Some trips take months to plan. Others need a couple of weeks. This trip? Well, this trip was slapped together using Duck Tape and bailing wire the Wednesday before. OK, in all honesty Andy and I had blocked off this weekend months ago envisioning an overnight trip on the Lower Colorado. However, as this weekend approached we never settled on a float plan and started to toss out other locations before ultimately settling on the South Llano from the 2nd Crossing to Junction City Park; 18.5 miles. My mind quickly jumped to catching lots of Rio Grande Cichlids like I had two years ago further upriver.

I spent a good few hours on the phone Wednesday lining up a shuttle service. I contacted nearly every shuttle service I could find on the internet and settled on Fun in the Sun Canoe & Kayak Rentals. This family ran business is top notch and very friendly. They even kept Andy's truck at their house and met us at the City Park with the vehicle when we got off the River on Sunday, basically a shuttle valet service. As usual I cranked out a river mile aerial map for us and stocked up on lures from Bass Pro prior to the trip. Our flow on the South Llano was around 45cfs, I had no idea if that would be sufficient enough or not, but we went anyway.

Friday morning Andy drove to my house where we stuffed the back end of his Tahoe with gear and topped the roof rack with our two Ride 135s. We hit the road a little after 10 for the 5 hour drive to Junction and South Llano River State Park where we would car camp the first night before hitting the river early Saturday morning for our two day float.



After stopping at Fuzzy's Taco in Stephenville for lunch, gas in Brownwood, we made it to Junction a little before 4 to purchase rations for our trip at the surprisingly well stocked grocery store. I had forgotten my beer back home, so I was pleasantly surprised with their beer selection. We also made sure we had plenty of drinking water for our float. Actually, lots of water; it was going to be a hot one.



We made it to the State Park, set up camp for the evening and hit the river for a little relaxing and, for me at least, a cast or two. After about an hour and half, and only two small sunfish to show for my effort, we headed back to camp to prepare beef fajitas (with all the fixings) and organize our camping/kayak gear for our early start the next morning. As the sun set and moon began to rise we were greeted by clear skies and the Big Dipper.



Up by 6:30, Andy began breaking camp while I made breakfast tacos utilizing the leftover fajita meat and fixings. A hearty breakfast before we set off on our long, hot day on the river. We arrived at the 2nd crossing a little before 8, our scheduled meet up time, and began to unload our gear and kayaks. Bob and his son showed up a little after 8 and gave us numerous pointers on which holes we should concentrate on for fishing. He also informed us that because of the large mayfly hatches on the river we need to throw yellow lures. Of course, we had no yellow lures or flies. We even discussed the Pecos River and Bob brought up the video of B_Rod and co.'s rescue, and he was surprised that I friends with them. Confident we had everything we needed they left with Andy's truck and we finished up loading our kayaks. 5 minutes later I realized I left my river shoes in his car. GGGRRRREEEAATTTT. Wearing my all leather flip flops on the river wasn't going to cut it, and it probably would have held us up an hour before they could return with my shoes. I decided to press on and I would do the 18.5 miles barefoot. We snapped our launch photo and pushed off into the cool waters on the South Llano River.



As soon as you launch you're immediately channeled into a rapid. We made a few casts in the first pool before we slid down a chain of falls. Another pool and another rapid before we were forced to tether our kayaks slide then over a small fall that wasn't worth trying to run in the kayaks. The views from the surrounding hills and coupled with the fun rapids made this first mile and a half a blast for paddling.



At the 1.5 mile marker we had to make our first of three low water crossings; this one was 1st Crossing. There were three people unloading their kayaks when we arrived, but two other vehicles had already launched ahead of them so we would have company at some point on the river. Like the the beginning our trip we were immediately channeled into another rapid, this one completely covered up with overhanging Sycamore tree limbs. This would be a common occurrence on the river where the river channel swung tightly to the bank and low hanging tree limbs. Our rods spent more time in our laps than in their rod holders. After a couple more pools and rapids and just past the 2 River Mile mark we entered a large pool with boulder islands and cliff shooting 160+ feet up from the river; a beautiful sight. It was here that Andy, while standing in his kayak, caught his very first fish from said kayak. The location made for one helluva a photo.



