HOT HOT HOT

Reaching the river after driving through a rain storm it makes you wonder how a Weatherman keeps his job with all of the technology available to them. The day called for high temperatures busting 100 degrees and clear skies with no chance of rain.
Looking at the river it became clear that we would be in for some tough fishing conditions. A week earlier thirteen fisherman had to be rescued by helicopter due to a flash flood that sent the water rising over five feet during the night. The water had not cleared as much as I had hoped and visibility was less than a foot.

The rain stopped as we slid the kayaks into the water and the heat came out. The first few hours time was spent tossing a popper and a clouser. Neither was producing. Then it happened, tossed the clouser into a tangled cluster of grass and root ball to feel a thump and strip set. The fight was long and nervous but the reward was sweet.

As the temperature rose during the day, the fishing remained tough as only three more bass were brought to hand.

Upon reaching the island that we camp on it was evident that with the flood from the week before and all of the washed up debris would make for a hard time trying to find an area capable of hanging the hammocks. Finally found a few downed trees and a tree that had floated to the island that offered enough strength to hold the hammocks for a nights rest.
Lighting the coals as the sun set, we sat around and told stories from trips past and reflected on how freaking hot it had been today and wished that the wind would start blowing. It would have helped with the mosquitos and made for a cooler evening.

Dinner consisted of garlic sausage, jalapeno sausage and some elk sausage. Washed down with a little whiskey to take the edge off the day.

After a night of very little sleep, we heated up the leftovers and ate a quick breakfast before hitting the river for the last day.

The heat was to stay and the fishing was just as tough but I managed to catch a few on the day.

A great time was had with my friends but we came to an agreement that we will wait until it's cooler before the next trip.

Before the Storm

It's been dry here. For three years now the rivers have either had no flow or have been completely dry. With the river overnighter being called off due to the approaching storm that was to include some flooding, a river day trip was in order before the storm.

The morning greeted me with dark skies and wind. Rain would begin to fall thirty minutes before the destination was reached. Loading the Coosa and gear into the 4X4 we headed to a private section of river that can only be accessed by permission from a nice rancher. Rain was pounding as we drove across the river bed and into a pasture where the kayaks would be launched.

After launching the kayaks we approached the river alternating working each side. Throwing a popper started producing a few bass along the grass marking the edges of the bank.

 

Finding a small creek and slipping the kayak through the narrow entry it opened up after ducking through the overhanging branches. Tossing the popper at the edge of a grass bed and seeing a large shadow dart out knocking the popper out of the water before retreating back to the safety of the grass, making the popper explode in the water changed the fish's mind as she turned around and exploded on it. Fighting a large bass on a 5wt was insane. I had to let the drag on the Opti reel wear down the fish before easing my hand into its mouth and lifting it up for pictures and a quick release.

 



The rain quit and after a short lunch we launched again with the sun high over our heads.

Putting the popper away. I took out my 8wt Loop Cross S1 and tied on a Cajun Cheerleader to imitate the crawfish that I knew were lurking down below. What a good move it was as the bass were holding tight to cover. This set up produced quite a few more fish to close out the day.

Thanks Chuck for the great day on the water.

Always a great time fishing with a great friend.

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.

 

 

 





Trout A Plenty

It was a great day to be out on the water. With the recent cold, ice, and snow here in Texas it's made getting out to fish pretty tough.
Loaded the gear last night and headed out early in the morning to the Guadalupe river to try my hand at some trout. Greeted with a brisk wind as the sun began to peak through the clouds roaring by up above. Soon there would be some trout rising and cruising around this stretch of the river and hopefully they would feed on the wooly bugger that was being slowly stripped below the surface.

It wasn't long before the stripped bugger stopped and a trout was doing his best to shake what was now piercing his jaw free. After several runs the net was slid under it and after pictures the fish was set free.

Soon after the release another one took the streamer as it slowly made its way through the river.

The action stayed consistent and after a quick lunch I was back at it with the same pattern still producing.

A much needed break was had and the fish cooperated on this day.
See you on the river.

Passing it on

With the trout not biting, I watched as my son made cast after cast to a section of river that constantly produces for me. With each strip I await the sound that you make when you catch that first fish doing something new. As the sun starts setting behind the trees, a rod tip is lifted and excitement fills the cold air as I hurry back upriver to help net the trout. A quick picture and a high five let me know that a new bond had been formed between him and the river.

This was something that I've been looking forward to the whole time he was away at school. Trying to teach him a new way to fish has not been easy but with some casting help from one of my guide friends he picked up on it after a few hours.

A few minutes later he was hooked up again and after a few jumps the trout sent the wooly bugger back to him. As the light was fading I managed a few trout to the net on a dry fly and he ended the day landing his second trout.

This was one of those days that I had thought of for many years and I cant wait to get back on the water with him soon.

The smile says it all.....
Take a kid fishing...