For Sale: "Waterfront Property In Arizona"

Rather than try to peddle some waterfront property in Arizona, I'll just say that fishing isn't going as well as we would like it. Things looked hot straight and normal or "reasonable" around Wednesday and then pretty much flat-lined for us from there to present. I'm guessing that the Full Moon might have something to do with it along with large volumes of freshwater re-arranging concentrations we'd been working previously. Friday and Saturday found me scouting more than anything and I wouldn't say it was "productive". By all accounts, wade fishing shorelines is going better than boat fishing mid-bay and associated structure. I've been there and seen that before and a transition amidst a changing landscape can leave a lot of sweat in the trenches.

Multi-tasking a lodge oeration can find me wearing any of a dozen hats at any one time. Bottom line, I choose to fish. Coming off this latest stretch of fishing, I smile at the thought that "I'm not as good as I once was". Running and gunning with a bunch of waterborn mercenaries half my age finds me in the crosshairs with regularity. Everyone wants to kick the old mans can. There will come a day when that will happen , until then, the youngsters will find an invaluable historical resource and guidance. Style and approach comes by example and leadership, and they will find mine on the water everyday. Due to this schedule, unfortunately some might find a weakness in my writing in terms of frequency and/or quality or meaningfulness. No complaints from someone living the dream. Just expect that an inability to communicate effectively can come with the territory. For that, I apologize at present and in advance.

Castaway Lodge News

There has been some additions to the Sponsor Spotlight including Penn Reels and Custom Marine Concepts Aluminum Fabrication. Penn is a part of the Pure Fishing family and is a brand we all can appreciate. Fishing the Sargus models, we are learning what a drag on a spinning reel is supposed to function like (very impressive) and the aluminum body seems to be a rugged competitor. CMC, what can you say about Glenn and his team that you don't already know. Their artistry and metal work concepts are an enduring testiment to visionary "functionality" and design.

Alligator Hunting

For some its a little early to consider the September 10th through 30th season "around the corner". For others, they will find their names on our books with scheduled hunts during the period. We are about 60% booked at this point and wouldn't mind putting the remainder to bed in coming weeks. At present, you could say the guest list is "distinguished" as we will be welcoming 2Coolfishing founder Mont in for a hunt. I've never seen a Harley Davidson with Alligator skin seats but I can bet it's going to be stunning. If you would like to join us, please contact us at your convenience.

Dove/Teal & Fishing Combos

Along with Gator season, we will find us busy with Teal and Dove hunting combination trips. By all accounts, Dove Season looks to be opening in the South Zone around September 17th. There seems to be a 16 day Teal Season in the works and we are looking at a possible September 11th opener. We will keep you posted on this.

See you "on the water", best wishes in your fishing travels.

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge, Inc.
1-888-618-4868
361-648-3474 Cell
www.seadriftbayfishing.com
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Dominating The Boards, Trout Rebound

Dominating The Boards, Trout Rebound

Winds have been elevated and holding us back a little. Mother Nature has a way of throwing a protective blanket over the fishery at times. These times can last for days or months on end. June 8th of 2009 through August 22nd of 2009 was one of those periods. We were plagued by drought; bay waters pushing 10 psu saltier than the Gulf; and 25 plus knot winds all day and 20 knot winds all night. Forget about government imposed limits, "natural limits" were the law of the period.

With plenty of freshwater coursing into the bays, drought will not be at issue this summer. Wind and turbidity will more than likely be things to keep an eye on. We've been staying around half to near limits of late with some impressive Trout coming to hand. Late week, we welcomed the 4th Annual Norm Invitational here at The Lodge. Norm Stuemke taught in a one room school house in the Austin area and some of his students travel great distance to honor him. Capt. James and I had the honors. I managed to get some advantage on the wind with a "dirty bite" right off the bat over shell in off color water. We ended up with a little better than half limits to 19". Capt. James hit the wall right off the bat struggling with any action over a variety of structures including shell and mud/grass.

Saturday

Capt. Chris Cady managed 30 Trout and 5 Reds on Day 1 for the "CPR Only" trip with Duane M. and family. The guests retained some fish that just weren't going to make it back in the water alive and elected to let the rest go over two days. Capt. Doug Russell managed 1/2 limits on Day 1 with Tim T and "Ricki Dog" working shell on the First Chain of Islands. I managed a little over half limits of Trout on the same structure to 23".

