Small Texas Town Ready to Welcome Anglers after Drought Breaks
OutdoorHub Reporters 12.20.13
The tiny town of Castell, Texas was hard struck by the persistent drought that affected Texas Hill Country in recent years, but heavy rain and the stocking of trout in the nearby Llano River promise to make the area a hit with fly fishermen this winter.
“Fishing’s real good, there’s a lot of Guadalupe bass. They don’t get real big but they’re numerous and there’s catfish. A lot of perch. The [Llano] River is one of the cleanest in Texas,” said Marc Leifeste, who runs the town’s general store with his father.
Leifeste and his staff are currently preparing for the influx of anglers eager to do some wintertime trout fishing. With a permanent population of just about a hundred, Castell has not seen this kind of popularity in some time. Heavy rain over the past several weeks has swelled water levels and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) stocked several locations along the Llano River with over 2,400 rainbow trout.
“Castell offers all you need for a remote fishing getaway, whether it’s lodging, equipment or dining year-round. This fishery will suit all angler types, offering great opportunities for fly-fishing and those wishing to float the river for more than just trout. The Llano River is home to other species, like the Guadalupe bass, largemouth bass and white bass,” the TPWD states on its website.
Residents are grateful for these boons, as the town is looking forward to an economic revival after years of drought.
“The last couple of years have been real bad,” Leifeste told OutdoorHub. “With the recent rain it’s almost back to normal. Thirty miles south of here and you can still feel the drought.”
Most of Castell’s businesses, like the general store, are aimed towards keeping campers, anglers, and kayakers well-stocked. Wildlife officials said that the recent rains make the town one of the best fishing spots in rural Texas Hill Country.
