Beginner Fishing Guide Archives - Holding the Line Guide Service

He Flexed for Fish and Family — 20 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Friday afternoon, November 28, I fished a short “Kids Fish, Too!“ afternoon trip with three generations aboard. While only the children, ages five, eight, and nine, did the fishing, the adults aboard helped me help the kids be successful. Joining me was Mr. Manuel Pena, the President of the Austin Fly Fishers…

Time with his Grandson – 49 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Friday morning, I finished with a grandfather/grandson team welcoming aboard Thad Willson and his 13-year-old grandson, Alex Grossman. Both fellows had fished before, but neither had fished in the way we went about approaching white bass this morning. Both already had down the fundamentals of using spinning gear, so, their learning curve…

69 More Reasons to be Thankful – Thanksgiving 2025

CLIENTS: This morning, Thanksgiving Day, 2025, I fished with returning guests Brett and Vilma Jordan of Pflugerville. Vilma is originally from Guatemala. She and Brett met when both of them worked at Dell Computers in the Austin area. TODAY’S DATE: Thursday, 27 November 2025 (AM) NEXT OPEN DATE FOR FISHING: Monday, 01 December 2025 (AM…

Fishing After the Furlough – 143 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Wednesday morning, November 26, I fished with a returning crew of three including Shawn Leverington, Jeff Burns, and Ryan Blair. Shawn is a U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel whose “regular job” is as a civilian working for the government; as such, he had some “bonus” fishing time during the recent government shutdown.…

Short and Sweet – 43 Fish on a Quick Afternoon

CLIENTS: This afternoon, Tuesday, November 25, I fished a short two hour, 40 minute trip with a crew of three young people. Mr. Max Jordan from the Belton area gathered three grandkids together – – Houston Brown, and Maeve and AJ Lantham, and accompanied them on this afternoon‘s trip before packing up and heading back…

Third Time’s A Charm — 105 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Tuesday morning, November 25, I fished with three new clients. Spanning three generations were Craig Teal, his son-in-law, Tony Hernandez, and Tony’s 13-year-old son, Rayden. Craig is a retired machinist with 40 years in the industry, Tony is a public high school principal in the DFW area, and Rayden is working his…

A Thanksgiving Week Tradition – 158 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Sunday afternoon, November 22, I fished a rare Sunday trip with a great group of kids who have been coming out with me around Thanksgiving time each year for many years now. Joining me this evening was Guy Slimp of Salado and three of his four kids, Lorelei, Townes, & Calvin (Hudson…

Much-Anticipated Cooldown Spurs Fish into Gear – 134 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Saturday, November 22, I fished with a crew of three – – all first time guests. The occasion for this trip was Mr. Brad Kimbrough’s 62nd birthday, which came around this past August. Joining him in the celebration was his son, Alex, and Alex‘s brother-in-law, Justin R. Brad is recently retired from…

Free Fishing for Deployed Soldiers’ Kids — 58 Fish

CLIENTS: On Friday afternoon, November 21, I fished the season’s 12th SKIFF trip, welcoming Michael (age 11) and Zoey (age 8) Gilman aboard. The children’s father, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Michael Gilman is a field artilleryman with 14 years of military service. He is currently deployed to eastern Europe for several months. With four even…

The Weatherman Lied to the Preacher – 94 Fish

CLIENTS: On Friday, November 21, I fished a two-man trip under some pretty soggy conditions. I welcome back Dr. Jim Wood of McGregor, Texas, accompanied by the pastor of his church – Pastor Greg Traylor – who joined me for his first time aboard. Both fellows had prior experience using spinning reels, and Jim had…