Its that time again and since LL is now almost full there should be a good run this year up to the Ray Bob tail race.
This will be a good thread to post all things pertaining to the run all through the Greenbelt corridor.
More rain to bring LL up to pool will certainly help so lets all pray we get some.
I am going to have rod in hand for the first time this year on Tuesday (1/31) and plan on keeping everyone informed, as I plan on fishing the Greenbelt at least once a week until the run is over.
Good luck this year and I hope to meet some anglers on the river.

The Greenbelt corridor is one of my first creeks that I fished when I move hear a year ago. I to will be hitting it at least once a week. But this year I plan on using a boat.
This is a photo from last weeks rain.

where is the pic that was taken above? Im not familiar with the Greenbelt Corridor. I would love to try something other than Rowlett Creek this year

Fishing the Elm Fork between Ray Roberts and Lake Lewisville is best when LL is above pool and when they are releasing a lot of water from Ray Roberts from what I've seen. Even then it can be sort of a hit or miss event. Usually I can more consistently catch sandbass from the lake. However the Elm Fork can be really great if you hit a dense school of sandbass and/or hybrids. It is so much fun catching those fish in shallow water with a current because they fight so hard.

Hey, Looks like u captured a BIGFOOT in that pic.
Look towards the bottom in the center!

The photo is on the 380 side the right side of this Map Green belt

LOL feet are not that big but I have a beer gut!

Last spring I was catching sand bass at this ramp not real big 11in to 13 and some hybrids and gar to.

Not sure as to Elm fork not fished it is it in off of 380?

Oh yah, the Elm Fork of the Trinity "runs" through there.

Once the run starts you can catch sandbass with every cast in this creek. Best spots are dropoffs near a bend in the creek. They stack up below these dropoffs, facing upstream. The further you paddle away from the ramp and the "Bend" where everyone gathers, the better off the fishing is. Don't waste your time here in the summer though...gar/carp city.

Can you launch a jon boat from this ramp?

When the water is down its a steep ramp but I have seen sort jon boats launch from it. I would say if you can pick it up on one end then your in if you have a motor on it you may have to take it off and put it on at the bank. Some time this week I will get more photos of the ramp if the water is down.

Thanks. I may just see if I can run up there from the lake. I appreciate the information and the offer of additional photos.

One thing about the mouth of the Elm Fork going into LL is that there are usually big log jams. Here is a pic from 2005. Not to say you cannot navigate around them but just wanted to mention.

And I see a water bottle to the right edge.

So I have a question for anyone that has paddled this in a canoe or a yak: is it possible to put in at the ramp on 380, paddle north and then paddle back to the ramp to take out? Or is the current to strong for that and a better bet would be to paddle all the up to the next spot where you can put in/take out? I got a canoe for Christmas and was really looking forward to getting out on the greenbelt but should probably figure this out before setting out

TallTXTrash,
From what I have seen, Yes it is possible most of the time. After a rain I wouldn't recommend it. Plus you could always launch upstream at the 428 put in or even all the way up below Ray Bob and have someone pick you up down stream.

Thanks, that was kinda what I was thinking but if I stumbled upon a honey hole not to far from the ramp at 380 I didn't want to always have to put in so far upstream to get to right there.

There is a guy who puts his jon boat in at the 380 ramp. He disconnects his trailer and rolls it down the hill to the water using a "come-a-long" to get it there and back.

I paddled it on Saturday. Water was too muddy and the current was almost too much. There were no log jams from 380 to the mouth but the creek dipped 4-5 inches where it connected to the lake. Super fast current there. The R.R. dam wasn't releasing much so I'm figuring that all that extra water was coming from Muddy Creek and the little run-off streams between R.R. and L.L.

About half way down I met a guy in a jet powered, shallow-water, aluminum boat. RRREEEEAAALLLYYY nice boat. Looked like he was having a blast.

Photos from today Water look way to muddy for my fishing.











I would not go past the post even with my 4X4 2 man boats that one can pick up as in a bass buster or?

I'll be out there in the morning. I hope the water clears some.

