2/23/14

Fishing has remained very good on the Guadalupe and Colorado. Much appreciated warm days recently have brought great fishing conditions! The bass are starting to react to baitfish imitations more, which has been a nice change of pace. Most of the winter we are using crawfish patterns that are normally fished along the snag-friendly bottom. Although it works very well, it can be tedious fishing that deep and getting stuck regularly. Most warm days now, the fish seem to be further off the bank and more interested in chasing larger meals, and that equals more visual and aggressive strikes!!! The fish on the Guadalupe are still cooperating regularly. The action and success rates have been phenomenal this year, and we should have at least another month of it!!! They have changed some of their eating habits due to higher water temps, hatches and weather. Some of the most successful patterns have been heavily fished this season and some new flies have been necessary. But the fish still have to eat, and they have been doing exactly that. It should remain consistent through March before signs of summer (90+ degree days) start to show. This time of year offers some of the most options for fly fishers in central Texas. Warm days are mostly geared toward bass fishing and the cooler ones can make for a great day of trout fishing. Mild weather and good river conditions make this one of the most enjoyable seasons here in the Hill Country and there truly is something for everyone. 

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2/3/14

GRTU has completed its 3rd and final stocking of the year on the Guadalupe River. Fish should be very catchable for the next 6-8 weeks. This is the hottest time of the year on the guad. Warming trends jumpstart good bug activity and the river is at maximum occupancy for trout. Fishing on the Colorado River has been very good on warm days, too. Cold mornings have been slow-ish, but fish have been waking up and feeding on 50+ degree afternoons. Last day out (1/30/14) Steve Patterson hooked 20+ fish and got a 7 Lb Largemouth!!! The time for BIG pre-spawn bass is now. The adult fish will slowly move off the banks towards beds and will be very aggressive during this period. The February full moon (14th) should be a major turning point for early spawn activity! Early spring weather patterns will start bringing reptiles and other terrestrials out in the sun, and hopefully on the water. Topwater fishing season isn't far away, and it is without a doubt my favorite time of year.

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1/18/14

The new year is off to a GREAT start on the Guadalupe. Fishing has been incredible! Having good days regularly. The low water has stacked the fish up in a few places, and it is really good in those spots! Fished with John Hathaway on 12/27 and he caught 5 fish over 20" and boated around 25 fish. Mark Branning on 1/14/14 landed 3 over 22" and 30+ to the boat!!! Don't believe what you hear about low water and a slow year on the Guadalupe, we're catching more than ever. Warm afternoons and perfect fishing conditions are on their way, it should only get better through February.

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12/27/13 - 1/7/14

Fished with friends Capt. Paul Sonnen and Adam Boehlke along the upper gulf coast. Although we tried for several days, Pensacola and Orange Beach were cold, windy and cloudy. Low 30's and 20+mph N winds shut our fishing down, we made solid efforts. Just wasnt happening, the fish we saw were cold and sluggish. It was CHILLY. Went to Louisiana and fished Hopedale for 2 days. First day, cold and slow. Second day, PERFECT. Oil slick calm and tailing reds everywhere. We put our work in, but it paid off our final day. Paul put us on 'em. Here's a little video I made from 1/6/14

12/18/13
Fishing on the Guadalupe has remained very consistent even with recent stocking cancellations. Morning seems to be the most active time right now. Been finding good numbers and size (average: 16"). Fished with Jeff Lava and Bill Nowlin on 12/12 and boated 40+ fish. All days so far have ended in success and fish for everyone!!! I can only hope this continues for the rest of the season. Upcoming stockings should increase everyone's chances of catching more fish.

11/20/13
The Guadalupe River is freshly stocked and fishing great! Fish have been very cooperative. Average size is a little bigger this year and there are some big ones too! Have guided every day since they've stocked and success is regular. Landed a big fish every day and lots of average size ones mixed in. Fished with Ian and Lise Lozelle on Tuesday and Ian landed 3 fish over 24" one was 26"! Now is the time!!!!!!!

