Decided to hit the Middle Brazos River to do a little pre-fishing for upcoming guide trips.

I will be traveling solo on this outing, since my Son, RiverViking decided to ditch me in favor of a Six Flags trip with his Grandfather. A choice he would later regret. LOL!

I arrive at the river to find my trail completely blocked by a felled tree. After a brief strap and drag session, I'm down to the remote River launch.

I head up river, in anticipation of a afternoon generation schedule.

Things start out nicely with a few 15-16" Spotted Bass the Middle is so famous for.









As I move upriver, I come to a familiar strainer in 3 ft of water with a undercut bank and overhanging branches. Knowing this to be a heaven for LMB, giant Smallmouth and Spotted bass, I approach on one knee with caution and stealth as I flip my Berkley Hand Poured Power Finesse Worm into the strainer. I am quickly rewarded with back to back 18" and 21" LMB.









I proceed up river, catching LMB and spotted bass along the way. At one of my favorite Spotted Bass runs, I encounter a fiesty 16" Spot that gives me a noble tussle on 6 # gear.





I continue up river to another area, where I spot a couple of shadows lurking. I arm up with a Zara Puppy and much to my suprise...... I find myself in the middle of a wide open Redbreast Sunfish topwater bite. Check these babies out. Any one of them would replace the existing Brazos River Record. My flyfishing customers will be drooling over these photos!










Suddenly, the River begins to rise. I change up gear and tactics as I quickly round up a dozen 10-16" gizzard shad and head down river to one of my favorite spots to fish for catfish on a rise.

I quickly bait up with cut center and head sections for soaking on the bottom around a felled tree in about 5 foot of water.

I does not take long, and I'm into a typical Brazos Channel Cat.






As I continue to soak my choice baits, one of my oversize head sections gets blasted!!!

I grab the rod and wind tight to a solid fish that has no trouble keeping it's head down and looking for a break off. I quickly introduce the fish to my gameplan as I lean into my glass rod as my fish takes line under heavy drag, only to be denied freedom at the last moment as rod and mono load up for the "rubber band effect" as my fish unwillingly turns from the felled tree.

Soon I have at my feet, one of the largest Channel Catfish I have ever seen in 20 years on the Brazos. After a quick CPR and measurement session, back in the drink She goes.

Here is another shot of the new pending Texas State Record Catch & Release Channel Catfish of 32.5 "





Middle Brazos River Multi Species trip anyone?

Shane, That's awsome. Itching to do another trip with you very soon.

i asked my wife for a yak trip for my b-day in october.

Thanks, Dan.

I can't believe it was a solo trip. I sure would have liked to seen those fish in the hands of a customer!!!

Let me know when you get a date in mind.

I'm looking forward to it.

That is fantastic, Chris.

Let me know when you get a date in mind.

I have a few dates available, but October looks to be filling up.

That looks awesome and like something I would like to try. Would you please email me @ stevehummert@alltel.net with some open dates in September and your rates?

thanks,
Steve

Shane, I am definitely falling in love with the brazos. Went with the Fly Fishers from Fort Worth and we had a great time last saturday. It seemed like the hotter it got, the better the fishing got. Strange, but true. I'll holler at you, later.
Russell

Thanks, Steve.

Will do on the e-mail.

I hear Ya, Russell.

I am enjoying my 20 year Love Affair with Her.

Your observation of the bite heating up with the day is correct.

In a river, many of the species are concentrated in certain areas of the river when the sun gets high in the sky. This is especially true in a clear river such as the Upper Brazos.

Sounds like some folks will be witnessing first hand, just how good that bite can be................

Wow!!! What a report and great pictures!!!!! Your customers are gonna have a blast.

Ok, YaknYota, I've got a couple little trips set this fall to come visit your beloved Middle Brazos. We're yakkin' and camping on the bars for a long weekend between the Granbury dam and Glen Rose. Most of the trip is just for the paddling fun, but a couple of us are a little than a bit inspired by your reports. Is the fall bite as good as the summer bite? Any suggestions for good put in, pull out locations?

were is the middle brazzos?

Sounds like a great trip. Late Summer and Fall are great on the Brazos River. When I fish that part of the Middle, I usually will put in on private access at Pecan Plantation,
Or, I target the convergence of the Squaw, Pauluxy, Brazos.
I do not utilize a shuttle as all my trips are paddle in, paddle out.

Good luck!

The portion of the Brazos from L. Grandbury down to the Marlin
area, past Waco.