Just wondering if anyone has been to the state park lately. I havent heard of much rain so now I'm curious of the water levels. Sounds like March will be a bust without any rain....Any info. is appreciated. Just curious....

I would like to see some pics if anyone has any they want to share...Thanks

I doubt it. Virtually zero flow into Buchanan now.

Man.....I always start looking forward to the run about this time of the year......for March that is....not good

I've pretty much given up on White Bass fishing in Central Texas. No water.

I am goingto bet that this springthe white bass fishing on Buchanan is going to be Awesome this year in the main lake.

No flow no fish and a sorry spawn

It looks pretty bleak for white bass bank-fishermen in Cent. TX. I'm in S. Austin. Lake Travis is down lower than ever. fishing "the lake" at lake travis is like fishing the river these days.

As far as Buchanan, I'm wondering if you can even get a boat on there? I'd imagine all the ramps are out of the water. I was around Buchanan during Thanksgiving weekend. Didn't look good.

X2 on that Brandon. Either pm BrandoA or call Edgewater resort (512) 793-2818 for launching info.

This spring I am guessing the whites are going to be highly concentrated into whats left of Council, Morgan, Silver Creeks as well as Garret and Shaw/Willow Island. The spawn may not be as successful but they will still spawn. For those who are willing to get on the lake should be well rewarded. As far as launching Edgewater is open. I have heard that the Cnty extended the Burnet Cnty ramp but I can not verify this.

Where else would you go for a family fishing trip...unfortunately we dont have a boat so we will be banking? A good cabin and good fishing!!!!!Any thoughts ..??

Hi Line Resort on the north end of Buchanan has cabins and camper parking as well as a covered fishing dock. Bank fishing is also available there.
http://www.hilinelakeresort.com/

FYI guys,

I just got the new CAPCOG images in and I checked google maps and they have them too for lake Buchanan. Images were taken 10/17/11. Can really see some great structure and little to absolutely tiny river in Tow.

Check it out
Google Map of Buchanan

Wow Sad.

That is sad.

Wow...That Sucks...

I followed that map all the way to the park.....doesnt even look like there is a stream left..

That's the point I was trying to make. The area around Tow has tons of sediment build up and no longer a defined river channel. It is probably extremely shallow (inches) across a large flat area. This is what some people have talked about in past years as to why the whites can't get to the park. Now we have pictures to prove it.

There are a few fish to be had in the river that probably are resident fish. I have seen reports of people catching fish downstream of the park.

When the lake is full the depth of the river where it empties into the the lake is anywhere from 4-7ft for the most part. Once you get past the falls it depth increases with the main channel 10-12ft deep until you get past the second set of falls, which is about 12-23 miles up river. There is a lot of sedimentaround tow that needs to dredged out.

Did any of the rain the last few weeks do any good there?

I don't think so. Not enough to help anyways. And the LCRA is still going to release water every other day for at least and hour. We need 10+ inches in a few hours to fill her up.

Will that even help or make any difference? I'm trying to figure out if I should cancel my reservations for the third week of March and try to plan something esle....

Unless the sky opens up and it starts raing a bunch I would cancel the trip and go elsewhere. There won't be any water up at bend in my opinion.

I would suggest Lake Fayette as the only sure bet. Good bank fishing for tilipia, cats and bass. The water is constant and they have great cabins at a great price.

up

Kris,

the white bass run up the Colorado and Llano arms on LBJ are usually pretty good. Not much bank access but a small boat or Kayak would be sufficent.

Unfortunately it looks to be a very poor year, the lake needs to rise at least 20' to have a good run. Pray for rain, rain, & more rain. The river is up around the state park area, compared to the last few months, but the key is the lake being up. It can happen with a few flash floods, but that needs to start soon.

Rain, Rain & More Rain...

I dont see any rain in the forecast....

Is there any where else in Texas that is like fishing at Bend that also has camping. I know of places to go park and walk in and fish for a day but looking elsewhere this yr. I have a boat and can go anywhere but we usually have a big group at spring break and we like fishing at Bend. To many people to put in my boat. Any ideas will be helpful. If nothing than looks like I will just stay home and fish Belton or just play golf................Thanks

dbones not to my knowledge.

