Last week, I was surprised to hear a voice from the Army Corps of Engineers on a local radio news interview. I guess somebody noticed the torrents of water being released from lakes across the State of Texas. It was a short interview, but the jest of the story is they are stepping up releases to make room for spring rains (like we are currently having).

I thought perhaps some numbers for the numbers people in the crowd, the scientists and bean counters – could be in order. And if that’s not enough, have a look at what a pre-spring release looks like coming out of Ray Roberts Lake.

Canyon Lake had been running at 802 cfs, and now is down to 300 cfs. Grapevine went from a high last week of 1631 cfs, to a significant 1250 cfs. Ray Roberts continues their siphoning today at 2876 cfs. Lake Whitney is highly variable – now running at 3680 cfs, cut almost in half from last week’s 5759 cfs.

If anyone out there has additional images or information, please feel free to contribute to our knowledge base.

Just a final reminder that Fly Fish Texas will be March 13 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas. Everyone I talk to says this is a great event. Here is the information off the TPWD web site:

–Anglers from novice to expert will gather at TFFC to celebrate the sport of fly-fishing. Learn the basics of fly-tying and casting, then fish for rainbow trout in our on-site ponds and streams. Attend seminars and demonstrations led by fly-fishing professionals. Visit with vendors of fly-fishing services and equipment.

Fly-fishing clubs from across Texas will be on hand to help anyone who wants to learn or improve existing skills. Equipment will be provided for casting classes, but participants are welcome to bring their own gear.

SCHEDULE – All Day Activities
TOPIC LOCATION
Fly-Tier’s Roundtable
Beginners Fly-Tying Instruction Anglers Pavilion
Casting Instruction Conservation Center Dock/Parking Area
Aquatic Entomology “Bug Picking” Stream feeding fishing pond
Speaker Presentations on the hour Visitor Center Dive Theater
Speaker Presentations on the hour Conservation Center, Room A
Vendor Booths & Demonstrations Conservation Center, Room B
Fly-Tying Classes on the hour Conservation Center, Fly Tying Classroom
Trout, Bream & Bass Fishing (Catch & Release) Lake Zebco & Fishing Stream along Wetlands Trail
Fish Action/Pursuit Visitor Center Aquaria Exhibits, West Side
Ferruled Leader Making – Robin Rhyne Conservation Center, Room B

Anheuser-Busch Dive Theater
10:00 Where Fish Are and How to Fish for Them Mark Marmon
11:00 Using Fish Senses to Catch More Fish Bill Heugel
12:00 Fly-Fishing Caddo Lake Charlie Ducote
1:00 Fly-Fishing the Pecos River in Northern New Mexico David Lemke
2:00 Return to the Redneck Riviera: Fly-Fishing the Bolivar Peninsula after Ike Bruce Sublett
3:00 The White Bass Run – An Easy Fly Fishing Opportunity Kevin Cunningham
Conservation Center, Room A
10:00 Beginning Fly-Fishing Bob Cappallo
11:00 Fly-Fishing the Hill Country Kevin Hutchison
12:00 Fly-Fishing the Mid-coast of Texas Capt. Eric Knipling
1:00 Fly-Fishing for Carp Dan Edwards
2:00 Trout Fishing in Colorado, Wyoming and Texas Dan Edwards
3:00 Reading Moving Water on Trout Streams Phil Rispin
Conservation Center, Classroom
10:00 Fast Foam Poppers for Saltwater Bill Hobson
11:00 Flies for Spring Bass Bruce Sublett
12:00 Tying Effective Flies for the Hill Country Harrison Nash
1:00 Casting Essentials for Both Spey and Single Hand Casting Gary Davison
2:00 General Discussion on Spey for Two and Single Handed Rods Gary Davison
3:00 Tying Seminar Using Unique Materials for Flies Kyle Hand & Fishy Fullum

Outdoor Seminars (weather permitting)

Time Topic Speaker
10:00 Spey Rod Casting at fishing pond Gary Davison
11:00 Kayak Rigging for Fly-Fishing – near classroom at Conservation Center Bill Hobson
12:00 Trick Casting – Northwest of Anglers Pavilion Ken Cole
1:00 Basic Fly-Fishing – Northwest of Anglers Pavilion Mark Marmon
2:00 Two-Handed Rod Clinic at fishing pond Bill Heugel
3:00 Intermediate Double Haul Clinic
(limit 6 participants, NW of Anglers Pavilion) David Lemke