Are you taking a boat or just hitting the bank.
I might give it a try myself what time are you thinking?

Was the boat yellow?

Thanks for all of the information. I figured the recent rains likely cleared the log jams. I have a tunnel hull and can run in 6" of water. 4" to 5" won't quite cut it, but the fish need more water to pass anyway. One more rain and I may see you guys up there. Maybe I will tow a few of you guys in kayaks up stream a bit.

The water at the boat dock is at least 10 Ft I have not a clue as to at the lake but 6 in? don't think its that low am I wrong?

Denton Pond Jumper,
I dont have a boat so I will be hitting the bank this season. You are more than welcome to meet me in the morning. Im going to the 428 parking lot. Not sure if the fish are that far up yet but I figure the water will be clearer further up river. Im planning on being out there around 9.

Texifonia,

Well I have not been up at the 428 yet. I will plan on it look for me in a Chevy white truck 4x4 with Ham radio tags on it of N0SSE and TFF stickers on the back bumper
i will plan on 9am would be nice to look at new water.

K I'm in a white ford 4x4 and have a Texas bowhunter sticker on the back. See ya at 9.

No. You are right. The photos of the ramp show me I can't launch there. It is too silted and muddy. Someone else in the thread said the creek is about 4-5" deep as it exits into the lake. That is almost what I need to get into the creek. If the bottom is soft, I could likely do it now.
Thanks again for all the excellent information. BTW, I bet the crappie fishing is good as well.

The mouth of the creek was 1.5-2ft when the lake was normal last year so I bet it's about 4-5 inches deep right now.

What I meant by 4-5", was that the creek was 4-5" inches higher than the lake right at the mouth. Like the creek still hadn't leveled off with the lake because of all the run-off. I didn't have the guts to try and paddle through that so we turned back.

But to fishn'aholic's point, that sounds about right. I have seen bass boats, center consoles and small pontoons up this creek when L.L. was full. If it's still a bit low when you go I'd be careful. I paddled down to the mouth this summer when L.L. was nearly 5' low. From the mouth of the creek you could see tree stumps and mini-sand bars in all directions. These same obstacles are gonna be just covered up right now.

You might wanna try to hook-up with some of the locals who know the path of the old creek channel that leads to the mouth.

Today at 428 met Texifornia and we checked out the place.
The Canoe Ramp is steep and well I just don't think usable at all.




The water looked good






The banks are steep
I also went up to the 455 part of the green belt.





As you can see not much water being let out of Ray Roberts.

Nice day to fish but them sandies are not in the creek yet. Well at least we did not catch any.

The channel runs on the East bank and then cuts across to the creek. One word of advice.. DON'T go up in it (if you are able to) when there is 15 to 20 mph wind forcasted. The trip out is a death wish. I almost learned the hard way last year. I went up in it with calm winds and I knew it would pick up to 15 to 20 around 1pm, but the fishing was so good I stayed till 2pm and was met with the biggest waves I have ever seen. I put the bilge on, the lifejacket on, and floored it hitting stumps left and right. I had to stop and rest for about 15 at the ramp. Just trying to help no one have that same experience.

Like Denton Pond Jumper said... We got skunked last week up at 428. But that isn't going to stop me from giving it a go again this week. I plan on going on Wednesday this week and Im not sure yet which parking lot I'm going to. LL is about -1.5 from pool now.

good advice. that north end of the lake can get nasty when that south wind picks up, especially in the shallow upper end. I prefer to launch at 380 and paddle up or down as opposed to coming up from the lake.

Ended up not going today. I didn't feel like suffering in the cold just to catch trees... next week.

As of 2/8/12 LL is -1.33 from pool.

I felt the same way but went to LL and got 7 keeper crappie. got at least 20 total but not all are keepers.

MMMMMM crappie.......
Dinner looks good!!!!

Well the weather has keeper me away from checking on the White Bass
but I hope in the next few months to report good or bad on this Corridor.
Soon oh so soon I think they will be in the creek.
Now back to my warm couch...

With the cooler weather we've been having I've been kept inside too long so I'm jumping up at the chance to go "test the water" today with warmer air forecasted. I'll have a report later today. Wish me luck!