10/21-10/24/13
Down to the Devil's with guests Kurt Lange and friends. Fishing was great! Several MONSTER fish landed including a 6 lb smallmouth! The fish were active in most areas and our casts landed in the right spots. This river can be tough because of the pristine water clarity, night time feeding habits of fish and many other reasons. Good presentations and the right flies can offset all of these factors. This continues to be one of my favorite places in the world. Can't wait to go back. Next trip on Nov.21 with Charlie Granstaff.

7/22-10/18/13
My first season on the North Platte has come to an end, and it was an eye opener. The best and most consistent trout fishing I've ever seen! If you've never fished here, you're missing out. Had multiple guests returning from trips to Alaska that were more impressed with the North Platte. Headed back to Texas for upcoming trips on the Devil's river and hopefully another great season on the Guadalupe and Colorado. Can't wait to get my hands on some bass!!!!!

5/10-7/21/13
The North Platte has lived up to its reputation. Caught a fish my first cast upon arrival and the madness just seems to continue. PMD's and Yellow Sallies are on the menu right now for the willing and hungry 8,500 fish per mile, Tricos to come soon. They must be putting something in the water up here because these fish are searing hot. Watching average (15-18"!!!) fish peel backing off the reels of anyone who can keep them on that long has been very entertaining. The amount of hookups and fish to the boat on a full day is shocking. This place is a trout anglers paradise, huge browns and strong, wild rainbows with some snake river cutthroat occasionally. Prolific hatches and bug life combined with world class fish populations equals the most consistent, action packed trout fishing in the lower 48 (my opinion, but I invite you to come fish here and show me somewhere better). 30-100 fish full days are very regular and the size is great. I really can't say enough about this river. From a guide's perspective, you can't ask for more. If it got any better, it would be unfair!!!

2/21-5/7/13
The bass fishing was ridiculous this spring. It seems to be getting better every season and this one was no different. Sight casting to huge largemouth and guads in shallow, clear water with topwater flies? Yes, that is as good as it gets!! Got several of the biggest fish (7-10 lbs) I've ever seen come out of the river. Fish changed locations around April and moved into some very visible and fishable areas. Water clarity was a little shifty at times, but there were several zones that were the obvious places to be. I was amazed at how aggressive some of the fish were reacting to well placed casts, instantly! Strikes were viscious and plentiful, fish were big and healthy. I am off to Wyoming for the summer. Headed to the North Platte River in Alcova, WY to guide for The Reef Fly Shop and North Platte Lodge. Really excited to work for these guys, very reputable lodge and guide service. Fishing on the Grey Reef and Miracle Mile is well known for producing big numbers and fish. Trips can be booked through TRFS and The North Platte Lodge is first class and right on the river. New cabins and RV hookups are available behind the shop as well.  

2/21-3/29/13
The Guadalupe was great this season! Fantastic numbers for almost every day on the water. Smaller average size (14-16") but lots of hookups. Decent hatches and predictable fishing despite low water. Fish were concentrated in certain areas and non-exsistent in others due to water level, but that actually made it easier in some ways. I can only hope for the same fishing success next year. It was perfect conditions to get beginners on good fish and keep experienced anglers busy all day!!!!!

2/9-2/21/13
Bass on the Colorado are on beds and the fishing is great. Now is the best time to catch the biggest fish in the river, they're more aggressive and less gun-shy. As we move closer to spring the topwater fishing is starting to get good, and will be in full swing by March if temps cooperate.

1/21-2/17/13
Guadalupe fishing is still fishing great! Some fly changes have been necessary, but hungry fish are in there. Average numbers are still great, almost every trip has been producing 10-30+ fish and action through most of the day. Mid afternoon has been the only slower period. Warmer weather and beautiful days on the water. Some new hatches because if it too. As the temps raise, the fish are looking for a different set of bugs. Adjust accordingly, success regular.

1/15-1/19/13
Went to the Devil's with Kevin Stubs to scout some new water further south.  Towering limestone cliff faces aganist some of the most beautiful bass fishing water I've ever seen.  The canyons are so vast and endless, pictures can't truly offer a realistic perspective.  Fishing was amazing! 

