Lake Whitney and Brazos River Fishing Guide Service

Chris Shafer has been a full time guide since 1989. Chris began his career as a professional guide fishing full time on lake Whitney. After a few years he discovered that in the summer when striper fishing on the lake is at its worst, the bass fishing on the river is at it's best. It wasn't long before he began splitting his seasons between spring and summer on the river and fall and winter on the lake, until finally his love of pursuing huge bass in the crystal clear Brazos river became a full time passion. Fly fishing or conventional fishing, Chris is an expert at coaxing the bass from the deep water holes and cover where they hide.

Top water fishing is his passion and his specialty and there is no better fishery for top water fishing than this stretch of river. All fishing, with conventional or fly tackle, is on top water year round for smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass.

Chris holds several records on both the Brazos river & lake Whitney including: Brazos river striper 23.14lbs. 90-94 Brazos River smallmouth bass 7.0lbs. 1997 Lake Whitney white bass 2.88lbs. 1994 Lake Whitney spotted bass 2.98 lbs. 1994 Big fish awards include 6.90 & 6.10 lb. monster smallmouth from Lake Whitney. Featured in the November/December 2004 issue of "American Angler" cover story: "Amazing Fly Fishing Destinations" as one of 100 incredible hot spots in the world to fish for small and large mouth bass. February 2005 edition of Texas Sportsman magazine listed this stretch of river as the place to go bass fishing in June

Chris' Brazos River Fishing has been featured in Bassmaster magazine, DFW Outdoors, Southwest Fly Fishing Magazine, Texas Sporting Journal, Outdoor Life, Texas Fish & Game and numerous other publications as well as many outdoor TV shows. This stretch of river is a favorite of Charlie Pack's of "Fishin Country"

The Brazos river below the lake Whitney dam is a very unique fishery. The water is normally very shallow unless water is being released from the dam.The water is crystal clear, so clear that polarized sun glasses will allow you to sight fish. So clear that you can see the fish coming for your lure or fly. The fish in the river are unique, fighting the current from the dam produces a very muscular fish so that even the smallest bass will give you an amazing fight and the big smallmouth, well you just have to experience it for yourself. Chris has access to 22 miles of river that is broken down into 3 sections approximately 7 miles long allowing him to put you on the best possible conditions on any given day in response to varying water levels and the migratory patterns of the fish. 1,2 or 3 day trips are available. The season extends from approximately the first of March-October, weather permitting. The fish caught on the river vary in size from 1 lb to over 7 lbs. with the average fish weighing in the 4 lb. class.

Numbers of fish caught in a day varies with angling experience. A good day for an experienced fly fisherman will be 20-50 fish. A good day for spinning tackle is 20-100 fish per day.

All bass fishing is catch and release.

Each section of river takes 8-9 hours to traverse and access to the river is very limited, once you start there is no turning back until a take out spot is reached. Traversing the river can be strenuous under adverse conditions. For this reason this trip is not recommended for persons with health problems or heat intolerance, especially during the summer months.

Please call for an update of current conditions if you have any concerns when planning your trip.

This stretch of river is one of very few where you can fish all day and not see another fisherman. The scenery is a trip in itself. Towering limestone bluffs dripping with fresh water springs and water falls are thick with ferns and wild flowers. The wild turkey, deer, osprey, great blue herons and many other wild animals inhabit the sparsely populated banks.

The river bottom is sand, large river rocks and boulders all slippery and wet. All persons on board may have to help drag the boat over a shallow gravel bar or two. For this reason wading boots or tennis shoes with wool socks are recommended. DO NOT wear river sandals, flip flops, shoes with slick soles or any shoes you don't want to get wet.

Packing light for the day is a must, bring only what you truly need, this leaves more room in the boat for fishing and lightens the load if dragging is required.

The cost is $300.00 per day for 2 guests per boat. 2 boats including guides are available.

• Customers provide their own lunch& drinks in a small cooler. Fly fishermen supply their own rod & reel.
• Conventional tackle & lures are provided.
• Polarized sunglasses, a hat and camera are recommended
• Waders are necessary for colder weather.
• Long wearing sunscreen is recommended. Please be advised that sunscreen is the most effective when applied in the morning as you are dressing for the day, this provides you with the best protection and keeps your hands free of greasy lotions that might be harmful to fish & equipment.