As some of you know I lost my wife in Nov. Now it is just me and my 16 year old son at home. Sometime this year I would like to take him on a vacation, just a father son thing so we can get away and get our minds off of things. What I have in mind is to pull our old bass boat and rent a cabin somewhere where we have a good chance of catching fish. We are both novice fishermen and don't catch much on the lakes around here. I would possibly like to hire a guide for the first day or two we are there so we can learn some of the ropes on whatever lake we are going to fish.
I'm thinking of the DFW area but need help deciding where, when and who. Your suggestions and advice will be appreciated.

I should add that it's my plan to spend 5 days to a week wherever we go.

TIA

First of all I would like to say sorry for your loss.
I would recomend Fork. I use John Tanner as a guide. www.lakeforkbassguide.com He is always friendly and will treat you to a good time. Only problem is, be books up in a hurry. Good luck on your trip, wherever you go.

i would like to say sorry as well. I know you said the DFW area but if you gonna spend 5 days to a week, I would say Falcon Lake. Yes' it is a long drive but you have almost a week. You will catch fish and big fish at that. It is beautiful lake IMO. On a clear day, you can see the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico. Truly beautiful. Something a 16 yr. old will never forget. Not to mention, I live down here and I am always amazed every time I see Mexico. To a 16 yr. old who has possibly never seen it, a trip of a lifetime. Thats just my .02

RRaider,
I am also very sorry for your loss.
If you're at all interested in catfishing and spending some time at Choke Canyon which has one of the most beautiful state parks I've ever seen, give me a call, and we can talk. 830-377-8727.

Mrs. Oldgringo and I send our condolences.

We had a great trip the week before Thanksgiving to Beavers Bend SP and Broken Bow lake in Oklahoma. Fantastic scenery, a great lake full of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. If that's not enough, there is some 14 miles of trophy trout fishing in the river below the dam. Do a search for Beavers Bend SP. You'll find all sorts of accomodations and services.

Good luck and God Bless - to both of you.

My condolences to you and your son on your loss. I think a nice fishing trip is in order for you. I would recommend a nice lake like Lake Fork. Jimmy Everett is a top notch guy and would be able to put you on the fish (903)-598-2505 or (903)-216-1867. I have been out with him before and I have already booked two more days in Feb. I don�t think he would have a problem showing you some spots to fish on your own. I would also recommend that you give Fayette Co. a try. It is a little drive from the DFW area, but it is an awesome fishery for catfish and bass. It is also a little easier to navigate then Lake Fork. I hope that this helps you and again I am sorry for your loss.

Look into Lake Whitney. Beautiful lake, good fishing and several outstanding lakeside resort facilities.

I am sorry for your loss. I know that the time spent with my Dad when I was young created priceless memories. As a youth, sometimes we wouldn't see eye to eye on things. But when we hooked up the boat to go fishing, we were always able to find common ground and solve whatever was bothering us at the time. Fishing is more than catching fish, it is therapy for the hurts life can throw at us........... I would suggest coming to Sam Rayburn for your trip. If you haven't been here, it is a great escape and very peaceful. The lake is very fishermen friendly and it is usually easy to catch fish here and the lake offers both size and numbers. If you hire a guide for a day, you will be able to figure out what you need to be doing. I have cabins that are a great place to stay and I would suggest my rustic log cabin, you and your son would love it. It is an 80 year old original log cabin that we rennovated and updated. We are located one mile to the closest ramp and have great boat parking. Even if you don't stay with me, check out Big Sam for your trip. There are lots of places to stay here and 120,000 acres of lake to fish. The lake is 4 feet high and in the bushes, the outlook for the spring is great. There was a 5 fish 27 pound stringer caught today in the WBFL event.

God bless and good fishing,

RRaider,

Check out our Website at www.gonefishin.biz . It has a link to Fisherman's Point Marina on Lake Richland Chambers. Fisherman's Point has nice small Cabins at a very reasonable price, and the Marina is very family oriented. We offer a "Package Special" that includes a Fishing Trip, Cabin and Lunch at a very nice cost. RC is about an hour and a half south of Dallas between Corsicana and Palestine. It's a great Lake for folks who want to catch a bunch of fish as it's loaded with White Bass, has some Hybrids and lots of Catfish & Crappie.

If you do want to learn the Lake with a Guide, my Son would be great as he's in his 20's and would relate very well to your Son! Give us a call if we can be of Service.

Royce & Adam Simmons
Gone Fishin' Guide Service
www.gonefishin.biz
903-389-4117

from my experience growing up in Texas and having MANY family vacations all over the state.... The ones that I always enjoyed the best were the ones to the coast. You have so many options on where to fish, and are always catching something. Even if its just ol hardhead cats off the pier-- its still catching. You can hire a guide for a day or two of redfish and speck trout fishing... then fish the rest the time off the piers.... You can also chase and catch the sand crabs on the beach at night, then go use them for bait... they work GREAT!

Thanks to all of you. I have a lot to consider! I read each idea to my son and we are going to decide together what we want to do.

Sorry for your loss. I might suggest a trip to the coast. Fish the bays visit the beach eat well. You could fish both Choke Canyon and the bay.

That's one of the ideas we are kicking around. He has never been to the coast and I haven't been since I was a kid.

A long drive, to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, will do WONDERS!

I would consider the Lake Fork area. You can not only hunt for the legendary bass that Fork offers, but just minutes away is beautiful Lake Tawakoni. They have some excellent striper guides in Joe Read and Jimmy Smith. Nothing like catching multiple species in one trip, especially when the stripers and hybrids are schooling. Watching the water boil above a huge school of striper and catching a limit of fish between 6 to 10 pounds in less than an hour was what made me buy a boat in the first place.