Nemoura, plus good hatches of Blue-Winged Olives and March Browns.

The last two years have confirmed for me what I had been hearing...there is some great dry fly fishing to be had near Missoula in the spring during the Skwala hatch...with very little, if any, fishing pressure.

If you like fishing for unpressured trout with dry flies, rivers framed with gorgeous scenery, and to be pampered with great food and service in elegant accommodations, then you will enjoy this trip.

Locking In Dates for 2013

This time period is beginning to attract much more interest at the Blue Damsel. So I have asked for the opportunity to make early deposits for 2013 to lock in the prime dates. This will allow my group to have the best dates selected for the Skwala hatch. Next year it will be April 8-12. Four nights/three days of guided fishing. An early deposit of $150 will secure your slot on this trip and lock in 2012 rates. Early deposit is for a limited time only.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact myself or Keith Radabaugh at 281.413.7459.

LOOP LAB 101

The spring edition of Loop Lab 101 is almost full...only 2 slots remain unfilled. This year the date is May 5. The class will benefit novice, intermediate, and even experienced casters. All who have participated have found it to be very revealing, insightful and most importantly...very helpful in casting.

TEXOMA TIME

As we move into 2012, those who desire prime dates for Texoma should think about locking in their days. (spring and summer dates are already filling) April, May, & June are times when the stripers are returning from their spawning run and are active and hungry. July & August is top water "blitz time". Everyone should experience a "striper blitz"!

LAKE MURRAY SMALLMOUTH

And for those wanting to get into some great smallmouth action in late February or March, think about locking in your days for that as well. Although the smallmouth fishing was "off the charts" this year at Texoma, I expect that Murray will start sooner and it usually has some great smallmouth action in March.

PRIVATE CASTING LESSONS

Regardless of where you plan to fly fish, nothing helps increase the satisfaction, enjoyment, and your chances of catching fish as much as good casting does. And the best way to improve your casting is through private lessons. The time to think about improving your casting is well before the big trip.

GEAR TALK

This year I am thoroughly thrilled that Orvis is bringing back their Abrasion Resistant (AR) leaders and tippet material. For warm water species I think it is the best there is. Most warm water species are not leader shy but they do live around lots of things that can abrade and cut material that is soft. And most of the strength in nylon mono comes from the outside diameter of the leader. If only 10% of that diameter is reduced by nicks, cuts, or abrasion, then much more than 10% of the strength is lost. The AR material resists this kind of strength loss yet retains the advantages of elasticity and suppleness of nylon mono.

I use it all the time for stripers, largemouth, and smallmouth but it has great applications for toothy pike & pickerel as well.

And for all of you casting geeks...it works great for practice as well...it almost never wears out. The AR leaders have an aggressive taper that also helps with accuracy and in turning over big flies.

Website: http://www.flywaterangling.com/

Contact Captain Steve: steve@flywaterangling.com

Master Fly Casting Instructor Texas

Federation of Fly Fishers Master Casting Instructors offering private and group lessons in One-Handed and Two-Handed Fly Casting

Simply the best!

Meet Captain Steve Hollensed. Texas

Contact Captain Steve: steve@flywaterangling.com