Rats I can't go today looking forward to your report.

Just purchased my annual park pass and am getting pumped to get a line wet. Rod, check, jigs, check, camera, check, pack lunch and water, check, fish in the creek... We'll see.

Denton Pond Jumper,
When's that sand bass # going to get above 1 for the year?

Took me a minute to find em but I've caught 4 now in the past 20 minutes. It's starting!!!!

I have personally paddled my yak from the lake up to the mouth of the creek. I did this last Summer when the lake was super low and the creek did not even meet the lake. I will stress what some have stressed also. Beware of the stumps. Additionally, last Summer at the mouth of the creek were 2 washed up trucks. I would assume they are under water now. If you have a graph on your boat I would recommend fishing the "holes". Buddy and I went out early Spring in 2010 and slaughtered the hybrids and whites in every hole. Found big ones if the hole had any type of structure. The best hole was just North of the rail road bridge North of 380. I would not recommend any type of large power boat. I would stick to kayaks, canoes, pond boats or aluminum boats with small motors.

If you kayak from the Shady Shores ramp on LL to the mouth of the river, word of caution. As mentioned before, the wind will surprise you. I paddled this stretch and on the way back I felt like I was ping ponged off of every stump along the way. Kayak took in a lot of water. This is when I learned my flush mount rod holder was not sealed at the bottom. Realized the boat was sitting low in the water and it weighted about an extra 100lbs when I got to the ramp. Nice paddle North and on the East side. Just be careful of the stumps. If you like to fish for gar, you will catch plenty in this shallow area!!

Hope this info helps.

This morning started out with a little rain in the corridor but shortly after it let up I caught a few small males. It slowed down for the next 30 minutes and I changed colors. Shortly after doing so I caught a couple nice Crappie. One being 13 1/4 in. I moved a little farther down stream and managed a couple more whites. Then once the sun came out I couldnt get a bite to save my life.

All Whites were caught on 1/8 ounce white jig with a pearl/chartreuse curly tail

Both Crappie were caught on 1/16 ounce red jig w/ red/white curly tail.

parked at 455 and walked down past Old McKinney Bridge.

Old Mckinney Bridge used to be a great spot, when you could drive down to it. I have caught a lot of fish there.

Thanks for the report wish I could have gotten out today but the wife had some back surgery today that had me tied up. Oh dam I hate doctors sounds like a nice crappie some of them would be nice too.

Where is Old McKinney Bridge located at???
Thanks
fishsif

The Bridge is #18 on this map

Map of the Corridor

This might help.

It's almost at the midpoint between the FM455 parking lot and the FM428 lot.

I got it. Thanks guys
Fishsif

Great info. Thank you so much for sharing. How do you get to the bridge and where do you park the car?

On the Texas Parks and wildlife web page there is a map that shows where the bridge is and where to park. Day pass parking in state parks is $5.00

I got skunked today at 380 the water is muddy but not as bad as the last time I went.

I would like to try this place tomorrow are the fish bitting on jigs or minnows?

Thanks!

I'm sure minnows would work but I've only tried jigs

Just left the FM455 parking lot after a full morning of fishing and got skunked. Water looked good but I didn't travel as far downstream today as I did last week. Was wanting to see if any had made it up into the channel yet and it doesn't seem like they have. I'll be back next week at the latest.

I went today to the 455 parking lot
Walked the 1.3 mile hike to the old bridge and got skunked. The water is clear for this time of the year.
Photos

watch out for bigfoot

Yep and very soon SNAKES!!!!

thats why i carry a big stick

Thats when I check out

That is beautiful. I'll go just to see it...

It is a nice view and the walk to it is nice to.

Have the banks dried up a bit? I wanted to go last Monday, but I was worried it would just be too muddy to even walk close to the banks.

What lures are good for the sand bass? I have a creek near my house that runs into Lewisville Lake and I want to try it out for the Sandies.

White anything!
White roadrunners
Chartreuse and white grub jigs
Your Vibrex spinners should work too
White rooster tails spinners.
On thing for sure if you don't get a hit in 10mins then look at a different spot.
The roadrunners are what I catch them on the most.

