Jimbo
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The period/season for the Leases Access Program begins November 1st and runs through October 31st. Enrollment in the upcoming season opens up October 1st most years.
Jimbo
The answer is “The Loop Hole” in the Trout regulations…
The direct answer is anyone can use bait or artificially scented baits (like powerbait or artificially scented products, including any scented soft plastic imitation) and say they are targeting other species like Bass, Perch, Stripers or Catfish, regardless of whether they are actually targeting Trout or not. The regulation says that “no Trout maybe retained using bait or artificially scented products”. So if they catch a Trout on bait or artificially scented products, and release it: live or dead, they are within the fishing regulations for the Guadalupe River. And that is the loophole in the regulations. If TPWD were to say no bait or scented products maybe used to catch Trout (thus hooking and fighting a Trout would be illegal even if it was not retained), that would make it illegal to use bait or scented products anywhere in the Guadalupe River where Trout could be present. Although a no “bait or scented products” was considered, many local residents, most riverside property owners, said that would mean their small children, who are not skilled in casting and using artificial lures and flys, could not use bobber and bait to fish for other species right out their own backyard. This was said often enough at these public opinion meetings that the no “bait or scented products” was scratched as a possibility in the regulations. Of course if they are using bait and actually keeping any Trout in the 2 Special Regulations Zones (no Trout can be retained using bait or artificially scented products, all Trout retained must be caught using artificial lures or flys, 1st: From 800 yards below the dam to the eastern most bridge on 306, all Trout from >12″ and <18″ must be released, Bag 5 Trout, only 1 fish in the bag 18″ or longer the rest 12″ or less, 2nd: from the eastern most bridge on 306 to the second crossing on River Road, only 1 Trout maybe retained and it’s minimum length must be 18″) then they are in violation of the Fishing Regulations for Trout and can be cited by Texas Game Wardens. Of course they must be caught in the act by a Game Warden to be cited. So if you see this going on, you can call a game warden and let them know where it is happening and describe the individuals doing this. Also know that any time you approach an individual who is violating the fish and game laws, even though they are violating the law, they can say you are interfering with their rights to fish or hunt and can sue you. This is why it’s best to call and game warden and let them handle it. (Also note: Outside these Special Regulation Zones: any form of legal fishing, including using bait and artificially scented products is allowed, bag limit 5 Trout, any size)
Jimbo
Congrats
Looks like another real “Jack of all Trades” attractor dryfly!
I’d fish it !!!
Jimbo
I glad you remembered that fly. I discovered it about 12+ years ago and it has served me well in rivers and streams everywhere and for all species. It’s almost the woolybugger of dryflys. I wish I had been there this spring for the dryfly bite that has been fairly dependable on the Guad for the last 6 years or so. I’ve been looking for some Trout out here in California between surgeries. What I have learned from my limited opportunities is the better Trout fishing is hours away from Bodega Bay. I’ve found the coastal streams around here are open only in the winter, mainly for Steelhead, and very poor Trout waters. I found lots of good water around Redding and some around Truckee. These California waters are really restricted as to when and where you can fish them. I know of many good rivers along the ridges of the Sierras and their eastern slopes, but those are all overnight trips to get any time at all on the waters. I should be back in Texas about the middle of May. So I am guessing unless ya’ll get some real significant rains these next few weeks, I’ll be warm water fishing till it’s time to head to the Rockies for my summer trip. I am planning a very long trip this summer to make up for last summer. I can’t wait to start running up those little blue lines and chasing Cutthroats again.
Jimbo
Ryan
I won’t be back to Texas till the 1st of May or so, but I’ll go with you. I can show you the Guadalupe river which I know like the back of my hand. I don’t know much about the San Marcos except a few short sections I wade. I’ve been down a section of the Colorado a few times and it fishes well. Nonetheless I am up for some floats and don’t mind going places I haven’t been.
Jimbo
210-415-6822
I know Zebra Mussels are in Canyon Lake and should eventually be found in the river. Are you sure this is a Zebra Mussel and not some other mussel or clam ordinarily found in the river? I too have caught a clam/mussel while nymph fishing some years ago and have a picture of it somewhere.
Yesterday, while fishing Hat Creek here in California, there were signs warning of the New Zealand Mudsnails and advised freezing boots and waders for 6 hours to prevent contaminating other local waters. By the way Hat Creek is one AWESOME Fishery !!!
