Fishing the Sabine River, the generation canal @ Toledo Bend, October 2018

Texas FlyFishers of Houston and The Contraband Fly Casters Club
Event: Fishing the Sabine River below the generation canal
When:        October 27th, 2018

Trip Description:  Fishing the Sabine River below the generation canal.  We plan to fish the generation canal, but if the generators start up we will quickly shift our efforts to the lake.  Launch and take-out will be the either the new boat launch on the generation canal. Species targeted are , LMG, KLMB, yellow sunfish, white bass, gar (3 species), catfish (2 species) and, if extremely lucky, striped bass.

Where:    Fishing the Sabine River below the generation canal
Start Time:  0700
End Time:    Too dark to fish
Trip Leader: Puck and Skip
Phone:      (281) 865(dash)32I6
E-mail:       doncpuckett(at)gmale(dot)com

How to sign up:
1.  Evite Link (We don’t plan to send this out to the masses.  Use the link to sign up and keep updated)
2.  Or e-mail the trip leader.

How to get waiver forms: Download Waiver form

Cost:  Shared lodging cost, with a $10 deposit to hold your spot..

Directions:  Driving from Houston

About the area:
This is the link to the most up to date generating schedule on SRA-LA’s home

Important items:

  • Member dues are current!
  • Waiver of Liability, filled out and signed, along with emergency contact information.  ( Can be downloaded here )
  • Extra change of dry clothes
  • Wind and/or water proof jacket
  • Lunch, Water, snacks
  • Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellant
  • Hat, Polarized Glasses
  • First Aid Kit
  • Waders and a change of clothes. If you plan to use a kickboat, or have a wet riding kayak..
  • Life jacket
  • Camera

Recommended Equipment:

  • 5-8 wt rods
  • Kick boat, canoe, kayak, or other watercraft

Recommended Flies:
Your favorite LMB and ‘gill flies.
And bring a couple of minnow imitators in size 2-10 just in case the white bass show up.

Recommended guidelines for participants:

  • Fish with a buddy.  Don’t fish this stretch alone.  There are too many variables. This stretch of water is part of a power generation waterway.  The water conditions can change quickly.
    Double, and triple, check your gear.  Make sure you have what you need before getting on the water.
  • As much fun as fish are to catch on a 3wt, I’d recommend at least a 5wt.  This will allow you to cast a little further with a larger fly.
  • If you have a favorite fly, bring at least 6 each.  I fished with 3 flies for 6 hours. This was an exception, not the rule.  Frayed tippets after repeatedly catching fish can abrade the mono.  I made a conscientious effort to keep my tippet fresh.
  • Most of the fish in this area are spotted bass (Kentucky) and aren’t as large as LMBs.  I started out with a size 8 PGPP, and had to go up to a size 6 to keep number of the sunfish hook-ups down.  The KLMB make up for size with their willingness to bite and the way they fight.
  • If you fish on the weekends here, be prepared to share the river with swimmers, snorkelers, scuba divers, and other anglers.  Rarely will you see anyone on the river in the morning.  By late afternoon the casual sportsmen will start showing up.  The summertime is much busier than any other season.
  • Bring twice as much water as you think you will need.  Just because you feel comfortable and cool does not mean you don’t need to take in water.
  • A lightweight watercraft is perfect to fish this water.  A canoe would work well with 2 people, and a kayak would also work.  The downfall of them is that you can’t lug them up the hill like a backpack, as I did with my kick-boat.  With the new boat launch in place this is no longer an issue.
  • Notify the trip leader if you have any potential concerns
  • If inexperienced, then buddy up.
  • Have proper safety equipment
  • If you are boating or kayaking, inform the trip leader of your float plan if planning to fish alone or longer then the designated times.
  • Sign in and sign out at the launch site. Inform the trip leader if you will be launching in a different place.

 

 

 

 

5 thoughts on “Fishing the Sabine River, the generation canal @ Toledo Bend, October 2018

  1. I had to change the date for this one. All lodging on the entire lake was taken for the original date. I have no idea what the event is for that weekend.

  2. Tracking participants:
    Puck (paid in full)
    John S. (deposit in hand)
    Paul A. (deposit in hand)
    Loreta O. (deposit in hand)
    Patsy (deposit in hand)
    Paul R (deposit in transit)
    Space 7 (Open)
    Space 8 (Open)

  3. I found lodging for tomorrow night (2018-10-17), and plan to check out the area we will be fishing soon. There are 3 more bunks in the yurt that I have reserved. Any takers?

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