Blue River: After the Flood of 2015

July 30th

Lady Blue is going to fish a lot differently after the Biblical rainfall of 2015, and I am excited about the possibilities of the coming trout season.  My pictures don't do justice in illustrating the changes Blue has undergone, but for those that have spent time in any of the areas shown they will recognize how the flooding scoured and flushed the river clear of much brush and aquatic vegetation.

The following photos are all from the area north of SH 7.  This first set shows two perspectives of the same stretch of water and is the first place to access the water from the road leading up the west side.

This next photo is awful, but it was the best I had.  Best is best right?  The image is of the area directly east of the location above.  Many of us have crossed this formerly treacherous area, but it is unrecognizable now that all the brush and mud is gone...for as long as I can remember, this area was covered with a 3-6 foot jumbled mass of mud, brush and trees.  Now it is scoured down to bare rock.

These are of the next set of riffles to the north.  Still accessed from the west side.

Next stop, the first set of falls to the north.

Below these falls are a run and more riffles.  I included the photo of the run to illustrate how clear the water is.  Others may have had a different experience, but I feel the water appears to be as clear as it would be mid trout season.

 

The only significant insect activity I observed was of dragonflies and these ruby spot damselflies.

I'm hopeful the winter stream flow will remain similar to the way it is now.  If so, some of the low flow areas will fish better than they have in years.

Next photo is from the rock pictured on the left...November 2010 for flow and clarity perspective.

Due to the cleansing floods, there won't be a better time to learn fly fishing on Blue...most lost flies should be to fish and underwater obstructions rather than decorating streamside foliage.  No fish pics this time...just some little smallmouth and largemouth bass and bluegill.  Others may be having more catching success than me, but there weren't many observable fish...perhaps they were mocking me from the shady areas while I experienced triple digit heat. 

 

Oh, final observation...normally there are a lot of snakes here during the warmer months, snakiest place I've ever fished, but not a single snake made an appearance.  Looks like we exported them to our Longhorn and A&M loving friends to the south!  BOOMER!!!