Thanks Brando......Hey u know a guy named John Rogers from M.Falls

My sister graduated with a guy named John Rogers. I guess he would be 28-29 yrs old. Had sister named Ashley I think.

That would be him..........he coaches with me here in Belton. He loves to fish, thought you might know him.

He wentto school with my baby sister. Britney Bowen.

So I gusess no rain has made it to this area????

Not near enough. We need about 10" in about 3 hours in the San Saba and Goldthwaite area to increase the lake levels significantly.

We stay at Sulphur Springs Camp and she said a little water was running....didnt know how much...

I'll be at our place in two weeks, right across the river from the state park. I'll take some pics and post them here so eveyone can see. The river is up from this time last year (it was really low then) It is about 1' to 2' deep right now, with some pockets of deeper water. The lake really needs to rise about 20' to have a successful run. We need a flash flood or two between Brownwood and Brady starting yesterday...Pray for rain or do a rain dance, we need it to happen.

The lake level has to come up first. Remember the pictures from the area around Tow where the river channel has tons of sedimentation? The river around the park will look normal and flows after this rain have been higher, but it does not matter.

Thanks

Hey iron_horn...if I were to inquire about properties like what you have where would I look?

Hey Kris-

Most of the properties on the opposite side from the SP are on the Smith Ranch. Usually only a few properties come up for sale every year, when they do advertise it's always a different realtor. It is helpful to keep an eye on www.landsoftexas.com since so many different realtors out of Lampasas list property out there.

Most of the property on the Smith Ranch were orginally purchased in the 70's, so I would guess alot of the property will be changing hands & coming up for sale in the near future.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Thanks

I've got a place about 3/4 mile up stream from Bend. Was there earlier this week. The water there is a long dog leg pool about 100 feet across, half mile long, approximately 10 feet deep. It's full so there must be some amount of flow coming in and going out. Sounds like the schools will have a challenge getting up out of the lake but we catch them there every year in the runs above and below the pool.

PS-there is a 4-5 acre lot for sale upstream from me on same pool. Don't have realtor name or number but go to the Alamosa winery and turn in,follow road and you,ll see the sign.

cool

I was thinking about doing a float trip from Bend down to the State Park (when the river comes up some). Is that stretch pretty remote or are the banks lined with houses and developments?

How much rain did the river get??

Kris I don'tthink enough to really matter. Most of the big rain was on the I-35 corridor.

just checked on LCRA site and it looks like only 1-2" near San Saba and little runoff, so dont look like its gonna help much, dang it!

you can track rainfall here:
http://hydromet.lcra.org/full.aspx

Dang....Thanks

anyone been up since the rain over the past couple of days?

up

I couldn't find this thread and I posted an update yesterday.
http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ark#Post7110534

Thanks

We may try to go down the third or fourth weekend this month just to check this out....anyone have any recent pics?

up

Anyone heading up this weekend??

There has to be some flow up there. The main lake has risen approx 2ft over the last couple of weeks.

There WAS some good flow, it has now dropped back to 89 cfs like it was before the rain. I did see a report where one person caught just a few whites at the park. There were probably some fish that pushed up river when it was high, but I don't think it will be a great run until/unless more rain comes.

We need rain....

What kind of rod and reel and line do you use for light tackle.

I just kayaked on the Colorado river Sunday, upstream from Bend. Flows were normal, same height it always is. With brownish off colored water coming from rains farther west. Made my way up to a riffle that can hold fish, hoping maybe one of them has his clock set early. None there yet. Probably not many coming up out of lake this season. But, I think there are some resident whites that make thier way around in the various large pools, I catch them in the runs there every year no matter what the flow is.

Thanks for the update, does anyone have any good pics?

Looks like a little rain tomorrow.....

It went from about 70cfs yesterday to close to 200 cfs and rising now. Might end up having a run after all.

Just get us enough water to get the whites upriver over the hump before the lake. Then it can go down some and trap the whites upriver for a month or two - corral the suckers and let us fish. I suspect the water will be a bit OFF COLOR for a week or so. Right around the 1st of March ought to be killer. The slug of fresh cool water current running into the lake ought to bring them up into the river big time.

