By Tim Birdsong, Chief of Habitat Conservation, Inland Fisheries - TPWD

The official state fish, Guadalupe Bass, has been restored to the South Llano River. Guadalupe Bass are endemic to the South Llano River and other clear, spring-fed rivers of the Texas Hill Country. They are threatened by loss of habitat and hybridization with non-native, introduced Smallmouth Bass that are native to the Great Lakes of North America and portions of the Ohio, Tennessee, upper Mississippi, and Saint Lawrence rivers. Smallmouth Bass have been introduced throughout North America, Africa, and Eurasia to enhance sport fishing opportunities.

This conservation success story for Guadalupe Bass begins with an ill-fated, experimental introduction of Smallmouth Bass to the South Llano River in 1958-1960.  The introduction proved unsuccessful in establishing a self-sustaining Smallmouth Bass fishery, but resulted in an unforeseen and unintended consequence of creating a hybrid population of Guadalupe Bass and Smallmouth Bass. This hybridization went unnoticed in the South Llano River until similar situations resulted from stocking of Smallmouth Bass in other Hill Country rivers.

In 1974-1980, Smallmouth Bass were stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in the Blanco, Guadalupe, Medina and San Gabriel rivers, and in Cibolo and Onion creeks. Once hybridization was detected and threats to Guadalupe Bass were recognized, TPWD ceased efforts to establish Smallmouth Bass fisheries in Hill Country Rivers and instead began to devise a strategy to prevent the local extirpation and possible extinction of Guadalupe Bass. Initial conservation efforts included establishment of a refuge population of genetically-pure Guadalupe Bass in the Sabinal River in 1988. In 1992, TPWD initiated a Guadalupe Bass hatchery program that has since produced and stocked 2,355,807 Guadalupe Bass in Hill Country Rivers.  TPWD also partnered with local landowners, non-governmental organizations, fishing clubs, river authorities, and other partners to restore and preserve habitat conditions for Guadalupe Bass in rivers throughout the Hill Country.

In 2010, TPWD focused its attention on the South Llano River and the hybrid population that resulted from the historic Smallmouth Bass introduction. In partnership with numerous local cooperators, a plan was hatched to restore Guadalupe Bass to the South Llano River. Between spring 2011 and spring 2017, more than 700,000 genetically-pure Guadalupe Bass were stocked in the South Llano River.  Today, less than 2 percent of the Guadalupe Bass population now consists of hybrids. 

In addition to the South Llano River stocking program, project cooperators organized river conservation workshops attended by approximately 750 landowners and local community partners in the watershed. Over 78,000 acres of ranchlands implemented stewardship practices to help preserve fish habitats. Restoration projects in the watershed restored 7,754 acres of spring, stream and riparian habitats, directly benefiting water quality and habitat conditions for Guadalupe Bass. These and other conservation efforts in the South Llano River watershed have successfully restored Guadalupe Bass populations and helped promote local stewardship practices that will ensure the river is able to sustain Guadalupe Bass populations into the future. Learn more about efforts to conserve Guadalupe Bass in the South Llano River or watch this video produced by TPWD a few years ago featuring former TPWD Angler Education Instructors Guy Harrison and Mike Andrews.

 Photos in article by TPWD.

By Greg Akins, Aquatic Education Training Specialist - Houston

The cast net dates back to 177 BC. Oppian of Anazarbus, a 2nd century Greco-Roman poet, wrote Halieutica a poem about fishing. He describes in his writings various means of fishing including the use of cast nets from boats. From then until now, cast nets have managed to stand the test of time in the world of fishing.

Many people do not know how to use them, throw them, or understand the laws that govern cast nets. Here is some information for our readers in Texas (above all things get ye understanding)

Recreational anglers use cast nets to gather live bait. There are several styles and sizes of cast nets. Cast nets have different mesh sizes; different types of weights (metal or plastic) and weight sizes; others have different draw styles, either closing from underneath or above the net.

As most Texans know, “size” matters. Texas cast net regulations state:

•    May not be greater than 14’ feet in Diameter
•    Legal only for taking nongame fish and other aquatic animal life including, crabs, crayfish, and shrimp.
•    In saltwater, nongame fish may be taken for bait purpose only.

Practice throwing the cast net on land before heading to the water. To throw the net:

1. Make sure you have stable footing.
2. Step on the leash loop. (Safety best practice – you never know where or what the net will land on [like a shark!])
3. With the net gathered, use your non-dominant hand to hold the center of the net;  with your dominate hand grip the outer edge of the net and spread it out from the center.
4. Turn or twist your upper body backwards in the direction of the net’s outer edge, keep your feet planted and spin your body and the net forward releasing both hands.
   

The goal is to open the net as wide as possible in the air while releasing it with both hands simultaneously from one end as it’s slung in the air in one smooth release. For additional help, watch a how-to video online.  

Because you can’t always control what you catch with a cast net, you may catch both gamefish and non-gamefish. Remember as stated above, if you catch nongame fish with a cast net and use it for bait --that’s great. With the exception of shrimp, crayfish and crabs, you can’t use a cast net to catch game or nongame fish for the purpose of eating. 

Texas anglers can be sure of one thing: cast nets are great bait catchers but are bad fish catchers! Above all, understand ye the laws!

 Photo courtesy of Gwenna Reich

By Edd Goodson, Angler Education Certified Instructor

Years had passed and I wasn’t sure I would ever have grandkids. I had four kids so the odds should have been in my favor, but for one reason or another, it just wasn’t happening. Then it did! Born in San Francisco, I feared the miles that separated us would keep them from really getting to know me. Thanks to today’s high tech, I have been able to watch them grow and communicate with them personally via the marvel of video calls. The video calls have filled in the gaps and kept me real to them. Kudos to bits and bytes!