We then entered what was my favorite rapid of the river, about River Mile 3.5. It behaved more like the Tube Chute on the Comal River. The water was swift, tight and curvy. I wanted to portage back up and run it again.



For the next few miles it was a series of pools and rapids and great scenery as the river valley through this section of the South Llano was tight. This is when we first encountered others out enjoying the river. There were two groups. A group of four about our age and two older, flyfishing gentlemen. We decide around River Mile 5 that we would break for lunch and let the others get farther down the river. However, at River Mile 6 we found our second low water crossing and congestion. The group of 4 portaged over the the crossing and we just exchanged the typical "how's the fishing" chit chat, although they didn't appear to be in the small talk mood.

Andy and I decided to use this opportunity to cool off in the swift moving river as it was approaching 1 in the afternoon and the temp was inching closer to the century mark. At that point the two older flyfishing guys caught up to us and they were in a much better mood to talk fishing. Our conversation started like this:

Me - "How's it going? Catching any fish?"

FF #1 - "Ok, we got one. Between the two of us."

Me - "Yeah, sounds a lot like our report, though we've each managed to land one each. Y'all fish the South Llano much?"

FF #2 - "Oh, since about '71 or '72."

Me - "Oh, so I guess you've made the float once or twice before."

From there they went on about the river and how back in the 70's and 80's there used to be a lot of barbed-wire crossing the river and how much it has changed. The conversation steered to our aerial river maps (everyone always asks where I get them, one of the perks from my job I guess), to fly fishing other rivers, than to fly fishing Rockport area. I gave the guys some tips on where to go because they were interested in mother-shipping their kayaks down there. I always enjoy striking up a conversation with fellow anglers on the river.

At this point in the report y'all are probably getting frustrated that the links to photos to go along with the story show nothing. Well, at this juncture of the trip while taking a cooling off siesta we managed to lose my waterproof camera. Andy and I don't know how it happened because it had been placed in the seat of the kayak. It's probably caught up in the downed tree at the low water crossing, but with the swift water there was no point in spending too much time looking for it. I'm not upset by the loss of the camera, it can be replaced, but for the one photo of Andy's first fish from his kayak; that's the real loss. After our short search for the camera we said our goodbyes to the flyfishing gentlemen and continued down river. We were a bit ambitious with our paddling schedule which was OK since the fishing through this portion of the river wasn't that great. Wanting to get off the river in a timely manner the next day for our drive back north to Fort Worth we settled on finding a campsite somewhere along the 11 River Mile mark.

We scouted several campsites as we approached the State Park boundary before deciding on a spot about a 1/4 mile up from the State Park on an exposed rocky part of the riverbed. We cleared off a spot for our tent in the shade of a Sycamore tree, pulled out our camp chairs and relaxed for a bit. My feet were screaming at me after several portages we had to make throughout the day; obviously my feet are not as tough as they used to be. Our hearty breakfast tacos and small snacks had carried us well through the day, but by time we made camp, and even though we eclipsed 100 degrees that day, we were wanting a hot meal for dinner. Then, thinking back to when we loaded that kayask up nearly 12 miles and 10 hours earlier, I asked Andy, "Did you pack your campstove?"

Andy looked at his kayak with an empty stare. I knew what the answer would be probably before he knew it.

After a long day of paddling in a Texas summer heat, my feet tenderized by river rocks, a lost camera, and now no stove for preparing our dehydrated dinners our moral was low. So, we did what anyone would do in our situation, we cracked open some cold ones and stared at the river.



