I got a chance to hit up the steps yesterday for a few hours. It was really tough fishing, caught three whites and one small black. But the fact that I was able to go fish was enough for me. It was awesome to be on the river and not dealing with the pressures of life. I might get a chance to hit it again today on my way back home from north Austin before the rains come. Speaking of which, we need some rain and a good water rise to get this spawn going in full swing.

I completely agree fiishytx we really need some rain. The San Gabby is down over a foot from where I first tried it on Presidents' Day. I still have yet to catch a female either though I have heard of them being caught at the actual "steps"; I have been fishing at the upper access point. Mud doesn't seem to effect them too much so may be down again before the weekend.

J-moe I'll be getting some more supplies in shortly and hope to tie up some more flies that more closely approximate the little tail-spot minnows that the fish seem to be feeding on instead of "crashing the hatch" with my obnoxious attractor patterns

I wasn't sure of the name of the minnow. It has that split tail that is very distinctive. I look forward to seeing a picture of your tail-spot clouser

I was researching what the forage species that are up the creeks here in Central Texas and the tail-spot shiner was one of the most prevalent. There are several other species that look very similar including the endangered Devil's River minnow. The shiner is the one I think I am seeing in the river being more silvery instead of having a more pinkish hue. There are a few other species I have seen dredged up in cast nets (I always check the bait buckets of the guys with nets) including "stone-rollers" I remember from growing up in Virginia. I don't see the glass-minnows down there on gabby like I see up here on the Lampasas. Was told that they are in the lakes along the drainage though.

Arrived 6:30 am and caught almost 40 keeper, left at 9:30 am. What a blessing day!!

The steps have been very productive for all. Get out and catch a few before they quit biting. I have seen a lot of spawning action and that means the female will spawn out and then return to the lake. All of March is awesome fishing, so there is still time to get out there and enjoy this fine sport at its peak.

Visit this place again this morning, Try different lures only caught one on 3 hours. But one guy next to me who caught limit by fry fishing under 2 hours. Looks the white like fry fishing bait more this morning.

Made to the steps today and got a limit. It was slow in the morning only managed 5. I was thanking about leaving about 11:30 but the fish turned on and I caught 20 in the next 30 minutes.

Did you catch any over 14 inches?

I love fishing, the quiet, being surrounded by nature, and having God moments while enjoying Earth. But today the amount of people on the river wasn’t my cup of tea. We tried for 3 hours and got only a few bites. Everyone that caught seemed to be getting males that barely reached 10. Let the 10’s go. I see posts about the steps and their productivity but haven’t experienced it in the three years I’ve been. I’m being a little negative and apologize to those that enjoy the Steps but, it reminds me of Rollover Pass at Bolivar when I was a kid. Not so much marking fish but trying not to get tangled with the person on both sides and across from you.

it's raining today. but my co-workers and I are headed to the steps after work today. raingear?, waders?, --- got them! 12" + WB today? will find out soon. ---- Lots of people fishing today in the rain? I know of three of us will be. --- we will find out if others are too. This will be the second time I've been out here this year. One of my buddies has never been here. I'll post a report later.

tight lines all!

My coworkers and I fished last Friday and had a little luck. We bought some minnows from the nearby store. We got to the water about 5:30pm. We fished until dark at 8pm. Artificial's weren't working so we switched to minnows. within minutes of throwing a minnow out, we found a spot that was holding a few. I've been busy at work and haven't had a chance to get this out. We had fun. we caught enough for a good meal. Fun times.

I hope the recent Court Order to shelter-at-home won't last too long. Until next time.

tight lines all!

So has anyone been out lately? I know COE closed the parks but are the steps or Willis creek WMA still open?
TIA