Lookin at the hydromet it looks like a good amount of water heddin that way.

Do you need a fishing license if your fishing in the State Park? My dad is going with us in March and he doesnt fish much.

no license for fishing within the boundaries of any state park

That is true as long as you are fishing from the bank . If you are fishing a navigable river and fishing from a boat you must have a license even within the state park boundary. I think that is also true if you are even wading ... But someone can correct me on that one if I am wrong.

9000cfs and rising! Came up 10 ft since yesterday! Once it comes back down and clears up the run might be on. I may come down there this year, I usually go to the Sabine.

What kind of rod and reel setup do you guys usually use for light tackle when fishing for whites? Also what type and lb. test line?

Come on rain.....

Colorado has been up about 15' for the last 12 hours here in Mills county should be running at CBSP soon if if not already.

Sweet......

The man upstairs heard TFFers hoping for the chance to get to CBSP and rip some white bass lips!

My fingers are crossed...

Keep us posted. I'll be up from Austin to join you if it happens.

I just booked a campsite for next weekend so I'll give yall a recon report. Looks like the camp sites are already booked all the way through spring.

Here is a shot of the Colorado about noon yesterday west of Goldthwaite. Looked to be up 15' or so. It was down 5' from the peak this morning but should run pretty steady for a week or more without anymore rain. This pic is about 1/2 mile downstream from where the Pecan Bayou feeds into the river.

thanks for the update

Come on river - clear up and come on White Bass - it's time to "Make Love"!! Going to go up to Bend as soon as it is fishable.

Talked to my Mom this afternoon. She said Lake Buchanon came up 1 foot in the last 24 hrs.

Is there enough water to get the whites out of Buchanon and up the river?

Hello - the river was up over 15 feet deep at Bend the other day. I would figure that was plenty of water to give the White Bass some water to swim in. The problem with fishing is waiting for the water to go down and clear - not up. Flow before the rains was at about 90 cubic feet per minute. At the height after the rain it was over 11,000 cubic feet per minute at Bend. Currently at Bend it still is at 1520 cubic feet per minute.

Colorado was down to about 3 feet above normal in Mills county this morning. High water didn't last as long as I had hoped.

The place that really makes a difference on the run of whites in the Colorado is from Colorado Bend State Park to Lake Buchanan. It's the ability to get into the river system that makes the big difference as the falls above Colorado Bend usually stop the white bass from coming much further upstream. I will be tickled if the whites only make it as far as the State Park. It's more than we could have asked for 2 weeks ago.

I was hoping for better news....

We also like to fish for catfish...any advice where to start at the state park? Also what kind of set ups are best there?

Guys just an experience to think about. A few years ago I was fishing Brady Creek up from Brady Lake (cant do that anymore due to an 8 foot fence, its not technically legal but would take money and time to prove it) and the creek was literally a trickle no more than 3-5 feet wide and a few inches deep. During the second week of March a shower put the creek on a rise one night and the next day during the rise and thick dark muddy water I caught whites about every third cast on a small rattle trap with white grab on the back hook. No grub no fish, discovered by total accident. Now that I have made a short story long those fish were biting very well in very muddy water complete with debrie floating down the creek. It looked just like the pic above on a miniature scale.

Do agree in general a few days later to clear up is better, but still go when you can get there.

I see quite an array of set-ups when fishing in Bend. Here's my 2 cents:

I use a light-action spinning reel and a 6'6" light-action Ugly Stick.

I use small 1/16th ounce maribou or buck-tail jigs - usually with a weighted bobber suspended above. The weighted bobber does two things: Keeps your jig from hanging on the bottom and gives you longer casting distance ability. If you want the jig to run deeper, slow reel. If you want it shallow, reel faster.

I use 8 pound mono due to all the rocks. You WILL hang-up in Bend quite often or you're not doing it right - LOL. When in the shallows, your line scrapes the rocks constantly, eventually you lose line integrity. I use 6 pound test if I'm fishing in deeper water, but that's usually rare while fishing in Bend.

