FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

This weather is amazing/crazy, several other descriptive words also come to mind.   It is 82 degrees as I type this after getting back from the lake.  I had a plan, which I have been adhering to, fish the way I want, when I want, without the blog or Facebook being a part of my decision, just see what happens.  So today, how about the Alabama Rig with Knockin Tail trailers?  Boy was that fun.

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The water level has stabilized again, it is really clearing nicely, and the temp was back up to 73 where it was prior to the rain.  The fog was still thick when I put in at 8:30, it was idle to the first stop.  First up was a brush pile I wanted to try for crappie, which turned out to be a complete bust, so started bass fishing.

I make the first cast with the Lou’s Lures jerk bait and actually hooked up on a big one totally out of position and manage to lose it.  For the next hour kept alternation between the jerk bait and the A Rig.  They both produced fish, as did the Honeydew Knockin Tail on a jig head.

The Alabama Rig and Knockin Tails, a killer combination.

Why in the world anyone would fish a A Rig without Knockin Tail trailers I do not know.  Any swim bait will work on the A Rig, but adding 5 Knockin Tails rattling their butt off is a no brainer.  It caught nice fish, and lots of smalls.  Some slammed it, other just felt something “funny.”  And one thing it will do is put multiple fish in the boat, and it did that this morning.

After having 2 on at once the last 2 trips the Alabama Rig and Knockin Tails got it done!

Basically it was a smaller A Rig without the extra blades like some have, then 4 Pearl Knockin Tails on the 4 outside arms and a Salt and Pepper on the center arm.  As it has a chartreuse tail thought it might add a little something. In the end most hit the Pearl, except when I doubled up.  A steady retrieve with occasional pausing and accelerating some, making the “school” pulse back and forth, ended up being the way most of the bites were triggered.

And the Lou’s Lures custom painted jerk bait did its share this morning.

Where?  Anywhere there is deep water close.  And when you get a bite there are definitely more there, so I re-fished with one of the 3 baits and usually caught at least one more.  And as I am want to do come December I checked the white bass up lake, while I only managed one on a shad color crankbait, it is going to happen, and I mean soon.  As I have often said this is my favorited time of year.

The were smacking the Alabama Rig.  Did catch one white bass when I checked to see if they are there yet.

It was a fun morning as the fishing is really good right now, at least for numbers.  If you catch enough there is good chance of catching a nice limit.  Thinking it over, after they basically deserted the grass I just decided to pretend it was winter, which it is supposed to be by now.  So while both the A Rig and jerk bait time is not quite here due to the warm weather, there is no good reason to not act like it.  And last, hopping the Honeydew Knockin Tail on the jig head  will catch them all day, so of course I am giving the lake a pounding.  My pleasure thank you.

The Honeydew Knockin Tail catches a keeper on the last cast!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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It was nice to hear from some of you at Thanksgiving.  So thanks Lee, Lacy, Rusty, Patty, Charlie, Dan, SA Joe, and a few more.  Great to know you are all out there.  I am still taking it easy, keeping off Facebook for the most part, and just doing a blog post whenever I fish.  So thanks all for sticking with me during this little mental health break.  After Moab and then Panama it will be back at it hard core with our spring fishing coming.   And a shout out to Mike who I met at the ramp this morning.  Keep in touch so we can fish some together, appreciated the chat.

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I can not leave the Boss alone for a minute without her working on our next trip.  Now be advised that that following is already planned:  Moab, Panama, and Alaska.  (They do not qualify as the next trip.) Once those are planned/finished she is off to the next big trip, and this one I am all about once she explained.  (Keep in mind that many of our trips are planned at least 2 years in advance, really reduces the f’ups with that kind of planning.)  She wants to go see the Eagle Festival in Mongolia in 2023.  After looking at it what a trip.  I will get my fishing, the rivers have one of the biggest salmonoid, the Taimen, which is obviously a real bucket list fish.  They also have several different cool sheep, so it checks all the boxes.  Over 30 hours to get there, the trip has no hotels or room service, very basic yurt camping.  So sign me up, that is about as far from here as you can get.

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So that is what a grown man did all day.  As I am keeping my options open who knows when is next.  I learned the creek and the Lavaca are way off color so that is out.  Hope to make it to the bay a day before we head out, just have to see how it all plays out.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I was really interested in what would be going on at the lake after the big cold front and over an inch of cold rain.  The first thing, when I dropped in at 9:30 the water temp was in the mid 60’s, which means it had gone down 6 – 8 degrees depending on where you were today.  The lake has come up just a hair, the color is poor, and there was literally not a ripple on the water with no wind.

My plan, to give the Honeydew Knockin Tail a serious go, and throw a little jerk bait while I was at it.  The Honeydew would definitely catch fish in the Ozarks on the channel swings, it is a good color.  So with it post cold front and declining water temp it seemed like the thing to throw, and it was.  I fished it on a 3/16th lead head just hopping it off the bottom and then letting it fall as it will.  Most of the time they thump it pretty good or you see your line jump.  Basically the same way I feed speckled trout.

It was a no brainer, the Honeydew Knockin Tail will catch bass.

I had a couple of places in mind and started off with a couple of smalls, then a big blue cat jumped on.  He thumped it in about 12′ of water, most of the fish today came out of that 5 – 15 range.  I tried to stay on the sharper drop banks, having deep water close.  Other than the bass above it was all smalls, but it definitely caught fish.  So the plan became fish a stretch with jerk bait, or a crankbait, and if I got a bite re-fish with the Honeydew, and that worked out ok.  No big numbers but 2 or 3 at each place all afternoon until I quit at 4:00.

The best I could do on the crankbait.  And of course, more catfish.

