Stocker Trout Fishing News

We like using Shad for bait but at times cannot purchase them because the local bait store is out of stock. This is why we like to catch our own plus it saves us money – cost of the cast net and time and effort to catch them, etc… However, due to restrictions related to aquatic invasive species and the transfer from one body of water to another, we have followed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) regulations that limit using Shad for bait to the same body of water where they were caught. Our understanding was the same body of water limitation was for live, fresh, and frozen shad. For clarification, we contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife Department via their online “Submit a Question” form. The question we asked and the answer provided are shown in the picture below! Looks like we can catch Shad from one lake, remove any of the water with the fish, using a net to move the fish from one container to another so no water is transferred from lake to lake! PS: We did not ask about ...

This podcast we talk about three lessons learned from our recent trips to Denison Dam. It’s a short podcast compared to others but we feel others could benefit on the lessons learned mentioned in the podcast. Do check it out… and Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Details on the rig we like to use when fishing Denison Dam… as well as other tailraces. Simple setup that can be changed and/or replaced quickly. Materials: Snap Swivel Hook Launcher Float: https://amzn.to/2NACWal Sinker – 50 lbs mono and 12 lbs mono

Fished Denison Dam Saturday morning. Initially, planned to bring a Switch Rod to fish Clousers in the runs, pockets, and pools before they started generating power. Quick check of the real-time hydroelectric data and the planned schedule showed two generators online for 24 hours Friday and into Saturday, and possibly Sunday. Adjusted to surf casting gear: Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod – 12′ Med Heavy: https://amzn.to/2BL9s76 Pflueger President Spinning Reel – Sz40: https://amzn.to/387MmDH Rodmaster Surf Rod 10′ Heavy: No longer available Penn Battle II 6000 Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/3i2XdTU Fished Shad and Chicken Livers… no strikes when fishing a bottom rig. Action was all with Shad fished 2′ to 4′ from a float. Do check back will add details on the float rig we used in the video. Float used was the… Launcher Float size 5″, 1-3/4OZ: https://amzn.to/2NACWal Fished from sunrise to 2PM in the afternoon… No Striped Bass. It was all Gar that were bit...

TBT to Allen’s Old Stone Dam. Have not fished the dam in some time although we have checked out the area and its improvements recently. Liking the bridge, bank reinforcements, and expanded trails. Been itching to fish it for awhile… able to do so yesterday. After a little tweaking of the pattern and searching spots, found a Damsel Fly fished under a strike indicator worked! Do check out the video, and do stay tuned for more “learn to fish by our trials and errors” videos! MaxCatch 2wt Fly Rod: https://amzn.to/2UfM8FG Orvis Hydros Sl1 Fly Reel: https://amzn.to/2UiRCPS Rio Trout Max (200 grain): https://amzn.to/2HiT2Bs Rio SlickShooter Running Line (35lbs): https://amzn.to/2GGIVsZ

Having fun fishing with the Orvis Practicaster practice fly rod with an Echo Ion 2/3wt flyreel zip tied to the handle. Combo cast well… have a Cabelas 2wt WF flyline on the reel, and casting a tiny microfly scud and microfly pink midge. Caught a number of small Sunfish and Bluegill but none as small as the little Bass our fishing partner caught this past weekend. Fun stuff! Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD Echo Ion Fly Reels (2/3wt, 4/5wt, 6/7wt, 7/9wt, 8/10wt, 10/12wt): https://amzn.to/2UIsyC3

Had a fun time at Denison Dam – tailrace to Texoma, on Saturday June 20! Opted for live bait of Bluegill and Sunfish to try for Striped Bass and Catfish. Turned out only one Striped Bass. It was a nice one that went 19″ in length. Went for a 3″ Bluegill. Did a few more bites but nothing solid. Go to bait for others that were limiting out on small “schoolies” was frozen shad, shrimp, and chicken livers. Next round, will make it a point to bring bait and not go all in on live bait. That said, the Okuma 12′ MH Rockaway Surf Rod and Pflueger Spinning Reel worked well… can cast far with minimal effort. A much lighter combo compared to the 10′ Rodmaster and Penn Battle II 6000. Given only one fish this round, posted a catch and cook showing how we clean and prep and then cook a striped bass. For its size, we opted to steak the striped bass and skillet fry it… tasty! Ingredients: Soy Sauce Tuna Fish Sauce Ginger Garlic Fry 4″ to 5″ each sid...

