February 21 - 2005 Newsletter

I suspect we are all tired of the cool, damp month of February but at least we haven’t suffered the effects of an ‘El Nino’ year quite like they have in California.  Looking forward to the month of March, I am reminded of the years I owned and operated my Bed and Breakfast in Rockport and how my clients and me for that matter, looked forward to our wonderful spring and improved fishing conditions only to encounter difficulties with winds, and high tides.   During this change of season we typically have a few nice days with favorable winds and clear skies followed by another weak front coming from the north which will inevitably cause stained, off color water as the changing wind directions act like an agitator in a washing machine.  Water temperatures are still cool making the sediment and sand from the bottom suspend in the water for longer periods than in the summer months with the weed and grass growth on the bottoms.  The higher tides associated with our spring equinox scatter baitfish and redfish to the back of tidal lakes and for the most part, they are in difficult to access locations.   My advice for March saltwater fishing – patience.  If you are somewhat restricted in the number of trips you make a year, you may be better off saving those trips for late spring, summer, fall, and early winter months.  Of course, every bit of ‘wisdom’ I share has exceptions. . . . .a customer was just in telling me about a speckled trout he had at the boat with his hand upon it he says was in excess of 35 inch!  I have known Rick for many years and know he has caught numerous trout up to 35” – usually this time of year in overcast windy conditions in Baffin Bay.  Go figure!!!

 

But if you are like most of us suffering from ‘cabin fever’ there is good news with the arrival of the annual spring run of white bass now underway.  A customer this morning found them staging at the mouth of the river on Canyon Lake yesterday with a few up the river but the water still a little deep.  The black bass should be on spawning beds and the rainbow and brown trout are plentiful on the Shonto www.shontoranch.com - and the Joshua Creek ranches - www.joshuacreek.com.  The Guad is still running fast and conditions change rapidly.

 

I recently read an editorial in a fly fishing magazine in which the writer spoke of the three ages of the fisherman.

            When he wants to catch all the fish he can.

            When he strives to catch the largest fish.

            When he studies to catch the most difficult fish he can find, requiring the greatest skill and             most refined tackle, caring more for the sport than the fish.

I don’t believe I have ever met anyone that didn’t want to catch all the fish he can, nor have I ever met anyone that didn’t want to catch the largest fish he can, or a fisher that didn’t take extreme satisfaction in catching the most difficult fish with tackle matched to the species and conditions, and for that matter, improve his knowledge and support in some way, conservation efforts to improve our fisheries.  I guess he is taking the ‘high road’ assuming he is unique in his passion for fly fishing, in the purest form, and has distain for those of us that enjoy catching fish and bringing home our bounties to be shared by family and friends.  I personally do not freeze fish or give them away and believe that if everyone did so our fish populations would remain healthy and stable, but it would be untrue to say I haven’t brought home an ice chest full on several occasions, just not in the past few years.  I would expect his ‘high road’ does not include spin fishing or casting equipment and almost certainly would not allow for any bait fishing!  Again, I don’t know of anyone that has not had a great outing with conventional equipment, especially during difficult conditions as we will experience in March/early April, so in my opinion, we should take one or two steps back down that ladder leading to the high road and enjoy what the conditions offer.  Rick is a fly fisherman – he didn’t get that 35 plus incher on a fly but a 5 – 6” mullet bait imitation lure on his 8 ½’ Sage casting rod!  I believe in Rick’s case all 3 of the ages of fishermen apply.

 

My Web site – www.rod-makers.com is once again, a work in progress.   The site is being completed with a current listing of rods I have for sale, photo examples of my workmanship, links to guides, ranches, weather buoys for coastal conditions, new photo’s, manufacturer links, and will have a copy of the current newsletter with the previous newsletter going into the ‘archives’.  Check it out and pass it on to your friends!!!

 

Thanks.

 

Dennis O. Freeman

RODMAKERS

13457 Blanco Road

San Antonio, TX. 78216

210-479-3477

rodmaker@rod-makers.com