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River guide · Texas

Fly Fishing the Devils River

One of the most remote and pristine spring-fed rivers in Texas, the Devils cuts 94 miles through raw canyon desert, offering extraordinary sight-fishing for smallmouth bass in gin-clear water that most fly anglers will never see.

  • 3 shops nearby
  • spring creek
  • March–May and September–November (guided trip windows
  • Texas
  • 4 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Devils River is March–May and September–November (guided trip windows. Key hatches include Crayfish imitations, Baitfish / streamer patterns, Poppers and surface bugs for smallmouth, No significant documented insect hatches. 3 fly shops near the Devils River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Devils River

Shops and guides that fish the Devils River. See all 36 Texas shops →

Expedition OutfittersReelFly Fishing AdventuresGrateful Angler Fly & Lure Shop/Guide Service
3 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassCarpPanfishRedfishSalmonSteelheadStriperTrout

Nearby towns

San AntonioSattlerWimberley

Rivers nearby

Guadalupe RiverSan Marcos RiverLower Mountain Fork RiverSan Juan River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Devils River

River typespring creek
Best seasonMarch–May and September–November (guided trip windows; access-limited)
AccessAccess requires a Texas Parks and Wildlife Devils River Access Permit ($10); launches are via private outfitters (Amistad Expeditions, Angell Expeditions) from the Del Norte Unit near Del Rio; most trips are 3–4 day floats covering 25–30 miles through canyon country.
Key hatches
  • Crayfish imitations (year-round)
  • Baitfish / streamer patterns (year-round)
  • Poppers and surface bugs for smallmouth (spring–fall)
  • No significant documented insect hatches
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Devils River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Devils River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Devils River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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Updated June 2026