August 25, 2023
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 20, Issue 1
Dove opener looking good By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
A wide variety of fly-tying materials, both natural and synthetic, hang from the walls of Dirty Water Fly Co. Photo by Shannon Drawe, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Statewide dove population numbers are higher than they have been in several years. According to Owen Fitzsimmons, the program leader of Webless Migratory Game Bird, Texas dove population estimates have been below the long-term average since 2018 — until this year. The 2023 statewide abundance esti-
mate for mourning doves is 28.3 million birds, which represents a 44-percent increase in population from 2022 and is 3 percent above the long-term average. The 2023 statewide abundance estimate for white-winged dove is 11.7 million birds, which ties the all-time high for white-wing populations recorded in 2015. This value also represents a 22-percent increase in the white-winged dove population from 2022 and
is 19 percent above the long-term average. Fitzsimmons said those numbers account for breeding adult males, and that optimal conditions during the late spring and early summer contributed to a successful hatch, which he believes hunters will get to experience this season. “Hunters should really expect to see large numbers of birds when the season commences,” Please turn to page 6
Feathers and fur
Earn Your Stripes
Fly shop focuses on the flies By Shannon Drawe
For Lone Star Outdoor News It’s no surprise to see furs and feathers flying out the doors at North Texas’ newest fly shop in Plano, and Dirty Water Fly Co. owner Danny Soltau couldn’t be happier. A little more than a year old, the shop already relocated to a larger space on 14th Street in Downtown Plano back in March. The new space has provided a little elbow room for Soltau to teach fly-tying lessons as well as carry more fly rods, reels, lines and general flyfishing gear. “I had the opportunity to go from a hole-in-the-wall to a slightly larger hole-in-the-wall, so we took that,” Soltau said. “And we have the same landlord, so it’s seamless, and now we have awesome street front on one of the busiest streets in Plano.” Most fly-anglers realize their Please turn to page 21
Hunters are eager to get out Sept. 1 to see if predictions of more birds are true. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Anglers reporting aggressive striper action By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Striped bass have been providing plenty of action for anglers casting lures, chunking live bait and trolling on several inland lakes. Anglers have reported plenty of schooling activity, most of which has been taking place along the surface during the early morning hours. Stripers have been keying in on swarms of shad and other baitfish, so anglers who can locate concentrations have been finding more success. On Lake Texoma, fishing guide Stephen Andre said the top-water bite has been consistent over flats in 5-15 feet of water during the first couple of hours of the day. Heaps of small stripers are Large surface plugs are drawing strikes from striped bass on Lake Texoma and other lakes. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Please turn to page 11
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Big kingfish at LKT By Tony Vindell
Three king mackerel highlighted the 42nd Ladies Kingfish Tournament in stellar fashion. A 39-pound king, caught by Lindsie Schuster, of McAllen, and another weighing 36 pounds, caught by Dani Fenton, of Port Aransas, took first and second place, respectively. Jill Kassai’s 24-pound, 13-ounce king took third place. The event’s day of fishing, held Aug. 12 at South Padre Island, brought a bit
of drama to the weigh-in. Although Fenton thought she would win the kingfish category, a boat hauling a load of fish arrived with just moments to spare, with its bounty including Schuster’s big king. The grand champion of the offshore division was Amber Hartung, who brought all four fish species — king mackerel, bonito, dorado and tuna — with a combined weight of 44.75 pounds. The Laguna Vista resident fished from the Playin’ Hooky, captained by Jeff Hartung. Please turn to page 11
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 20 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
A team of ladies show the redfish they landed during the Ladies Kingfish Tournament. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
HUNTING
FISHING
Learning about fawns (P. 4)
Suspended bass (P. 8)
Dangers start from birth.
Smaller fish shallow.
Drawing for a hunt (P. 4)
Top-water trout (P. 8)
Some spots have better success.
Angler lands 32-inch, 9-pounder.