Lake Sam Rayburn Fishing Report by Lynn Atkinson

Reel um N Guide Service

 

Owner

Lynn Atkinson

 

Sam Rayburn is at 159.69 ft.

 

The water temperature has been around 70 degrees. The water is starting to clear some.

 

Sam Rayburn is 5 ft; so running around can be a little tricky. Getting a couple of good maps, sitting down and taking a look may keep you out of trouble. You could hire a guide and let him show you how to get around the bad areas and catch a few fish at the same time.

 

The City of Warsaw is out there right at where the boat lane beinngs so watch out for it. I have had a lot of folks asking where that is. 

This may help you in finding it. If you’re running up the lake and you go under the 147 bridge to the long cut up the Angelina River it is just before you get to the timber line. The old Rail Road ran beside the town and rail cars were unloaded there.

 

 

 

There has been a little topwater bite on Stanley Ribbits and Pop-Rs in a few pockets and off points with grass or pads. Throwing a few lipless crankbaits and Stanley Spinners has been getting a few. There a lot of small fish being caught with a nice fish here and there. The good news is, it has started to pickup some and we have been getting them to chase a little this week. The fall fatting up should be just around the corner. This is a time that they kick things into high gear and get real active chasing shad. We have been picking up some 4 and 5 lb fish everyday but the bite has been very light and you have to slow way down to get them. That’s where a good rod; like American Rodsmiths Team Series; comes into play. Anytime you’re fishing and the bite is light you need a good sensitive rod so you can feel those bites. Some of these bites feel like you broke a peace of thread and you can’t feel that on just any rod. If you want to get better at fishing deep with a Texas Rig or Jig you need a good rod and sensitive line to match. My best fish have been caught on offshore structure and humps. 

Look for these fish to make a move in the next few weeks. If you need help fishing offshore structure book a trip and I’ll help you learn to find and fish off the banks, this can help you on any lake you fish. 

Spring of 2010 is booking now. Don’t forget we do Gift Certificates for Christmas that you can put under the tree. So make sure you make the hint to your better half or loved one.

 

Now is a good time if you got a boat to get it in the shop and have the water pump and Lower unit checked out and go ahead and have it tuned up for next time you use it. Don’t wait till spring and then have to take a number. There no big lines to wait in now. If going set it up for winter get it ready. Boy the boat shop gets crazy in the spring with everyone coming in to get repairs done. So don’t wait get them in there so you are ready to go fishing when you get a nice day.

 

The Crappie have been moving around a lot with some of them moving up river and some over the brush piles. We did get out there and fill a cooler.

The cool morning air has been Awesome. Recent sunrise light shows have been pretty darn spectacular and the sunsets ain’t to shabby either.

The 20 ft pontoon is ready to go for the larger Crappie trips. We will be renting it with a captain to drive. So get you trips booked now.

 

 

 

 

 

God Bless

Lynn Atkinson

srayburn@rayburncountry.com

www.rayburncountry.com

Home 936-897-3400

Cell 979-220-0251

Sam Rayburn Fishing Report by Lynn Atkinson

Reel um N Guide Service

Owner

Lynn Atkinson

 

Water Temp.72

Normal pool 164.40

Water Clarity 2 feet

10-11-09

Sam Rayburn is 5 feet low at 159.34 ft and the water temperature has dropped to around 72 degrees. Water color is clear in most of the pockets, clearing more as you move south.

 

Giant Salvinia.

 

 

  Doesn’t mean much too some folks, but it can mean a lot of cold hard cash out of your pocket.  If you get caught with some hanging off your trailer when you leave the boat ramp it could cost up to $500. 00, plus any court costs. This nasty junk needs to be pulled off the boat or trailer and put in the trash can before you leave the ramp. Also remember to drain all the water out of your live wells and boat at the ramp. If you’re changing lakes it is a good ideal to wash your boat and trailer at a car wash to ensure Salvinia isn’t hitch-hiking on your equipment. If you see some on the lake somewhere you need to report it to 1-800- STOP-ANS. We need everyone to help stop the spread 

of this fern.   Keep an eye on your boat and other boats and trailers 

around you. Some people don’t even know about this stuff.  Tell people how nasty this giant Salvinia is. If they get nasty just say thank you for your time and walk away. Remember they are messing up your lakes so do yourself a favor, call in their TX numbers and let TPWD take it from there.  Giant Salvinia is a highly invasive species of floating fern that is spreading thru the lakes.  Fisherman and hunters who aren’t careful are the best friends giant Salvinia could have.  The lack of concern expressed by some individuals is heart breaking. The biggest problem is us. If we don’t start taking care of what we have now what will we have later to look forward to?  Everyone pays for the cleanup and it has cost us a bundle this year.  Licenses and fees go up every year to help pay for this and many other things that we don’t even pay attention to.

