Fishing Season: Summer

Colorado River - TX

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

75

Alvin Dedeaux's Tip of the Week

When the water is muddy on the Colorado fish can still be caught. Plan on using larger darker flies and slow down your retrieve. Flies with lots of flash can work well on sunny days. Large noisy poppers have produced some of the largest fish of the year in muddy water.

Directions open in app

Map of Colorado River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

All Water Guides

5-Day Outlook as of 10/4/24

Recent water releases will make the water a little murky during the higher flows. Check the USGS site before heading out to the river this week,

Techniques & Tips as of 10/4/24

Streamers on floating lines are the go to set up right now on the Colorado. Use weighted patterns like a Clouser or a Kreelex to get down quickley. Poppers will produce a few fish later in the day.

Local Species Available Summer

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    Black Bass

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    White Bass

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    Catfish

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    Freshwater drum

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    buffalo

Alvin Dedeaux's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Gulley Fish N/A 2
Gulley Ultra Craw N/A 2
Rattlin' Baitfish olive 4
Gulley Fish pearl 3/0
Clouser Minnow yellow and white 2
Clouser Minnows chartreuse and white 2

Gulley Fish

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Item #17PC

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Alvin Dedeaux's Recommended Gear

Description: About Colorado River

The Colorado River is the 18th longest river in the United States and the longest river with both its source and mouth within Texas; however its drainage basin and some of its usually dry tributaries do extend into New Mexico. The 862 mile long river flows generally southeast from Dawson County through Marble Falls, Austin, Bastrop, Smithville, La Grange, Columbus, Wharton, and Bay City before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico at Matagorda Bay. The Colorado River below Austin offers some of the best bass fishing in the central Texas area. Despite the proximity to Austin, most days we have the river to ourselves. Bass in the Colorado River between Austin and Webberville will typically be larger on average than most other hill country rivers. There is always a possibility to catch a 5 plus pound bass on the Colorado. The catfish in the Colorado can be very aggressive and we catch quite a few of them on flies. Lady Bird Lake and the Lower Colorado River below Austin provide some of the best urban fishing in the nation. Largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, catfish and several different species of sunfish can all be caught on the same trip. Both of these trips make great half day quick get away fishing options. We float the Colorado River in a custom made wooden drift boat or a whitewater raft designed for fishing.Both boats are very comfortable and stable.

Nearest Airport:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Hatches:

Shad Crawfish

Best Time to Fish:

Early mornings and in the afternoon.

Best Stretch:

Austin to Smithville

Best Access:

Webberville county parks and Fisherman's Park in Bastrop