I made some special arrangements to access the Yegua from the state park to evaluate the creek after the flood and record high lake levels this summer. With three other kayakers along with me we found Yegua creek in good shape going into the fall and winter. I first thought the crappie fishing might be really good but we failed to find any in the typical hot spots of past years. What we did find is lots of black bass and a few catfish. We all targeted the crappie and bass so the catfish were mostly caught by accident. I've got a good report that the catfishing has been very good up in the creek by a reliable source but there isn't much traffic at the current time. All in all the creek looks good and is sure to load up with crappie and whitebass by late winter so make plans to yak the Yegua when the park opens back up..

I'll have the video report up later with a few surprises in store. A couple of "firsts" for me and my fellow kayakers..

As of this morning Friday September 18th, 2015 the boat ramp at the Nails Creek unit of Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway is open. It is the only part of the whole complex that is open currently. All other areas of the state park (Birch creek unit, the trailway and Nails creek unit) are still being evaluated for flood damage and safety issues. Many of the large trees that died in the flooded parks and on the trailway are at risk of falling so until that risk is dealt with those parts of the state park will remain closed. Most likely the park will open back up in stages starting in October and by early next year be near full operational.

Nails Creek Park

We are back in business at the Nails Creek boat ramp and up the creeks!

Enjoyed the adventure!

Thanks for the update and the video! As always it was good!

Great video Ben!!! The snake tracks in the duck weed, the bowfin,the slow motion gar video and small bass footage were all really cool.

Thanks J-Moe.. how did you do below the dam Saturday? I fished a little out at the ranch this morning and then again this evening after setting up my deer stand, caught two nice bass and several big bluegill.. very nice day at the ranch..

Great pictures

When I first saw that you posted this video, Ben, I made a conscious decision to wait for a quiet morning to watch it, and I'm glad I did. Not sure why I love watching your videos so much. Maybe I'm envious of the slow pace at which you seem to take your life; or maybe its the richness of the videos, bringing us along and showing us how to better appreciate the paddling experience, including the wildlife, and the unique observations that make it seem as if the fishing is an afterthought; or maybe its the feelings your videos evoke, taking me back to a time as a kid, growing up in an ugly family environment where my only escape at times was a television, and my favorite TV show was CBS's Sunday Morning show (and not cartoons), because their stories were presented with the same sense of peace and tranquility that made me forget my problems, even if just for a little bit.

Thanks again for another great video, Ben. I very much appreciate you taking us along...Bert

B_Rod,

I watch all of his videos, too, and I think my favorite was one where he and some buddies floated down the Brazos a few months ago. I used to canoe the Brazos many decades ago, and I need to add it back in to my preferred destinations next year.

In that particular video, the oft-mistaken water moccasin makes a little swim and he identifies it by the nature of its body floating above the water. Correctly, I might add, when likely 9 out of 10 fishermen, even here on TFF, think any snake in water is a moccasin. So, I like the occasional biology lessons and the easy manner he delivers them.

And, yes to CBS News Sunday Morning program. I have been a huge fan of that show for years and years. News can be presented the nasty way, and that is the most common delivery, or it can have the nice slant on things making us all feel better. Charles Osgood does this as good as anyone, I think.

Brad

Thank you all for the kind words.. Time outdoors is my escape and the only way I have found to relieve the everyday stress of a hectic work life. I support a 24/7/365 news and media company with a vibrant commercial print operation and growing newspaper distribution center. We are expanding the print and distribution operation to more than double our current capacity. I'm the only tech guy for the whole operation and the point man for the construction and expansion of the building. To say I'm busy is a gross understatement but I enjoy the challenge and working for a growing business when many other businesses are downsizing or outsourcing. Saturday Oct 3rd, is the next scheduled river trip to the Colorado @ Bastrop, you all should join us there for some kayaking stress relief and bass fishing..

I love watching your videos, but this one makes me a little sad.

That really was a monster drum!