 

 

What brought on this article?  I went to put gas in the boat Sunday and found 4 complete  Salvinia plants on the ground at the gas station. That means someone transported them from another lake or pond and spread the stuff everywhere he had dragged his boat and trailer.

 

 

Sam Rayburn has been holding its on at 159.34 with the help of the rain this week.  The water color has been clear in a few places and off color in others.  There has been a lot of talk about the fall turnover and some think the lake is in limbo. This front should bring some changes in the lake. The fish have been scattered out in the grass or out in deep water on the ledges and drops. The best bite on the cold and rainy days has been on Stanley Ribbits and Spinner baits over the grass and around the edges. When the sun comes out we move out to the edges and soak some small worms to pickup a few more fish. 

On the deeper bite we caught blacks out to 24 ft off points and humps. 

  These fish should move up as the shad head back in the creeks. The bite should improve this week and we are hoping to catch some big fish this fall with the grass.

 

 

      I have been drawing names but no one has won the free fishing trip for this fall.  Make sure to sign up, and keep checking for your name. I have had a few find their name on the site but it was past the deadline for calling in. You’ve got to stay on your toes.  If you can’t keep a eye on it have someone else check for you.

 

Crappie; The Crappie fishing has been a lot better this week.  We have been picking some up off the brush piles.

   There is always one person who can out fish the other ones. 

Sometimes it’s all about feeling that soft bite.  Everyone has loved the new pontoon with the shade and the changing room with the 

port-o-potty.   It makes the trip a lot nicer for everyone. We can 

handle up to 8 anglers.

 

 

 

Big D Outdoors is the place to get your boat ready for tournaments or 

family fishin.   Give them a call 409-769-3700.

 

 

God Bless

Lynn Atkinson

srayburn@rayburncountry.com

www.rayburncountry.com

Home 936-897-3400

Cell 979-220-0251

Listing of the Week

 

Featured Lake House

1248 Beachrock Drive

4 Bedroom 3.5 Bath, oversized 2 car garage, 1500sf of spacious rear deck , Waterfront home in Rayburn Country. Sandy beach and gorgeous sunsets, comes with extra lot and is close to the golf course as well. Listed at $850,000.

Rayburn Country approves buyout, Redevelopment to start soon.

Rayburn Country approves buyout

By JIMMY GALVAN

September 29, 2009
Posted: September 29, 2009, 10:18 AM CDT  

 

Rayburn Country residents overwhelmingly approved a measure that would sell ownership rights of the area’s amenities to a group being called Rayburn Country Redevelopment LLC.

“Everybody out here is jumping up and down with excitement over this,” said Rayburn County Board Member Gary Collins. “This is going to revitalize the whole area out here.”

More than 800 votes were cast in the Sept. 19 election and only 37 residents voted against the measure with 875 voting for the buyout.

The result is expected to infuse $5-7 million to refurbish Rayburn facilities. According to Gerald Cole, president of the Rayburn Country Association, the improvements will serve to attract new residents and expand the commercial customer base.

Collins said the first project would be to refurbish the Rayburn County golf course and clubhouse. The renovations should be completed by the spring of 2010.

“We want to have the best golf course in the area,” Collins said. “We want a golf course that would attract corporate outings and bring in people from Shreveport and Dallas to the area.”

Collins said he believes the renovations would include reworking the greens and cart paths as well as placing an irrigation system throughout the course.

Cole said the buyout was needed because of a decline in members’ equity of approximately $2 million during the past nine years.

“This financial year is no different,” Cole stated. “Our liabilities are at least $50,000 greater than our assets, and we will need an additional $150,000 to keep the facilities open during the winter months. That does not include the mountain of facility maintenance and repairs or the purchase of equipment required to achieve those tasks. This financial decline along with the unaddressed repairs and maintenance over the past 20 years has rendered our properties virtually worthless.”

More than a year ago, a group of investors approached the Rayburn Country Board about the possible purchase and redevelopment of the RCA properties.

As part of the letter of intent to purchase, no additional fees or dues would be charged to existing property owners in the immediate future.

Collins said one issue that should be directly addressed would be pursuit of delinquent dues owed over association dues not being paid. This money then would be placed back into RCA redevelopment projects.

