Sully (& Owl) Catch 25 Despite Flooding at Belton; SKIFF Trip #2016-5

Last Saturday, June 4th, I conducted the 2016 season’s fifth SKIFF (Soldiers’ Kids Involved in Fishing Fun) trip.  I was joined by little Sullivan (Sully) Alexander of Killeen, and his pet stuffed owl, name “Owl”.

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Sully’s first fish!!!

Sully’s dad is a U.S. Army helicopter pilot currently deployed to Turkey.  His wife, Camille, has Sully and Sully’s little sister, Caroline, who is less than a year old, to look after.  While today’s fishing trip was certainly intended to help Sully land the first fish of his life, the bigger goal was to give Camille some time without both children to look after for a few hours.

Providing homefront parents with some time of respite has become one of the most appreciated aspects of this SKIFF program.

Because of recent flooding at Belton Lake, we could not fish by boat today as the Corps of Engineers closed all public boat ramps until the weather settles and they can get the lake back down to safe levels.  Nonetheless, I trailered my boat over to Sully’s house, he got to sit in it, push all the buttons, blow the horn, and then we headed out to fish from the shores of Belton Lake.

Mr. Rodney Tyroch, who owns property adjacent to Corps of Engineers property, kindly allowed us access to the shoreline.  We found newly flooded, green grass and then studied the shoreline for small “pockets” that the wind was blowing into.  Sunfish and other small fish were holding in such pockets.

Sully and I baited up with segments of red worm suspended beneath a balsa float on a small #16 hook, weighted with a split shot less than BB-sized.  We used a long, telescoping pole to place this rig where the fish were and the fish responded well.

Sully not only caught the fir fish of his life, but 24 more after that, including bluegill sunfish, a redear sunfish, a blacktail shiner, and a young-of-the-year largemouth bass.  After photos, all were released.

The Austin Fly Fishers donates funds and seeks funding from individuals and organizations to make this SKIFF program a reality for homefront spouses and their children.

They do not ask for thanks or recognition, they simply desire others to take advantage of the opportunities this program offers.  If your spouse is away on military duty, your child(ren) qualify for a free SKIFF fishing adventure.  Please just phone me at the number below to make arrangements for your trip!

 

TALLY = 25 FISH, all caught and released

 

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TODAY’S CONDITIONS/NOTES:

Start Time: 4:30p

End Time:  8:30

Air Temp. @ Trip’s Start: 91F

Water Surface Temp:  76F

Wind Speed & Direction:  Light and variable first hour or so, then going SE6-7

Sky Conditions:  Steadily clearing from a fully overcast morning.

Water Level: ~12 feet above full pool and steadily rising due to flooding downstream on the Brazos and therefore no release from the dam.

Other: GT= 0

 

AREAS FISHED WITH SUCCESS:

**TLP flooded grassy bank

 

Bob Maindelle

Owner, Holding the Line Guide Service

254.368.7411 (call or text)

Website: www.HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

E-mail: Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bobmaindelle