Spicewood Springs Trail, Colorado Bend SP

Rain, we desperately need rain in Texas.  The lack of rain changed our White Bass fishing site.  Usually, the Sabine River plays host for us to fish the spring White Bass run, but its low, low water levels (4,000 cfs lower than last year) forced a venue change.  We have fished the Colorado River at Colorado Bend State Park for the White Bass, but not as our main source for this annual fishing spree. 

Days leading up to and on the full moon often mean excellent fishing, and since we were at the ranch, we headed to Colorado Bend State Park.  What were we thinking?  50+ people lined up side by side, trying to find a run in the shallows to fish for the same fish?  What idiots we were!  We fished and watched the bait chunkers throwing minnows catching fish, and they were the only ones, with the exception of the one White Bass Cody hooked on a small gray and white, beadchain eye Clouser.  Spending an hour and half witnessing this torture, we packed it in and headed to a really fun spot on the eastern side of the park--Spicewood Springs Trail.

Fishing Spicewood Springs makes one either a better caster or cusser, take your pick.  We used our 1# and 2# rods and fished narrow runs and pools created by cascading waterfalls as Spicewood Springs wended its way down to the Colorado River.  We hiked farther up than we ever have and were not disappointed.  We netted fish that have probably never be caught before.  Small, yes, beautiful, absolutely, and so unafraid that they swam up to us and nipped at our waders and boots.  Where we fished packed like sardines on the river, here we fished just ourselves often times taking turns because the creek was not wide enough for two side-by-side.  At times sheer granite walls surrounded us, and at others, wild oaks, cedars, and shrubs.  Drop-offs and small waterfalls gave birth to each of the pools we fished, and due to the rocky bottoms, the waters were always clear until the mouth of the creek.

Cody hooked up with the bigger fish using the CodyBuggers, and I chose to fish the GirlieBugger.  Our fish were measured by ounces not pounds, but Cody landed several Bass nearing a pound and Bluegill in the 5-7 ounce size.  After suffering zero catches for the White Bass, the small Bluegill satisfied me due to their beautiful colors, including scarlet eyes, and feverent fight.  A 6 ounce Bluegill can put a bend in a 2# rod like a 10 pound Bass can put in a 5# rod!  1.1 pound tippet, 2# rod, and a floating line made for an excellent fishing trip in a majestic, solitary setting.