The trout aren't the biggest and the venues aren't the prettiest, but the access is easy and, most important, the fishing is fun. It really is, especially if you keep an open mind.
This is my opinion based on five or six years of participation in the annual winter put-and-take rainbow trout stocking program coordinated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
More than 200,000 rainbows are released in more than 100 urban ponds across the state. Funds for the program are generated through freshwater license and stamp fees (required of anglers 17 and older).
Houston anglers are fortunate in that at least a dozen of the ponds are in their area - and next week marks the beginning of intensive stocking in those local venues. The downside is the fish aren't exactly "wall hangers." The average trout is 8-10 inches in length; anything over an honest foot is exceptional.
But these pan-sized rainbows are good to eat and easy to clean, no scaling or filleting necessary. And, being dumped fresh from the hatchery holding tanks, they are not overly wary. Catching a five-trout daily limit (no size restrictions) is a simple task with proper tackle and good conditions.
And that's the idea of the put-and-take program - the cold-water trout are intended to be utilized, the sooner the better. The bounty is fleeting and trout not caught (or eaten by cormorants and other predators) would die in the warming water of spring.
No boats allowed
The trout are small, but take it for what it is. And keep in mind that while the little hatchery trout are simple, a bit of fine-tuning and finesse (as in all heads-up angling) can make a big difference. Here are a few observations based on personal experience:
This is all bank or pier fishing; no wading, tubing or boating is permitted on the urban ponds. A pair of knee-high rubber boots improves shoreline access.
The ponds are scattered across the Greater Houston area and the closest venue might be the most tempting, but it may not be the most rewarding. Several of the established ponds offer exceptional water clarity, but others are lackluster mud holes.
Regardless of venue, the first two weeks usually see the best of it. Mild winter days often are most productive; cold-water trout or no cold-water trout, a bitter norther tends to shut things down for several days.
The stocked rainbows tend to run in schools, and in the larger ponds it's surprising how quickly they can move. Be prepared to relocate several times. Under calm conditions, look for surface flips and swirls as a school moves. On a windy day, diving cormorants might point the way.
Another indicator might be the boiling splash of a big bass grabbing a luckless trout - a possibility that the opportunistic angler toting a backup big rod might keep in mind. Bass definitely "pattern" on the trout stockings.
Bass aside, light tackle makes the most of the situation, allowing the small trout to fight, even occasionally jump. Most important, the light touch balances the diminutive lures and baits that are most effective.
In most hands, this means 6-pound test monofilament on a light-action, whippy spinning or spincast rig. Eight- or 10-pound line is too heavy for the best casting performance. Yes, you can drop down to 4-pound or even 2-pound, but such whispy monofilament is hard to control. Wind-looped tangles on the spool can be frequent and frustrating.
Trout react to flash and wobble, and the best lures are small spinners and spoons. By "small," I mean the littlest models available. Perhaps the all-time champion is the Series 501 Super Duper spoon made by Luhr Jensen. It's a 11⁄8-inch strip of flat metal bent into a tight "U," an odd-looking offering, but trust me, you'll want one. Gold in murky water, silver in clear, take your pick.
The spinner devotee should choose a panfish-size in-line model (opposed to a safety-pin design). The No. 0 Mepps and the Wordens/Yakima Rooster Tail are good examples. Those with low-profile bare shanks are best for the tiny trout.
All these lures weigh in the 1⁄12- to 1⁄16-ounce range. A 1⁄8-ounce payload might be too big and bulky for high-percentage strikes.
Fly fishing can be a great technique on lakes with decent clarity. A light 4- to 6-weight rod works well, and small subsurface flies such as bead-head nymphs on No. 10 short-shank hooks are excellent. A bit of sparkle seems to help. An 8- or 9-foot leader tapered to 4- to 6-pound test covers the water and allows the nymph to slowly settle.
On the subject of flies, the spincaster can cheat by rigging a nymph on a 2-foot trailer under a clear plastic bubble. As a plus, this rig will really reach out for extra distance.
Bring the kids
Bait probably is best for young kids and rookies. Traditional favorites are kernels of yellow corn (soaking in vanilla helps) and small marshmallow balls, but the most popular choices are the scented Berkley PowerBait eggs and "Nibbles." Hot pink is the go-to color.
Most bait specialists use spinning tackle and fish just off bottom, rigging with a small split-shot weight and a single hook. You cast out, place the rod in a holder, and wait for the jiggle. This is a drill kids can quickly grasp.
Regardless of approach, January is a big month for rainbow trout in Houston-area ponds. The payback for the annual program is the opportunity for urban anglers of all ages and skill levels to enjoy productive close-to-home sessions during an otherwise dreary month.
≈~≈The Daily Catch Team≈~≈
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