Wade26/100
Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.
All Texas reports
Fly fishing report · Southwest
Guadalupe River
Is Guadalupe River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Texas before you go.
See the flow chart ↓Photo: Larry D. Moore Opens in a new tab. · CC BY 4.0
Good day to fish?Latest river check
Caution
Maybe. Read the cautions first.
46
Best option: Float. A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
See update time and confidence
Live data checkHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Today's callMediumWater temperature not verified; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.
Score calculated Aug 22, 2026, 9:51 PM CDTUsually checks again about every 45 minutes
Best access methodFloat
These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.
Bank / edge38/100
Bank and edge fishing is the safer default when water is high, pushy, or not fully verified.
Float · Best fit50/100
A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
Your plan
Today's Guadalupe River plan.
The Guadalupe is Texas' standout tailwater trout page, but the useful scope is below Canyon Dam through the special trout zones. Rules, access, and flows decide the plan before fly choice.
- Check first
- Check TPWD Zone 1 and Zone 2 rules before fishing the tailrace.
- Try
- Fish small nymphs and midges first in clear trout-zone water.
- Leave when
- 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.
Live river check
What the river is doing
Check the latest flow and weather before you go. A quick change can make the river harder or less safe to fish.
Showing the latest stored river check while current readings load.
- Flow
- 151 cfs
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
- Air now
- 91°F
Current NWS forecast period
- Next 24h high
- 102.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 0%
For this forecast period
This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.
Latest stored weather check
Mostly Clear
Mostly Clear
- Wind
- 5 mph
- Weather checked
Recent flow chart is loading
The latest stored reading is shown above. Check the official source below if you need the newest value now.
More forecast and source details
National Weather Service
Sattler and Canyon Dam tailrace, Texas
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
Latest stored USGS gauge: Guadalupe River at Sattler
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
How to fish it
How to fish Guadalupe River today.
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.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Limestone stream
- A limestone stream runs through mineral-rich rock and often has clear, cool water.
- Seam
- A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
- Blue-winged olive (BWO)
- Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Indicator
- An indicator is a small floating marker that can show when a fish takes an underwater fly.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
Why this call
Why this score
Target choiceUse caution
Coldwater targets are a poor choice in this heat window without a current water-temperature check; consider warmwater targets only where that matches the river and rules.
HeatUse caution
The current NWS air forecast is about 91F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 102F. This is an air forecast, not a water-temperature reading. This gauge has no live water temperature. Check the river with a stream thermometer before fishing.
Public alertUse caution
A heat alert is active near this forecast point, so the score is capped at caution until water temperature and fish-handling risk are checked. NWS alert: Heat Advisory issued August 22 at 5:40PM CDT until August 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX.
Best mode nowUse caution
Float: A float can fit better than wading only if launches, shuttle, boat skill, wind, and local rules all check out.
FlowHelps
USGS shows 151 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1964-2025, 62 readings) show a typical middle range of 71 cfs to 328 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
Trip notes
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What to try
Guadalupe River flies through the year.
Match the time of year, then let rising fish and current speed guide the next change.
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
December to February
What to look forStocked trout, midges, tiny nymphs, scuds, and clear tailwater drifts
March to May
What to look forMidges, caddis, small mayflies, warmwater baitfish, and bass activity
June to SeptemberCurrent
What to look forWarmwater forage, terrestrials, baitfish, and shaded bass water
October to November
What to look forCooling water, early trout planning, baitfish, and low-light streamer windows
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
Access and safety
Guadalupe River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter. 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 area
Useful orientation, but many banks are private or access-controlled.
New Braunfels downstream context
More warmwater and recreation influence as the river moves downstream.
TPWD trout-zone rules are section-by-section. Read the current wording before fishing.
Leased access, resort access, and camp access can change by season.
Tubers and warm weather can change both fishing quality and safety.
River sources
Official Guadalupe River sources.
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report is maintained from current regulation, access, flow, weather, and public planning sources so anglers can make better trip decisions than a raw gauge or generic overview would allow.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 6 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
Quick answers
Quick Guadalupe River answers.
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.