Is it an Obsession

The definition as described by Webster Dictionary;
adj. 1. having or showing excessive or compulsive concern;

2. influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion.

Clues to obsession;
Fly rod, fly box and waders in your truck at all time.
After work casting in your yard.
Reading as much info as you can find on the web.
Fondness for insects....
Hmmmmmm.......................
Getting back to the gear in the truck. Had some time this afternoon and headed down to the Guadalupe river to see what effect the cold front would have on the fish. The river is beautiful this time of year with the water being crystal clear and all of the leaves turning colors with the arrival of winter approaching.
Sliding into the water I was met with a cold chill that went up my spine as the waders clung to me as if they were shriveling up from the cold. With the wind blowing in small bursts I was able to slip my way downstream and catch a nice bream on a small floating hopper. Managed to catch a few before the sky started getting dark with most caught on a small panfish fly. The front definately had an effect as I didn't see any fish cruising or hanging out in the shallow flows.
Did I mention that the time change has really cut into my time on the water, sure i'm not the only one its affecting.
Remember, tomorrow is Veterans Day so stop one past, present, and future to thank them for their service......
See you on the river,
Robert

Backwater Paddle Company ( Gear review)

How many times do you find yourself grabbing for your paddle after making a cast to try and correct your position so you can make that perfect presentation to the fish that wait below. I know that it has been done a few hundred times just on one trip, but there is a product out there by Backwater Paddle Company that can make things easier for you. The Piranah hand paddle that they make is not only easy to use but it is very quiet when you are trying to correct your position. I have used it on three trips now and it did take some getting use to but not by any fault of design but trying to remember to quit reaching for your paddle. Now I just lay the paddle down and use the Piranah to move around and position my kayak. The hand paddle comes with a strap and the paddle will also float if you accidentally drop it into the water. It sure has made my kayak positioning so much easier now that i’m using it. The price is right for such a great add on to the gear that you already have. I now have two of them which are kept on either side of me for easy access.

Good fishing,

Robert

Sign up and leave a comment to be in the drawing to win one

San Marcos river, on the eve of Halloween

Took up an open invite today to fish a section of the San Marcos river that i've never fished before. With the temperature in the 40's this morning I put my waders on before launching the kayak into the moving green colored river water.
When fishing new water I try to fish fly only but brought along a baitcaster not knowing what the fishing would be like after the first cold front of the year. Started the morning tossing a small popper around all of the current breaks and anywhere I could find pads along some edge breaks.One of the guys on this trip is a seasoned fly fisherman who travels around guiding out of different states and had just returned from Alaska. It's nice to watch someone make what is a struggle and continuing learning experience for me look so easy. At lunchtime I had Ryan watch me cast and he said that for being new to fly fishing that I was ahead of the curb, not bad.
We caught many fish today with both Ryan catching a Guad hybrid over three pounds and Danny catching a nice five pound largemouth. There were also a few funny stories to tell.
A couple came through while we were getting ready to leave a sandbar after lunch and we watched as she flipped after hitting a tree while going through a chute. After helping out they were back on the water and when she turned the bend, two bucks jumped from the cliff into the river almost hitting her as she was paddling. Wish the recorder would have been on to capture it as it was a sight to see.
I set the hook on a fish that pulled me upstream in the kayak. The fish turned me around a few times before getting into some cypress roots and coming off, all I can figure is it must have been a giant alligator gar. Or, a river monster...
Had a great time and made some new fishing friends today. Caught a lot of fish and saw a lot of strange things, hmmmm Halloween.

An unexpected trip

Wasn't expecting to get out on the water this weekend until Sunday for a planned trip on the San Marcos river. Found out after dinner last night that my wife and daughter had plans for today and wouldn't be returning until late in the afternoon. Decision time, veg out and watch football all day or load up the kayak and head out for some fishing on the Guad. Guess what won out.....
Put in and instead of floating downstream I chose to hunt some fish upstream in an area that I haven't fished yet due to no portage around the dam. Fished my way upstream for a ways then had to get out and tow the kayak behind me as I waded my way to the dam. Caught a few bluegill and a few bass along the way. Upon reaching the dam I decided to just pull the kayak over it and get on my way. The area above the dam was nice with a lot of limestone shelves and deeper water. Water was pretty clear and I could see a lot of larger fish but they were not interested in my offerings. Ended up catching around twenty fish today and get to go out again tomorrow. I like this weekend.
Just another great day on the water....
Gear used today was a TFO BVK 7wt and a Matthews Custom 4wt.
Caught fish on wooly boogers and a panfish treat from DragonFly Angler flies.
Enjoy the pictures and thanks for reading...
RM

Camping from a Kayak

I get asked quite often.....what do you take with you when camping from a kayak. It's not an easy question because there are a lot of variables that come into play.
How comfortable do you want to be, how long will you be out, what is the weather like, will you be preparing food or cooking at your campsite.

Here is a list of items that I usually take out for an overnight river trip.

1) Tent, one person for yourself or two person if doubling up. I will also take a hammock instead if I know that the area will have available trees.Be sure your tent or hammock has a rain fly.

2) Sleeping Pad, these can be found at many sporting good stores and vary in price. If i'm out for multiple days i'll take a blow up matress that you can inflate with a battery operated pump.

3) Sleeping bag, these vary in sizes and would only be used in colder weather.

4) Folding chair, get a small one but do get one. You will thank me later. The Coosa kayak that I have has a removeable seat that doubles as a chair so that helps.

5) Cooler, this is very important if you plan on having ice so food doesn't spoil while out in the heat for multiple days. I prefer the K2 Cooler, multiple days in 100 degree heat and still have ice when I arrive home.

6) Water filter, unless you pack water in you will need either a filter pump or a filtered water bottle.

7) Stove,I pack a Talon backpacking stove which I use if it's raining. Otherwise matchlight charcoal put into ziplock bags sure make the steaks taste great cooked over a small grate.

8) Extra paddle, you just never know.

9) First Aid kit, small one for minor emergencies.

These items are needed as well.
Toilet paper (biodegradeable), Lighter, Fire Starter, Rope, Utensils, Cooking set, Change of clothes, Camp sandles, Hygiene kit, Flashlight, Knife, Hatchet.
To some this will seem like a lot of gear. It is not all used on every trip but it is all gear that is used.

Most of these items should come from stores that cater to camping and backpacking or hiking. There are many products out there that are designed to lighten your load. You should also pack some kind of emergency meal just incase, never know when you might have to spend an extra night. I won't get into the argument about carrying a firearm that occurs whenever it's brought up but I do carry while on the water.

Here are some websites to assist you with finding gear to use.
www.rei.com
www.academy.com
www.cabelas.com
www.campmor.com

Feel free to comment if you have other additions and thoughts....