Thanks Brad...

I think I will have to come over and show you LOL

Watch out for those MONSTER deer down there. I have friends whose lease back up to the corps property there and they have pictures of some bruisers.

Was out at 380 this last Thursday. GW was writing a bunch of rednecks tickets. No license, undersize hybrid mixed in with sandies, etc... He let them keep fishing though and keep the fish they already caught. This puzzled me at first until I saw how they were storing their fish. GW might have let them keep what they caught because they were setting themselves up for a night on the toilet. They had their stringer of sandies laying on the beach in full sunlight for at least the 1-2 hours I was there and no telling how long before I got there. Thursday was the day it got up into the 80's. Gave me my first sunburn of the year. Anyway, dad taught me long ago to only eat a fish that had red gill plates when I filleted it. Any fish that had whitish gills was to be thrown away. I imagine many of those fish the rednecks took home were too far gone for safe consumption.

What part of 380 did you fish? north or south ?
Thanks

At the fork where Muddy Creek connects.

The log jam is gone now btw. I guess you could make it from the R.R. spillway to L.L. these days if you wanted.

there are several other log jams that would prevent you from traveling the entire stretch. i know one you can portage a canoe or kayak around. there are at least 2 others that you cannot get around or over.

Are those between 380 and the lake or upstream between 380 and 428? Planning a float there soon and those logjams can be a pain to deal with.

the bigger logjams were south of 380, but there is a place north of those where people have been getting into the creek. not sure how accessible it is though with current water levels.

Look it up on google maps and you can see one logjam that stretches for what looks to be several hundred yards.

there is one just north of 428 and and two that i know of south of 428. there are a couple others in the same area that are passable in a canoe/kayak.

fish are starting to arrive. managed 17 mags yesterday afternoon in about 4 hours. not exactly catching them on every cast, but not too bad for february. the fish are running along the steep banks, caught most on small soft swim baits, and a few on jig/bobber.

very nice.. It's kind of strange how they really hug the bank as they move upstream to spawn.. The first few times I saw this, I first thought it was shad or something feeding, but when i got a closer look it was all sandbass moving upstream. man i need a day off to go fishing.

kalub did you float from the spillway to 380 or put in at 428? I usually just paddle up from 380.

pm sent

Pulled out 19 this morning..

very nice Ken. I like that wagon!! I need to get one.

Nice toads!

Those are huge Whites

Went today at 380 and put in the boat went north 1.7 miles to the muddy river fork only got one nice crappie at the fork but on the way up hit a hybrid at 22in and some sandies.

This was a nice hybrid for the creek


And todays total catch


Cant wait to try some more of the fishing in this creek its picking up now

can I bank fish or wade around there?

You can bank fish but very steep sides as to wade no I would not gets deep quick.

Have they made it to the dam yet? I want to give my fly rod a shot

Last I checked about a week ago no not at the dam yet.

Had to walk about a mile in to get to the good spots..banks are hard on the legs!!
.

I like seeing that things are picking up! These mild nights we are having should have this thing in full swing in no time.

Hey its looking good time to fish it now.
Fish can be found and the crappie are in the river just got to find them I did when I was out but it was a long way up the creek from 380.
Them White road runners was what worked for me. Cast let set for a bit and slllllloooooowwww retrieve.

I was thinking of paddling the entire thing this weekend. Maybe I need to scout it some first. So it's impossible to do right now because of log jams? Can they be portaged around?

Walking back to the truck at the 455 lot right now. Had a good day. Caught around 35 fish all released. 1/8 oz. Lime jig head w/ white chartreuse curl tail. Was near the old bridge

I am looking to go Saturday. Not sure yet if I am going to take the yak or hike it.

I by no means have walked the bank of the whole thing but from what I have seen there hasn't been anything that should keep you from being able to paddle it.

