Get Started Centerpin Fishing with This $55 Reel #fishing #flyfishing #centerpin

Answering the mail on the Centerpin Reel I used to catch a couple trout. So far, I like it... able to try this method with spending too much!

I bought the reel in Amazon but shipped from the UK. It took several weeks for it to arrive. While it was intransit, I watched a number of videos on centerpin fishing, casting, and techniques.

After it arrived, I practiced casting it using a Wallis Cast that calls for pulling the line off the reel and then casting. Similar to a double haul cast when fly fishing.

I still need to practice my cast to reduce the backlashes I get, but I am able to cast it far enough to fish local ponds.

My intent is to try float fishing it at the local tailrace - Denison Dam and possibly Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA).  Both, offer a great opportunity to drift fish.

Given the reel as virtually no drag, line comes off easily and should offer a drag free drift when fishing a tailrace.

Do check back for more. And, do checkout the video short to see the reel spin effortlessly!

NGT Centerpin Reel on Amazon Link

LLELA and then Waterloo This Round

Checked out LLELA this morning.  Struck out but did see others catching Trout.  Looked likes a few nice sized ones mixed in with the Stockers! Seemed like the PowerBait Power Worms were the ticket.

Afterwards, headed to Denison to have some fun catching tonight's dinner!  Limited out using a Size 10 COAF Guadalupana.  Had to try different retrieves and adjust when the Trout started getting picky.  Fun stuff!

Click-on Fish Bulletin Board to checkout fish caught by our readers.

Weather In Flux....

Tough go with fishing these last few days.  Field Team has been out and about hitting several community lakes.  All reports since Friday afternoon have been the same - little or no action.  Wind had been a factor Friday afternoon, Saturday brought rain and later snow.  Sunday morning, as of this posting, is showing more snow!  Not a bad start for Spring in North Texas, if you like snow.

A few observations from the Field Team for reference:

• Bethany Lakes - a few strikes Friday afternoon using Plastic Worms and Lizards.  Should have had a hookset or two but the strong wind made it tough to feel the pickup consistenty.
• Celebration Park - the small Sunfish and Bluegill that hang around the North Pond's concrete walls were nowhere to be seen.  The Bullhead and Catfish action in the East Pond seemed to have shutdown with one nibble in one hour.
• Suncreek Park - a small pond with a population of small Sunfish and Bluegill.  Similar observation as Celebration Park's North Pond, fish were nowhere to be seen.
• Waterloo (Denison) - a few Trout to be taken still but limits may be hard to come by given the pond was fished hard over the Spring Break Week.

Overall, looks like the latest Cold Front has put a slight delay in the action in the area.  Did hear about other fishermen having success on other area community lakes and ponds.  Mainly using Jig and Worm, Plastic Worm, and Plastic Lizard rigs for Bass.

For now, most of the Team is staying indoors but we do have a few "diehards" staying busy with the White Bass (Sandies) action at Rowlett Creek and another braving the conditions at LLELA for Hybrid.

Good Luck and Good Fishing!
The Field Team

 

 

 

Click-on 2010'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!

  

Cold Temps This Morning, But LLELA's Bruisers Were Prowling!

Cold temps this morning made for a hard time getting motivated to hit the local pond.  Decided to try Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA) instead.  If you are going to be cold, might as well try freezing somewhere than the usual places.

LLELA's Trout stocking are usually larger size Trout compared to the 9"-10" Stockers released in the local community lakes.  Have seen some nice size Trout taken over the years.  Looks like this season is maintaining the status quo....

Several Bruiser Trout were caught by area fishermen.  Throw in an 18 pound Catfish to boot, and things were definitely on the upswing. It was a slow bite with only one strike on the fly using an Olive Wooley Bugger.  Else, all others (Trout) were caught on Powerbait Worms!

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

Summary of Lures/Bait Used for Trout (1/16/09)

An updated summary of lures/baits used for Trout is posted below. The results are based on recent postings and observations in the Field. The ">" indicates a post or an observation of the lure/bait being used successfully.

Reports from the Field indicate Bob Jones Park (Grapevine), Waterloo Park (Denison), and River Park (Fort Worth) are good locations for Trout in the area.

Bethany Lakes (Allen) and Greenbriar (Fort Worth) have cooled off and action remains slow or non-existent.

Fort Richardson (Jacksboro) and Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA) remain open with no updates received since the last report.

Some action reported at South Lakes Park Pond and the Brazos River.

Overall, bait continues to produce. However, reports from the Guadalupe continue to suggest Wooley Buggers and Nymphs, Silver Super Dupers, and White Rooster Tails. Reports from the Brazos are also suggesting Wooley Buggers in size 10/12. Good luck and good fishing! Summary of Lures/Baits used for Trout: Click-on DFW Fishing News for more fishing information in the Metroplex area. Or, go to Texas Rainbow Trout Fishing - Community Lakes for trout fishing information on community lakes in the area.

