Some footage I clipper this morning from Brushy Creek random snag off the net.

   Looks like the Texas Hill Country got a bit of much needed rain last night, heard the Blanco crested around 80,000cfs, and the Guad came within 10 feet of the 1998 water mark! Just a quick bit from a seasoned river bum, always pay attention on the rivers they can go from a peaceful river to a raging torrent in a mater of seconds. When you are planning a trip don't just look at the weather where you are but up stream and up to the head waters. Always look, listen, and feel when on the water, normally the first thing you will notice is a change in water color, I've been on the Frio thigh deep fishing, when I got in I could count the hair on my toes, 30 minutes later I couldn't see my toes I went up to higher ground 5 minutes later about a 5 foot wall came down and the river blew out, (FYI that's a small Texas Hill Country river rise), Listen a lot of time you can be on a river and you can hear the flow pick up maybe the sound of the small rapids up stream is a little louder, don't wait for that roar of rolling water get out look around see what happens. Lastly feel I've noticed in a few occasions that you can feel a temp change in the water, I was on the Llano fishing out of a small boat many years ago I had gotten out of the boat to wade around and after a bit I noticed a change in water temp it was a bright sunny spring day just outside of Llano but earlier in between Junction and Mason they had a good shower, I started to look around and notice the water had risen slightly and soon after the water changed color, the next think I know I'm running up hill dragging a 14ft boat and 5hp evinrude up a hill with water literally nipping at my heals!
  Also never try to cross a river when it's over the road, they use to say if you can't see the stripe don't cross but remember if a puddle can make your car hydroplane that same amount of water with force behind it can push your can off the road if there is another route  take it don't risk it. I was living in Leakey, TX when the big floods of 1998 happened and spent lots of time pulling trucks out of tree tops and cars out of creek beds luckily unoccupied. To coin the phrase Turn Around DON'T DROWN
  I know to many of you we live this everyday it part of being River Turtles, we know when the river is not right, many of us have pushed are luck and made it out ok, but the worst thing about luck is it can run out!!
   Be Blessed, Fish on, See you on the river,
Gabe
The Fly River Turtle

theflyriverturtle's photostream

theflyriverturtle's photostream on Flickr.

Saw this today thought it was too great not to share

I was so lucky to call him Pepaw

The Fly River Turtle (because nobody likes a rat)

 The first time my toes hit the water I was addicted! My whole world began to revolve around Texas Hill Country rivers and creeks (later found out other places have them too) all I wanted to do was be on the water , fish, canoe, kayak, and just spend time playing on the water!

  As a child my life revolved around trips to Stevens Creek, Johnson Creek, Seco Creek, The Frio, Llano and Guad . Trips to the river where a blessed a sacred time, it started with anywhere I could go with a zebco 33 and grew into an ultra light spinning reel and canoe.
  Went to high school in Leakey TX on the clear and cold Frio River. We had a long off campus lunch that we'd spend going down to the river for a quick fish or just to check the flow. During class we'd pass note trying to figure out what crossing we'd put in at and where we'd fish. We soon became known as Frio river rats,I didn't pay it much mind. The term followed in every river town I was in, I was tagged a river rat, so it stuck. When I picked up fly fishing I became the Fly River rat, 
   I've really started to think about it and I don't really like rats! Besides what does a rat have to do with loving the river. I've seen a few rats in the river but most fell or got washed in and where trying desperately to get out. There is the nutra rat but it's an invasive species and does little to help the river!
   So I've decided if I'm going to be coined as an animal it might as well be associated with the rivers I love, and hey I like turtles! So I'm going to coin the name The Fly River Turtle (what do you think) besides turtles like to sun themselves with there feet in the water, spend all there time on the water, and oh CATCH FISH. So what do you think should I start the River Turtle revolution? I think I'm gonna go with it! But at any rate
Be Blessed, Fish On, See you on the water
     Gabe