Mississippi Mayhem

Taking my redfish quest to Mississippi for a few days I was greeted with thunderstorms while driving through Louisiana. Rain had been scattered throughout the area for a few days and it would continue during my stay.

The morning greeted me with some decent weather as the brackish water was flat and the sky cloudy. Slid the kayak into the canal and made the paddle to try out some of the grassy cuts. This trip was all about catching a redfish on a fly rod and I was well equipped for the task.

Lightning would end up running me off the water as the storms increased. Since there was a craving for some mudbugs the opportunity presented itself and many would be eaten.

Heavy storms rolled through the area overnight and the morning was no different. Waited for the bigger ones to pass then headed out to try my luck in the muddy water.

After about an hour another storm blew in and ran me off. Guess it was time to head to the Big Easy and see some sights.
Had to stop by Café Du Monde and grab a snack.

Had to stop by and visit Uptown Angler and check out their fly assortment and fly shop. Nice place.

The evening was spent shooting pool and just relaxing.

Last day, last chance. Again rain and lightning is in the area and I have to wait it out.

After watching the last Batman movie and with some of the bigger storms rolling out with lightning in the distance, the kayak is slid into the water.

The tide had fallen and this was the first time for me to see any fish activity in three days of trying to fish. Casting a fly that resembled a shrimp into every cut and grass line I am still fishless. About 40 yards from me in a small cut, I see a wake come out and baitfish scatter. Being as quiet as possible I approached and laid a cast into the cut with no takers. Studying the bank and making a cast to the clump of grass on the point the fly laid down and was met with a take. Setting the hook and the kayak being turned from the bank to deeper water, I took it easy and let the drag do its job. Pulling out the net and trying to turn the red around it happened, the line went limp as the tippet came loose from the leader. So much for celebrating that first red on the fly. This would be my only take of the trip and the fight was well worth all of the frustration that the weather presented. As I paddle back the sky cleared and the wind was gone which made for a beautiful sunset.

Waking up in the morning I could only shake my head as the road back to Texas would be wet. Sure wish I could take some home with me.

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........................

New Gear

Had a few people asking for shirts that are fly fishing related so I had one made up.
Called the No Potlicking shirt and available in S-2XL/
$20.00 each which includes Priority mail shipping.
Payment made through PayPal at yakntx@yahoo.com

I've also included a Fish Hook bracelet made from 550 parachord and is fully adjustable.
Pricing is $12.00 each or 2 for $20.00
Available in black, olive, camo, lime. More colors coming soon

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

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.