Fishing During a Warming Trend Archives - Holding the Line Guide Service

White Bassin’ with Catfish (Shugrue)- 74 Fish

CLIENTS: Today, Wednesday, January 14, I fished a full day trip with long-time friends Catfish Shugrue and Tracey McCoy. Mrs. Cherie Shugrue got her husband this trip as a birthday present and specifically chose this week for the trip to take place because Tracey was already scheduled to be in for a visit from his…

Largest Fish in 21 Years Guiding – 122 Fish (w/ my new buds from Italy)

CLIENTS: This morning, Wednesday, January 7, I fished with a group of four – – all first time guests. Organizing the trip was Dr. Guido Zecca, accompanied by his son Giani, and relatives of theirs visiting from Italy – Alberto Casartelli and his 17 year-old son, Denis. I was thankful that everyone came into the…

Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks — 74 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Tuesday, January 6, I fished Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir with two dads and their adult sons. I welcomed aboard Russ Cox and his son, Case, and Ray Fread and his son, Coby. This fathers-and-sons outing came courtesy of Coby and Case’s boss, Ryan Warren, owner of B&K Air Conditioning and Heating LLC (https://www.facebook.com/p/BK-Air-Conditioning-and-Heating-LLC-100051582207278/)…

Fishers of Men Aboard — 103 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Monday, January 5, I fished Stillhouse with Pastor Charlie Pannell, Matthew Parrish, and Konnor Winter. The two younger men both serve as counselors at Pine Cove, and volunteer with Pastor Pannell in the church’s music ministry at Memorial Baptist Church in Killeen (https://www.membc.org/). TODAY’S DATE: 05 January 2026 (PM) NEXT OPEN DATE…

Soldiers’ Kids Involved in Fishing Fun (SKIFF) – 54 Fish

CLIENTS: This morning, Friday, January 2, I conducted the first SKIFF trip of the new year. Joining me were the three eldest of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Augustine Anukwu’s seven children. I welcome aboard Quincey (age 15), Malcolm, (age 11), and Wallace (age 9). SSG Anukwu has served in the U.S. Army for eleven years…

The Fish Got the Memo – 72 Fish (Sonar screenshot is worth 1000 words)

CLIENTS: On New Year’s Day 2026, I fished an afternoon trip with Mr. James Roundtree and his wife, Jennifer. James grew up in Houston and Jennifer is a bit more local, having grown up in Jarrell, Texas. The couple has four daughters, four granddaughters, and one grandson. This trip came together on kind of a…

Reading the Wind for the Win – 75 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Sunday afternoon, December 28, I reworked my schedule in order to accommodate a party of two young men, one of whom wound up catching the first fish of his life, accompanied by their uncle. The boys’ dad, Darrin, coordinated the trip. Mr. Melvin Pouncy brought his nephews, Carter and Casen Pouncy of…

7-Year-Old w/ Newest White Bass Invention — 66 Fish

CLIENTS: On Saturday morning, December 27, I fished with Anthony and Kristina Carlucci, accompanied by their three kids Bentlee “Benny” (age 10), Kolesyn “Coco”, age 7), and Rosaleigh, who, at age 3, was pretty much just along for the ride. The Carluccis came out with me previously and so had a pretty good idea of…

His Boys Were Giftin’ Fishin’ – 120 Fish

CLIENTS: This past Friday, December 26, I fished with a crew of three first time guests. Brad Morton‘s sons, Zach and Cameron, treated him to a Christmas fishing trip. There was no way any of us could have known several weeks ago when Zach coordinated for this date that we would be in the midst…

A Quiet, Peaceful Christmas Morning – 90 Fish

CLIENTS: On Christmas morning, I finished with returning guests, Brandon and Wendy Hunt from Hutto, Texas. They found themselves in the same situation I did, that of having family plans for later in the day, so, they decided to spend a few hours with me out on Lake Belton. Generally speaking, Lake Belton produces higher…