7 replies · 412 views · started 5h ago by hillcountry_hank
One accepted answer, jump to itDriving down from Boerne on Saturday and the release is sitting at 180 cfs. Last time I fished it that low I spooked everything inside the first hour and went home in a mood.
Plan is to wade the stretch below the second crossing with the 5wt and a box of size 18 stuff. Worth the drive, or do I wait for them to bump the flow up?
Accepted answer, marked by hillcountry_hank
180 is very fishable, you just have to change how you move. At that flow the trout stack in the deeper slots below the riffles instead of spreading across the whole run.
Go small and long. Six pound tippet is too heavy, run 6x, a size 18 zebra midge under a small dry, and add a foot of leader. If you are getting refusals by ten, drop to 7x and slow down. Fish the far seam first, stay low, three casts per slot before you take a step.
I fished it at 165 last February and had the best day of my season.
guadalupe_greg wrotestay low, three casts per slot before you take a step
This is the whole thing. Everybody wades that stretch twice as fast as they should, me included for two seasons. I take twice as long to cover half the water now and I catch more.
Water was 51 degrees at the crossing on Thursday morning. Bring the extra layer, that river does not care that it is 80 out by lunch.
We got 7x back in stock this week if anyone needs it before the weekend.
One heads up on the low water: parking at the second crossing fills by 7:30 on a Saturday. Park at the third and walk up, it is ten minutes and you get the quiet water first.
Fished it Wednesday at 175. Four to hand, all on a midge, all out of the slow water at the tail of the runs. Nothing at all on the swing, do not waste your morning on it like I did.
Sold. Going Saturday, leaving Boerne at five. Will report back Sunday with numbers, honest ones, including the ones I lose.
Report or it did not happen. Good luck Hank.