It’s what you don’t know that gets in the way of good fishing. Little did I know that there is a confirmed red tide bloom on the Texas Gulf Coast. Funny how little bad news gets inland isn’t it? Heck, I guess it’s that way everywhere. If you didn’t already know, would you know that Lake Texoma is under all kinds of warnings – for a blue-green algae outbreak that is extraordinarily dangerous. Call it “Chamber of Commerce” marketing if you like.

FROM TPWD REPORTS

AUSTIN –Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is working with other agencies to monitor a red tide event along the upper and lower Texas coast. The middle coast remains unaffected at this time.

The bloom was first confirmed on Sunday, Sept. 11, when TPWD biologists found discolored water and aerosols characteristic of a red tide in multiple areas of the Brownsville Ship Channel and San Martin Lake.

Analysis of water samples confirmed moderate concentrations of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis, commonly called red tide. The bloom has subsequently caused fish kills along nearly seven miles of Boca Chica beach, the southern end of South Padre Island, Bahia Grande, South Bay, San Martin Lake and various locations within the Brownsville Ship Channel.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, biologists from TPWD and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality responded to reports of dead fish and respiratory irritation in the Freeport area. A fish kill, accompanied by high concentrations of K. brevis, was found along the beach and inshore along the Brazos River, Intracoastal Waterway, the old Brazos River, and Dow Barge Canal.

Karenia brevis is a naturally-occurring organism that produces a toxin affecting the central nervous system of fish which causes paralysis and the inability to breath. As a result, red tide blooms often result in dead fish washing up on Gulf beaches. When red tide algae reproduce in dense concentrations or “blooms,” they are visible as discolored patches of water, often reddish in color.

The last red tide occurrence in Texas was in 2009-10 and occurred from Boca Chica to Port Aransas. The last red tide bloom in the Freeport area occurred in 2000.

People who are near the water during red tide may experience irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. People with existing respiratory illness, such as asthma, may experience these symptoms more severely. If you have concerns or questions about human health effects of red tide or symptoms you are experiencing, consult a physician.

Updated information on the current red tide situation in Texas, as well as background information on red tide and how it affects people and fish, is available on the TPWD website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hab/redtide/. You can also get up-to-date information through TPWD on Facebook and Twitter.

Now, the first thing any “competitor” would think about doing is gathering their information to make a single decision, for a kayak fisher, a single decision, on where to fish the tournament the next day. I already knew Rob Woodruff had zeroed in at least three boat fishers in the previous three days of guided fishing, and was glad, on multiple levels, I wasn’t on a bass boat. The conventional wisdom for kayak fishing on Lake Fork, was to stick to the coves, get in deep where bass boats can’t go, and hit the stumps. Reports from Texas Parks and Wildlife seemed most practical, stating the bass were coming off the beds, virtually done spawning, and eating in deeper water.

The wisdom of the moment would put us in a nearby cove, just a hop-skip-and-jump from the public boat ramp just off 515 on the west side of the lake. Run north around the bridge, and dip into the cove where “there always seems to be plenty of fish” sounded like as in the moment, and prescient as any information could possibly be. Experience always encourages me to consider a couple of factors related to experienced, in the moment information. One, is someone trying to distribute locations to keep from sending all contestants to the same cove, and 2) how good, how fresh is the information, and finally, I had to consider he fishes on a boat, and his time / distance perspective, related to manpowered kayaks, could be off. We had to be in to the weigh-in, in our case photograph presentation – by 2-pm.

Conventional wisdom, from the tried and true grapevine, always murmured … “Caney Creek, Little Caney and No Name,” were all locations I had heard before.

A decision like where to fish a kayak fishing tournament, when running with a partner, demands consultation. It seemed practical to have Austin make the call. His grandfather could wave us off if he knew something from his years of experience on Lake Fork.

The next decisions were pretty simple. I knew the tent camping was out, although during good weather, I would definitely pitch a tent on the grounds at Lake Fork Marina. A room would provide protection on a night like this. Then, since civilization was all around, it was time for local cuisine. AJ’s was recommended, and their parking lot was full when I passed by earlier – a huge parking lot, and a deceptively large tin building restaurant. All you can eat, fried everything, cobblers a la’ mode. Great food, for those living the lucky life of low cholesterol.

By the time I got back to the registration tent to meet Austin, the rain was full on, lighting and wind were also now on Fork’s plate. Prefishing anything, anywhere, went down the drain. We showed Austin the nearby cove and he was convinced it held the shelter we would need for tomorrow. So, it was going to be all the marbles, all the chips, all in for the cove.

We paddled out from the public boat ramp just before sunrise, around and under the bridge, and toward the cove. Austin’s Grandfather would be fishing off his boat, so we just knew somebody would have a story or two to tell. The previous night washed away all conventional wisdom – lightning, rain and wind came through, and the morning looked threatening, and was absolutely choppy.

