reevesr1

Brian, When your brother is there, have him contact me. There are awesome fly fishing opportunities in South Texas in skinny water for reds and trout. There are also some people on this board from Houston who can tell him about fly fishing opportunities in Houston for carp, catfish, etc (which I had no idea existed). If he is adverse to bait, and lots of people are, no problem. Catching them with a "bass pole" and bait casting gear with artificial lures is a kick as well. The opportunities are pretty endless. As to fish eating in G. Bay, here are a couple of links: Upper Galveston Bay Advisory West Bay Advisory "Galveston Bay" is actually 4 bay systems: West Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay, and Galveston Bay. The main bay systems are no issue. But the ship channel areas are.

Should I state the obvious?

No. I think that if I had started with topwater flies instead of plugs, I might have caught a couple. But the places I was fishing only tend to be productive at all on top early in the morning and I couldn't bring myself to start the day with such limited casting distance, particularly since I started each day casting into a stiff breeze.

Thanks Rob. The funny thing is I actually have no issue at all with keeping fish to eat here. It is a totally different (obviously) eco-system, which is being pretty well maintained. More threat from industry than fishermen, frankly. I got out with my uncle, cousin, and brother today. Cuz, bro and I were wading, uncle in the boat. I went a different direction than the other two and was rewarded with a couple of fish on topwaters pretty quickly. But the bite died with the end of the tide at 6:30. So back to the boat to get the fly rod to change tactics. My uncle asked me how I did, and I said I'd caught a couple and missed a couple. "Where are they?" "Let 'em go." He looked at me in disgust. I almost burst out laughing. He said "I think that's just like hunting and not keeping what you kill." I said "I don't care." Not a snappy reply, I know. The reality is I don't keep becasue I don't want too anymore, unless for my mom. I don't keep around my relatives just to piss 'em off. Only because I love 'em! I did keep a couple of trout for my uncle later. He needed some for dinner, and noone else seemed to be stepping up. All in all, a great trip. Not the best fishing, but great fun none the less.

Hawg, Sure is. Just south of Houston, very near Galveston.

Topwater fly. I did have one chase it today, but no hookup. Sunday, hopefully.

I casted the clouser for awhile longer with no luck. My two buddies were starting to stick a few. I switched to a streamer I bought for the Bow, but liked the color for saltwater because it reminded me of an effective soft plastic color. Didn't take long.... I must say that I was not AT ALL disappointed in the fight that time! The trout was only a couple of inches bigger, but put on a much better account of himself! Anyway, we ended up with 20 or so. I put the fly rod down not long after the second fish because it was just too tough with the wind. I caught several more using more traditional methods. No less fun, I gotta say. Here is Rick with a little surprise: While most fish were released, we did keep a few for my mom: The rod I am using is a 8 wt. Sage a friend in Calgary built. I'm somewhat addicted to it and may not give it back. Wish I could have used my 5 wt, but the wind was just too brutal. Rick and Riley, thanks a ton for the day! Next time I'm home we'll head down to Matagorda and let Rick put us on some bigger fish! Day 3: Went out with my cousin and brother. Same general area. I started this time with bait, and had a fish in the first couple of minutes, as did Chris (the cousin, and another aspiring young guide). Switched to a topwater, just because: Just after I caught the trout on the topwater, my brother noticed me releasing it. He said "we're not doing catch and release are we?" I said "you can do whatever you want, I'm releasing mine." I started calling him "10 Fish Ain't Enough." (the limit in Texas is 10). Actually, if he ever tells his wife I'm releasing my fish, she may kick my ass. They are way good to eat, and she cooks them in many different and all delicious ways. But it really annoys my brother and cousin when I release them, so it's really fun for me to let them go! Again, we ended up with 20 or so. I did not contribute much however as my goal was to change methods on every couple of fish. I didn't make it past 3, 2 on bait, 1 on the topwater. I really should have stuck with the topwater more, but that was not the goal. The fly rod let me down, but not for lack of trying. They just weren't hitting anything artificial nearly as well as the day before. Oh well, sure was fun trying! Here is Chris with a nice red: And the results of the day: Day 4: Similar to day three, with a few less fish. Live bait ruled the day again, but I did get one little fish on a clouser. Chris did ok, and he had a couple of friends from Houston and they caught a couple too. I had to go in early to do some work in Houston. When we left, I realized I had no idea where my wallet was. I was hoping against hope it was in the car, but I knew the last place I remember it being was in the right front pocket of my wade pants. And I knew in my heart I had never taken it out and that it must have fallen out when I jumped in the water. Turns out I was right as it wasn't in the car. Fortunately, I have my passport and was able to get an emergency Amex card here in Houston. Crappy end to the day, but doesn't detract from the fun (much). Tomorrow is golf, and more fishing on Sunday. I still need to get one on a topwater fly.........

