Sunfish45

Here in Southeast Texas (Houston) we have two BPS but no Cabela’s store. We also have numerous Academy stores, 3 Gander Mountain Stores, 2 Orvis Shops, and 4 independent fishing / fly shops. I know the local BPS stores are trying to hire knowledgeable staff for the fly shop and they have weekly casting and fly tying classes at no cost. They also donate gear to our local fly club’s (The Texas Fly Fishers) fund raisers. Several months ago, drove up to Cabela's in Buda, Texas to buy some Simms waders that are in the catalog. They did not have one pair of Simms in the store, plenty of their own brand however. I still spent close to $500.00 dollars in the store...Ralph

I don't know how it got in my postal mailbox, but I got a catalog from "The Fly Shop" in Redding California. They have a large list of camps that they represent, that look interesting. I would also check out Larry Czonka's "North to Alaska" TV program and website. I am going through the same process as you.....Ralph

"Good wade fishing at both places. LI River is blown out right now. LMF is farther away for me but I go every now and then. Had a good day back in early May." I have fished the LMF several times. I have had good days and not so good days. You can check the Three Rivers Fly Shop and the shop in Beavers Bend State Park for information. Spillway Creek, Lost Creek and the Evening Hole are all pretty unique, when you compare them to a normal tail water configuration. They run about 100 SCFM (a minimum flow) through a channel that varies from maybe 40' to 60” or 70' across, with a steep gradient through Spillway Creek. I think the arrangement is somewhat like Dry Run Creek. It is worth a try if you have not been….Sunfish45

I just noticed that the web-cam at Lilley's is back up and running this morning.

It looks like Table Rock and Taneycomo both crested this afternoon. Let's pray that things start to improve from here...Ralph

Does anyone know at what elevation Lilley's Landing floods? It would also be good to know that information for the fish hatchery and Branson's Landing? Looking at the Corps site at 1700hrs, it shows the lake at 932.97 and the tailwater at 726.07. The lake is still going up and they are dumping God, only how much water....Ralph

I was hoping to see some Condos floating past Lilley's but the "Live Camera" seems to be down. We are booked there for the fourth of July. I figure, I will be fishing "high water" again. Are there any anyother webcams that show Taneycomo?

"I agree the fund from power generation are a logical source for these funds (although it's not clear to me the Corps collects any of that). If the dams are a cash cow you can be sure there are people lined up to collect who will be hopping mad if their financial ox gets gored. To get any money out of the COE, you'd have to sue them and the people paying the higher electric bills may not feel especially happy to take on that burden." I don't care if it's the Corps of Engineers or SPA (Southwest Power Authority) the mitigation should be part of their cost of doing business! It would be pennies! If they were an oil Refinery you would have them shut-down!......Ralph

I rented a framed pontoon boat, for a club trip a year or so back rather than take my kayak. I did not like it in the moving water! It was the same brand boat you are looking at but I found the tracking less than I expected. It was very twitchy (on the oars) in the flat water section we floated. I am sure it would get better with experience,. I would not put my money down without a really good on the water trial. If the vendor will do this great, if not maybe rent what you are thinking about buying....Sunfishh45

"I've never used a leader bigger than 3x in my life except one time when I was fishing for stripers in Maine. Must be catching bigger fish..." These fish, Bass and Sunfish, don't seem leader shy and I like the extra strenght when trying to horse a larger than expected Bass from the Brush. Dan, Let us know how it works out with Kevin Stubbs and send pictures if it does....Sunfish45

Dan and Gavin both mentioned "Fly Fishing The Texas Hill Country" and it has recently been updated by Kevin Hutchison, FISHHEAD PRESS. The section on the Devils River was done by Kevin Stubbs. I heard him do a program on Bass Fishing the Devils River and the Rio Grand below Falcon Dam. He said they are both outstanding fishing but access is impossible. Never fear he has connections, and guides trips on both. There maybe other outfitters on the Devils River, but it looked like he has a great operation. I would probably talk to Kevin Hutchison, I think said something about setting up so trips there and have fished with (Best Food on a Float Trip) him before. It is a Spring or Fall trip, because it's too HOT in the Summer and it pretty COOL in the Winter. I like idea furled leaders, but would probably use 10 or 12# mono or Fluorocarbon. I usually don't find Bass or Sunfish leader shy and go thinner only if the eye of my fly forces me to. I like to be able horse them out of the brush. Thanks for the replies about leaders.....Sunfish45

I fish warm water species in the Texas Hill Country, but head back to the Ozarks every chance I get. One of our local guides endorses a leader made with equal lengths of 30# / 20# and 12 # mono and totaling 6 to 9 feet in length. What kind of leaders do you use? Sunfish45

Thirty-five years ago, I used 30# Lead-Core line trolling for kingfish and Wahoo, offshore in Florida. I did not really care for the method at the time, and generally had better luck with a 6 oz. trolling lead. All of the weighted lines, trolling weights, planers and other hardware adds a lot weight at the end of your line and can cause lost fish. I think these “Lead-Core” rods would probably used in some Western and Northern lakes trolling for Lake Trout and the like, instead of using planers and down-riggers. I did use down-riggers trolling for Sockeye Salmon in Alaska and they worked well…..Sunfish45

I too love the brakish waters of the texas gulf coast. I am looking forward to going down to seargeants new years to fish for some reds I believe the fishing for Speckle Trout and Redfish slows at that time of year, especially if it is cold. Last year we had major fish kills in that area, due to low temperatures....Ralph

I am in a similar position, wanting to replace my 7-8 year old size XL White River waders. Living in Southeast Texas, they are only lightly worn. I replaced my boots with size 11 Freestones earlier this year. I am 6' tall, 205/210# with size 10 feet and a 48" chest and thick legs. I would really like the large Simms waders, but don't think that is going to work. I have been saving my "Rewards Bucks" on my Cabela's Visa card for sometime and when I have enough, I plan to go into my locale Cabela's (nearly 4 hours drive away in Buda, TX) and try them on. I am worried that the Simms Fit, is going to be to slim for me. I think it will be imperative to try on what ever, I end-up getting.....Ralph