The cove, like the rest of the lake, had that “look.” It’s a look that says and smells bass. And still, the entire lake is four feet low, so shave a lot of surface right off the top of the entire lake and a cove like this has a significantly reduced fishable surface area. We were there early enough to start on the surface and go deeper as the fish pulled back for the day. The only problem, we weren’t seeing any surface action at all.

We fished it top down, with no luck at all. The cove was good for protection, but for whatever reason, the legendary Lake Fork largemouth bass weren’t where we were. I did hook one, on the drop (the fly was dropping after being cast), and with the poor hookset that comes with a drop, all he had to do is jump once and do the freshwater tarpon headshake, and I was looking at a black clouser flying straight back at my head.

The ride out of the cove was treacherous, with waves now pushing a foot. We made for the bridge which still protected us, but Austin couldn’t make the turn into the wind so we had to come back and pick him up on some private property that he beached his Diablo on.

As we watched the tournament results come in, the kayak fishers had it tough, real tough. The boat competitors fared much better, and I was thoroughly entertained by the beautiful specimens of largemouth coming in for the weigh in. Out of the seven kayak competitors, only three registered fish.

HERE IS THE OFFICIAL REPORT

2nd ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BASS ON THE FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT
2011 RESULTS
Once again weather impacted the World Championship Bass on The Fly fishing Tournament on Lake Fork last Saturday, May 21st. Friday afternoon heavy rain blew across East Texas followed by a sever thunderstorm that evening. This prompted several folks to call and cancel their plans to participate.

However, seven kayakers and 26 boaters found the conditions much better Saturday morning until the wind picked up around 11 am. And the fish were biting …. for some folks.

In the Non-boater (Kayak) division, Randy Calley from Sepulpa, OK photographed three fish for a total length of 46.5″ to win $168 for first place. He also had two more fish in the 20-23 inch range which he failed to photograph. Bruce Burton from Okmulgee, OK place second with one 16″ fish winning $84.

In the Boater division, Johnny Walker and Cheryl Farrell, from Ft. Worth, had five fish weighing 7lb-6oz for first place, winning $500! Benton and B.C. Fowler (the birthday boy who was 74 years young), from Garland, had five fish that weighed 7lb-2oz for second place, winning $280. Third place went to Dewayne White & Ron Olsen, from Flower Mound, with four fish that weighed 4lb-13oz, paying $156.

The Big Bass in the Boater division was 2lb-10oz caught by Benton Fowler and paid $90. Second place, was Lance Rogers, $40. In the Non-boater division Calley had the big fish and Burton was second. The Big Sun Fish was caught by Diane Blair from Dallas and paid $56. Second place was Cody Bell, $24.

The Sage Largemouth rod for early entries was won by the venerable Richard Blair from Dallas.

The club trophy was won by the Dallas Fly Fishers but the North Louisiana, Ft. Worth, and Oklahoma folks said that won’t happen again!

The Casting Distance with a bass bug contest was once again won by Cody Bell who received a TFO 7/8 weight outfit. The
Casting Accuracy with a bass bug was a tie between Diane Blair and Benson Fowler which required a cast off. Diane claims she won but donated the TFO 5 weight rod to Benton.

Several teams reported catching 16-24″ slot fish including the six pounder pictured below caught by Justin Rackley. Justin’s dad, Calvin, bought him a new fly rod and this was his first time to fly fish for bass. Although Justin has caught a lot of big bass on Lake Fork, he said “this was the most exciting way to catch bass I’ve ever experienced”. That’s saying something since Justin was on the National Championship Texas A&M college bass fishing team.

Everyone received a goody bag with a Skeeter tee shirt, a Buff, a hat and a bass fly. There were numerous drawing prizes which were donated by Redington rods, Rio lines, Mariner-Sails, TFO reels, Professional Sales RV, Lake Fork Marina, Umpqua flies, Teton reels, Oakley sunglasses, Ranger boats, Sage rods, Tailwaters fly shop, and Brothers flies.

Approximately 10 folks participated in the free fly casting clinics and the anglers received a fishing update from Lake Fork guide James Caldemeyer Friday evening.

It was unanimous that we have the tournament again next year around the same time (check www.bassonthefly.org for updates). Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers, and participants.

Great weather on the Blue River Saturday made for bad trout fishing.

Yes, the days are short, and the sun doesn’t shine much, but there are still opportunities for those strong of heart, short on cash, wearing good thermals, and willing to drive a little ways to experience winter fly fishing Texas style.

