LLANO RIVER TRIP 
July 25-28, 2008

“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 float from KC150 down to the South Llano State Park on Saturday with a shorter float from the State Park down to Flat Rock on Sunday. As always we will make the final decisions based on the conditions. The Saturday trip is about 8 river miles so it is a full day. The Saturday trip includes some long sections of flat slow water. The Sunday float is a little bit more than 4 miles so if we start early we can finish early and get back to Houston at a decent time.

 Jim Richards, click here to email, 713-854-0517

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.

Meeting Point:
We will meet Saturday morning at 7.30 am in the South Llano State Park day parking area that 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 can be obtained from the Park headquarters (follow the signs).

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.

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.

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 

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

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 on the 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. 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

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.

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.

(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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