None On A Super Duper.

Quick trip this morning to Bethany Lakes. Clear and cold with below freezing temperatures. Fished a Super Duper with no success. Moreover, did not observe others, who were using lures or bait, catching any Trout either. May need to try bait next time and hope for a bite or two. Else, shift to another location such as LLELA. Bethany Lakes this Morning. Click-on DFW Fishing News for more fishing information in the Metroplex area. Or, go to Texas Rainbow Trout Fishing - Community Lakes for trout fishing information on community lakes in the area.

LLELA - August 31, 2008

Fished Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA) this morning. Good current but still wadeable - see picture below. Had several strikes flyfishing a streamer but no hook-ups. Did observe a few baitfishermen catching Catfish, else slow action. Downstream from LLELA's Tailrace. Checkout DFW Fishing News for more fishing information. Click-on DFW Fishing News.

Quick Updates

Quick updates from the Team! In the City Of Allen: Bethany Lakes: Slow to no action on Trout. If you do go, use bait in lieu of lures or flies. Celebration Park: Both ponds are quiet. Bluegill and Sunfish have gone deep. For some light action for Catfish, go to the East Pond - the one that does not have fountains. Use catfish dip bait on a treble hook and sponge setup. Should have some fun with catching them. Mainly running about 10" or smaller; however, a 12"-14" Channel Catfish is possible. Allen Station Dam: Creek is murky from run-off but is starting to clear. Did not see the usual Sunfish and Bluegill. Will look for the trio of Catfish that tend to the dam's silting basin. Have not seen them recently; may have gone downstream from the last rainstorm. Out of the City Of Allen: LLELA - Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area: Trout limits observed from fishermen using bait - Corn and Salmon Eggs. Lures have been producing but not as consistent as bait. Work the river bends and the deep pools for Trout. Be ready though, you may hook into an occasional Carp. For Crappie, Catfish, and Hybrids fish the tailrace. Some nice Hybrids were taken this past weekend. FYI: The river was stocked with Trout; some are fairly large running 16"+. Denison Dam: Striper action remains consistent with the generator schedule. That is, when the generators are running; fishing action picks-up. However, action can still be had when the water is not flowing by working the deeper pools and/or baiting up for Carp or Catfish. Waterloo Park Pond: Trout were restocked this past Sunday. Trout Derby was held and a number of limits were taken. May be the best bet for stocker-sized Trout. All for now. Will continue to keep the updates forthcoming. Good luck and good fishing!

FYI - Directions to LLELA

FYI - Directions to Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA) are provided below. Proceed to the city of Lewisville using I-35E, once on I-35E the directions guide you either from the South or North. From the South:

• Drive north on I-35E through Lewisville
• Exit Valley Ridge (east) to the stoplight at Mill Street
• Turn left (north) on Mill Street and drive to Jones Street
• Turn right (east) on Jones Street and proceed east until Jones dead-ends at the LLELA front gate, at the junction of Jones Street and N. Kealy Avenue

From the North:

• Drive south on I-35E through Lewisville toward Dallas
• Exit Valley Ridge (east) to the stoplight at Mill Street
• Turn left (north) on Mill Street and drive to Jones Street
• Turn right (east) on Jones Street and proceed east until Jones dead-ends at the LLELA front gate, at the junction of Jones Street and N. Kealy Avenue

There is a $3 day use fee and Winter hours are 7AM-5PM, Friday-Sunday.

Good luck and good fishing!

LLELA: January 6, 2008

Fished Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area this morning. Caught and released small Crappie, and then hooked but lost several Hybrid along the tailrace's rocks. Observed several nice Hybrid taken by fishermen fishing the generator's outflow. Estimate 6+ pounds. Also, two fishermen were catching Catfish in the calm area using liver for bait. Consistent action for about an hour, then it tapered off around 11AM. Did not fish for Trout but noted limits taken by fishermen leaving the area. Looks like Corn is the consistent producer for the Trout.

LLELA: January 5, 2008

Fished Lake Lewisville Ecological Learning Area (LLELA) this afternoon. Caught one 8" Trout, missed three others. Used Flyfishing gear and a Copper Super Duper. Tried a Brown Wooly Bugger with no luck; shifted to the Super Duper and started getting hits. A little tough tossing the lure with a flyrod; still was able to get some action. See picture below.

Saw others limit out using Corn and PowerBait. However, it looked like Corn was the better bait to use.

Also, saw two fisherman with 16"+ Trout. Good to know there are bigger ones in the river.

Before leaving decided to fish along the rocks near the tailrace; caught several small Crappie on White Clouser Variant, and then hooked and lost a nice Hybrid. Broke my tippet; should have used heavier test then the one I was using for Trout.

FYI: Game Warden stopped by and checked bag limits and licenses.

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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December 2007 eNewsletter is available. Click-on December 2007 eNewsletter.