In January most consider wrapping up the hunting season and putting new line on the reels. At the Lake Ivie Fishing Camp we are on the lake taking good stringers of catfish and crappie. The white bass fishing is also starting to peak with pre spawn activity starting.

       In the past two weeks the fishing has been like opening the presents with exceptional catches of catfish and white bass. The cats are hitting under the wintering birds with several going over the 10-pound mark. The river channels are holding large schools of whites and crappie. Using a combination slab and jig rig we sometimes take two at a time which fills the fish box in a hurry.

      This year we are also really getting into the fly rod fishing and as the white and black bass begin to raid the flats in water less than 10 feet the streamers worked close to the bottom will provide non-stop action throughout the day. As the big female black bass move to the spawning areas they also will take the fly normally in open water where landing a 10+ is possible. Last year we took 21 bass that passed the 10-pound mark with two coming off the fly.

      I have also added a large 26-foot pontoon boat that will haul personal watercraft to the areas as well as provide a platform to fly cast to schools of “West Texas Bonefish” better known as white bass.

      As the spring warms the water the crappie will also hit the shores in their annual spawn and become vulnerable to the stealth long rodders. Night fishing although sometimes cool will produce limits of pre-spawn crappie most of which will fit nicely in the pan.

      The lake caught over 10 feet this past winter, which will improve the conditions by providing new food, sources for baitfish and fresh green growth for additional fish cover.

This spring should provide excellent bassing with long rods and topwaters, as well as food sources for catfish.

       On your next outing you might consider the Lake Ivie Fishing Camp where the prices are still the same, coffee hot, steaks big and treatment of guests normally good.

      Also one final note, I will try and keep the fishing report up to date on a hopefully weekly basis, but if past due I have an excuse. That is I am too busy fishing and cleaning fish.  

Blessings for the New Year      Dave