Irrigation Canals
The Rio Grande Valley (the Valley) is criss-crossed with irrigation canals. These are elevated above the surrounding land so that water can be delivered to crops by gravity flow. Each canal system begins at the Rio Grande River, where huge pumps move water from the river into the main canals.
The main canals are usually excellent places to fish with natural baits such as shad, minnows, etc. The water in these canals, because of the fast currents, is usually more than a little murky. The main canals feed large reservoirs known locally as ’settling basins’. Here, the suspended solids largely settle out, and the water proceeds to other canals for distribution. These canals are still somewhat murky; and artificial lures are still not much use, so live or cut baits are still best. However, both the reservoirs and the secondary canals are usually excellent fishing holes, providing catfish, gaspergou, bass, and many varieties of perch.
After it leaves the reservoirs, the water either goes directly to a city reservoir for further settling, or into the irrigation canal system. Again, the main canals are somewhat murky; but the smaller canals, because of the slower currents, tend to clear. This is where you can find and catch some really nice bass. I have seen the water in these canals so clear that you could see the bass follow and strike at your lure.
Back then, there was no such thing as a concrete, or concrete-lined canal; and canals had what were known as ‘bar ditches’ on either side of them. These ditches were below the level of the canal bottom; and were meant to keep the canal banks well-drained so that they didn’t become soggy and collapse. These bar ditches also became home to fish, especially various species of minnows. Cast your net in the bar ditch for bait and your line in the canal for larger fish…pretty neat, huh?
Next: Baits and techniques for canals