Team Devil's River

From Left to Right: Brent, Juan Veruete, Tom

Team Devil's River was formed on a June night (2011) over a few cold beers during a multi-day kayak fishing trip . The shared dream was to travel from the North Eastern United States to South West Texas and fish a river by kayak that they had only seen in video and on websites. The river... Devil's River. The dream became a reality that night when Juan, Thomas, and Brent started serious planning for a trip to a river on the "bucket list" of of more than a few kayak fisherman. On this blog, we will chronicle our cross country journey to a place we've only seen in video and photographs.



Juan Veruete

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Home State: Pennsylvania
Kayak: Wilderness Systems Ride 115
Rods: Temple Fork Outfitters Fresh Water Rods
Baits: Winco's Custome Lures
Favorite Fish: Smallmouth Bass

I am obsessed with kayak fishing! To feed my addiction, I started Kayak Fish PA, LLC. I'm an ACA certified kayak instructor and a licensed fishing guide in Pennsylvania. My specialty is kayak fishing for river smallmouth bass. During the warmer months I conduct Guided Kayak Fishing Classes on the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers in Pennsylvania. Once my guiding season is over the real fun starts! I fish the rivers in Pennsylvania throughout the frigged winter with great success catching trophy smallmouth bass. Some say I'm crazy.... no....I just love kayak fishing!

Brent

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Home State: Virginia
Kayak: Jackson Coosa
Rods: Temple Fork Outfitters Fresh Water Rods
Baits: Winco's Custome Lures
Favorite Fish: Smallmouth Bass

I started Kayak fishing back in 2008 while on vacation at the Outer Banks. After seeing a add in a magazine I hooked up with a local guide who supplied all the gear in Buxton and went out flounder fishing. While I didn't catch anything that first day, I ended the day hooked for life to this great sport. It has become a way of life almost all of my days off year round are now spent in my kayak. I like to target River Small Mouth Bass the most and in 2011 I took 4 class with Kayak Fish PA and Juan Verute to learn more and how to target these awesome fish. During my June Kayak Boot Camp class the idea of doing the Devils River was born. I'm looking forward to this trip of a lifetime on the Devils River I hope to catch multiple species of fish and be challenged every day but what the river has to offer.

Thomas

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Home State:  Pennsylvania
Kayak:  Ride 135
Rods:  Kistler Z-bone, Fenwick HMG
Reels:  Shimano Core, Stradic, and Citica
Baits:  Topwater, Spinnerbaits, and if they fail, whatever it takes to get 'em to hit
Favorite fish:  A muscular smallie that has fought current all its life

My wife, my son, and I rented a canoe for a half day float down the Susquehanna one Saturday, and 45 minutes into our trip, after spotting deer, muskrat, and nesting Bald eagles, I knew this was going to be a passion that would fulfill the rest of my life.  I love the idea of putting in and taking out in an area easily reached by car, only to float and follow a river as it winds its way through nature and areas that are inaccessible by any other means.  The Devils River is the ultimate expression of this, and I hope to repeat this trip with my son when he old enough.

Ray

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Home State: Pennsylvania
Kayak: “Vintage, Old School” 2004 11’ Dagger Blackwater SIK
Rods: Kistler Heliums, Falcon Experts, St. Croix
Reels: Shimano Curados, Scorpions
Baits: Anything Al Winco is making, various wire baits, hardbaits
Favorite Fish: Ouchigan!

River fishing for smallmouth bass from a kayak is a passion. I’ve been kayak fishing out of the same SIK since 2004, which I’ve customized for the purpose. Before that I used a canoe, before that I was wade fishing. It’s the kind of fun that makes me feel I’m doing something illegal. I’m typically fishing PA waters – Schuylkill, Delaware, Juniata, Susquehanna mostly. I’ve spent a few days on the Blanco River several years ago with Texas Kelly (Kelly Watson) for those who might know him. That was trip of a lifetime and I’m thinking the Devil is going to match that experience. The Guadalupe is a beautiful fish only found in Texas and the hybrids can be brutes. I’m looking forward to that aquamarine limestone water. No Guadalupe in the Devils but the bronze should be there, not to mention a shot at some greenies.

I’ve fished with Juan quite a few times and with the other folks on this trip, and I know I will be in the company of some seriously skilled smallie hunters.