No wind is not the best crankbait situation, but 4 or 5 jumped on, with both the shad color and chartreuse  catching a couple.  As far as the jerk bait it was only a couple, including the catfish above, but I did miss a couple.  Wrong rod.  But with the water temp still in the 60’s it is not quite time yet.  But as it has been since summer, there are just lots of catfish, and they are aggressive.  I can only guess how many a person could catch if you fished for them.

The Honeydew Knockin Tail catches all kinds of crazy stuff.

Under this set of conditions it was a successful trip.  A good 15 plus kept it interesting.  Just a touch of wind would have helped and it sure was nice having the Honeydew work out like I knew it would.  The lake is full of small bass right now, and the timing could not be any better.  If the lake will stay up with cover we could have an epic spawn, which would add even more fish.  So what makes that so good?  If the vegetation takes hold over the next few years the lake just might have an epic storm of fish in the 5lb range with grass.  Not sure I will be here to see it but it bodes well for the future.

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Still staying off the internet/Facebook as I give the blog and me a little rest.  Of course may have to post a picture or two caught on the Honeydew Knockin Tail on Michael’s website.  Other than that it has been a nice break and it will continue for the time being.

Not sure what or when is next.  Got a thing or two to do, then some time next week it is off to Moab for some 4wheeling and chasing Mountain Goats and Desert Big Horns.  Spending time in areas with some great animals has become our happy place, and I am really looking forward to seeing what Moab is all about.  But with the fishing so good will be back at it as soon as possible.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Nini, Wren, Mia, and Grandpa wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

Though I am currently on double secret strike as far as the blog and internet goes, I hope you all have a great holiday.  We were able to slip away to OKC and see the grandkids and a great time was had by all.  As usual spending time with the kids is always good for the soul.  So enjoy your day, we will.  For the first time in years, and maybe ever, the Boss and I will be spending the day together with all the fixin’s and a little football.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I was looking forward to fishing yesterday, see if there was a post front bite, and there was.  Most were smaller, but I did miss a big one, so I had my shot.  When I dropped in it was dead calm with occasional passing clouds.  The water temp was in the low 70’s and the water has definitely cleared some.  Unfortunately the water is slowly going down.  Would not want to much of a good thing.

First up was up lake and the spoon and Knockin Tail.  It has continued to produce, and though the fish are not in the grass like they were there are still enough shallow to keep me happy.  The big bite today smashed the spoon and Knockin Tail and for some reason did not hook up, but I did have my shot.

The spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail continues to put them in the boat.

But the reason for the day was to catch the front and crank, and like clockwork it happened.  Around 10:00 it started clouding up and the wind started blowing so I headed down lake to crank channel banks with the wind pounding on them.   They were there and the bite was on.

And once the wind started out came the crankbait.

Whether a chartruese or shad colored square bill they were smoking it.  While not big by any means 8 jumped on the first pass, including 3 on consecutive casts, and from there they were eating as the wind howled.  The deeper banks were better but several jumped on around shallower stuff.  I thought the spinnerbait might catch a few, but after one place with  no bites, it was back  to the crankbait until I quit.

Earlier as I got ready to head down lake a boat idled over and it was Eric Herzog, a guide who fishes Coleto, we had met a time or two over the years.  A good guy he is a ledge fishing guru, not exactly my cup of tea, and he said come on down and meet us and I will show you a couple of spots.  When I ran in to him later they had pulled up on one of his ledges and limited, catching maybe 25 in nothing flat.  He offered to take me there and fish next to them, and though they were small, it happens when you release a ton on a spot, we probably boated an easy 15 fishing beside each other.

Think about it, who does that?  When I get back to it I will put his information on the blog, if you want a ledge fishing education he is the man for the job.  So thanks to him for sharing and we need more folks like him out there.

For the morning, 5 until the wind started, then a good 15 or so on crankbait,  (They were smacking it, a really fun way to fish.) then 4 or 5 fishing with them, so a good day.  While there has been a serious lack of big fish pre-spawn is right around the corner.  And speakin of that made on quick pass through the white bass area and hooked a huge carp in the dorsal fin which was a massive fight.  If I had the cooler he would have ended up in the smoker.

And last, as I dropped off plane on the first bank of the morning it happened to be in the right place.  Now the 15 or so turkeys on the roost did not think so and it caused a unorganized bail out with a certain amount of complaining.  A  great way to start the morning and was a harbinger of the day to come.

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It begins.  While perusing the boats for sale in Texas the first E-Tec dump appeared.  The add included a significant reduction in asking price from book value simply because it is has an E-Tec.  I told you that would happen the day OMC announced they were discontinuing boat motors.   Expect that to continue and even increase.  OMC motors have gone the way of the Edsel, and with the loss of dealerships things do not look positive for E-Tec owners.

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My self severance from Facebook continues, and it is a pleasant break.  I have heard from folks on the blog about my absence and let them, and those of you reading this, know if you want to contact me do it by commenting on the post.  I will be back at some point, but my little break from the blog continues and I appreciate those of you who read this because you want to.  So while things will be a little different around here it is still all about the fishing but not how many people come here.  After over a million visits it is what it is and will continue to change.  So if you want to contact me just hit comment below and I will answer, as opposed to looking at it as a comment, if that makes sense.

And to a couple of you who I have not responded to sorry, but I am not intentionally ignoring you.  John, thanks for your report on the Lavaca.  Small trout under the birds has been a happening this year on the river and the creek.  Depending on how much rain we get I hope to head to the creek this week coming up.

Speaking of that a shout out to our Fayette guru, Rusty.  Besides being a good all around fisherman, no one trick pony here, he is an accomplished fly fisherman who has fished all over and ties all his flies.  So I go to the mailbox the other day and there is a package.

Can’t wait to give them a go.

