Guadalupe River (Texas)

The Guadalupe River tailwater below Canyon Lake Dam is the southernmost trout fishery in the continental United States — a cold, clear anomaly in the warm Texas Hill Country that surprises first-time visitors and delights those who know its reputation. When Canyon Lake Dam was completed in 1964, the cold hypolimnetic releases from the bottom of the reservoir created conditions cold enough to sustain trout year-round, and Lone Star Brewery initiated the first stocking not long after. Today, thanks to the combined efforts of Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and dedicated conservation-minded anglers, this 13-mile tailwater has evolved into one of the most unique fly fishing destinations in the Southwest.

Rainbow trout dominate the catch, supplemented by brown trout that grow to impressive sizes in the deeper pools. Average fish run 12 to 14 inches with regularity, but the Guadalupe is legitimately capable of producing trout in the 20-inch class and fish exceeding 5 pounds have been landed by accomplished anglers who know where to find them. The river is entirely stocked — there is no natural reproduction — but heavy stocking throughout the trout season maintains good fish numbers, and holdover fish that survive one or more Texas summers grow large on the river's abundant aquatic food sources.

Hatches on the Guadalupe are driven by the river's unique character as a warm-climate tailwater. Midges fish year-round and are the bread-and-butter pattern through winter months. San Juan Worms and egg patterns produce when flows are up. As water temperatures moderate in fall and winter, more conventional trout fly techniques come into play — nymphing with Hare's Ears and Pheasant Tails, swinging soft hackles through runs, and even dry fly opportunities during the cooler months when Guadalupe bass and panfish rising near the banks are accompanied by trout sipping surface film.

The prime fishing season runs from November through March when temperatures are most comfortable for both trout and anglers. The river can warm significantly in summer, and trout fishing slows considerably from May through September when most fish retreat to the coldest water directly below the dam. GRTU's conservation efforts have created a catch-and-release-only section called the Trophy Waters stretch in the upper river, which regularly produces the largest fish and sees the most pressure. State Highway 306 parallels much of the upper tailwater, providing numerous access points. Guided trips with Canyon Lake Outfitters and All Water Guides are the best way to learn the river quickly.