Fly Fishing the Sam: A Guidebook to Exploring the Creeks, Rivers, and Bayous of Sam Houston National Forest
Fly Fishing the Sam: A Guidebook to Exploring the Creeks, Rivers, and Bayous of Sam Houston National Forest is a self-published book by Rob McConnell. The anticipated release date will be early in the Spring of 2020. Go to www.flyfishingthesam.com and sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on the release date.
Preface:
Five years ago, my wife and I moved from Western Pennsylvania to Houston, Texas. We left behind a rural lifestyle where the subjects of many dinner conversations involved fishing and hunting. It was a drastic change to move from the northern boonies down to the Gulf Coast and the fourth largest city in the country.
Fly Fishing the Sam: A Guidebook to Exploring the Creeks, Rivers, and Bayous of Sam Houston National Forest
When we first made the move, I found it difficult to pursue the outdoor hobbies I loved so dearly. Since then, I have learned that I can still pursue my passion for the outdoors; I just have to spend a little more time in the car. By driving north, away from the city, I have found great joy in fly fishing the waters of the Sam Houston National Forest. This national forest is a peaceful place to escape the fast-paced urban lifestyle.
In the past, I have jotted down notes and journal entries about fly fishing in the Sam Houston National Forest, and it is these writings that I have compiled to produce this simple guidebook. This guide is designed for someone who enjoys striking out on their own, discovering hidden creeks, and angling for new fish species. The GPS waypoints found in this guide are merely a starting point for a fly fishing journey. Purposefully, I have only disclosed the waypoints for recommended places to park. I did my best to give written directions from the parking areas to the specific waterways, but I was intentionally vague to avoid divulging the exact locations of honey holes. My hope is that the reader will discover the beauty and great angling in these watercourses on their own.
The wilderness streams, creeks, and bayous of this national forest deserve admiration, attention, and respect. I hope this little guide can be used as a tool to inspire Houstonians or new Houston transplants with a desire to discover unique lotic ecosystems. I hope it will help someone escape the concrete jungle and find peace while fishing the waters of a woodland stream in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Example of what the write-up on various stream sections will look like.
Example of what the fish identification section will look like
Example of what the introduction section will look like, featuring tips and techniques.
The Sam Houston National Forest is located about 60 miles north of Houston, Texas. The waterways of this national forest are home to a wonderful array of warm water fish species, many of which can be angled on a fly rod. The waters of the Sam are an absolute joy to fly fish, both for the novice and seasoned fly angler.
This unique guidebook offers quality photographs, detailed descriptions, and recommended access routes for the wilderness watercourses flowing through the Sam Houston National Forest. Included within these pages are detailed descriptions and composite images of the panfish and bass species common to the Sam. By using Fly Fishing the Sam as a guide, the reader will be prepared for a fly fishing excursion into the hidden lotic environments of the Sam Houston National Forest.