When it comes to flyfishing this region many outsiders speculate with a snicker. The local hardcores know with waters like the Colorado River, The Blanco River and the Guadalupe and a host of others The Hill Country may be the flyfishing mecca of the South and Southwest for those not hung up on species but yes there is even trout.

Austin is the major hub for the Hill Country. But take the opportunity to escape for the weekend, head to the quaint towns of Gruene, Whimberly or Lampasas. There are several excellent fisheries located near these towns, just waiting to be explored with a fly rod.

GUADALUPE RIVER

Trout? In the Texas Hill Country? Yes. 15 miles below Canyon Lake and Dam the Guadalupe River is a limestone lined river holding rainbow and brown trout stocked by both Texas Parks and Wildlife Department(TPW) and The Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited(GRTU). The stockings usually begin in November and continue through February or March. Most of the stockers range between 12-15 inches with the occasional larger one stocked. The stockers grow fast in this fertile river, anglers have realist chances at 20 plus inchers later in the Winter. Sufficient evidence exists supporting natural reproduction taking place on this tailwater, making the Guadalupe River the southern most trout fishery in the United States.

Fishing this tailwater reminds me of fishing the world famous San Juan River in Northwestern New Mexico. Tiny mayfly and midge patterns fished deep with an absolute dead drift. Fishing the drift with a Lisienring Lift will sometimes entice a strike. The river hosts a healthy population of caddisflies along with forage food including crayfish and minnows. The fish tend to hold in the deeper pools and runs found below the fast riffles. Look for the trout to stack up between the prevalent limestone ridges found along the riverbed. Studded felt wading boots are ideal for wading the slick limestone.

Much of the water is private land access, however TPW has several public access areas. GRTU has leased several private access points that are available to its members. Not all of the public access areas are well marked, if you are uncertain ask permission. Once in the river you are allowed to wade within the high water mark as far as you like. For a list of stockings and access points contact TPW(512-389-4800) or GRTU(800-834-2419).

BLANCO RIVER

The Blanco is a classic hill country river varying from a wide deep river to a mite of a trickle. The biggest factor influencing the flows are rainy or drought conditions. The river flows across heavy limestone flats and drop-offs. The banks are lined with cypress trees making for a beautiful back drop. The predominate species include smallmouth bass, Guadalupe Bass, perch and the occasional largemouth bass. The feisty hand-sized perch always seem eager to gulp in a fly.

The best fishing tends to be during times of low flows when the bass and perch hold up in the limestone crevices, deeper pools and deep pockets around the dams. Several good public access points are located near bridges and low water crossings. Anglers looking to get away from the heavily fished areas should wade up or downstream of the put-in areas. During times of higher flows wading can be downright dangerous on the monkey greased limestone. Floating in a canoe or personal pontoon craft is a great way to cover the water during high conditions.

Flyroders should have their boxes filled with the basics for bass and perch: Clouser Minnows, Deceivers, Grinnel Flies, Woolly Buggers, Zonkers, Muddler Minnows, damsel/dragonfly nymphs and caddis larvae. The smallmouth and largemouth bass often aggressively take a fast retrieved pattern while the perch will take a slower retrieved pattern, the best technique is to mix up fast retrieves with slow.

COLORADO RIVER

The major drainage flowing through the Hill Country is the Colorado River. 60 miles North of Austin the river flows into Lake Buchanan, one of seven power generation and flood control lakes and dams. Buchanan is known throughout Texas as a fabulous White or Sand Bass fishery. The deep lake presents a problem for flyfishers not willing to fish heavy sinking lines. During the Winter and Spring the bass make their runs out of the lake and up the Colorado River as it flows through Colorado Bend State Park near Bend, TX. The primitive state park and a couple of neighboring private campgrounds allow fishing for a nominal daily fee.

Basic patterns should include Clousers, Deceivers and Woolly Buggers ranging in sizes 6 through 10. White Bass are bottom feeders, sustaining on a diet of bait fishes that include minnows and crayfish. Concentrate in the deeper pools and runs in early Winter, as Spring approaches look for the Whites to school up in water as shallow as 2 feet. Be certain to use lots of lead or heavily weighted patterns to fish on the streambed. Don't waste time in the low producing waters. Thoroughly cover the waters where you first pick up a bump since the bass will be schooled up.

Anglers with access to canoes or personal pontoon boats should consider working the inlet of the river at Lake Buchanan. Full sink lines are advisable for the deeper water in the inlet. Not only do the White Bass stage their runs here but you might just hook into a Striper. In the state park and private campgrounds it isn't rare to land carp, crappie and/or perch.

COLORADO RIVER TAILRACES

Below Lake Buchanan begins the series of dams on the Colorado, each featuring a unique raceway fishery with everything from smallmouth bass to Stripers to Native Guadalupe Bass and bluegill. The dams in downstream order from Lake Buchanan are Buchanan Dam, Inks Lake Dam, Wirtz Dam, Marx Starke Dam, Mansfield Dam, Tom Miller Dam and Longhorn Dam.

Fishing these 7 tailwaters invoke hard work. Anglers must contend with banks blanketed with oak and cypress trees. Wading is generally unadviceable due to unpredictable dam releases and strong currents. Wadeable conditions may exist in late Fall and Winter. Plan on fishing from either canoe or kayak. Eventhough, some areas have motor restrictions watch-out for the weekend boating crowds.

Mansfield, Tom Miller and Longhorn Dams are the most popular and crowded since they are scattered through the city of Austin. Anglers can get into Black Bass, smallmouth bass, Native Rio Grande Perch and Native Guadalupe Bass plus a variety of other species. The abundance of aquatic insects often causes perch, bluegill and smallmouth to feed on Caddisflies, Damsels, Dragonflies or even the huge #8 Hexagenia Mayfly. The bigger bass tend to feed upon forage fish including minnows, shad and crayfish, anglers should be sufficiently supplied with Clousers, Decievers and crayfish patterns.

When fishing below these dams keep in mind that the releases are controlled by the Lower Colorado River Authority(LRCA). Flows may fluctuate drastically from one day to another, for up to the minute flows, release schedules and specific access points contact the LCRA(512-473-3333).