Passport to Texas

Fishing: White Bass Run Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Nature gave its creatures internal clocks that each follows faithfully. White bass—also called sand bass—are following their internal timetable now by migrating.

Through April large schools of this fish will concentrate in the far upper ends of reservoirs, making them easily accessible. Anglers love this silvery species for its schooling behavior and its willingness to take artificial lures. Not only that—it’s a tasty addition to the dinner menu.

Because they are similar in appearance and are often found in the same waters, it’s easy to confuse white bass with striped or even hybrid striped bass.

Striped bass and hybrid striped bass grow much larger than white bass and also have several distinct “stripes” that extend to the tail, while the white bass has only one stripe extending to its tail.

If you’re still not sure about who is who, there’s another way to distinguish these fish from one another, but you have to get a little personal. A white bass has a singular tooth patch on its tongue whereas two such adaptations exist on the tongues of striped bass and hybrid striped bass. Open wide.

Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for more information on sport fish in Texas.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series and provides funding for the operations and management of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TPW Magazine March Preview Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We’re on the threshold of spring, and all the outdoor adventure that comes with it. Let Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine help you chart a course. Editor, Louie Bond.

60—We get you ready for spring in so many ways this month at Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

We also have a “first timers” look,which I love our first timers stories. This time Parks and Wildlife news intern Amber Conrad goes out gar fishing with bow and arrow and has quite an interesting experience. So there’s a little something for everyone this month in Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program Supports our series, and is funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuels.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Great Texas Birding Classic Goes on for Some Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Great Texas Birding Classic—a yearly week-long birding competition on the Texas coast is taking 2012 off to reevaluate, says Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator for Parks and Wildlife.

06—With this down economy, and some of the cutbacks we’ve had at parks and wildlife, this year was a tough year.

The 15 year old competition attracted dedicated birders from around the globe, who donated more than three-quarters of a million dollars to habitat projects. And some of those birders aren’t about to let the fact the classic is on hold keep them from their yearly tradition.

37— This is true. We sent out letters in January letting past participants and supporters know that 2012 was the year that we were taking off on the birding classic to really plan for 2013. And, so far we’ve heard from a few teams out there who are just going to do the classic anyway. This is their passion, this is what they do every April with their families and their friends, and they really are passionate about bird watching and Texas habitat conservation. They said they are going to do their own teams; they’re going to go out informally and keep checklists. And they’re going to donate money to habitat projects on behalf of the birding classic even though formally we’re not existing.

Shelly says the agency will support the birders via the birding classic website and Facebook page.

11—Teams are going to be able to talk about what they’re seeing, post photos, post their species totals for their count days, and really have a forum for their bragging rights of what they’ve done out on the Texas coast.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Great Texas Birding Classic is On Hold Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This year will be an interesting one for the annual Great Texas Birding Classic, which is a week-long birding competition in April on the Texas coast.

20—After 15 years of a really successful run, donating a lot of money to on the ground projects in Texas for habitat conservation for birds, we are going to be taking the year off and spending this year re-envisioning the classic, and coming back in 2013 with a newly re-energized and exciting event with some new twists.

Shelly Plante is nature tourism coordinator for Parks and Wildlife. For nearly half of the classic’s 15 year run, it partnered with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. But because of the down economy, the observatory decided to hold a yearly auction instead, with proceeds benefiting habitat conservation.

11—Parks and Wildlife is going to be taking back the birding classic and try to figure out ways to streamline it financially and logistically; keeping costs down yet still keep to the mission of the classic.

The mission includes outreach and education, engaging new birders, nature tourism in Texas and conservation fundraising.

16—So, that will be our focus moving forward. And we think by giving ourselves 2012 to really think about this and meet with partners and meet with past participants who have a passion for the event, we can come up with something really great for 2013 that will make a lot of sense in this economy, while still accomplishing those missions.

But for some…the classic goes on…details tomorrow.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Learning to Fly-fish Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fly-fish Texas is a daylong introductory angling event on March 10 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) for those wishing to learn how to fly-fish.

23—You wouldn’t have to have any fishing experience whatsoever. We’re going to have different forums going on through in multiple venues throughout the day. We’ll have a couple of areas where there’ll be speakers that you can just drop in and take a look at what the topic is. We’ll also have some casting classes going on. There’s a BBQ house that will be here serving BBQ as well…so that you can come and just enjoy the day.

James Booker is events coordinator at TFFC. Participants will fish for rainbow trout using loaner equipment (or may bring their own); volunteers from fly-fishing clubs will guide learners through the process…which may result in taking home some fish.

15—You can keep up to five rainbow trout per person, which is the legal limit here in Texas. Wow. What a deal. And, so, is there a cost involved? This event is free with regular admission. And we do honor the State park pass, so that can even further reduce your fee.

It‘s $5.50 for visitors 13 and older, $3.50 for children four to 12, and free for children under four years of age.

Fly Fish Texas at the TFFC in Athens, takes place 9 to 4, March 10. It’s family friendly with activities and food available on site. Find complete details on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.