So depending on how much rain we get the plan was to head to the creek and give it a go, and the fly rod will be the ticket.  Who knows what the creek will look like but we are about to get a cold front to go along with it, and the creek and river will either get going or it just might be done, who knows.  But thanks a lot Rusty, they look mean.

And last to Dan, I appreciate your kind offer.  Your lake is actually on the calendar, with a few friends or by myself.  I love fishing there, nice to boat a few smallies and it is old home week for me after fishing the highland lakes of Arkansas.  Your kind offer is on file and will let you know when I head that way.

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Hoping the Cowboys win today, looking forward to a nap at some point, and the turkey is in the smoker and all is right with our world.  I am thankful for another year, thankful that my bunch is healthy, and appreciate my time on the water more than ever.  And a big thanks to you who have stuck with this thing for the last 11 years, it has been fun.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Though I am taking an internet break, mostly from Facebook, of course I will be fishing and writing.  But chasing the big one, or the big string, just for the sake of the blog is off the table for the time being.  I have caught lots of fish the last 50 years, and really have nothing to prove, except to myself.  And I want to spend more time multi-species fishing.  There are plenty of one trick ponies out there and I will leave that to them.  Time to do a little fishing because I love it.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Tuesday

It does not get any better than this.

After a weekend out of town wedding it was good to be back on the water.  It was dead calm, the water temp was in the low to mid 70’s, and the color is still suspect in some areas.  As the Boss was coming home around noon, she has been gone for 6 days doing the wedding thing, it was going to be a short morning.  When I quit at 11:30 it was 7 on crankbait and 3 on spoon and Knockin Tail.

As I said before they are not in grass like they have been, but the water is slowly going down.  And the shad have moved off the bank and you can now see big schools on the locator as they are in the main river arm.

The 2 best for the morning.  The spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail still getting it done.

No matter how hard I try I can not make them eat a buzzbait.  It was perfect for it at daylight, and I stayed with it to long.  The 2 above came out of isolated bushes out off the bank, and I missed a couple more.  A couple of smalls jumped on the crankbait, and about 10:00 the wind finally came up so I headed down lake to crank deep windy banks, and ended up catching 5 pretty quickly.  They still prefer the shallow running shad crankbaits with a wide wobble.  Tomorrow I will add a couple of different colors which may help in those off color spots.  But the wind is still the key.  So called it a successful short morning and looking forward to the rest of the week.

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Wednesday

The best I  could manage, came on the crankbait.

If you fish enough occasionally something will happen that you have never seen before, and after 50 years there is not much I have not seen.  Well today it happened.  As I have said it has been almost impossible to get them to eat a buzzbait, but today I did manage to catch 4.

The plan was to fish crankbait, shad color and chartreuse, which I stuck with way to long.  It had been flat calm until about 10;00 when it started out of the south.

Another crankbait fish and I  finally caught 3 on buzzbait.

I was down lake on deeper banks throwing the crankbait on the windiest banks.  As I came around a point to where it was protected from the wind my crankbait hooked itself.   It was flopping on top as I reeled in and one tried to eat it.  Ahhh….time to throw a buzzbait, and 2 ended up jumping on in that spot.  I hopped over to the next bank andafter getting to the end of it there was calm water so again time for the buzzbait.

First cast one absolutely smoked it.  When it got to boat side and went to boat flip it there was 2 bass on it.  So they had managed to get hooked on a single hook.  Of course the one flopped off, but he was on.  That all happened on the last bank, and bodes well for the next month.

Other than that it was slow, it was 5 on crankbait and 4 on buzzbait.  Absolutely no wind until after 10:00 did not help anything.  And the lake is on the slow decline, maybe a foot, but at least some of the color is not to bad depending on where you were.  The water temp is still in the low 70’s but with the weather change coming it should see a sizeable drop.  We just might have a little winter fishing yet.

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The Bassmaster Redfish Championship was live on TV this weekend from Port Aransas.  If I was 20 years younger would love to have done some of that.  My only comment, on the second day one of the Bass Pros who was fishing had his wife fishing with a partner.  She and her partner struck out on day 1, and day 2 they put a camera in her boat.  Why?  (Might be her husband is sponsored by Skeeter, who is sponsoring the tournament, and her partner is a Skeeter redfish guide.)  Nothing like playing favorites with their bass guys.

Rick Murphy was commenting and he seemed like he was surprised how much redfish like wake baits, which for me is nothing new, have caught lots on the Mann’s Waker the last 10 years.  He said it might be the next big thing, but on the Texas coast it is nothing new. One of those things if you have not tried it do so, it is a cool bite.

A 2017 Louisiana redfish with a face full of Mann’s Waker.

Murphy had one more comment on regular fishermen out for the weekend.  He wondered if they were “getting in the way.”  That is so elitist, how about the tournament fishermen “getting in the way” of the folks who live and fish here?  It is not incumbent on non-tournament fishermen to do anything special when there is a tournament going on.  The water belongs to all of us, often times pros and guides forget that.

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This good news from TPWD.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Inland Fisheries Division has selected 21 projects to be supported by the new Habitat and Angler Access Program (HAAP). The program, which launched in June 2021, is primarily funded by the purchase of freshwater fishing licenses.

They have each project listed and this is the kind of thing that should happen way more often.  In my mind access is the number one issue statewide.  As more and more people use the water more points of access should be at the top of the list.  The list is long so if you are interested here is the link.

News Release: Nov. 15, 2021: TPWD Announces Grants to Enhance Angler Access, Fish Habitat – TPWD (texas.gov)

On a side note starting to see some of the pens place in the lake by TPWD.  With lakes like Coleto and Fayetter slated for closing at some point it is the hope for Coleto.  Once the power plants close, and they will, the grass is the future for Coleto Creek so will keep watching to see how it goes.

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It has been almost 2 weeks since I quit Facebook.  Not saying it is permanent, but it goes along with a little change in the way I am approaching the blog.  I have been at this for almost 12 years, and while it was a labor of love it definitely is work.  At times it led me to fish in ways other than what I would have preferred to do.  My fault for making the blog’s needs the reason I was out there.  It may seem funny but this blog is not why I fish.  So for the time being it will go like this.  No Facebook, and random posts.  But I will keep fishing, that will never change.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Sorry this is late but there was a little snafu around here the last couple of days and it has taken a little while to straighten it all out.  But nobody died and hopefully that is that.  So there is no weather or conditions in the report, I am just not feeling it.  I admit I am burned out right now.  It is probably time for another break, including from the internet.  It helped me get readers, but at times it is nothing more than nonsense.  So this will be the last post for a while.

The plan was to fish with a couple of gentlemen who I had not fished with but it ended up not happening.  They had some trailer problems and I bowed out and headed to the lake.  When I left the house it was really cloudy and blowing, perfect.  When I dropped the trolling motor in at 10:30 it completely cleared and the wind died, which defeated the whole purpose of trying to hit the front.

A good one off my Magic Tree.

To make a short story shorter I fished about 4 hours and actually had a bite or too.  The one above came off my Magic Tree.  Over the years that thing has coughed up quite a few like the one above and bigger.  When the stick worm hit the water it just started going sideways and when I stuck her she was there.  So that alone made the day, but a couple of other things happened of note.

Hope this is a sign of things to come.

Being way up lake, and after fishing a couple of banks without any real success, I decided to make a trolling pass through white bass country.  Now this is definitely early, and with the water temp still in the mid 70’s, we have a little ways to go.  But the good thing, these are big white bass for Coleto.  Until the bite is in full swing it remains to be seen if we have a run of these, but I hope so.  Get ready December.

When I decided to head back down lake I stopped on a steep channel turn and threw the Rapala Shad Rap, which when they are on shad, which they are, it will catch them.  I did catch 2 smalls and lost a pretty nice one on a couple of banks before I quit.  Which put me on today’s pattern.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

Friday

The lake has dropped just a little and the color sucks.  As a whole they have deserted the grass, at least it is not a sure thing.  Think that means as the water cools the shad deserted the shallow water.  Now that does not mean you can not catch one out of the perfect isolated bush, but fishing it off and on today it was not the place to be.

When you got a bite they smoked it!

Starting on a brushy point I missed one on the spoon and Knockin Tail so I switched to a crankbait.  As the water color is marginal I used a squarebill in a shad color to get a wider wobble, the Shad Rap is very tight.  Fishing near points and rocks it was a steady bite. I quite counting at 12 or 13, and would have had a small limit.  I had one even a little better than these but she was bleeding bad so I tossed her right back in.  One of those where it was not hooked in the gills but once I took the hook out here it came.

Not fast but consistent on this size.  And one on the spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail.

There was absolutely no wind, which with a crankbait does not help.  Had one fairly good one grab it right at the boat, which is often a sign you are fishing just a little to fast.  So settled on a medium retrieve with a 5:1 reel, and most of them smacked it.  They were just scattered here and there.

Around noon I wanted to try a bank in the plant arm so cranked up and made the run to my favorite bank up there.  Alternating with the Shad Rap and squarebill I would get an occasional bite, but it was mid day and as calm as I have seen in a long time.  So happy with the results I called it a day.

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Only in Texas

I just can not help but comment on the Texas piss ant who allegedly decided to blow exhaust out of his truck all over a group of cyclists who were preparing for a triathlon, then hitting 6 of them, injuring some seriously.  At the scene for some “inexplicable” reason the police did not arrest him, preserve the area as a crime scene, or even notify prosecutors that it had happened.  I definitely have my suspicions on why he was not arrested:  How many 16 year old kids own an expensive dually truck?  (Note:  Police chief says the officers not arresting him had nothing to do with the families local prominence.  Sure…..  If you can not say something smart don’t say anything.)

At least the local prosecutor followed through in spite of what appears to be lazy and shoddy police work,  (The prosecutors words not mine.)  and he has now been charged with 6 felonies.  He will initially be treated as a juvenile, but at his age easily transferred to adult court and treated as such.  But if his family is that connected it probably will not happen.  I do not know him, or any other particulars other than what I read on the news, but if it is as simple as it appears he needs some jail time.

Strangely enough my very first case was a transfer hearing in juvenile court.  I lost, he was transferred,  I appealed, and he was transferred back and placed on probation.  Not sure what should happen to this kid, but this is no high school stunt, or simple kid prank.  Folks were seriously hurt when they were run over by a big truck.  The time I spent in juvenile court left me wondering how kids can be so disrespectful to folks, it does not happen in a vacuum.  What happened in their raising to let them think treating people like this is ok?  So entitled.  Will be watching to see how this comes out.

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Steve Bannon 

He is now indicted for contempt for just plain ignoring a congressional subpoena.  There were several ways to handle this outside of just sticking your middle finger up and saying f’ off.  It does not matter the party, the reason, none of that, you answer a subpoena, end of story.  At least you do if you are a law abiding citizen.  Try ignoring one yourself and see how that works out for you.  When folks start that nonsense about the committee it cracks me up.  That is irrelevant to whether or not you answer.  Our system does not allow any of us to decide which law we follow.  That would be chaos!  Seems like that is being slowly forgotten.

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TPWD is at Coleto this weekend working on restoring our grass.  I will not apologies for giving them the business in the past, and where credit is due it is given.  This is an amazing project and it will be so interesting to follow the progress.  I will take a few photos of the project and keep you all informed.  But a big thanks to TPWD, and the fish thank you too.  Now if they would just mark the structure they put in it would sure help.  Make it so folks without a depth finder can locate them, not just bass fishermen.  Just a thought.

