Hill Country Exploring - June 25th, 2023

Post Reply
User avatar
Neumie
Site Admin
Posts: 4032
Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 10:10 pm
Location: San Antonio or Rockport

Hill Country Exploring - June 25th, 2023

Post by Neumie »

Despite near record heat and 7 month old twins at home I was able to squeak in a quick trip to one of our Hill Country rivers. This time last year we were in the middle of a severe drought; but due El Nino we've received some good rains this year. I was anxious to see how the river responded. She looked pretty.

Image

I made my way upstream to the first pool and caught a small Guadalupe and then a plethora of sunfish in the next chain of pools as I made my wade up to a wide shallower pool.

Image

Image

Image

Image

As I slipped into the target pool. I finally caught a small largemouth bass. I hadn't seen many bass up to this point, and the one I caught was about as big as I had seen. I'm worried, at least through this stretch, the bass population may have been hurt by last year's drought.

Image

But some good news is the Rio Grande Cichlid population looked healthy as I had seen numerous on my wade up stream. I swapped from a topwater Llano Bug to quick sinking Rio Getter. It paid off quickly and I caught several. My absolute favorite fish to catch in our rivers.

Image

Image

Some river shots.

Image

Image

On the wade back to my truck, I packed up the Phillipson Fly Fox and extended my tenkara rod. I usually use a tenkara rod on my return back to the truck because I can quickly wade and pick off small sunfish; really fun.

Image

Image

Image

A quick three hour trip, but very productive. I'm just glad to see water flowing again.

Image
Kayak Kid
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 35369
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 12:01 am
Location: Houston,

Re: Medina River - June 25th, 2023

Post by Kayak Kid »

Thanks for sharing your trip.
User avatar
Ron Mc
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5722
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:12 pm
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Contact:

Re: Medina River - June 25th, 2023

Post by Ron Mc »

Glad you got out Josh, excellent day and fun photos.
Your fourth fish down is a green/long-ear hybrid, which becomes common in isolated drought pools.
(Green hens are the last sunfish left with their big gills, and male long-ears are on their redds year-round)
Last year's 2-yr drought was less severe than '05-'15 drought, which was much less severe than '55 drought - groundwater use has become excessive.
Post Reply