Opinions

Proposition 14 Deserves a Yes vote from Northeast Texas for more State Parks. Proposition 14 is a proposed Constitutional Amendment that would jump start an increase in the number of state parks in Texas.

GOOD. Water stained; 80 degrees; 1.43 feet below pool. Crappie are good on brush piles in 15-20 feet of water using minnows or jigs. Catfish are good on baited holes in 15-20 feet of water on baited holes using cheese bait. Sand bass are fair on main lake points in 15-20 feet of water using slabs. Report by Marty Thomas, Lake O the Pines Crappie Fishing. Bass are slow while fish transition to the back of coves for the fall feeding frenzy, but catches can still be had by throwing chatterbaits under boat houses on points. Report by Mike Stroman, R & R Marine. Fly fishing for black bass is slow using topwater patterns and subsurface patterns early and late in the day in the backs of coves and creeks. Look for small schooling bass. Fish poppers around boat houses and main lake points with deceivers and small jig patterns. Try bead heads and wooly buggers for bream. Report by Guide Alex Guthrie, Fly Fish Fork Guide Service.

Unlike many years of Texas Constitutional Amendment elections where there is little but housekeeping items on which to vote, this year’s group of 14 amendments to the Texas Constitution address several issues concerning today’s residents. Not the least of these addresses concerns over rising property taxes to be paid due primarily to the steady increases in valuation of those properties.