If you prefer minnow fishing, try to sein your own from the river. They will always out-perform store bought shiners. Remember, many White Bass will move close to the shore at night. Take this opportunity to free-line minnows along the banks and you'll tear 'em up! No bobber - no weight.

Good luck to everyone. Hope we have a run!!

Agreed.

You will still catch whites when the water is murky/muddy. Don't let that stop you.

Jugs baited with goldfish or small perch. Set them up river past the park boundary, but before the first falls (if you have a boat).

If no boat, try catching some blues in that deep cut by that white/green wall on the Smith side of the river.

Where is that???

It's the only man-made structure on the bank. It's down from some of those cabins across the river from the park. It's not visible when the water is high.

Are you talking about the opposite side of the ramp in the park, with the long, long trail?

As you drive into the park, go all the way to your left where people park to walk down to the shallows and primitive campsites. There's a bathroom and small parking area. Right there, if you walk down to the bank and look across to the other side of the river, you should see the wall. If memory serves, old cement stairs lead down to it from some of those old trailers/cabins.

There's a pretty deep cut right there that holds blues.

Thanks

What bait and set up is best?

Called the State park at Bend and talked to the ranger there. She said no whites were being caught yet due to the water conditions which were living up to the name of the river - Colorado (red colored). She said it was like muddy chocolate milk, probably won't clear up for another week or so. The water last week was just slightly into the campgrounds and she said it washed numerous trees down stream (crappie??). The number to reach the Ranger station is 325-628-3240.

Well is sounds like there is/was enough water for them to make it upstream past the hump

Sure hope so we will leave on March 21st after lunch and stay until Sunday morning. Will anyone be there during that time frame?

Did anyone fish there this weekend?

up

Looks like Bend got a little rain yesterday, anyone know for sure?

I'm north of Bend 30 air miles. I turned my gauge up to pour it out and after thirty seconds one drop fell out.

LOL........just saw rain on the forecast yesterday....I've been checking it regurarly....

My family will be there for our spring break 12-18 i believe, hope water has cleared up and it is on fire then. My parents drove down last sunday to check out the water and it looked to be about 4-5 foot higher than last year but it was still moving pretty fast from the rain the week before.

We will be there on the 21st...

I spoke on the phone with the park ranger today at Colorado Bend State Park. She said that it's been very slow until today. Several people have been catching quite a few whites today...no limits have been caught that she knows of.

Yea baby.. be there in 2 weeks.

Nice to hear white bass reports from there. You guys may get a spawn after all? Keep us posted. I may have to make that trip at least once this year. It's been a couple of years since I've been there. I love it out there.

I do too......the hardest part is having to leave
....

Its on right now in the lower Colorado just south of Austin. My brother has caught a couple of 19" whites! I guess they are just fish that stay in the river system all year down there. There is no lake for them to be spawning from. I suppose the same principle could occur above Buchanan.

Are there any recent reports for Bend State park as far as fishing and water conditions?

up

What happened on your post Kris? Im only getting "up". Does that mean its censored or something? Im REALLY hoping to get a fishin report so I can plan on goin this weekend. Anybody??

whites were slow today. We caught only two. Did catch some nice cats jug fishing. Heard there were some limits caught yesterday. Water is very low.

We arent going until the 21st. I have been posting "up" hoping to get some reports on the fishing and water conditions..

Still dont quite understand the "up" post, but understand you asking for report.

Hey Hawk, if you were kayaking or if you talked to anyone that had a boat, with the water low like youre saying, can anyone still make it downstream to the waterfall which is only about a mile downstream toward the lake?

"up" is just trying to keep the post at the top for comment.

Ok, NOW that makes total sense and cant agree more. Since I didnt go this weekend, still debating on going thurs and friday of this week but now looks like a wet cold front screaming through there at that time.

They're calling for rain up here in N.Texas about Wednesday or Thursday. But according to various Internet weather sites it's not supposed to rain in the Upper Colorado watershed. I hope that changes.
I'm wanting to come down and float from 190 to the State Park starting the 16th, depends on water level and shuttle availability.

Heading there this sat. for a week of r&r, cant wait

I bet....good luck and let us know how it goes...maybe post some pics too....

