I keep a close eye on my home lake and the creeks that feed it and suspect that the drought has pretty much killed any chance of the whitebass making it up into the creek again this spring.

The Yegua is currently running high and muddy but at the mouth where it dumps into the lake it is flat and very shallow for about a mile or so before it reaches the actual lake at the current level 9+ feet below pool.

History is that when the lake is four foot below pool the creeks are effectively disconnected from the lake (and usually dry) but at 9+ low it's a whole other question. The water from the Yegua and Nails creek is filtering into the lake over the shallow flats but the question is whether whitebass and crappie will move through a mile or more of very shallow water.

Does anyone have any experience to answer this question or are we just going to have to fish it and see?


see the video:

What do you think? Will the whitebass swim through about a mile or so of very shallow water to get to the creek and spawn?

How shallow is " shallow "?

+1. That was one of the first things I thought of as well. I would think one important factor to consider is current. That water is going to have to be moving in order to have that draw into the creek.

I'm not so sure that fish will be heading up the creeks in larges masses this year anyhow. With the low water that we have/had, much of the areas that are usually underwater are now covered with vegitation. I would think that this "new water" in the lake is going to recreate the flood affect. Much of that shallow water will have higher levels of oxygen and sources of food for a little while.

Who knows? Bottom line is that in order to find out your going to have to just go out and fish

There is about a mile of water that varies from 1 foot to less then 6 inches and I'm not sure if there is a channel anymore that might direct the current all the way to the lake.. I'm hoping the whites will at least move up the lake and school near the shore.

I will be there this weekend and am looking forward to seeing the lake level rise a bit. Looks like it has risen 1/ft or so over the last few days...according to the website.

Please let us know how you do.. Good Luck!

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HOUSTON/GALVESTON HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR MIDDLE YEGUA CREEK NEAR DIME BOX. * FROM THIS AFTERNOON TO TUESDAY AFTERNOON... OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED. * AT 615 AM SATURDAY THE STAGE WAS 6.6 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FLOOD STAGE IS 10.0 FEET. * FORECAST... THE CREEK IS EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE THIS AFTERNOON WITH A CONTINUED RISE TO ABOVE 11 FEET EXPECTED OVERNIGHT * AT 10 FEET... FM 141 BELOW THE CONFLUENCE WITH WEST YEGUA CREEK IS THREATENED AND BACKWATER FLOODING UP WEST YEGUA AND TURKEY CREEKS IN LEE COUNTY IS LIKELY.
More Information

... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HOUSTON/GALVESTON HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WARNING FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS...

MIDDLE YEGUA CREEK NEAR DIME BOX AFFECTING BURLESON AND LEE COUNTIES

FOR MIDDLE YEGUA CREEK AT DIME BOX, MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.

A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A COLD FRONT MOVING THROUGH SOUTHEAST TEXAS DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS HAS PRODUCED 5 TO 7 INCHES OF RAIN OVER EASTERN BURLESON AND WESTERN BRAZOS COUNTIES. RUNOFF FROM THIS RAINFALL HAS PRODUCED A DRAMATIC RISE ON MIDDLE YEGUA CREEK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

PERSONS ARE URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE RIVER UNTIL WATER LEVELS RECEDE.

MOTORISTS SHOULD AVOID ANY WATER COVERED ROADS AND FIND AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.

LIVESTOCK AND EQUIPMENT SHOULD REMAIN OUT OF THE FLOOD PLAIN FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

I'd say that the chances are getting really good for some Yegua creek whitebass fishing after all

That's very interesting. Good to hear. Glad to see you are still around HL&S. It's been a very long time since I have fished that area.

I'm still kickin' but the drought has just about killed my fishing..

I sure hope this rain helps. At least the chances to fish this year's white bass season on the Yegua are improving with each rain. With more rain on the way next week, I'm even more excited the chance at a spawning run there.

I appreciate your reports. your video was awesome.

fingers are crossed.

