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Caddo Lake
By Russell Graves
Road trips are always epic for me. I live in the Texas Panhandle where chronic dryness and drought are the rule. Aside from an intermittently running river and a handful of farm ponds, water isn’t in abundance near where I live. Therefore, to get to unique and out of the way fly fishing waters, I have to travel often.
Early one October morning I packed my camera gear and fishing equipment for the long drive to unfamiliar waters. From my house to Caddo Lake is 409 miles of long and lonely roads that take me across the top of much of Texas along the Red River corridor. Somewhere near Bonham, I made a bend to the southeast and traveled the last quarter of my trip. Along the way, the landscape transforms from open rangelands to hardwoods and pine trees, and the culture morphs from a western attitude to one that’s steeped in traditions of the old south.
In the past, I’ve traveled all over Texas and have been to nearly every corner save, for some reason, this one. Caddo Lake is a mystery to me, and I’ll find that it is indeed a mystery to others who have experienced it in its 200 or so years of known existence.
A Lake Shrouded in History
From the banks, Caddo Lake doesn’t look all that big since there is not a huge body of water that lies before you. Instead it exists as a giant swamp with backwater sloughs that wind in and out of the giant cypress trees that stand draped in Spanish moss. In all, 25,400 acres of big, mysterious swamplands straddle the Texas/Louisiana border and takes its name from the indigenous Caddo Indian tribes who once inhabited the area.
Overall the lake is shallow and is only 20 feet at the deepest. Much of it, though, is shallow enough for trees to crowd the water. So numerous are the cypress trees that they make up the world’s largest cypress forest. There are some areas of significant open water, but many of those places have a carpet of lily pads and other aquatic vegetation that stretch for hundreds of yards. In fact, 60 percent of the lake is covered in aquatic vegetation.
This place is so unique it is recognized as an internationally protected wetland. The lake is also the second largest natural lake in the south and the largest (and one of the few) natural lake in Texas.
To read more pick up a copy of the September 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Join us for the Lone Star Open (LSO) Auctioneer Championship, set to take place on Sunday, February 2, alongside the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR).
This exciting event will feature a $20,000 prize for the grand champion auctioneer, as well as insightful presentations on the auction method of marketing and the dynamic auctioneering profession.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Emily Gleason
The outdoor, hunting, and fishing industries have long been perceived traditionally as a male-dominated realm. However, as societal norms shift, the experiences of women in these industries have been increasingly coming to the forefront. Being a woman in the outdoor industry today is a complex blend of passion, perseverance, and community, marked by both challenges and triumphs.
Women who hunt or engage in outdoor activities frequently find themselves confronting preconceived notions about their capabilities and interests. Many of us have experienced skepticism or outright disbelief when we express our enthusiasm for hunting or other outdoor activities.
Despite these stereotypes, women are increasingly challenging and redefining what it means to be involved in these activities. Female hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are not only participating but excelling in such skills. They contribute unique perspectives and insights to the hunting community, showcasing that passion for the outdoors knows no gender.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter
It’s easy for us to take for granted the multiple forbs that are growing throughout our North Texas and Oklahoma grazing lands. They play an important part in the health of our soils and of our livestock, and we should be aware of how they fit in our grazing environment.
Winecup is one of the forbs that many of us can recognize. There are both annual and perennial species, and of significant numbers in our area is Trailing winecup, which is a perennial.
To learn more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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