I'm guessing the area was closed for hunting but the scheduled hunts suggest a different reason.

For dates and details about hunting see: https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-area-details.phtml?OArea=SS

The Yegua should be fishing well but to be safe you might need to come up from the lake in a boat or kayak and stay in the lower end and steer clear of the duck hunters. To avoid disturbing the hunters it is best to start heading towards the creeks mid to late morning.

I called the office yesterday and was told Newman's is closed for repairs stemming from flood damage, and not closed due to hunting.

If that's the case it doesn't really make sense then. Why are we not allowed to at least hike in? All areas of the park have flood damage, but only Newman's is closed?

Anyone had any luck catching any crappie in the creeks?

I fished the Yegua yesterday For about 6 hrs and caught a few crappies and largemouths near Irwin bridge. I walked downstream from the lower parking lot and the creek is shallow with few fish. The positive side is the water clarity is excellent. I didn’t talk to anyone who had caught crappie except one guy said he caught a keeper right under the bridge last week. Here is a pic of my best crappie for the day (not much but I enjoyed the thump):

J-Moe and I have hit Nails, Yegua, Birch and Jerdelle with little to show for our efforts crappie-wise catching only a few black bass and some sunfish.

The lake is at or near normal 238 pool level with little flow from any of the creeks to make it rise up.

The crappie and whitebass will move up into the creeks when the lake jumps up a foot or more otherwise there is little to entice the fish to move from the deep water.

The lower end of the Yegua is still the best bet but the lake needs a good rise to really bring up the fish in mass.

Four out of the last five years the lake has flooded at the start of summer and that might be good for the fishing overall but it is tough on the whole area both economically and environmentally.

Lake Somerville State Park has really taken a beating and it is about time to help them bring the whole complex back online. Check back here for more details on how all you fishermen can help.

No crappie in Birch Creek either. But there is bass.

It was another fantastic weekend gifted to me by the "Magical Clouser". I caught well over 50 white bass but it wasn't the whites that made it fantastic. It was the hybrids!!!!!

I forgot how exhausting it is to catch 5 lb. hybrids on a 4 weight fly rod, with 6 lb. fluorocarbon and a size 8 clouser. But I sure didn't forget how awesome it is to do so

I ended up catching 5 in the 21.5 to 23.5 inch range, several undersized, got broke off 3 times and had a couple more spit the hook at the bank.

Good job JMoe! They are some nice looking hybrids.

Man that looks fun. Hybrid on the fly from the bank!!! Think I found a new idol.

That’s awesome! It’s been many moon since I fished for whites and hybrids. Highly underrated fish on the long rod.

Thanks Alan, Bones and CJ

Nice catch, J-Moe! Sounds like you had a great day.

Thanks for the report!