Martindale Road / Upper San Marcoson San Marcos River (Spring Lake & Downstream)
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.
What to tie on at Martindale Road / Upper San Marcos
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Scud (Pink/Orange) #14
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.
San Juan Worm #12
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.
Woolly Bugger (Olive) #6
A classic and versatile streamer pattern, the olive Woolly Bugger is excellent for enticing predatory strikes from bass, gar, and catfish, especially when imitating leeches or baitfish.
Mop Fly #12
This grub/larvae imitation is a general workhorse for putting fish in the net, effective across various species found in the San Marcos River's diverse habitat.
Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White) #4
In the clear waters of the San Marcos, this baitfish imitation is deadly for aggressive largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as gar, seeking out juvenile fish.
Gurgler (Bass) #6
As spring progresses and water temperatures warm, topwater action intensifies. This popper creates an enticing disturbance, drawing explosive strikes from bass, sunfish, and even gar in calmer pockets.
Damsel Nymph (Olive) #14
Damsel nymphs become highly active in late spring, making this pattern ideal for stripping slowly along the abundant weed beds where sunfish, bass, and Rio Grande Cichlids will be foraging.
Gurgler (Bass)
As summer progresses, topwater action intensifies. This popper creates an enticing disturbance, drawing explosive strikes from bass, sunfish, and even gar in calmer pockets.
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 during summer.
Buy at AmazonTexas season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.