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To complicate things have to be in Dripping Springs, or somewhere like that, for a big wedding.  I am not good at get togethers, but this is a big deal so off I go.  They are family and a great couple and I would not miss it for nothing.  Not sure when I will be back, but keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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What are the odds?

I spent the last couple of days fishing with my buddy Todd.  It is the annual Austin Boys trip, but like all groups this one is slowly changing.  I have fished with lots of groups over the years, and after time things change.  Folks can not make it one trip, others head to different places and this year was no different.

The Purple Demon Limetreuse did the job today.

I was really looking forward to fishing in Todd’s new to him East Cape poling skiff.  He has not started the process of learning to pole as he has only had the boat for a short while.  I was just interested in how it ran and handled rough water.  Well the rough water part never came up, it was the nicest, calmest, flat water for both days.  But it was a “softer” ride than some I have been in, and we were able to get in everywhere we tried.

Purple Demon does it again.

Todd has basically quit wading and now sticks to drifting for redfish.  This trip, other than the occasional small trout, we fished for reds.  And while the action was not fast and furious either day, we caught them both days, though for some reason while we caught a few nicer ones, we just did not hit the mother load.  But I try not to look a gift fish in the mouth and remain glad for every one we caught.  This was a lot more laid back than the usual trip, took it easy in the morning, and quit nice and early for happy hour  The highlight of the trip:  What are the odds.

The only other good fish I caught today.

Todd with a red on the Wedge Tail.

Yesterday we decided to fish the Lagoon on a short day.  Fishing was slow at first, until the tide started moving just a little.  On a side note, both days the tides was flat and never did get humping, just a slow creep up, and creep down.  They reds started moving around when the tide started up.  They came out of the “deeper” middle area of the Lagoon and invaded the flats and for an hour we caught fish, most smalls, and a couple of trout.  Funny how catching 18″ reds is catching “small” fish.  They still pull like a tank.

One on the Purple Demon Lmestruese Knockin Tail.

There was another poling skiff on the shoreline fly fishing, we saw then catch at least one.  As we were drifting back and forth across the Lagoon they yelled out they were not trying to cut us off, and we told the the same thing.  So unlike many of the horse’s ass that we all see acting the fool at POC, these were polite folks, as we were, just working together to share the water.  And boy did that turn out to be a good thing.

And on a Mansfield Magic spinnerbait.

Todd wanted to call it an early day so around 2:00 he hits the key, but no, it doesn’t start.  We try it again, no go.  This engine had 12 hours on it when Todd bought it, and maybe 25 hours now, so no reason it would not start.  (I have to take a minute to comment on motors.  I have been a Mercury guy for almost 50 years.  His engine is an E-Tech, which interestingly enough so were the last 2 engines that either left us unable to leave the ramp, or kept acting up, overheating, stopping, and generally being a pain in the ass.  Maybe why OMC is toast?  But that is another discussion.)  

So now here we are, no other boat in sight other than the poling skiff.  Todd has Sea Tow, so we were not going to be stranded, but he thought we should trolling motor over to the other skiff, see if they had any thoughts, and make sure if we had to call Sea Tow someone else knew where we were.

The key and the kill switch seemed to be loose, but since he had a couple of other times where he had a little trouble starting, we were just unsure of what the issue might be.  So when we get over there they were 2 buddies from Houston and when we got close to the boat it had Florida numbers so I asked where they were from.  The owner has a house in Florida, his skiff was high dollar, actually a stunning looking boat.

Todd asked for some input and of all things it turned out the boat owner personally knew the owner of East Cape, who Todd had spoken with several times prior to buying his boat.  (On another side note, the owner of East Cape actually posts his phone number so folks can contact him about his boats.  Think about that, do you think Johnny Morris does that, or even gives a crap when you are stuck out there?  East Cape, what a great company.)  So anyway he calls him and they talk about what the issue might be while Todd messes with the kill switch configuration.  As the gauge tells us we are about to loose enough battery juice to start it somehow fires up and off we go.  I want to thank those guys for being real gentlemen and a credit to our sport.

Mid Story Rant 

After a POC trip where as I headed in to Froggies and found 3 folks, with one paddle and one board, paddling to get back so I stopped to see if they needed help .  There was lots of traffic that day, I met several boats alone heading in and out, who just plain ignored them.  How many boats passed them?  They came all the way from the island taking hours to get back, and boat after boat did not stop.  Karma can be a bitch, and if you were one of those who did not stop a pox on you.  You are not a sportsman, and I will leave it at that.  So I towed them in shaking my head at the quality of the “fishermen” that inhabit POC.

For the way it is supposed to work the best example I can think of is Lake of the Woods.  My buddy Clyde’s old motor would stop and start before deciding to run, which it always did.  As he headed out from the ramp on LOW it did its usual thing, and the next 2 boats that left stopped to check on him, and none passed him by.  Those folks are an example of real sportsmenship and just plain good folks.

I did not intend to turn this post into a rant, so please bear with me.  I just do not get the continued decline of civility and sportsmanship in the fishing community, and of the hundreds of places I have fished from Canada to Key West, POC is right up there with the worst.  The sport seems to be a boat “fashion” show.  How the sport has morphed into owning a boat that cost more than a house somehow makes you a fisherman, and better than 3 folks in a beater boat paddling for all they are worth, makes me sad.  So you spent $75k on a boat and you just ride by folks who are in trouble?  And as you read this you are getting defensive, you might want to think about it.  And if that was you that day might be time to look inward.  Sorry, but finding real gentlemen on the water at POC seems like finding a unicorn.

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So we called it a good couple of days and headed back in.  This will be my last trip with that bunch, times change.  Next will head back down for a couple of more days with some new folks who are down this week.  The blog has helped me meet so many good folks, and I am really looking forward to spending a couple of day with them.  And thanks Todd, as usual enjoyed it.

