Slow Action at Denison Dam This Round

Ran up the road yesterday and fished the tailrace.  Had a number of strikes but missed setting the hook.  When we arrived the power plant was generating, saw some surface activity in the area, but only managed to catch three - two Striped Bass and a Catfish.  Released one Striper, and kept the Catfish and other Striper that was deep hooked for Dinner.  Oh well, better luck next round!

Another Go at Denison Dam Tailrace

Another fishing trip Saturday to Denison Dam.  No generation, so minimal water flow.  Fished a pool downstream and enjoyed steady action.  Like other trips, Shad seemed to be the bait of choice!

More Fishing at Denison Dam Tailrace

Went up the road today for another round of fishing at Denison Dam.  Arrived when the Power Plant was not generating.  Fished the Texas Wall at first, catching small Stripers.  Moved downriver to try our luck.  Did well,... with two of us managing to limit out.  Caught and released most of them, keeping those that were deep hooked.

On the way back, stopped at Dave's Ski and Tackle for something to drink.  Noticed the sign on the microwave.  Must be in a good fishing area!

Also, while filleting our catch, noticed something different in the stomach of one fish.  Looks like a piece of a plastic Curly Tail Grub and a Fluke.  Might need to remember this next round!

Steady Action at Denison Dam

Been a while since we fished Denison.  Had the chance to go today, so we headed up the road. Fished around Noon to about 4PM.  Caught Gaspergou (Freshwater Drum), a Gar, and a few small Stripers. Caught them using frozen Shad.... Fun stuff!

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Bass On A Red And White Clouser!

Fished a Red and White Clouser for a chance at the Bass in Bethany Lakes this evening.  Normally the Field Team uses this pattern for Striped Bass at Denison Dam; have not tried it in the local ponds till now.  Pleasant surprise, hooked and landed a Bass (about 12" in size).

Bass On A Red And White Clouser!

Steady Action at Denison Dam

Made it to Denison Dam Tailrace this morning for another go at Stripers. Fished before the power plant started generating when waterflow was minimal. Also, fished after the plant started up making for accurate casting into the eddies and pools, else lost rigs were the norm.

Action was steady with a number of Stripers caught and released. Fishing partner and I left when they were still biting.... kept a limit each.

Side Note: Had a tough go catching Shad this week with our cast nets, ended up buying bait at Academy.  Also, been playing around with shock leaders and rigs. Lessons learned/suggestions noted to date listed below:

• Really like the 50lbs braided line compared to the 60lbs mono line we had been using. Observing less breakoffs and more time spent fishing.
• When snagged the 15lbs mono line that is tied to the hook readily breaks off.  Weight and Barrel Swivel remains intact.  Loss of tackle is minimal - Hook and 2'-3' of 15lbs mono line.
• Especially like the "Christopher Knot(?)" to tie the 20lbs mono mainline to the 50lbs braided line shock leader.  Have not had a knot failure as of yet!

Good Luck and Good Fishing!

Trout Limits at Waterloo; Field Team's First Limit for 2010!

Ran up to Denison Dam to scout out the Striped Bass action this afternoon. Fished without success for about 2 hours, then called it quits. Shifted gears from Striped Bass to Trout and fished Waterloo Park Pond. Limited out in about 30" using Orange Powerbait. Pond was frozen save for the area near the fountain. Regardless, the Trout were active and hungry. Not a bad outing with the first Trout Limit taken by the Field Team in 2010!

Click-on 2010's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Denison Dam - July 18 PM to July 19 AM

Decided to hit Denison Dam hard this weekend. Arrived around 10PM, July 18 and departed the following morning. Started the trip fishing the Texas Wall, struck out but did observe others having consistent action on Striped Bass, small Catfish, and in once instance, a large Catfish that went well over 3 feet in length. Moved downriver around 2AM, July 19. Partner and I caught three small Stripers using Bombers and had steady strikes but no hookups using live Perch. Although the fishing action was slow for us, others enjoyed steady action and nice stringers. Kept fishing in hopes the action would pickup. It finally did at sunrise! Had a blast catching small 12" to 14" Striped Bass on a modified cork and jig setup. Bite lasted about 40" but did make up for the slow action earlier. Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Bethany Ridge Park - July 17, 2009

Fished Bethany Ridge Park and caught a couple Bluegill flyfishing. Also, fished for Catfish using Bread for bait, had a few strikes but no hookups. FYI: Checkout our article - "Denison Dam's Tailrace Fishing - Top Lures and Baits for Striped Bass"!

Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Quick Updates

Quick updates from the team.

 

In the City Of Allen:

 

Celebration Park.  Our team has been using the North and East Ponds at Celebration Park for testing two fly patterns - Bread Fly and Cigarette Egg Fly, created by one of our members.  Both fishing flies have been successful at catching Bluegill, Sunfish, and Catfish and are designed to imitate a piece of bread.

 

To fish them, we have been chumming with bread to attract the fish, and then casting the fly to the chummed spot.  As we are fishing a community lake where a number of park goers feed the resident ducks, the fish have grown accustomed to feeding on bread.  We were concerned about the ducks and seagulls eating the chum before the fish at first; however, the birds tend to stay away as long as we kept the bread within 20' to 30'.

 

The North Pond is a sure bet for Bluegill and Sunfish with the Cigarette Egg Fly producing excellent results the first time we tested it.  No dryfly floatant is applied. Instead, as the fly became waterlogged, it slowly sinks below the surface at the same rate as the bread.  Even more enticing is the coloring of the filter material, the nicotine stains produce a color pattern that closely resembles a rolled piece of bread with its brown crust.

 

The East Pond is also good for Bluegill, Sunfish, and Catfish.  Our best Catfish so far is a 20" Catfish (slightly over 2 lbs) caught with a Bread Fly fished wet and pulled slowly through the chummed spot.  We have not tried the Cigarette Egg Fly in the East Pond but plan to do so once the weather clears.

 

Also, in either pond, we have found the Prince Nymph and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph patterns work well for Bluegill and Sunfish.

 

FYI:  Instructions for tying the fly patterns have been posted on the Web Log.  If unable to locate the posts, use the Blogger Search Function on the top of this page, entering "Bread" or "Cigarette" as the search criteria.

 

 

Other Locations:

 

Frisco Commons.  Frisco Commons is still seeing trout activity after receiving its stocking 9 February with Salmon Eggs being the preferred bait.  Earlier reports indicated lures and fishing flies were taking trout; however, recent reports suggest fishing with bait.

 

Towne Lake in McKinney. Towne Lake is scheduled for its trout stocking this weekend.  To kick-off the event, the city of McKinney is hosting a Trout Derby on Saturday, 23 February.  From previous trout stockings, we have observed lures and fishing flies work well the first week (sometimes two weeks) after a pond is stocked.  So, fishermen who want to take trout on artificials should plan to fish Towne Lake this weekend!

 

Denison Dam Tailrace.  The tailrace is seeing some activity with reports of smaller-sized Striped Bass being taken on shad imitations.  Overall, it is still hit or miss for fishermen given the a large number of shad in the area.  A lot of bait, live or dead, is in the tailrace; therefore, fish are being more selective.  Give it a try and check the generation schedule and the release schedule for Denison Dam to get a feel for when they are releasing water / generating power (see link posted in the sidebar).

 

 

 

Good luck and good fishing!

 

 

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: