Kat Torres and her 28” Trout caught with Castaway Lodge in April.

Whistle while you work took on a whole new meaning Saturday as winds blazed with the passing cool front. What gorgeous weather despite the wind. The crisp north cooled things down a bit and that’s welcome for sure. Capt. Chris Cady started things off this morning by roasting the Redfish with Greg G. and guests while Capt. James took a look at Trout angles. I was working on the island in the back marsh and ran into fish coming in out of the bay pushing shallow. These fish were massive and very bleached out from the deep waters. North wind patterns weren’t evolving fast enough and sometimes my expectation doesn’t exactly chime with the schedule of the fish. Before it was over with, classic patterns evolved yielding our best bite to 31.5” working cuts through islands where the water was being forced through.

I blew through the lake where only the day before we had a memorable catch with Tom T. and guests. We were in a meltdown with solid Redfish action and I was taking a picture when Kat set the hook. About that time Dakota had a fish on and then Kat’s dad James set the hook. We had three fish on and Capt. Chris and I were working with the anglers and jockeying everyone to keep the lines straight. We boated Dakota’s fish and then James fish, all solid Reds. Capt. Chris and I were dealing with them when I looked up as Kat’s fish approached the boat and that’s when I saw big lavender colored sides with a bunch of spots hit the sunlight……BIG TROUT I yelled. Capt. Chris Cady said oh my God that fish is pushing 30”. As he was about to pass out we eased the big girl along side and I snatched her out of the water with the lip grips. We took a quick measurement and promptly took a picture and Tommy and Kat both agreed to set her free. It was fun watching her swim off unharmed to be caught another day. It just goes to show, you never know when it will be your lucky day.

Big Weather Calls

Fishing the Texas Coast with the Capt’s. of Castaway Lodge finds little room for a lack of nerve, or fear of a drop of rain or big winds. I’ll never forget when long time client Lynn K. of Austin questioned our nerve on one of his first trips with us. Winds were banging out of the North early in the Spring with a huge bull tide pushed in the bay. He looked at me as we were getting ready to hop on the boat and depart the ramp and asked “are you serious”? We were heading out to work soft plastics drift fishing on my bay boat and that’s exactly what we did. We had some really nice success fishing the back reaches and protected waters with solid Trout and Redfish leaving no doubt about the “call”.

Guests ask me frequently “when is the best time for fishing”? My answer is always “when you can get away”! We seldom have the luxury of picking tides or weather conditions so we have to learn to fish it all with success not failure. That’s not to say that every result on a “weather call” is as good or as solid as we would like but I would say without hesitation that more often than not fishing is more successful than less successful. I would also say that better weather can at times increase the odds for difficulties rather than be a predictor of success.

Tough weather for “home gamers” and non-professionals is not for the inexperienced. While we can run our water on any wind and any weather, that ability comes only with way too much time and experience on the water, serious equipment, and the know how to use it. It’s not uncommon to hear the heart wrenching stories of recreational boaters and anglers meeting disaster on weather that is either beyond their ability or gets that way unexpectedly.

Tomorrow we welcome Jim K. and a 7 boat trip, it looks like another great day on the water is in store.

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge
1-888-618-4868
www.seadriftbayfishing.com

Brad B. party catching solid reds on topwater with Capt. Nathan Beabout at Bay Flats Lodge back lakes.

Every time I tell someone that the month of May is one of my favorite times of the year, they often look at me as if I’m a stranger to the Gulf coast area. One reason this happens, I believe, is because they don’t understand why I would choose such a windy month for being one of my favorite months of the year. Well, they’re right. May is generally a very windy month. But tossing the subject of heavy winds aside, May also normally indicates to those of us in-the-know that there is some truly spectacular top water action headed our way in the immediate or very near future. And where do I want to be once the action has turned-on up top? Well, there’s no place I’d rather be than right here in the San Antonio Bay region. Although my top water results varied somewhat in March and April, the bite on top should only grow in significance and consistency with each passing day and week as we progress through May. It’s only a matter of time now that those of us who live for the thrill of surface casting will be able to reap the rewards of doing so on an almost daily basis in most all of our coastal bay systems. The strong winds of May will primarily be out of the south, and this southerly influence will bring with it higher tides, additional daylight, warmer water, and distinct pods of bait fish among the flats and shallows – all of which are precursors to a successful top water bite.