**Update**

I went to visit my lakehouse in Brich Creek Forest this weekend. Here is the latest:

1. One of the boat ramps at Birch Creek Park is now open (lane 1 of the long and deep ramp)

2. The creek that crosses under Park Road 57 is very full and running fast (all heading to the lake).

3. The lake has come up quite a bit and there is now only a small island between the park and Pecan Lake

4. The fishing pier has enough water under it now and has now been opened by the park rangers. The water should be about 4 ft deep under the pier.

5. By my calculations (based on the amount of rain over the weekend in Somerville and surrounding areas..the lake should rise another 1.5 - 2 feet over the next 4 days.

5. The bait shop at the corner of 57 and 60 (Freedom Ranch) has both large and small minnows now and Suzy's Grocery (closer to the park) has none still.

6. Yegua is flooding and running very fast... :-)

kfree, thanks so much for the in depth update on the lake and creek conditions. Very generous on your part. I (like you) live a long way from that area and it is very difficult to get information sometimes. With that info, it does look very promising.I have fished that area for 30 years and have really missed it because of lack of rain the last few years. Thanks again, Baldy Locks.

I'll bet that if the whites were ready and waiting to go.. they did! And it might be like 2009 again.. This flood is certainly bringing enough water all at once to make it very possible for the whitebass to bridge the gap between the lake and the creek mouth where it dumps into the lake.. They might get trapped as the water recedes if it doesn't continue to rain and or flood..

Lake is now at 230.85 and rising every hour...see link below for an hourly report.

http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/SOMT2.TXT

7 foot low and rising!

231.13!!! and still rising...only 6.87 feet to go!! :-)

anyone going to the creek some time soon?

I'll be heading up there this weekend. Some friends had planned a camping trip to Nails Creek and I have been watching a couple of threads, trying to decide if it was worth bringing my kayak. Looks like I will be making space for the yak now!

Never fished there before, but I was planning on putting in at Nails Creek Park and paddling over to the Yegua. Is the fishing any good from the bank near Nails creek? If so, I might bring a couple of extra rods for my buddies to use.

White Bass: Here I come!

Might be tough getting into the creeks from the park as there still isn't enough in the lake to fill the upper end. There is no deep water to fish from Nails creek park but the question is whether the whites made it into the creeks while it was flooding. I plan on walking Nails creek from CR 125 to see for myself. If the whites are in Nails then they will be in the Yegua. You can always launch from Newman's bottom into the Yegua creek and fish down to the lake but it's not advisable to go to far because the closer you get to the lake the shallower it gets..

here's a recent update video from just before the big rain fell.

Wow, thanks for the video. Having never been up there before, getting a scouting report via YouTube is awesome! I don't know if the yak will do me any good, thoughts? So with the lake being so low at Nails creek, can you just walk through the lake bed over to the Yeuga?

No not now with the upper lake flat filling in with flood water the whole area is a muddy mess. I suggest just walking into Nails creek from CR 125 or if Newmans Bottom is open then walk the Yegua. It's a lot of work to get the yak into either creek and until we prove the whitesbass are in there I'll hold off using the yak..

Nice video Hook-line&sinker. I didn't make it there last year because of the drought. Is anyone planning a trip in the next few days to see if the whites made it up? I'm curious.

Looks like the lake is going to hold at 231.62 for a while....need more rain. Still down 6.38 feet.

It's been a while since I've been to the lake. Hadn't realised it was up so much. looks like I will be headed up to nails or newmans in the morning.

Saturday I made a trip to lake Somerville to investigate the creeks and see if any whitebass might have crossed the shallow flats at the upper end when it flooded last week. The lake has come up almost 4 feet since mid January but still remains at just over six feet below normal pool level. Read the report and see the video.

Too bad. Maybe we'll get more rain before this spawn passes up the yegua.

I've learned from the past that anytime up to about May if conditions allow the whitebass will head up the creek to spawn. In early April 2009 a flood came and went long after the usual end to the spawning run but the creeks filled up with whitebass anyway and many of those fish were trapped and eventually died as the summer heat dried up the smaller creeks.

