UnOfficial PACK Weekend Llano Trip Report

This past weekend 14 PACK Members and Guest fly fished/floated/paddled, and challenged the rapids of the Llano River. The group started to arrive on Thursday. Half of the Group stayed at the South Llano State Park, and the other half primitive camped in the Junction Hotels. The weather was great, starry clear nights, no rain, and the evenings were actually cool. On Friday/Saturday we covered about 8 miles of the South Llano from KC150 to the Park. . Sunday saw a change in plans with the group agreeing to try a new section of the river. The river was clear and there were loads of fish. Gear wise, 3-5 wt fly rods were the rig of choice. Miss Prissy was the fly of the day. More than a few fish were caught. Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, sunfish, Rio Grande perch were landed. Spotted gar were also seen in great numbers, but none caught.

Small world –Friday the Group was about a mile downstream, all on fish, then along comes a group from up river in canoes and kayaks’ making all kinds of noise; so much for the neighborhood and the solitude of fly fishing. The noise and commotion was coming from a Boys Scout Group from Aransas Pass, their Trip Leader in the middle of the commotion, was no other than Dean Thomas, aka “Slowride.” Dean was as surprised as we were. We talked and visited with Dean throughout the weekend. Dean invited us to share meals with the Boys Scouts, these boys eat well; breakfast consisted of French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon.

The wild life seen in the Park and along the Llano River was incredible. Wild Turkeys were seen along the river bank. Deer and cattle were also seen along the river. Large herds of deer were seen in the Park. Also adjacent to the Park were high fenced property with exotics. Sunday morning the camp was visited by an Armadillo, and big eared Jack rabbits. There was also the friendly mouse seen in the outhouse at the Park.

The Llano River is a beautiful calm clear river, but it also includes a few rapids. I would rate the Llano as a beginner river for new kayakers, but the rapids changes that rating to advanced intermediate. I’m an ACA Certified Kayak Instructor and I got dumped twice. So much for my skill level. Trying to maneuver a 16 foot kayak was a challenge. We had 3 first time kayakers on this outing; a 10 hour paddling experience in the hot sun, along with the rapids was hard on them. At the end of the day most of us ended up jumping into the river to cool off. I was worn out and the swim in the cool water felt great.

Everyone enjoyed the Llano Rive. PACK will be back next year.

Ken J