Trip Name
LLANO RIVER TRIP
Date: June 23-24, 2012
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Trip Description:
“For may city-dwelling Texas flyfishers, the Llano
River System is like having a Livingston, Montana
or Last Chance, Idaho, just a few hours down the
road. The South Llano, one of the most scenic
Rivers in Texas , rises from springs in northern
Edwards County and flows northward for 20 miles
as a clear,narrow stream.” (Flyfisher’s Guide to
Texas by Phil H. Shook)
Participants will Float, paddle and fish the South Llano River near Junction Texas fishing for Guadalupe bass, Rio Grande perch, and tons of bluegill.
The current plan for this trip is to either float downriver to the South Llano State Park from KC150 or float from either, what is known as the first or second bridge, located up river from the Park, down to KC 150 on Saturday. As, historically, many prefer not to paddle on Sunday, or, to only make a short paddle, while some prefer only to wade on Sunday, decisions regarding what to do on Sunday will be left to participants as some may wish to return to Houston early Sunday morning. The final decision with regard to where the float will start and end on Saturday will be made at the Park shortly before departure. If we make the Saturday trip from KC150, the float will be about 8 river miles so it is a full day and will include some long sections of flat slow water. Should we, instead, make the Saturday float from the first or second bridge, it will be a somewhat shorter float both in time and distance.
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| EARLY ARRIVALS: Some participants may arrive on Thursday and Friday to make early floats of the river and while these floats are not part of the PACK outting, participants may want to touch base with one another to determine if fellow paddlers will also be arriving and then make personal plans as to whether or not joint activities on those dates can be put-together. |
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| Leader: JIM RICHARDS
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Name, click here to email, Number: Jim Richards, e-mail: JimMRichards@Comcast.net ; (phone: 713-854-0517)
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Date/Time:
Participants may want to travel up on Friday so that they can get a full day of fishing in on Saturday. We will plan to leave mid to late Sunday afternoon for the drive back to Houston.
We will work out of the South Llano State Park located about 5 miles from Junction.
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Meeting Point
We will meet Saturday morning at 7:30 am in the South Llano State Park day parking area which is on the opposite side of the river inside the park. Based on the number of people, we will put together a shuttle plan. A parking pass for each vehicle will need to be obtained from the Park headquarters (follow the signs). So, if you are not staying at the Park, please try to get by the Park before Saturday to get a parking pass. If you are staying at the Park you will be given a parking pass upon arrival. Should anyone planning to leave a car on Saturday not be able to get a parking pass before Saturday morning, as I recall, there is a box near the gate to the Park office to leave the parking fee so, plan on going to the Park office to take care of the Parking fee early enough to allow time to get back to the departure point before 7:30. If you are coming in early Saturday and will need to get a parking pass before 7:30 it would be a good idea to call the Park office before leaving Houston to determine how the parking fee can best be paid early Saturday morning. |
Meals/Social Gatherings: In the past we have been somewhat successful getting together for dinner on Saturday after the float and on Friday as participants come into town and those who float the river on Friday return to camp. There may also be informal gatherings after dinner and all of the participants are invited to participate should they so choose.
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| How to Sign Up: |
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If you want to go, contact the trip leader (or sign up at a monthly meeting) and provide: name, email address and phone number (preferably cell phone). or Register for a PACK login account and then use the Auto Enroll link above to automatically have your name added to the list below.
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How to Get There:
Take I10 West all the way to Junction at exit 456. At the end of the exit ramp turn left under I10 onto US 377 and go straight into Junction. 377 is the main street in Junction and you will cross over the North Fork of the Llano River first (KOA is located here) and the South Fork is located at the other end of town. In the middle of town, at the only traffic light,
377 turns right and will take you to the South Llano River State Park (there is a big sign to this effect just before the light). It's about 5 miles to the Park Entrance on the left of 377. |
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Where to Stay:
Motels
There are a number of places to stay in town and there are camp sites available in the State Park. For information onthe Park see: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/slano/slano.htm Those wishing to stay in the Park should contact the park for reservations (Park telephone: 325/446-3994). As this trip is scheduled for a summer month when school is not in session, the park may be a popular destination; thus, making reservations for the park early would be the best practice. I have reserved two camp sites for our group so if you want to camp in a water only camp site there will probably be room but I would appreciate you letting me know you will be planning to camp at one of those sites. Any participants who prefer water and electricity camp sites should make their own camp site reservations. For those wishing to say in a motel the following telephone numbers are for hotels in the area:
Comfort Inn 325-446-3572
Days Inn 325-446-3730
Hills Motel 325-446-2567
La Vista Motel 325-446-2191
Lazy T Motel 325-446-2565
Slumber Inn 325.446.4588
Sun Valley Motel 325.446.2505
The Legends Inn 325.446.8644
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| MAPS / Photos of Interest:
Llano River Map See:
http://www.texasflyfishing.com/rivers/llano.htm
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| What to Pack/Bring:
Fishing Gear and Lures
Fly fishing Gear
Rods 2 to 6 weight with floating lines
Flies :Standard panfish and bass flies work - don't forget a 'miss prissy' if you like topwater action; Damsel files, nymphs, wooly buggers, popping bugs and hopper patterns have been productive. Clouser Deep Minnows tied on size 2 and smaller hooks, fished around the edges of the fast water, will draw strikes. Free-drifted nymphs work well as do streamers and minnow patterns fished across current with fast, erratic strips. The Accardo Voo Diver, a popping bug with a wobbling action, will attract top water strikes when fished at dusk up against the bank.
Spinning Gear, Etc.
Light or ultra-light spinning gear with small spinners should also be productive as should live bait.
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Safety
The water level in the river can change rapidly based on rainfall in the catchment area so be aware of the water level and check the weather forecast.
Watch out for low branches hanging over the river.
Remember to stay hydrated and to use sunscreen.
Be sure that you know the benefits of and the legal requirements for PFDs.
Try not to overload your kayak as you may be navigating faster stretches of water.
Consider stowing rods before entering faster stretches of water.
Be prepared to capsize your kayak or canoe. It doesn't always happen but many participants have capsized on past outtings to this venue.
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See Standard PACK List for items to consider for any PACK outing
Important items:
- VHF Radio for communication and emergency contact
- First Aid Kit
- Lunch, Water, snacks
- Kayak Drift Sock
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| REQUIRED READING: |
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Recommended guidelines for participates:
- Make sure trip leader or an officer has your emergency contact
- Notify the trip leader if you have any potential concerns
- If inexperienced, then buddy up. Make sure the trip leader knows your experience level
- Communicate with the trip leader, if you are unsure of your skill level required
- Member dues are current
- Guests are invited to particpate
- Have performed deep water entries
- Cary a first aid kit
- Have a life jacket
- Have a VHF radio
- Inform the trip leader of your float plan if planning to fish alone or longer then the designated times.
- Sign in and sign out at the launch site. Inform the trip leader if you will be launching in a different place.
Recommended for Trip Leaders:
- Insures proper authorizations
- Secure sites
- Prepare emergency preparedness plan
- Keep abreast of weather conditions that might effect the trip
- Point out any potential area hazards
- Maintain a head count
- Have available a first aid kit
- Have a VHF radio
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Expenses/Fees:
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| Fishing Options: |
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| Guest Participants: |
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(We prefer for you to create a login account on this website so that you can have your name added to the auto register list below. If you don't have a registered login account on this website we can list your name here; please contact the trip leader to request your name to manually added. If you have a login account then use the enroll feature at the top of this page to become part of the auto enroll list below)
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