Good stuff id say nice

there are multiple log jams both north and south of 428. one is just north of the canoe launch. as of last week, it was not passable. heading south there is a jam about 100yards south of the 428 bridge. i was able to paddle over/through it on the left. you are good through the next three bends. then you hit the mother of all log jams. you used to be able to portage around it. in fact there is a trail. since the rains, it has grown, and on my last trip, i chose not to try. it is currently about 50 yards of tangled mess with about 20 yards being virtually impenetrable. before the rains, there was another jam a couple bends further south. it was also not passable at that time, but i have not been that far since the rain.

i tried to find them on google and bing maps, but was unsuccessful. either they weren't there when the area was photographed, or more likely the view is obscured.

had some time to kill today... fished another section of the river from 10:30-12:30. used my counter to keep track. caught and released 25 keeper sandies and 1 small hybrid. today they liked slow retrieve bouncing jig off the bottom.

Hey Brad,
I finally went last night to academy and got some braided line. Yesterday I was getting terrible nicks in my 8 lb mono. Even lost a couple of fish cause of it.

Thanks for the info on the log jams.

I might head up there Sunday. Really want a chance to catch a hybrid. Are the fish up towards RR or are they all over?

Ah you be bending hooks now LOL I think you will like it.

Rookie mistake... First cast of the day I hook what looks like a small(19-20") but legal hybrid. I've got it on the surface gliding towards my net and it gives one more thrash and breaks off... I hadn't retied from a few days before. This happened within sight of the canoe launch at 380 in that 12-14' hole just North of the launch.

Didn't hook another hybrid all day. Dozen or so sandies and a random channel cat with a taste for jigs.

Hey Texifornia- I think I saw your truck @ the 428 park
yesterday. I sucked, lost 4 jigs
How'd you do?
I might try 380 this afternoon. blue minivan w/ TFF decal.
If you see me, don't be shy!
tight lines!
-Brian

That was me. I caught 16, 1 crappie and one drum. Wish I could go today but I'll have to wait until next week

Did you go out today?
I wanted to but got into working a the front door of the house Grrrr LOL

Anyone having luck hooking the crappie ?? Sand bass are hitting good, but I want more crappie!!

I am going to head out that way this after noon and try my luck.

Went out today. Caught 5 sandies and 1 hybrid. Had to make a long hike south of 380. Went to the big bend in the river and creates a good size pool. Whit grubs on a pink head. Saw a big boat made it all the way up there. He was fishing for crappie. 7 caught all big males.

I struck out but there was a guy there that had a ton and he said he caught then off hartly field road on the back side of the green belt

today's haul. was actually pretty slow. fished for 3 hours. pressure was high, water temps down about 5 degrees. all fish caught with the lure in the picture. also caught and released 2 slightly under hybrids.

what picture?

Oh, that one! Nice haul

Been there 3 times this past week..Friday the sandys where hitting good until the cold front came in..Got 14 in an hour and a half..4 others where there and they caught about the same..Some male crappies where caught, but not on my side of the bank!!

Went to 380 today about 3:00pm walked north about 1/8 mile got no hits.
Lots of boats heading north today.

Caught about 25 white bass today, nearly all 12 plus inches, close to half looked like females full of eggs. Most caught on the exact same lure that KaLuB used (and I thought I was the last one using that lure). Caught a few on Roadrunners.

another somewhat slow day... started at 3pm. caught a few from the bank casting towards a deep hole. floated downstream trolling a swimbait. this seemed to be the ticket for the big females. beached the boat near a bend and caught a few more dragging the jig along the bottom. pressure started rising at 5pm and the bite completely shut off.

Well I am going out in the morning with the boat and see what I can find trying to make up my mind if I should head north or go south.
Hmmmmm
I will report what happens
and as to that lure that KaLuB used not sure what it is.
Looks like a minnow with a fish shaped jig head.

Li'l Fishie. At least that's what I used and it looks a lot like KaLuB's lure.

Bingo! It's a Lil Fishie

Got skunked this morning....Going to try for some crappie up North of ray bob tomorrow...

Well I went to 380 and them Li'l Fishie work for me in a small way 6 and miss a lot of them.




I got to say that them bass hit them things hard one had in way down inside. This could be my next goto thing hmm will it work on lmb bass?