Sunday

Capt. Chris Cady worked up 25 Trout but fewer Reds amidst deminishing winds for Day 2 of the Duane M. CPR Only trip. With winds laying down and the water attempting to clean up a bit, I expected some improvement in the fishing. I welcomed our CPA, Jim Turlington with Turlington, Reeves, and Orlando from Houston for a family trip. We covered quite a bit of water working shell in SAB and Mesquite Bay to near limits pushing 20". Capt. Dough Russell worked up half limits and an unfortunate number of undersized fish again with the Tim T. party.

Big Week Ahead

We welcome First State Bank of Yoakum; Reliant Energy; Dr. Matt C. and guests; along with Mitch S. and Jay M. with a large corporate group. I don't know if we can pull off "Going Big Early, And Often" but I can tell you we're going somewhere with some kind of frequency

Other Lodge News

I've got to take my hat off in thanks and appreciation for Mr. Larry Prellop with Prellop's Fine Art Gallery on the historic downtown square in Salado, Tx. I've been fishing with Larry and relatives for years. During the Norm Invitational, Larry presented us with a "signed and numbered" print and stamp of the First 1986 Texas Saltwater Stamp by John Cowan. We cannot thank Larry enough for sharing the treasure with us. Please visit www.prellopfineartgallery.com Their gallery is home to collectable-grade from notables such as G. Harvey, Martin Grelle, Jack Terry, and Bruce Greene.

Stay safe on the water,


Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge, Inc.
1-888-618-4868
www.seadriftbayfishing.com
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Going Big Early And Often, SAB Trout & Redfish

Smoke N Roll, SAB Trout to 27

Trout Fishing

After last years drought and tough Trout fishing I think most are putting forth "cautious optimism" concerning Trout fishing as we move forward into the summer. San Antonio Bay and environs are fishing pretty clean right now with some familiar patterns and timing. We may be running a little late on the calendar relative to recent years but "old school" timing is about right. The lodge welcomed Jim Beam Global along with Glazer's Dist. over the weekend. Friday found some quick limits on Trout to 20" along with a rogue trophy 27" Trout on Capt. Doug Russell's boat. I managed to set the pace with limits coming aboard quickly followed by Capt. Jake, Capt. James, and Capt. Chris with near limits. Fishing the Mike Z. party on Saturday found more hot Trout fishing with limits hitting the boards in short order. We are working various contours including sand/grass and shell in ESB and SAB freelining live Croaker.

Small World

It's always amazing how small the world is here at The Lodge. The occasion at The Lodge was partially to preview a new product called Maker's Mark No. 46 (hitting the shelves in 6 weeks). Anyone that knows me knows I don't drink anything alcoholic let alone "know much about it". For those that do partake, fine Bourbon and the likes seems to have a popular following. Well, the Mike Z. party arrived at The Lodge and sure enough, three of the guests were "Maker's Mark Ambassador's". They got to sample the new No. 46 essentially hitting the Bourbon conosuer's jackpot as only a handfull of industry executives have tasted it. The Mike Z. guests were "all smiles" and Adam gave them a professional "tasting" exhibition which is something I didn't even know existed! Pretty impressive.

Bait Status

With shrimp prices skyrocketing due to the BP Deepwater crisis, our shrimpers have been running full tilt. Excessive shrimping can and is taking a toll on finfish bait size, quality, and quantity in our area presently so you might revisit bait camps for an update on the new landscape.

Deepwater Horizon

God Bless the families and workers devestated by the BP Disaster. I find myself thinking of the situation and have been monitoring it constantly. We wish everyone "God's Speed" in this solution.

Truly,

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge, Inc.
1-888-618-4868
 

SAB Trout, Shell Maze Mastery & Mystery

Trout fishing looked like it was going to be "pure gravy" over the long weekend after "smoke poling" them with live Croaker on Friday. The tide fell out big time overnight Friday and trashed the outside beach. That, along with West wind at 15 knots trashing the interior bay waters took a quick toll on our success during the early morning hours. As the mornings faded and we approached mid-day it seemed that the winds began to settle and waters cleaned up a bit. Guessing where we might find an "emerging" bite became a challenge. Any signs of success were quickly thwarted with a disintegrating bite and undersized fish leaving us short of limits. That's not uncommon during transitional periods where "styles conflict with timing and weather".

Part of the Hurricane Forecast being so elevated is partially due to a "backing down of the El Nino" and strong winds deminishing this summer. That should set us up for a more traditional season with light winds early; increasing winds mid-day; and, calming winds overnight. That's a lethal combination for fishermen on this stretch of the coast, we shall see.

Capt. Kris Kelley
Castaway Lodge, Inc.
1-888-618-4868
www.seadriftbayfishing.com