Hey gang,

I noticed that this year there hasn't been a press release for the trout fishing lease access program along the lower Guadalupe river (If there was I missed it). I feel this program was a huge help in getting the average Joe out to the Lower Guadalupe so they could understand what was available out there beyond the 10" TPWD trout.

Anyone know why they haven't mentioned it?

When I looked at last years it went from Sept-Feb, here we are in November with no notice, again that I know of.

Thanks in advance for the info.

Good question. I sent it along to the local TPWD Fisheries Biologist and will post when I get an answer from him.

TPWD plans to renew their leases and are in negotiations now to have the same four leases they did last year. Once negotiations are completed, they will announce their leases for this season.

This is the recurring statement from their Website. Been the same as from past years. Any day now.

Rainbow Trout Stocking

Each winter from December through early March, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks rainbow trout in more than 100 locations across Texas. The hatchery-reared trout are 9 to 12 inches long and create a put-and-take fishery: we expect that most will be caught within a few weeks after being stocked. In spring and summer, most Texas waters are too warm to provide suitable habitat for rainbow trout. Trout stocking has been completed for the 2012-2013 season. Next winter's stocking schedule will be posted here in mid-November.

They wont start stocking till early December, more then likely. However, the Lease Access program is a different animal and it allows you the ability to fish for them at several locations along the lower Guadalupe for free.

I think this is a great program since funds from licenses go into paying for the trout stocking. I think its wrong to take our publicly acquired funds and stock private waters, before the lease access program in order to get to some of these stocked trout you had to pay a day fee. The problem with paying the day fee is that you already may have helped pay for the trout. The free Lease Access program helped this problem and it afforded many anglers the opportunity tog et after the willey stockers. Either way I digress.

Thanks Mick I appreciate the effort. Good to hear from you buddy. I hope all is well with you and yours.

Tight Lines all.

To clarify, TPWD does not stock any private waters with trout (or any other fish species). The river is public, as are all the fish in it, whether stocked by a state organization like TPWD or a non-profit organization like GRTU.

The day fee is to reimburse the landowner whose property you are using [and parking on] to access the river. TPWD's program uses federal funds to pay the landowners for access thru their property to the river.

TPWD stockings on the Guad usually start around December 7th and occur every other week for about three months. Since creel surveys have shown that the majority of put and take fishing for trout occurs near the dam, that area usually gets about 50% of the fish, with the rest being distributed down the river as far as Camp Huaco Springs.

The river is public but access to it is through private property. Before TPWD leased the four locations just a few years ago the dam was the only public easy access point. Fly fishing isn't done because it's economical or to catch more fish! Trout are put in the Guad because of its economic gains to the community. Fly guys spend lots of money doing what they love to do! It is all in good fun. I typically drop a 100 bucks or more on a day trip to the river.

The 2013-2014 Trout Stocking Schedule is now posted:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/trout_stocking.phtml

But by the schedule for Canyon Tailrace (Guadalupe River) this is the only info as of today:
Canyon Tailrace [Directions] New Braunfels, 20,821 trout, Dec 6 2013, Dec 13 2013, Dec 20 2013, Dec 27 2013, Jan 3 2014, Jan 10 2014, Jan 17 2014, Jan 24 2014 AEW


Canyon Tailrace/Guadalupe River: Trout will be stocked at Guadalupe Park, Whitewater Sports, Rio Raft/bridge crossing in Sattler, Third Crossing, and Camp Huaco Springs. During the stocking season, several locations will offer free access to trout anglers. Please note special regulations are in effect from the second bridge crossing on River Road upstream to the easternmost bridge crossing on FM Road 306. In this area, there is an 18-inch minimum size limit, a one trout daily bag, and the restriction that only trout caught on artificial lures may be harvested. Anglers may fish with all other legal means and methods, and may harvest all fish except trout.

My point was that funds from my license is used to stock fish in almost private waters such as at huaco. The lease access program remedied this and thankfully so.

Yes there is free public access at the dam and they are in talks to limit that area next year. Also it's worthy to mention a handicapped individual would have a VERY difficult time getting to the waters below the dam. The varied tpwd leases make access easier for those with bad knees or other difficulties.

The only way to reach many sections of the river is by floating through or being a grtu member or paying a day fee. Half of the reason many more anglers aren't out on that area is because of the lack of information available, the fees, and the hassle of being knowledgable on all the different areas and their regulations.

My point is thank god they are going to continue the lease access program for tpwd it relieves me because it makes access easier for general fishing folks not just those that can spend a hound red dollars a day to fish.

Just for the record I pay day fees for parking, shuttle and I float through so I am saying this for those that use the lease access not so much for myself.

For the record, the GRTU Lease Access Program is about $100 a year for unlimited access to 8-9 leases and seasonal access to that many more.

Since the Guad is a navigable waterway, it's legal to wade it from one end to the other, staying below the mean high water mark. At current flows, much of the river is accessible to waders.

The change in regs that's being considered would not limit access, just move the upper limit of the Special Regs zone and install a slot limit on the size trout that could be retained. The area near the dam would be unaffected by those changes.

I understand your point but before those by the damn could use their scented baits for harvest over a larger area by wade fishing. Now if they wade too far they will be restricted by the harvesting regs both for the size of fish and the bait they can then use to harvest that fish. I understand it will help the holdover for the TTZ but again that section is difficult to access without paying fees.

Again I am not saying its bad just stating facts.

On another note:
For $100.00 a person can become a member of TU and GRTU and pay the lease access fees? I was under the impression it was more then that?

No changes in regs this year. If adopted, new regs would make changes beginning a half mile below the dam down to the current Special Regulations Zone that begins at the lower crossing of HWY 306.

In terms of cost, I was referring just to the GRTU Lease Access Program fee, which is now $105.

First time membership in TU is $17.50. No membership fee for GRTU. Admin/processing fee $12 (mailing, etc.). Lease Access Progam $105. So starting from scratch, that's $134.50.

Still not a bad price!!! Might have to look into it.

You can also purchase up to six one day use guest passes for friends. Another great benefit is access to the Lease Members section of the GRTU website forum, filled with the latest news and advice for members.

Have the GRTU started stocking because my friends keep telling me they stocked it last Thursday. I'm guessing if this is true it's GRTU because the parks and wildlife doesn't start until December.