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I caught this one 5 years ago on this date.  I happened to be fishing with Todd in his boat, which I will be doing the next couple of days.  It reminded me of why I have long quit weighing them.

Why would I want to know?  Would it add anything to the memory? When you think about it there is only one question – Was it a big one?  It does not matter what fish it is, marlin, bass, trout, or the rest of them.  They are either big, or not.  So just getting your hands on one like this for quick CPR should make your day.  Ounces are irrelevant, they are only a method to brag to other fishermen.  I was just as guilty until it finally dawned on me what our sport is really about.  The bite, the fight, and then the wonder at the sight of our quarry.  That is what first attracted us and it is easy to lose sight of why we fish.

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Today is going to be a day of rest, then back at it.  Have not decided the plan yet, but might slide out to the creek then head to POC.  And when that is done it is off to Dripping Springs for a wedding this weekend.  I really would like to slip a day at the lake in while I am at it, but looks like that will have to wait until next week.  But I will keep fishing as much as I can, this is my favorite time of the year and time to get it while the getting is good.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Today  98.26 msl.  5 days ago  98.26

Activity Periods

Major  1:03 pm to 3:03 pm.

****************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

The lake looked just like it has since it came up.  The water temp was in the low 70’s everywhere and the color is fishable, though hardly clear.  It was cloudy and the wind was blowing 15+ straight out of the north.  Perfect……..

Second cast with the spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail.

I decided to head directly to places I have been catching them.  Up lake the wind was blowing basically down lake and around every corner.  On my second cast on blasted the spoon and Knockin Tail.  It came out of an isolated bush when the spoon went over it.  Turned out only 3 more bites on it, caught one little one, all coming after ticking a bush.  It was a little tough to fish it perfectly as the wind was humping.  After fishing 4 places I was headed down lake, had a moment, and took a right.

Plastics.

I can count the number of times I have fished the hot water discharge over the last 12 years on one hand.  Fishing discharges is not something I care to do, though it obviously works.  But today it made real sense:  First major cold front of the year and folks turning on their heat, getting the plant working so they should be running water.  At least it made sense and they were. So I whipped in and proceeded to catch 8, most on the stick worm with a 3/8th tungsten Texas rigged.

They were right on the edge or seam where the water was coming out and meeting slightly slack water.  I had plenty of bites and probably stayed about an hour, if that.  Some jumped it but with the current most felt “soft” and if you got in to much of a feeling contest you lost.  So while it was productive, I have the attention span of a fly and sitting there just casting at the same spot is not my thing.

I fished one more place and called it an afternoon.  Considering conditions not to bad, it sure beat sitting in the house.  Fall is my favorite time to fish, they are biting fresh and salt, and the traffic is way down.  Today, not another boat.   And did I say everyone keep hunting.

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Got this comment from Winfred, which says it all about what I strive to do with the blog and my interactions with other fishermen.

Thanks Doug, Always enjoy your stuff. Thanks for being above board. Its refreshing to read real first hand advice and not the BS that most of the guides post.

It is not only guides, plenty of posturing by folks who confuse their ability to catch a few fish with curing cancer.  There is very little real sharing online which is sad.  Fishing is a sport and pastime that should bring folks together, not separate us into the big shots and the rest of the world.  If most folks think about it, our love of fishing comes with the memories of fishing with family and friends and somewhere along the line that changes.  I appreciate your comment and will continue to share in the hope that maybe somebody will catch another fish or two.

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And speaking of guides I have fished with the best, Belize, Costa Rica, Australia, and the worst, Baffin and Peru, and everything else in between.  But for me it has always been in the doing.  I only use a guide when I can not get a particular thing done, like offshore fishing, a drift boat, or getting access to a fishing hole somewhere.  There is a great personal satisfaction in doing it myself, but after guiding I know and understand why folks hire guides.   But as Carmine used to say:  There are so many guides at POC that they have to wear badges so they do not guide each other.

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And last a very important question from Charles.

This is the 10year older than you that wants to try 3or4 knocktin tails in the Lavaca river.
Which ones should I order? Enjoyed our visit.

Here is my suggestions, then a little about rigging and how to use them.

• Mansfield Magic
• Purple Demon Limetreuse
• Pink Ice
• and either the Pearl or the Pearl Limetreuse

The reason to get the Pearl color is for use on a popping cork.  Just use a jig head and put it a couple of feet below the popping cork, 4 Horsemen is best, and hold on.  And the Pearl Limetreuse was a consistent producer last winter without a cork.

The Mansfield Magic has been a steady bait in the fall and winter, and can really catch the redfish.  The Purple Demon has been my favorite all year, and the Pink Ice will always catch fish.  I am using a 3/16 or 1/4 ounce jig head, screw locks work best, then just working it out in a hop and drop back to the boat.  Generally let it hit bottom, hop it up, and then just let it fall.  You will feel them bump it, which means they have it.  And any of them can be slowly reeled to catch them.  So hope this helps and thanks for reading.

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The only reason I will not be fishing tomorrow is picking up the rod box.  I have tried to find one of these for over a year and it is finally going to happen.   It holds 8 rods with reels, and they can be spinning, casting, or fly, which fits my travel needs.  Other than that the fishing will continue.  So keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Post number 1,475.

Thanks Michael for the new colors in the Knockin Tail.  The Salt and Pepper and Honeydew are new and deadly.  Order some today.  (See Below.)

Weather

53/79.  Sun and areas of high clouds in the morning, then mostly cloudy in the afternoon with a 75% chance of a couple of showers and a thunderstorm.  Wind E 7 – 12mph.

Tides

Low  8:58 am.  High 4:27 pm.

Activity Times

Major  12:10 pm to 2:10 pm.

