FRIO RIVER, CONCAN & LEAKEY, TX
The big-mouthed bream pictured below (Green Sunfish) and a dozen other more vibranty colored specimens of varying genus were plucked from the icy, January waters of the Frio River, all on flies. Often, the vodka-mocking Frio is so clear that anglers are commonly site-casting to fish 30 to 50 feet away and further. Even in the cold, flyrodders should focus on dragging flies through the Frio's mesmerizing turquois pools and the lime-colored riffles and seams at public road crossings and turnouts, paying mind to the private property signage scattered here and there between the towns of Leakey and Concan, Texas.
In Garner State Park – the most revered and most-visited state park in Texas - a yearly deposit by TPW of about 2500 trout to give the native Guadalupe bass and Rio Grande cichlids a bit of outsider company. Try dropping flies like Rio Getters and Brush Hogs behind structure for the resident RG cichlids, and #14 Mardi Craws in the pools, tailouts, seams and overhanging rock ledges for trout, bass and bream.
[PRO TIP]: Hip waders, a paddle board or a kayak will help get you into some of the most kickass (and otherwise impossible to access) fly fishing water on the entire Edwards Plateau.
Aside from some of the sweetest stream fishing around, you'll find that the spectacular scenery, hospitality and food in the Frio River area is quintessential TEXAS and well worth your time. Winter and fall are best if you're looking for quiet, fly fishing solitude - spring and fall is the call if you're looking for the Brady Bunch, bikinis, and beerguts floating and frolicking all around your flies. Both are a blast, it's just a matter of what you're looking for.
For streamflow questions, float rentals, guided trips and fishing reports, call:
Josh's Frio River Outfitters (2 locations) Concan @ (830) 232-6292
and in Leakey @ (830) 232-4243
For guided float trips, tube and kayak rentals and various sundries, call:
Happy Hollow Outfitters located in Concan @ (830) 232-5266
Be sure to make reservations prior to visiting overnight. It gets very crowded and there is typically a waiting list to camp in #GarnerStatePark. For GSP reservation info, visit: https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/park_reservations/