My name is Matt Bennett. I currently live on the outskirts of the Texas Hill Country near the heart of Austin, where we are blessed with an abundance of clear rivers and streams, each filled with a large variety of fish to chase with a fly rod.
Growing up in southwestern Louisiana, I’ve been fishing as long as I can remember. Most of my early fishing days were spent in the back of my dad’s bass boat on Toledo Bend where we chased largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie with conventional tackle. I picked up fly fishing one summer during my teenage years after finding my grandpa’s old fiberglass fly rod tucked in a closet corner. I began dabbling it in a bit on the smaller farm ponds back home, but it never really replaced conventional tackle for me until my move to the Austin, Texas area back in 2008.
I regularly fish our local rivers and streams for Largemouth, Guadalupe, and Smallmouth Bass.
I enjoy chasing Common Carp as well – ours can be some of the pickiest around. We also have a variety of sunfish species and a native cichlid, the Rio Grande Cichlid in the immediate area. The coast is just a short drive away and exponentially increases the variety of fly fishing opportunities with Redfish, Speckled Trout, Ladyfish, Jacks – just to name a few. We are truly spoiled by choice in our immediate area. Along with everything else, I also fish the trout streams of southwestern Colorado several times of year chasing Brown, Brook, Rainbow, and several species of Cutthroat trout.
With such a wide array of fishing options available in my immediate area, picking up fly tying was a no-brainer for me.
I needed a variety of patterns for a variety of conditions and species, which is what you’ll find on my website. My signature pattern, the Lunch Money, has been available through Umpqua Feather Merchants since in 2016. I’ve been part of the fly fishing industry for a while now as the shop manager for Living Waters Fly Fishing for just over three years, and am currently serving as the Vice President for the Texas Council FFI. Recently, I decided to pursue my passion tying flies full-time, and here we are.
“All of my patterns are fish-tested and approved in a variety of conditions before being offered on my website.”
I enjoy tweaking patterns for specific purposes. Want a pattern on a specific hook or maybe to better imitate specific forage found in your area? The customization options are virtually limitless and I’m happy to build them into the flies I tie for you. I want to create flies that you are excited about getting out on the water, so feel free to email me with any questions or requests.
Umpqua Feather Merchants Signature Fly Designer - Bennett's Lunch $
Ahrex Hooks Pro Team
Dr. Slick Company Pro Team
2015 International Federation of Fly Fishers - Charles E. Brooks Award Recipient