Stocker Trout Fishing News

Struck out today but did get a good workout in kayak fishing. Tried Brockdale Park on Lake Lavon without a strike. Should have taken the hint when we did not see any Shad moving about. Used the fish finder to locate submerged structure but did not see any fish hanging out in the spots we found. No worries though, did take the opportunity to answer a Reader’s question on how we load our kayak. Since we have a little pickup truck, loading and unloading the 38lbs kayak can be done one handed by one person! Can’t catch them all, till next round… Good luck and good fishing!  

Decided to get a round of Switch Rod casting practice at Bethany Lakes this morning. Missed two Bass but did get two Bass. Lots of fun especially getting distance casts using the one-handed style we like. One Bass went for a Clouser Minnow; the other Bass went for an Olive Near Deere. The two Bass we missed went for the Clouser Minnow. For more on our setup, see below links: Cabelas TLR 6wt Switch Rod Echo Ion 8/10wt Fly Reel Rio Skagit Shooting Max Short – 400gr  shooting head Rio GripShooter 100′ 25lbs shooting line   #switchrod casting practice today. managed two #bass #flyfishing with #clouserminnow #neardeere A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 27, 2017 at 3:21pm PDT

Having fun with learning how to use YouTube’s Live Session function. So far, the beta test worked. Here is our first attempt at going live… Live Session #1 is a Q&A session to answer one Reader’s question about the fishing rod we use when kayak fishing. Here is our answer… no video editing, just your’s truly answering the question.  

Good to know!   texoma1231: Re: Denison dam I fly fished the river below the dam this morning. Water came on at 8:00am and they turn it off at 10:00pm the last few days. I do not think that it will change until the lake goes down a foot or so. I also fished there yesterday morning when the water came on and the fish were feeding on the surface just above the pylons as the water comes on. They are generally in the middle when this occurs but can be right at the bank. It is easy to see that these fish are in the 5 lb range with some larger fish mixed in. The best opportunities for fly fishing are on the Texas side when they are generating. No need for sink tip ling you will stay hung up more often that not. White clousers are a good choice but most any color will work. They need to be about the size of a threadfin shad. You will have plenty of company this weekend but will also have a chance at some great stripers!!! Tight ...

Able to sneak away this evening for a quick trip to Bethany Lakes. Really nice evening with minimal wind. Made for ease of casting the fly rod. Bite was slow but still lots of fun. Caught a Bass and a Shellcracker on a Foam Grasshopper, and another Bass that went for a Near Deere. Bass were actively feeding on bait fish in the shallows, with lots of them opting for the “real deal” instead of our fishing flies! Hope to get out again before the weekend starts… else, if we cannot fish, we can always write/talk about fishing!   Two #bass and a #shellcracker this round. #foamgrasshopper and #neardeere …fun times #flyfishing A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 24, 2017 at 9:11pm PDT

Here is the Slab and Jig Rig that we like using when kayak fishing our local lake. Uses Uni-Knots to join lines, Overhand/Uni-knots to set the Sabiki droppers, Improved Clinch Knots to tie on the Slab and two Crappie Jigs, and a Perfection Loop that attaches to the swivel. Also, for the main line, we use 30 lbs mono, for the droppers, 20 lbs mono (can use 15 lbs as well), and for the “breakaway” bottom section, we use 20 lbs mono. Do give it a try when you get a chance! Illustration:

Found out we have YouTube Live Session available on our YouTube Channel ! Here is a short beta test from today. Hope to use if for Q&A in the near future!

Busy weekend but was able to get a round in on Lake Lavon. Managed three fish but heard others did well with lots of limits taken on White Bass! Till the next round Made out #kayakfishing yesterday. No bruisers… a #crappie #whitebass #yellowbass at #lakelavon A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 21, 2017 at 8:03am PDT ;

Well our day jobs as well as other commitments has us sidelined this week. That said, if you cannot go fishing, can still talk fishing! Here is a quick post – video snippet, from our Instagram site (@coaf.field.team) that talks fishing!   No #fishing …been tied up with work and other things. Still can talk about it. Last two rounds been #kayakfishing …can’t wait to get out again! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 17, 2017 at 9:57pm PDT

Song to get us in the beach mood – specifically, Port Aransas! Hope our Readers get a chance to make it to the beach this Summer! Vamos a la playa!

