Alvin Dedeaux is a renowned Austin-based fly fishing guide who is one of the Lone Star State’s most sought-after experts in the pursuit of everything from Guadelupe Bass in Central Texas to Redfish on the Texas coast. Alvin is an ambassador for well-known brands such as Howler Brothers and Yeti, and he’s twice been a finalist for Orvis’s Guide of the Year award. And on top of all of that, Alvin produces informative and entertaining videos on his popular Youtube channel, where anglers of all experience levels can learn from Alvin’s decades of experience.
Alvin was born and raised in Houston, and he has been a committed fisherman, hunter, and all-around outdoorsman for as long as he can remember. At age 12, he began teaching himself to fly fish, and what started as a hobby quickly became one of the most important aspects of his life– a passion that remains the centerpiece of his personal and professional lives to this day. Alvin’s story has many fascinating chapters, and each one could be its own three-hour podcast episode– he’s owned a construction company, been a singer in a very successful touring band, worked at the world-famous Austin Angler, and is now the head guide and owner All Water Guides. With a background like that, it’s no surprise that Alvin has become one of the most well-known fly guides in the country.
Alvin and I connected virtually and had a fun hour-long conversation about all aspects of his life and career. We started out chatting about his upbringing in Texas, and how fly fishing has been a mainstay in his life throughout all its various stages. We talk about his decision to leave college to pursue life as an entrepreneur, and his path to becoming professionally involved in fishing. We discuss his formative years working at the Austin Angler, and how that particular shop started the careers of some of the country’s most well-respected guides. He offers excellent insights into finding one’s dream job, the importance of conservation in Texas, and how COVID has affected Texas’s valuable fishing resources. We also discuss his popular Youtube channel and why he devotes so much time and energy toward sharing his wisdom. And, as you’d expect, Alvin offers some excellent book and music recommendations.
I loved talking to Alvin, and felt like we only scratched the surface of his wildly unique life. Be sure to check on the episode notes for tons of links to everything we discussed. Hopefully we can do a part 2 at some point in the future, but, until then, enjoy this fun conversation with Alvin Dedeaux!
Photos courtesy of Alvin Dedeaux
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EPISODE NOTES
Topics Discussed:
- 4:00 – Alvin’s background and childhood
- 6:00 – Alvin discusses how fly fishing entered his life
- 8:00 – Alvin talks about his decision to leave college
- 16:00 – Alvin talks about his job at the Austin Angler, his first job in the fly fishing industry
- 23:15 – Alvin discusses how he began guiding in Colorado
- 27:45 – Alvin talks about how long it took for him to feel like he had a sustainable business going in the fly fishing industry
- 32:00 – Alvin explains why he became interested in the use of social media for his business
- 37:00 – Alvin talks about finding the one thing you’d “eat shit all day” for (aka dream jobs)
- 45:00 – Alvin explains how COVID-19 impacted his business and limited fishery resources
- 51:00 – Alvin gives advice for anybody to become more conservation minded
- 53:45 – Alvin talks about how he got connected with Howler Brothers
- 57:45 – Alvin’s book and music recommendations
Information Referenced:
- Alvin Dedeaux
- Sunfish
- Eagle Claw
- Fly rod weighting system
- Martin
- University of Texas
- Texas A&M
- Austin Angler
- JT Van Zandt
- Dave Mangum
- Jim Adams
- Mina Hemingway
- Ernest Hemingway
- Adams & Sons fly shop
- Bozeman Angler
- Simms
- Joe Robinson
- Dave and Emily Whitlock
- Zap-a-gap
- Texas Hill Country
- Mike Thompson
- Yvon Chouindard
- Vermillion Brothers
- Taimen fish (Mongolia)
- Kamchatka, Russia
- Vail, CO
- Bill Perry
- Fly Fishing Outfitters
- Orvis
- Beaver Creek, CO
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
- Jay Kleberg
- Rick Wittenbraker
- Howler Brothers
- Yeti
- Banning Collins
- Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne
- John Adams by David McCullough
- Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson
- Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
- Slayer
- Metallica
- Soundgarden
- Snoop Dogg
- Bob Marley
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- Hal Herring – A Man of Words & Wild Places
- Mark Kenyon – A Passion for Public Lands
- Chris Dombrowski – Words, Water & the West
- Hampton Sides – Live at the Aspen Institute
Visit the podcast page for a full list of episodes where you can filter episodes by topic and guests’ vocations.
