Fly fishing is not just a passion for Alvin Dedeaux. He is also fortunate to make his living at it.
Considered to be one of Texas’ premier fly fishing guides, Alvin spends his winter and spring months chasing largemouth and Guadalupe bass on his home waters of the Colorado River. In the summer and fall, he can be found chasing redfish in the shallow saltwater flats of the middle Texas coast.
So, what does he do with his downtime?
“I just got back from trout fishing in Argentina with a couple of friends,” said Alvin. “And as soon as I got home, I was back on the water guiding in Central Texas. In another month, I’ll be heading to the Texas coast for my high season there. I may head out west to Colorado or Wyoming later this summer to catch some cool air, and then I will be back on the Texas coast again in the fall. It’s an endless cycle, and I love it!”
Alvin is a two-time finalist for the Orvis Guide of the Year, and his guide service, All Water Guides, has been a finalist for the Orvis Outfitter of the Year. The business is a family affair; his wife, Lenee, runs it with the help of their 25-year-old daughter. The couple’s two younger daughters have also spent a lot of time on a boat with their parents. Their youngest has already decided she wants to grow up to be a fishing guide, too.
“She’s a very avid angler for a 9-year-old kid,” said Alvin. “She is hardcore and will fish all day, catching or not catching.”
Not surprisingly, family time is often spent outdoors. The family is contemplating an out-of-state trip this summer to Florida. While many families planning a Florida vacation might choose Orlando as a destination, the Dedeaux family has wilder things in mind.
“We’re talking about the Everglades,” said Alvin. “My kids really want to see some alligators, and maybe even a crocodile.”
And, because the Texas State Parks system is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, the family also has a few Texas State Parks on their radar.
“We love to hike and fish at Pedernales Falls, and we also visit Goose Island because that’s where I sometimes launch my boat when I am guiding on the coast.”
He’s planning a family camping trip to Guadalupe River State Park in a few weeks. Renowned wildlife documentary filmmaker Ben Masters will film part of the outing for an upcoming short film about Texas State Parks, which will be released later this summer. As the presenting sponsor of the Centennial Celebration, H-E-B is sponsoring the film to engage and encourage more Texans to visit our parks.
“Our parks have so much to offer. Especially in a state like Texas that is mostly privately owned, these public outdoor spaces offer a place for families to get out in nature,” said Alvin. “We should all be thankful these treasures are here for us to enjoy.”
Alvin also appreciates the bountiful waters of Texas that provide his livelihood. He gives back in ways that are meaningful to him and encourages others to join him. He co-founded the LOCO Trash Bash in 2018, which enlists an army of volunteers to clean up the lower Colorado River near Austin. He’s proud to report that the effort has removed more than 45 tons of trash from the river and banks so far.
Alvin is also honored to commemorate the Centennial anniversary of Texas State Parks as a We Will Not Be Tamed ambassador for Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. We Will Not Be Tamed calls us to appreciate the wildness of Texas, the vastness of our Texas spirit, and why we should be inspired to conserve it.
