Posted By: mwrose777
Guadalupe Bass and Gill fest! - 04/30/15 01:28 PM
Last Thursday we headed to Fredericksburg, unfortunately for a funeral. My wife’s great grandmother passed away, she would have been 102 this August. One thing I’ve noticed about the funerals I’ve been to, is that although it’s sad to see somebody pass, the bright side is seeing family come together. Just wish it didn’t take a death to do so. My wife met some extended family she hadn’t before, and saw some she hadn’t seen since she was 10 yrs old.
We decided to make a weekend out of the trip, as we both love Fredericksburg and have been going since we were kids. I’m saddened to say it’s not nearly the same town. Wineries are everywhere, and down town is littered with yuppie winos or the younger hipster crowd. The local shops are being replaced by boutiques and etc. Just sad. Sorry for the rant, still love the area, and take every chance I can to go visit my wife’s grandparents and father, along with her little bro and sis who are 12 and 6.
I took my fly rods, knowing that my father in law is still working on his first catch on the fly. We were able to get out for a few hours Saturday morning to Ladybird Johnson park on the edge of town. I was hoping I could help him achieve this, but he needs a better fly instructor than myself. Heck, I need several more lessons from my instructor so it’s like the blind leading the blind. Many bites for him, but no landed fish.
For me though, it was a Guadalupe bass fest with several bruiser gills mixed in! We fished near the low water bridge leading to the golf course, and it was swimming pool clear. Guads up to 1 ½ lbs were everywhere, some on beds, some just cruising, and the sunfish were bedded up in big colonies. Sight casting at it’s best! Some fish were eager to eat, others took a multitude of casts. I was fishing my 2wt, and the fly of the day was a size 10 olive wooly bugger with some flash. The big gills and the guads loved it. Unfortunately I wasn’t paying attention, and hung it up in a tree behind me, busting it off. I continued catching with other flies, though none as successful as the bugger.
I’m sorry to say I don’t have any pictures, which is not usual for me, but I was trying to get fish in and unhook them so I could move on to my next target. I’m jealous of all you who live closer to these beautiful waters. With all the rain, all the creeks and rivers seemed to have water, I only wish I had more time to venture out. Still chasing my first ever rio, maybe next time! Thanks for reading.
We decided to make a weekend out of the trip, as we both love Fredericksburg and have been going since we were kids. I’m saddened to say it’s not nearly the same town. Wineries are everywhere, and down town is littered with yuppie winos or the younger hipster crowd. The local shops are being replaced by boutiques and etc. Just sad. Sorry for the rant, still love the area, and take every chance I can to go visit my wife’s grandparents and father, along with her little bro and sis who are 12 and 6.
I took my fly rods, knowing that my father in law is still working on his first catch on the fly. We were able to get out for a few hours Saturday morning to Ladybird Johnson park on the edge of town. I was hoping I could help him achieve this, but he needs a better fly instructor than myself. Heck, I need several more lessons from my instructor so it’s like the blind leading the blind. Many bites for him, but no landed fish.
For me though, it was a Guadalupe bass fest with several bruiser gills mixed in! We fished near the low water bridge leading to the golf course, and it was swimming pool clear. Guads up to 1 ½ lbs were everywhere, some on beds, some just cruising, and the sunfish were bedded up in big colonies. Sight casting at it’s best! Some fish were eager to eat, others took a multitude of casts. I was fishing my 2wt, and the fly of the day was a size 10 olive wooly bugger with some flash. The big gills and the guads loved it. Unfortunately I wasn’t paying attention, and hung it up in a tree behind me, busting it off. I continued catching with other flies, though none as successful as the bugger.
I’m sorry to say I don’t have any pictures, which is not usual for me, but I was trying to get fish in and unhook them so I could move on to my next target. I’m jealous of all you who live closer to these beautiful waters. With all the rain, all the creeks and rivers seemed to have water, I only wish I had more time to venture out. Still chasing my first ever rio, maybe next time! Thanks for reading.
Your Great Grandmother had a very long life and the good Lord decided it was time to come home. 
As for Fredericksburg it is not the little slippy town it once was. 
As you stated lots of franchise boutiques and tons of tourist. 
There are still a lot of local small gift stores there. 
As for Lady Bird Park I have fished there a lot. Lots of fat Bluegill,Redear,and oh yes the Guadalupe Bass! I have seen some nice Large Mouth Bass but could not get em to bite. 
Love the park,super clean,and the people you meet are very nice. 
I also love fishing the Perdernales Rivers in the Stonewall area. Very quite with some awesome scenery.Sounds like you made a sad trip into a very nice memorable trip. Again thanks for sharing. 