My recent schedule has treated me with the rare delight of me being able to scout areas the day before entertaining many of my fishing parties. On these scouting expeditions, like I said earlier, I’m still finding that the top water bite remains irregular as we near the end of April. Here recently, I’ve experience days where I’ll toss cast after cast with little to attention being paid to my lure. Then, the very next day I’ll stumble upon an aggressive bite on top that lasts a short while and then suddenly declines without warning. I did have a couple days of notable top water action this month, but nothing like what should be in store for us next month. So, until the bite on top turns on strong, you’ll find me continuing to alternate my baits between that of soft plastics and that of surface-walkers. However, I’m more than ready to stop using plastics at a moment’s notice. The time to do so should come any day now.

In order for me to be ready to take full advantage of all of the upcoming fun, I need to be prepared. The first thing on my list of things to do is to inspect some of the top water baits that I use on a more regular basis – the ones that have consistently produced for me and that are the ones I have the utmost confidence in. I look for rust on the hooks, the split-rings, and on the nose loops, often replacing any or all of these pieces. The body of hard baits can often take on a stain or two of their own, but can often be easily cleaned with a little elbow grease and the proper cleanser for the job. Following inspection, I make sure to give each plug a thorough rinsing with freshwater. In fact, I often rinse all my lures that I carry on my trips on a daily basis, regardless of whether I used them that day, or not. It’s a good habit to get into, and one that you’ll only benefit from in the future, especially given the ever increasing cost of lures these days.

So, which top water baits are best, and which ones should you use? Well, I’m not going to tell you which lures you have to use, or which ones are best for you. There’s a wide variety of manufacturers making many different sizes and colors that are readily available today, with more being introduced all the time. All I can do is tell you about the ones that I’ve chosen to use in the past and that I have been very pleased with. In recent years, some of my all-time favorites have included the Top Dogs, the She Dogs, the Super Spooks, the Spook Juniors, and the Skitter Walks and the Skitter Walk Juniors. However, there are some new ones out there made by Texas Tackle Factory that I’ve now rapidly grown fond of – TTF’s GunDog series. The GunDog series consists of three top water baits, the Flush, the Dummy, and the Little Dummy. The largest in the series is the Flush (5 in., 7/8 oz.) which is enhanced with a dual rattle system – one loud clicking ball, and multi-BB rattles in the belly. What the Flush brings to the table is a top water presentation never before seen by fish. Instead of the standard side-to-side walk-the-dog action produced by other top water baits, the Flush retrieves in a smooth “S” pattern allowing you to work the bait really slow or really fast. The two smaller baits, the Dummy (4-3/8 in., 5/8oz), and the Little Dummy (3-1/2 in., ½ oz), each have bumps along the side of the bait giving it more presence in the water – a bigger wake, an enhanced sound profile, and a unique hook presentation.

When it comes to the discussion of which colors you should use, I have to admit that I’m of the old-school way of thinking when it comes to this topic. I’ve always chosen the use of dark colors on dark, overcast days and at night, and have always saved bright colors for bright daylight hours in clean, clear water conditions. You’ll find some folks that’ll tell you that because of the pronounced silhouette they establish in any water or light condition, dark-colored baits can be used effectively year-round in any and all conditions. And I have a close friend that will throw nothing but bone-colored top waters, all year long. Until I become a fish myself, I may not be able to tell you what colors work best, and for what reasons. The simple trend I’ve stuck with to-date that seems to work for me is my use of the top water baits that have consistently produced for me in the past and, consequently, that I’ve developed a certain level of confidence in. You’ll need to decide for yourself based upon your own experiences and confidences. Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com…1-888-677-4868

Tee enjoyed a wonderful day with Captain Rick Hammond of Bay Flats Lodge, April, 2012, back lakes.

Reliant Sales Group "Get 'em on top" with Capt. Rick Hammond, April 2012, San Antonio Bay at Bay Flats Lodge.

May 18-19    Warrior’s Weekend – Port O’Connor
web.mac.com/warriorsweekend

May 26    Memorial Day Kids’ Fishing Tourney
Port O’Connor, 361-983-2898

May 26-Labor Day    CCA Texas STAR Tournament
http://www.startournament.org/

July 6-7    Pescado Grande – Port O’Connor
The Harbor 361-676-8548

July 13-14    Cula Roja – POC
www.cularoja.com

July 18-21    Poco Bueno
weigh in at The Fishing Center, POC

July 20-22    Cabela’s Redfish Series – The Sanctuary
www.saltwaterseries.com

July 24-29    Lone Star Shootout – Caracol
www.thelonestarshootout.com

August 4    Possum Invitational Invitational
www.possumfishingtournament.com/

Need TCEQ Commissioners to take bold step to Protect South Texas Rivers and Bays

Fish, shrimp, oysters, wildlife, people, and businesses all need water. Striking the right balance in providing that water is not easy. Recently, our region saw an unprecedented example of a diverse group of stakeholders, the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program, achieve a reasonable balance for management of the Edwards Aquifer. Continuing this success, another group of stakeholders, on which we serve, recently reached broad agreement on recommendations to protect the water flowing in our rivers and into our bays and estuaries.

A dedicated team of scientists and stakeholders have been working since 2009 using the best available information to develop environmental flow recommendations for the Guadalupe, San Antonio, Mission and Aransas River Basins and their associated bay systems.  The stakeholders presented a comprehensive report with flow standards that provide enough water to support fish and wildlife, including the shrimp and oysters that many of us like to eat and the fish we like to catch down at the coast, while also allowing for reasonable water supply development.  We also recognized the need for voluntary actions to help offset impacts expected to result from future use of some existing water rights and offered many innovative approaches that provide future certainty in the implementation of new water supply projects and protection of our rivers and bays.

The stakeholder committee did the job assigned by the Texas Legislature.   The stakeholder recommendations represent a hard-won compromise among various interests that can help us move beyond the water resource quagmires that have long plagued the region.  Most of the stakeholder recommendations were adopted unanimously, although there were a few key ones that were adopted by a 19-3 supermajority vote.  Those nineteen votes signified agreement among stakeholders representing a broad spectrum of interest groups: river authority, municipal, industry, agriculture, environmental, recreational, regional water planning, and groundwater conservation districts. Now these stakeholders and the many constituents and entities they represent need the Commissioners of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to adopt rules establishing environmental flow standards consistent with those recommendations.

Our regional economy and quality of life is greatly affected by the health of our rivers and our bays. We need adequate river flow to preserve water quality, support a variety of fish and wildlife as well as recreational fishing opportunities and maintain commercial fisheries, while also supporting businesses, cities and agriculture.  We are more fortunate than some areas of the State, our rivers and bays are healthier than many; however, South Texas is experiencing a population boom and the stakeholders felt a great responsibility to prevent any further degradation to these important natural resources.

Unfortunately, in moving from the stakeholder recommendations to the proposed rule language, TCEQ staff did not include major aspects of the recommended protections. Many of the stakeholder recommended protections for the San Antonio River and Mission River basins remain, but few protections for the Guadalupe River have been incorporated into the rules.  Seasonally-significant flow required to sustain and even improve the health of the bay and estuary systems have also been removed.    Fortunately, there is still time to improve these rules during the public rulemaking process at TCEQ, which runs from now until May 14, 2012. The TCEQ Commissioners then will adopt the final rules in August 2012.

We urge the TCEQ Commissioners to honor the full extent of the stakeholder recommendations and send a bold message that the State of Texas acknowledges our collective obligation to provide water supplies and to protect our rivers and bays – and the jobs they support – for future generations of Texans.

Suzanne Scott, General Manager, San Antonio River Authority
Con Mims, Chair, South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group
Steve Clouse, Chief Operating Officer, San Antonio Water System
Jennifer Ellis, Senior Project Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation

Time for a Change

As a property owner in Calhoun County, it is time for a change of new faces at the County Courthouse, starting with the Sheriffs Department.

I have been a victim of burglary in the past and the actions of our chief law enforcement officer and staff were a joke at their best.

A Deputy will make the report, and some are sincere in their effort to enforce the law. The problem is the staff in the department. Once the report is received, the Chief Deputy will assign it to an armchair investigator …who will not visit the crime scene. After a delay of several months, the victim will receive a call that the case is assigned to her to investigate – this after evidence has been lost or destroyed!

The result of this investigation is that the thief did admit being on my property, but assured the investigator that he did not take anything of value (nice guy). Never mind that forced entry is a felony.

Now the Chief Deputy is a candidate for Sheriff. This is the same Deputy that thought it amusing the way the burglar broke in.

The voters have to change the direction of our Sheriffs Department. It is time to focus on enforcing the law and prosecute the criminal, instead of making a priority of traffic stops for the purpose of revenue for the County.

Tax dollars are wasted on the high salaries and ineffective law enforcement personnel and we, the voters, can and must change this with our votes.

Thank you,
Gary Boecher
Seadrift

Annual Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run

It was almost ten years ago that I first dreamed up the Freeport to Port O’Connor Toy Run and I never envisioned it would become such a wonderful experience for so many people. It now means so much to not only the children served but to the boaters that make the trip. Many have been with us since the very beginning. We have read with admiration the many letters to the Dolphin expressing local thanks for what we do. We have also received some wonderful recognition from the POC Chamber of Commerce. I felt that the one thing I have never seen is thanks to the many great people who make all this happen on your end.

