I think there will be some good numbers going up the Yegua. Let the water clear a little and the bite will be on. We also need some warmer weather to get them on a chew again. Think about it, people were catching some fish when we had those hot days and warm nights because the water temps were up. These fish like warmer waters. When the water is cold, they tend to concentrate in deeper water pockets and become sluggish. They will bite, but you have to hit them in the nose in order to do so. And when you do find a pocket of them, they will be stacked in there. But they are hard to find.
Deep slow-moving water is where they will lie on the bottom in cold water. Deep pocket on the Yegua is like 8 to 10 feet deep. Really isn't to many of these areas, but there are a few.

Below is a shot taken by a friend of mine who flew by Lake Somerville on 2/12/2023. Angle is looking towards the South Southeast side of the lake. Nails creek area is on the right side of the image. As you can see, the Yegua is still high and muddy. You can also see how little water there is in the lake. Lake level is currently 235.52' just under 2.5' low.

Thanks for the aerial photo

This ain't nothing new.. Same situation 11 years ago.. about the first of March 2012



Some guys will do some crazy things to get at the best springtime fishing and I'm one of those guys.

The 2011 Texas drought is still making history but Lake Somerville has been on the rise from a historic low level of more then 10 feet below normal pool level. February 2012 was the wettest in recorded history and went a long way in pushing back at the drought but the lake remains nearly three feet low and that makes getting up into Yegua creek from the lake nearly impossible for everyone except six crazy guys dumb enough to try..

Parts I, II, & III combined 25 minutes
Google map to Nails Creek Unit. http://goo.gl/maps/Pbsc2

6280 FM 180
Ledbetter, Texas 78946

Phone (979) 289-2392
Email Nails.Creek@tpwd.state.tx.us
Website http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-par...

Boudreaux, that photo is nice intel!

Looks like a clear channel for the fish to me.

There is a good flow coming in to the lake. Those fish only need a few inches to get up there. I've seen them swim like a salmon running up flowing water and jumping over rocks.

I did fish the San Gabe yesterday afternoon. Ran up past the steps from the makin lake by boat. No bites on live minnows under cork or on bottom. Caught a handful of males all over 10". Saw some other catches about the same. Fish were in 10 FOW or less over rocky bottoms. Caught on the typical white bass type baits. Water clarity was good, slight flow, still pretty chilly, forgot to check actual temp.

Very cool! Thanks for sharing.

I agree that is a neat photo. It will be interesting to see if a lot of bass make it up through those narrow channels.

Great photo Boudreaux. Thanks for sharing

Newman Bottom is back open!!

I fished a couple spots below Irwin bridge and a couple spots up into the mouth of the middle Yegua but didn't catch anything. The water is settling down quickly now but there was still only 2 to 3 inches of visibility.

I fished 3 spots above Newman bridge and 3 spots below the bridge but didn't catch anything. The water was slightly better with 3 to 4 inches of visibility.

There were several people fishing but I didn't talk to anyone that had caught more than 2 fish. It's really close though. I felt like it was fishable in certain areas.

One big warm rain and its on

TFI on NB, and pic @J-Moe
May try NB Wednesday, if no luck upstream from "The Steps"/SGR or WC/LG
And thx4sharing ariel photo @Boudreaux, thats so Cool

Thanks for the good report, J-Moe!

I fished Newman Bottom this morning and only managed 3 white bass. I creek looks great but not many fish there right now. Did see a couple spawning fish. Lake needs to come up some more.