Brazos Below Whitney

Anybody know if riverside park is open yet? I'm thinking about going wednesday but I don't wanna waste a 40 min drive out there.

Doubtful. They have been dumping a ton of water out of Whitney.

Well thats disappointing. Maybe we'll be able to fish there again during the summer dry spell...

If we don't get any more significant rain, maybe able to fish it in the next few weeks.

You might give the Corps of Engineers a call before you drive to Whitney. They have been pretty helpful when I have called. The number i have called is 254-622-3332.
Let us know what you find out.

Why not just drag your yak down there by hand?

5,000 - 6,000 cfs may be a good reason not to....

I called the number Cowtown gave and they said it wasn't open, so I just did chores instead. I've been assuming its the gate closest to the road that's locked and I'm not interested in carrying a kayak half a mile. Although, it would be fun to build a four wheeled cart and hop in the kayak on the cart...I'd just have to make a braking system haha

More like 25cfs as of last report of release.That`s like a trickle

5000cfs now. They are opening and closing all day/night right now.

I geuss im more of a serious kayak angler than most....

Mongrel, mojo is as serious as there is! Bonz, you might want to check the gauge a little closer. SMH

Then put the kayak in the water. I do it at 9000 below pk. Checkmate??

Not even close, Anthony. Quit trying to stir the pot.

@ River Mongrel: Possum Kingdom is not the same as Whitney so why would you even compare them? If some are wanting to take on the challenge, more power to them. But no one should be told they are less a yakker because they chose to be prudent. I kayak offshore in water temps in the mid 30's. That doesn't make me a better kayaker, just a personal choice to take the risk. I would not kayak in a high current any time of year if for no other reason personal preference.

I called the COE this morning and they did not have a schedule for this weekend at Whitney. I am hoping they ease of a bit, the lake level is below pool now I believe.

Mongrel & I took this off line for a bit. I'd like to make a few points then I'll shut up. A lot of us that used to post regularly here no longer do. There's a reason for that, but that's getting off topic. Mojo is merely trying to give a heads up to guys that may not realize the risks of the current and cold water temps. Don't assume a life jacket will save you from succumbing to hypothermia if you go into the water. You may have only minutes to get out before you will no longer be able to help yourself. Your life jacket will only make it easier to find your body. Everyone needs to realize their own limitations and tolerance of risk.

My understanding is the gate was closed because some folks got into trouble and almost didn't make it. There's been several deaths lately and some have been kayak related. I'd hate to see anyone die there and it's not hard to imagine a lawsuit would follow. So the gate gets closed.

Be safe, watch the gauges, and let's look out for each other.

I agree with everyone on here. It's a personal choice. Just got to be careful. It may be im just not smart enough to say no to fishing! Good luck and keep em tight.

I've been known to get in a fold up boat with a 5 hp outboard while 70,000 cfs was coming out of Texoma dam! So yea I'm not sceerd. Or stupid however you want to look at it.

I'll be glad when they stop releasing that much I've really missed fishing down there this winter. As for the flow even when they are just generating and the flow gets up to almost 3000 cfs that narrow river flows fast. I don't want any part of 6-8000 cfs.

Yep if you get down where it bottles it will get fast in hurry. Best try to stay up in slower pool opposite of the gate thts cracked or down.

Just know that if that gate is closed, it is for your own safety. No fishing trip is worth an empty seat at the dinner table. For now, I will leave the swift currents and cold waters to the more serious kayak anglers and fish safer waters myself.

Kayaking it and fishing it are 2 different things.

^^^this

Trying to paddle or pedal against 6000 cfs to maintain position/angles is gonna get old real quick. River Mongrel may think that's a good time and low risk, but I'm with Lusca and Joe, two guys who know that stretch as well as anyone. Jumping the gate to fish down there right now just ain't worth it. If you're new to kayaking, you should understand that most very experienced yak fishermen are steering clear if there for good reason.

Yes again I agree. To each his own. There are places to be in a kayak and there are places not to be in a kayak. All depends on wich gate the water is coming out of,where you choose to tie up or anchor and probably most important most of the time this time of year, the temp of the water. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. I mean armadillo even said what I said. He said hell let the more serious anglers do it for now. I geuss im more serious about fishing. Or in other words not much is gunna stop me from doing it. There is a pretty good sized area for slack water close to dam at Pk dam before it bottle necks. That's where I fished it. Its been a while since I fished whitney when they were releasing but I have been down there and fished it. If the most western gates are down I guarantee there is ample slack water to tie up and fish out under the fast water. That's where the striper are, right on the bottom holding on rocks,brush ect.Good luck if you decide to tempt fate. But one thing is for sure they are not gunna close the river if someone drowns.LOL

Do it and video it, I wanna see it.

Mongrel, you told me you've never fished there. Now you say you have. You've had a yak for a little over a year. I don't know why you think being serious equates to whether or not one fishes in the current conditions. Anchoring in fast current can be very tricky business. Especially when it's time to pull up the anchor. What you do is your business. I just hope & pray for the sake of your wife & kid you don't wind up finding out the hard way what your limits are.

Everything is OK until it's not, at the current water temps that could be a quick death, IMO.

Lusca I told you I have not fished below Whitney in a kayak. Ive bank fished it. And just about every other tailrace in tx where potential large striper are lurking. And when you accused me on the phone the other day of belittling people I lost a little of respect for you. And now telling me I told you I had never fished there ever? Man I geuss im not the sensitive type you are. Im a little rough around the edges for your company. Hope you well this season. That is all.

I don't video anything. It tells too much. Loose lips sink ships. Cameras on poles kill fishin holes... Lol Again not trying to ruffle feathers I just see no need to put sugar on anything . We are all grown men we do what we want.Take risk when we want ect..

This sounds like something y'all should be discussing in person and not airing y'alls disagreements on a public forum...its only a little self respect for yourselves and for the others on here who don't want to hear this!! Lets act like grown men here this isn't high school!

I agree. I was gunna leave it alone until I got called out by Lusca.

You got my number, mongrel. Like I told you it's hard for me to know when to take you serious or when you're just spoofing. Simple as that. As far as hashing it out on the forum...I agree & apologize, but some context is often necessary for the others that have been reading and do want to participate in the thread.

Yep its the only reason I typed anything following your 11:41 post.

Taking an ACA class could better prepare for when something does go wrong. If you paddle long enough, it eventually will happen. I think this is a great conversation to bring this up in. Mongel, I don't think your way of thinking is the most intelligent but I do understand that some folks enjoy living on the edge and appreciate a little more danger in their lives. That I can respect, but if you are going to continue this way of thinking, please give Barb a call over at Cutter Aquatics and get registered for the ACA river kayaking class and possibly a leadership class. You will learn things like cold water rescue and self rescue that may save your life one day.

I actually need to get registered for some spring classes to continue my education in paddling and would love to see you or anyone else here in them.

Don't worry bout me I've sank duck boats in January several times in rivers and a lake. I've been as cold as ya can get in that water . I always come prepared for anything.

http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Lake-Wh...-364690721.html

Well, that SUX!

If your new to kayak fishing and/or not comfortable with fast water please don't take a chance at something that could cost you so much.