Rayburn Country is comprised of 4,400 lots, 1,000 of which have been improved or built upon. The property owners pay annual dues to Rayburn Country Association (RCA) that entitles them use of the amenities.

According to the intent to sale letter, financial projections indicate that the collection of delinquent dues and the sale of additional lots should prevent property owner dues increases in the foreseeable future. If increases were warranted in the future, they would be considerably lower than if the RCA properties did not sell to Rayburn Country Redevelopment LLC.

Another change would result in number of elected board positions to the RCA Board. Presently, seven of the board members are elected. Under the terms of the sale, three would be elected at large and the Rayburn Country Redevelopment LLC would appoint four.

Collins said this process would be finalized at the October meeting.

Another added plus from the sale comes in the formation of a road development and improvement program for Rayburn Country.

Cole added an active real estate sales program would begin by Rayburn Country Redevelopment LLC.

In a letter sent out to all Rayburn County residents, Cole stated, “the Board realizes that everyone’s concerns will not be addressed, or issues answered, but we do know that our present operation has a relative short time span because of our financial limitations.

“We also know that our property values are directly tied to the condition and attractiveness of the RCA amenities and facilities,” Cole stated. “This vote is our best method for increasing our property values, attracting visitors, customers and potential new residents.”

Reel um N Guide Service

Owner

Lynn Atkinson

 

Water Temp.74

Normal pool 164.40

Water Clarity 2 feet

10-03-09

Sam Rayburn is 5 feet low at 159.40 ft and the water temperature has dropped to around 74 degrees. Water color is clear in most of the pockets, clearing more as you move south.

 

Sam Rayburn is still dropping slowly as they pull more water each day. 

The fishing has been tough on most folks as the weather has a big affect on the fish. The fish can get active right before a front, after the front they can shut down and refuse to bite. There are a lot of changes that go with the weather.  You get high and low pressure, the directions of the winds change the water gets muddy a blue bird 

day happens, the fish quit biting.   Now you have to change your 

presentation, bait color or even the type of bait. We caught some fish in the grass early this week on Stanley Ribbits and Spinner baits, but as the week went on the weather changed. The fish would stop biting after the first hour and then it would get real tough to get anything going. We switched to working the grass with a shake head jig and a light Carolina rig tip with a needle worm to hook into few more fish. 

Oops!  What’s a needle worm you say? The bait is made by E2Bait Company and they come in 5 and 8 inches. The needle worm gets thinner as you get to the tail and that gives it a lot of action. The special material it is made from makes the tail standup and wiggle, but don 

tell anyone.   We changed locations several time and caught a few more 

fish.  After a while we started hitting structure. The best structure seems to be in the 8 to 12 foot range, and believe me the fishing was still tough. The Carolina rig and Stanley Football Jig was the best here as we worked the structure very slowly to get the fish to bite. 

As we fished one of these spots I had the smallest tap on the line.  I set the hook and the fish took, off putting a bow in the heavy American Rodsmiths rod I was using.  It took some work but I got her 

turned out of the cover and  started for the surface then the heifer  

broke free. It’s always about the one that got away.

 

      I’ll have been drawing names but no one has won the free fishing trip for this fall.  Make sure to sign up, then keep checking for your name.

 

Crappie; The Crappie fishing has been a lot better this week.  We have been picking some up off the brush piles.  There is always one person who can out fish the other ones. Sometimes it’s all about feeling that soft bite.  Everyone has loved the new pontoon with the shade and the 

changing room with the port-o-potty.   It makes the trip a lot nicer 

for everyone. We can handle up to 8 anglers.

 

 

Big D Outdoors is the place to get your boat ready for tournaments or 

family fishin.   Give them a call 409-769-3700.

 

 

God Bless

Lynn Atkinson

srayburn@rayburncountry.com

www.rayburncountry.com

Home 936-897-3400

Cell 979-220-0251

Rayburn Country Ladies Auxiliary October Event

” A SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP EVENT” On Thursday, October 22 AT 11 A.M.  at Rayburn Country Club our Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring an October Fest with vendors from around the area : Hemphill, Jasper, DeRidder, Pineland and beyond. PLEASE COME JOIN US FOR SOME EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. The various vendors will offer gifts, jewelry, food items, fudges, crafts, clothing and other items. If you want a “picnic box lunch” too, please call Sue Redding or Flora Wilhite for a reservation (409-698-9393 or 409-698-2289) . The cost of the picnic lunch is $12 and a reservation is needed.  You don’t need to have lunch with us to “come and shop with us”.