Late winter, Early Spring fly fishing

Current report: Its cold right now but fish are always biting in Texas. Even on the coldest days we still have a rainbow trout option every one knows the Guadalupe is stocked but in north Texas we also have them stocked in the Brazos below PK, some sections of the Trinity and a run up to the Blue can be a nice get away.

If stocker trout don’t do it for you there’s also Chain Pickerel in north east Texas on a few lakes. While not the hardest fighters the eats are down right ferocious. They may slow on the really cold days but days over 50 degrees can be really good on deceiver and seaducer style patterns.

These first two paragraphs probably make it sound like float and paddle trips for bass are out of the question but for those willing to fish big streamers low and slow, fishing can still be very good and often some of the biggest bass and fresh water drum can be caught during the winter months. Also this time of year striper and hybrids can spread out and be a nice surprise in sections we mostly bass fish in warmer months. Recommended patterns are weighted crawfish and baitfish but dont count out a game changer on a sink line.

Most people think carping is done this time of year but if you focus on clear head water creeks and rivers you can often find them very willing to eat and occasionally eating dry flies. With that being said dont count out fishing below dams and focus on the warmest part of the day. Typically these situations have some sort of flow so weighted carp and nymph patterns are the way to go.

Future Report: As winter does its thing and we transition in spring look for the white bass, yellow bass and crappie run to kick off. Were already catching them off and on the creeks of Lake Houston and Lake Somerville and it only gets better from here. Look for February and March to be the peak of Houstons Run and April for most of the rest of Texas. Ill be running trips for the run in Houston and North Texas depending on rain and temps.

As the run peaks Bass and bowfin start their shallow water spring activity and March to June is a great time to come out and do some sightfishing for big fish including greened up spawning male Bowfin. These trips will be mostly on Lake Conroe and Lake Fork but we have a ton of other bass only options.

Carp lake flats fishing typically kicks off around this time as well and can be some of the best fishing of the year with more big females up shallow. Look for this to start around the end of March to the middle of April depending on how fast we warm up.

If you have any questions email me at houstonflyfishing@gmail.com and lets get on the water. Float, paddle and wade options are available throughout the year for almost every freshwater species.

Lets go fly fishing!!!

Fall Fly Fishing

The fall bite is on and weve been catching a ton of largemouth bass streamer fishing and are still getting on some solid topwater action. Striper have really turned on with the cooler water temps and are slamming game changers and anything that looks like a shad(sink tips and full sink lines can really help). Cast and Blast floats have been added also and while the birds have been slow the fishing has been making up for it.

Were also starting to think about other cool weather options as we get closer and closer to winter. One of my favorite thing to target this time of year are chain pickerel found just east of DFW. While not the hardest fighters in the world they are fast and ferocious fish. All to willing to eat almost anything stripped fast near them including the occasional topwater fly!

Another option to look out for is of course stocked rainbow trout. Oklahoma has already stocked the Blue and the Lower mountain fork has trout all year both are two to 3 hours from DFW(depending on where you live) and are great get aways. As for Texas option The Brazos will be stocked soon and is a good place to brush up on or learn to catch trout with plenty of other species of fish around to catch.

Looking forward to the next time we get out on the water! Lets Go!

Texas fly fishing report July 2021

Lake Conroe- waters looking great and the bowfin have been out and on the prowl! Bass and sunfish havent been to bad either early and late in the day. Lots of catfish up shallow too.

Lake Houston- Flows have been all over the place but a couple creeks have been fishing really well.

Lake Fork- Waters clearing up and sight fishing bowfin, common carp, freshwater drum, gar and even catfish has been really good.

Brazos river- Flows have mostly been running high but fish the right section or flow window and its been really good. Bass, striper, freshwater drum and carp all out and about and on the feed.

Lake Ray Roberts- Its been a little high this year making for some great flood carping. It is slowly dropping and were looking forward to summer flats fishing. Watch for surface sippers! Cottonwood seeds have been dropping and the carp and catfish have been gorging making for great dry fly action.

Its a great time to come fishing. No matter your species preference Bass, carp or bowfin, paddle, wade or float Lets go fly fishing!

Houston area fly report 4/1/2019

Lake Houston- White bass and yellow bass spawn is coming to end. Its not over but expect less and less numbers in the creeks and rivers in the coming weeks. Crappie have been playing to working shallow structure has been super effective. Largemouth and spotted bass have been playing more and more. Streamers being the most effective way to find them but dont count out a popper. Weve been getting more and more surface activity!

Lake Conroe- finally clearing up and were getting more and more bowfin shots as the water temps warm. Bass are still on beds, along with crappie and throwing gry/wht ep baitfish has been the ticket, with the occasional popper bite. Its coming!!

Private water Texas Racks and Quacks Lake- Bass are on beds and should be close to the end. streamers being super effective but again that popper bite is basically here. Huge bluegill have been eating streamers but a little more popper aggressive that the bass so pick your poison.

This reports reflect how most local Houston water is fishing so dont count out places like Somerville, Livingston, Lake Raven, Lake Sheldon and so on. Also be on the look out for dams dropping flows and taking advantage of the whitebass, hybass bass and striper bites. Spring is in the air and the bite only gets better!!!