Season Opener: Blue Skies, No Wind, Tough To Hunt Ducks Today!

Went early in the morning to search for a huntable location.  Area has changed drastically in the last week due to recent rains.

Set up near the area hunted during Early Teal Season.  Glad to have rigged decoys for deeper water.  Depth ranged from 8 to 10 feet deep.

Between Legal Shooting Time and 8AM, saw a lot of activity; just hard to get them to come within range.  Blue skies and no wind made it tough.  Ducks opted to stay at "high altitude".

One flock of Widgeon skirted just within range but failed to connect.  Shots scared up a Coot near the brushline; dropped him easily with one shot (gonna have to pull out the gumbo recipe for this one).



Later, several flocks of Teal buzzed by "from way high" but no shots were taken.



Will be back for more later in the season. Shifting efforts to meat hunting with opening day of Deer Season next weekend - Deer and Hogs, then back to Ducks! 

Catfish and Bluegill/Sunfish on Corn!

Fished Celebration Park's North Pond using Corn for bait. Caught two small Catfish and twelve Bluegill/Sunfish. No Bruisers but still fun to catch! Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Celebration Park Catfish and Bullheads.

Fished Celebration Park again for another try for a Bruiser Catfish on Bread. Caught several small Catfish and Bullheads but nothing bigger than 12" with most going smaller. Next time! Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

October 25, 2009 - Sighted Rifles and Shot Skeet

Sighted in rifles and shot a few skeet in preparation for Deer and Duck Seasons. Rifles are "good to go", still need more work with the shotgun. But, ready to do my part once in the field!

Almost 22" Catfish in the East Pond @ Celebration Park!

Weather change and colder temps has us going back to fishing with Bread in the local community lakes and ponds. Caught 2 Catfish and 1 small Bluegill at Celebration Park's East Pond today. Larger Catfish went almost 22" in size. Going to submit to the COAF Fishing Leader Board! Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Two Sunfish, Three Bluegill, and Two Bass.

Caught 2 Sunfish, 3 Bluegill, and 2 Bass on an Olive Wooley Bugger at Bethany Lakes this evening. Slower presentation on the fly made for some light strikes.

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

Duck Calling Information

Here is one article to read in preparation for the upcoming Duck Season. Like the video demo that shows the Hail, Greeting, Comeback, and Feeding Calls. Check it out some time!

Duck Hunting Texas - Public Lands FAQs #3 - "How to use a Duck Call?"

One Keeper Trolling at Brockdale Park.

Decided to take the Jon Boat out to Lake Lavon. Launched at Brockdale Park and slow trolled for a couple hours. Only one hit but at least it was a Keeper. Hit a Rattle-Trap on a flatline. Video Clip: Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Short Story Break....

Upcoming Duck Season is near with the following dates noted in the 2009-2010 Texas Waterfowl Digest:

• High Plains Mallard Management Unit - Regular Gun: Oct.24-25 and Oct.30-Jan.24


• North Zone - Regular Gun: Oct.31-Nov.29 and Dec.12-Jan.24


• South Zone - Regular Gun: Oct.31-Nov.29 and Dec.12-Jan.24

Note: Refer to the 2009-2010 Texas Waterfowl Digest for additional restrictions/guidelines on Mottled Ducks, Falconry Season, and Youth Hunter additional days.

FYI: While waiting for the Season to start, ran across a short story by Zeke Rutledge recently published on Associated Content:
Ten Minutes: Short Story About a Decorated Veteran's Return Home.

8 Bass on an Oliver Wooley Bugger.

Fished Bethany Lakes this evening. Caught eight Bass flyfishing a "guess" - an Olive Wooley Bugger. Gotta like it! Click-on COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.