City of Allen: Rudolph Run

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

Lake Texoma - Denison Dam: November 25, 2007

Fished Lake Texoma at Denison Dam this morning. Arrived 7:30AM and observed minimal water flow. Luckily, the siren sounded and generators were turned on creating a strong current. Caught four Stripers - one 19", one 18", and two 15". Released the 15" Stripers and kept the other two.

Three of the Stripers were caught on a black, green, and white Clouser Minnow under a casting float and a 4' leader. One Striper was caught on a black and white with red hook Rattle-Trap.

Noticed several large Stripers were caught using blue and chrome Rattle-Traps. Also, saw two flyfishermen taking them on a white and a pink Clouser Minnow using sinking tip lines and 10' of leader. Cast were not far - about 10 yards, but they were getting consistent hits. Another group were taking them using light spinning gear and a white lure. Could not get a close look but appeared to be 2"-3" white Wildeyes or Curly Tail Grubs.

Denison Dam

Water Flow (Generator)

Stripers

Lake Texoma - Denison Dam: November 20, 2007

Fished Lake Texoma at Denison Dam outflow.  Generators were running but no water was being released.  Regardless, a number of fishermen were taking keepers for the ice chest.  Although not a City of Allen body of water, decided to include this outing as it is less than an hour drive North of Allen.  Family daytrip that resulted in two small stripers that were less than 12" and another one that was 15".  Released them to grow and catch for another day!

Celebration Park: November 20, 2007

Fished Celebration Park East and North Ponds. One strike at the East Pond but no hook-ups. Caught 30+ Bluegill and Sunfish at the North Pond. Small fish but lots of fun to catch.

View of the North Pond

Small Bluegill

Kroger Park: November 18, 2007

Fished Kroger Park Pond near the bridge. Caught 1 Shad, 1 Sunfish, and 4 Bluegill on a Brown Dryfly. Cool morning with hits happening just under the water surface.

Kroger Park

Shad

Bluegill

Bethany Lakes: November 16, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Waterfall Pond and Canal. Caught one Sunfish and several strikes on a Dryfly. Cold and overcast with a strong wind. Regardless, the fish were hitting on the surface.

Sunfish

Celebration Park: November 12, 2007

Fished Celebration Park North Pond using White-Winged Nymph, Green Glo-Bug, Black Foam Rubber Spider, and Brown Dryfly.  Caught various Sunfish and a Bluegill near the lighted section of the picnic area.  Nothing big; still fun.

Bethany Lakes: November 11, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Waterfall Pond and Canal. Caught Sunfish and Bluegill. Nothing special other than the scare from a snake while walking up the bank of the Waterfall Pond.

Snake @ Waterfall Pond!

Celebration Park: October 6, 2007

Fished Celebration Park North Pond at night for a quick try for "bigger" fish.  No joy however!  Only small fish hitting.

Bethany Lakes: October 4, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Canal and Waterfall Pond.  Caught Bluegill and Sunfish.  Water flow has slowed at the waterfall, so the pool is visible.  No more Bass lurking.  Likely in the Lower Pond.

Bethany Lakes: October 3, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Main Pond, Canal, and Waterfall Pool.  No luck with the Black Sponge Rubber Spider.  Considering the rain last night, the water level is higher and the flow at the waterfall is significant.  Don't think the Bass are in the pool anymore.  Did have success using a White-Winged and Brown Dubbing Wet Fly.  Caught large and small Sunfish in the pool and the canal.  Braided leader continues to be boon to my casting ability!

Celebration Park: October 2, 2007

Fished Celebration Park North Pond again.  Used another fly rod with a braided leader and a Brown San Juan Fly.  Numerous Bluegill and Sunfish caught.

Note: While fishing a Life Flight Helicopter flew overhead and then landed in the parking lot.  Not sure what happened but a soccer game was going on at the time.

Celebration Park: October 1, 2007

Fished Celebration Park North Pond using a Black Sponge Rubber Spider and the braided leader. Caught Bluegill and Sunfish. Noticed improvement in fly turnover using the braided leader. Outstanding tip from the gentleman featured in the Dallas Morning News article about Urban Fishing!

Bethany Lakes: September 28 and 30

Fished Bethany Lakes last Friday evening and Sunday morning.

Friday, I tried to hook the 2-3lbs Bass in the Waterfall Pond. Did not succeed but noticed two other Bass lurking in the pool.

Sunday, I tried again without success. Changed to dry flies and started catching Bluegill and Sunfish. Observed several Bass playing along the shoreline in the Main Pond. Hooked a nice one but lost him. Going to have to try another strategy; keep hooking and losing fish every outing.

FYI - On Sunday, I met a gentleman featured in a Dallas Morning News article about Urban Fishing. I had met him several weeks before and learned about using purple flies for bass fishing. This meeting I learned about braided leaders using 6 lbs test monofilament. Made one already, and I am ready to try it out. Initial casts on the lawn look promising!

Bethany Lakes: September 26, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Waterfall Pond. Used the Purple Fly and hooked and lost the 2-3lbs Bass again. Caught a Sunfish later, then switched to a Black Fly on a homemade hook. Caught a Bluegill with it.

Sunfish caught with Purple Fly!

Allen Station Dam: September 26, 2007

Fished Allen Station Dam on secondary outflow side. Caught a Bluegill and Sunfish on flies using homemade hooks. Not bad! Also, noted two or three catfish in the primary pool swimming about.

Caught on another homemade hook!

Bethany Lakes: September 25, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Main and Waterfall Ponds using Black Rabbit Fur Zonker on a homemade hook. Hooked a 2-3lbs Bass but lost him trying to land him. Could not horse him up from the top of the waterfall.

Did get several strikes afterwards with one small Sunfish landed. See picture!

Caught on homemade hook!

Bethany Lakes: September 24, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Main and Back Ponds using Brown and White Rabbit Fur with Silver Body Fly.  Had several strikes but no hook-ups.  Did see a lot of fish hitting on the surface along the Main Pond's shoreline near the spillway.

FYI.  Made the fly using a homemade hook.  Unfortunately, lost the fly to the brush.

Bethany Lakes: September 23, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes Back Pond using Purple Rabbit Fur with Silver Body Fly. Caught two small Bass.

Bethany Lakes: September 22, 2007

Fished Bethany Lakes at the Waterfall Pond in the morning using Red and White Clouser Minnow. Caught a Bluegill. Met another flyfisherman who suggested using a Purple Rabbit Fur with Silver Body Fly.

Tried later in the evening at the Main Pond using the purple fly. Caught a 14" Bass. No picture of the Bass but here is one of the Bluegill. (Forgot to take my camera).