Guadalupe Fishing Report

[Drew]

This Saturday I got to fish the Guadalupe River in Central Texas. I grew up on a ranch two miles from the river, but didn't start fishing until I moved to DC. I now have a new favorite fishing spot.

My brother in law and I got to the Guadalupe River State Park at 8:30 on Saturday morning. The park is only a 45 minute drive from downtown San Antonio. It's $6 per person to access the park and $11 for a one-day license. Easy parking 200 yards from the river.

The river is running low because of the droughts that are causing major problems all over the country. That doesn't take away from its appeal though. The Guadalupe is lined with enormous Cypress and Live Oak trees. At many places the trees give way to large limestone cliffs that rise about 70 feet.

Our target was Guadalupe Bass, the State Fish of Texas. We started at the picnic area of the park and fished our way up the river about a mile, wading most of the time. I used mostly poppers and a few different streamers. Using the streamers was difficult since there was little current. I caught several perch on both streamers and poppers. I had a bass (Guadalupe Bass I think) almost within my grasp, but it broke off as I reached for it. That has been happening a lot lately.

We fished for about four hours and then headed to a wedding. Next time I'm giving myself the whole day. Anyone have a favorite spot along the Guadalupe to try out next?

Drew

[Misha Gill]

There is some really good trout fishing on the Guadalupe in the four miles below Canyon Dam. There are holdovers but a lot of them are stocked. They stock them in really nice sizes sometimes. The Guadalupe TU chapter is the largest in the country I've been told. They'll put fish in there over 20". When I fished for trout on the guadalupe around thanksgiving I did very well on nymphs but I'm sure streamers would work as well. I believe there are hatches but not while I was there. 

I have caught Guadalupe Bass from the Guadalupe as well, and boy they are a pretty bass. I caught one on bait when I was a kid that I am convinced could have been a state record. I let it go. I wish I had a couple pictures to share but they are a rare fish and I've never had a camera handy. You might have better luck fishing for them above Canyon Lake, the river is generally deeper up there. The stretch I fish above Canyon lake is between the lake and Luling on some private property. I'm sure you could figure out a float trip, however. Just be careful about those riparian areas, it is Texas!