****************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

I Love It When a Plan Comes Together

It was barely daylight when I dropped the boat in.  With a big front coming, and no particular time of arrival other than afternoon it was time to get after it.  As I said when I got the new colors of Knockin Tails I was really looking forward to fishing them.  How confident was I in the new colors?  I decided to only fish them, other than a little topwater at daylight.  And I needed a limit for the Boss and her family next week so I stuck to the plan and it worked out just fine.

The best of 5 or 6 on the Bone Super Spook Jr.

They were not just smashing the topwater, in fact some of them hit it while it was just sitting.  While it was more misses than hook ups at least they hit it a little before it just got to sunny.  As soon as they slacked off it was time for the Salt and Pepper Knockin Tail, and the bite was on.  It was not fast by any means, but they did bite right along.

It was an easy limit on the Salt and Pepper Knockin Tail this morning.

And the Salt and Pepper added a slam while it was at it.

The tide was low and coming up, the opposite of the tide bar at POC, just like it was yesterday.  The water temp was down to 70, and it is still has some color to it.  And the fish were like they have been on both the creek and river, in little bunches and not really scattered.  I did little redfishing, just wanted to stick with the plan and get a limit.

So after sacking the limit time to give the new Honeydew Knockin Tail a go.

I will admit I was a little hesitant on the new Honeydew color, theybut  liked it just fine.  I was catching when I hooked the best trout of the morning.  But guess what?  Do not try to boat flip a 20″, it is not happening on 8lb line.  But no matter, they liked it just as much as the Salt and Pepper, and I do too.

My last 2 bites, including a catfish for the Boss.

A fun morning with a consistent bite.  Using only the new baits they were more than happy to eat them.  I have said it before and will say it again, they love the Knockin Tail, the only problem is settling in on the right color.  And if that is the only problem I have on the water I will gladly figure that one out.  Not sure how many came over the side but it was enough to keep me happy.  I love fishing new stuff and today was a big success.

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I did want to let those of you know who are not regular readers that unless I say other wise every single fish you see here is Catch Photo and Released, CPR.  Unless it is something a little different, like the Chandeleur trip, you will not see any of those dead fish bragging pictures.  I try to take just enough to let you know how the day went.  I can fill up the deck of the boat too, but for what purpose?  Share more info, keep less fish unless you are going to eat them soon.  If you have freezer burn on your fish you are keeping to many.

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I had another encounter that leaves me feeling good about the path I am on as far as sharing information on the blog and at the ramp, and not being a fishing snob.  After taking out the boat and getting stuff ready for the drive home and “old” man pulled up and asked how the fishing was.  So I told him exactly where and how, then showed him the baits and the rigging.  He was so appreciative, telling me how thankful he was I spoke with him since lots of folks will not talk to him at the ramp.  So help a brother out, it is even better than catching them!  (Unless it is how you make your money, why everything has to be a big secret is just nonsense.)

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Also one rule I have here is I do not manipulate photos.  They are what they are, and as far as I am concerned when you manipulate them they are not “real”.  That probably comes from my undergrad in photography/journalism.  Most anyone can take a photo editor and “fix” things.  So when some of mine look a little sketchy it is what it is.

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I have slowly but surely weened myself from Academy, and yesterday was another example why.  To make a long story short the bait was on the wrong hook with a clearance sign on it.  The punch line, when it comes down to trying to sort it out with a round tele-tubby with purple hair who does not know at DT7 from a bonbon it was going nowhere, so I took my bait and hit the road.  Where do they find these people.  I should have known better.

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The front is here as I type this, and it is slated to be in the high 50’s all day tomorrow.  The plan is to take it easy in the morning then hit the lake some.  With trout on ice in the cooler I will clean them at the lake with whatever I add for the fish fry.  Then Friday it will be back on the salt.  This time of year is my favorite, fresh or salt, this is one of the most consistent times of the year and it gets my fishing zen going.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I will be headed to the river in the morning.  This starts a couple week stretch of salt, with maybe a day on the lake thrown in.  I have friends coming next weekend and then more during the week, and it is all about the salt.  Time to make sure stuff is ready and new line on the works.  One thing about the river, it has coughed up my PB Texas snook and flounder.  So lets the games begin, it will be another stretch of fishing till you puke!

Weather

63/81.  Partly sunny with 0% chance of rain.  Wind ESE 7 – 12mph.

Tides

Low  8:39 am.  High  11:48 am  Low 7:55 pm.

Here is a really interesting thing today with the tides.  I got there at about 8:00 and it was way up.  At approximately noon it quit going out and was low.  Taking out at 2:00 it was coming in.  Almost the exact complete opposite, so will watch that the next few weeks.

Activity Times

Major  10:31 am to 12:31 pm.

****************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

There was a little nip in the air, the water temp was 73 degrees, with not that great winter time river color.  After going above the bridge later it was really ugly coming out of the Lavaca.  First up I headed down river to my favorite area and started with a Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail on a  3/16th VMC twist lock jig head.   (I really like that jig head if you can find them.)  It did not take long to catch one, they bit off and on all morning.

They were eating the Knockin Tails!

The wind and tide were perfect and the boat drifted down river.  Just cast to the bank and hop it down the drops.  Most bites came in 3 – 4 feet of water, some were just there, others jumped it.  Every once in while one would finally chew up the body and I found that color was not all that today.  But they were in little pods, not scattered all down the river like it will be soon.

A bunch of these.  The Mansfield Magic did most of the damage today.

I also threw the 4 Horsemen popping cork with a pearl Knockin Tail and probably caught 4 or 5 doing that.  But the best method was just doing the Texas Two Step hop and drop, and you had to be quick.  Not only did some smack it, you really had to be a line watcher, you could see it do something weird so just setting the hook put a few in the boat.

The second bass and of course a catfish.  And the carp got off before I could lip it.