Great Video and Report, thanks for sharing.

Looks like it is raining in Somerville!! .28 inches so far.. :-)

how is the lake? can we get a boat in? if so where? can we cruise it safely in an 18 ft pontoon? Going to try and use the boat to get near the mouth of the river and possibly wade fish.

Ramps are open @ Rocky, Overlook, and Birch but as for wade fishing near the mouth of the river.. that ain't gonna happen. The whole upper end of lake Somerville is very shallow and covered with a foot or more of mud flats. You might have some luck trolling around snake island or tightline fishing ghost minnows on the bottom but I've never done well wade fishing this time of year at lake Somerville.. but maybe you know something I do not!

Any spawning stories yet? Lake or rivers? Just curious.

Heading up tomorrow...looks like it has rained about 1.8 inches today and the lake is on the rise again! :-)

Let us know if you do any good....

FishTales: Another look at the creek video!

Weather.com is predicting 1-2 inches by noon tomorrow. They've already issued a flood warning, citing already saturated ground as the predicted cause. Things may be looking up for a Somerville run after all.

-Tom

Another, Awesome Video and Report...
Thanks For Sharing...

!!You The Man!!...

Awesome video HL&S!

Was at the lake all day yesterday and this morning (left around noon). It is up for sure. The folks at Birch Creek Park were adding 1 inch gravel / rocks to the soft spots at the end of the boat ramps..getting them ready for use.

I didn't head to the creeks as I didn't have enough time. I did however send a few hours at the fishing jetty at the park and at Big Creek Marina..the bite was very slow.

There is still a small exposed area of land between Birch Creek Park and Pecan Lake. However, I would imagine it will be under water very soon with the rain that is going on now and will happen this evening and tomorrow.

IF we can get at least 1.5 inches or so of rain, the lake should come up another foot. The ground is very saturated!

Just learned they are catching Whites in Yegua Creek. See the following link (facebook link)

https://www.facebook.com/BirchCreekStatePark

OK. So we have had 2.31 inches of rain since yesterday afternoon. 1.45 inches fell this morning around 4am. Should bring the lake level up quite a bit. I would imaging the creeks will be running strong and should connect to the lake. See this from the weather service this morning:

Flood Warning for
the middle yegua creek near Dime Box.
* From this afternoon to late Tuesday night... or until the warning is cancelled.
* At 0615 am Saturday the stage was 6.6 feet.
* Minor flooding is forecast.
* Flood stage is 10.0 feet.
* Forecast... rise above flood stage by late this afternoon and continue to rise
to near 11.6 feet by tomorrow evening. The river will fall below flood stage
by Tuesday early afternoon.
* At 10.0 feet... FM 141 below the confluence with west yegua creek is threatened
and backwater flooding up west yegua and Turkey creeks in Lee County is
likely.

Sounds great! It's white bass time in the creeks! Yea

Went to the lake below the dam and fished the point with some live shad. The only thing biting were the goo. Nice and cold as well. Planning on trying the lock and dam tomorrow.

So, with something like 3.5 inches in Lexington and I'm assuming similar amount in other nearby areas that drain into basins that feed Somerville, this should add maybe 2 or 3 feet to the lake?

Or maybe more like a foot?

Either way it's good news.

Toured the lake again Saturday afternoon, met with the park staff at Nails and will have a video update shortly.. needless to say the whitebass spawning run up the creeks is gonna happen this year..

I'm headed that way tomorrow after church. I'll let yall know how I do.

-Tom

Yea! I'm tired of rain dancing. time to do some sun dancing.l I'm ready to spawn!

Yes we can pray for relief in what ever form that comes in.. Be careful out there guys and gals, flood waters are nothing to take lightly..

