Fly fishing report · Southwest

Guadalupe River

A Guadalupe River report for the Canyon Dam tailrace and Sattler area, with trout-zone rules, flow checks, fly tactics, and access cautions.

Check flow & weather

Today's river scoreHigh source confidence

Poor

Best option: Float.

A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

Updated Jul 13, 11:17 PM UTCUsually refreshes about every 45 minutes

Recommended approachFloat

Mode scores adjust the river-wide score for the risks of wading, bank fishing, or floating.

Wade12/100

Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.

Bank / edge24/100

Bank and edge fishing is the safer default when water is high, pushy, or not fully verified.

Float · Best fit36/100

A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

Confirm before you leave

Flow and weather right now.

Use the flow trend to confirm the score before you leave. Weather can change the safest and most productive fishing window.

River strategy

Start with the trout zones and Sattler flow.

The Guadalupe is Texas' standout tailwater trout page, but the useful scope is below Canyon Dam through the special trout zones. Regulations, access, and flows decide the plan before fly choice.

Check TPWD Zone 1 and Zone 2 rules before fishing the tailrace.
Use USGS Sattler flow as the main live condition check for the report.
Midges, scuds, small nymphs, and streamers matter for trout; poppers and baitfish matter in warmwater windows.
Do not assume every resort, camp, or bank is open to public fishing.

Why this score moved

Best mode nowLowers score

Float: A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.

FlowUse caution

USGS shows 67 cfs with a stable over about 6 hours trend. same-date USGS history (1964-2025, 62 readings) puts normal around 202 cfs and the lower quartile near 72 cfs; today's flow is below normal for the date. This is below normal, so edge depth, temperature, and pressure matter.

HeatUse caution

The NWS forecast is near 90F. Fish early and verify water temperature where trout stress is possible.

Short-term weatherUse caution

The forecast has storm or heavy-precipitation risk, so timing and access matter more than the score alone.

Public alertUse caution

A Flood Watch is active near this forecast point, so the score is capped until runoff, clarity, crossings, and road access are checked. NWS alert: Flood Watch issued July 13 at 10:03AM CDT until July 16 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX.

Read the water

What changes the plan.

The Guadalupe is best when flows are safe, access is confirmed, and trout-zone rules are clear. In warmer seasons, shift expectations toward early starts, careful fish handling, and warmwater tactics.

Low clear flow

Use small nymphs, midges, scuds, and longer leaders in trout water.

Moderate flow

Cover seams and shelves with indicator nymphs or light streamers where legal.

Warm water

Use a thermometer and shift away from catch-and-release trout stress.

Busy recreation days

Fish early, pick quieter access, and expect tubes or boats in season.

Field plan

Fish it with intention.

Best flows

Use USGS 08167800 at Sattler as the primary live flow signal. Stable, fishable releases support nymphing and light streamer work; very low, warm, or crowded conditions should shift expectations toward short sessions or warmwater targets.

When to skip

Skip trout-focused fishing when the trout-zone rules are unclear, water temperature is stressful, access is not confirmed, tuber traffic makes handling poor, or flow changes make wading unsafe.

Local plan

Start with TPWD trout-zone rules and stocking context, then check Sattler flow, weather, and the exact access you plan to use. Carry small tailwater flies, a thermometer, and a warmwater backup rig.

Backup water

If the Guadalupe is too warm, crowded, off-color, or access-limited, compare the Colorado River below Austin, San Marcos River, or Medina River for a warmwater fly plan.

Hatches & flies

Bring a flexible box.

