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.

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.