Tied another Foam Grasshopper to replace the one lost the other day. Having tied it, had to “test” it out! Fun time on a nice Thursday evening!   #foamgrasshopper keeps working! #flyfishing for #bass #bluegill #sunfish …fun times! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 12, 2017 at 3:12pm PDT

Had a fun time yesterday fishing Bethany using the 5wt Fly Rod and a Foam Grasshopper. Took a little to find where they were but once found able to catch a mix of Bluegill, Shellcracker and Bass.  Did lose the Grasshopper but did get a fish with a Pink Near Deere and another on a Rainbow Warrior. In the mix were several Bruiser Bluegill and Shellcracker as well as a couple of Bass that threw the fly. No worries… always a good time when fishing!   #flyfishing this evening. #bluegill #bass #sunfish #shellcracker this round! Caught most with #foamgrasshopper but did get one fish each with #neardeere and #rainbowmidge A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 10, 2017 at 8:42pm PDT

Been chuckling over Hank Patterson’s fly fishing videos! He put one out titled, “Hank and The Bait Fishers Part 1”, back in 2015. Looks like Part 2 was posted today! Check it out when you get a chance. Part 2… Also, here is Part 1 for reference…  

Was on the road Saturday. Travel was unrelated to fishing but was able to wet a line! Did some fly fishing with the little 2wt CGR Fiberglass Rod from Cabelas! Handy little rod that is easy to pack while traveling. Remembered Carl Young Park was listed in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Trout Stocking Schedule while passing through Abilene. Although it was too hot for trout, decided to check out the Park. Water was murky; did see Shad moving about as well a lots of turtles and several water snakes. Even better, did not strike out… caught a little Bluegill! Had several others strike but the fishing fly was way too big for the scrappy fish.   Video snippet while #flyfishing at Carl Young Park in #abilenetx …only one scrappy #bluegill but still had fun! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 7, 2017 at 4:38am PDT Click on pictures to see more about Cabela’s CGR Rod/Reel Combo and deals they are offering!

Fished Kroger Park and Bethany Lakes (Lower Pond) yesterday. Great way to enjoy Cinco De Mayo… fishing and then chillin’ later while grillin’! This round, decided to downsize the Foam Grasshopper from a Size 12 to a Size 14 since the many missed hook sets the other day. Figured the smaller hook size would increase our hook up rate as well as confirm our thoughts… smaller Bluegill striking or more like nipping at the Size 12 fishing fly. Ended up catching 16+ fish with a mix of Bluegill and Bass. Fun times!   Happy #CincoDeMayo …went #flyfishing with #foamgrasshopper caught #bluegill and #bass …now just chillin with cheap but tasty red #wine so ready for the #weekend A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 5, 2017 at 6:53pm PDT

Here is a demo of the Foam Grasshopper we used yesterday. It’s like the original one we described in our article – Fly Tying – Simple Foam Grasshopper , except it is tied with no chenille. This makes it even simpler to tie!

Front was rolling in and temps were dropping and the wind was howling. Decided to try fishing Kroger Pond since the Significant Other sent Your’s Truly on a grocery errand… which equates to a stop at the pond at Bethany Ridge Park aka “Kroger Pond”! Managed to catch two Bluegill and a nice Bass. Had lots more misses but the size 12 Foam Grasshoppe r was too big for the little Bluegill that were nipping at the fishing fly. No worries though… the Bass put up a nice fight on the 5-Weight!   #flyfishing with a #foamgrasshopper this evening was slow with a front rolling in. Did get this #bass along with a couple of #bluegill though! #fishing A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 3, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT  

Report from the Hill Country!     1960texan: Re: Pedernales at Stonewall I was just at the LBJ State Park a few weeks ago and caught a few bass and quite a few sunfish on an olive wooly bugger. I was wading at the foot of one of the dams. Easy access and no entrance fees.   Retrieved from http://texasfishingforum.com/forums  

Report from the Guad!     jonesy_84: Re: Guadalupe River Like others said go sooner than later. The water is fishing great right now. Lots of big bows and eager smaller browns in certain areas. Good luck! Heres a couple from last week.     Retrieved from http://texasfishingforum.com/forums

Able to get a round of fishing in this evening. Caught Bass, Bluegill, and Sunfish while fly fishing at Bethany Lakes. Went with a Foam Grasshopper to get them today! Hoping the colder temps are done, and we can get back to kayak fishing!   Able to wet a line and go #fishing this evening. #bass #bluegill #sunfish went for a green #foamgrasshopper …opted for the 5wt #flyfishing this round! #flytying A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on May 1, 2017 at 7:26pm PDT