Spring breakers looking for a little outdoor entertainment will likely find an abundance of white bass in the rivers over the next couple of weeks.

Female whites are beginning to join their male counterparts upstream, and it’s just a matter of time before the height of the spawn will be under way, meaning excellent fishing opportunities.

Reports from white bass anglers indicate a hit-and-miss trend last week, but the bite is expected to improve significantly over the next few weeks. The spawning run is subject to factors like stream flow and water temperature, and fish can be pushed back downstream because of cold fronts and heavy rains.

Some of last week’s most successful hauls were made by fly-fishermen, but old stand-by baits like jigs with chartreuse grub-tails, RoadRunners, and medium-diving crankbaits were also productive.

On the north side of Lake Waco, Eichelberger Crossing is a perennial favorite of white bass anglers, while on the southern end of the lake, the South Bosque bridge on Highway 84 is a popular spot.

Remember that anyone age 17 and older must have a valid Texas fishing license. There are several license options available. The limit on white bass is 25 per person, and fish must be at least 10 inches in length.

I also got a couple of unwanted reports last week. Rattlesnakes are beginning to make appearances in Central Texas — even on cold, rainy days. Be aware of your footsteps and surroundings, and never put your hands, feet or other body parts into places where you can’t see them.

Kayak demonstrations

Austin Canoe and Kayak will hold its Spring Demo Days this weekend at Hyde Park Quarry Lake in Austin. 

In addition to having kayaks and canoes on hand for trying out, the event will also feature a number of clinics covering topics such as camping, safety, fishing, loading and outfitting.

Spring Demo Days runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, go to www.austinkayak.com.

Beginning fly-fishing

The March meeting of the Jack Sparks Central Texas Flyrodders is on for Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m. at the Lake Waco Wetlands Center.

The program will include a special focus on fly-fishing for white bass. Even nonfly-fishermen who are interested in giving it a try are welcome to attend and should find the information useful.

For more information, call 744-6324.

Youth turkey season

Spring turkey season is only days away, with a special youth season opening this weekend in the South Zone. The North Zone will follow suit March 27-28.

Open season begins March 20 in the South Zone and April 3 in the North Zone. A number of regulations and restrictions apply to the springtime season, so check the TPWD Web site for information on particular counties before you go.

Bastrop, Lee, and Milam are in a group of counties with a one-turkey bag limit.

Lake Waco clean up

Groups or individuals interested in volunteering to help clean up Lake Waco can take part in a lake shore cleanup, co-sponsored by the Corps and Keep Waco Beautiful on March 27. Call 750-5728 for more information.

More quail released

I saw more quail Friday afternoon than I’ve seen in a decade. Thanks to the ag teachers at the Methodist Children’s Home, new hatches of quail are being released into the countryside on a year-round basis. Keep an eye out for their story in an upcoming column.

Also coming is a story on Bob Payne, who recently caught a trophy Pacific Sailfish. Stay tuned for the account and photo.

www.centexoutdoors.com

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