Rainy Day Bronze Back

9-19-15

Wow has the river changed. The lake is back below pool and periods of low water are becoming more routine. Being the first trip I have made since the floods I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it would be different but was hoping some of my holes would still be there. Unfortunately all have been filled in with rock and sand, some even high ground now. Spent most the morning trying to find new spots and fish. I was finding lots of little spotted bass, not sure if they came from the lake during the flood or just got dispersed from the high waters. 

 I liked how this pic came out, fish shook just at the right time. Lots of small 15" stripers in the river. Hook ups on every cast at times and a few fish in 20-24" range. Most the fish are on the skinny side which is common when an influx of stripers gets flushed into the river. These smaller fish will be the norm till it gets a little colder then they seem to shut off. Shouldn't be long till bigger fish start showing up.

Was fortunate to land this pig of a smallmouth. Defiantly the biggest smallie I have caught on a top water fly, but I also think its my biggest smallmouth to date. This was great fish and I guess I used up all my luck catching and landing the fish because as you can tell the pic didn't come out clear. Its always hard to get good pics when it is raining. There is always something, lens is foggy or has water spots on it. Oh well I couldn't be any happier with this fish. Seeing him clear the water 3 times during the fight will stick with for a while. Also landed a couple grunt size smallmouth. They are always a lot of fun. Wish Texas had more Smallmouth as I could never get tired of these fish.