Fishing with Jimmy Houston—Arroyo Style!

  

We fished the Arroyo area with “Americas Favorite Fisherman” and my friend………. Jimmy Houston.  We worked the flats and fished up the Arroyo Colorado in search of some Rod Bending Action.   LeeRoy Gonzales was our guide and he had his hands full with both Jimmy and myself on the boat.   Our plans were to work the Arroyo in search of Tarpon and Snook.  We ran back up in the Arroyo where there were no houses or docks and we worked the shoreline and the drop offs.  The fish were there, we saw some Snook working the shorelines, their tails were out of the water but they were not interested in our lures.  

 

 

The main difficulty we had was that thunder storms moved thru the area the day before and that shut down the bite.  They had what I call “Lock Jaw”.  Sometimes I can make them bite but not this time, they were not interested.

Based on the lock jaw effect, we moved onto the flats in search of Reds and Trout with top-water and soft plastics. 

We used Bomber baits and found some good fish.  We had thick fog, we had 40 degrees and we had 90 degrees in the 2 days we fished with Jimmy.  Let’s just say, we had some tough conditions.  We worked the baits slowly and we were tenacious.  We had to stay at it and experiment with that they wanted.  We caught both Redfish and Trout.  The biggest Trout was 26 inches and the best Red was 25 inches.  The weather patterns really made us work hard for the fish but we did get the rod bending action that the Arroyo is known for.

Anglers Note:

When weather patterns change, that can really turn off the bite.  Knowing that, move to your tackle box and realize that you will need to change it up over time to see what will work.  We used dark colors and lighter colors to find what worked.  The trick for this trip was the traditional red and white soft plastic and top-water of either Blue and White or Red and White.  We found that the top water bite was “on” but only if we patterned the area with a vengeance, I mean cast and cast and cast…..and cover all the water as you drift.  The fish would not come to the lure, we had to hit them on the head with it to make them strike.  Stay at it and keep changing up the lures to find out what works.

Special thanks to Jimmy Houston and….. LeeRoy Gonzales of LG Outfitters…… for this time out on the water in the Arroyo.

Thanks for your time today and

We’ll See You On the Water !!!

Dave

Big Bend—Outdoor Adventure Report

Just a short 6 ½ hour drive from San Antonio Texas is one of the most amazing places in……. The World, Big Bend National Park.  I have been there over 20 times.  I keep coming back because I see different things there every time I go.

You can get out there and be adventurous.  Let me tell you what I mean:

 I have gone there and White Water Rafted for over 23 miles in one day, I have hiked the South Rim in one day (13 miles with a 1700 foot elevation change), rode horses  into deep dry river beds called Arroyos, rode off road motorcycles in the back country trails, rode mountain bikes on those same trails, swam in the Rio Grande in Santa Elena Canyon, gone on Jeep Tours in the Desert, gone into Mexico at Boquillas Canyon and had some authentic Mexican food and even hiked in 7 miles in and camped in tents on cliffs that dropped off over 1000 feet.

If you like adventure and your physically capable of hiking some strenuous areas, you must try the trip to Big Bend.  It is a must do on your bucket list.

  

Wildlife and Things to Remember:

I have seen some amazing wildlife on my trips to Big Bend.  Each Trip, I see something new and different.  I have seen Rattle Snakes, Tarantulas Spiders, Black Bears, White Tail Deer, Hogs, Mexican Jay Birds, and many other types of birds.  Just being on the trail is a special place to me.  

 












I like to go to Big Bend National Park in either the Winter or the Fall or Spring.  The Summer is dreadfully hot, I mean 120 degrees.   The Desert area that surrounds the Basin area is a really mean place.  When your hiking in the desert, be prepared.  The desert animals and plants will sting you, bite you, cut you or prick you.  Dress appropriately, I mean use layers and have a back pack that can handle your layers as you strip one off at a time as it warms up thru the day.  If you’re hiking into the Mountains to camp 7 miles from civilization, make sure you have the gear you need including a medical kit and plenty of water.

Another thing that keeps me coming back is the Amazing Views from the mountain peaks, the Sun Rises and the Sun Sets.   The majesty of Big Bend will amaze you.

