A new chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is forming in Orange County.

    “Orange is a strong area for CCA as is the rest of Southeast Texas and once we found out there was interest in having a chapter there we started the ball rolling and the response has been great,” said Erick Burke assistant director of CCA Texas.

    The group has already has several preliminary gatherings and will meet again 6:30 p.m. Monday Sept. 8 at Novrosky’s in Bridge City to discuss the forthcoming banquet.

    “Anyone interested in coming out and becoming a part of the chapter or learning more is welcomed to stop by,” said chapter member Scott Bandy.

    The group’s first banquet will take place Thurs. Oct. 23 at the Bridge City Civic/Activity Center. Tickets go on sale Sept. 9.

    “We’re really looking forward to the banquet, growing the chapter and raising funds for the great conservation work that CCA does,” Bandy said.

    For more information, call Orange Chapter President, Mike Will, at 409-745-4001 or treasurer Terry Ray at 409-651-6451.

    Other CCA chapters in Southeast Texas include the Sabine-Neches which holds their events in the Mid-County area and the Golden Triangle chapter is based out of Beaumont.

Now onto the report...

North Sabine/Neches River — The north end remains fair for trout and reds around the islands with some action picking up in the mouth of the Neches and in Bessie Heights Marsh. Flounder are fair in Bessie Heights Marsh and on the intake side of the Entergy Canal on finger mullet and mud minnows.

South Sabine — Capt. Phillip Samuels reports few anglers out but solid action for trout on Gulp shrimp and soft plastic shrimp imitations in glow and white fished under the birds and around emerging slicks. Reds are mixed with the trout. Very few reports of flounder this week.

Sabine Pass — Bull redfish action is improving daily at the jetties and in the surf. Cut and live mullet as well as crab are producing fish up to 35 pounds. Very few reports of trout in the channel area. Keith Lake has been fair for flounder on live mud minnows.

Sabine River — Cow and Adams Bayous are fair for bass on motor oil and junebug colored worms on Texas rigs fished around the main and secondary points. Redfish are good from Old Cow Bayou north to the Port of Orange on cut bait and Rat-L-Traps. 

Calcasieu (Big Lake) — The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports very few anglers out after storm evacuation. Prospects for the weekend are good as there have been some reports of bull redfish in the surf around Holly and Constance Beach and solid bird fishing action on the main body of Big Lake.

Rayburn Lake — Guide Roger Bacon reports largemouths are fair on frogs and buzz baits fished early and late in the protected coves along grass lines. During the heat of the day some anglers are catching bass up to five pounds on jigging spoons and deep-diving crank baits. Crappie are good on shiners fished over brush piles on the main lake. Very few reports of catfish.