I talked to the ranger at the state park again this morning. She said that the fishing is definitely picking up. Several folks limited out yesterday. Seems to be all males being caught, no females yet.

They are waiting on me. I will have to get my son to help me post some pics when we get back.

I'll be there thurs and Friday and all day sat (no camping spots open on Sat...sigh), so I'll try to save a few for you.

Colorado is still running 6 to 10 inches above what has become normal the last few years. Most is Pecan Bayou water which feeds into the Colorado 1/2 mile upstream from our property west of Goldthwaite and 30 air miles upstream from CBSP. Lakes upstream from here are still down several feet so don't look for any big water anytime soon from there but all tanks/ponds/lakes are full and running around here in Mills county so any rainfall will be headed downstream. Forecasters are calling for some heavy rains in this area starting late Wednesday through Friday.

Do you think any whites made it up from the lake?

Looks like we are looking at a good soaking rain this week into Sat. Local stations are predicting 2-3" in the Northern Hillcountry. That would help in a big way.

I was in the park from 2/26-3/4 with a group of 4 fisherman growing to a total of about 8. We caught between 250-300 fish. Even my sons, casually fishing late in the week, both caught a handful. We usually only keep 12"+, they were mostly males. Early in the week it was muddy, you could only see the lure an inch or two through the water. By Tuesday it seemed like it was slowly clearing up and the fish were on. Best fishing was just up from the boat ramp before you get to the first line of fast water. I would expect this week and next to be really good fishing. I took some quick pictures of the river before I left, I'll try to post them shortly.

So were they hitting on what they do every year? Jigs, roadrunners, little fishies, white, chartrouse, yellow?

White and red jig with white shad. Also used light colored bass assassin type plastic with slightly longer tail. Light colors for muddy water.

Do the maribou jigs work well there?

That is usually about all I use every year there. White or grey in a 1/32 or 1/16 oz. If it is still muddy use a white 2" grub they usually eat it really good. If it clears up my favorite is a white w/silver or blue roostertail.

Going to head up Sunday this week. Do some wading or drop the new pontoon in and try it out. Green Colorado XT, Flyrod and a handfull of jig flies.

What are some good set ups for rod & reel combos for fishing at the river....brands etc...

I use an ultralite setup with 6 lb line, my son fly fishes most of the time.

Anybody think they'll still be runnin on the 30 th?

Has anyone ever said if it is believed the fish can make it through the shallows at the lake to get into the river system?

I also use ultralite 6 lb with 5.5 ft rods, along with flyrod. I will troll up and down the river with two rods out while casting with a third. Once I land one I stop and cast there because usually there will be more. A camping spot opened up for Sun night so I'll be there for sun and monday fishing baby!

Two years ago i took a jetski up the river when the water level was 15-20 feet higher than what it is today. At that time their was a good 300 yard shallow run before the first water fall. It was only a couple inches deep at that time. The lake is at such a low level that I wouldnt be surprised if this gap is a mile long. Hopefully this rain will push some water downstream and maybe allow some fish to bridge this gap.

I heard the last flood washed out a good size area of the sand bar and they were some making it.

Hey TeamBigStick, are yall getting or gonna get much rain in San Angelo?

So has there been much rain in the area?

We got around 1/2 to 3/4 last night here. We have a chance for it the rest of the week so I hope. Most/All of our lakes are just about dry here.

Sweet. I hope yall get some more. Some of that water should make it down to Colorado Bend.
I checked a weather map earlier today and it looked like some other parts of the Upper Colorado watershed were getting rain with a chance for more.

Fingers Are crossed.

so I guess this current downpour is gonna turn the River back to the muddy state like it was a couple weeks ago? Still gonna go sun and mon, but whites probably shut down, ya think?

