Spring Break Bassin

During Spring Break most people are hitting the beaches while I'm searching the shallow water for any sign of the spawn. With the weather being very inconsistent here in Texas and figuring it was still a few weeks away before the beds are inhabited. I paddled around on the SUP to get a better view from a standing position while throwing poppers and Cajun cheerleaders to the nearby flats.

 

 

It didn't take long to figure out that the bass were not shallow so it was time to move to the deeper trees and toss a crawfish imitation fly into the brushy depths.

 



With no success in the deeper water, tactics were changed again and I started fishing the outer edges of the grass and its drop offs. This was the pattern that I was hoping to find as buck bass were caught followed by some fat females that were bulging with eggs.

With the wind picking up I paddled to a cove and took a quick lunch break and a stretch it was time to get back at it.

 

 

With the weather warming up I was looking forward to some larger females moving up to the break line. I wasn't disappointed as the first one was lifted from the water for a picture.

 

 

 

After catching a few more it was time to paddle in and get out of the wind.

 

 

 





It's aTrout time

After retrieving my sling pack that was left in the jeep after the Devils River trip with the crew at Reelfly, and picking up some new flies for trout. Decided to hit the Guad up today and see how the trout bite was doing.

 

 

Slipping into the water I was worried about the cold since the waders were left behind and I chose to wear shorts. With the hot weather that we have had lately the water felt good until you got waist deep. Wading a few hundred yards over the slippery rocks and limestone ledges, my destination was reached and I began to cast a Girdle bug upon the cypress needle covered water. Working the fly just below the surface and feeling the bend of the custom glass rod as I gently stripped and lifted the rod to set the hook. Fish on and after a short fight I worked it into the net for a few pictures and a release.

 

 

 

Another bonus that occurs this time of year is the changing of colors as fall arrives in Texas. We are not in an area that has extreme changes during the different seasons but when we do, the beauty is magnified.

 

 

 

The day was productive for the few hours that were fished. Occasionally a trout would rise but I had no takers on dry's. Most of the fish caught were on a girdle bug in black with white legs. Had a few followers when throwing a booger in black and green but the size didn't appeal to the fish.

 



 

 

 

 

See you on the river..........

 

 







Take a Hero Fishing

There is a great feeling that comes with giving back. Whether it be something that seems easy to you or something that is a task, if you go about it the right way it will be rewarding regardless.
Driving into the Hill Country with storm clouds up in the sky sets your mind racing to the events that will occur during the day as I was volunteering my time to take a Hero fishing.

This would be the second time this year that I was able to assist on one of these events and just as much fun as the first one done in the spring. After arriving we started getting all of the gear rigged up for the many people that would join us to fish today. The joy of it was watching and helping children of these soldiers catch their first fish.

The event was successful and everyone of them caught fish on this day.

The bonus came later in the day as we were allowed to slip the kayaks into the water and fish the same water.

With the wind blowing and rain falling I worked a grassy shoreline surrounded by deep water that had bass exploding on the top hitting dragonfly's as they landed on the grass. Tying a popper on I began to throw into the grass and began to catch and release one bass after another, with the occasional very large perch exploding on the popper as well.

After the storm blew through I paddled over to a tree filled area and again worked the popper with better results as I landed some four pound bass and lost a few larger ones due to leaving the net at home.

Can't say enough about how much I enjoy being able to give back to the people who do their best to protect our freedom.

 

See you on the water......

After the Tube Hatch

Now that school is back in session and the heat subsiding (even if just a little) it was time to do some kayak fishing on the Guadalupe river. With only three weeks left in the Texas Double Haul Tournament, I was itching to get on the leaderboard.

Concentrating on Bass and Perch had me with two rods on the yak today. One with a hopper fly and the other with a Cajun Cheerleader which imitates a Crayfish as it is moving through the water. Casting the hopper along the bank of the river produced some great action and caught both species that were being sought.

Making a move around noon to a deeper section of the river that offered shade along the Cypress studded banks I decided to take a break from the 100 degree temp to get hydrated and have a little snack.

Back on the water and tossing the cheerleader into a deep bluff and beginning to slowly strip it back, the line grew tight and lifting the rod I knew that a good one had taken the fly. After a short battle the fish was landed, photographed, then released for the next time.

The bass really inhaled the fly.

Had a great time on the river and i'm looking forward to a trip down the Colorado River next weekend.

Wading the Llano

Having never been on the Llano river and seeing pictures of its beauty that friends have taken on their visits. I had to go find out first hand and all I can say is the pictures don't do it justice.

Hiking down the worn trail a glimpse of the river came into view. Never had I seen water so clear and a carved limestone bottom like this river bed before. The grooves under my feet worn through the rock by many years of flowing water and the granite boulders everywhere just added to its beauty.

Easing into the water and casting a Matthews 5wt with a wooly bugger tied to the lightweight tippet, it didn't take long for a bluegill to add a tug to the end of the line.

Heading further downriver to explore some, I was greeted with a first for me as a freshwater drum came to hand. I have seen them on other rivers and tried to catch them before with no luck so a grin came to my face when it was released back into the water.

Many drum were seen throughout the day and a couple followed the fly, but not another one landed. The day was also filled with many species of fish found including gar, bass, and carp. With the water so clear the fish definitely have the advantage here.

When the opportunity is presents itself you take advantage of it, guess that's what was going through his mind when he tried to eat the fly.

Although none were seen, apparently they exist here.

Looking forward to the next visit........................

Ichthus Reel

Had the chance to test out a reel called the Ichthus ( which means fish in Greek ).
It comes from a company called Risen Fly based out of Beaver Falls, PA. and is available in 3/4,5/6,7/8, and 9/10wts in both Black or Gunmetal colors. The company also offers fly line, backing, fly boxes and some accessories.

Pairing the reel with my custom Kabuto rod I went out and put it through the paces.

Some things I noticed about the reel was that the finish is nice, it comes apart easy. Line stripping is very smooth and the reel is easy to palm when fighting a fish. The drag hasn't been tested yet because the bigger fish did not want to cooperate during the trip but the adjustment knob is large, which makes it easy to control if you are fighting a bigger fish.

Currently they are offering a 30% discount which will end on June 14th on their website.

Here are some specs:
Precision machine cut from pure aerospace aluminum bar stock and stainless steel for maximum strength and corrosion protection
Large diameter Cork/FXB polymer disc drag delivers ultra smooth, low start-up inertia
Two sealed, precision, stainless steel ball bearings
Fitted with one-way roller bearing
Quick left and right hand handle reversal
Counter balanced spool
Large arbor design
Easy drag adjustment
Drag clutch with zero-backlash
Silent retrieve with a crisp out-going click
Quick release spool
Exposed palming rim for additional control

A Day Of Firsts

Sunday was a day of firsts for me. Not only did I catch my first Largrmouth bass of 2013, but it was caught on a new LOOP fly rod and reel.

It was the first time for me to fish with a Cajun Cheerleader fly from DragonFly Angler Flies. The fly is designed to mimic a crayfish with it's moving arms and slow sink rate makes it a great fly for bass as well as trout.

This was the first time for me to fish on the new SUPerFISHal from Jackson Kayaks. A standup paddleboard that was designed with fishing in mind.

The wind was blowing hard as the SUP was slid into the water and I climbed aboard. Stable is an understatement, not once during the day did I feel uncomfortable or tippy. Sitting atop my K2 cooler to rest during the day was a breeze and I was able to sit on it and paddle when I felt like it.

Can't wait to get this SUP out on the flats and chase some redfish with it.

Here is a short video of the bass that bit the fly.


3-3-13 Guad from Robert Matthews on Vimeo.