Well, folks, I'm back. Jerdelle Creek was connected to the lake, and fish were everywhere. I put in at Rocky Creek park and kayaked over. As soon as I got to the delta, carp started shooting off every direction from my yak. I actually ended up hooking two of them, but both times they surfaced and spit my lure. I went up the creek a ways and saw tons of sandbass swimming around in shallow water. The water was about knee deep where I was fishing. Fish were busting the surface and splashing everywhere, but seemed completely uniterested in my lures. I fished the same 50 yard stretch for three hours and only caught one fish, a big male. These fish were some of the biggest sandies I've ever seen. At the upper end of where I was fishing, there was a riffle with ankle deep water. As I walked up to it, I could see sandbass swimming up the riffle, backs out of the water, salmon style. It was pretty cool to see. I tried just about every color combo I could think of, but the one fish came on an eighth ounce white/white roadrunner, fished slow. I think all the fish were males competeing for nesting sites, as I saw multiple cases where two fish were butting into each other, or one was chasing another.

-Tom

Tom,
What you witnessed were spawning whitebass! That's why they wouldn't hit anything! Whitebass are "free spawners" meaning they don't make nests they just chase the females around bumping into them to dispel eggs so they can fertilize them in the current. The eggs need flowing water to develop as they get carried down stream and eventually back into the lake..

here's a nice video explaining the run..

TTT heading to the lake later today will check on the creek and the fish.. report up ASAP..

You're a busy man HL&S. Thanks for what you do. Looking forward to your next video.

Hey Hey Hey!! I think this is for another post

drove out to the irwin today the water is still flowing good and the creek is out of the banks....also went to nails creek state park and drove out to the boat ramp by the looks of all the water im sure the whites are headed up the creeks!! hopefully by next monday or tuesday the creeks will drop a little bit so i can go out and see for myself if they are bitting!!!

Reports of a few fish being caught from Cedar and Nails creek. It will only get better.. lake level as of 8:00pm 20feb is 234.37

Thanks for the updated report...

If I'm able,I'm thinking about trying Nails Creek Wednesday, supposed to be low of 57 and close to a 70 degree high...Figured I'd pay, to get in the park...Then walk the main Trailway from there.
Still not sure how long it will take to settle down enough to fish....
But guessing, it will take Yegue Creek a little longer. And Newman's Bottom will still be closed...

Anyhow, if I go, I'll post a report later that evening...Being it's like an 1-1/2 hour drive for me.

Nails is a good bet.. but I'd pay at the park and then walk in from CR 125, that way you will spend more time fishing then walking.. Watch this video and where I park at the WMA, cross the road and follow that path to Nails creek and start fishing.

The latest FishTales adventure blog and video

Lake Somerville is on the rise and should be near normal pool level by the weekend. The whitebass started moving into the Yegua sometime before the big rains last week and are making their way upstream. The Yegua is still flooded but by Thursday, March 1, it should be back down enough to kayak up it from Nails creek state park. I suspect the water will be muddy and the fishing tough but you can never tell until you try...

I need to do some recon for the Texas paddle trail and the state park in preparation for a video I'm producing. So if you want to be in one of my FishTale videos here's your chance..

I will be leading a group up the creek leaving at 10am from the Nails creek state park boat ramp. Join me if you want but the ship leaves port @ 10:15AM sharp...

A good bit of kayaking experience is necessary to do this paddle fully and safely. I assume no responsibility for the actions of others or their safety, rednecks included, we are just gonna play follow the leader up the Yegua... Keep up or be left behind..and remember

I ain't your daddy so buck up and paddle hard!

I didn't get a chance to go fishing today...Being I blew a hose on my power steering pump this morning...

Anyhow, going to try again tomorrow...
Supposed cold front coming in Friday night...

Thursday might just be the best day yet, with the front coming and high daytime temps the whites ought to be really moving.. FF be sure to update us on your trip! Good luck!

In the past working with Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway we put together a nice little creek fishing clinic at Nails Creek Park and I would like to do that again but in a little different way.

This Saturday, February 25th around lunch time we'll be hosting a "workshop" of sorts to organize several Saturday "Creek Fishing Clinics". The focus of every subsequent Saturday clinic will be tailored to the needs of the fisherman and to each parks unique opportunities as they differ quite a bit between Birch and Nails.