Jimbo
Call Dustin Scott V P of Membership and he can get it back to the rightful owner….
Jimbo
Going with a guide the first day is really good advice for someone who hasn’t flyfished for Trout on the Guadalupe. These fish aren’t the push-overs most people expect, especially if it’s a blue-bird day (cloudy days are usually better). These fish can be very spooky in these low flows. So one, be stealthy in your approach to the water. Don’t go charging through the water to get to your spot. Don’t let your shadow fall on the water where you want to fish. I see people standing right on top of where they want to fish, and those fish will be looking up, and then wonder why they’re not biting. Two, stand below (downstream) the fish your attempting to catch and in their blind spot if you can. Third, nymph fish under and indicator. Flys that have been working: San Juan worms, eggs, jimmy legs, rainbow warriors, flashback pheasant tails, soft hackles and soon they will be switching to the small stuff #18-22, zebra nymph, 2-bit hookers, rojos, barr’s emerger. Fourth, if that doesn’t work throw some streamers especially early in the morning. If people around you are catching some fish, ask they how they are doing it and what they are using. Most people will be willing to share that information. So best of luck to you and keep at it !
Jimbo
I hope everything went well. I am still out in Bodega Bay California. I will be back this week for a series of medical procedures, but hope to be on the water later in the week. Thanks again for everybody who showed up to help with the stocking. These times of COVID mean you have gone above and beyond the normal physical effort to put these fish in the river for everyone to enjoy. You are my heros !
Now let’s go catch some of these fish and release them all happy and healthy for all sportsmen to enjoy and let’s be good ambassadors of the sport at the same time! There are a lot of anglers on the river. Let’s all share this wonderful fishery. Allow others to come and fish along side of you. Strike up conversations to let them know they are welcome. There’s is room for all if you just put yourself in the other fishermen’s boots.
Jimbo
There was an issue with anglers coming and parking before the allowed hours of the LAP, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, dawn to dusk. Anglers were coming at like 4am in the morning and of course disturbing Chris Jackson and his family. So the gates were closed until official hours of operation. I think he might have been so mad about it that he locked the gates for a day while he talked to Dan and myself about the problem. This is one of the main reasons we lost JDL years ago, LAP members arriving way too early. It is very important that all LAP members obey the rules. Members who do not will loose their rights as LAP members and violations can result in the loss of valuable sites.
Jimbo
I said this before, but low flow years are challenging, this one especially. Clear waters, minimal flows, heavy pressure from many anglers, it’s going to be tough. Myself I’m catching about half my normal number and I’ve been fishing this river since the 70’s for Trout. Also these fish have not made the usual switch to concentrating on naturals, which they should have by now. I think when they do make the switch catching will pick up. But every year is a learning experience and opportunity to try new things. I’ve caught a good number swinging soft hackles, but most guides are still fishing junk…. worms and eggs…. I do expect things to change as we get away from the New Year’s. I also also suggest to pray for rain. Increasing the flows will help everyone as the fish will not get as long to look at your offerings before deciding to strike or turn away.
Jimbo
Action Angler is a LAP site. Not sure what happened with Jfranklyn. Displaying your parking tag on your rear view mirror and wearing your LAP tags openly and easily seen should have been all you needed. I would have gone to the flyshop to straighten things out. The gates have been locked overnight lately because members and non-members have been coming to park as early as 4am to get a spot. Again LAP sites open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset. People were coming at all hours waking up Chris and his family, and this is not acceptable behavior. This is one of the reasons we lost JDL years ago because members were coming way too early at a limited parking site.
Jimbo
Glad you got out there and kept trying. It has been a tough year with these low water conditions. It is not surprising these fish are hard to catch. Stealth is of utmost importance this year. The better you are at approaching this fish quietly the better you results. Years like this those fishing from boats are at an advantage because they don’t cause much commotion, no boots making noise as you wade, not as much silt stirred up letting them know something is upstream. Keep working at stealthy approaches and keep your mind open to more than just fishing indicators. This spring if it’s like the past several years, more hatches will come off, and dryfly fishing will be more productive.
Jimbo
1976
Combos for all the combination locks are the same and are on the back of your parking tag
Jimbo
