October 13 , 2004 Newsletter
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October 13 , 2004 Newsletter |
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I recently had my Web Site ‘re-built’, www.rod-makers.com, just in time for an article in the coming issue of
The coastal reports indicate the water level is HIGH! High tides can scatter the fish and bait and the added depth makes it difficult for we sight casters to locate the Red Fish. Several years ago Capt. Chuck Naiser called me one evening informing me his client for the day had cancelled due to the unfavorable conditions and asked me if I wanted to fish with him employing some ‘different’ technique. Later that morning as we pulled into the far back end of Fence Lake in his little J-Craft we had nicknamed “the Grasshopper” because of its jumping ability in narrow creek’s, he threw out the hook and said ‘this is it’! I got out of the boat with Chuck telling me to head that-a-way pointing to waist high grass with no open water in sight. As I entered the grass in just above ankle depth water, I couldn’t help but think there were cattle grazing where I was walking the week prior! It wasn’t long before I found a small, maybe 3 foot wide channel flowing out to the open water and I followed it up current and in the distance I could make out a small pothole the current was flowing through. About the same time I flushed a nice sized Red Fish out of the little channel and into the grass. My confidence grew and I crept to the pothole looking at a huge Red sitting on the edge of the opening just waiting for something to swim across his domain, with his back out of the shallow water! In my excitement my back cast on my 7 weight caught the grass behind me and the commotion getting it free spooked the Red from his lair. I moved on and found pothole after pothole, with my little channel running through, and every one held one Red Fish. Whenever I hooked one it would take off through the waist high grass and I had to follow my fly line to get to the fish – many times I would hear the fish crashing about nowhere near where my line was but when I followed my line, sure enough the Red would be there! Later in the evening hours I met up with Chuck at the head of my little channel, and discovered about a two acre tidal lake that had Red Fish leaving on the falling tide – it was like a shooting gallery as they paraded past leaving by way of the channel I had followed, with Chuck and I standing in ankle deep water taking turns as the fish went by. I figured I had walked over two miles that day catching a fish in nearly every pothole, some potholes not much bigger than a bathtub, in an area I never would have considered as a place to fish in high water conditions I would have thought un-fishable for sight casters. It was one of those memorable days I always think about late summer/early fall when the waters are high.
This past week wasn’t without disappointments. I was unable to connect with Dave Whitlock for a date to fish with the master this fall but will retain hopes we can try again this spring. Also, the ‘Team Navy’ guys and their 38’ Fountain boat will not be able to attend the upcoming Family Festival hosted by the CCA in Helotes (Navy politic’s!) but everyone should still attend. It is held at the Helotes Festival Grounds Saturday October 23rd from 11: am to 8: pm and will have entertainment, booths, food, and refreshments. CCA has done wonders for our saltwater fisheries and any way we can support them is worthwhile.
I will be at the ‘Cielos Azules’ Blue Heaven – www.theblueheaven.com in the Yucatan November 10th to November 20th with a few days spent in Play Del Carmen with my wife and two other couples. I expect to beat up on the Bonefish, Tarpon, and make numerous casts at Permit.
I want to remind you all, once again, of the free open fly tying that takes place in the shop every Monday from 5: pm to 8:pm in the evening that Herb Mossman conducts. A major part of my inventory is in materials, vises, flies and it sure would help me out if more interest is generated. Also, Lt. Col. Randy Bland will schedule private fly casting (fly fishing) lessons at a nominal fee of $35 should you want to begin the journey or sharpen up before an upcoming trip.
This is a good time to order any Christmas Rods you may want me to build, or for you to build yourself, either as a gift for someone or as a gift for yourself! Many times a Gift Certificate for someone will allow the recipient to come in and order specifically what then want or need. October/November is my slow season so I can use the business and will have lots of time to spend helping you build or for me to build that special rod.
Thanks.
Dennis O. Freeman
210-479-3477