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FLY FISHING THE BUFFALO BAYOU, TEXAS
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Buffalo Bayou details
Interactive map of the Buffalo Bayou and related businesses
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Descriptions
1. Buffalo Bayou is a large slow moving body of water that cuts through
Houston and eventually flows in the Gulf of Mexico. It gives us local fly
fisherman miles of freshwater to target bass, panfish, carp, gar and
several other types of non-native species such as talipia. Access in only
available through "public parks" such as Terry Hershey Park which is West
of Houston by Highway 6 and Buffalo Bayou Park which passes close to
downtown close to Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway. You can easily find
these parks with a Google search. Public parking is clearly marked and is
frequently patrolled by local constables but you still need to exercise
caution as you would in any major urban city to protect yourself. Also
you will want be alert to the fact that there are snakes and alligators in
our bayous.
It is not recommended that you wade or float-tube this
body of water! Why? Not only because of the potentially hazardous
wildlife, but also the waterway may have hazardous debris. The water
quality, while once at a low-point in the ealy 1970's has been
dramatically improved and efforts are continuing today to improve this
historic and important bayou.
The water clarity most of the time
ranges from a greenish-opaque with 2-3 feet of visibility to very muddy
depending on how much rain-flow we have. There are a few areas and times
when you find patches of clearer water especially in the shallower
areas.
Dark colored fly patterns seems to work best in brown,
black, orange and red. Also patterns with bulk, rattles or designed to
push water seem to work well. For example a dark olive seducer with a
bushy hackle collar has worked well for bass. Both the Grass Carp and
Commond Carp seem to prefer the dark brown colors without any flash. So if
you use small brown wolly buggers use a dull-brass colored bedhead. This
same fly also work well for all the panfish including the talapia which
will hit flies out of aggression to protect their nest area. Gar? You
can catch these toothy critters with just about any fly however hooking up
may be a problem. Solution? You add a trailing "stinger" hook to your
fly or use a long floss body that get those fibers into their fine rows of
sharp teeth! Either way has worked for me. The closer you fish the
bottom, do not be surprised if you hook a catfish..a common fish in our
bayous here. Finally, if you are lucky, you might catch a bowfish (aka
"grinnel") which is considered a prehistoric fish with some awesome teeth
so be careful when handling. Otherwise, this fish offers a great fight on
a fly-rod and will most fish fly patters.
One final note, while
our bayous are not considering as pristine as a Colorado trout streams and
nor do they even attempt to be, they are the "essence" of our bayou-based
waterways and offer a chance at a wide array of freshwater fish in the
heart of our city. Sloppy casts and poor presentations are also not
welcome by our local species here. Tight loops into small pockets of
vegetation may be required of you and you also may find yourself kneeling
down to make a pinpoint presentation to skittish carp. Either way, good
fly casting will make this local waterway a great place enjoy many species
of fish! If you need a local guide who knows these water well, please
contact me and I will introduce you to him. 210-414-7418, Robert L.
(10/28/2009 at 01:45 PM by flycastinginstructor)
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