Canyon Lake Report from Captain Kyle Hodson

Well the weather escalated quite quickly with another front rolling.  What felt like a Saturday Summer Night, is quite different this Sunday Morning. That said, with this high pressure system comes clear skies and light winds to follow (which we all dream of in the sight fishing/fly fishing world).  I will take this opportunity to share some updates from ReelFly as well as a fishing report on Canyon Lake. Before I do that though, I certainly want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays from all the boys at the shop.  We certainly are very thankful for everyone, and some of you have become family over the years.  This time of year can be a very busy and an exciting time.  We would like to encourage you to enjoy the moments with the ones that you care for…even if that is on the water!

Now to the fly-fishing!

Canyon Lake Fishing Report: 12/23/2019:

To say Canyon Lake has been good might not be giving her the justice she deserves.  It is very easy to overlook Canyon Lake with such a tremendous trout fishery on the Guadalupe.  All that said, we have been taking full advantage of what is right out our back door.  If chasing the morning Striper Blitz does not excite you enough, the mid-morning and afternoon Bass Bite has been phenomenal.  

We have been focusing our efforts on trying to put our guests on the Striper Blitz in the morning.  This can take a little bit of luck to hit it just right, but when you do, it is an experience you will not forget.  This is a visual thing folks, close your eyes and picture the water boiling all around you while your guide is trying to stay on the school and keep you calm while you launch you fly into the massive feeding frenzy.  I will say it takes a few minutes to get your blood pressure down once the havoc dies off, (for both angler and guide)!  Between chasing this visual outburst, and watching the birds help locate a frenzy about to start, our mornings have been rewarded with some great eats, hook ups, and experiences.  By mid-morning, or when the craziness has dropped off with the Stripers, we have been switching our tactics to chasing Bass.  This Fall/Winter Pattern has really put some decent Bass on the end of our flies.  One of our guests this past Saturday referred to it as the “Thump on the Stump.”  I found this quite humorous, as well as a great way to explain/teach what we are looking for in certain situations.  Our tactics have varied depending on where we are fishing.  Those that fish with me though, know my belief in fishing shallow, or fishing shallow humps/flats next to drops.  Regardless, we have been catching them on the surface, or slightly below it, and have been rewarded with some extremely aggressive eats and follows.  I am always impressed with the hunter mentality of Bass.  You watch their mannerisms long enough; you will notice a very sleek yet aggressive nature to this fish. (I cannot see how someone would not appreciate this in a targeted fish.)

As far as our gear check, we have been on everything from a 5wt. to even a 10wt….just trust me when I need you to get an extra 10-12’ of distance and turn a heavy fly over on a school of striper.  That said, even then, there is some fish that have tested the butt sections of our rods.  Our leader system has stayed the same…tried and tested system of 4/3/2/1…keeping a well-balanced and evenly tapered leaders to turn over nicely. (40/30/20/10 lb test then, whatever tippet desired), we will occasionally go to fluorocarbon to help get the fly down faster if needed.  Length has been everywhere from 9-14’ depending on clarity, and what the fish are doing.  The fly choices have not been that important.  That sounds so awkward to say, especially around a bunch of trout guides!  The reality is, we have been getting eats on size and color more so than patterns.  That is what I have been following, and letting the fish dictate.

We have some exciting things coming up with ReelFly!  You do not want to miss our Winter Trout Clinic.  We hope that you were able to make it in the shop for any last minute Christmas items, or even the trip for your loved one. 

I look forward to seeing you on the skiff.

ReelFly Guide

Capt. Kyle Hodson