Search for the Missing Whiting

A message from the Texas Tropics

Today, Edd Alexander, Luther Potts and I resumed our search for the missing Whiting.  We went over to Arroyo City and searched there via rod, reel, hook and squid.  We searched the length of the Arroyo and still no Whiting!  However we did find that the Steel Head Catfish had not left the bay.  We caught plenty of the things, but weren’t too excited about cleaning them….so they were safe!

This whole area called the Valley is the delta for the Rio Grande River.  Over time the river has switched channels and meandered all over the plain known as the valley.  Everywhere are abandoned meanders from the old channels of the Rio Grande.  The farmers in this area use the abandoned meanders for storage of irrigation water.  Irrigation water is purchased from the various water districts that get water from the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers.  The water is moved downhill and stored for irrigation use.  Since this whole area is a desert getting less than ten inches of rainfall per year, nothing grows without irrigation. 

All kinds of citrus fruit, cabbages, broccoli, beans, pineapple, cucumbers and everything imaginable are grown here.  This area is literally the vegetable basket of the nation….all grown courtesy of the old channels of the Rio Grande River.

When we finished our fishing today, we set the “Sue Sea” on a course for the boat ramp.  On the way back, Edd Alexander became excited and exclaimed something about us barely missing a swimming deer.  We turned the Sue Sea around and returned to see!  It turned out to be nothing more than a grungy, unkept coyote crossing the bayou and now swimming as fast as he could.  We had encountered swimming animals before such as moose, bear, snakes, otters, beavers and chalets.  The Coyote was as rough looking character as we have met.  He swam to the shore and quickly disappeared into the Chaparral.  I do believe he must have been an illegal immigrant because no self-respecting U. S. coyote would have dressed as badly as this one nor would he have been that proficient in swimming!

Here is a picture of our missing Whiting.  If you spot our missing fish, call our hotline at 1-800-got-fish and explain to the operator where they are located!  We’ll be right there!

Southern Kingfish (Whiting)

After returning to South Padre Island, I looked up my wife who was at the Market Fest---the Island’s weekend long arts and crafts festival (glorified flea market).  Since I was away with the boat and the truck, she walked the 2.5 miles to get there. Some people are a bit crazy about going to an Arts and Crafts show.  She also saw a first--the new commodes at the Convention Center have automatic seat covers.  You push a button and the seat is covered with a tube of clear plastic.  Instructions tell you to push the button before using. Instructions also tell to throw all tissue in the commode…not on the floor!  Crazy that people have to be told that part.  Oh Well! Then I rushed back to write this story.  This is the first story in three days because during that time our life has been….boring!