The girlfriend and I headed down to Austin this weekend. She wanted to explore the swimming holes and creeks you guys have down there, and I did too, though for very different reasons. I hadn't fished in Barton Creek before, though I found it similar to the Paluxy we have up here near Dallas -- largely shallow clear water. I really enjoyed the sight fishing aspect, though I spooked wayyyyy more fish than I caught. The big ones in particular saw me long before I saw them or could get a cast in. Generally I watched them swim away from me. The smaller 8-10" fish were a bit more agreeable, and I landed several.





Second stop was downstream a ways, and upon reaching the creek bed, I thought I might be in trouble.





Fortunately we persisted and after a mile and half or so we found some workable water.

Just downstream of where we were fishing the creek vanished into the limestone. But because of that the fish were pretty much stuck in the low water and there were a LOT of them in a small area. Got another few bass to hand, though the larger models were yet again not cooperating. Also landed my first Rio on this trip.



Additionally, we got a new waterproof camera to play with. I'm still learning, but our first couple efforts aren't bad! It's cool to get a new angle.






White/chartreuse Clouser was my most successful fly as usual, but I also had luck with a bluegill color deceiver and I got a decent 12" bass on a big deer hair frog pattern.

we were down there in august and I didn't bother with Barton maybe I should have checked it out. Good piks and nice rio

That rock you're standing on is my personal favorite part of Lost Creek. I can't count the number of hours I've stood out there with a fly rod. Barton Creek is my favorite water in all of Austin, I'm not sure why it gets overlooked so much. There are so many bass and sunfish in there it's hard to believe. My best fishing has come down below Campbell's Hole, but you pretty much have to be on the water by 6 AM or during the week to avoid the crowds.

I just moved to Houston and these pictures bring a tear to my eye. My only regret is I wasn't able to catch a carp to complete my species list.

Excellent Post

Thanks for sharing

There were some big fish in that hole -- at least two big bass and a carp. I definitely found that you have one, maybe two shots before the fish shut down. The clear water is such a game changer.

I'll have to try farther down next time I'm in Austin.

I blush to admit how long it took me to stop sight casting to fish. Like you said, the water is so clear, once you've seen the fish, he's already seen you as well. Once I started casting to the points where the fish are supposed to be rather than the places I actually saw them, my catch rate went up an order of magnitude.