COLORADO RIVER

The Colorado River is the 18th longest river in the United States and the longest river with both its source and mouth within Texas, however its drainage basin and some of its usually dry tributaries do extend into New Mexico. The 862 mile long river flows generally southeast from Dawson County through Marble Falls, Austin, Bastrop, Smithville, La Grange, Columbus, Wharton, and Bay City before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Matagorda Bay.

The Colorado River below Austin offers some of the best bass fishing in the central Texas area. Bass in the Colorado River below Austin will be larger on average than most other hill country rivers. There is always a possibility to catch a 5 plus pound bass on the Colorado and in the past few years we have seen a handful over 7 pounds. The Colorado River is the best place to catch a large Guadalupe Bass as well. We have seen quite a few over 3 pounds and the state record was caught in the Colorado River below Austin. 

In addition to the bass, the Colorado River is home to several other species that will take a fly. Sunfish are great light tackle fun. Catfish in the Colorado River will take a subsurface fly and they can be one of the hardest fighting fish in the river. Gasper goo or freshwater drum have also been caught up to 15 pounds on a fly in the Colorado River. Several different species of gar (spotted, long-nosed, short-nosed, and even a few alligator gar) can also be targeted in the Colorado.

Despite the proximity to Austin, the Colorado River gets very little fishing pressure. Limited access and long distances between put ins and take outs make it even harder to access the best spots. Because of this we use jet powered skiffs to cover as many river miles in a days fishing as possible to you get to where the fish are. 

GUADALUPE RIVER

The Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake dam is listed as one of the top 100 trout streams in America. It is also the southernmost trout stream in the U.S. The Guadalupe River chapter of Trout Unlimited is the largest chapter in the nation. The section of the Guadalupe River we fly fish is managed as a trophy trout fishery.  The bag limit is one trout over 18" per day and must be caught on an artificial lure or fly. The quality of the fishing in this section of the Guadalupe River improves every year. The Guadalupe River is stocked each winter by Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as Trout Unlimited. The average Guadalupe trout will be in the 12" to 14" range. Fish over 20" are not uncommon and we have caught a few trout in the 5lb to 8lb range over the years.

The Guadalupe River is a tail-water meaning that cold water is released from the bottom of the Canyon Lake dam. As a result, the trout in the Guadalupe River have the potential to survive year round, however due to extremely high recreational traffic during the warmer months we can only fly fish the Guadalupe River during the colder months. Also, the warmer waters in the hotter months adds stress to the trout caught which can reduce the number of fish that make it to the next winter.

The Guadalupe River stream bed below Canyon Lake is publicly owned, but the river banks are all private property. Because public access is limited, the best way to fish the Guadalupe River is to float. All of our Guadalupe River floats are done in comfortable, stable rafts with room for 2 anglers and 1 guide. Full day and half day floats are available. The Guadalupe River dates fill up fast during the winter months so book your date well in advance.

SAN MARCOS RIVER

The San Marcos River starts at the San Marcos Springs on the campus of Texas State University in Hays County. The springs are home to five endangered or threatened species including Texas Wild Rice and the Texas Blind Salamander. Normal daily flows on the San Marcos are around 100 million gallons a day. The San Marcos flows about 85.5 miles through Guadalupe and Caldwell Counties to the confluence of the Guadalupe River in Gonzales County. 

The San Marcos River is one of the best places to catch a really large bass on a fly. Smallmouth, largemouth, Guadalupe Bass and Guadalupe/Smallmouth hybrids are all found in the San Marcos. Good numbers of catfish, Rio Grande Perch, several species of sunfish, carp and gar can all be caught on a fly in the same day.

Most of our fishing trips are done on the stretch of river between the towns of San Marcos and Fentress. There are several options for full day and half day floats. The San Marcos River is almost impossible to wade fish, so floating is the best way to fish it. All float trips are done in stable, comfortable whitewater rafts.

LLANO RIVER

The Llano River is a spring-fed stream of the Edwards Plateau and is widely known for its scenic beauty. The Llano River is formed in Kimble County by the union of the North and South Llano Rivers. The main stream flows east through Kimble, Mason, and Llano Counties for approximately 100 miles where it joins the Colorado River and aids in forming Lake Lyndon B. Johnson.

The Llano is home to the Guadalupe Bass, the Texas state fish. Sometimes referred to as the "Texas Trout" because of its fondness for faster flowing water and its fighting ability when hooked, the Guadalupe Bass is endemic to Central Texas and an increasinly popular bucket-list-fish to mark off! 

Also found in the Llano River are largemouth bass, several species of sunfish, catfish, gar, carp and our native cichlid, the Rio Grande Perch. Most days on the river will produce a mixed bag of several types of fish. 

We offer full day wade trips to several access points along the Llano River conveniently located near Castell and Mason. On wade trips, expect to fish at least 2 locations. When the flows are high enough we float several stretches of the Llano River.  We have 3 stretches near the town of Mason and 2 near the town of Castell. All float trips are done in comfortable, stable whitewater rafts. Both wade and float trips are full day trips only, and multi-day trips are a great option.

The Llano River is the most remote river we fish in the Texas Hill Country. Most days on the river we don't see anyone else. This is truly a 'get away from it all' experience.  

FLY FISHING CENTRAL TEXAS LAKES

Central Texas is blessed with quite a few great lakes. While we fly fishermen tend to focus on the rivers, there are some great largemouth bass fishing opportunities to be had on our local lakes. Both Decker Lake and Lake Bastrop are located within an hour of downtown Austin and rated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife as excellent bass fisheries. All of the trips on the lakes are done in jet powered skiffs or flats boats with full day and half day trips available.