Well I got out of work early and headed north Thursday. Even knowing I�d only have an hour of light I thought the first day of warmer temps might turn them on. The water is still very muddy but bait fish where scattering on the surface all over. Flows were a little higher from generation but the fish didn�t disappoint. Caught small Striper on the first cast. I proceeded to catch fish till well into the dark. About an hour after dark as when I realize I was not planning on staying that late and didn�t have my headlamps Lol. I switched over to a big shad pattern hoping for a big bite. In ten cast with just one sandbass ol reliable size six chartreuse and white clouser went right back on. They were really keying in on the smaller baitfish. The only problem with that small ply is the heavy job bone of a larger striper It�s really hard to penetrate you really have to have a strong Hookset. I had two really big fish on that pulled off after hittin the backing. Then I lost the biggest Striper I�ve ever got a look at on the fly rod. This fish almost cut my finger off getting on the reel. It wasted no time getting well into the backing. I finally got it turned toward me and got it to my feet. As soon as it saw me gone again for another backing run. I finally thought I had it wipped and made a hard pull to turn the fish it looked to be in the 18 to 20 pound range the last lunge the fish made and adios. The hook had finally straitened out I was devistated but can�t conpl was an epic outing. Pics to follow.

Funny thing one of the best lakes anywhere for blue cat and I can�t five little Dinks. But oh what a winter of fishing we are about to have.

North fish are a good

Nice fish and nice report Robert.

Awesome post. Good job.

Well formula462, bonofly, and I Contemplated what this cold weather would do to them. Just almost chickened out oh so glad we didn�t. The fish were so active you couldn�t strip fast enough. Didn�t seem to matter size color or anything they were on the feed for sure. Not as many big Striper as Thursday as I think they were full. Sandbass on the other hand these were near lower Sabine fish�not quite� as I�ve seen. We smacked them from cast one till our toes, Fingers, and arms had enough! This has been some unrealistic fishing for this time of year it is absolutely on fire they drive north is not bad but worth every minute.

Impressive! As usual, you're dial in. Wouldn't it be great if it lasts all winter. How are the crowds?

I think it will last all winter for sure. Definitely Dialed and very rare for this temperature and time of year.Other than the meat market being there we were the only ones.

Didja getny the only thing we have to worry about is poaching. If They will stay put long enough with short or to many Fish I�ve got several game wardens numbers handy.

Awesome report Robert, as always!

Very nice. Always enjoy stripe on fly.

You still using that four weight on those big boys?

Awesome! That's great to hear. Fish with stripes are always the best

I'm out of town this weekend, or I'd head straight over! Maybe next weekend...

Denison is finally down now too, so maybe I'll give that a shot as well.

Thanks guys. No Capt. With that shot at truly large Striper on any cast been flinging the eight wt. the ten inch Striper are near as fun though. I get brave May take my little 7�6�3wt lol. My arms sore from the last two days with the eight though haha.