 It is a really special place to me and we plan to make an Outdoor Adventure Television Show in 2012.  I can’t wait !!!

Thanks for your time…………….and I’ll See You………………In the Outdoors !!!     

Dave

Cast and Blast – Arroyo Style

LeeRoy Gonzales, of LG Outfitters in South Texas and I planned a Cast and Blast in the Arroyo area near Harlingen Texas.  We planned to start out with a Dove hunt and then move to the Back Bays and catch some fish in the super shallow water bay system which is known for its amazing top-water action and endless flats.

The Dove hunting proved to be slow at first.  We initially set up near a tree line adjacent to a grain field.  We were waiting for the birds to fly over us as they headed to the grain fields for an evening dinner.   It seemed that we had a solo dove here and there but it was slow.   We were watching all around us and we noticed that some hawks were hovering over the field itself and they would spook up small groups of dove in the field.  We therefore moved into the field itself and hunkered down low to the ground and set up our Mojo Dove decoy.  That was the tick, doves would come in to the decoy and we were able to get the hunt into high gear.   We were using automatic 20 gauge shot guns.  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages Texas hunting and we were allowed 3 shots at a time.  We had a great hunt after we changed up the plan and moved to the center of the grain fields.

We then headed for the back-bay and caught some really nice Redfish and a few trout as well.  We drift fished the flats and stood up on top of the center console and leaning post so we could see the fish and cast either soft plastics or top-water to them.  All in all we had an excellent Cast and Blast.  We captured it all on HD footage for Television.  Special thanks to Jennifer for shooting the video for us.   Contact LG Outfitters at---- 1-956-371-0220------ and they can put you on a great “Cast and Blast” as well.

 

 Outdoorsman’s Note:

We cooked up the proceeds of our hunt and fishing and had some great, off the grill eating.  We deboned the dove breasts and wrapped them with bacon and stuffed them with jalapenos and cheese.  We also cooked the Redfish on the grill as “Redfish on the Half Shell”.   We covered the fish with Ranch dressing, some special spices and some crispy onions.  After about 25 minutes, we were ready to sit down and enjoy a great meal.

Thanks For Your Time Today and……………………..I’ll See You In The Outdoors !!

Hiking in……. and Camping

Most people think that packing in your tent and camping gear can be a really back breaking…tough task !!    Truth is, with today’s new technology, you can do it much more easily than you could in the past.

We are gearing up to shoot a television show focusing on Hiking into the Mountains of Big Bend, 8 miles in, and then setting up camp and staying for several nights.  It will take some serious pre-planning to make sure we have what we need to stay warm at night and have food and water to last our days in the outdoors.

    

It makes sense to get your gear together ahead of time and make a shorter hike, 2-3 miles, to make sure that you have your act together.   A large backpack loaded up should fit very comfortable to your body.

Your really not hanging the pack-pack on your shoulders.  Instead, you’re strapping the pack to your back with a multiple strap system.   Test it out first and dial it in to make sure that it supports your back and is comfortable.  That is key !!

Some folks like to go camping with a little more comfort.  For example, some like to rent a cabin, others like to pull a Trailer with their Motorcycle and have a Tent System in the Trailer.  You can also pull a Travel Trailer or pull a Fifth-Wheel trailer.  Either way, get out there and see some great country side.   Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Parks are only 1.5 hrs from San Antonio, our home base, so make the plan and get in the outdoors.  You don’t have to go to Colorado or New Mexico to go hiking, look on-line to find some great hiking close to your home base.

Outdoorsman’s Note:

Making a packing list makes good sense.  I suggest you use these items for your list at a minimum: Good High Quality Hiking Boots or shoes, Back-Pack, Tent and Tent Tarp, Small Hammer, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Pads, Brunton Compass, Map of the Area, Portable Chairs, Rope, Waterproof matches, Toilet Paper,  Flash light and Extra Batteries, Small Wood Saw, Water, Food, 2 Way Radios, Camping Pillow, First Aid Kit, Hat, Insect Repellent, Rain Gear, Multi-Purpose Tool or Knife.

                 

Thanks For Your Time Today and……………………..I’ll See You In The Outdoors !!