The idea behind these clinics is to meet, greet and share what we might know about fishing the area with other fisherman young and old alike.

I've seen what happens on the Texas Fishing Forum and these "fishing clinics" would really be just an extension of that and a chance to tie names to faces.. We are calling this first get together a "workshop" meeting because we only have a rough idea of what kind of information we need to present and how to present it.

My overall intention is to create a Hunt & Fish social club that meets once or twice a month at the park to discuss opportunities the state park offers and where each of us as Outdoorsmen might be of help to the state park and visitors.

This kind of endeavor matters to me greatly because I see the trends in our society that are moving so many away from the great outdoors and a life immersed in it. With growing numbers of folks today whose only view of the "wonders of nature" is through some sort of disconnected virtual experience, anything real is lost and no good or lasting memories are created from it. It's almost as though everything has become some sort of video game played from the comfort of home and there is nothing of real value to be gained.

So here's your opportunity to be part of something fun and productive in the real world..

Leaders and Volunteers needed:
Apply at Nails Creek State Park, Saturday February 25, 2012. 11:00am to 1:00pm

Bring your family, a lunch basket, and let's have a picnic at the park! Hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can use the outdoor Pavilion near the entrance..

I'll be out there next Wednesday. I wish I could get out sooner. My girlfriend's b-day is sunday. She's already booked my time Sat/Sun/Mon. Wednesday was the best I could do after that. She loves to fish so, my only hope is to tell her "the spawn is on" at Sommerville and convince her she wants me to take her fishing for her birthday on Monday. I just hope she'll go for it.

If you guys start catching, please start posting pics of your fish and stories of limits. It'll help me get her out there! LOL.

good luck all. Rip them lips!

It's on, first limit for the year...
No pics, so guess ya'll are just going to have to take my word on it...

Caught 19 keepers (18 males 1 female)12"-14'" in Cedar Creek, upstream from CR 125 from 8a.m. till noon...A little lower than expected, but fish were there...Had to work for them though, being I'd only catch 1 or 2 in one spot then move to another spot...But there was 1 guy just barely upstream from the bridge, and he already had about 12 when I first got there...And was gone when I got back, so guessing he got his limit and left...
Then went to Nails Creek State Park and fished Cedar Creek just upstream from the Lake, or where you park to access inside the park...Fished for about 2 more hours, caught about 12(guessing about 3 were females) and kept 6 of the bigger males(12"-14") to get my limit...Also 1 nice fat (female)Crappie...All fish caught on red-head jig, with 1" curly-tail (chartruese-silver glitter).

Never fished Nails Creek, but on the way out stopped at Irwin Bridge...Went down to the parking lot, and the water was 4 or 5 feet below the bank...Still a little high and muddy, but fishable.

Anyhow,headed back to Cedar Creek tomorrow(same plan) hoping for another limit...
I'll be wearing a black Guinness cap, and a white t-shirt that says (IATSE 484-in black) on the back...And I drive a white Pt Cruiser...So If you see me, feel free to say Hi... And maybe I can put you on some fish, if you don't have your limit before me...

Fishingfool , I'm going to get out tomorrow too and am new to the area. I have a lake map but can't find Cedar Creek listed on it. Is it the creek just south of 180 on CR 125 between McCain Creek Park and Nails Creek park?

Thanks

yeah thats cedar

A friend and I went to Cedar Creek this afternoon. We fished downstream from the bridge. I caught 14 whitebass and he got 16. We had to walk a lot to find some fish. But it's a good trip. The fish are mostly male.

Kirby12
If you you see a White Pt Cruiser, at either of those 2 places I talked about in my last report...I'll be there fishing upstream...If you see me, my name is Steve...good luck...

