Sunfish Photo Book

:? I'm a relatively new fly fisherman, fishing a stone-bottom, clear, small river in Texas. (O.K., I know it's not a mountain stream, but it's beautiful to me.) The primary fish caught are various sunfish. Being obsessive-compulsive, I would like to be able to identify what particular kinds of sunfish I'm catching. Does anyone out there know of a book with accurate photos of various sunfish--at least those in Texas? If so, I would appreciate your sharing this information with me. When I figure out how to attach photos, I'll send another post of one my son caught.
Many thanks,
George H.

Hey George
You might start with the Texas Department of Conservation online.
Greg

I don't know of any book like that but Texas Parks and Wildlife has pictures for identification purposes. I have found that so many panfish that I have caught in the Hill Country are "mixed" that you can identify a couple of different types in each one but at least if you had a book you would know for sure what types are in it.

This is one of the best fish ID books I've found:

Fishes of the Central United States by Joseph Tomelleri and Mark Eberle. It covers a large variety of fish, including most the sunfish family, the info about each species is as complete as you could ask for, and the color illustrations are absolutely wonderful. I've seen it in hard and softcover versions.

The above book even covers several of the more common sunfish crosses you'll find.

:D
Thanks to all for the information. I have ordered the book from Amazon and am accessing TX Parks & Wildlife site to see what I find there. I will report on my take of the book after I have a chance to review.
Thanks again!
G.G.H.

Just as a lark, I checked out the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site. Between the illustrations in the Tomellri/Eberle book and the Texas-specific info on the TDPW website, you should be pretty well set.

ggh, I fish the Hill Country all the time. I live in Austin and drive out there alot. Where are you fishing? Near Kerrville? Or more towards Llano? It makes a bit of difference in the fish.

Let me know if I can help anymore.

Cal E. Batis

ggh, try this site. I think it is exactly what you are looking for. www.texasflyfishing.com

You can also find the pictures at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/w ... land.phtml