Friday-will put in behind the dam and float down a couple of miles and head back. Been many times, but not this year. Water flow is generally Ok and I know they aren't generating much so I'm wondering who's been recently? Generally can do OK on Bass w/ small worms and poppers. Any reports on any other species. Saturday; probably going to Rochelles and paddle up or down stream and then back. Same questions for Rochelles.

well i just saw the "Brazos Release" post. That may put a damper on my "going down and coming back" idea.

I'm going Saturday with a big group (10 canoes) -- I've never fished it and most in my group won't be fishing. I figure I'll toss finesse plastics and gulps to deeper holes and maybe throw a small spinner or real small square bill 4 ft. crank.

I may put together an ultralight C-rig or something similar.

Anyone have suggestions for a newbie?

Bring some topwater plugs with ya.

Texas rigged crawfish seem to be a good "all around" choice.

I prefer the Berkley Crazy Leg Chigger Craws in dark colors, usually pumpkin green.

I have caught a few topwater fish on the Brazos in the morning and evening, but the crawfish produced the most numbers for me.

minnows work great there. Especially the ones you catch in the riffles. I have also caught some large Bass and stripers on bream.

It also doesn't hurt to bring along some rooster tails or in line spinners. Always a 'go to' lure in the river. As mentioned before, try soft creature baits or senko worms as well.

how did this trip go?

Mine was OK. I mostly fished up towards the dam w/ good results both morning and evening. My trip was just a float up or down and come back to the launch. Fished topwater all day and had caught bass up to 5 lbs. I'd say in the two days; I caught 20 lmb and more sandies than I can count. The sand bass are thick up towards the dam (small though). Lots of jetboats on the water this weekend. I guess you can't slow those things down in the river or something b/c I was swamped 2 or 3 times in my yak and canoe. Maybe the engine goes too low or something? Just part of it on the river!!

I fished very little because we had lots of children with us (group of 26) and I was the only one really interested in fishing. When we stopped in was usually in shallow rapids type water for the kids to play. Also - If your going to get to Hwy 4 in two days - you need to keep paddling.

Great water level . . . heat during the day not bad at all. Heat at night miserable. Unless you sleep in the river - July is not good for an overnight trip for that reason.

What happens to the river in the fall? I assume they let out less water because less power generation is needed but I also assume you get more water in from the feeder creeks. Can anyone tell me if late Sept/Oct is floatable on the 16 to 4 stretch?

They dont generate power at PK dam. The flow is pretty constant all year long.

Personally if I'm doing an overnighter; Spring is my favorite, but you do have to deal w/ the possibility of storms, etc. I think I saw you guys heading out in the morning. Looked like a huge group! I bet that was a challenge but a lot of fun for those kids.

Yeah spring time is great because the water is cool. The days are warm and the nights are cool. I went this year at the beginning of April and it was perfect. Late september early october is nice also.

Dave: This is what I got off the BRA website. I would not know personally however.

"The Morris Sheppard dam is a hydro electric generating facility with two 11,250 kilowatt generators. Categorized as a "peaking plant," the generators supply electricity during high demand periods."

That's interesting b/c I've been down there a ton and have only seen them generate once. Obviously they do it more, but in all the times I've fished down there; I've yet to see it. You'd think the last 25 days constitute "Peak" time!!