Hope to see ya'll Saturday on the creek.. I'm taking several guys with me and will be having lunch at the pavilion in Nails Creek Park around noon. Everyone is invited to sit and talk fishy. I have no idea how many will show up but I'll have my crew with me grillin' up chile dogs and talkin smack as we always do..

thanks for the great report.
me and my buddy about to do some kayak fishing at somerville(first time there). but dunno where to launch and where is the good fishing spot with kayak. see if anyone can give us a little suggestions . thanks~

From Cedar Creek Friday morning 2-24-12.





and a little slideshow from 2-24-2007 same creek five years ago.

From the Nails Creek Park boat ramp head west across the flat and up into Nails and Yegua creek. The lake is probably just high enough to kayak up to the mouth of each of these creeks. Nails is the easiest to find on the south shore and Yegua is a good bit further up and harder to spot on the north shore.

look at this video, towards the end I hike up to the high ridge that overlooks the upper end and I show where the Yegua comes in..

thanks!!!

great news. glad to see it finally started. I'll be in the "happy birthday weekend" mode out of town with my girlfriend. Hope to see you all out there soon. (next week).

So wich would yall go to yegua or nails?

And were is ceder creek?

I will try to find the cedar creek sometime next weekday. Or Sunday morning

Wish I know wheres this pic taken and what kind the bait . nice!!!!!!

x2/im going to yegua sunday.

Just Google Nails Creek State Park , once you get there all three creeks are near that park and they can give you directions.

I was told the boat ramps were still closed as of Thursday. Does anyone know if Birch Creek ramp is open yet?

I just called and everything at Birch Creek is open. I'm heading up the creek in a kayak tomorrow to hit the whitebass.

Has anyone hit up yegua?

Thx. And the Facebook pages are cool !

Birch boat ramp and pier r open two weeks ago. And I was there last Sunday. Water high enough but muddy.

Maybe tomorrow morning (pray)

x2

I found the cedafound cedar.

We saw a couple of flat bottom boats trying to get up the Yegua from the lake but neither made it.. We are trying on Thursday March 1, @ 10am.. I don't know how many are coming with me but we will kayak up the Yegua if possible. I know that it is possible when the lake is within two feet of pool level. We really need a little more rain to make it a sure thing by Thursday.. the lake rising has slowed but is still creeping up little by little...

Saturday 8AM the boys were ready and waiting as I arrived to take them creek fishing! Michael and Jordan have fished with me before but not like what we were in for Saturday! We only had about an hour or so in the morning to fish before heading to the State Park for the Fishing Clinic but I was able to put those two creek clowns on the fish pretty quick!

The boys cooked the hotdogs and help me with the Fishing clinic before we headed back out to the creeks for the afternoon.

I get the general impression the smaller creeks like Nails and especially Cedar are running out of fish! When we walked back into Nails creek from CR 125/ WMA we were met by only one other couple fishing the creek. Lots of folks at Cedar creek and Newman's Bottom on the Yegua were catching a few but every once in a while someone would walk back with what looked like a limit..

Me and the creek clowns didn't do too bad for the amount of time we actually spent fishing in the water and not in the trees! Those two boys went through $15 bucks worth of Roostertails! But that's a small price to pay for the show they put on..

Jordan's dad, Bobby is my running buddy from way back, and watching these two boys reminds me of all the adventures we have had together. I suspect neither of the boys will forget fishing the muddy, slippery banks of Cedar, Nails and Yegua creek any time soon and that's as it should be...

HL&S (Ben)-
If I have an annual pass, do I still need to stop at Nails Creek State Park to get a receipt to hang on my window before heading to Nails Creek area (opposite WMA) or Irwin Bridge to fish from there?

No you do not have to go into the park but it is easier since I don't think there is a honor box at the Nails WMA or the bridge on CR125, but there is a sign about entering the park..

The honor box located at Newmans Bottom and at Irwin bridge have a form that you fill out, even if you have a annual pass. Pass holders just put their pass number (on the back of the card) on the form instead of putting money into the envelope. Your pass is good for all the people riding with you that day.