1/1-1/15/13
The year is off to a very fishy start! Since the first, there have been huge bass eating flies consistently and awesome numbers on the Guadalupe. Trout fishing has been great with lots of action on nymph rigs daily. 20+ fish days are getting pretty common. As February and early March get closer big bass will start getting aggressive! Hopefully the year keeps this pace, because it is just fishing great everywhere despite the low water.

11/22-12/31/12
Trout fishing on the Guadalupe has been great so far! Been finding lots of big fish (4 lbs+) and successful days this year. They've been staying pretty close together because of the low water. Recently where there's one, there's lots more. Catching fish on white buggers, big stones, midges, eggs, and worms. Smaller flies and tippet have been more effective over the last 2 weeks, the fish are getting wise to some of the standard Guadalupe stuff. The best time of the year is coming!

11/18-11/21/12
Trout Unlimited completed their first stockings of the year on the Guadalupe. There are plenty of fish this year, they are still cooperating and success is regular. Water is low again, but fishing hasn't slowed at all. This should be a great season, come and get it!

11/13-11/17/12
Back to the Devil's with Brian Jessee, Mark McGarrah, Al Perkinson and David Dunham. A cold front hit the night before, leaving us with tough fishing conditions. Winds were manageble, but erratic. The fish were just slow and cold. We landed and missed some nice fish, but they weren't really moving around. Al Perkinson (Costa del Mar) did catch a GIANT smallmouth the first day. This fish came out of ledge like a bronze bullet and exploded on a surface fly. Didn't catch a ton, but this one was worth it.

10/21-11/12/12
Bass Fishing on the Colorado and San Marcos has been good. The grass on the Colorado is thick, but fish are definetly still there. The cold weather has been slowing them down early, but warm afternoons equal fish recently. Only fished the San Marcos twice this month but it was really good both times. Winter is gonna be good this year!

10/17-10/21/12
Went to the Devil's for some bass hunting.  We were joined by Charlie and Hunter Granstaff, owners of tuffleye, one of my favorite fly tying products. The river was in top form! Really good numbers both days and some really big ones mixed in. Big foam poppers were getting wrecked by aggressive unpressured bass. Any fish that wasn't willing to come up for a surface fly was quick to go for crawfish patterns. Best fish was an 8lb largemouth, with several 2-4 lb smallies mixed in. Couldn't ask for more!!!

6/25/12-10/15/12
Colorado was great this year! The Gunnison and Taylor rivers fished really consistent and we had LOTS of successful days out of the boat and on foot. Close to record low water levels kept the fish pooled up and the bite early, but there were hungry fish daily. Most of the bugs were a month early due to a very weak winter. Had chances to throw much larger stoneflies and other typical early season flies in low, clear, late-season like water.  Salmon runs were great, caught some huge lake-run browns behind them. Snow and ice were my sign to head back to Texas. Looking forward to some bass fishing!!!

3/1/12-6/25/12
Bass Fishing Report: Hill country bass fishing was fantastic this year! The Colorado outside Austin was my main focus, but the San Marcos and Guadalupe were good too. Even got some water back in Barton Creek and caught nice largemouth in previously dry pools. Poppers and other surface flies were the weapon of choice for big fish, but they weren't scared to eat big flashy streamers. Also had a chance to develop some killer new patterns that will catch fish for years to come. More predictable fishing began as the days got hotter, seemed to be a very specific time and fly early-mid day. Great average numbers, with some huge fish mixed in. Some of the best topwater fishing I've had. The Devil's was as usual, difficult and unpredictable, but the stars aligned for several separate groups this spring season, like Steve Kent (pictured below w/ giant smallmouth), with some amazing days of clear water bass hunting. Headed to Crested Butte, CO for the summer months to guide, returning in October. I'll be guiding mostly on the Gunnison river. My regular contact info is still the best way to get in touch. The best fishing in Colorado, period.

2/1/12-4/30/12
The Guadalupe trout season was very good this year. With every trip producing at least a couple fish, success on the water was a regular thing! The feeding habits were different than most years due to extremely low water levels, but consistent fishing could be found on a daily basis. Average size was a little smaller, but the numbers were there. Looking forward to next season!

