Brazos River Below Whitney

A buddy and I met up with Keebranch and Trout Bum on the Brazos River Below whitney Monday. Nice river, lots of fish. Most of the sunfish were caught with flys but but the bigger bass were on a roostertail (fish locator)

Pretty fish and scenery!

Very nice once again. What kind of camera do you use? Your pics are always so good.

That is so cool that you guys all got together! That had to have been a blast.

Are there any more photos?

All,
It was a pleasure meeting HL&S and his compadre Bill. They were kind enough to baby sit me while Trout Bum raced away down river with the food and the car keys. All in all good fishing and good times.
Les

Very cool guys! Maybe next time ya'll might put me on the list too. I would love to 'yak and fly with ya'll. That is not very far for me to go. Lee

Yes, I have 50+ more photos of the trip but really don't want to work that many photos down to web ready. I've had about all I can stand of fish porn and will only post those photos that are in focus with good lighting or that show something a little different. The Brazos river below Whitney is a special place for fisherman. The way to go is down river in a kayak or canoe but almost the whole river is wadeable. I saw very little trash and the water is clear and cool coming out from the bottom of Lake Whitney. If it wasn't for the two big loud air-boats ( but well behaved operators ) it would have been very peaceful the whole way down. I'd bet that if you were to go on a regular weekday you would have the entire river to yourself.. The fishing is very good lots of bass, sunfish, carp and catfish. Unlike the more popular river the Guadalupe there really doesn't seem to be much recreational use on the Brazos other then fishing.

Hook, line, and sinker. Here's the rest of the story, and defending myself. We passed you guys while you were at the gas station. Then when you guys showed up, and saw the TFF sticker, you asked who we were. That was cool, when we realized who we all were. This has happened so many times, for me. That is one reason I like this forum so much, because it IS a community of fishermen. Anyway, we all stayed together, for a while. I didn't think I was hauling a__ down the river, just wanted to keep moving. Many, including Les, would stop and work an area real well. I was doing alright fishing out of the yak, and only got out to portage the low water. Then I realized that I was way far ahead. Yes it was true I had the food, water, and keys for the way home, but I DID stop to feed him, and give him water on many occassions, and I let him get to the truck first, so he could help me drag my yak up that bitch of a hill, after paddling for 11 hours. Oh well, great time, great fishing, great scenery, and meeting new friends. Priceless. Who cares how much gas costs, I'm still goin fishin!!!






THAT WAS MY DRAGGING BEHIND, FOR ONLY A MOMENT!!
Later, the troutbum

Troutbum,
I don't know if you guys noticed but I usually don't fly fish out of the yak, I much prefer standing or wading. I'm the same way as far as fishing goes, I like to be out front and hit likely looking spots away from the others first but that didn't prove to be necessary on the Brazos Monday. We caught fish out of every good looking spot no matter how many people had hit it before us

That's the first photo of me in my blue kayak that I've ever seen.. I must be getting fat by how low the yak is sitting in the water ... I guess that low profile helps reduce wind resistance some because I didn't have too much trouble fighting the wind as it appeared to give others. I usually travel very light and that helps too, I don't like to take too much gear because I often end up using only one roostertail spinner and a few flys as I did Monday.

Many thanks to my friend Bill for taking me along Monday, I wouldn't have gone anywhere otherwise... GAS PRICES are killing me!

Brazos river, big longear sunfish

Excellent post and pics. Thanks.
Did yall run a shuttle or paddle back upstream to your put in?

we used Dick's shuttle service http://www.dickscanoes.com/

If your going solo you might consider starting at dicks and going upstream or have Richard shuttle you and your boat to the dam. It is a full day long float down the river (8 miles) with good fishing areas about every 200 yards or so and lots of shallow areas where you get out and drag your boat. The whole river is good fishing but we did best (sunfish) in the areas nearest the bank that had gentle current and shade and where the water was deep enough that the bottom wasn't visible (3 feet or deeper) and there was some sort of structure like big rocks.

Thanks HLS. This thread has just about got me convinced to do this stretch of river. I hear it can be a bear in hot, windy weather (like now!!) But you gotta go when you can.

Well I am going to brave the wind, and heat to hit the brazos in the am. Anyone want to meet me at Dick's, and paddle around for a while?? I'll post back tomorrow.
Later, troutbum

I wish I could go again but I gotta work!

Well I heard the wind was going to be bad, but OH MY GOD!!! launched at Dicks, and sailed upstream a couple of miles to get out of the wind, where the river turns to the west. Found many active fish. Bass, long ears, gills, red breast sunnies. Had a shot at a gar, and some carp, which were everywhere. Then turned back to the south to go home, and ran in the Santa Anna Winds. Took 4 hours to go the last 2 miles, while fishing of course. Mostly dragged the yak, and wade fished. Easier than paddling into the 40+MPH winds, which were causing the river to white cap.
Still had a great day!!

Hot and Windy again today! Looks like you did well Trout Bum!