In late winter, millions of white bass work their way upriver and into these creeks in preparation for their annual spawn. Action is directed by several factors, not the least of which is water level. Creeks too high flush fish out and raise safety issues. Water too low forces fish back into the relative safety of the rivers. When conditions are right, however, white bass concentrate in the creeks and gorge themselves on whatever tiny finfish dare run that gluttonous gauntlet.
Timing is critical.
Hit it right, and action can be nonstop in holes no bigger than the average garage. The East Texas fishing information pipeline reaches many people, one of whom is north-Houston SUV dealer Jack Segall. Those three words told a complete story. Cliff Mueller is a longtime business associate of Segall and spends prime white bass fishing months in a trailer on the banks of a creek that feeds the upper Trinity River. Any other time of year, their conversations might be about buying, selling or trading vehicles.