Llano River 
June 22, 2013

“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 or, possibly, to paddle up stream to the Llano Falls which is where the photo featured on the Pearl Beer label was taken, on Saturday. The final decision with regard to where the float will start and end will be made Friday night. 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. There will not be an organized PACK outing on Sunday as past experience has shown that most every one is ready to leave early Sunday in order to get back to Houston at a decent time. However, there will be plenty of fishing and kayak opportunities remaining on Sunday for anyone who wishes to stay and fish/paddle on their own on Sunday.

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

The PACK outing will be on Saturday the 22nd. However, some of the group sometimes arrives on Thursday and does a paddle on Friday.

Meeting Point

Please touch base with me or Barry when you arrive on Friday so that one of us can tell you where we will be launching from on Saturday morning.  Depending on where we launch from it may not be necessary for you to get a parking pass from the State Park. We will meet Saturday morning at 7:30 am either in the parking lot of the Legends Hotel or 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.  If we are to be returning to the State Park, a parking pass for each vehicle to be left at the park will need to be obtained from the Park headquarters (follow the signs). So, if you are not staying at the Park, and have learned we will be coming back into the park please try to get by the Park before the Saturday departure 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 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.

 Llano River Map See:

 

http://www.texasflyfishing.com/rivers/llano.htm

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

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). Although I have made park reservations for the group in the past, I will not be doing that this year and have decided to leave this task up to the participants as it has been difficult getting a good estimate of participants desiring to camp far enough in advance to make a group reservation. 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

 

In the past most of the group has stayed in the Legends Inn.

 

FOOD

 

For those staying in town there will be places to get a donut or some other type of breakfast. Lunch will be on the water so be prepared to provide your own lunch. In the past, those in town on Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday night generally get together for a meal at a restaurant in town. However anyone who wishes to have a meal in the park do that should they so desire. The town of Junction is approximately 15 minutes from the State Park so it is an easy drive into town for food and supplies.

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

Expenses/Fees:

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.

 

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.

(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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