bluecordfishermen 
Guadalupe River State Park TX
3350 Park Road 31 Spring Branch, TX 78070
Lat / Long: 29.853084 -98.504463
26 July 2019:
Another long week needed a fishing trip. I headed to Guadalupe River State Park hoping to catch bass on the river. I got a late start for a fisherman but had my line in the water before the sun was too high. Already the park was busy and filling up fast. I hiked on an unmarked trail that parallels the
west/south side of the river. This trail is rough. Expect to get on all fours and bust some brush. Part of this trail is right along the cliff and you walk on bare rock that is exposed from the flooding over the centuries. Its slippy. I fell once on the way out and I was glad just to get back up on my feet with a few bruises and my rod unbroken. I fished off a gravel bar and
missed a few small ones using a fly rod and foam hoppers I tied myself.
I hiked up further and found a rock that always resulted in fish when I took the kids in our canoe back in 2000 before 9-11. I started out with the hopper that did not produce so I switched to a popper I tied using a plastic jig. I caught one nice fish but have come to find it was relatively rare. A Rio Grande Cichid. http://(http://txstate.fishesoftexas.org/cichlasoma%20cyanoguttatum.htm
The trail continued up stream but by that time the sun was high and it was time to return.
Description:
Guadalupe River State Park is located north of San Antonio. It is east of Boerne TX and can be reached on Highway 46 between US 281 and I-10 on park road 31. The Park has camping and miles of hiking trails but the big attraction is the Guadalupe River for swimming, kayaking and tubing. You can compete with the water sports or hike up stream or better kayak up stream for fishing.
#5 is the primary swimming area. The unmarked trail beings to the west of #5. Follow the dirt road at the edge of the parking area.
Since the park is near San Antonio, it can fill up rapidly on weekends. There is a capacity limit. You can reserve a day pass on line. The park facebook account publishes the status on capacity.
History: The name Guadalupe, or Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, has been applied to the present river, at least in its lower course, since 1689, when the stream was so named by Alonso De León. Domingo Terán de los Ríos, who maintained a colony on the river from 1691 to 1693, renamed it San Agustín, but the name Guadalupe continued to be used. (https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rng01)
Access:
Permits to enter are just 7 dollars. Annual pass for all Texas State Parks is $75 a year. With a pass or permit, you do not need a fishing license.
Get to Park Road using Highway 46 either head east of Boerne or west of US 281. Park Road 31 is about four miles long to the entrance of the State Park.
Launch Site. If you are early, you can launch from the main swimming area. If you want to get the closest to the river with your vehicle select the launch site indicated on the map below. Parking is close by as long as you get there before 1000 in the morning.
Bank Fishing: The vegetation along the bank is extreme combined with steep drops make bank fishing difficult but possible if you can get on a gravel bar or find an opening. Wading is possible but the river is deep enough to making crossing difficult.
Boat Fishing: A kayak or canoe is the best option. Enter near the main park area and paddle up stream. I’ve never explored the river down stream from the swimming area.
Hot Spots: The Rock: This rock divides the river into two channels that are both productive. Further up stream beyond a set of rapids (portage required) is a pool that is a few hundred yards long and was productive back in 2000.
SAFETY
For any Natural area in Texas, keep an eye out for snakes.
Cell phone coverage is spotty at best. Lack of coverage will result in a rapid loss of battery power. If you need to rely on your phone for maps, I recommend switching to airplane mode. Better yet get paper maps.
Take drinking water.
E-Coli count can get high. Check with local authorities if the E-Coli count is too high https://www.gbra.org/crp/sites/kendall.aspx
LOGISTICs:
Lodging: The Park has 85 camp sites with electricity and 9 walk in sites that are austere. San Antonio has all the amenities you would expect for a metropolitan area.
Food: Boerne is just west of the park by ten minutes. The intersection with US 281 to the east has a Wendy’s.
Tackle: For fly fishing if you don’t bring it, San Antonio Bass Pro shop is the closest place to purchase fly tackle. Local general stores and gas stations have a limited selection of general purpose fishing tackle. Academy and Dick’s Sporting Goods are located in San Antonio.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/passes
The Texas State Park App is great for mobile devices and is better than the home page.