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...

Lazy Drift

Slowly drifting down the river, the sun rising above ancient Cypress trees that have withstood many devastating floods. I am staring intently at the indicator while the bead and emerger dropper slowly glide along the bottom through the channel.

Having booked a full day trip on the Guadalupe river with ReelFly Fishing Adventures, today wasn't about me but more about helping a friend catch his first trout on the fly rod. Watching his indicator go under and seeing the smile on his face as the trout bent the fly rod over is what its all about. A picture was taken and then a released fish swam away to hopefully bring a smile to another face one day.

After a few more fish, lunch made its way down to the river as ReelFly had BBQ sandwiches delivered to take care of the hunger pains that had built up.
Sliding the raft over the weir, we made our way down to where a limestone shelf runs along the bank and a cut channel right along it. Drifting the rig through and seeing the indicator go under I soon had my first fish of the day.

After releasing the fish. Brent dropped us off on the ledge so we could work down it while he took the raft through a shallow section. Again, my indicator went down and with the rod lifted a large Rainbow came out of the water trying to shake free. Seeing the size of the trout, Brent dropped anchor and came running with the net. The fish had taken me to the reel and ended up bending the hook and releasing itself before we could slide it into the net.
Fixing the hook and casting in the same drift. I was met again with another large trout, this time the odds were in my favor and the fish was quickly released after a photo and high five with the guide.

Working our way down the river brought more fish during the day with most all being good sized trout.

 

 

Having fished the day before and days prior to this trip had me knowing that conditions would be tough. Brent from ReelFly worked hard all day finding fish as well as coming up with a pattern by pumping a few stomachs and matching the hatch. The result was a successful day with close to 15 trout caught and released.

 

 

 

 

If you find yourself in Sattler, TX looking for info on the trout fishing on the Guadalupe river. Stop into ReelFly and they will be more than happy to share information as well as being the best stocked fly shop at the river. Tell them I sent you.