Bethany Lakes: December 31, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes for Trout this evening using fly-fishing gear.  No trout taken.  Tried a Bead Head Hares Ear Nymph with a Dryfly on a dropper.  No strikes but did see one Trout actively feeding on the surface.

 

Saw others fishing with minimal success; however, one fisherman did catch a Trout using Bread fished about two feet below a bobber.

 

Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area: December 28, 2007

Fished Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) for a chance at Trout and White Bass. Caught two Trout, one small White Bass, and one small Crappie.

The Trout were caught using Spinfishing gear and a Copper Super Duper. The White Bass and Crappie were caught using Flyfishing gear and a Clouser Minnow.

Picture of the Trout are posted below - about 9.5"; White Bass and Crappie were released - about 8".

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Bethany Lakes: December 25, 2007

Stopped by Bethany Lakes this evening around 5PM to check out the action.  Observed several fishermen catching trout; however, one fisherman indicated fishing had been slow all day. 

 

Will keep a lookout if the pattern changes and provide updates accordingly.

 

 

Denison Waterloo Park Pond: December 24, 2007

After fishing Denison Dam tailrace, decided to try Waterloo Park Pond in the city of Denison.

Caught three trout on flyfishing gear. All were caught using a Bead Head Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph. Had about ten more strikes but failed to set the hook - operator error or my aging reflexes.

Trout were 8"to 8.5" and caught while fishing slowly along the bottom.

Tried other fishing flies without success. However, observed several fishermen limit out using Salmon Eggs (Red), Corn, and Velveeta Cheese with Garlic.

Examined the trouts' contents. Identified Corn, PowerBait in White and Chartreuse, and pieces of Salmon Egg (Red). Also, noted one with a mushy substance that may be the Velveeta. See picture below.

Note: The PowerBait in White had a small #10 Salmon Egg Hook.

Denison Dam: December 24, 2007

Fished Denison Dam tailrace for a chance at Striped Bass. Arrived around 11AM and noted generators were not running. Minimal current with the water level falling steadily.

Several flyfishermen were wading the river and casting to deep holes. Observed one catch and release Striped Bass, saw others hook-up as well.

Fishing partner caught several carp and shad while baitcasting a Rat-L-Trap. No luck on flyfishing gear.

Picture of Carp below; foot in the picture is about 12" long. Estimate fish went slightly over 24".

Carp:

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Bethany Lakes: December 23, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes again this morning. Cold with frost on the ground but no wind compared to yesterday.

Arrived around 8AM and started getting light strikes on Corn. Caught first trout at 8:30AM, and then the action stopped for several hours. Tried Bread, PowerBait, and Corn but no action.

Around 11AM started getting light strikes on Corn. Then, the action remained consistent. Left around noon with a limit of trout.

Examined the stomach contents and noted that they were empty except for the Corn eaten when caught. Thoughts are they were not actively feeding yesterday.

Four trout were 9" to 9.5", and one trout was about 8".

Today's Limit:

Bethany Lakes: December 22, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes this morning. No trout were taken. Wind was strong, and it was tough to feel any nibbles. Tried Corn, Bread, and PowerBait without a strike. Will have to wait till better weather or at least until the wind dies down.

Bethany Lakes: December 21, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes for trout this morning. Changed tactics from flyfishing to baitcasting. Fished about 2 hours and limited out with 5 trout. One went 10.5", another went 9", others were small stockers. All were caught using Corn fished on the bottom.

Observed other fishermen catching them on PowerBait. Could not tell what color was hitting, but when I cleaned the trout, their stomach contents were mainly Corn and a nymph-like "bug". Did note one Pink and one Chartreuse PowerBait nugget in one of the trout.

Today's Catch:


Closer look at the 10.5" Trout:


Stomach Contents:


PS: Stopped by later in the afternoon. Observed others continuing to take trout using Corn, Bread, and PowerBait. Bread and Corn were getting consistent action with a lot of light nibbles; saw more missed strikes then hook-ups. Action was not fast but consistent enough for some to ltake their 5 trout limit. Cormorants remain in the area but fishermen are still getting action.

Bethany Lakes: December 20, 2007

Checked out Bethany Lakes at lunch today. Saw several fishermen catching trout on PowerBait and Bread. Also, others observed a flyfishermen catching them on a bead head nymph fished deep.



Picture of 12" trout caught on bread:

Bethany Lakes: December 19, 2007

Stopped by Bethany today.  Observed several fishermen catching trout using Chartreuse PowerBait and Corn.  Counted about 5 trout taken while there; also saw a Cormorant catch and eat one.  Suggest anyone fishing at Bethany change tactics and fish with bait if trying to catch fish for the table.

FYI - Bethany Lakes Update

Was not able to fish Bethany yesterday but my fishing partner reported seeing no activity and no trout taken. This was yesterday around 1:30PM. Going to start looking for other fishing opportunities.  Will provide updates on the fishing forums and this web log.

Good luck and good fishing!

Bethany Lakes: December 17, 2007

Things have slowed at Bethany. Saw three trout taken this afternoon; all were using bait. Not certain but it looked like they were using bread for bait/chum. May need to look elsewhere for trout. Saw a posting that Waterloo Park in Denison was seeing activity. Waterloo was stocked this past weekend.

PS: Stopped by at 7:30PM to try a "bread-crumb" fly that I made. No hits but caught a Bluegill when I switched to a red Glo-Bug.

