All,
I�ve begun the process of putting together a weekend camping/ kayaking/ fishing event at the Nails Creek Unit of Lake Somerville State Park. My first thoughts were the January time frame (2nd, 3rd, or 4th weekend) depending on availability, but we could do December or February too! The whole event would focus solely on kayaking and fishing Yegua and Nails creek.

Lake Somerville is in great shape going into winter which will set the stage for a very good spring run of crappie and whitebass. The crappie fishing is usually good all winter even considering that January is early for the whitebass fishing. This event is intended to jump start the spring season by giving the kayak fisher a preview of the creek and facilities at the state park.

I can tell you from years past if we have a wet winter the fishing in Yegua creek will be the best in years! A flood or two in November or December will fill the creek early with crappie and whitebass which will stay in the deeper pools at the lower end of the creeks until the weather warms and the days get longer.

This sounds fun.

I haven't decided how much I'd like to promote this event at the State park. It could be really big with only the kayakers I have fished with up in the Yegua. Couple that known group with all those interested in learning about kayak fishing and we could have a hundred or more for the weekend. Wouldn't that be fun! I'm looking for a dozen or so experienced kayak fishermen to answer questions, help with guiding groups and leading non-formal on the water classes.

If you have been kayak fishing for a few years you do not need to know as much about the Yegua to lead an adventure or teach a newbe or two the ropes. I encourage everyone to step outside of your comfort zone to find the rewards and value in helping others.

Post the date when you decide. Id like to join.

I'm back in the area after a stint on L. Palestine, and fish Somerville via kayak (even though L. Bastop is 0.5 mi. from home). I am interested in a winter camping/fishing trip, and can certainly help other less experienced with kayak fishing. Mostly I would look forward to catching/frying/camping. A hundred boats!?

I did one of these things just a while back and we had 50 folks show up on a cold winter day. We haven't done a whole weekend yet so this will be the first. I know I can count on about a dozen of my friends in Bryan/College Station and maybe another dozen closer to the lake. I hope to kayak the Yegua this Saturday to see if the crappie are biting down in the deeper parts of the creek below Newmans Bottom. If anyone wants to join me Saturday I'll be on the creek by mid morning and off by around 5:30pm to clean feeesh

A day like this should be shared with friends.. If you are waiting for the whitebass next spring to fish the Yegua you are missing an even better opportunity to catch tons of crappie. Yes we caught a lot of undersize fish but many were legal to keep (10 inches) Who wants to join me on the creek next time?

For the Whitebass primer @ Nails Creek Park it looks like January 17th weekend might work... With the crappie fishing so good right now I'm thinking about doing two events, one in November and one in December..

Incredible Video and an Incredible Day of Fishing!!!!!!

here's the slideshow.. no J-Moe.. he had to leave early..

Gotta check my TFF more often!!! Would have loved to join you guys, and will hopefully catch ya next time!! I try to avoid Somerville on opening day of Duck season, and on Game day weekends!! I did catch a few Kitties on Gibbons that I'll post soon

Here they are!,

I've talked with the Lake Somerville State park managers and it looks like January 17th (weekend) is the first available date for a whitebass fishing primer for the Yegua. This date is about right for the very beginning of the spring run. On a side note I'd like to do a Yegua crappie fishing weekend too very soon. The creek is loaded with new fish and any rise in the creek will just make it better. There is a real good chance that the whitebass will move up the Yegua very early this year if some haven't already.

Put the third Saturday of January on the calendar and come join me on the Yegua for some fishing and adventure up the creek!

The November 1st kayak fishing trip to the Yegua was about the best it has ever been for those of us that made the journey. The most difficult part of the trip is the � mile yak drag down the trail to the low water crossing to access the creek. The park staff is looking into clearing a launching area just below the trailway bridge (closer to the parking lot) but experience tells me that there is seldom enough water in the creek at that point so for the time being the only option is to drag yak.. BYOW - BRING YOUR OWN WHEELS! Unless you like fighting the yak dragon

I�m sending out an open invitation to fish the Yegua with the BVFF this coming Saturday (nov 15). We will launch from Newmans Bottom to avoid the duck hunters around the upper end of the lake and that long paddle to the creek. Bill H. plans to be there very early AM but anytime mid-morning is good to start and it is probably better to stagger launching to keep us all spread out along the creek. This trip has the potential to be the best crappie fishing you will ever experience in the Yegua or at the very least in the last seven years�

We can discuss this trip Thursday evening @ Abuelos during our BVFF monthly meeting 5:45pm to 7:30pm ! Please RSVP to me if you want to meet us at Abuelos in College Station..

I think it's best if we shoot for a very early start Saturday to take advantage of the predicted peak in activity and get ahead of the PM rain.
Don't let the cold weather keep you off the creek early Saturday morning. Dress in layers, wear your waders and stay dry. I've fished and hunted in much worse and being properly prepared is the key to a successful outing.. this type of outing isn't for sissy's or little children.

Weather Forecast looks pretty good for Saturday AM. The cloud cover will keep the crappie active longer but that easterly wind flow turning to the north might kill the bite as the day wares on. I might go chase deer and pigs on Sunday after church if I can get a pass from the boss

I'm trying to figure out how I can make this.

I am interested in the trip for tomorrow. Going to keep an eye on the rain and make my decision later tonight

Is the honor box open at Newmans bottom?
How many commitments do you have?

The honor box is out of order but if you arrive very early to Newmans just register at the park (Nails) on the way out.. So far it looks like just Bill H. & I are going.. too bad because I think this trip has the potential to be very very very good... but you never really know about fishing..

Believe me when I say I could do other things Saturday..

We are rollin' on the river.. well make that the creek

Had to work harder in the cold to find the fish Saturday.. but as always it was worth the effort..

liked it. Thanks for sharin

Always enjoy your videos. That creek is beautiful and I can't wait to get out there. Hopefully the first part of December I can make a trip.

The next warming trend should really set the stage for some great crappie fishing in the Yegua. I will be making a few more trips leading up to the January 17th camp out at Nails Creek Park. We have the full support of the park staff for the January weekend event that promotes the kayak fishing in the creeks.

Love your videos, been wanting to fish the Yegua for while now, off next week and was going to deer lease in Giddings at the end of the week, wondering when you are going back, would like to tag along, could go on Wednesday or Friday

I work for the local newspaper (tech guy) and this time of year is very busy and to add to our workload we are shorthanded too! I ain't gonna have much fish time for a while.. possibly one day after thanksgiving. I'll post here when I can make another run to the Yegua.. everyone is invited anytime I can make it. This is what I do for the state park to promote the kayak fishing in Birch creek, Nails and the Yegua. Every indication is that this winter/spring season is gonna be the best creek fishing in ten years or so. If it rains good this weekend and the creek rises I'm looking for the whitebass to begin moving into the creeks...

On the following dates in December and January, some areas of the park will be closed....
*The Birch Creek Unit of the park will be closed from 10 p.m. on Dec. 16 until 2 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2014 and from 10 p.m. on Jan. 13 until 2 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2015
*The Trailway will be closed on December 13 and 14, 2014 and on January 10,11,13, 14, and 15, 2015.
The closure is for wildlife management activities. Only drawn permitted hunters will be allowed in these areas during these dates. Contact the park for more information.