Hello all:

I grew up surf fishing in Galveston, TX. For the past ~15 years I have only really done any fishing when I was back home. I'd like to find some opportunities to get fishing again.

I live in NW Austin, and I'd love to find a (reasonably accessible -- 4wd/hike ok) place to catch some catfish and drink some beer. Any thoughts? Also I may have dumb questions about tactics, thanks in advance!

Can't help you with the catfish, but there is plenty of great beer around Austin. Among my favorites are Pinthouse Pizza (three locations, North Austin, South Austin and Round Rock), Jester King (far southwest Austin on the way to Dripping Springs), Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company (South Austin) and Austin Beerworks (North Austin). Up near you in Northwest Austin I would recommend fishing Brushy Creek and the San Gabriel River. Not sure about catfish, but they are great streams with outstanding fishing for all manners of fish.

Granger lake is probably your best bet. Access the upper part of the river in the WMA, down from "the Steps". This time of year there is little pressure down there. The river has some deep holes and lots of stumps/timber holding cats.