Half way through our beers (Real Ale 4 Squared for me and Miller Lite for Andy) Andy tossed out the idea that, although you can't boil water in a plastic container, you can get it hot enough to rehydrate a meal. Not feeling too confident in our ability to successfully boil water in a plastic jug without melting it we both mentally inventoried our gear for anything metal we could boil water in for dinner.

We each take another sip of beer.

Neither of us came up with anything we had that we could use. We had to rely on our snacks to get us through the rest of our trip. Andy was not thrilled we were going to go to bed hungry. As Andy crushed his aluminum can I took my last sip of beer and looked down at what I was holding in my hand.



Yup, this whole time Andy and I were Dumb & Dumber. We had been drinking beer from an aluminum can while thinking of anything metal we had with us to boil water for dinner. After this day we needed that good laugh. We easily started a fire and I made quick work with my knife to remove the tops from two cans so that we could boil water. Ok, I know we weren't in a dire situation, but having a belly full of a hot meal sure feels good. And let that be a survival tip to everyone. Pack beer! You'll never know when you'll need a "pot" to boil water.



After dinner we finished clearling out the larger river rocks to setup our tent. Feeling better about the day Andy decided to channel his inner Native American and chip out some flint to make an arrowhead. Spoiler alert, he didn't succeed.





Apparently that night we set up near a hog highway as we heard them in the brush and splashing in the river throughout the night. It was a bit unnerving, but nothing a quick spotlight with our flashlights to spook them away wouldn't take care of. The next morning we were up nice and early and hit the river shortly after 7. We fished the first pool before the making the third and final low water crossing.





For some reason, despite what the flow gauge says, the river didn't seem to be flowing as strong for the last 6.5 miles of our trip. However, the water for this last stretch looked more fishy with its Topaz coloration. At about River Mile 13.5 we fished the most productive hole of the trip; we landed 4 fish. Like the day before we spent more time paddling than fishing. With the lower flow we found ourselves having to make as many portages in the last 6.5 miles than we did in the first 12 miles from the day before. We managed to make it to our take out point around noon where we called Bob to have our truck delivered to us. To me this last portion of the river wasn't quite as scenic as the first 9 miles or so, but the fishing holes look a lot better.





We quickly loaded up our kayaks and gear, changed into fresh clothes, and headed to Isaack's Restaurant for a chicken fried steak before making our way back north. Although the fishing wasn't what were hoping, and I never landed a Rio Grande Cichlid, the trip was more than worth it. Now excuse me, I have to make and emergency set of river sandals out of Duck Tape and bailing wire.

Sounds like a great trip overall

Sounds like a great time ... BUT ...

I haven't been on the South Llano except for some bank fishing one time at the State Park, but I was doing some wading on both the Frio and Nueces rivers last week and have to say, I don't envy two days on the river barefoot.

Nice report Josh! Enjoyed the read. That little river has really been getting pounded with kayakers the past 5 years or so. It's still beautiful but the fishery is not nearly as productive (big fish) as it once was...

With post like this.

May have to start drinking beer again!!!

Good one Josh.

Next time you are in town, swing by A&M Gonzalez's cafe (In the parking lot of the grocery store) for one of the best chicken fired steaks you will eat!

Awesome report. Thanks.

Awesome report! It's a standing joke at my house that almost anything can be fixed with duct tape & bailing wire. My in-laws even took pity on me and wanted to buy me a new pair of boots after seeing me wearing some that I had taped up! If you wind up at Fuzzy's in Stephenville again, give me a shout. I'll try to meet you there and buy ya a round.

Great story! Enjoyed the read and great trip!

Great Report Josh, made for a nice read.

Nice read and great pics. Thanks for sharing.

Great story. Thanks.

Great report - haven't fished the Llano in years but need to do it again! Thanks for putting this together - good job!

Awesome Post! Thanks for sharing.



Side Note: I fished the San Saba River a few week ago just outside of Junction. Loved it. Also love catching those Rio's.