Stocker Trout Fishing News

While on the road a couple weeks ago, stopped in New Braunfels, Texas and fished the Guadalupe River at the River Access Park. Opted for the Tenkara Rod as we were on the road and keeping things light. Worked out well, was able to get a quick trip in! Caught little guys… looked like longear but did get sidetracked when I noticed a lingerie photo shoot was happening downriver. Took a stroll downriver of course to scout the river for fish… wink, wink, wink!

Making preparations for kayak fishing and juglining. Had to fix my juglines to make them legal in Texas. Rules require juglines to be at least 3″ wide and 6″ long. Good to go now! While at it, replaced the Name and Address Label with a Customer ID Label. Liking it much better than the old rules!

A quick product review of the Okuma Rockaway Surf Rod – specifically, the 12′ Medium Heavy Spinning Rod that is rated for 1-4oz weights. Check out the video, and if you are interested in one, see more at Amazon and our COAF Field Team Amazon Page! OKUMA RA-S-1202MH Rockaway Surf

Planned to fish the Lower Illinois River in Oklahoma by the Power Plant. When we arrived, we noted the river was high and the current was strong. They were generating power, so we went to our backup plan… fishing for trout at a place we never been to before… Marval RV Resort. Since it is further downriver, we hoped the current would be slower and wadeable. It was still flowing fast and wading would be a hazard other than protected areas near the bank. No worries… learned a few things about the area, caught a fish or two as well as one trout by our Fishing Buddy. Check out the video as we fish a new place by trial and error!

Question from a Viewer on the Tie-Fast Knot Tyer Tool and how I used it to make a line strike indicator. Made a short video that explains it. May be of interest to others. Click on the picture or go to this link – Tie-Fast Knot Tying Tool. The Tie-Fast Knot Tying Tool is what we use to make a line strike indicator for fly fishing as well as a variation of a loop to loop connection for our fly line to leader when our fly line does not come with a pre-formed loop. Tie-Fast Knot Tying Tool

Halloween Day last weekend. Was not able to fish the Blue River in Oklahoma but did take the opportunity to practice fishing using the same setup I would use on the Blue River. Fished the local pond – Bethany Lakes in Allen, for whatever would bite. Opted for a tandem-rigged leading Near Deere and trailing Rainbow Warrior. This is the same rig I like to use when fishing for trout, changing out the fishing flies as the fish dictate. Caught a Bass and several Bluegill after switching to a single fishing fly and using a short pull, fast retrieve. Another presentation I like to use on the Blue River when the trout are actively feeding on minnows, nymphs, and other emergent. Do give it a try… especially liking the One Handed Spey setup: Redington Classic Trout 9ft 5wt, Echo Ion 4/5wt reel, and the OPST Commando Head with Lazarline Running Line!

Pond fly fishing for Bluegill at the local pond. Started out fishing with the Bait Finesse Systems rod and reel combo, but the pond was too clobbered with greenery. Switched to an eight foot, four weight fly rod and reel setup and managed to catch a fish or two. Liking the casting ability of the Redington Pursuit Fly Rod, can get some distance with the little eight foot rod. Pairs well with the Ross Flystart2 reel with WF 4wt Floating Line! Fly Fishing Tying Suggestions

Last weekend we made the run across the border from Texas to Oklahoma. Friday we hung out in Norman and had dinner at Torchy’s Tacos for tasty tacos and margaritas. Later, we stopped at the Guitar Center Store to checkout the ukuleles – big sale going on until 31 October on guitars and ukuleles. Always had a weakness for stringed “things” like fishing rods and reels, guitars and ukuleles, etc! Ended Friday, “chillin” on the sofa while watching several seasons of “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” in preparation for a round of fishing on the Lower Illinois River the next day. Saturday morning we headed west from Oklahoma City to Gore, Oklahoma to fish the Lower Illinois River – specifically, the tail race section below Lake Tenkiller. It was a nice day with temps in the 50s to 60s; because we prefer to stay dry when the temps are below the 70s, we opted for waders instead wet wading like we do in the summer. Overall, it was a nice day fis...

Request from YouTube on how we made the DIY Tanago Rod – one where we made it with a Cork Handle instead of a Wooden Handle. Simple DIY that uses: – Ice Fishing Blank – Wine Cork – Epoxy – Rod Wrap Thread or similar material Ice Rod Blank used was from Janns Netcraft – 31″ Walleye Action Rod.  

Fun time this weekend fishing Texoma. Have video to edit still but always ready to post a snippet of the action! Here we go…!

Had a fun weekend making the run across the border from Texas to Oklahoma to have a little non-work time… Minor League Baseball, good food and drinks, fishing a river for trout and striped bass, and even a little catch and cook time! Had a great time… here is a quick recap of the fun. Do stay tuned… will post video of the fishing action later this week! PS: Added a little ukulele time and a glass of wine to close out the weekend!