To acknowledge everyone in POC who has helped us would be impossible as each year we find someone else stepping up in some needed way but these folks have consistently been our friends:

Marie Hawes and all the folks with the Adopt An Angel Program
Volunteers who load, transport, and sort the toys
The POC Chamber of Commerce
The Inn At Clarks
St. Christopher’s Marina
Josies
Hurricane Junction
POC Hardware
The Fishing Center
And finally…Alvin’s Liquor Store (can’t forget them!)

Each year our stay is made even more unforgettable by these friends and I felt it was time everyone knew how important they are to us. This year, come rain or shine, we will be back for the 10th Annual Toy Run and we look forward to the largest event yet. We are already soliciting donations of toys and money to buy toys and we hope to surpass the $100,000.00 mark. I know that there are other groups that are of national importance that make our donations look rather meager but none of them manage to put as many gifts into the hands of area children.

As a native of Victoria I started enjoying POC about 55 years ago and it has always been my favorite spot on the coast. That is one reason this all started and the primary reason I hope it will continue long after I am gone.

May God bless you all for being such great friends to the children and to our group.

Jerry Karnes

Golf

Unless you bring your own golf balls to hit at the POC driving range, please pickup the balls that you hit that I leave there for everybody’s use. Otherwise I will stop leaving them there for anyone to use.

P.S. I could sure use some help mowing!

G.B. Robertson

Dogs

We have a problem that could be solved if people would be good neighbors. The problem is that people let their dogs run loose and leave their mess in other people’s yards and also on the beach where children play.

I love dogs myself and wouldn’t dream of letting mine mess in other people’s yard.

I have been to other cities where the houses are jammed up close together and most don’t have fenced yards for their pets. I have observed people running or walking with their dogs on a leash. They carry plastic bags with them to pick up after their dogs and when they get home it is deposited in a garbage can.

Some of these cities have fenced in doggy yards for the dogs to get their exercise. They also pick up after the animals and deposit the droppings in a can provided by the community. This would be impractical here as we have no funds for such.

I suggest that our residents be good neighbors and stop their pets from running loose. There are places like the field behind the community center that would be ideal for our good citizens to take their dogs to get their exercise.

Kathy Harper

The Dolphin welcomes letters from our readers on any subject that is of general interest to our audience. Letters should be 300 words or less (with exceptions at the Dolphin’s discretion). Letters reflect the opinion of the writer, and not that of Dolphin Talk staff, and we retain the right to determine suitability for publication. It is the policy of this newspaper to promote area interests: therefore, complaints against local businesses should be directed elsewhere. Letters must be signed and include day and evening phone numbers, which will not be published. Your name will be withheld upon request, but anonymous material will not be considered for publication.

Letters to the Dolphin:
Dolphin Talk, P.O. Box 777
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
dolphin1@tisd.net

Jasmine Gordon's winning photo

The 23rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference was held from in March in Dallas, Texas, USA. Jasmine Gordon was in attendance with the Racing Aces, Dianna Stanger and Victoria Holt. Jasmine is the Ace’s publicist and the team is in full swing preparing for the 36th Air Race Classic.

Women in Aviation (WAI), International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women (and men) who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.

The WAI Conference was the perfect setting to begin promoting the Aces. The attendees were challenged to enter a photo contest which entailed capturing the spirit of a WAI conference.

As usual, Jasmine is always taking photos and has entered various photo contests, but this would have special meaning.

“During an evening social, I took the winning photo with an iPhone! I got on the ground and angled the phone just right,” she said. “We had dinner reservations and by the time we got from the first floor to the 27th floor I had cropped, color adjusted and straightened the photo with my PS Express app.”

The photo has a Saul Bass, a famous graphic designer and filmmaker, feel to it as it simply shows the female pilots’ silhouettes with the WAI logo in the background. Both of the Aces encouraged Jasmine to submit the photo. WAI chose Jasmine’s photo and awarded her with a new digital camera. Her photo will be published in the May/June 2012 issue of Aviation for Women. “I was at the right place at the right time,” Jasmine commented. “It was one of those instances when you don’t hold back and know that creativity is in the making.”

Learn more about Jasmine’s graphic and web design plus view more of her photos at www.deitydesign.net.

Editor’s Note: Jasmine Gordon is also on the Dolphin Talk staff, contributing articles, photos, graphics, and technical assistance. We are proud of her accomplishments.