San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream)
spring creek in Texas
San Marcos is a spring-fed gem with gin-clear water and healthy aquatic insect hatches; the upper river around Spring Lake and downstream reaches offer sensitive trout and abundant sight-fishing opportunities.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Clear and steady flows
- 01Clear and steady flows, providing excellent visibility for sight fishing in certain areas.
- 02Water temperatures around 70°F are comfortable for both anglers and fish, maintaining active feeding.
- 03Focus on subsurface patterns imitating scuds, crayfish, worms, and baitfish for consistent action.
- 04Topwater opportunities may arise during warmer periods of the day, especially for bass and sunfish.
- 05Target abundant aquatic vegetation, deeper pools, and current breaks for holding fish.
- 06Floating by canoe between Martindale and Staples is recommended to access less pressured water.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Scud (Pink/Orange)
These freshwater amphipods are a year-round staple in the San Marcos's spring-fed waters, mimicking an abundant food source for sunfish, bass, and cichlids throughout the fall.
Buy at AmazonSan Juan Worm
A consistent attractor, particularly effective after any rainfall or flow fluctuations that might wash aquatic worms into the system, appealing to a wide array of species in the San Marcos.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
A classic and versatile streamer pattern that imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for predatory bass, catfish, and sunfish year-round, including fall.
Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for bass in rocky areas, making this a crucial subsurface pattern for the San Marcos River in fall. Fish with a slow, bottom-bouncing retrieve.
Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)
A versatile baitfish imitation, deadly for aggressive largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as gar, seeking out juvenile fish in the clear waters of the San Marcos River during fall.
Mop Fly
This grub/larvae imitation is a general workhorse, effective for a wide array of species found in the San Marcos River's diverse habitat, especially when fished near the bottom.
Popping Bug (Bass)
On warmer fall days, topwater action can still occur in the San Marcos. This popper creates an enticing surface disturbance, drawing aggressive strikes from sunfish and bass.
Damsel Nymph (Olive)
Damsel nymphs are still present and active in the abundant weed beds of the San Marcos River during fall, providing a consistent food source for sunfish, bass, and cichlids.
Where to fish and who to ask
Martindale Road / Upper San Marcos
Quiet upper reaches with spring-fed clarity favored by experienced fly anglers.
Rio Vista Park Reach
Accessible downstream stretch with diverse structure and good insect hatches for dry-fly anglers.
Spring Lake / San Marcos Springs
The river's headwaters and primary spring source; prime sight-fishing water in clear, shallow runs.
Fly shops within 40 miles
The Grateful Angler
Reelfly Outdoor Company
ReelFly
Gruene Outfitters
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Texas season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream).
What flies work best on San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream)?
Our top scored fly patterns for San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream) right now are Scud (Pink/Orange) #14 (80% confidence), San Juan Worm #12 (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) #6 (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream)?
San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream) holds Bass, Sunfish, Gar, Catfish, Bluegill. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.