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!!!