Bluegill on a Glo-Bug:

Bethany Lakes: December 16, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Upper Pond for trout. Sunny but cold this morning; observed ice forming on my rod tip. No trout taken and did not see anyone else catching trout either. Hopefully, better luck next time.

PS: Stopped by later in the afternoon. Did not catch any trout but did see others catch a few. Looked like they were casting lures, using PowerBait, or fishing with a bubble and fly. A lot slower fishing than the weeks before; however, I did see surface activity pick up around 5PM.

Bethany Lakes: December 15, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Upper Pond for trout this morning. Struck out with no trout taken.  Observed one trout on the surface; no other activity on the surface noted. 

Weather was overcast and windy; light rain and/or misting at times.  Called it a day for now; hands were too cold.  May try again tomorrow.

Bethany Lakes: December 12, 2007

Despite the rain and cold, made a quick trip to fish Bethany Lakes Upper Pond for trout. Hard day today. Strikes were light and fish were spooked by the Cormorants.

Partner managed to catch one trout - about 10" in size. Zero for me today.

Tough to stay away when you see them "boiling" on the surface. Will have to try again later - maybe this weekend!

Today's catch:

FYI - Picture of the Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph

FYI - I have been catching the trout at Bethany Lakes using the Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph in size 12 (see picture below). Academy on Hwy 75 did not have them but Dick's Sporting Goods in Frisco had them.


If you cannot find it, a nymph in gray or black will work also. At least for the trout this year!

Bethany Lakes: December 11, 2007

Quick trip at lunch produced a limit of trout in less than 15". Caught them on flyfishing gear using the Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph in gray.

Weather was overcast and misting but the trout were active. These were caught fishing to the right of the pier/bridge as you face the street.

Trout:

FYI - Lures and Fishing Flies for Trout

Unable to fish today but did re-stock on the lures and fishing flies that were catching trout at Bethany Lakes (see pictures below). Picked them up at Dick's Sporting Goods at Stonebriar Mall in Frisco. For the fishing flies, sizes 10,12, and 14 worked well.

Casting Lures:

Top: Gold Kastmaster in 1/12 Oz.

Bottom: Copper Super Duper in 1 1/4".

Fishing Flies:

Top: Gold-Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph (Gray)
Middle: Black Nymph (Name Unknown)

Bottom: Brown Stone Nymph

Bethany Lakes: December 8, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Upper Pond for another chance at trout. Caught a limit of 5 trout despite numerous hook sets and lost fish.

I was flyfishing with weighted nymphs just under the surface. Black and gray colors worked well. Saw others catching them with flyfishing gear as well as casting the "U" shaped metal lure in gold or copper.

When I cleaned the trout, 4 of the 5 had empty stomachs; 1 trout was full of orange PowerBait.

Limit of trout:




PS: The "U" shaped metal lures were Super Dupers. However, Kastmasters were also taking trout.

Bethany Lakes: December 7, 2007

Since striking out at Denison Dam, fished Bethany Lakes Upper Pond using spinning and flyfishing gear instead. No luck with Berkley Powerbait; however, was able to take 4 trout flyfishing.

Trout were caught using a Black Nymph just under the water's surface. Did see others taking trout with a Gold or Copper casting lure. Forgot the name of the lure, but it is small in size and is made of metal that has been bent to make a narrow "U" shape.

Trout were about 9" and all were caught at the location pictured below.

Trout:

Lake Texoma - Denison Dam: December 7, 2007

Fished Denison Dam this morning. Water level was low and generators were not running. Saw flyfishermen taking Stripers but was unable to get a hook-up.

Tailrace showing low water level

Bethany Lakes: December 4, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Upper and Main Ponds.  No luck even though it was warmer than yesterday.  Going to watch the weather the next few days as a warming trend is forecasted.  Hopefully, we will see more activity.

Bethany Ridge Park: December 3, 2007

Fished Bethany Ridge Park, formerly Kroger Park. No strikes but did see some movement on the water's surface. Since the weather change and the drop in temperature, believe the fish are waiting till the water warms slightly.

Regardless, trout should be hungry come this Friday!

PS: Tried Celebration Park at the North Pond later in the evening. Cold and windy with no strikes at all.

FYI - Trout Stocking at Bethany!

Checked the TPWD trout stocking schedule. Looks like Bethany will be stocked this Friday. Get your Orange or Chartreuse Powerbait and/or Kernel Corn ready and look for some fun action. If you want to try flyfishing, suggest the Gray Hare's Ear Nymph. Rumor has it that the fly looks like the Purina Trout Chow used by the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Good luck!

Lake Texoma - Denison Dam: December 1, 2007

Fished Lake Texoma at Denison Dam. Was able to rest after the Rudolph Run and then make a quick trip to the Dam. Fished for three hours starting at 5PM. Generators were running, so the current was flowing. A lot of people trying to fish in the current using a split-shot and live shad. Subsequently, a lot of tangled lines!

Luckily, casting Blue and Chrome Rattle-Traps produced 8 Stripers. My fishing partner caught 7, releasing 2 and keeping a limit of 5. One of which was 27" and 7lbs. I caught 1 keeper that went 19".

City of Allen: Rudolph Run

Did not go fishing. Instead, ran in Allen's Rudolph 5K Run. Had a great time with many prizes.