While we are “rambling” along, fishing the TU Top 100 Trout Streams (and more!) we also want to pay homage to our “local waters”.   Central Texas has been home to us for over 27 years now and while we learned to fly fish on Pacific Creek in Grand Teton National Park, our local water here is the Guadalupe River.

Yes, the Guadalupe River is one of TU’s Top 100.  Its the southernmost trout stream in the US.  It’s also one of the most popular tubing rivers in all of Texas.  The Guadalupe River flows from Kern County Texas all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  The section that we focus on is the stretch just below Canyon Lake dam.

According to the local TU Chapter, Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited (GRTU), “Rainbow trout were originally stocked in the river by Lone Star Brewery”;  yet another reason to love this fishery!   After this, a small group of local fisherman banded together to form GRTU.  Working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW), they experimented with what types of trout might best adapt to the cold waters flowing from the bottom of the Canyon Lake dam.

As word spread about this fishery, GRTU gained more and more members where today, they are the largest chapter of TU.  GRTU took on many roles in protecting the fishery, encouraging young anglers to take up the sport and more.  But perhaps the thing that made this fishery grow to TU Top 100 status was the stocking program GRTU undertook.

While TPW stocks smaller trout (8”-12”) in the Guadalupe River and in other Texas streams, GRTU stocks rainbows (and now browns) of a much larger size, some over 20”, but most in the 14”-18” range.  GRTU stocks trout in the Guadalupe River 3-4 times between November and March.  These trout are feisty stockers from a hatchery in southern Missouri.

This trout section of the Guadalupe River supports a thriving fly fishing community along its length.  Between Sattler and Gruene, there are three fly shops, numerous guide services and on weekends, in every named pool along the Guad you’ll find fishermen wetting lines, hunting for 20+” trophy rainbows.  Our favorites are Action Anglers and Gruene Outfitters for fly shops.   While we’ve floated the Guadalupe with several different guides and guide services, I’d highly recommend All Water Guides and specifically Alvin Dedeaux and JT Van Zandt.  You can check out their “Guide Talk” on our blog.

If you come to spend a few days along the river, fishing or tubing, there are numerous places to stay right on the river.  We’ve parked the SaraLinda at Rio Guadalupe Resort the last two winters.  Before we got the RV, we stayed numerous times at Hideout on the Horseshoe and Maricopa Lodge, both located right on the river with great fishing and floating access.

Once you are here and you are looking for some food and fun, many options await.  Our favs for dining are Granny D’s in Canyon Lake for home cooking and The Grist Mill in Gruene for great riverside dining and atmosphere.  Nothing beats Sweeties in Sattler for coffee, donuts and kolaches.  If you’re looking for a great cup of joe, go to the Gruene Coffee Haus.

While there are numerous places to hear live music along the Guadalupe River, none beats a stop at Gruene Hall, “Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall”.  Built in 1878, Gruene Hall is Texas’ oldest continuously operating dance hall.  Gruene Hall hosts a variety of acts from established veterans like Lyle Lovett, George Strait, Kris Kristofferson, Robert Earl Keen and more.  Many “up and comers” cut their teeth singing and songwriting at Gruene Hall before they made it big like Garth Brooks, John Hiatt, Chris Isaak and The Dixie Chicks.  Even the original “outlaws”, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson spent time on the small stage while the audience listened and two stepped on the wooden floor.  While major acts play regularly on the weekends, one of our favorite things to do is to grab lunch on Sunday at The Grist Mill and then head to Gruene Hall just across the yard for a variety of local artists who play free concerts on Sunday afternoons.  Its laid back, the beer is ice cold and the music is amazing.

As you can likely tell from this post, our “local water”, the Guadalupe River and its surroundings are very special to us.  We hope ya’ll will come and visit sometime when we’re here, like Chuck and Marty Raplinger did.  We’d even get a picture in front of Gruene Hall ?

Ramble On!!!