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......

The Tongass: America's Salmon Forest

Here in Texas, we worry about oil spills and red tides harming our Coastal waters. The close encounter of an Alligator as it tries to figure out what you are, since the kayak you're floating in is the same size and shape that it is. A flash flood while on the river, or stepping over a poisonous snake as you make that last step into the water to start your wade.

When you are not a  seasoned fly fisherman like myself, you tend to do a lot of web searching for articles to assist you and often come across items that you can assist with. Last year through Trout Unlimited I learned about the effort to try and stop Pebble Mines in Bristol Bay. Now I come across an effort to stop the initiatives to privatize large areas of land on the Tongass in Alaska for development with proposals for Hydroelectric dams and mining.
Trout Unlimited  collaborated with scientists, fisherman, land managers and others to develop a strategy called Tongass 77 to protect the valued Salmon and Trout watersheds. With the help of sportsman they are urging Congress to enact Tongass 77 legislation to ensure that this area remains America's Salmon forest for generations.
Whenever I read an article or watch a video about Alaska I'm in awe of the beauty that this state has to offer. When you think about this area a few things that come to mind are cold weather, awesome fishery, and bears. I had no idea that there was even a Rainforest there, much less one that covers around 17 million acres. With it's over 40,000 miles of streams and 20,000 lakes and ponds, you can see why this would be a worthwhile cause.

Photo Credit: Ian Majszak

After researching this area I now understand why this area needs to be protected. Not just to protect a fishery, but to protect the living of all of the people that need the resources that it provides. Although I am lucky enough to live in an area that has Rainbow trout it would still be an unreal feeling to fish a place like this and absorb its beauty.

While I am only one voice, it would be nice to see others take an interest in the need to protect America's Salmon Forest.

 





This is my submission to the Trout Unlimited 2013 Blogger Tour sponsored by Fishpond, Tenkara USA and RIO, and hosted by the Outdoor Blogger Network.