TimingWhat to watchUseful flies

December to FebruaryStocked trout, midges, tiny nymphs, scuds, and clear tailwater driftsZebra midge, scud, pheasant tail, small egg, micro bugger

Reviewed pattern · report says “Zebra midge”Zebra MidgeLook for a very slim tapered thread body, evenly spaced contrasting wire rib, a small bead, and no tail or wing. The reviewed classic is black with silver wire and a silver bead. Red, olive, brown, glass-bead, jig-hook, resin-coated, or tailed forms must remain labeled variations rather than replacing the classic identity.See photos & how to fish it

Reviewed family · report says “scud”Scud Fly PatternsScud patterns typically use a curved hook, tapered dubbed body, shellback, rib segmentation, antennae, and brushed legs. Olive, tan, gray, orange, weighted, bead-body, and pregnant forms remain labeled—not aliases for one recipe.See family guide + 3 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box

March to MayMidges, caddis, small mayflies, warmwater baitfish, and bass activityMidge pupa, caddis pupa, BWO emerger, small streamer, crayfish

Reviewed family · report says “Midge pupa”Midge Patterns by StageMidge wording can mean a threadlike larva, wing-padded pupa, film emerger, tiny adult, or visible cluster. Those profiles fish at different depths.See family guide

Reviewed family · report says “caddis pupa”Caddis Pupa PatternsCaddis pupa is a life-stage family. Curved bodies, wing pads, legs, beads, and soft-hackle collars differ among exact patterns and must be labeled.See family guide + 3 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box

June to SeptemberWarmwater forage, terrestrials, baitfish, and shaded bass waterPopper, slider, baitfish streamer, crawfish, foam hopper

Reviewed family · report says “Popper”Bass and Panfish Popper PatternsPoppers may use cupped foam, cork, balsa, deer hair, or pencil-shaped heads. Head face, size, buoyancy, tail, legs, and weed guard determine sound and action; a generic popper label does not identify one fly.See family guide

Reviewed family · report says “slider”Warmwater Slider and Diver PatternsA slider has a tapered, flat, or softly shaped head that glides or pushes a small wake with limited noise. A diver has an angled, collared, folded, or otherwise shaped head that pulls below the surface when stripped and rises on the pause. Frog, baitfish, and large-insect profiles can be tied on either idea, so the exact head action, buoyancy, hook orientation, weed guard, and material must stay named.See family guide + 3 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box

October to NovemberCooling water, early trout planning, baitfish, and low-light streamer windowsOlive bugger, scud, midge, baitfish streamer, soft hackle

Reviewed pattern · report says “Olive bugger”Woolly BuggerThe shared pattern language is a marabou tail, chenille or dubbed body, and palmered hackle. Bead heads, dumbbell eyes, flash, rubber tails, colors, and body materials materially change the tied variation and must be labeled.See photos & how to fish it

Fish small nymphs and midges first in clear trout-zone water.

Use small streamers only where legal and where fish can be handled quickly.

For bass, work poppers early and baitfish or crayfish patterns around shade and current edges.

Confirm leased access or park access before promising yourself a wade plan.

Watch water temperature and switch targets if trout handling becomes risky.

Access & responsibility

Know the entry. Know the exit.

Check TPWD Guadalupe River special trout zones, statewide freshwater rules, and current stocking information before fishing.

Canyon Dam tailrace

Core trout-zone planning area; verify current access and rules.

Sattler and River Road corridor

Useful orientation, but many banks are private or access-controlled.

New Braunfels downstream context

More warmwater and recreation influence as the river moves downstream.

Transparent sources

Check the facts behind the plan.

Last material review: 2026-06-01

regulationTPWD Guadalupe River trout stocking regulationTPWD Guadalupe River fishing regulations backgroundTPWD Canyon Tailrace survey PDF accessTPWD River Fishing in Texas flowUSGS 08167800 Guadalupe River at Sattler safetyNational Weather Service point near Sattler

Common questions

Before you leave.

What should I check first before fishing Guadalupe River?+

Check TPWD trout-zone rules, USGS Sattler flow, stocking updates, access, weather, and water temperature.

Where should a first-time visitor start on Guadalupe River?+

Start with the Canyon Dam tailrace and Sattler area, then confirm the access you plan to use.

Can I wade Guadalupe River?+

Yes in some places at safe flows, but access and limestone footing are real constraints.

What flies should I bring for Guadalupe River?+

Bring the seasonal fly box, then adjust size, weight, and color to the water level, clarity, temperature, and fishing pressure you find.