Does one of those gas stations just east of the park on 380 sell minnows?

nope nearest is off 720

720 or lake dallas are going to be your closest places.

I think the gas station next to Denton Bible sells minnows...could be wrong, but I think I remember seeing a live minnows sign there.

i dont think they do anymore

Thanks for the help guys. Might have to just throw the cast net a few times

now yall can run to the dam store if your going to fish 428 2153 runs into 428

Dam store is "FOR SALE" again.
Fishif

might as well drive in to sanger at snap shop 1.89 a dozen for smalls

dang it. I worked there years ago when it was Sharkey's.

Look for clear creek to get flooded by the end of the weekend.

Oh ya this rain is going to change things in this creek it was just getting good for the sandies and now Well its going to get bad before it gets good I think.

I've only been to this creek twice and got the itch to get back with my new kayak. Is it pretty much unfishable after a big rain, or do the waters subside pretty quickly? The only day I could possibly go would be Friday is why I ask and just curious if it would be unsafe to try? I'm sure it all depends on the amount of rain, just curious about in general how bad it gets? Thanks for any info yall can provide.

Don't even try on Friday. 2-5 inches of rain expected with 1-2 inches coming tomorrow. It will be flooded big time by Friday. Maybe by the end of next week.

If ray bob comes up enough they will start letting water out then it's on!

raybob is 2.5' below conservation pool as of this am,
Lewisville has a better chance of relelase, it's only 8" under cp
big 'brids are always good @ LLELA when release is bigger than 1500 cfs

Ray bob will be releasing by monday if we get the amount predicted.

If ray bob even gets 2" of rain I think that will bring it up to pool

I hope Ray Roberts does release water.

Today was my first time out to fish the spawn in a few years. It wasn't "hot" for me, but caught 3 good size sandbass and a nice slab crappie. Regular 2" mister twister sassy shad with a 1/8 white jig head was the ticket. None of the fish had spawned yet.

From my experience, you need to wait at least 3-4 days after a heavy rain before the water clears enough to be fishable. It may not take as long if using live bait instead of lures.

I don't. dropping water levels jack with the fishing lakeside. If they are smart, doubtful, they'll let it get a little over pool to reserve for the summer. That said, more than 3-4' over pool and a few of the boat ramps get closed on RR.

"I don't. dropping water levels jack with the fishing lakeside."

Oh, I mean I hope they bump it up from ongoing "42 cps" to something a bit more like a few 100 like what they usually do below LL. That will help clear up the creek after the rains and probably create some sweet spots further down stream closer to my neck of the woods. Maybe it is irrelevant though because by the time this water settles down I'll be focused on crappie and they like still water ;-)

Didn't there used to be about a dozen concrete steps at the 380 ramp
Lots of silt

Yep, it was concrete the last time I looked several years ago.

its all covered in silt and I for one am glad I have seen what the 428 ramp looks like and I will take the silt over them concrete steps.

I have dragged my old town big green canoe I used to have as well as a small Jon boat up and down the one on 428 and it was a chore. All I have is a paddleboat now so I haven't been here in a while.

Ain't fishing it below clear creek for awhile

can you post a link to that website please.

heres the main directory. all the dots on Texas are the riverflow monitors throughout the state.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/rt

You can use the drop down to sort by river basin. Pretty handy. After it drops to normal you'll need to give 2-3 days before it starts clearing up. With next weeks rain, it might be awhile before the south end of the greenbelt is worth even trying. Up by the lake would be best shot.

Here's another helpful site http://wiid.twdb.state.tx.us/ims/resinfo/BushButton/lakeStatus.asp

greenbelt at 428 looks good the water aint rollin up there

Thanks for the awesome links !!!!

Anyone gone after the rain we had?
I went to a pond that I like to fish today and well from what I can see the rain SLOWED it down big time.
I may hit 380 just to see what has happened after the rain.

I went today to 428 and took the kayak out. Only caught one sandy. Had some crappie bites but very slow. Went last friday (before the rain) and caught 8 sandies south of 380. Hopefully goin later this week back to 380.

I'm about to get a line wet up by 455. I'll have a report later today

Well?