Thanks go to everyone that helped with the clinic Saturday, we should do it again soon! I'll be making a attempt Thursday morning (10AM) to kayak up into the Yegua if anyone want to tag along you are welcome to. There is a good chance that the lake is still to low to breach the shallow muddy flat at the mouth of the Yegua but either way this paddle trip will take some serious effort up to that point. Once we are in the creek it should be smooth paddling up from there..

I've fished the white bass run on the San Gabriel and Willis Creek before but am looking to fish it at Summerville for the first time tomorrow. I've heard talk about Irving bridge and was curious a to which creek that area has access to and if it'd be a good spot to get my feet wet.

I have a kayak but I'm not gonna take it on my first trip. If I do well I may take it back this weekend.

Any and all advice to someone new to the area like myself would be greatly appreciated.

Fishing was great on Friday and Saturday but came to a screeching halt on Sunday. I went to Newman's Bottom and saw very few fish being caught, maybe two or three people with more than 10 and most everyone else had less than 5. Just don't know if it is going to be that good of a year for the whites in the Sommerville Creeks. Need more rain this week to keep the water flowing.

HL&S, My brother and I plan on meeting you at Nails Creek Park on Thursday at 10:00 to make the paddle to the Yegua, we will be early and ready. I hope the weather and water level cooperate. It should be fun.

Ben and Other Kayakers-
If anyone knows of someone who would be willing to loan a big guy a kayak to try, I'd be appreciative! Not necessarily for this trip, but in general. I'm looking to getting into kayak fishing and looking to try out several, including:

Malibu X-Factor
Wilderness Systems Ride 115 and 135
OK Prowler Big Game

Like I said, I'm a big guy (6'4" and 300 lbs).

thanks!
Jody

The park has kayaks to rent but I don't know what they are rated for.. I sure hope we don't get disappointed Thursday morning. I'll bet this paddle is going to be very tough!

we have to find this but I think the pelicans will lead the way.

I'd meet up with you one day to try mine. I'm 6'4 245 and mine is perfect. I can load it down with gear, fish, cooler(s), and sometimes my kids. I have a Ocean Kayak Peek-a-boo. Its not lightning fast, but its a Cadilac of kayaks. its rated for over 400 lbs.

http://www.youtube.com/v/45IcB_GEx6I

I will be there to.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you guys @ the Creek!

What you need to know about creek fishing around Lake Somerville

Thanks Raider--I'll take you up on that. Jody

HL&S--Thanks for the constant updates on the lake. I didn't put 2 and 2 together with regards to your blog and your posts on here until I started watching the videos (duh!!).

I took a nice little spill like one of the clowns did in your video near Newman's yesterday. Thank God for extra clothes in the truck or else I would have dirtied up my nice clean seats!

I think the creek is just about fished out like HL&S said, as many of the folks had just 3 or 4 fish on a stringer, and had been there for a few hours. Come on Rain!!

I was at NB yesterday. I managed only 13. my neighbor caught his limit. Man were they good sized fish. I saw 3 other limits come out by 1pm. Many others with 8+. But some with only 1 or 2. It was a fun day on the water.

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. Although I have been droppin eaves for several years on everyone. Especially you hook-line&sinker. I have been fishing Yegua and the surrounding creeks for about 22yrs. Although I'm not from the area, I have always made my two hour trip several times a season. For the first time I was going to bring the whole family since everyone was old enough now. But i was wondering if the trip would be worth it. Are the fish able to run up the creeks? Are the creeks reaching the lake with enough depth for the fish to make it? It seems like there are still stringers being filled. I get the impression that all is good. But i don't want to disappoint the family and especially the kids. This will probably be my only chance to go this year. Any truthful insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hook2Fish,
The smaller creeks are slowing down fast but the Yegua is holding it's own and will for some time longer. Lots of whites and crappie being caught from all the usual spots and I suggest you gather up the kids and go asap.

