Spring Break Trip Report

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Hirsch
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Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Hirsch »

As you wish Jerry!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

David (DNR), Maury (Texas4UT), Linda (Yaktipper), Keirra (KayakQ), Keirra's son Jay and I gathered up at Fisherman's Park in Bastrop Thursday and off loaded for a 4 day trip. Getting off at about 10:00 we were soon out of town floating our way down.



The bite was slow that day, but there was plenty of scenery and good company to enjoy as we floated. The wildflowers are starting to bloom and there is always a variety of wildlife from water birds to turkey gobbles to keep one looking around. The river was low so many of the islands are not islands at the moment but still good legal campsite. There was a threat of rain and the sky stayed cloudy saving us the effects of a hot sun, but except an occasional short sprinkle we went unmolested. After the second day no more precipitation showed. The temps were just warm and humid enough to make a bath in the river welcome in the evening.



The stretch from Bastrop to Smithville is ranch country so we saw few on the shore and never more than one or two parties on the water the first day, one the second and none after that. Limestone cliffs provide many a fantastic view and atop one you could see signs of last years runaway fires. On the third day we saw an eagle's nest in the crotch of a tree atop a bluff. I found interesting that we could clearly see limestone cliffs with about 15' to 20' deposits of fertile soil on top. Each day the bite picked up with the concentration on bass. David is getting very proficient with that fly rod catching 4 channel cats on the 4th day that were over 20". Three of the came in about 10 minutes. That rods was sure bent with those loads. Linda is catching more every trip as well and Jay was a very skilled angler.


On the third evening we passed on a nice campsite about 3 miles above town thinking we saw something better a little closer. That proved false and a fisherman at the edge of town told of a sandbar just south of our takeout at River Bend park that proved suitable. There turned out to be a motorcycle rally in the park and band that ended at midnight and sounded well behaved. Sunday morning we got a quick breakfast and packed coming off the water about 10:00 am ending another great Spring Break Trip.
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Hirsch
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Hirsch »

A possible lunch site for a future visit. :lol:
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Blackberry blossoms were everywhere.
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Linda and one of her bass.
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Last edited by Hirsch on Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Hirsch
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Hirsch »

A few of the cliffs and bluffs. In the first you can see the fire damaged pines at the top.
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Hirsch »

The camps.
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

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The Flowers.
Bitterweed's yellow blossoms
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Blackberry blossoms
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Blue Bonnets and Indian Paint Brushes
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Last edited by Hirsch on Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Hirsch »

A coot that let me get unusually close.
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A railroad bridge over the river.
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A side creek that deserved more exploration thatn we could give it this trip.
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Hirsch
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

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Mojo227
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Mojo227 »

Great report! Love the pics. :clap:
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Gutter Girl
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Gutter Girl »

Whew! Didn't think I could hold my breath much longer watching for the pictures and report! Yes, I started waiting for them at noon yesterday - ha!

Looks like all y'all had a great time. I'm gonna do an overnighter - sometime!

Thanks for the great pics and narrative.

GG
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by saffra »

:D



Thank you for the report, Paul......I was hoping you would throw in a campfire picture.....glad y'all had a good trip.....I'll have to check out that section of river before too long. :D
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by RiveRover »

Thanks Paul, Great report and pictures......Thats a really pretty stretch of river
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Aggroman »

Great report and pics! :clap: Thanks Hirsh!
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Earl
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Earl »

Thanks for the report and the pics. I have been wanting to make that stretch of river.

Earl
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by Wolfman57 »

Great report I love it.
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

I had a whole long report all typed up, but unfinished, and when I got back to it, I was no longer logged in and lost the whole thing! Oh well, Hirshunter always does a good job of a trip report.

I would just like to add a few things. I was amazed at DNR's 28" catfish that I saw with my own eyes that he caught on his fly rod with 5 lb test line. KayakQ and I had a girl's evening the second night catfishing with lit bobbers while the guys had their own male bonding time. And most of all, I did NOT tip for the second trip in a row!! YAY! I enjoyed the trip very much and am looking forward to the next one. Hopefully my canoe will be in by then!!
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Left center is a critter... Otter?  Nutria?
Left center is a critter... Otter? Nutria?
KayakQ eating an apple
KayakQ eating an apple
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

More...
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To the right is a coot (sp?)
To the right is a coot (sp?)
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

Still the first day...
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Bunch of these butterflies everywhere
Bunch of these butterflies everywhere
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

1st day still...
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Check out the tracks in the sand
Check out the tracks in the sand
Young'un taking a nap....
Young'un taking a nap....
Here is your campfire, Jerry!
Here is your campfire, Jerry!
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

2nd day...
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

2nd day...
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saffra
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by saffra »

Wow......another gratuitous campfire picture.......one more and we'll have a slam...lol


Thanks for the report and pictures, Linda........I hate that I couldn't make this one :cry:



I'm so glad the trip went well, and the weather held out for y'all........ :D
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

3rd day...
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28" catfish on a fly rod!
28" catfish on a fly rod!
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Mooooooo
Mooooooo
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

More 3rd day...
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Cactus grows in odd places
Cactus grows in odd places
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yaktipper
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by yaktipper »

3rd day...
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One more...
One more...
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On the Guad
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Re: Spring Break Trip Report

Post by On the Guad »

Glad ya'll had a great time, wish I could have made it.
Dave, you need a haircut....almost thought you were a girl until I saw the facial hair :lol:
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