July 24, 2026
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 23
Floods come again Hill Country water a mixed bag for hunters and fishermen By Mike Bodenchuk Widespread rains across the southern Texas Hill Country during the week of July 13-17 created flood-
ing on mainstem rivers, ephemeral creeks, dry washes and even low-lying areas on ranches. The worst flooding was from Kerrville and Bandera southwest toward Uvalde, where some 20-plus inches of rain fell in a 48-hour period. Beyond the human impacts, both wildlife and fisheries were impacted by flooding.
On the wildlife side, this part of Texas has extensive high fence ranchWildlife stuck in low areas es and miles of fencing were washed out by flood waters. Typically, ranch- had to deal with ers can predict the flood areas and severe flooding create “water gaps” which can be re- in many parts of paired in short order. This flooding the Hill Country and South Texepisode produced extensive water as after huge which, mixed with floating debris, amounts of rain weighed down the fences and posts, fell. Photo by Please turn to page 13
4H Ranch.
Axis, axis everywhere By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
South Padre Island anglers who need to launch a boat at a public ramp now have a third option on the island since the new ramp opened. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
New public ramp open on SPI By Tony Vindell
For Lone Star Outdoor News For those anglers tired of waiting to launch a boat from a public ramp on South Padre Island, your wait and frustration could be coming to an end thanks to a new public boat ramp that has opened on the island. “Do we need more boat ramps?” angler Jose Carpio of Brownsville said rhetorically. “Yes, we do!” He said he has been fishing for
John Paul Tabor shot this mature axis buck while on a spot and stalk hunt with El Sapo Guide Service. Photo by Brandon Blanch.
The axis rut is as hot as the summertime temperatures. Hunters spending time at ranches and deer leases have reported seeing an abundance of spotted deer, including good numbers of mature bucks. Some have even commented this has been the best summertime season for axis they can ever remember. Brandon Blanch of El Sapo Guide Service has been chasing axis with his hunters in Sutton, Edwards, and Val Verde counties, where he said the bucks have been plentiful. “This is the best axis season I’ve ever experienced as far as mature bucks and numbers are concerned,” Blanch said. “They’re just everywhere out here right now. With groups of six to nine hunters, it’s been very rare for us to have to keep hunting into the second afternoon.” Blanch said his hunters have been harvesting the highest quality bucks, on average, that he’s ever seen. Most of the axis
Please turn to page 13
Please turn to page 13
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
North central lakes producing Whitney, Benbrook, Richland Chambers fishing good By Corey Byrnes
Lake Whitney has been excellent for hybrid striper fishing this summer. Shallow and deep water presentations have been productive utilizing a
Please turn to page 9 Fishing reports . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 12 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18
INSIDE
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For Lone Star Outdoor News
variety of different tactics. Daniel Dean with Big Bite Guide Service said his clients have been focusing on the fish out deep. “Right now, we’ve been out in some deeper water, fishing around. The fish have been kind of relating over the thermocline out in the main body of the lake there closer to the dam,” Dean said. “So, they’re not relating to structure.” For Dean and his clients, it has been
Anglers are finding good catches of hybrids and striped bass on Central Texas lakes this month. Photo by James Davies.
HUNTING
FISHING
Pronghorn numbers up (P. 4)
Crazy for new bait (P. 6)
Hunters looking forward to a good season.
Keep it in the family (P. 4) Daughter taking over father’s gun shop.
Urchin baits taking over.
Redfish roundup (P. 6) Tougher bite with hot water.