This rounds iFishNews Fishing Podcast we talk about micro fly rods that we use for micro fly fishing on our local ponds. Several DIY rods we have made by converting Pen Rods, repurposing a broken fly rod, and building one with an ice fishing blank and wine corks for the rod handle. Recently, courtesy of a Viewer’s tip to use practice fly rods from Orvis and Redington, we have started mounting 2wt and 4wt fly reels to make a micro fly rod. Simple zip ties to hold the reels to the rods makes for a quick conversion to fly fishing rod instead of practice rods! Below is a link that shows how we converted a Pen Rod to a Micro Fly Rod: https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/MicroFlyRod Additionally, here is a past video where we caught a nice catfish using the re-purposed broken fly rod: https://youtu.be/I16KkjXkbcI Also, here are links to Amazon showing the practice fly rods we converted to micro fly rods: Redington Form: https://amzn.to/3esIjV2 Orvis Practicaster: https://amzn.to/2YkqMbD

This round we talk briefly of the run to Denison Dam where we only caught one Striped Bass using live bait – Bluegill! But, it’s enough for a catch and cook… so do stay tuned for more! Of note, the Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod and Pfleuger President Spinning Reel worked well. Can cast a mile and do it all day as it is lightweight and balanced well with the live bait rifg we used today! Lastly, the micro fly rod and micro fishing bug has us on a roll again at our local ponds. Two piece Micro Fly Rod has been a workhorse for the us. Then, a Viewer gives up a tip… use a practice fly rod! Liked the idea,… ordered Redington’s and Orvis’ rods… able to catch a fish or two with the Redington; Orvis one arrived this morning. Not fished it yet but did try the 2wt Echo Ion Fly Reel and WF 2wt line… it works nicely! Do stay tuned for more updates on fishing! Live Update at Denison

Been wanting to try Gulp Marinade as a teaser scent to our lures. But, not certain if fish would like it. It has a garlic scent similar to the Berkley Power Bait we like to use when trout fishing. Decided to test the Gulp Marinade by applying it to a fishing fly and observe how fish react to it compared to the same fishing fly but without the scent applied. Rigged two scuds to the underwater video rig we put together for filming underwater action shots of fish. Key take aways this round: Results were inconclusive given only one test. But, it does look promising. Do need to continue testing before we make a suggestion. It does appear that fish like the Gulp Marinade, tending to prefer the scud with scent over the scud without scent after the initial application. Once the scent washed out, it was not certain if there was a preference for one over the other. Do need to re-apply the scent as it does wash out. Bait still is preferred over artificials. Next round, plan to: Use a smaller hook...

Short video of a quick trip to Duck Creek Linear Park while on the daily commute. Brought the two piece micro fly rod and the Foam Spider and Scud Tandem Rig to work the section nearest the bridge. Key take aways this round: There are Bass, nice Bass in the area but water is clear and they are skittish! Lots of Sunfish and Bluegill and Longear that will readily take a scud Temps are increasing and Summer approaches, creek will start getting clobbered with the “green stuff” Rocks placed along the creek offer excellent access to the creek… weeds and high grass are cleared around them!

A tip from a YouTube Viewer on using the Orvis Practicaster Fly Rod as a Micro Fly Rod! Ordered it and Redington’s version of one… the Orvis one is still in the mail but Redington’s arrived. Liking the Rio Fly Line that came with it. Really thick line… planned to use a Micro Fly Reel but needed a larger reel. Put an old Martin Fly Reel on the rod. Works awesome. Here is a demo… hope to try it out fishing later this week! Do check back! Orvis Practicaster… https://amzn.to/2YFKvBR Redington Practice Fly Rod… https://amzn.to/3fvoKLB

Sidetracked this past Sunday from fishing. Go figure – needed to fix a lawn sprinkler that broke, then had to fix two more that were leaking. Before starting this honey do, made a quick run to Lavon for a chance at White Bass on the point at Brockdale Park. Maybe should have fixed the sprinklers first, ended up striking out at Lavon. No worries, though, was good to get a cast or two to start the day. Plus, excited about a recent purchase of an Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod and a Pfleuger President Spinning Reel. More to come on the purchase! Luck would have it that I finished the honey do with lots of daylight to spare. Decided to flex the two piece micro fly rod and fish Celebration Park’s North Pond using a fresh tied Scud! Had a blast catching sunfish and bluegill. The micro fly rod did well… forgot how fun it is! PS: Long video… mentioned some adjustments made to the line strike indicator, diy leader/tipper setup, and added a demo snippet of the rod casting easily 12 yards des...