Finally got my mom's computer up and running, so I thought I would post some pictures of my trip back home. First stop was the local tackle shop. I was recently asked how big the tackle shops are back home. Here is the answer. This place is advertised as the worlds biggest tackle shop. No hunting, camping stuff here. Fishing only. I actually try to stay away because a hole always seems to form in my wallet. Picked up a couple of local flies and some information. Note the big marlin on the roof: I didn't really fish much the first morning. Just drove around to a few places that I fished as a kid when I didn't have a boat and later as an adult when I didn't feel like messing with the boat. Those of you who've fished the coast might notice a couple of slicks to go with the sunrise: Fished for an hour or so. Didn't catch anything, but didn't really expect to. More just practicing casting in the gale force wind at my back. As it turned out, I needed the practice. Took this picture from the levee system that protects my home town, Texas City, from hurricane flood waters. This is taken looking back towards town, the bay is at my back. You will see the refineries. They stretch for 5 miles or so. I get a bit annoyed whenever I read someone who doesn't want any industry anywhere near where they live. I grew up with refineries. If you don't want industry where you live, go live in a cave and quit using anything developed from chemicals. You don't get a car. We've done our bit where I'm from. It's other peoples turn. (Sorry for the quick rant. I just hijacked my post, in the post itself. That's gotta be a first.) Ok, so on to the fishing. Day 2 was with a couple of buddies I used to work with. One is a fantastic fisherman, and an aspiring guide. One is from Oklahoma. The spot was a place I've fished a lot of times with my dad, and several times with Rick, the aspiring guide. It was really windy (and it stays windy for the whole trip so far), but the water clarity wan't too bad. We pulled in and got excited by all the bait and obvious trout feeding signs. I started the day off by sticking a nice trout right off the bat working a topwater bait. For those of you who've never experienced a predatory fish attacking a surface lure, suffice to to say it will get your heart started. Big lure, 16" fish (not so big!): Continued to get blowups on the lure, but couldn't hook any more up. My buddy was having the same problem. I actually tried topwater poppers with the fly rod with absolutely no success. One blowup in 50 casts or so over the course of the trip. Need to work on that. So we all went subsurface and located some the Oklahoman and I located some fish: I figured if an Okie could catch one, they must be thick. I went back to the boat and got the fly rod. Tied on a chartruese and white Deceiver that Wayne Hanson tied for me, cast out, let it sink, one strip and: and the release: See why we call them Specks? My first "keeper" trout on a fly rod! I must say I was slightly disappointed in the fight. But my disappointment didn't last long!

Its been so long since I've fried a fish I forgot how damn good it is. Got a few this morning, story to follow (I'm on my blackberry, I'll have internet access tomorrow). In a nutshell, its HOT and WINDY!! Fish gotta eat though, and I gave em some options to chew on today. Released most of them, but did bring some home for mom. Tomorrow is "I'm a Fish Whore" day. The goal is: One on a popper fly One subsurface (streamer, clouser, whatever). One on a traditional topwater lure One on a subsurface soft plastic bait One on live bait. Sort of a single species super slam. We'll see how she goes. Edit: Can someone drive to Carsland and get me some bait?

Bowfin! Haven't thought of shoepick (what we called them when I was a kid) in years. Hardest fighting fresh water fish I know of (I haven't caught carp though). Used to love catching them in Louisiana. Can't imagine one on a fly rod!

Saw this making the rounds at COP. Sent it to my brother in Texas. Participate!!