At age five I gave them their first fishing gear, pink princess and blue super hero fishing rods. I knew it might be pushing five year olds to introduce them to angling arts at such a young age, but I had been dreaming about the day I would take them on their first fishing adventure and couldn’t endure the wait. They were excited about the little rods and it didn’t take them long to figure the casting part out. So right then, in my mind, I started planning their first fishing trip with grandpa when they visited the following summer.

Man was I excited! I had made arrangements to take them to a ranch near Cleburne, Texas that had a lake full of healthy Coppernose Bluegill. These fish were so big and strong I was a little concerned they might scare the kids with their frantic hard pull. We talked about the trip, about catching fish, practiced casting, tried on life jackets for a good fit, talked about having to get up really early and even watched some short fishing videos. It seemed they were getting excited too.

The night before our adventure we laid out their fishing clothes and tackle. I had taken them shopping earlier and paid way too much for matching fishing vests and hats for them. Once they were tucked in, I rechecked my list of tackle, worms, white bread, snacks, water, sunscreen, first aid kit and of course cameras. I was really excited!

When I opened the door to their bedroom the next morning they were already getting dressed. The sun was just breaking over the hilltops as we drove through the ranch gates. It was perfect. As we headed to the dock where they would fish we talked about keeping our life jackets on and I explained to the grandson that the mud daubers darting around the dock were really not out to get him.

I watched the granddaughter wrinkle her nose in dismay as I skewered fat Canadian night crawlers onto their hooks. She was first to get her bait in the water, grandson still had an eye on the wasps, and immediately her bobber disappeared.

It was happening, that moment I had imagined for so long was unfolding before my eyes. I laughed; granddaughter squealed, grandson forgot the marauding wasps and watched his sister’s struggle with, in his eyes, a giant fish. We finally got the fat eleven-inch bluegill on the dock and in hand. I could tell by the doubtful smile on granddaughter’s face she was not at all interested in holding it. Once I had it unhooked and held secure in my hand she did want to touch it and did with a great deal of precaution. We took a couple of photos of the two of them admiring the catch and then I tossed it back in the lake. I recall the surprised looks on their faces when I did that. I had neglected to talk to them about not keeping the fish. After that fish it was accepted as a normal thing to do.

I turned to my grandson and said, “Ok boy it’s your turn”. An ear-to-ear smile let me know he was glad to be next. Far beyond the hour I expected their interest to last, the two of them kept me busy baiting hooks and releasing fish, laughing out loud at their struggles with the bluegills and the smiles on their faces. The grandson’s proud smile as he hoisted his biggest bluegill for photographs with his sister looking on with her “this is fun but I’ll keep my distance from that fish” look, convinced me they were having an excellent adventure. Recently, during a video call with them, I asked if they wanted to go fishing again while they were in Texas this summer. A resounding and enthusiastic YES convinced me that our first trip was only the beginning of many more favorite outdoor Texas memories. I am thankful for these bytes and bites.  

Photos in article courtesy of Edd Goodson.

 On the local front, please join me in welcoming our newest team member, Aquatic Education Training Specialist for Central Texas, Adam Comer. Adam will start on February 12th. He grew up with a love for the outdoors and fondly remembers his first fish caught – a Goggle-eye on the Buffalo River, Arkansas. These experiences led Adam to pursue and earn a bachelor’s degree in geography with an emphasis on resource and environmental studies from Texas State University. As an AmeriCorps volunteer, he worked for the Forest Service in the Cascade Mountains, Washington and in Alaska in conservation and education. He discovered his passion for teaching, tutored junior high students and led developmentally disabled teens as a work crew supervisor, while continuing to explore the wilds of Alaska. Adam also worked as a high school Instructional Aide and US History Teacher in Phoenix, while earning his master’s degree in education from Arizona State University. He returned to Texas and worked as an environmental educator at Austin Youth River Watch for the past nine years. While at River Watch, Adam mentored and led hands-on activities in aquatic science, ecological restoration, and outdoor adventure for urban high school students and the community. At home or adventuring, Adam enjoys making memories with his lovely wife, three dogs, family and friends.

Photo courtesy of Adam Comer.

By Trevor Hance, Angler Education Certified Instructor

Mention metamorphosis to elementary school students and most minds immediately migrate to Monarch butterflies, which makes me feel oddly incomplete…

 As the Coordinator for Enrichment and the Environment at Laurel Mountain Elementary (Round Rock ISD) and Volunteer Angler Education Instructor with TPWD, I’m continually exploring ways to combine conservation-based experiences with the state’s learning standards. Last year I carved a path through the elementary curriculum “through the eyes of a fish.”  The most popular unit of the year (and my favorite) was teaching metamorphosis by tying flies.

 Texas waters offer a rich variety of options for anglers, meaning there are lots of “favorite fish” and “favorite bugs” for students to discover. Giving students options personalizes learning, and authentic experiences create committed conservationists and lifelong environmental stewards.

 Our fly-tying sessions began with a Wooly-Bugger, Hare’s Ear Nymph, and simple foam hopper.  At first, students were a little confused by the vises on their desks, with one student later confessing he was worried the vises were there to hold actual insects we would be dissecting “with all of those weird little tools.”  The class was relieved to learn we were “creating” insects intended to reflect patterns in nature.

During the first session, students diligently followed each step to make sure they didn’t miss anything.  Soon, students were skipping recess to grab a vise and some materials to create “mutant flies” that had two heads or seventeen legs. It was fun to see them explore and reinforce their learning. Many students caught their First Fish on a non-mutant pattern they tied, recognizing the relationship between “the hatch” and life-stages when making their fly selection.

 I’m about ready for that last Monarch to boogie on down to Mexico so we can get back to telling the complete story of metamorphosis.

Photos in article courtesy of Trevor Hance.