1/28/12
Fishing was good again today on the Guadalupe. Had a solid morning, caught most of our fish on small midges. Ended up with around 15 to the boat.

1/25/12
After major thunderstorms last night I decided to fish Town Lake directly beneath the dam with a buddy. There were HUGE largemouths feeding in the water discharge. Fish were crashing the surface in muddy water. We caught some really big fish, one that was close to 8 lbs!!! It was clear that each one of these fish had been gorging on bait and crawfish. 

1/22/12
The Guadalupe was very consistent this morning. We did great for a half day with almost 20 fish to the net. They seemed to be cooperating for us the whole time. We even hooked a fish on our first cast! I can't ask for much more.

1/20/12
The Colorado was AMAZING today! Low pressure and fog made for some of the best largemouth bass fishing I've ever seen. We caught a countless amount of fish, almost all BIG ones. Fish were crushing almost every fly that hit the water. Got a couple nice Guadalupe bass too. The fish of the day was a 9 lb MONSTER that ate a large streamer. 

1/17/12
Another great day on the Guad. Slow morning, but things shaped up quickly after. We caught lots of fish on small midges, and one on a dry. 

1/16/12
Had some great fishing on the Guadalupe. Landed a 22" trout right off the bat in the morning, and continued to hook them all day long. We landed 20+ fish on midges and small nymphs. 

1/14/12
Guadalupe fished decent today. Caught 9 by the end of the day, most of them in the morning. 

1/11/12
San Marcos fished decent from hwy 101 to Skull's crossing. Beautiful winter day around 70 degrees. Caught fish after the sun warmed things up. Mostly streamer fishing, had a few takes on green poppers. Pretty solid for winter bass fishing.

1/6/12-1/8/12
Went to Port Aransas this weekend to fish with some buddies. Warm and calm, redfish were feeding on the edges of flats and cuts. The key seemed to be soft mud and shells this week. Landed some nice ones, but none over about 24". 

1/4/12
Cold morning on the Guadalupe. Fishing was pretty good though. Caught several fish mostly on a small trico emerger. Warmed up in the afternoon and saw some good hatches.

1/2/12
Fishing was slow on the Guadalupe today. I'm sure it was the trout reacting to the holiday fishing pressure. We caught a couple, but really lacked any feeding activity. Ended up landing a monster 6-7lb rainbow in the afternoon. Made up for the slow fishing with our biggest fish of the season so far. 

12/31/11
Guadalupe fished good. Morning was the most productive time of the day. We landed plenty but fishing slowed after lunch. Best flies were RS2's and black beauties.

12/26-12/28/11
Headed to Port O'Connor for this recent warm front. Weather was beautiful and winds were calm. We saw and caught plenty of redfish and had success with some new shrimp and baitfish patterns.

12/22/11
The San Marcos was great again today. Cold rainy weather, but fish were eating big streamers all day. Water is getting back to a good level too.

12/21/11
Floated the Colorado today. Chilly temps are making the Largemouth sluggish, but we got several nice Guadalupe Bass.

12/18/11
Fishing was great on the Guad today. On a half day we hooked and landed fish all morning, probably had about 30 good chances at fish. Had the same 4 lb rainbow eat twice, giving us another chance at him. That doesn't happen much. Fishing is just getting good out there. 

12/16/11
Guadalupe was good today. They were eating streamers moslty, picked a few up on large stoneflies.

12/14/11
Floated the San Marcos today. Low pressure and higher temps made fishing great. We landed several big fish, and didn't really see any fish under a pound. They were eating surface flies aggressively! Caught good ones on black streamers too. 

12/13/11
The Guadalupe was tough today. Fish weren't really feeding. We landed a few, but it was clear that they didn't really want to eat. Saw lots of real bugs float right over pods of fish unharmed. Normally those bugs get eaten. 

12/12/11
Good day on the Guadalupe. Landed around 12 fish on a half day trip. We even caught 2 on large dry flies. Been seeing lots of Hexs (Click for picture) hatching in the afternoon. 