Thursday we did the Yegua kayaking trip as planned, five very tough guys, Walter, Jim, Sam, Bret and Scott joined me as we fought our way into the Yegua, paddled up and caught lots of fish and then battled our way back to the boat ramp at Nails Creek park. It takes nearly an hour just to reach the creek at the bend because we had to drag the yaks through more then a quarter mile of shallow muddy flats. Overall I think we covered about 8 to 10 miles leaving at 10am and making it back to the boat ramp at 6pm. I knew it was going to be tough but that was a very long way to drag a kayak so I won't be doing this trip again until the lake returns to pool level. However we did mark the trail so that kayakers going up into the Yegua can follow the path we took instead of trying to find the mouth of the creek...

FishTales Video will be up sometime Friday..

Thanks for the heads up. We'll be at Newmans before sun up on Saturday. Maroon Dodge caravan. Family of five. Good luck, good fun, and good fishing to all. Can't wait. I've got the fever.

FishTales blog and video Part One.

I usually fish the main lake for white bass. Has there been much action out there yet?

Part one & two are up and part three is in progress..

I haven't heard much other then the crappie are biting off the fishing pier at Birch Creek but I suspect the whitebass are active too off the point..

Yegua Tough Guys... Part III

I may be back next week. Looks like a good warm sun shiny week ahead. Watch out for the snakes. they're starting to move around. I saw a couple small ones last week. I've seen some big cotton mouths in years past.

good luck to all & tight lines.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda.

Well, I hit the creek like I said. I was there when I wanted to be there. I got to my honey hole. As soon as the lines hit the water it was on. Had a great three hours. I was only able to fish part time. Due to, helping out my three kids fish. The only reason we cut out was because we were ill prepared for the weather. My poor kids were shivering so bad. My fault. We could have all limited out, it was that good. Minnows, minnows, minnows. They may be boring, but man; you just cant beat em. Like I said, Unfortunately I had to leave prematurely. Had a total of forty. I couldn't get there lines back in the water fast enough. Or we would have left with more. But can't be greedy.

Ghost minnows?

No, not ghost minnow. I'm not really sure what kind they are. Never took the time to research them. They are the everyday run of the mill bait shop minnnows. They sell large ones for Large Mouth Bass and a smaller version for Crappie and Whites. I buy half and half. Big and small. Catch Whites and Crappie with both. But since you asked, I looked them up this morning, and I think they are Golden Shiner Minnows.

Yegua creek is still producing tons of fish..

I didn't have too much luck this past Saturday. I will try again this Saturday because they weather will be better.

We had some luck fishing Nails creek using a little different technique that I think might work well on the whitebass in the Yegua and help you keep from hanging up so much.



Using a slip-cork for crappie is nothing new but with a faster retrieve the same jig setup worked on the whitebass. The only difference I could see was depth and movement. Crappie like it deeper and not moving much but the whitebass would hit it hard as it was retrieved or jigged up and down. I also scented my jigs with berkley's crappie attractant and that probably makes a little difference but it doesn't hurt to try..

Volunteers needed for the next fishing clinic @ Nails Creek park
Saturday March 17th 11:00 to 5:00.


I'm helping organize another little get together at the state park and need a little help for the day. This is a open invitation to come out to the park and learn first hand from the guys and gals that fish the creeks. Experience level doesn't matter because we all have something to share so put a picnic basket together, bring the kids and have a blast at the creek!


Creek Fishing Clinic & Fisherman's Ball

Gear, Gab and Grub 11:00 to 1:30

Guided Field Trips to Nails & Yegua creeks in the state park 1:30 to 3:30

Fish cleaning & prep followed by a fish fry @ the Fisherman's Ball 4:00 to dark thirty

By Saturday March 17th's Fishing Clinic.. There is a good chance we will get some more rain and the lake might rise making a paddle trip up the Yegua possible. If that happens I'm hoping a number of kayakers will be willing to lead other paddlers to the creek several times during the day to fish the lower Yegua.. any takers?

I'll go if I can make it.

Getting rain in the next few days and it will be nice for the creeks. have heard up to 3" of rain east of I35 will help keep the creeks flowing

Good thing I didn't plan the clinic for this Saturday looks like rain!