While on the way home from the day job, had the fishing bug strike. Luckily we keep a Micro Fly Rod in our backpack at the ready for these instances. This round fished Crowley Park in Richardson; caught a Bass and a Bluegill on a Foam Grasshopper. Had others short strike but not able to hook them. Video shows the Micro Fly Rod variant that we made that collapses and has larger rod guides than the original ones that came from the manufacturer. Micro Fly Rod casts 30′ without an issue; only need to adjust the timing of the forward and backcast and we tend to use a sidecast more often than not. Do give it a try and make one… for ideas on how to make one, see our article COAF Micro Fly Rod The company we ordered the original rod and reel have since gone out of business. However, this one is similar on Amazon: Pen Rod on Amazon PS: Gotta have some Shakey Graves for background music!    

Made it to the Lower Illinois River earlier this month – June 2, 2018. Had a fun time wet wading the river for a chance at trout and other fish! Went with the 5 weight fly rod and one-handed spey casting with the OPST Commando Head. Used an olive Near Deere for the fishing fly. Fishing partner opted for ultralight spinning gear and Power Bait Trout Worms. Tip broke on the rod but he did manage to catch trout using a bubble fly rig! Your’s truly only caught one trout but did miss several more. Did catch a White Bass and a Striped Bass (little one), too. Hot day but the water was cold. And, even though the water was murky, the fish were biting. Ended up calling the trip short because they started generating power. No worries… made it to OKC early and checked out Bricktown… cool place!  

Great time yesterday fishing city of Murphy’s pond – City Complex Park Pond. Limited out after figuring out the pattern… tandem rigged near deere and griffiths’ gnat! Afterwards, able to try the rod, no reel concept and caught several trout. Broke out the action in a second video… check it out at “One Rod, No Reel”.   Follow-on video to our trip to Murphy’s City Complex Park Pond where we test the concept of a quality line and a fly rod for trout fishing, and forego the reel. Used about 8 yards of line, the tandem rig that the trout were going for, and a $19 fly rod… also, fly line is quality line from Scientific Angler. Just picked up a deal when it was on clearance… only $1!

Short on time but able to get a round in fly fishing at Celebration Park with the Micro Fly Rod! Mainly Sunfish and Bluegill on the Marilyn Monroe Tenkara Fly… Fun stuff!  

Since the run to the Galveston last month, we have been missing the Texas Coast and the saltwater fishing that it offers.  Although we have had several rounds of kayak fishing in since then locally, one cannot catch a Shark in Lake Lavon! Luckily, we have several Readers asking about information and lessons learned from out trips to Galveston. Always willing to help other, we collated the our notes and published, “Fishing in Galveston”. Do check it out; we hope it helps others planning a trip to Galveston!

Having withdrawals already from being away from the Coast. Had lots of fun, and posted several videos of the action. Here is a short snippet that has some of the action from this weekend. Do checkout our earlier posts and videos from this past weekend!   was a great time on the coast #saltwaterfishing …caught lots of #fish and ate lots of food! already missing the #beach …can’t wait to go back. here are short clips of some of the action! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Jun 15, 2017 at 2:53pm PDT

Was fun time on the Coast! We closed out this trip fishing the 61st Street Fishing Pier. We fished it in the day, then later at night, cutting the evening short due to rain. Did make it out to one of the little jetties along the beach to practice casting with the Switch Rod; did not get a bite but still good to get some practice in real beach conditions!

Back in the DFW Metroplex but sure did have a great time on the coast. Able to fish Surfside’s Jetty, Galveston’s Seawolf Park Pier, another Park in Galveston (but cannot recall the name), and the 61st Street Fishing Pier. Mainly caught and released fish, except for one Spanish Mackerel. Chillin’ and grillin’ now that we are back. Having the Spanish Mackerel along with Fajitas for dinner tonight. Will get a close out video to show how the action on the Pier went. Overall, it was a great round of fishing for the Team!   back from #galveston …chillin and #grilling #spanishmackeral #fajitas #poblanos …my life is good! A post shared by COAF Field Team (@coaf.field.team) on Jun 12, 2017 at 5:11pm PDT

Having a blast on the coast! Brings back fun times from way back when… this round, we opted for Seawolf Park Pier. Planned to fish Galveston Fishing Pier but while enroute, decided to fish a backwater area. While getting live shrimp for bait, the bait attendant suggested Seawolf Park Pier. Enough said… we went to Seawolf Park Pier. Promising area where we caught Perch and Croaker, and we think they are Spadefish. Also, caught a Spanish Mackerel! Fun times… PS: Did see one little Shark swim past the pier.