12/10/11
Guadalupe fished slow today. Several fish and opportunities in the morning, but action really slowed in the afternoon. Stockings this saturday will make things much better. There's still plenty of catchable fish in there, but they have been seeing a lot of flies. 

12/7/11
Afternoon half day on the Guadalupe. Fish are still staying schooled up. Once we located a few pods, action stayed very consistent. Water is clear, fish are very visible in most areas. Sight casting has been a regular thing so far this season. Fish are easily spooked right now, but lighter tippet and a little stealth has been going a long way!

12/3/11
Fishing was good on the Guadalupe today. The morning had very consistent fishing on midges (grey WD40's). Seemed like about one out of three casts produced some kind of action. Afternoon slowed down after the rain stopped, but we did have a 5lb rainbow straighten our size 20 hook and get free. 

11/27/11
30-40 mph winds and 45 degrees. Tough fishing conditions to say the least. Every cypress needle left on a tree was blown directly onto the water making traditional indicator fishing nearly impossible. I've been joking about tying 7x weed guards on my size 22 midges. We got a few, but we worked for them. 

11/25/11
Guadalupe fishing is great. Caught fish most of the day and battled the cypress needles falling on the river. Manged to land a few nice fish and a solid handful of others. Rainbow warrior, Killer may, and Black beauties were good midge patterns. Prince nymphs and other stonefly patterns turned a few. Eggs and San juan worms as well. Good start to trout fishing season.

11/21/11
Fished the Guadalupe today. Recent stockings have given the Guad a breath of life. Water is low and clear, but early winter fishing is turning on. Lots of very catchable rainbows are in most of their regular spots. Managed get about 15 fish in today, most on small midges and medium stonefly patterns. Its only gonna get better!

11/17/11
Weather was beautiful today on the Colorado River outside of Webberville. Big largemouths were on the move in CLEAR water. Very consistent fishing produced several fish in the 2-4lb class. Have been finding lots of fish on the edges of grass beds. 

11/15/11
Floated the Colorado from the 183 crossing today. Water is low and very clear, but the fish sure haven't gone anywhere. A cold slow morning gave way to a fantastic afternoon. Fish were acting like they're supposed to taking well placed flies left and right. 

11/13/11
Did the San Marcos River again from Co. Rd.101 to Skull's Crossing. Same as yesterday, afternoon was the most productive time. Think fish have been a little cold in the morning and warm up by noon. White and olive baitfish patterns and black leeches were the best flies today. Still didn't see a lot on poppers, but had a 6 or 7 pounder take a black popper and spit it back in the boat. You just never know on the San Marcos.

11/12/11
Guided trip on the San Marcos today, fishing was pretty good in the afternoon. A few nice largemouth, with plenty of smaller fish mixed in. Didn't see much surface action, but white wiggle minnows and grey baitfish imitations fished slow seemed to be the ticket.

11/4/11-11/8/11
Headed down to the Devil's River with Expedition Outfitters for a guided trip on the San Pedro ranch downstream from Baker's Crossing. A very windy first 2 days made holding the boat in position challenging, but fishing was far from that. A mixed bag of Large and Smallmouth bass were chasing, hunting and eating almost everything we threw at them. Water clarity, as always, was pristine. We saw almost every willing fish stalk and take flies. Some chasing all the way back to the boat, then eating, and running right back to where they came from. This was a great trip!

10/31/11
Floated the San Marcos today. Fishing was good, caught around 20 in the morning on big surface patterns. Things slowed down for the rest of the day, but we managed to get a nice 3lb smallmouth on a black and red leech pattern. River still looks good even with the drought.

10/28/11
Just returning from summer guiding in Summit County, CO. Had a great season, lots of big fish. Very high water made float fishing exciting from all ends. Some of the best early fall fishing I've seen in a while. Excited to be back in the Hill Country, ready for some eager bass. Fishing should be getting good with temps dropping I'm sure the fish are ready for a break from that summer heat. Click here to view the rest of my Summer 2011 photos..

All images on this site are © Greg Smith