With the water temp still in the mid 70’s it is just a little to warm.  Catching 2 bass, one catfish, and a big carp is a sure indication it is neither cold or nearly salty enough.  But with the weather change that is coming things will only get better.  And no real complaints, If I was keeping them I did scratch out a limit, it was just a matter of working through a bunch of smalls.  It was surprising that no redfish jumped on, and one bite when I set the hook it was just gone, maybe a big flounder.   I give it a B, I love this time of year.

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I filled the truck and the boat last week and busted a $100.  The good thing, fished 4 times on the boat so far, with well over a 1/2 tank left but the truck needs gas.  I can live with that.  All I have to say how is that $80k boat with a 300 hp working out for you at the pump?  It is about to get even uglier.  My prediction – Someone will be the last guy with a monster engine who has to give it away.  It is coming no matter what happens.

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After the report on Boerne Lake SA Joe set along this comment.

Boerne Lake comment. IT SUCKS. Have to be blunt, the many times that i have fished it. Have never gotten any chunks out of it. Great lake to kayak, relax. But the creek channel in is about the only place for cover for the bass…Very hit and miss at all times of the year

Tell us how you really feel!  I knew nothing about Boerne and from what I am hearing no great loss.  Thanks for the comment, guess I will take it off my bucket list.

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Every once in a while the mailman comes through, I am really excited to get to fish My Coast Outdoors’ 2 new Knockin Tail colors.

Honeydew on the top.

Salt and Pepper on the bottom.

I will admit that the Honeydew is “interesting” looking, the Salt and Pepper will absolutely be a killer.  (Though the Honeydew would tear up those Arkansas winter channel swing bass, the color is perfect.)  They are both very popular on the East Coast and I can not wait to give them a try, which will be Wednesday.  They look great and with my fishing schedule the next couple of weeks they will get an honest go.  So stayed tuned for that.

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How about those Cowboys!   The Boss is off tomorrow for one day on what has, and is, a long stretch.  But MOAB is right around the corner so she will get her just reward.  (She would be happy with diamonds and jewels for a present, but buy her a plane ticket to anywhere and you have a lifelong friend.)  Then she is back to work and I will be fishing.  Unless something breaks, as in me, I will be hard at it.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

One of the things I love about hunting season is the reduced traffic on the water.  And for the second weekend in a row I have actually fished.  Today I was the second boat to the ramp and while there was moderate traffic it was no big deal.  Love fall and winter.

Weather

49/78.  Seasonably cool in the morning; otherwise, plenty of sun; a beautiful start to the weekend with a 0% chance of rain.   Wind W 5 – 7 mph.

Lake Level

Today  98.26 msl.   Tuesday 98.34 msl.

Activity Times

Major  8:55 am to 10:55 am.  Minor  3:43 pm to 4:43 pm.

***************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

When I put in at daylight the air temp was 47 degreethe water temp was 73, which is a big drop.  The color still leaves a little something to be desired, and it was flat dead calm, staying that way until I quit at 1:30.

The biggest of 4 on the spoon and Knockin Tail.

The fish are definitely on the move.  What has changed is the grass pattern has changed to one here and one there.  Before when you found them it was game on.  Today the bites were few and far between.  And not a touch on the buzzbait.  So once the sun was really out decided to try the black/blue swim jig, and of course had a bite on my first cast.

I got fooled.

This one smoked it and swam about 5 foot to the side before I stuck her.  So one would think that a fish like this on the first cast is a good thing, and at times it is.  But today it lead to one other really small, and I missed 2 I probably should have caught.  With the water color the way it is the dark swim jig should be good, but hard to say based on today, but with conditions as they were probably had as much to do with it as anything.  And the little drop did not help if I were guessing.

It was a mile high sky with not a breath of wind, it was really  calm.  The bites would come randomly and while everywhere looked great, I just could not see what the difference was.  I kept after it until 1:30 and basically did not have a bite after 11:00 or so.  If all the ones that bit had hooked up it might have been an ok morning.  Their heart just was not in it today, but better fishing is on the way.

And then got checked by the Game Wardens.  They were good guys and after a quick check I was on my way.  I did  mention to them that I had heard more shooting than normal and they told me it was youth hunting, which explains that.  They were professional and I love seeing them out there reminding folks you can get checked any time.  And I also told them thanks for the grass program,

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I got an interesting comment from a friend on their fishing trip to Boerne Lake yesterday (Wednesday), the same day I also struggled.  They reported they could barely buy a bite, and while I managed a few it was really tough on a day when you would think it would be game on.  Who knows for sure how conditions really affect fish?  In the end the have fins and tails and can move about, and when they do not want to eat they don’t, no matter what we think.

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And this comment from Matt on TPWD and Coleto Creek.

That is great news. If we weren’t going to be out of town, I’d bring my kids out for this.

I can not tell you how excited I am about TPWD replanting Coleto.  Not sure how long it will take to really start growing and take hold but it sure is needed.  This is the kind of innovative program that really has a positive result for the common guy.  And it is the type of thinking we hope for when we pay our license fees.  At times I have been a harsh critic of TPWD, occasionally they deserve it.  In this case nothing but props to whoever got this off the ground.  So a tip of the hat to TPWD.

And I too will be out of town for a wedding that weekend, but I sure hope some of the younger guys take the chance to see TPWD at work.  If  you want to be a “big time” fisherman, or have a career in the industry, take this opportunity to give back, maybe learn a little something, plus add to the resume.  Thanks for the comment.

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Monday will be the river or the creek, depending on which mood strikes me.  Now that we finally have some serious night time cooling it should be good and getting better right along.  This year it has been a little late, so it will probably not last as long as normal, so time to get while the getting is good.  And with several friends coming next week it is going to be a fish till you drop stretch.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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