October Fishing Report

Late summer can be difficult for people who like to fish Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe and Comal rivers.

Tubers, boats and swimmers make it hard for all but very early risers to catch fish.

But Brent Hodges, owner of Reelfly Fishing Adventures, 1642 FM 2673, has a favor to ask. If you’re headed to Canyon Lake for late summer vacation and plan to fish anyway … fish for stripers.

Recent flooding has resulted in an explosion of the striper population in both Canyon Lake and the two rivers. The fish are aggressive, grow quickly … and eat trout.

Bad News for Fly Fishers

Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited, the largest chapter of the national Trout Unlimited, says that’s bad news for fly fishers. He estimates GTRU spends up to $47 per trout after buying them when they’re 16- to 20-inches-long, caring for them and eventually releasing them into area waters.

Canyon Lake is stocked with trout by the State of Texas and GTRU. The fish don’t naturally reproduce or hatch there, although they do hold over from year to year.

“Also, we’re encouraging people not to fish for trout right now because water temperatures are warmer,” he says. “If the fish get stressed, it will kill them. If you want to fish the river, target stripers.”

There are plenty of big bass and perch in the Guadalupe right now.

“Perch fishing is really fun, and there’s a ton of those,” Hodges says.

Tips:

• Big-mouth bass prefer Canyon Lake’s shallows while in August, small-mouth bass are found in gravel sections 10- to 15-feet deep.
• There are lots of great striper deep in the lake. This time of year, stripers as big as 20 pounds run big schools of bait to the surface, making the water look like it’s boiling.
• If you’re striper fishing in the river, stay in the middle towards the dam, where big schools of bait head for the surface.
• Bass fishing improves in October and November.

New to Fishing?

Swing by Reelfly and pick up a fishing report. Then buy a rod and get a free hour of fly-fishing instruction – one-on-one, with the nation’s leading experts.

More about Reelfly

“ReelFly Fishing Adventures offers epic fly fishing trips in Texas. Our primary fishing spots are in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, where fishing is at its best and customers can be part of fly fishing at its finest. If freshwater fly fishing interests you, you’ll enjoy fishing the Guadalupe River for trout or kayaking the Devils River for bass, perhaps. Our salt water fly fishing trips let you traverse the spectacular coastal waters of Port O’Connor, TX in search of your next trophy redfish or tarpon on the fly. Our guided fishing trips in Texas are perfect for every angler, from newbies to the well-seasoned fisherman. Our expert guides will take you to the best fishing spots, so that you get the most out of your time on the water.”

ADDRESS:
1642 FM 2673 #3
Canyon Lake, TX 78133

For more information, visit reelfly.net or call 830-964-4823.