6 deceivers and two big clousers on the left, 2 big watermelon green streamers I bought for the bow and some0pink thing on the right. I'm bringing a couple of 8 wts. One tfo and one hand built 9'6" on a0 sage blank a friend gave me to take. The sage will be the primary!

Switched my phone today. I have a company phone, and they get WAY irritated when I forget, which I have done before.

I think my favorite part of any fishing trip is the anticipation of the trip. I'm leaving Monday for my trip to Houston, and I am so pumped I can hardly think of anything else. I've done my best to avoid buying absolutely everything I can think of. So far, only bought some Saltwater line, some 8/5 flat butt leader and got me some Deceivers. Actually, a friend tied the Deceivers for me based on some old lure colors I used to use. I also pulled a couple of green streamers out of my streamer box because the color reminds me of one of my favorite soft plastic baits. So in the picture are the streamers I have so far. I'll need to pick up some clousers and shrimp patterns when I get down there. And I have a plan for that red wire thing and the indicators. The method would be unique where I'm going to be fishing........ Should be wetting a line Tuesday morning. I sure hope the wind cooperates. It's windy as hell, like Crowsnest windy, down there right now.

I'll be down there, but unable to fish in the evenings due to family stuff. If you can't leave until after work, then fishing the coast may be tough. Takes an hour at least to get there (depending on traffic), and gets dark around 8. Conroe may be closer, depending on where you are. There are a couple of fly shops in Houston. You may want to call them and get their opinion.

I'm not posting this to be controversial, but I have a question/comment: We have fairly successfully destroyed commercial fish stocks throughout North America. The problem is we need the protein. So if there are not enough left to fish commercially, then where do the fish come from? Personally, I would of course prefer to see the practice of fish farming banned. But how do we balance the need the food against the danger to the native fish populations? It is naive to believe that the practice will just be banned without some viable alternative to replace the food. I have absolutely no solution or suggestion, just wondering out loud.

There are largemouths in Lake Conroe, north of town. Don't really know where else, never really fished for them. Go south young man and hit the coast. Lots of guides. If you can get a day off and go down to Pt O'Connor you can book someone to sight cast at reds maybe. Way fun. Onthefly7 may be able to help. If conditions are right, the surf in Galveston can be great. Mostly blind casting, but getting into the specks can be a blast, and maybe a spanish mack or two to get the blood pumping. When are you going? I'm down there next week.

I was thinking Harlingen or Tyler, but didn't want to confuse anyone.

Is that the village Hillary wrote about? And Dave, wearing it at Stampede ain't the same as wearing it at Rodeo in Houston.

I really haven't been able to fish the bow much recently, and won't really for a couple of weeks. I need a 20+" fix!

I'd be more worried about getting shot. Or being turned into Ned Beatty in Deliverance (and that's just the girls). I'm just sayin.......

It's all about perspective. Max is actually only 3' tall, and has the hands of a 4 yr old with custom rods to match his diminutive status. At least that's what I keep telling myself....... Nice month buddy!

I just quickly want to point out the Texan got this right. Booyah!

An Old prospector walks his tired old mule into a western town one day. He'd been out in the desert for about six months without a drop of whiskey. A friend back home in Houston sent me this: He walked up to the first saloon he came to and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young Gunslinger walked out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other. The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, 'Hey old man, have you ever danced?' The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, 'No, I never did dance. I just never wanted to.' A crowd had gathered by then and the gunslinger said, 'Well, you old fool, you're gonna' dance now,' and started shooting at the old man' s fee t. The old prospector was hopping around and everybody was laughing. When the gunslinger fired his last bullet, he holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon. The old man reached up on the mule, drew his shotgun, and pulled both hammers back making a double clicking sound. The gunslinger heard the sound and everything got quiet. The crowd watched as the gunslinger slowly turned around looking down both barrels of the shotgun. The old man asked, 'Did you ever kiss a mule square on the ass?' The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, 'No. But I've always wanted to.' The lessons from this story are: 1. Don't waste ammunition. 2. Don't mess with old guys

Used to tell people: When your rod starts buzzing, drop it!