So some buddies and I had a kayak camping/fishing trip planned for the middle of November on the Lower Colorado going into Bastrop, but the floods look to have ruined that possibility. The flows are just staying too high and I don't think a trip down there is feasible anymore.

Do any of you have any ideas for a one night kayak camping and fishing trip in and around Central Texas? We're in New Braunfels, Austin, and Round Rock, but it doesn't have to be super close, just something we can drive to in an hour or 2 or less.

Any ideas or help is greatly appreciated!

Not sure how San Marcos is looking, but this was a great trip I did awhile back. Fishing was epic and the river is gorgeous. Be super careful. Cottonseed rapid and the bridges are no joke! Pull over and scout and don't hesitate to portage. We did everything right and still managed to get swept into a strainer (fallen cypress tree) that cost us a lot of our gear. Shady Grove (Spencers Canoes) has some serious rules on what you can and can't do to preserve the family friendly atmosphere. If you follow them, its a great place to camp. Pat Spencer at Spencers Canoes was a huge help on the phone. If you give them a call and stay at their place they can help with all the logistics for you.

TRIP PLAN


5/2/15 Early AM to San Marcos from San Antonio


5/2/15 Drop off 1st vehicle at prearranged location with Spencer Canoes for pick up at Staples Dam Take Out


5/2/15 Leave 2nd Vehicle at put in with San Marcos River Retreat and put in river no later than 8AM to get an hour ahead of tubers

San Marcos River Retreat, 444 Pecan Park Dr- (512) 392-6171

San Marcos, TX 78666

29.858478, -97.889406

River Mile 6.2


5/2/15 5 River Mile Run to Spencer Canoes


5/2/15 Watch for cottonseed rapid (Class 2) at approximately River Mile 9

29.854908, -97.861293


5/2/15 Portage Skulls Crossing at River Mile 9.25

29.849608, -97.856842


5/2/15 Portage Martindale Dam at River Mile 10.4

29.840483, -97.846318


5/2/15 Camp at Reserved Campground # 7 Shady Grove Camp Ground operated by Spencer Canoes

River Mile 11.2


9515 Farm to Market Road 1979 (512) 357-6113 (Pat Spencer)

Martindale, TX 78655

29.829971, -97.842279


5/3/15 Early AM Departure from Shady Grove for 5.2 River Miles to Staples Dam takeout


5/3/15 Take out at Staples Dam

29.782428, -97.831091


5/3/15 Take Staples Dam Car back to San Marcos River Retreat to retrieve fist car.

Not to sound like a smart a$$, but I am sure you will get plenty of ideas on here. However, nothing is for sure until this water goes down. One of my favorite day trips is on the Brazos. However, It will probably take a month before I would consider touching that river much less camp on it.

Good advice. Call before you go. The Brazos is indeed not safe. I've run it at 10K CFS from PK and would not recommend that to anyone.

I mean the San Marcos River is flowing less than 6 inches above what it was at before the rains. The Blanco is also almost the same. There are definitely rivers that didn't get it like the Colorado did, just looking for which ones we can potentially float.

That trip on the Lower Colorado could work out for you if the LCRA slows down the release at Longhorn dam.

https://hydromet.lcra.org/Charts/?siteNumber=4558&siteType=flow&agency=LCRA


Let me know if you need another person on the trip. Have kayaks and a truck to help haul.

The Bastrop to Columbus run was always more consistent than many areas under a wide range of conditions when I lived in Bastrop for 10 years.

I haven't checked current conditions since I left there last year.

Marc