If anybody on here lives around San Saba or is gonna be around Colorado Bend on the 16th of March, I could sure use a shuttle. I'm wanting to put in at 190 and float down to the State Park. Willing to pay of course. I've called the State Park and the two fish camps down there, had real good conversations with the folks at each place, but no luck on a shuttle. "River is still low, raining on and off, not much whites being caught yet". One ole boy told me he "didn't know anybody that wanted to go galavantin' around here with a canoe on top of his truck."
Tomorrow I'll call the Bend Store and then a guy I used to work with who moved to San Saba. My last 2 options.
Its 28 miles from the Park to the 190 bridge, so that's let's say 60 miles round trip, including 16 miles on that dirt road in and out of the park. We could also leave from Sulphur Springs or Barefoot camp if that's easier on the shuttle guy. PM me if you're interested and thanks.
_____________

Hey roadtrip I may be able to help you out. Im trying to get there on the 15th and stay until 18th. What fish camps are you referring to? Im looking into places to stay

Thanks for the reply FF. The Camps I referred to are the Barefoot Camp and the Sulphur Springs camp. They are a few miles upstream of the state park. Both have good websites for info. It will probably be easier for you to get a campsite at one of those parks than at the state park. I'm open to taking out at one of those parks instead of the state park, and that would make the shuttle a little shorter.
The long rain forecast is calling for a good possibility of rain on those days......but that wouldn't stop me from coming down there if I could get a shuttle.

Hey roadtrip 190 bridge to the Park is a pretty long jump for one day. I made the trip from Goldthwaite to CBSP formerly (Lemons Camp) in Eagle scouts in the sixties. We spent our second night under the 190 bridge, third night under the Bend bridge which was a swinging wooden bridge at the time, then took most of another day to get to the Old Lemons Camp (CBSP). We had pretty low water conditions and seven canoes which slowed us down trying to keep everyone together. Hope you have some good running water otherwise it's lots of paddle time.

I would not plan on floating at all. Just got back from the State Park and there are rapids there, much less up river. You would do more walking than anything.

Thanks for the good advice KG and Trent. I'm planning on a two night 3 day trip, camping on the river 2 nites and taking out the third day. Trent , the ranger at the park told me pretty much the same thing. I'm hoping for at least 150 cfs, but I'll settle for 100.
KG, I bet you got some interesting stories from your Eagle Scout days. I have an old friend from Texarkana I canoe with who was a BSA leader for 30 years and used to take his troops up to Canada every once in a while. He's pushing retirement age and still makes several trips a year. I can't keep up with him on the river. He'll sure talk your ears off though.

Yall catch any water from the last rains?

Just poured 2.8 out of my gauge here in Goldthwaite. Three days of slow rain so not any heavy runoff but as I said in an earlier post everything is full here so it is all going to Buchanan by way of CBSP.

Sweet!

Limits being cought, Brought six for dinner, but landed well over 75, closer to 100 but I lost count. Water is stained as usual and level with the concrete at the bottom of the boat ramp.

What are people catching them on? I used tubes one year and they worked great....of all things

Does anyone have any pics?????? Just curious....

planning on heading to the park for fishing on Wednesday. Anybody offer some tips on where to park and where to start fishing from a kayak? I have my usual spring white bass lure collection. Is it bring your own food and drink only or is there a store? I am hoping the crowds will be a bit smaller midweek, hearing these reports of numerous fish makes me worry I will arrive the day after the fishing was excellent...again :-)

Do striper and hybrids make it up that far?

Your best bet would be to park by the boat ramp, it's to the right when you go in all the way at the end. There is no gas for 25 miles or so and just a small store closer. No striper maybe a few hybrids if your lucky.

Are the females up there yet? I have heard about the males being there, but havent heard anybody catching any females.

Does anyone know if cell phones work out there? I have AT&T I want to cut out early from work but I would need my phone just in case.

No females yet. Probably another week or two...

I have AT&T as well. Phone service is spotty, but works ONLY when you're up on the hill before driving down to the river in Bend. Once you get down in the valley - no cell service at all - regardless of your provider.

We usually drive up the hill to check messages or place calls.

Anybody camp at the river backpack sites? Wife isn't real keen about the walk or no campfire,but we are going the 30th anyway. What do yall do for a cooker, propane stovetop? Map says .8 mile hike, good trail?

Just got off the phone with sulfur springs camp and the river has risen considerably, some are limiting out mostly night fisherman at the state park. All males so far on dark roadrunners. I'm gonna go try tommorrow through Thursday