Family Friendly Fishing Trips Archives - Holding the Line Guide Service

Improvement in Several Areas – 104 Fish

CLIENTS: On Friday, May 8, I capped off a full week of fishing which was accompanied by a full week of crazy, Texas springtime weather. Joining me this morning was returning guest Gary Jones of Temple fishing solo. Gary filled in at the last minute after a grandfather and grandson I had scheduled to take…

The Day They’ll Talk About in September – 73 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Thursday, May 7, I welcomed aboard returning guests Cory and Hunter Hargrove, a father and son team from Academy, Texas. Joining the Hargroves for his first time aboard was James Ledbetter of Salado. James and cory are brothers-in-law. Cory makes a living as a railroad man and James makes a living as…

Fished 2 Hours & Got the “Hail” Out of Dodge — 26 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Wednesday, May 6, I welcomed longtime client, Dwight Stone aboard, accompanied by a first time guest, Mr. Chester Collinsworth, both from Georgetown, Texas. Dwight and I had been comparing notes about weather for this morning‘s trip as far back as Sunday, and we hoped we might just get a full trip in…

‘Twas More Spurty than Sporty – 56 Fish on Hazy Eyes & MALs

CLIENTS: This morning, Tuesday, May 5, I fished with returning guest, Mr. David Giese of Salado. David came with two buddies from his church previously, and this time brought his wife, Kim. The two have been married over 40 years and first met in the library at the college they attended. TODAY’S DATE: 05 May…

Hook-and-Ladder Hooky – 58 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Monday, May 4, I fish with first time guests Kyle and Sawyer Melton of Salado. Kyle is a firefighter who had the day off, and Sawyer just got to play hooky to spend some father and son time on the water. I was a little unsure about having a seven year-old out…

As the Late April Cold Front Rolled In – 80 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Wednesday, 29 April, I fished with returning guest Jack Swingler, a member of the Austin Woods and Waters Club, accompanied by his friend and my first time guest, Jay Barnes. We were targeting white bass on Lake Belton today. TODAY’S DATE: 29 April 2026 (AM) NEXT OPEN DATES FOR FISHING: 02 June…

MALs Made the Morning – 88 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Monday, April 27, I fished with fellow fishing guide Doug McClung, for his second time aboard my boat this season. Doug brought with him, for the first time, his grandson, Waden McClung, age 10, from the Georgetown area, thanks to a ‘teachers’ workday’ in this young man’s school district. TODAY’S DATE: 27…

Making Hay While the Sun Shone – 85 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Friday, April 24, I hosted part of the McLeod family from Killeen. Joining me were Travis McLeod‘s adult children, Ty McLeod and Ann Vandergriff, as well as Travis‘s grandson, Rhyder Vandergriff, a fourth grader. Everyone had at least a bit of prior experience so I did not have to cover basics, but…

He Needed to Do 2 Things Well … and Did! — 104 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Thursday, April 23, I fished an annual birthday fishing trip with long-time client Matt Laakso from the Austin area. I always enjoy having Matt out as he is a hunting, fishing, and shooting enthusiast and has a liking for efficiency. Whenever we wrap up our trip, he always books ahead for his…

Final Day of 13-Month Study on Stillhouse White Bass – 47 Fish

CLIENTS: On this rainy, cool mid-April morning, I welcomed aboard the father-and-son team of Tom Wilson Sr. and Tom Wilson Jr. — both U.S. Army veterans of the Field Artillery branch. They run their own boat — an 18′ pontoon — on Stillhouse and wanted to use this trip as a calibration of sorts to…