IF YOU ARE IN NORTH TEXAS

Local Opportunities
If you are in the North Texas area, you can go a long way toward turning a new generation of fishers (and maybe future fly fishers) on to fishing by having a look at the TPWD trout stocking schedule, and taking a youngster fishing. It really is a strange setting by fly fishing – ponds stocked with baby rainbows – and the best way to get at them is a small spinning rod and power bait rig. It may not be for you, but if you know any kids that need to get outside, and maybe out of Mom’s hair, then check the schedule and take them fishing. Another non-pond location that’s stocked with trout, and is actually fly fishing worthy as well as having power bait potential, is the waters of the Brazos just below the dam at Possum Kingdom. I have seen fresh schools of these fish swimming in circles around a wading fly fisher – with my own two eyes.

Cold Water Opportunities
There are also opportunities for those of us who want to keep fishing, but find the warm water done for now. Make no mistake, warm water fly fishing is pretty much done, and anything that you may happen to hook will feel more like (stripping in) a Coke can than a fish of a fight.

Measuring distance from Denton, Texas, which is at the top of the triangle that includes Dallas and Fort Worth, to the Blue River in Oklahoma, shows it to be eighty miles in one direction to the parking lot of the Blue River catch-and-release area. Find out the latest on the Blue River catch-and-release area.
Measuring distance from Denton, Texas, to the Beaver’s Bend park on the Lower Mountain Fork in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, shows it to be two-hundred miles one way. Their fish are inferior, except for the inclusion of brown trout, to the Guadalupe, but the distance makes it a North Texas favorite.
Measuring distance from Denton, Texas, to Canyon Lake, the Canyon Lake Dam, the Guadalupe River, Texas, should be about two-hundred-eighty-five miles, give or take ten.
These are all cold water trout waters, with the Lower Mountain Fork, and now the Guadalupe, making claims of “year around trout fisheries.” The earlier is most certainly true, while there are many, many variables that can effect that claim on the Guad. The Blue River catch-and-release area opens to catch-and-killers at the end of February.
Be sure to check previous posts on the Guad, and beware that there is a situation on the Guad right now that is causing flows to be cut (virtually off) every weekday to allow for big time maintenance work to be done to the dam. The last I heard, they are having problems doing the work, and they are extending the dates for the time it will take to complete the repairs. They don’t work weekends, so water is flowing then, but imagine the pent-up demand of weekdays plus the weekenders, all trying to get a fix on the Guad at the same time!

THE EXOTIC
There are always winter opportunities to try some different and more exotic flyfishing in fresh water. How about chain pickerel? That opportunity exists in some East Texas lakes, and if you’ve never fished for these coyotes, they will unnerve you as you see them dart out of the grass and attack your fly just below the surface of the water. I fished for them awhile back, and can’t want to get another chance at them.

How about freshwater redfish? There are a few Texas power plants with cooling lakes stocked with redfish, and they offer the novelty of catching a saltwater fish in fresh water. Due to the nature of this beast, they do seem a bit more difficult to catch than their saltwater ancestors. Two power plant lakes that come to mind are Fairfield and one outside San Antonio – Lake Calveras. Fly fishing for these fish compounds the difficulty, but as long as you are close to the warm water release, you will be treated to a micro climate that could warm frigid air temperatures by several degrees. Winter is definitely the time to pursue freshwater reds as they concentrate in warmer waters.

Then there are the winter striper blitzes on Lake Texoma, Texas. This may not turn out to be a banner year for the blitzes, but if you are willing to bundle up, cast from the deck of a rolling boat, usually in windy conditions, then this is for you. We in North Texas live so near this that we almost take it for granted, but there are very few places in Texas that offer experiences like the winter striper blitzes on Lake Texoma, Texas. Freshwater stripers will give you saltwater trout and red fishers something to remember.

THE SALT
Growing up on the Texas Gulf Coast, I never considered winter to be a time to fish. My how times have changed! Fishing on the Gulf Coast is a year around sport now, and anglers have discovered fishing for speckled trout, redfish and flounder on the coast is at least as good as during the warmer months. This fact never ceases to amaze me. If I only knew then what I know now, but then I would be fishing the Lower Laguna Madre right now – instead of talking about it!
There are opportunities all along the Texas Gulf coast right now, and although it is a long run from North Texas, it IS the salt.

No matter what, it will take more money to fill the tank than it did last year, and it looks like we are headed to 4-dollar gas all over again. Strange, the politicians (democrats) aren’t complaining this time. Well, 4-dollar gas will go a long way toward a one-term presidency. If you are feeling the pinch, be sure to check the message boards under GOING FISHING. It’s time to get together to save a little gas money.
OF COURSE, if you are reading from anywhere other than North Texas, then odds are you are many miles closer to good fishing than we are here. The reality is that there’s not much that’s too close to those of us confined to North Texas. A week after our first snow event of the season, it’s plain to see warm water fish are off, and will be off until spring springs. Feel free to prove me wrong though!