The north pond at Northlakes Park in Denton, Texas, was nearly dry last Sunday. It had already dropped a couple of feet by the time I made this image.
I am betting readers are ready for something short and sweet, and that’s how I will keep a quick look at the North Texas moisture situation.
In all the news and talk about the historic Texas drought, it has been well noted that North Texas has been spared the worst ratings on all those colorful maps and graphs. As bad as it is, it’s not as bad as, literally, everywhere else in the state.
This week we had enough rain in a short enough time to rase most of our lakes by a few feet – that’s a few feet in 48 hours. When it does finally rain in Texas, it can pour. Creeks are running high, flood control ponds are over the top, and warm rainwater is likely to trigger significant fish activity if the air temperature stays warm, and if it clears up relatively quickly.
It looks like a past due trip to Daingerfield, Texas, to fish for chain pickerel is in the works, and I am wondering if the two feet added to Ray Roberts will entice carp into an early visit of the flats. There won’t be much flooded greenery for them to slide through, but there may be enough.
One of those places I always visit when it floods – Drop, Texas.
Now is the time to go to www.grtutroutfest.org and purchase your Troutfest Banquet tickets. Tickets will be picked up at the door Friday evening 2/24/12 at 6pm. The EXPO follows Saturday and Sunday, 2/25-26/2012. All activities including the Saturday night fly fishing film festival will be at Rio Raft, Satler, Texas on the famed Guadalupe River.
Chris Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Trout Unlimited will be the featured speaker during the Friday night banquet. A silent auction, live auction and raffle items will be available during the evening. Funds raised from this event are used to conserve, protect and restore the coldwater tailwater fishery on the Guadalupe River.
A new feature of Troutfest 2012 is an author’s booth where writers will be present, reading, selling, signing their books. Also, a kid’s essay contest has been added. Details are available at www.grtu.org. Three age brackets from 6 to 17 years are available. Great prizes for 1st thru 3rd place in each age category. Have your children or children known to you sign up. All entries are via e-mail. Winners will be announced during the banquet Friday night 2/24/12.
Thanks for your support.
Phil Dopson
512-413-3301
phil@phildopson.com
NOTE – I met Chris Wood (CEO Trout Unlimited) on the journey to West Texas, and you’ll never meet a more upbeat guy. I will do a last minute update to list vendors and authors, as well as a detailed itinerary.