An abridged version aka cliff notes on how we check the river waterflow when we make plans to fish Denison Dam. Posted a more detailed video that shows how to check the waterflow at various dams in the area. This video focuses on Denison Dam and the quick check we do before heading to Denison. By checking, we are able to prepare to fish low, medium, and high waterflow situations. Do check it out. PS. Here is the more detailed video. https://youtu.be/Q7N3ngH9ycU

Lucked out and was able to fish Denison Dam – tailrace to Lake Texoma, two days in a row. First day, temps were in the 90s and the river was flowing while they were generating power. Next day, cold front rolled in, dropping the temps to the 60s. No power generations, minimal water flow… able to observe what a difference a day makes – specifically, the river and the change in water level. Do listen in on the Podcast, or check out the video version on our YouTube Channel – COAF Field Team! (Podcast has migrated to the iFishNews Fishing Podcast Series - Click Link )

Made the run up to Denison Dam Wednesday morning. Fished the day before when they were generating power. Wednesday morning, they were not generating power… river was low and waterflow was minimal. Planned to fished with bait – frozen shad and live shad to be caught with the cast net. But, bait store was out of shad, and no success at catching any with the cast net. After trying a Jig and Fluke under a float, Bomber Crankbaits, and a Rattle Trap on the Oklahoma side, went to the Texas side and started wading river and fishing pocket, runs, and pools with the Discount Switch Rod – Maxcatch 2wt 10′ Fly Rod and Orvis SL1 Fly Reel. Caught one White Bass on a Chartreuse and White Craft Fur Clouser, had another strike but lost it. No sure what it was… and then had several Gar look and chase the Bass on Bed Fly. Overall, good to get out on the river and work the areas normally underwater. Plan to get another video to show differences when they generate power and when they are ...

Had a fun but tough time fishing Denison Dam Tuesday morning. Windy conditions and lots of waterflow from the power plant. They were releasing water, but was able to work different areas on the Oklahoma side. No striped bass but did see others catching them. Did catch as well as lose a Buffalo or two… was able to sight cast to schools that were feeding in a protected cove in the shallows. Fun stuff! PS: Fished Denison Dam Wednesday, June 10, 2020… another tough go. But, they were not generating. More video to come… here is the onsite update for now.

Another Round of Pond Fly Fishing at Bethany Lakes. Tried for more Bass and Bluegill with the Foam Spider and Scud on Monday. Caught several Bluegill and a little Fingerling Bass…. Minnow sized! PS: Made it to Denison Dam for a chance at Stripers today. Posted a live update while there. Do check back… still editing the video of the day’s action. No Striped Bass but did catch a Buffalo or two!

Simple pattern that we have been using as the trailing fishing fly of a tandem rigged Foam Spider and Scud… has been a trip saver with tight lipped Bluegill on beds! Do give it a try! Recipe Size 16 hook – streamer, dry fly, caddis Dubbing – Awesome Possum brown or Hares Ear Olive Tying Thread UV Glue or Head Cement

Fun times fishing on a TGIF! Fished Stoney Hollow Park working the Foam Spider and Scud for Bluegill! Was a hot day but able to catch a Bluegill or two. Did work the whole pond’s bank; no Bass but did see a couple lurking in the shallows! Click on pictures to see more about Cabela’s CGR Rod/Reel Combo and deals they are offering!

Wednesday Hump Day has us back at Duck Creek Linear Park in Richardson, TX. This round has a couple of Sunfish that take the Foam Spider and Scud Tandem Rig. No Bass but did see several nice ones lurking about. Fun stuff… plus did a “drive by” video shot of the park to show the creek from a roadside view! Click on pictures to see more about Cabela’s CGR Rod/Reel Combo and deals they are offering!

Fished the foam spider and scud tandem rig with the Cabelas CGR Fiberglass Rod and 2/3wt Echo Ion Fly Reel. Caught a Bass, had other little Bass eye the fishing flies… did have one swipe it but missed it. No worries… had fun with the Sunfish, Bluegill, and Longear Perch that were readily striking the tandem rig! Fun stuff! Click on pictures to see more about Cabela’s CGR Rod/Reel Combo and deals they are offering!

Finally found the pattern for the tight lipped Bluegill at the local pond. Went with a tandem rigged foam spider and scud! Most fish went for the trailing scud and was surprised the little bass were readily striking the scud! Foam Spider was a diy pattern made from Wapsi’s Foam Spider Kit. The Scud was a old pattern learned from a library fly tying video… uses possum or hares ear dubbing tied on a size 16 hook with a dubbing loop. Liking this tandem rig… plan to use it on the commute to work on a couple of ponds! Fun stuff!